I guess the holidays are over...

With much regret I have to finally admit that the holidays are over. It is, as the songs say, "the most wonderful time of the year." We had a wonderful holiday season spent with family. First Thanksgiving with the Darby clan and then Christmas with all the Lillenbergs (expect for Jaymie and family- we missed you!) More wonderful memories built. There are going to be a lot of pictures so hold tight. Here is our Christmas in pictures...

And now the count down to Christmas 2010 begins!

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