Baby Kisses

Is there anything better than baby kisses? I submit, there is not!

Giving them.

Getting them.
The famous "Open Mouth Lick/Nurse"

The Face Claw/Pinch. (You know, got to make sure your target isn't moving/going anywhere.)

Snuggle time!

Hamming it up for the camera.

The equally painful Mouth Grab.

Here's to millions of baby kisses!

New Home: Park Visits

We love that our new house has a park just a few streets away! We have already taken advantage of it.

My sweetie.

Everything is big in Texas?

One of the rare chances of freedom and getting out of her stroller.

"What is this strange warmth on my face? What is that bright light in the sky?"

"Heeeey!"

Another day, another time being trapped in her stroller watching the fun just out of reach. "Gee, I'm glad I have these plastic rings to hold..."

This girl loves running and screaming at the park, the only place I let her. 

Accomplishments: Clara in December

Standing and teeth!

"Oh hey, don't mind me. Just standing here. All by myself. Alone. Being cute."

"Just one-handed. No biggie. I'm cute."

Such a look of accomplishment and self-satisfaction. "That's right. I did it. Take a picture."

Standing and two teeth. The double deuce!

"I'm going to bite you! And I am very happy about it!"

Thinks she is soooo funny with all her standing.

"Who me? And these two teeth here?"

Stop the cuteness!

Christmas Parties

Our church Christmas party was so great! The people who organized it did an amazing job with decorations,  dinner, musical numbers, and the nativity program. I really enjoyed the retelling of the Christmas story and wasn't sad a bit that Santa didn't make an appearance . Love!

I still need the recipe for the creamed corn that was served as one of the pot luck sides. Yum! Who even knew such deliciousness existed until I moved to Texas.

So, so lovely.

At Zach's work Christmas party they had a great waiting area with all kinds of activities while we anticipated the arrival of the guest of honor.

Lucy's favorite feature of any party: The bounce house

Um, cute!

Lovin' up on Dad while they can!

Nice little peach fuzz hair coming in. Very nice, very nice.

He rolled up to the gate in style.

Santa is hardcore in Texas.

That's one classy Santa Claus.

Lucy posing with Dad in front of the "shooters"

I don't know how you beat that kind of entrance. Space shuttle? Teleporter?

Winterfest & Movie Night

Our little community hosted a Winterfest and the girls and I stopped by to check it out while Zach ran errands. I heard that there would be snow!

We brought a few toys to donate to the Santa's Workshop and got some tickets for rides, but because it was so cold we didn't even end up using them. We did win coupons for some free desserts at the Chick-fil-A booth, and some free hot chocolate mix.

Lucy also enjoyed writing a letter to Santa telling him her Christmas wish and also shared what she was giving her Dad for Christmas.

North, to Alaska!

She loves these costume suits and was laughing the whole time. Eat more chicken!

The "Snow" I had heard so much about. Lucy's face says it all: Disappointment/confusion

Oh, well! Stand on it, poke at it with your mitten, take a picture, and we're off!

Despite the surprisingly freezing temperatures that day, and the somewhat of a let down on the snow front, it was a fun activity to go and check out. Next year we will have to have Zach come with us so that he can take Lucy on some of the rides while I stand with the baby.



Another fun activity we did for a family day was to go see the movie Frozen at the theater. This was both Lucy and Clara's first movie theater experience and they both did great, minus one small incident with Clara. Half way through the movie at the climax musical number I realized she needed a diaper change, stat.

Suffice it to say that it wasn't her first bath in a public restroom sink. By this point I am pro. Lucky for her I had an extra outfit in the diaper bag for her to change into! Then back to the movie to enjoy the rest of the show. She even fell asleep for the last bit.

Anticipation!

Excited!

Lucy loved it, and is very eager for her next movie theater experience.

Thanksgiving 2013: Reunion

Originally for Thanksgiving we had planned on having some friends come visit and stay with us in our new house. Unfortunately, we had to cancel because we hadn't even moved in until a few days before!

Thankfully we received a few dinner invitations locally and were able to go visit with my old roommate Marianne, and her husband Brian, (who had been my brother Boyd's roommate), and Marianne's brother and his wife and kids who were so gracious to host the Thanksgiving dinner at their home.

The dinner was amazing, and the company was even better.

We were so grateful that David & Elise invited us! It was so great to see everyone and catch up after not having seen them for several years.

The best picture I could find of us with all our girls. Ha!

My loves!

The kidlets. 

Searching for deals and planning Black Friday excursions.

Love, love, love this girl!

Clara's head was a good support for standing apparently.

Baby besties hanging out under the swing.

Kid wrangling. 

I am so, so glad that we were able to meet up again after all this time. Lucky for us they only live a few hours away now. Let's not wait another six years before seeing each other again!


Here's to living closer to friends and family!