Christmas 2009

We're home!!

After a whirlwind adventure over the weekend, we finally made it home yesterday around 3:00. There wasn't anything better in the world to me last night than my own bed. =)

We had an amazing Christmas and were so blessed to receive many wonderful things. Paxtin, of course, got more toys than one child could ever need, but she has successfully managed to play with everything she has gotten at least once, leaving a trail of destruction behind her.

Instead of waiting a decade to upload the 200 pics I took over Christmas, I am just going to share our photos via my Facebook page. Here is the link:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2081310&id=73101688&l=9d7ceee856

Enjoy!

Quoting the Greats

"I want an official, Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range, model air rifle!"
"You'll shoot your eye out."
-The Christmas Story

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store."
"Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means just a bit more."
-The Grinch

"What about Santa's cookies?? I suppose parents eat those, too?!"
-Elf

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. "
-Roy L. Smith

"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas time. "
-Laura Ingalls Wilder

"Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall. "
-Larry Wilde, The Merry Book of Christmas

A Christmas candle is a lovely thing;
It makes no noise at all,
But softly gives itself away.
-Eva Logue

At Christmas play and make good cheer,
For Christmas comes but once a year
-Thomas Tusser

Wishing you all a very merry Holiday Season. I will be back after all our travels and celebrations to post all our Christmas pics. =)

LOTS of words Wednesday

What's Christmas...

without the cookies!?!

Pax and I made some yummy sugar cookie stars & trees last week. I LOVE Christmas cookies and want this to be a tradition we do each year together.

As you can see, she was QUITE the helper. =)

After she (and I) gobbled up more dough than necessary and she coated my cabinets and floors in icing and sprinkles-we managed to turn out about 12-14 decent looking cookies. We, of course, shared with everyone, even taking some to daddy at work!

I think next week, we will do a gingerbread house. Wish me luck! ; )

18 Months

That BIG GIRL (not baby) pictured above-is my 18 month old. I know I always say how I can't believe she is another month older, but this one is very surreal. She's an official toddler and has all the personality & independence to go along with it. ; )

We haven't been to the Dr. yet, so I don't have any measurements, but I know she's taller (I see her reaching for stuff she couldn't have gotten a month ago) AND she is definitely heavier...ask my back. Although, now that she is a full-time walker-on the verge of a tiny trot-I have noticed her legs slimming and toning up. There go the ham hock thighs...well, sort of.

So, at 18 months we have quite the little chatterbox on our hands. Her 'actual' words are doubling by the day-she blurts out a new one everyday it seems-and I am working with her on using her words in order to get what she wants. Up until now, she really only would give a point and a demanding EH EH when she needed something. I usually will make her SAY the item she is wanting-praising her and encouraging her along the way. There are also the total gibberish rants that still occur quite often. Those are my favorites. =)

Her comprehension at this age is also astounding to me. She fully understands lengthy directions and commands I give her, such as giving something to someone else or bringing something to me or daddy. She is an incredibly bright baby and I am amazed by what all she can do.

Pax is silly, independent, curious, and even a tad mischievous at times, but perfect and sweet in every possible way. The past 18 months have been so incredible with her in our lives and I know the next 6, on the way to TWO, will fly. I am reminded everyday to stop and do something simple with her-like singing a song or explaining something we see outside-just to make these baby days stretch out as long as I can.

You better watch out...

you better not pout!!

This one picture (and maybe one with the Easter Bunny) is what every mommy needs in their arsenal. =)

Silly Baby

For every "Oh my word, did she just do that??" moment, there are these moments. The ones that make everyone laugh and remember how silly and funny Pax is.

This picture was hard to catch, but Poppy was blowing rose petals on her face and she was DYING with laughter.

I mean...SILLY!??!!?

Poor Ollie...I think that's the face of a desperate dog. ; )

I'm so excited December is here!! I am so ready for Christmas this year with Paxtin-this will be the first year that it takes forever for it to get here...the one I am MOST anxious to celebrate. Oh well, makes me remember to slow down and enjoy the season.