Greetings from Minnesota

Holly molly that I am just now getting a chance to catch up on all my blogs!  Wowzers...So after B's birthday Miss H and I headed home for ONE day!  Yes, ONE day it was enough time to unpack and repack our bags.  Thankfully I had begun packing our Thanksgiving bags prior to our trip to my sisters.  Mostly because at my sisters it was um in the 80's all week and then in Minnesota it would be in the 40 or below.  (the day we left it was a high of 17, brrr)

Headed to Nana and Grandpa Steve's

Needless to say we were up and at them early on Tuesday morning for our 6 am flight to Minnesota.  H did wonderful as normal on our flight...she slept like a champ.  We were super excited to get to see the Roberts clan. H was so thrilled.  She loves her grandparents, aunt, and uncle.  I loved watching her giggle and laugh with them.  We did our normal Thanksgiving fun while we were there.  Annual family pedicures, black friday shopping (in the freezing cold and snow), gingerbread house building, and of course the big feast with the friends.  Chris' parents have some friends who have joined us the past two years for Thanksgiving dinner.  They are super sweet and bring tons of entertainment to our meal as well as many memories to laugh at.  Needless to say there was not a moment without laughter and fun.

Miss H and Lily looking down to the basement...

just chilling with daddy

Turkey...mmm

snow!

Ready to cheer on the Huskers!

Miss H had a few first while we were there!  Actually a huge one!  At my sister 's house Miss H took her first steps....just randomly while Little Bear and I were chatting in her room H took like 6 steps.  Of course Chris was not there and she didn't really do it again.  Thus on Thanksgiving day H put on a show for EVERYONE.  She took over 10 steps at a time.  She walked across the living room in front of everyone (except Chris who was down stairs...grrr).  She took a few steps but life in footed outfits is hard...thus we had to get her naked.  Here she is walking for the first time in front of them all.

Not only did H walk a long distance for the first time on Thanksgiving day, but it snowed!  She got to see her first true snow.  She really didn't understand it but we talked about it anyways.  I can't wait till she is bigger and can run and play in it.

Random pics in no order:

Celebrating Chris' bday a little late!

Aunt Riley you are crazy!

Miss H and Lily in the toy basket

What this cart wasn't made for babies to ride in??

Chatting with Aunt Riley

Snack time with Uncle Timmy

heading home...

the cute hat we got from the club because it is so cold there

As our week of fun came to an end we got to enjoy our last Thanksgiving tradition of gingerbread house building.  Every year we head to the club and have a build off.  The past two years Riley and I have teamed up agains Chris and his dad.  This year we had H on our team....she was TONS of help :-)  You can see our wonderful creations are just AMAZING, lol.  They bought different house kits this year and I can't say I liked them.  I missed our red icing and such but we did what we could with our kit.

The whole gang all together 

Our finished products!

We had a blast with the family and were sad to leave.  I know they were sad for us to leave too.  I can't wait till they come down for our next visit.  H loves them so much!  I know she was bummed to not have her Aunt chasing her around the room.  It was back to boring life with just mommy and daddy :-)

Hello Matey!

One can only understand that when there is a long pause in our blogging we must be TRAVELING. We have been crazy busy this past month and spent very little time at home.  Our lives get really crazing from November through December and now January (thanks to Miss H's birthday).

Where have we been?  In the deep sea of course since we were at B's Pirate party!  My sweet nephew turned 5 and had another amazing birthday party thanks to my sister's creative powers.  She really goes all out with their birthdays, I don't know how each year gets better and better.  (see last years train golf party here) The pirate party was a huge hit.  He and all his friends loved every second of it.  Really you can just see all the fun.

 The birthday boy with his wonderful cake! 

 Making pirate cookies with blood, eye balls, and more! 

Then it was off to the cannon ball fight...against the parents!  I couldn't figure out who enjoyed it more the dads or the kids.  All in all it was the best cannon ball fight I have ever been a part of! 

 Oh and of course Miss H had to get into the part! Ha...

