Laney's Winter Wonderland

We woke up this morning to a beautiful white Christmas. Santa made a stop here and ate some cookies and drank his milk... and left Laney a few presents! She was a little grumpy this morning, though. It was nothing that a long morning nap couldn't cure. We had a chaotic few hours over at Granny and Nick's last night. Ashley and Maren were waiting for us in the front window (a little anxious to start the gift exchange). From there it is all a blur of wrapping paper and Ryan pushing the (loud) Playskool Lawnmower that we got him! Julia pretty much slept through the whole thing! We left at about 7pm and made it home for Laney's bottle and read "Twas the Night Before Christmas".

We were disappointed that the weather stopped us from going up to Pease today. We are really looking forward to our trip up there next weekend. We missed seeing our family today! We did however have a long day of relaxing and Bug took a good couple of naps.

I took a couple pictures of Laney's cute Christmas PJ's and our impressive snow totals: about 14" as of noon Christmas Day!

She's Ready!

All Laney wants to do these days is STAND! She loves to pull herself up and climb over us just to get on her feet. We have been watching some of the old Christmas cartoons - I think Marcus and I enjoy them more than Laney right now.. Bug really loves to look, touch and watch the Christmas tree. It has been a fun couple weeks and we can't wait to see what this week has in store for us! We are planning to spend Christmas Eve with the Wagner's and Day with the Hubers. I have a feeling Laney could be a little spoiled this year! We are hoping the weather cooperates- it looks like another storm is headed our way.

We are really excited that our friends from Little Rock are coming to visit. Will and Paula and their kids Liam and Lucy will be here for Christmas, my birthday and New Years. We can't wait to see them! It is so fun to spend this time with friends and family!

---We want to wish everyone a very Blessed and Merry Christmas---

Just Like Mama...Avocados and Rudolph!

Laney loves avocados! She just gobbled them right up as fast as we could put them on her tray! She is also enjoying mandarin oranges, real bananas and real carrots (as opposed to baby food bananas and carrots). Bug has also been loving the Christmas tree and lights. Between Laney and Lucy(the cat) I don't know how long the tree will last this year... but so far, they are both behaving themselves. Laney really likes all of the "Rudolph" gear I have accumulated over the years. Especially the singing and glowing Rudolph!

We had our first "snow day" of the year today. What a fun treat to have Papa home with us! He worked and Bug and I tried to get his attention all day long... it worked! Who can resist that sweet face and giggle?! We are trying to finish up painting our main level before Christmas (when Bug goes down for the night)--hour by hour, we are getting there....

Nap-time Surprise

The top photo is Laney when she woke up from her nap yesterday...

She's Been Nice....

What a busy couple of weeks for us! We had Thanksgiving with my family this year- (we are on the every other year plan). We then made the trip to Sioux Center, IA. Usually a 4 hour drive, but with the Bug- about 5. We had a couple messy set backs, but made it to Uncle Tom and Aunt Val's in time for lunch and a nap. Laney got to meet and see a LOT of family she hadn't seen in a while! She really loved to see the kids and play. The drive home was a lot better and we had a pretty normal week.

Laney met Santa and Mrs. Claus today. She kept her cool and barely cracked a smile. She didn't cry, so all in all, it was a success! We are just starting to decorate the house- it should be an interesting few weeks!

Making her list and checking it twice and The Face Off

Laney has really been enjoying all of the toy ads and rolling around in them! She loves seeing all of the holiday decorations at the store and I wonder how things will go when I decorate the house and we put up or Christmas tree... We are really looking forward to making new family traditions with Laney.

We picked up Ashley and Maren from the bus stop this week and Laney got to hang out with her cool older cousins. She is just in awe with the girls and likes to watch them play and sing. Laney and I also made a trip to see Aunt Jessie and Julia last week. Laney likes their cats and I loved seeing a tiny 6LB baby! Bug looks like a giant compared to a newborn!

Today, Laney came face to face with Lucy the cat and.... nothing! Lucy must know that she is under surveillance. We were hoping to take a good family photo this week for holiday cards... but we ran out of time. Hope everyone is enjoying their fall- we are looking forward to a great Thanksgiving with family and friends!

Halloween and a new addition

There is a new baby in the family! Uncle Jon and Aunt Jessica welcomed a beautiful little girl on Tuesday, November 3. Julia Nicole is the newest member of our family- and we couldn't be happier! We think Laney is happy to have a little girl cousin to play with and is excited to share her chic wardrobe with Julia!

Our girl was a Ladybug for Halloween and made a special trip to Granny and Nick's house and a couple of neighbors homes before heading off to bed. Laney also got to play with Grandma and Grandpa Hubers when they came down on Sunday. She likes to watch the Vikings with Papa and Grandpa H.

We had a 9 month visit to the pediatrician- and Bug is 19lbs.4oz and 29" long. She looks great and we are going to keep trying new foods- sweet potatoes are still the top of the list! Good thing- Thanksgiving is just around the corner!