Happy Baby

2011 Mar 140, originally uploaded by counsel14.

Tennyson is in full gear of flipping and grabbing. However, she cannot flip back to her back, so she gets a little frustrated now and again.

Guess what she is saying

2011 Mar 076, originally uploaded by counsel14.

Feel free to add your own conversation here, but I'm pretty sure Courtney is teaching Katelee where the nearest shoe store is.

Grandparent Visit

The grandparents made the long trek to visit the grandkids this weekend.  They have enjoyed jumping on the trampoline, eating good Mexican food, and most of all -- getting lots of hugs and cuddles from the girls.  The weekend is way too short!

A Day in the Park

Even though we did not have a doctor's note excusing us from work and school today, we enjoyed a wonderful day off (Thank you Presidents).  We spent the morning at the park, (even Kaya) and we enjoyed a little Sonic for lunch.  It was an inviting 53 degrees, which was about right for running around the park and playing.  A good nap was had after playtime!  A good nap is just putting gas in the tank for more play later.

Sun Kissed

2011 Feb 142 edit, originally uploaded by counsel14.

Cutie

2011 Feb 154, originally uploaded by counsel14.

Sitting Up!

2011 Feb 157, originally uploaded by counsel14.

So proud of herself!

Styling

2011 Feb 054 edit, originally uploaded by counsel14.

Katelee steals momma's hat. Dad steals a shot.

New Shots

2011 Feb 063 edit, originally uploaded by counsel14.

Testing a new camera with my girls is a joy!

Recovering

Tennyson was born with a skin tag -- a small extra piece of skin right next to her ear.  Last week, we took her to the doctor to have it removed.  At first, the doctor said they couldn't do it in their office because it may have part of her ear connected.  After a two hour drive to the doctor's office, it wasn't the news we wanted to hear.  But then, after looking at the piece of skin, she decided they could remove it.  However, she informed us it would be a horrible procedure because she would have to be secured to a board, given a shot, the piece cut out, and then she would get stitches . . . and she would cry and scream.  She offered letting her get older until she could decide if she wanted it gone or not.  "But, I'll give you time to decide what you want to do."

Well, we deliberated and decided we wanted our daughter to go through the horrible procedure.  Our thought:  better now than later. 

Once we let the doctor know, she said it would be a very quick procedure.  A pediatric nurse came in and told us it would be quick and easy.  Wait!  I thought this was a horrible procedure!  No, it won't take any time at all.  She won't feel anything after the shot to numb the area. 

Mark stayed in the room while Courtney took Katelee out of the room.  Sure enough, it was all over in five minutes.  And, Tennyson is a quick forgiver -- she shot a smile to the nurse when it was all over.  She did get three stitches, which are healing.  Overall, you would never know she had visited the doctor.

Happy Birthday to Olivia!

Olivia turned 6 today!  She celebrated by having friends come over for a "Movie Party."  Her first gift, opened before her friends arrived, was "How to Train Your Dragon."  A gaggle of girls (and 1 boy) arrived in the afternoon.  They played for about an hour before settling in front of the television with pizza, hot dogs, popcorn, and candy.  After the movie, she was treated with a rendition of Happy Birthday To You, a wonderful cake, and a plethora of gifts.  I'm pretty sure we have 3 boxes of pizza left!  All in all, I think it was a success though!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLIVIA



Vacation Time -- SNOW

After several months of adjusting to Eastern New Mexico life, it was time to head West.  It just happened at the same time Grandma Donner was visiting.  Thus, we picked up Grandma and headed toward Albuquerque.  We settled into a great rental home near the Sandia Peak Mountains, complete with a hot tub and fire place!  We arrived late Thursday night, lit a fire, settled into the hot tub, and then found our beds.  Friday was a trip to the Sandia Park Tramway -- the world's longest.  At 10,378 feet up, there was quite a view!  We also enjoyed some good Mexican food at the base. 

At home, we enjoyed some good hot dogs and s'mores.

On Saturday, we played on the East side of the mountain -- SLEDDING!  The girls had never been sledding, but they caught on quickly.  All in all, the girls gave a thumbs up to snow.  They had fun sledding, making snow angels, and hiking through it.  We also enjoyed Courtney's chili, Mark's hot chocolate, and Grandma's coffee in bed.

