Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours....

1st Snow

Luke's first snow.  

We usually don't get much in December, but we definitely have this year.  

It snowed just enough to have a little fun.  

So, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to bundle him up and take him out to play.

"What's this?"

"I like it!"

The boys, first snow 2010

Making a snow angel

Blake and Layton stayed out longer to play while Luke and I went inside -- it was freezing!

And just because he was so darn cute - here is Layton during his first snow, February 2008. 

Sweet baby boy:)

Snack time...

with Baby Jesus.

I tried

After caroling, I wanted to get a picture of the boys in their cute matching Christmas shirts.

I solicited Blake's help....I just KNEW that we could get ONE picture....

How hard can it be?

Apparently very hard.

Not O.N.E good picture.

Here's how it went...

"Luke, look at Mommy, Layton, smile naturally, think of something funny!"

Result: not looking at Mommy & a fake smile

"Hey boys - Luke, look at Mommy....Layton, look at Mommy"

Result: Only one child looking at Mommy

"Ok, let's try again, boys....."Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells....."

Result: Sleepy boys that are tired of pictures.

"Luke, don't play with the tree......."

Result: He's playing with the tree....

Picture session over.

I tried.

Caroling

Right before Christmas, my good friend, Christina suggested that we take the kids caroling around the neighborhood.  We called a few of our other neighbors that were around the same age, and they also thought it was a great idea;)  Everyone was excited, especially Jake!

We decided to make it a fun night, ordering pizza, letting the kids play and then go caroling!

Here are our little carolers!

Luke was not happy about having his picture taken!

Singing Christmas songs!

I loved this picture - Layton and Jake wanted to give everyone hugs after they sang!  What sweeties!

It is definitely a tradition that we will do again next year:)

Ella's Kitchen: A Must Try!

Ok, I have to clarify something.  

I had said before that Luke is not eating baby food anymore....well, he isn't....except for these. 

Ella's Kitchen: Organic Baby Food 

My SIL introduced me to these and Luke is LOVING them!  :)  It is organic baby food in the most brilliant package I have ever seen.  You just twist off the top and let your baby drink the "smoothie like" food from the straw and PRESTO - a healthy meal & NO mess! It's simply perfect for on the go:)

Just thought I would share. 

But seriously, if you have little ones....you must try!

p.s.  They also have a toddler version...great for getting our tots to eat their fruits and veggies too!

It must have been...

the weekend for Christmas Parties.

because we were invited to THREE!

Blake and I before one of our nights out:)

I didn't take many pictures at the parties, but I did manage to get a picture of our small group from church. 

I feel so blessed to have wonderful Christian friends to share life with.  We all started out as very young newly married couples and now....as 30 somethings', we have children who are becoming the best of buddies.  Isn't that what its all about?  

Love these guys. 

Busy weekend, but so much fun!

Definitely put me in the Christmas spirit:)

31 days until ONE

11 months old.

In 31 days, and my littlest love will be celebrating his first birthday.

Luke,

What a sweet gift you have been...we feel so blessed to have you blossom before our eyes.  Your personality has unfolded and we are seeing more of your sweet spirit with a twist of spunky.

Your loving demeanor has made you a "favorite" of anyone you are around.  Everyone is always commenting how "snuggly", content and sweet you are.  You have yet to meet a stranger and love laying your head down on most anyone's shoulder.  You can't wait to crawl up in someone's lap and take a long nap.  It warms my heart to see you give love the way you do.

You are just as laid back as can be.  I couldn't feel more blessed to have such an "easy going baby".  As we enter your toddler days, I pray that the pattern continues.  

So let me take a look back at your 10th month (Nov 11th - Dec 11th)....

You...

...weigh about 24 lbs and are about 30 inches long; wearing 18 month clothes, size 4 shoe, and size 4 diaper.

...are still exclusively nursing but realize, sweet boy, that your time is almost up...Mommy's limit is your first birthday.  I hope your transition goes as well.

