Daniel Can Crawl!

Isn't he adorable?!

Daniel's First Christmas

Daniel's first Christmas has come and gone. We stayed home this year and celebrated with just our little family (Grandparents Christmases will be this coming weekend.)Daniel didn't seem to think too much about the presents, or even the wrapping paper. He just wanted to eat the ribbons and bows. Jason and I bought him a cell phone, my sister Laurel sent him a huge box of clothes, a book, and a train. She sent me a t-shirt she made with Daniel's beautiful face in the O of LOVE. If it wasn't for her gifts, there wouldn't have been much under the tree!



At lunch time we went to a friend's house and ate great food and played games. It was very sweet of them to invite us to crash their family's Christmas dinner.

The whole long weekend was relaxing and so much fun. I just love spending time with him - getting to play all day, taking naps together, and watching him learn.

Tea Party

Christmas time is the perfect time of year to get with friends and do girly stuff like drink tea! I helped to host a tea party at my friend Shara's house last weekend. We had about 12 women from Sunday School together (without most of our kids) to chat, eat a lot of food and drink a lot of tea and coffee. I had a great time and I think everyone else did too.
We didn't get pictures until half the girls left so we'll have to do it again!

Lindsey, Courtney, Erika, Shara, Kat, Amanda

Daniel's First Christmas Tree

Last year was the first we cut down a real tree - it is well worth the extra time and money. I just love the look and smell of the real tree; Christmas seems more real somehow with a natural tree.
These pictures are pretty self explanatory. Daniel just loves the tree - the lights and shiny ornaments.

Roxy and Raider

While our family enjoyed time together over Thanksgiving, Roxy spent time with our friends Courtney, Jeremy and their dog Raider. Raider is a West Highland Terrier with youthful energy who thinks Roxy is wonderful. He wants to play with her, and of course, she wants nothing to do with him. The union of the two is almost always a circus. A fit of barking and growling while Raider tries to get close to Roxy and and Roxy saying "Back off kid!"

It seems they had an okay time together despite the perpetual conflict. They played together outside, had to get their paws cleaned together, slept in the same bed (at least one adult apart), and rested within the same proximity of each other (as close as Raider could get)!

Let the Festivities Begin

Today my best girlfriend since third grade drove two hours with her beautiful baby to visit me! We see each other about two-three times a year but we have the type of friendship that makes it seem like we are together all the time. Babies made the day less activity packed then I thought it would be, but I loved just being with Ang and watching our kids play! We have kids! - How weird is that?!

We did manage to go to the 1756 Troxell-Steckel farmhouse to visit with a 1840s PA German family preparing for Christmas. We even encountered Beltznickel who determined we were good this year and gave us candy and nuts! On our way out of the house we found Santa Clause too!




The day was perfect and has put me in the Christmas mood. We had gorgeous snow, a Christmas history lesson and time with loved ones. I started putting up some Christmas decorations and we'll most likely get our tree tomorrow.

Daniel's First Thanksgiving

When I was growing up we spent our Thanksgiving at my Grandparents' house in Canton, Ohio with my mom's brother and his family. These are some of my best childhood (into young adult hood) memories. My grandparents have since gone to be with the Lord but this year felt a bit like that. My parents drove Jason, Daniel and me out to my uncle's house in Ohio where we met up my cousins with their families and my sister Sharon with her family. The 8 kids all seemed to have a great time together and when possible, the "grown ups" enjoyed spending some time catching up.

Daniel in our hotel room

Daniel playing with his cousin Ella


Taking a new perspective


Cora being Cora


Robin playing with Daniel


My Sister and her family


My sister and Me! with our little ones.

Peek a Boo

I was getting Daniel ready for bed and noticed I was out of diapers so got into his closet to get some out. I looked up at the changing table and saw red fuzz and big blue eyes peering over the edge at me. My reaction cracked him up and this game ensued.

Kathleen's Shower

This Saturday the girls in our Sunday school class threw a baby shower for our friend Kathleen. I was put in charge of hosting and planning the party but since my house is so small I asked Courtney to hold it at her place. It was beautifully set up with ourtney's decorations, Erika's awesome Dr. Suess cake, Beth's cute diaper favors and the great company. My Candy Coorelation game was a big hit and a fun craft to put together. Daniel had a fun time playing with the other babies, Palin and Gabe. Wyatt was there too for his first baby shower (he is only a week old). He really likes other little people. It was a beautiful day and a fun time with friends to honor another new life and a little boy we will soon get to meet!
Naomi, Gabe and Beth
Sarah and Sean

Daniel is 6 Months Old!

My little, adorable, wonderful man is now a full half year old! He brings joy to everyone he meets with his toothless dimpled smile and silly noises. Daniel has started to talk a lot including what sounds an awful lot like Mom, Hi, and Daddy. He sits like a champ, loves to stand (although he can't support himself yet) and enjoys eating two meals a day of cereal, carrots and apples.

At his 6 month check up he measured in at 27 inches (75%) and 15lb 5oz (17%). He had to get his second round of shots and was sick for a good two days but he was still sweet as can be while feeling terrible. I stayed home with him Thursday because he couldn't stand to be without his Mommy when feeling so sick. I can't get enough of him and can't believe how quickly our time is flying by.

I love being a mom

Who knew that being a mother is the most wonderful thing in the world? I grow to love this little boy more and more everyday. When I am with him, I feel like my heart is going to explode and when we are separated I feel like there is a gaping hole within me that aches. I've come to appreciate my own mother so much more and feel horrible for the pain I must have caused her when I lied to or turned from her. I now understand the love of God a bit more as well. If I, a sinful human, can love like this, how much more so can He. What joys and pain He must feel in His relationships with us, His creation and children. It is truly amazing to think about and I feel so blessed to have the privilege of being in on this mystery.

Sunday Wonderful Sunday

We have had some nasty weather this year - rain nearly every day and cold. This weekend was beautiful and the temperatures were in the upper 60s today. Daniel, Roxy and I went out back to enjoy the sun.

Jason came home from camping in time to enjoy the day with us a bit too.

Daniel and Grandpop

Kat's parents came to spend some time with Daniel and Kat while Jason was hiking and camping with his father. It is wonderful that Daniel is close enough to his grandparents that they can all come visit regularly. Jason's parents were out just two weeks ago (we didn't take any pics though). I almost feel guilty that this is the case though - my sisters live too far away to visit more than a couple times a year. At any rate - I love to watch him play with his Grandparents.
Here is Daniel and Rich (Grandpop) in photos I stole from my parent's blog (I didn't take any pics with my camera).

Costume Party

Our Sunday school class had its fourth annual Fall Costume Party (I'm not allowed to call it a Halloween party)last night. Unfortunately due to the swine flu hitting many of our friends and other last minute events, what was going to be about 20 people ended up as eight and three babies. Non-the-less we had a great time. We went as Pop-Eye, Olive Oyle and Sweet Pea. My mom made Daniel's costume and the accessories for Jason's and mine. Adorable! We won the best costume prize (I am pretty sure that even if everyone was there we would still have won)!

Beautiful Autumn Day

What a lovely day to go to the park! I wish we had the time and energy to go hiking like we used to but this is better than nothing!