Roadster

PC270010, originally uploaded by counsel14.

At least we have 13 more years before she hits the road!

Visitors -- Happy New Year

Grandpa and Grandma decided to make the trek to New Mexico to bid farewell to 2010 and greet 2011.  More than anything, they just wanted to play with the grandkids!  They had fun reading books, playing Don't Spill the Beans, Old Maid, and Chutes & Ladders.  The kids got to show off their favorite park, despite the 20 degree weather (it was a quick trip), as well as their dress-up clothes.  As for a New Year's celebration, we stayed up long enough to watch the New York ball drop, toast, and go to bed.  Granted, that is 10:00 p.m. New Mexico time.

Katelee listens intently (to the tv) while Grandpa reads

Olivia (and Tennyson below) sport their new Grandma-made night gowns

Admiring Reflections

Not Rain, Nor Fog, Nor Freezing Cold

It was sub-freezing this past week, but that did not stop Olivia from enjoying her new trampoline.  She took a broom out to sweep off the ice before jumping.  Granted, she did not stay outside very long . . . but you have to admire her dedication!

Happy Baby

Everybody was jolly yesterday!

Merry Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas to all.  The girls have had a good Christmas.  Christmas Eve was marked with service at church, complete with songs and candle lights.  We returned home to open the traditional present -- jammies!

Christmas morning came around 6:30 (Tennyson was the first to awaken).  Olivia had the great idea that Santa may not be able to deliver a whole trampoline in his sled, so he may have to bring it in boxes.  That is exactly what he did.  That didn't stop the girls from looking outside to see if their only Christmas wish was delivered.  As can be seen from the picture below, they were a bit disappointed to see nothing set up in the back yard. 

 This didn't stop the Christmas cheer though.  It turns out that Santa left clues throughout the house, and the girls had to figure out where the next clue was hidden.  They finally ended up in the garage and found three large cardboard boxes marked "Trampoline."  They still weren't too impressed with three large cardboard boxes.  But, the festivities continued.

We opened presents.  We ate sausage balls.  We ate chocolate.  We ate Little Debbie Christmas cakes.  We ate biscuits and gravy.  We ate candy canes and lollipops.  We played with our toys.  We had fashion shows.  We ate some more.  Then, it was nap time.

And, good things come to those who wait.  In this case, they waited about four hours to have the trampoline up and going for business.  Fortunately, it was a beautiful day without wind, so the assembly wasn't too bad.  It did take some time, but it was well worth the wait.  The girls and Mark played in it about one hour, which may have burned off a few needed calories. 

Finally, we headed to the neighbor's house to enjoy some good company and great smoked ham and turkey, sweet yams, stuffing, bacon-wrapped green beans, cheesy potatoes, fudge, cookies, chocolate pretzels, etc.   It was a good thing too; we were getting hungry.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

They Keep Growing

Olivia survived her first semester of Kindergarten, and she kicked off her winter break with a Christmas program.  She had her own part . . . shouting "like a light bulb" during the Rudolph song.  She has enjoyed the time away from school -- helping mom cook, playing with Katelee, and eating lots of sweets. 

Tennyson continues to grow and learn.  She has her smile down pat (as well as pooping).  She is also sleeping around 8 hours per night now.  Yeah!!!

Katelee has enjoyed a playmate while Olivia has been out of school . . . well, in between fighting.  She continues to spend most of her day in her dress up clothes.  I'm assuming this is early training for changing clothes as she gets older.

Christmas Time is Coming to Town

December has been a busy time thus far.  We made a trip to MO for Thanksgiving, and the festivities seemed to begin then!  Trees were decorated and cookies were baked (and eaten).  This continued once we returned home.  Today was especially important since it allowed the girls to reveal their Christmas gift wishes to Santa.  We were able to eat breakfast, meet with Santa, and do some crafts this morning.  Now, we'll see if the girls are nice enough to get their wishes . . . only 14 days left!!!

Hang On!

2010 Nov 034, originally uploaded by counsel14.