...are LOVING eating table food!  You rarely eat baby food, and I haven't introduced one single food that you won't eat! :) You feed yourself, quietly, little by little....and then before I realize it....it's completely gone!!  Your favorite food is bananas or strawberries, but you love carrots and green beans too!

....tried spaghetti and went wild over it....you even learned how to suck up the noodles!







Doesn't this face say, "YUMMY" or what?

...love propping your feet up while you eat.  It's like you have your very own recliner. Too hilarious!

...STOOD, on your own, from the sitting position for the first time on Thanksgiving Day (10 months, 2 weeks)!  We were all excited and took lots of pictures and videos!  So proud! ;) And since then, you do it often, just to show off!!!

...got your fourth & fifth tooth!! (bottom left, one from center & top left) I thought I would miss your gummy grins, but oh my, your toothy grins are even more adorable!

...decorated your first Christmas tree.  Although you have been curious, you haven't really bothered the tree like I anticipated.  I have all the soft/unbreakable ornaments down low, so have been free to explore.

...talking, pointing and signing more and more.  Saying, ma ma, da da, hi, bye bye, ba (ball), tr (tree), bi (bite), while pointing out objects/people when asked like Mommy, Daddy, Bubbie, paci, (mommy's) nose, car, ball, Christmas tree, and signing "more", "all done".  You shake your head "no", but we are still working on "yes".

...spent your second night away with Grammie and Grandaddy while Mommy and Daddy went on a date too Cincinnati.  You slept and ate well:)  We missed you, but you and Layton had a good time!

...attended your first basketball game (ironically it went into DOUBLE overtime). You liked cheering on our team! ;)

...love giving high fives and the BIGGEST slobbery kisses ever....I love it:)

This is usually what I see coming toward me....open mouth ready for a smooch!!

 ...moved upstairs this month to your new nursery.  You love your cozy room and now are becoming more and more attached to your crib blanket.  I believe it has helped as we have begun to rock less and just lay you down more.

       

...enjoy chasing your brother.  Layton will get down and crawl with you...then the race begins around the kitchen & living room!!

 ...would, however, live on my hip, if I let you...which I usually do;) 

...celebrated your FIRST Thanksgiving this month....our hearts were so thankful for you and your big brother.

Our hearts simply could not be more full of love and gratefulness for your sweet face.  

Happy 11 Months, Luke!

Tomorrow

Tomorrow, Luke will be 11 months old on the 11th! (kind of neat, huh?)

Seems impossible. 

So grateful.

AND....

Tomorrow is 2 weeks from Christmas Day.

I can't wait to celebrate his FIRST Christmas, when I can see him do this.....

And see this look on his face....

Yep, it's gonna be fun!!! 

My heart remembers...

this day, four years ago. 

I said goodbye to one of the greatest men I will ever know, my grandfather.

His precious memories make my heart smile.  

I miss his bear hugs, his contagious laughs, his sweet blue eyes and his big hands to hold....but most of all I miss him.  

However, I rejoice today knowing that he is celebrating with my Savior, and THAT makes my heart smile too! 

Because

I love to see him smile....

Trimming the tree

We always put our tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving.  

It's the official start to our Christmas season. 

Layton was so excited:)

Here is Layton doing the exact same thing....last year!

Blake putting the last branches together....

while Layton helped Mommy with the lights and ornaments.

  Luke helped too:)

and then decided to taste them!

Layton is such a good big brother, he is "helping" Luke stand....
even though he does much better, all by himself.

"Here, Mommy, put this one on the tree."

Layton was meticulous about where he placed each ornament on the tree...

while someone else, immediately, tried to pull them off!  

I still can't believe that we have two little cuties helping us decorate our tree this year.

It seems like  yesterday, Blake and I were doing this all by ourselves...

now.look.

This time last year, I was very pregnant and moving very slowly, so this year, I enjoyed decorating much, much more:)  

I think he did too!