Christmas Card Blooper Reel

This is why:
a) we didn't include a shot of all four of them together
b) we didn't even attempt a photo with us in it too
c) we love digital photography (and the 100+ snaps that went into this year's card!)
d) all of the above

Kelly: Eight Months and Nine Months

Kelly-Belly, you're just too cute. Your smile is so big and so bright. You love to laugh and we love to make you giggle because its so sweet.

You are into everything these days. Somewhere back in October you started pulling up on things and now you are a serious cruiser. You can climb a full flight of stairs. You are FAST. You wait for the second I turn my back and grab whatever it is you've scheming about... plates, paper, Shannon's stuff. Oh, and the bowl of dog water is a daily mission.

You are suddenly an eating machine. You love munching on graham crackers and crackers and can pick up cereal and puffs. You still are enjoying the purees I make you (and even share your "squished up" pears and peas with your sis sometimes).

You recently learning how to wave (see the second elephant photo up top) and can sign milk. You babble mama and dada, but I think I've heard you really SAY dada a few times.

Your latest trick is shaking your head no (is that because you hear mommy use that word about 400 times a day?). Which has inspired "the Kelly dance" at our dance parties.

But as fast as you're growing up, you're still a sweet little baby.

Christmas Came Early

Last Sunday, Shannon woke up from her nap to find this:

Let me make sure I'm not still dreaming...

Yep...it's a PUPPY!!!!!

We named him Winston (despite Shannon's multiple suggestions of the oh-so-clever "puppy-puppy"). So far, he's fitting in quite nicely.

For the record, he's this big.

Apple Picking

Wait, isn't it December? Yep, but our recent visit to Linvilla reminded me that I never finished my pre-Halloween post about our last trip there: to pick apples and find a pumpkin.

We had a great time in the orchard. Daddy was our best picker (see above), but Shannon gave him a run for his money.

Kelly sized up the crop (almost like she knew that many of them would become apple puree for her).

Since we had walked a long way out and it was a gorgeous day, we decided to take a snack break before heading in. Something about these shots felt like they came from a simpler time to me, so I had fun playing around with the vintage effect.

After our snack, it was time to head over to Pumpkinland and pick out a winner. And try to get a cute shot of the girls in the sea of pumpkins. Kelly got the idea right away!

And we had to see how everyone measured up.

The Perfect Christmas Tree

I'll confess, my expectations for our second annual Christmas tree cutting adventure at Linvilla were pretty high since last year was so much fun.

About 15 minutes in, it wasn't shaping up to be quite the quality family outing I remembered.

But soon things started looking up. Kelly passed out and we found the perfect tree. In keeping with tradition, Daddy did all of the work while Shannon and I drank hot chocolate.

The hayride back was peaceful and sunny.

Shannon cracked us up when the wagon with the trees arrived. She literally was jumping and squealing with glee, "My Christmas tree here! My Christmas tree here!"

And here is today, all decked out.

Thanksgiving in NYC

We had a great Thanksgiving in New York with Uncle Mike, Aunt Hanna and Uncle Pat this year. Mike and Hanna's new apartment is just block away from Central Park and right where the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade gets started.

On Thanksgiving Eve, we went to see the balloons being inflated. Here's Mickey under the nets

Kelly taking it all in from the pack. (Aside: The Ergo is my favorite piece of baby gear this time around.)

Around 8:30 we strolled down the street and found a spot. It was jammed packed.

Kelly was fussy and ready for a nap, so she and I headed back soon after seeing Spiderman.

Shannon LOVED Abby Cadabby and the Sesame Street float.

She held Mike's hand whenever they saw clowns (for Mike has a clown phobia and Shannon is currently obsessed with talking about other people's fears).

Can you guess what balloon is coming?

Horton, the elephant!

When the big guy wrapped things up, Shannon delighted the people around her by repeatedly screaming, "I being a good girl! I being a good girl!"

The rest of our Turkey Day was spent cooking and relaxing.

Shannon made some pretty snazzy placecards and Kelly was our centerpiece. We squeezed in and enjoyed our feast.

Gobble, gobble!