8 months old!

Hard to believe that 2/3 of a year has gone by! Lydia is still tiny, but developing wonderfully! I think she may finally be 15 lbs, but that may be a bit of wishful thinking. She's crawling like a pro, and has finally figured out that if someone leaves a room she can actually crawl after them. She doesn't think twice about getting herself to a sitting position by herself, and pulls up to standing whenever there's something close by to pull on.

She's eating at least 2 meals of solids a day and loves cheerios and Gerber puffs. She doesn't seem to have any preferences for veggies vs. fruits -- they're all good to her. She has mastered her pincer grasp.

She doesn't nap often during the day, but sleeps well at night. When we're out and about, she's most content while riding in a sling and loves to wave. She passes things from one hand to the other with ease and explores everything with her mouth.

She's a happy, smiley, giggly baby who is an absolute joy.

Christmas highlights 2007

Nate received the skateboard he's been wanting for months!

Nate, eager to get into his remote control ATV.

Lydia, opening her first gift.

Excited about something in his stocking ;)

I think Christmas stockings are one of Colin's favorite things on Christmas morning.

Lydia liked the ball she received in hers.

Colin couldn't wait to start reading this book.

You'll have to trust met that the saying on this towel is funny, and perfect for Jane, but I can't remember the phrasing.

Every year, we have crackers before dinner (not the edible kind, the kind with goodies inside) Lydia is modeling her first Christmas crown.

Every year, we also save one gift for right before dinner. This year, the boys received personalized superhero capes!

These are just a few shots of the fun we had on Christmas day, and a handful of the wonderful gifts received. We're all under the weather currently with a rotten cold, but plan to get thank you's out in the mail soon! We hope you had a wonderful Christmas!!

Cookies & Gifts

The boys were looking pretty tired as they left cookies & iced tea for Santa, and carrots & broccoli for the reindeer. We attended midnight mass (although our church holds it at 10PM) and Nate slept through most of it. He woke up enough to put on his new pajamas and leave the cookies.

We managed to get a quick picture of the living room after Santa left and before the boys awoke. Santa had extra elves this year and wrapped most of his gifts in paper with his face all over!

Christmas Eve Family Photos

We try to take family photos in front of our tree every Christmas Eve. Here are this year's attempts! (Thanks to Jane for her help in getting some of these shots!)

The boys decorate for Christmas

I guess the lions are to keep the reindeer in line. And, I'm not sure how we ended up with 2 Mrs. Claus'?

It wouldn't be a nativity scene without some donkey & sheep (and a zebra, a cheetah and a rhino), I guess. And it was nice of Noah to show up and proclaim the birth of Jesus along with the angels (although in our house, Noah is mostly known as Grandpa since Colin thought he looked just like him when he received the Noah's Ark years ago.)

Lydia, almost Christmas

Do you want a cherry puff? I might share with you . . .

Mom told me to pose. Is this a good pose? Can I crawl away yet? Didn't you take the picture yet? I have to find things to put in my mouth, you know!

I can blow raspberries. Can you?

Is this present for me? Oh, thank you!!

for Unka Matt

Remember this Pooh? He's been a faithful and loyal friend for 7 years now! Colin says THANK YOU, again :)

De-lurk for the Holidays!

I'm declaring this week a de-lurking week! If you visit and look at our pictures, please take a moment to comment and let us know you're here!

It's easy! Just click on the comment link and fill it in. If you don't have a blog, that's okay -- just sign your name to your comment.

We're happy that people love to visit and see what's happening in our life, but sometimes I wonder who you are when I check the stats! Thanks ;)

* I am forcing this post to the top until the 22nd, so if you check between the 15th & then, look below for any new pictures. *

Santa Visit

The kids visited Santa this week, and all had a smile for him!

Lydia, the tree, and milestones

We got the tree up late last week. DH set it up late one night and decorated the living room with lights, then the kids and I decorated it the next day.

Lydia was very interested in the new plaything, and we once again have a tree that leaves the lower branches undecorated, except for a few stuffed ornaments. It also encourages her to crawl if we put her out of reach of those branches!

Another milestone she's reached is that she is consistently pulling herself up to standing whenever the opportunity is there. And, I don't know if it's a milestone or not -- but she giggles A LOT, and even has anticipatory giggles if she thinks she might get tickled. I think she may be my giggliest baby yet!

Snow

Last Monday, there was a winter storm blowing through Arizona. We heard there was snow in Flagstaff, so we decided to hop in the car and make the almost 3 hour trip!

We've been looking at snow for a few miles now out the window. We're about to stop, and you can see Colin's excitement.

Montezuma's Castle

We visited Montezuma's Castle earlier this week. It's not really a castle, and Montezuma never came this far north, but it's an amazing archaeological site. Check out the link for more information.

Nate was fascinated by the leaves that fell from the trees in the park.

Check out my 3 handsome men!

Nate especially loved "trudging" through the leaves. We misunderstood what he was saying a couple times, until we finally understood that he was "trudging!!!"

Check back soon for pictures of the kids' first adventure in snow! We stopped here on the way to snow, and the boys were eager to get on our way!