Carlisle Fire House

I took Daniel to the Carlisle Firehouse Museum. The Museum consisted mostly of some old hats, pictures, and an old engine. Five minutes later we went and asked the volunteer on duty at the station if we could look around the main garage. Daniel got to climb in and on each of the engines, play with lights and sirens, and had an amazing time. Thanks fireman guy!

Week After Christmas

Daniel and Jason have had fun building with his new blocks. They can now build a much taller tower and make a louder crash when they knock it down!
The weather has been amazing (mid 50s) this week. We have been trying to get out of the house as much as possible while we can. Most of the time we forget to take pictures but this day we got his running the bases in his new Lightening McQueen hat and mittens.

Abigail's First Christmas!

Daniel has had so much fun opening all his presents the past several days and I think we did a great job finding the perfect toys. It seemed that with every box he opened his eyes grew wider and his smile brighter. What a joy to behold! Apparently I have neglected his need for toys the past two and a half years - it seems that he finally has something to play with that will keep his attention and hopefully keep him out of trouble. This is a gift for Jason that Daniel helped me wrap. Little festive girl! Tuckered out!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was another busy day. We went to church services at 3:00 thinking that the early service would keep Daniel's attention. They apparently didn't bother to adjust the services at all for younger kids - Daniel lost all interest in about five minutes and we missed out on most of what was happening while trying to keep him under control.

If nothing else, we got some really sweet pictures of the kids.






After church, we had dinner and a second round of Christmas presents at Jason's parents' house.
Our little girl is the sweetest, smiliest little thing.

Cute

Just found these adorable pictures of 8 weeks old Abby (and her brother who is ALWAYS there when Mommy holds her).

Last Trip to the Zoo

Our annual Zoo passes expire on 12/31 so we tried to squeeze in one last day while the weather was still nice. The cooler weather really makes for great zooing - the animals like the weather and the crowds don't!

These beautiful cats were out playing with each other and we were obliged to watch!

My sweet treat: I'll take a small dish!



We stopped at Chocolate World too for a light lunch, the Chocolate Ride, and milk shakes! Santa wasn't there that day but his house was pretty cool.

Becomers Christmas Party

Saturday night we left Daniel with Kat's parents and went to our Fellowship group's Christmas party. We had a really fun time and got to know some of the other couples a little bit better. It makes it much easier to have conversations with people sans toddlers!

Abby had to come to the party so we got her dressed for the occasion.


This must be an instinctual male behavior - staring blankly at the television with drink in one hand and - well something else in the other.

Christmas #1

Kat's parents were headed to California for Christmas week so we had our Stallings Christmas a week early and Daniel got his first dose of toys.

Yard Work Continues

Jason and Daniel are still working on cleaning up the downed branches and leaves from the October snow storm.


At least we aren't the only ones still doing harvest time work a few months late. The farmer is just now taking down his corn from our back yard!

Christmas Tree Hunt

For the third consecutive year we have hunted and chopped down our Christmas tree. Daniel is a big help in the process, pointing out the trees he likes and keeping Jason happy while I walk the entire farm to see every single option. I could pick a decent one but overlook the perfect one right? (This is also a problem at restaurants with large menus - I have to read the entire menu before choosing my fare. However, it should make Jason feel confident that I was sure of my decision to marry him!)
Daniel wanted this Charlie Brown tree remnant. Stump balancing. Daniel singing while they walk together through the "forest".
Daniel wanted to help cut the tree down too - he has to do everything.

After Jason trimmed and set the tree in the stand and spent forever making sure it was tight and straight, I mentioned that it looked too big. My comment was ignored and I strung the lights. A few hours later it was discovered that the tree was too tall for the topper to fit. I made Jason pull up the tree and hold it while I sawed off another six inches! Considering that Jason is allergic to the tree, it takes hours to put up, brings spiders into the house, and makes a huge mess with the dropping needles, we're on the look out for a good after Christmas deal on a fake.

More Abigail

Starting to love that funny, beautiful face!

Dinner Guests

We had some friends over for dinner last night. Well, they brought the meal, fixed our kitchen sink, and brought a gift for Daniel, but they still were at our house!

Here is Abby earlier in the day - not too excited about tummy time. . .

Furious about tummy time.


Angie and Abby


Daniel conked out (at least an hour past his bed time) but not until he wrapped up his Honey and put him to bed too.

Thanks guys. Dinner was great and the company was even better!

Daniel's New Back Pack

I have been looking for a backpack that is the right size for my little man. He needs his own bag to take to the church nursery and a backpack is easier to carry. We can't find anything in the store that is less than a mini suitcase. My mom found this little lunch box at a consignment shop and added straps. He loves it!

Dancing with the Wiggles

Daniel loves the Wiggles. I don't know when or how he discovered them but we all enjoy watching him watch the show. He knows the dances to several songs and will get up and wiggle right along with them! He also has a Wiggles guitar that he plays along with them which is pretty cute too.

Week Without Daddy

Jason's company decided that four weeks was enough time to let your wife recover from birth before leaving her for a week! Jason packed up and left Sunday after sending us off to church in the morning. He didn't return until late Thursday. I was terrified that I wouldn't make it a whole week! I called my sister whose husband travels a lot and she told me that if I could be with family that I should - no reason to try to do it alone! I took that advice and basically moved in with my parents for the week. We had a nice time and it was totally necessary to have the extra hands!
She is obviously upset about being away from Daddy for so long!


This is what they did most of the week.

Even with two adults on full time, this is the kind of thing that happens when we aren't on top of my tornado of a son. He wanted the Cherrios and couldn't find them.