Let's pretend it's spring

We had a couple warmer afternoons this week. Anna was thrilled to be able to ride her tricycle outside. Two times she rode it all the way to a park near our house and back home again. Both days Abby was equally as thrilled to spend some time swinging while we were at the park:

Christmas in New York

On Saturday we got back from a great trip to Albany. We had so much fun spending time with family and can't believe how quick it went. Anna had lots of fun hosting birthday parties and dance parties, doing puzzles, helping grandma bake, going on special trips with Nana, playing new and old games, and reading new and old books. Abby had a great time learning how to shake hands, pounding on her tray and drums, knocking down block towers, and learning how to climb the stairs. Mom and Dad had fun on some special trips out to eat, playing with Grandpa's new toy - a remote controlled helicopter (how did we not get into this sooner?), playing with Aunt Becky's new game, Quelf (highly recommended), and going bowling. We had so much fun we almost missed our fight home (yes, we were a little late getting to the airport, but here's some advise - don't plan on bringing sealed boxes of toys home after Christmas - not popular with TSA.)

Is that Santa or Uncle Pete?

Aunt Marty is so fun!

Aunt Mary is so snuggly :)

Hanging with my cousins :)

Making cupcakes with Grandma - my own recipe!

Happy Birthday, Abigail!

Abby is 8 months old today! New this month is more locomotion, a little talking, and playing games! Abby still uses her military crawl, but she has gotten a lot faster. Before we went to Albany for Christmas I could put her down with some toys near the kitchen and not worry about her leaving that area. Now she books for the stairs in a few quick seconds. She is busy pulling herself up to a kneeling position and sometimes even onto her feet. She can climb up the stairs with a little help.

She has been busy making all kids of sounds: "Ma, Da, Tha, Ra, Na, Ba" and I would say that she has already said her first few words - "Mama" in connection to me many times and once I heard her say "Anna" when someone was calling Anna's name!

She has a new game she likes to play where she holds her hand out to people so that they will take her hand and hold it or give it a kiss. She also has learned a few other games recently - slapping her tray or a drum to imitate someone else doing it and knocking two blocks together - either by holding both or by knocking a block in her hand to someone else's hand. She still loves peek-a-boo, tub time, and being around people.

She is such a joy and a blessing to our family and we are thankful everyday that she is ours.

Christmas in Vienna!

Yesterday we celebrated Christmas here in Vienna. Santa made a special trip to visit us early and brought Anna a tricycle, Abby a ball popper, and Abby and Anna a Snow White Cottage tent to share. We had a fun morning opening presents, a fun afternoon playing with presents, and a yummy Christmas dinner.

oooh, a new drill for Dad!

ahh, a new Sesame Street book (with felt pieces to move around!) for Anna!

oooo...new earrings for Mommy!

what did I get mom?

"I don't know what this is called, Mommy."

"Don't worry, Abby, no one does."

"Well, it sure looks fun!"

Sesame Street Live!

Matt and Anna went to Sesame Street Live this morning! They both had a great time :) Matt found a way to buy special tickets so they got to sit in the third row on the isle. Matt knew the third row would be fantastic, but he had no idea sitting in the isle of the third row meant that Anna would get visits from the characters. She got a visit from Prairie Dawn and Abby and a hug from Cookie!

Enjoying some treats before the show:

Here they come:

Anna, starstruck:

Christmas preparations

We've been busy getting ready for Christmas! Anna has had fun:

making cookies:

decorating cookies:

and making a gingerbread house:

And Abby has been busy working on sitting up so she has two hands free to unwrap her presents!

I'm ready!

We've also had a lot of fun opening our two advent calendars (wooden with treats! and a cool digital village), listening to A Night Before Christmas read to us by Nana on a digital book, watching some cool internet entertainment created by Uncle Pete, waiting to see where the Elf visiting our house will move each night, playing "hide the sheep ornament" on our Christmas tree, driving around town to look at lights, setting up Anna's new Nativity set, going to Anna's Christmas concert at school, going to the local high school Christmas concert, making Christmas jello, and of course, eating Christmas cookies! Wow, I didn't realized how busy we have been until I recorded it. Well, it's been a great Christmas season so far and it's only Dec. 14th. We're looking forward to a lot more fun here in Vienna and a fun trip to Albany next week.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great trip to Albany for Thanksgiving! It was such a blessing to spend so much time with family and see good friends too. Here are some highlights from the trip:

Now there are 4 cousins! Baby Kieran is so cute!!

That's funny, Great Grandma!

Aunt Diane is snuggly!

Do I look extra small in Uncle Dan's arms?

Painting time with Nana!

Is the chicken done yet, Liam?

Playing one of many new (old) games Uncle Pete found in the basement

Anyone who spent the week with us knows what Anna is waving her finger about...

no pictures, please!

Long time buds and their babies :)

hanging with Mommy's long time friend, Bridget :)