Christmas 2012

FAVORITE PICTURE THE DAY:

Someone looks a little excited over those presents!

Basically, our wonderful holiday looked like this:

 Grandparents snuggling grandkids...

 ... uncles too!

 Toddler friendly felt Christmas trees...

 ... And Disney princess gifts!

 ... The Christmas quilt I made for their first Christmas together...

 Silly mamas...

 ... and smiling baby boys!

 ... I was always just a little too slow with that camera but man, was he cute!

... Excitement in helping SJ enjoy his first Christmas gifts...

 ... While I enjoyed my own!

 Helping her when things were "stuck"...

 ... And SJ watching from his new bouncy chair.

 Then, the day looked like:

A trip to the bowling alley...

 ... where grandpa showed us how it was done!

And Uncle kept the kiddos occupied...

 ... What was up with all those gutter balls, sweetie?

Little girl LOVED this! She was full of "wow!"s and claps and high fives!

 But darn it- Nona broke a nail! Ouch.

 Everyone was willing to help!

Thank you all so much for coming to visit!

 We had a wonderful Christmas. 

Thank you all who sent cards, gifts and love our way.

 Now on to the new year! 

We plan to kick it off with lots of giggles and fun. 

It'll look something like this:

Just a little wedding celebration

My dad married back in October and since I wasn't able to attend, I threw a little small scale reception for him and his bride while they were out visiting us for the holidays.

                Congratulations you two! 

 Gluten Free Chocolate Raspberry Cake with Buttercream Frosting, 

and my new favorite way to decorate a cake: Melted chocolate hearts, hardened.

It's amazing what you can do for decor with a roll of wrapping paper! I thoroughly enjoyed doing something unrelated to mommyhood for the first time since SJ was born!

1 month and 21 months old already!

Our sweet little guy, SJ, went from being a sleepy little newborn...

... to a sleepy little two week old...

 ... to a sleepy little one month old!

Of course, he isn't always sleeping... 

 ... Nor is he always so quiet and peaceful.

He's starting to look around more and hold his head up on his own. He coos his sweet baby sound on occasion, and lets out an agitated squawk after he sneezes that makes us all laugh. He loves to cuddle and always protests being set down. This little man melts my heart!

And what is big sister, L, up to these days? 

Oh, just being silly and clever and bossy and sweet all at the same time.

She loves her play kitchen... 

And, she loves to play cars...

...She helps with dishes.

And she loves to hold her little brother...

...She even wants him to walk already! 

She's become an expert baby binki thief, 
but she makes up for it by giving SJ lots of kisses and combing his short hair.

* The incredibly sweet newborn pictures were taken by my very good friend; I really appreciate her talent not only in photography/ photo shop but in her patient, calm way of working with a new baby.

This same friend also made the tiger hat. Isn't she the coolest? 

And, another awesome friend crocheted the beautiful grey blanket he's wrapped up in. 

I love it!

When grandma comes to town...

... SJ gets extra snuggles! 

... L gets to boss around her new best friend! 

 ... Mama gets to take naps!

... And we all get spoiled rotten! 

Thank you for flying in to visit us 

and for everything you did for us while you were here! 

We really appreciated all the help.

Miss you!