Christmas Wishes

Josh and I are discovering how much fun it is to enjoy Christmas through the eyes of a child. We pray the years ahead are filled with the same joy and wonderment we were blessed with this year. From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!

(Though we wish we could claim credit for these pics, the props belong to Rocky Conly. Thanks Rocky!)

Jesus Loves Me/Counting/If You're Happy Medley

This is guaranteed to be the cutest thing you've seen today. (Okay, I'm bragging, but I can't help it.)

UPDATE: After I posted this, my mom emailed and said she thinks Kate was trying to sing the second verse of Jesus Loves Me instead of starting to count. After re-listening, I think she's right. (In my defense, "Little ones to" sounds a lot like "One, two"...but I still feel sheepish in translating incorrectly. ) Oh well...it made a nice segue.

Trimming the Tree

This was Kate's first year to put the star on the Christmas tree. I remember doing that growing up, taking turns between my brother and myself, and it always seemed like a special treat. I hope Kate thinks so too someday.

Snapshots from Thanksgiving

Posing with the Grandparents by their new pond.

Grandma is so much fun.

Piano recital at Great-Granny's.

She's bringing down the house.

Lumberjack Josh.

We took Kate to see my Uncle Mike's cows...she was very interested in them, but still wanted to keep a comfortable distance.

I love this picture of my Grandma...she wants to keep a comfortable distance, too.

Kate's House

This is by far Kate's favorite toy right now...a giant cardboard box. She colors in it (and on it), eats snacks in it, and even takes her flashlight to read books in it. Yea for cheap entertainment.

Here she had closed the doors to read a book with her flashlight...

Austin Children's Museum

On Monday we visited the Austin Children's Museum, along with several other moms and kids from church. This was my and Kate's first trip to the museum, and she really enjoyed it. The place is packed with hands-on exhibits and other fun things for kids. I was especially glad that the day we visited was a designated "Baby Bloomers" day, for "3 and under" only, so there weren't any big kids to trample the little ones. Thanks to Cheryl for organizing the trip!

One of the first things Kate really enjoyed was the Construction Area, where she donned a hard hat and safety vest and went to town organizing nuts and bolts.




Later, we discovered what may have been the highlight of Kate's week...a giant cow. Kate climbed up on this platform to touch the cow and declare over and over with great enthusiasm that he was, indeed, a "COW!"


Here's Kate and Adelaide playing with rice in the "Little Explorers" lab.

Kate, Adelaide and Sadie Carrell, chillin' on the bench seat in the MetroRail replica.

We had a really fun day, and afterwards we enjoyed the crisp fall weather by having lunch at an outdoor cafe with the Conlys.

Camping

Last weekend we went camping at Lockhart State Park with a few other families from our Sunday School class. We only planned to stay one night (Friday), since we knew from having already camped with Kate (when she was nearly a year old) that one night would be plenty. The weather during the day was beautiful, and Kate thoroughly enjoyed being outside and exploring the rocks and sticks and dirt. Sleeping, however, was another matter. It got very cold. I think the low was around 41 degrees. We bundled Kate up in several thick layers, so her body was quite warm, but her face got a little cold and she wound up cuddling with Josh in his sleeping bag for most of the night. It was one of those check-your-watch-ever-hour kind of nights. The Carters' tent was next door to ours, so our kid and theirs took turns waking us all during the night, despite multiple sound machines. We didn't get much sleep, but I thought in the end, the adventure was worth it.

The Grace Covenant Church New Parents Compound...

Here's Kate prepped for bed. Amazingly, she kept the hat and gloves on all night.

Ah, morning couldn't come soon enough. Thankfully we're still smiling.

Saturday was gorgeous, even a little on the warm side. (Soon after we took this picture, Kate and I shed our long sleeves for cooler attire.)

This state park had a playground that the kids enjoyed.

Kate was so completely tuckered out when we drove home on Saturday afternoon. We all were, for that matter. I hope as she gets older we can continue to take camping trips and help her appreciate and enjoy the great outdoors.