Happy Mother's Day

Hope yours was as beautiful as ours. 

Mom, Sue, Darcy... thanks for everything you do.  We love you!

Happy Valentine's Day

From us and the little girl who couldn't even put her balloon down to have dinner. 

A week later, the Christmas Recap

Now that the last waves of illness seem to be receding from the house, I wanted to FINALLY try to get caught up here.  Kayla's second Christmas was definitely a memorable one; I couldn't wait to share. 

Christmas Eve started with breakfast at Pepere and Grammy Sue's house with our dear friends the Fraileys.  Deb, Peter and Noah are like family to us, and their angel Eli is never far from any of our hearts or minds.  They also brought their furbaby Maggie along - Kayla couldn't get enough of her!  After breakfast and gifts with them and Aunt Paula, we came home for an unsuccessful nap attempt. 

Deb and Kayla

The Bedger family stopped by for an afternoon visit on their way to see their families.  Thanks for the yummy cookies guys, they were great!  After that it was time to get dressed and head out for our traditional Christmas Eve with my dad's side of the family.  Kayla was utterly adorable in her new dress...

But the adorable factor only lasted so long thanks to that entirely too short nap.  Thankfully we got to enjoy the time with family a bit (that particular gathering holds a lot of special memories for me and is super meaningful, so it meant a lot to be there even just for a couple of hours) and Kayla slipped into a snooze on the ride home.  We didn't get to read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" this year, but that's OK. 

While Kayla was snoozing, Santa came and left her some goodies in her stocking and under the tree.

Which she happily tore into on Christmas Morning. 

After Santa presents, it was over to Grandma and PawPaw's house for breakfast and more presents.

And some puppy kisses

We came home and had nap time, then went back to Grandma and PawPaw's to see Dena, Jaime and three of their boys.  There were (of course) more gifts, and lots of playing and laughs and hugs. 

Christmas then continued on Sunday with Nana...

It was a busy, but wonderful 3 days.  We spent the next week hanging out at home, passing our cold germs around and resting.  I didn't accomplish as much as I'd wanted to, but it was great to have us all home together for a few non-hectic days.  We celebrated a quiet NYE at home with champagne and chocolate souffles and more cold germs.  Thankfully we're all feeling pretty much better now and we are looking forward to all that 2011 has to offer! 

Our Year in Pictures

So the innerwebz seem to have eaten the lovely year in review post I was working on.  In frustration I present a year in pictures...

JANUARY

Kayla at 6 months, still sporting the crazy-awesome spiky hairdo. 

FEBRUARY

First venture out into the snow. 

MARCH

Self feeding in full swing already... Kayla starts crawling this month too. 

APRIL

First Easter, not liking being placed in the grass. 





MAY

So much fun.  We celebrated Pepere's 50th birthday this month, although his birthday is in April.  Kayla's first teeth finally appear in May. 

JUNE

We celebrated Aunt Dena and Uncle Jaime's wedding this month.  Kayla's first steps also came in June; just in time to be fully mobile for her party. 

JULY

Pictures in the dead heat of summer - dead referring to the grass of course - on her FIRST BIRTHDAY!  We went to Avalon in July too. 

AUGUST

Kayla did a brief stint as a vampire when her lateral incisors popped through but the centrals took their time making an appearance.  We also paint, rearrange and re-accessorize the living room.  Little improvements make a big difference. 

SEPTEMBER

We took a mini-vacation to Ocean City.  Our first trip as a family.  <3

OCTOBER



The first time she was actually awake and aware for Trick or Treat night. 



NOVEMBER

Her second Thanksgiving - third if you count the fact that I was pregnant in 2008.  Hard to believe how much things can change in 2 years.  This month we celebrate Nana's 50th birthday too. 

DECEMBER

Spoiled silly at Christmas.  We are so very lucky. 

And that my friends, is the short version of our 2010 in review.

We hope that your 2010 treated you well and that 2011 is even better!

Merry Christmas to all

I'm expecting a busy week so I wanted to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas, from our family to yours. 

Things to come:

*Christmas cards are sent.  I need to give the one going farthest away (Colorado) some time to get there, and then I can share the amazing Shutterfly card that we made this year.

*I have the weirdest toddler on Earth.  She actually WANTS to wear a hat and mittens. 

*This weekend begins the Christmas festivities in our house.  I plan to document with lots of pictures. 

*Working on the 2010 recap… hope to have that posted soon. 

Please friends, don't be fooled

I know that I totally have seasonal ADD.  Just last night I was prattling on about cards and photos and I am serously dying to get our Christmas decorating going (10 more days... just 10 more days).  At the same time I'm sitting here sipping tropical Juicy Juice (don't tell Kayla) spiked with just a hint of rum.  Despite the fact that I seem to long for summer while looking on to the days and weeks ahead, don't think that the significance of tomorrow is lost on me.  It most certainly isn't. 

I have so very much in my life to be thankful for; it seems trite to try to sum it all up in a blog post but I am going to try anyway. 

I am thankful for my home.  I am thankful for all the love that is contained within these walls and the joy of those who live here.  I am thankful that I come home every day to arms that are ready to hug and a little angel who exclaims "mommy, mommy, mommy!  Mine, mine, mine!" when I come through the door.  I am thankful that we are healthy and fed and truly we want for very little.  I am thankful that we both have steady jobs and have had very little turmoil during these tough times when so many have had to go without.

I am thankful for my family; the family I was born into, the family I gained when my dad and step mom married and the family I married into.  Together, they form a support system I don't know what we'd do without.  They are happy to babysit when we need a break.  They keep me fed and sane when I am on my own with a toddler for the first time.  They are here every weekend to play, to go to the park or walk for ice cream.    I have parents and sisters, aunts, uncles, grandparents and nephews who I adore and I am thankful that Kayla will grow up in such a large, loving family. 

I am so thankful for these two.  Without them I'd be wandering, lost and lonely.  They really do complete me, and I am ever so grateful that I have them.

So tomorrow while I am eating turkey and stuffing and mashed potatoes to my heart's content, I am going to be thinking of these things, and more.  I hope all of you have something to be thankful for too.  Happy Thanksgiving all.