Christmas Festivites Part 4

After a fun Christmas morning, we drove to Sugarland to spend Christmas Day with Eric's family.

Jennie and Barrett opening gifts:


Melissa and her babydoll
Ann getting coffee for her new coffeemaker:
Reid....
and Trevor!

Christmas Festivities Part 3

Christmas morning was so much fun! The first thing we did was check to make sure Santa found the milk and cookies. He even left a fun reply on the letter we had left for him.

I think Eric and I had more fun giving Melissa her presents than she did playing with them. Her big toys this year where a tricycle (which is a little big for her yet) and a small wagon.

Our lovely tree......

Christmas Festivities Part 2

Christmas Eve we went to Mass at St. Joseph's, then headed over to my parent's house for dinner.

Here are a few pictures from the evening:








Playing Wii

Running around and having fun:

Christmas Festivities Part 1

We've been busy over the last several weeks, celebrating the holidays. It all started with a Christmas celebration with my family earlier this month.

Family portrait time!

Mom and Dad:
Brandon, Jennifer, Chris, Andrew and Alexis:
Eric, Danielle, and Melissa:
Shawn and Jessica:
Jason and Mandy:

Presents everywhere!


After a yummy dinner, it was time to start opening gifts. Melissa was already tuckered out before we started!

But once she figured out there was a toy for her under the wrapping paper, she started to have fun!

Great Grandma Kruse enjoying the activities

Reading books with cousin Alexis:



After presents and bathtime, it was time for dessert. Yum yum!


Getting ready to go but not wanting to leave....
Merry Christmas Everyone!

Christmas in the Park

Saturday night Melissa and I went to Christmas in the Park at Central Park here in College Station. She enjoys seeing the lights on our tree and front porch, and other Christmas lights as we drive around, so I thought it would be fun to take her somewhere with lots of lights! Our plan was to meet up with a friend and her children, but we couldn't seem to find each other. So Melissa and I strolled around and had a great time, just the two of us.

I bundled Melissa up and we just walked around, listening to the music and looking at the lights. You can tell she was dancing in this picture since she is waving her fingers around.

We took a picture with Rudolph. Please note that she is looking at his hand on her stroller.

She was not too happy with that, moving to the far end of the stroller and producing some tears pretty quickly, which prompted Rudolph to immediately remove his hand.

Back to smiling again!
My favorite part was walking over to the big tree of lights and getting her out of the stroller to walk around. I showed her how she could look up, and from then on, that is all she wanted to do, even though it would make her fall over! She would look up and say "Wow"! (or her version of it.) Even though it was cold, I'm so glad we went. Have you visited Christmas in the Park yet?

16 Months

Melissa - you turned 16 months today!

What are you up to?

• You are still a happy, loving toddler. You enjoy giving kisses to Mommy and Daddy.
  
• You are wearing 12 month clothes and some 18 month.
  
• At your 15 month appointment, you weighed around 21 pounds and were 25th percentile for height and weight.
  
• Your eyes are a combination of blue and brown, and your hair is still brown.
• Your hair is getting long, but you don't want to let Mommy do anything to keep it out of your face. You always pull the clips out!
• You are eating so well! You will eat almost anything, and especially love to snack on your crackers during the day.
• You are starting to enjoy coloring and writing on paper. We just have to keep a close eye to make sure you stay on the paper!
  

• Right now, Momma is one of the only things you want. No one else will do to get you out of the bathtub, put you to sleep, read you books, etc.
• You love to dance and have a new dance move, thanks to Uncle Peter!
  
• When I ask if you want to sing, you respond "Ee-yo" (Think Old McDonald had a Farm, E-I-E-I-O)
• You amaze us with the words you know and can say or try to say: Mama, Dada, Puppy, Papa, Meema, Nana, car, shoes, keys, duck, sock, bowl, toothbrush, diaper, ball, cup, ice cream, apple, banana, cookie, cracker, giraffe, frog, baby, clock
  
• If you can't reach something, or can't do what you want to do, it's "Stuck"!
• You take 1 nap most days, but there are some days where you play so hard you really need to take two.
  
• You love being outside. Our daily afternoon walks with Athena are one of your favorite things.
• So far, you listen well if we ask you to stop what you are doing, or to come back to us.
• You enjoy reading your books and love to point out the things you know.

You are such a blessing to us Melissa. You are an adorable toddler who is growing so fast and amazing us with your knowledge. Mommy and Daddy love you very much.

Prayers for a friend

I was working on my new post and getting ready to share our latest update when I read some news that I needed to share instead.

Our dear friends, Josh and Elizabeth Simmons, gave birth to Catherine Elizabeth on November 15th in Temple. Catherine was diagnosed with Spina Bifida around 20 weeks and was closely monitored during the pregnancy. Her birth went well and everything seemed to be looking good. While undergoing surgery today, the Lord took her home. I don't know any other information at this time. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as you gather with friends and family during the upcoming holidays.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/catherinesimmons

Happy Halloween!

Here is our little Tinkerbell ready to go!

Our first stop was Melissa's daycare. Here is a picture of Melissa and Miss Connie.

A group pictures of the kids at daycare: Ruby, Melissa, Tanner, and Grayson.

A few more stops to friends and family, and our night was done! Hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween!

Catching Up

Isn't it amazing how time flies even if there aren't any "big" things going on? Each day seems to go by so quickly! Here's a bit of what's been going on these past few weeks:

Just goofing off around the house:

A short visit with Nana on her way to Sugarland

The cold weather finally arrived (for Texas anyway!), so out came the long sleeved pajamas.

Bunco night with the girls at Mandy's house. Daddy did a great job on the bedtime routine without me!

Rolling the dice with Elizabeth, Julia, and Signe.

Catharine and Mandy taking a turn!

We went to a wedding recently (more pictures coming in a separate post).

After the wedding, we went to my parent's house because Aunt Trudy and Uncle Jim had come down for a visit. The last time they saw Melissa was just about a year ago! It was so nice to see them!!

A visit to the park with some friends. Melissa was very interested in playing with the rocks from the swing area.

Here are Milo and Melissa sizing each other up. Milo is 3 months older than Melissa. I think Daddy may have his hands full......

Playing outside in the grass with Athena.

Drawing and coloring at the table outside.

Relaxing after a fun filled day!

Cory Morrow concert

Friday night Mandy and I went to the Cory Morrow concert at Harry's. We had a great time!

The Scott Wiggins Band opened. Although I only knew one of their songs, we enjoyed their music.

Then on to Cory Morrow! He is definitely one of our favorite Texas artists.

Always and Forever, Beat of your Heart, 21 Days, Light on the Stage, Songwriters Lament, Texas Time Travelin', Love Me (Like You Used To Do) and those are just some of the ones he sang!

Mandy and I had a great time and really enjoyed the chance to get out and have some fun. And there are many stories to tell, which I'll save for another time.

For those of you who might be wondering, we did ask Jennifer to come out and join us, but she declined. Turns out she has a very good reason - she's pregnant! She's due in April. I'll be sure to keep everyone posted!