Friday, December 30, 2011

Celebrating Christmas

The longer I blog, I seem to write less.  Most of my writing these days have to do with making lists (i.e. my cleaning list and my grocery list...).  But if I were to really write, I certainly have lots of material.   I could write pages and pages about how smart and witty and hilarious our daughter Adeline is!  My writing couldn't do Miss Adeline justice though...it's her expression, her tone, her choice of words, and her timely execution of words that make her truly perfect.  I certainly don't mean Adeline is PERFECT, but she's "perfect" for our family.  I could then try to describe in words how sweet, curious, charming, and adorable Charlie is and still not capture him as precious as he is...  But photos speak for themselves and capture those "moments."  So while we don't always take time to write everything down, we do find ourselves with our camera in hand daily.  Enjoy a few highlights from our Christmas!
Addie and Riley in matching pjs...this may be the year for their first sleepover!  There is nothing like pure Christmas joy on the faces of these three year old girls!

Our precious two...blessings overflowing

opening stocking gifts

Christmas morning...

Charlie enjoying his first Christmas (gnawing on some wrapping paper)

so thankful that daddy didn't have to work on Christmas!

playing with grandpa

It was so warm on Christmas day, we went on a walk and tested out Charlie's new wagon!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

We spent a couple of days in Chicago with extended family which was wonderful!

 Adeline & Auntie Kay playing with "Tops & Tights" dolls

 Two brothers playing a friendly game of Monopoly...

spending time with Grandma...

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

7 Months Old

At 7 months old, Charlie Joel is sitting up by himself!!  He coos and babbles all day long.  Patrick tries really hard to get Charlie to say "Dada"....I'll let you know when that happens! :)  He continues to be such a mild mannered little guy...just goes with the flow and never runs out of smiles.  We just adore him....I mean who wouldn't adore this cute boy?!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Our Little Gymnast

After Adeline turned 3 in October, we enrolled her in a gymnastics class.  She loves going every week, and I love watching her moving through all of the equipment!  The pictures are taken through a glass window, so they're not so great, but you'll get a good idea anyway. :)

2020 Olympic Games....here I come!

Addie just finished her first 8-week session.  She proudly holds her ribbon and can't wait to continue in the next session after the holidays.

TA-DA 
(and thank you auntie Kamiah for my pink leotard!)

Sunday, December 18, 2011

An Early Christmas with Grandma & Grandpa

Grandma & grandpa from Iowa came up for a visit.  We had a great couple of days with them - lots of playing, reading books, coloring, going out to eat, going downtown...
I love this - Addie and Grandpa coloring a princess picture together...just precious.

 We spent an afternoon in downtown minneapolis walking through Macy's Christmas display as well as visiting Santa.



opening some early Christmas gifts...



"Charlie the Ranch Dog" - such a cute book!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Christmas Season Begins...

I know I say this every year, but I really think we have the most beautiful tree this year.  It's tall, very full, and symmetrical...not too symmetrical...just right!  Adeline loved helping us add ornaments on the tree this year.
Charlie just hung out and watched while we decorated the tree.

Addie proudly holding her "Christmas Garden" she made at BSF

Decorating Christmas sugar cookies - Addie was my sprinkle girl