Merry Christmas!!!

Jenna Grace Lillenberg

My beautiful niece was born on November 10th at 9:03pm. We are so excited Jenna is finally here. Congratulations to Josh and Marisa!

Big Giraffes and Little Giraffes

Since Kate was a giraffe for Halloween, we just had to take her to the zoo to meet the rest of her kind. We had a lot of fun, but I think this is the last time we take her to the zoo dressed up. We got way too much attention. Kind of creepy when 40 something year old men take pictures of your baby on their iPhone.

Hooray for Halloween

Halloween was super fun this year because thanks to Kate we got to go Trick-or-Treating. I have not done that in over a decade. We only went to 3 of our neighbors doors, but it was still nice to be out there. This year for Halloween Ryan wore another "Ryan Created" costume. I'm not going to even try to explain what he is because it will just cause too much confusion, but let me just say that he isn't a clown. And our little Kate made one adorable giraffe. Holidays are so much more fun with Kate around!

And of course we had to get some pictures of the giraffe in her natural habitat.

Pumpkins and Half Birthdays

I just love having all these firsts with Kate. This week we headed out to the Bates Nut Farm to enjoy a nice autumn day, pick out pumpkins and celebrate Kate's Half Birthday. We were even blessed to have Mammo and Poppo (my parents) join us for the celebration.

Birthday present time!!!

She is a natural at opening presents. I think she liked the tissue paper best of all.
Now we know what to get Kate for Christmas...Kate loves her birthday presents from Mammo and Poppo

Giving love to her first baby doll

We had so much fun with our little bean. Thank you Kate for making our lives so wonderful! We love you!!!

My Big Helper

Kate has been my helper with doing the laundry this week. She likes to ride in the basket with the laundry. It makes it easier to only have to carry one thing to the laundry room instead of two. She has also been helping me play the piano. She is going to be our little piano prodigy. Kate, thanks for helping Mommy.

Another Giveaway…

My friend Natalie has a great card making business. Click here to get hooked up.

5 Months and Counting

Our little baby is growing up way too fast. I cannot believe she is 5 months old already. It just cannot be. She is laughing and jabbering and continuing to grow her two little piranha teeth. We love every moment with her, even the gross ones. Yesterday I was playing with Kate, holding her up in the air over my head when the most dreaded thing happened. Thanks to Kate's two little piranha teeth she is now drooling in the excess. Before I could react a long string of drool comes pouring from Kate wide grinning lips and drips right into the back of my mouth. It was so gross! Ryan couldn't breathe he was laughing so hard. Life with Kate never seizes to be exciting. Here are some 5 month pictures of our big girl.

So Proud...

of my cousin Allie! She is doing so amazingly well in the world of fashion. This last week she had a show for her 2010 collection and it went so well. The collection is beautiful and fun! I know I am a little biased but she really is so talented. I love my cousin and am so happy that things going well for her. Keep your ears open for the name ALLISON PARRIS. You'll be hearing it a lot some day.

Allison coming out after the show

Mama Times Three

Last weekend my sister gave birth to another bundle of perfection. Naomi Lynn Leinenbach was greeted by two extremely excited big sisters who have been aggressively loving her all week. We are so excited that little Naomi is finally here. I cannot wait to meet her and see her sweet face in person. I am so happy that Kate can have a best friend cousin (and one more on the way when my sister-in-law delivers in November).

The Happy Leinenbach Family
Ashley and Ella could not be more excited!

And the only signs of Jaymie having birthed this child is the fact that she is in a hospital gown and sitting in a labor and delivery bed. Only Jaymie could look this good after giving birth.

Congratulations Jaymie and Derek! We love you Naomi!!!

Little Miss Rosebud

Our little girl is 4 months now! Wow, I cannot believe it. I went back to work last week and I hold these little babies and cannot believe my Kate was that tiny. It is amazing how fast they change. Well, I guess Kate isn't changing as fast as some though. Last week she had her 4 month check up and she weighed in at a whopping 10lbs 13oz. The following day I delivered a baby that weighed 10lbs 13oz. Granted that was one large newborn, but I still thought it was pretty funny that my 4 month old weighed the same as a newborn. Here are some recent pictures of our little rosebud.

Maui Wowie!

We are having a great time in Maui! My oh so generous grandparents have treated us to a fun filled, two week vacation in Maui. We have done a lot of snorkeling and swimming and enjoying the beautiful scenery. Yesterday Ryan and the rest of the family went on a day long snorkeling trip to Molokini Island and a few other snorkeling hotspots. (Fun underwater pictures to come) But since they dont make fins in Kate's size, my mom, Grandma, Aunt Amy, Cousin Lisa, and I took Kate to the Maui Ocean Center. Kate absolutely loved watching the sharks and sting rays and little fishies swim around. We may have a future marine biologist on our hands.

Here are some more shots of our many Maui adventures!

Kate getting her first feel of ocean water out in front of our condo

Ryan ready for a dip in the ocean

Me and my cousin Brianna after pool games with Ryan and my cousin Austin

Good thing Austin is so strong. Ryan enjoyed using him as a diving board.

Kate giggling with Aunt Deb

Peering down the blow hole

Watch Out!!

What a handsome boy!

My brother Chris and I getting sprayed by the blow hole

Family photo moment (minus Kate)

Me and my mama a little wind blown

#1 Before

#2 Here comes the wave

#3 Soaked

Ryan and I before heading down stairs for some snorkeling

(we saw 3 sea turtles while we were out- so fun!)

Kate and Poppo in downtown Lahaina

They look happy now, but this was before eating it

many times on the large, steep crashing waves

Kate and Mammo enjoing the sun

Wiped out after a fun day in the sun

Blowing the conch shells at sunset

Kate with cousins Bre and Lisa

My cute parents even got to celebrate their 34th wedding anniversary while in Maui.

What a treat. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!!!!

Tomorrow we leave Lahaina and head over to Hana, on the west side of the island, to spend the remainder of the trip. We are so lucky to have such awesome Grandparents.

More pictures to come of Maui Vacation: Week 2