Saturday, December 26, 2009

Merry Christmas 2009!

Yesterday we celebrated Audrey's first Christmas! It was so much fun!




On Tuesday night, we headed to Gardens Aglow, which has been very fun and beautiful in the past. We were a little worried about how the evening would go, because it was about 28 degrees and very crowded. We also had to park far away and walk through the cold to get to where we were going. Well, about a half hour into the evening, Audrey really started to get grumpy. She wouldn't keep her hands in her blanket, and some skin on her legs kept getting exposed from her pant legs getting pulled up, so she turned into a little icicle. After about an hour Audrey started to get a little hysterical, so we decided to head back to the car. About half-way to the car (which was about a 10 minute walk), she really got upset and started screaming, so we had to stop at a gas station and find some warm water for a bottle to finally pacify her. Not the most enjoyable evening, to say the least.




On Christmas Eve we went to Grandma Diane's and Grandpa Darryl's and opened Christmas presents and sort-of watched A Muppet Christmas Carol, which has become a Christmas tradition. I say sort-of watched it because it was a little chaotic and no one was paying much attention to the movie.



The next morning we made a Christmas morning phone call to Grandpa Chuck (while Daddy woke up Audrey who was being a sleepy-head), and then made cinnamon rolls and opened presents. It was a great Christmas morning! Audrey loved playing with all of the Christmas wrapping paper and exploring her new toys. Later in the morning we went to Grandma Joycie and Papa Milon's to open presents and have some Christmas dinner. We got off to a rough start at Grandma Joycie's because everyone was laughing and having fun, and it scared Audrey, who proceded to cry and scream for the next little while. A short nap seemed to cure that, and Audrey was a happy girl again.




Around 3:30 we headed out to Grandma Diane and Grandpa Darryl's house for some Wii game playing (Aunt June and Uncle Bob brought their new Wii), and visited with friends and family for a little while.




Over -all it was a fantastic first Christmas. I'll post some pictures below.



In her new dress about two weeks before Christmas.

Which one is the monkey?!On our way to Gardens Aglow....the calm and happiness before the storm....Audrey nor Daddy were thrilled about the whole situation...She gave us a little bit of a smile.. Christmas eve at Grandma Diane's. Opening her first package! Christmas eve at home just before bed! Audrey and Daddy playing before bed-time on Christmas Eve. What's in here?!I can't contain my excitement!!
Finally - Christmas morning and present time!

This was what was in the big red box. A new doll!!


Figuring out how to open the present..




She was most interested in the paper.




Chocolate!




My new little playhouse from Santa!





Cousin Keegan trying to entertain a very unhappy Audrey at Grandma Joycie's house.











Saturday, December 12, 2009

Christmas Pictures

Hi everyone -


Here are a couple Christmas pictures we had taken this week to send out in holiday cards. Don't worry - if you read this you'll probably be getting the real version, not just the computer version.



Saturday, December 5, 2009

Audrey's First Christmas Tree

As we were setting up the Christmas tree in our living room this evening, I was remembering fondly the last time we set up a Christmas tree: as we strung lights around the tree's swollen middle, I was thinking about the effort and discomfort and joy as we decorated last year's tree, anxiously awaiting the birth of our sweet baby girl and wondering if she would be here by Christmas as I carefully worked around my own protruding midsection. Though she did not make it in time for Christmas last year, she is a healthy and happy little girl this Christmas, and she is mesmerized and thrilled by all of the sights and sounds of this Christmas season.


I am so excited for this Christmas. Though I have always loved the holidays and each year look forward to the new and exciting memories and events that each season brings, this year seems more fulfilling some how, now that we have the newest addition to our family who brightens our every waking moments and fills our nights with sweet dreams. Audrey is such a joy and blessing to our family, and we are so thankful that God trusted us enough to be that sweet little spirit's parents, especially during these uncertain times.


Here are a few pictures from this year's tree decorating. Audrey was napping as we set the tree up and put on the lights, so some of the first pictures were of her first reactions to a strange tree being in our living room.










Monday, November 30, 2009

Thanksgiving and other Random Pics

Audrey and Grandma Diane at Aunt June's house on Thanksgiving. Audrey enjoying some sweet potatoes and wanting to play with the camera.


Looking pretty with sweet potato lips.

Daddy giving me some yummy Thanksgiving rolls!



Playing with Papa Milon while he and Grandma Joyciewere babysitting. Audrey was entertained by tearing a napkin into the tiniest pieces possible.



Silly face!!





Look at me!






Climbing on the siesta sack.







Climbing up the siesta sack to the Valentine caterpillar!









Mama let me loose with a biter biscuit, and it was goooooood.









Look at my dirty face!









Mmmm...












Hehe! I love being messy!



Would you like some biter biscuit?

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Halloween!

Hooray! This was Audrey's first Halloween, and she went as a little ladybug. Here are some pics from the big night!

Audrey with cousins Kelsey, Keira, and Keegan.
At Grandma Diane's house. Audrey was telling a story.




















Matt was very into his world series game. :)