 Loving on cousin Little Bear

 being silly with her turkey bow on

 someone found the doggy door...uhg

 cousins with matching turkey shirts...

 the treasure map....hope the pirates can find the goodies

 her new way to sit...on one knee

The pirate ship my mom spent 2 days building for the pirate party

Miss H is 10 months old

Harper you are TEN months old!  

This month you weigh 16 lbs  You are now about 27 inches long! You still wear size 2 diapers.  You 9 month clothes, but they are still a little big one you.   12 month clothes just swallow you up.  

Monthly stats:

Nursing: You still nurse about 4 times a day.  You kind of have been on a nursing kick the last few days...you must be growing!     

Eating Solids: My good little eater!  You love your food.  This month you have pretty much tried all the foods.  I don't have to worry too much more about food allergies.  Strawberries tend to make your little face blotchy...so we steer clear of those.  You still will eat baby food but are starting to like finger foods more.    

Sippy Cup: Still loving your cup of water.  You won't drink breast milk from it or a bottle.  But we are glad you love water. 

Smiling: You are just the happiest baby.  Anyone can make you smile these days.  I love that you are so friendly to others

Talking: My little talker.  You continue to use your dada and mama's like crazy.  We love to listen to you chat it up.   

Sign language:  You still can sign back to us dog, ball, milk and more.  We have started showing you a few new signs too. You now do eat, all done, and baby.

Awareness:  You still love to be close to your mommy and daddy.  However, are not as clingy as you were.  We are happy you can recognize safe areas and are a little cautious with new stuff.

Observer:  My little observer!!  You love to watch things before trying them. You sit and watch a new toy first then try it once you see how it works. 

WINSTON and BOB:Winston has learned to run from you if he wants to be alone.  Bob bob keeps you entertained when you are sad in your crib.  She always comes up to your crib and you reach your sweet little hand out to her...I love watching it on the monitor.  

Sleep: You have been sleeping through the night recently.  Mommy is super happy about that and hope it last.  You still have 2 naps during the day. 

Your hands: You are so cute you love to wave bye bye to people or hi to them.  If they don't wave or see you then you get a little put out.  You are a great floor cleaner...as in picking up every spec of dirt.  Most of the time you will hand it to mommy pretty good.  

Mouth: You now have 4 teeth...two on top and two on bottom.  They still don't show up very well when you smile but they are there.  You look pretty cute!  

Your legs:  You are a busy little one.  You have begun cruising on furniture.  You can stand for a long time but just wont take those first little steps.  Now if you are holding onto something away you will go.   

Bath time: Love your tubs.  You recently have learned that sucking on the wash cloth is fun.  Thus we now have to have 2 wash cloths when bathing. 

Giggles:  You are so funny.  This month you have learned to laugh just because.  It is funny to watch you as you giggle at things or think you are so funny.  

 

Dislikes: You dislike mashed potatoes...which is odd because you love baked  potatoes.  You don't like it when daddy leaves you.  You are such a DADDY'S girl.  You don't like it when people don't wave back to you in public.  But all in all you are pretty happy.

Things you are almost doing:

WALKING!!! You are cruising around all the furniture and standing so much. 

You had a few FIRST this month! 

You got to enjoy your first ELECTION.
You saw President Obama get re-elected.  

You celebrated daddy's birthday.
You found the doggy door at Queen Tia's.

You took our first family pictures for the Christmas card.
You ate bake potatoes for the first time.
You got to see the lot where our new home will be built.

Favorite toys this month are anything that moves or makes noise.

Leap Frog table still.  

Your wagon that BB and Papa gave you.  You love to push and ride in it. 

I loved this month in your life.  I feel like you learned so much this month.  It was like everyday something new came about.  Your personality has grown so much.  I love the person you are and that everyday I get to enjoy you.  You are the sweetest girl I know.  Mommy and daddy love you so much. All the way to the moon and back!

Sweetest guy around, or so we think

Happy birthday to a guy who I plan to spend the next 50 plus years with.  One who makes me smile and crazy all at the same time.  

A wonderful father to our sweet baby girl.  She cannot stand waiting for you she loves you so much.  She is such a daddy's girl and I love that about her. 

 I love that she loves you with all our little heart.  We love you and want you to have the best birthday around! 

Happy Birthday Chris!