Merry Christmas.

Megan had a very merry Christmas. She couldn't wait until Christmas day, so she opened her presents on Christmas Eve. She actually did figure out how to tear the paper off boxes. Of course, someone had to take the piece she tore off out of her hands in order for her to keep unwrapping the gift.



She also enjoyed playing with her cousins.



Jonathan and she had matching snowman shirts.

London Album

I know most of my loyal readers (I don't know if I have loyal readers) probably aren't into scrapbooking, but I have spent the past 3 weeks working on an album for my former boss to give as a Christmas present. I grew quite attached to it while I was working on it, so I scanned the pages and thought I'd post them for they few that might be interested in scrapbooking.

Have a Mary Christmas...

No, the title is not a typo. I was reading a book called, "Can Martha have a Mary Christmas?" and the title seemed fitting. It parallels the story of Mary and Martha from the Bible and talks about how Martha worked hard and Mary stopped to listen Jesus. The author goes on to talk about Christmas being the most "Martha" season of the year even though as Christians we should be "Marys." I'm feeling pretty "Martha-ee" today. I have had a list of things to get through this month, maybe I'll list what I've accomplished and what I have left for all my faithful blog readers...if I have any of those...

1. Christmas musical-check
2. church Christmas library event-check
3. lunch for former co-workers-check
4. Christmas shopping-check (except for the ones Chad said he'd buy-which means we'll probably end up buying them at a rest stop on the way to Christmas...)
5. Christmas tree up-check
6. Decorations out-check
7. Christmas pictures ordered-check (this maybe shouldn't count until the cards actually go out, but ordering them was a big deal too.)

Now, to do...
1. Burn old videos into dvds for parents
2. write and mail Christmas letter
3. finish scrapbook for Linda's mom

Wow, that's less than I thought, I'm feeling Mary already!!! I will choose not to think about the hours those things require...

Here are some of the pictures from Megan's Christmas photo shoot.





On a side note, Chad and I decided instead of exchanging presents (aside from the watches we had already picked out for each other) we would use the money to fly to Murray...check your calendar Kristin...we don't really have a date in mind and there are a few things up in the air, but my mood is cheerier just thinking about it. Plus, no extra shopping!

A lot to be thankful for...

Again, belated but I figured I'd copy my friend Kristin, who was copying her friend Shelly, and make a list of all I'm thankful for in addition to posting some thanksgiving pictures.

1. Megan

2. A wonderful husband

3. That my wonderful husband is a wonderful dad

4. our home

5. my new cabinets

6. the dream of finding time to scrapbook

7. my mom and dad

8. Suzy (and our friendship)

9. Tim (and the fact that he'll be moving a few hours closer)

10. a new sister-in-law

11. Megan's new cousins

12. Chad's family

13. Tracy and Kim

14. the rest of our church friends

15. our church

16. that I'm able to stay home with Megan

17. the internet

18. cell phones

19. music

20. Anne of Green Gables

21. ice cream

22. scrapbook supplies

23. books in general

24. heat

25. snow

26. mother-in-laws who come babysit

27. pacifiers

28. easy recipes that taste good

29. Christmas music

30. DVR

31. digital cameras

32. disposable diapers

33. blue eyes and little baby smiles (and laughs)

34. naps

35. fantasy football (and football in general)

36. sandwiches

37. far away friends (although I'm not thankful they are far away)

38. shopping

39. birthdays

40. chocolate

41. Chad's job

42. clothes

43. cozy blankets

44. lunches with Chad

45. walks

46. laughter

47. Christmas time

48. the beauty of nature

49. soda

50. that I'm aware of how many things I have to be thankful (little and big)

Megan and Adisyn had matching outfits (sort of) for Thanksgiving. It was Adisyn's first time wearing a dress and Megan's first time to wear a skirt (but she's wears dresses all the time).

Megan sat up for the first time by herself the Friday after Thanksgiving. Below is a not so successful attempt at a picture of this new milestone.

Chad's mom kept some of his toys from when he was a baby. Below is a picture of Chad and Megan playing with what was his favorite toy as a baby. Thankfully, he has learned to share over the years. He apparently clobbered Todd with it when he tried to play with it as a baby.

Tim and Mindy's delayed reception

Tim and Mindy got married in July but gave us the oppotunity to make our 4th trip to Indiana in 5 months by having a reception on November 10. It was at the Potowatami Inn at Pokagon State Park and was a lot of fun. Megan had a good time. She had been itching for a reason to wear her party dress to somewhere other than church.



The next day Megan was still ready to have some fun with Grandpa (and thankfully slept almost the entire way home!)

Happy Halloween...err Thanksgiving...uh, Christmas?

So I think the whole point of a blog is to update on a regular basis. Unfortunately, I'm not that organized and I download pictures every 2 months. (I've only developed pictures once since Megan was born!) So, I'm going to share an overview of the last month and a half.

Happy Halloween!

She is seriously about the cutest pink leopard out there! And no, we did not take her around the neighborhood. We only took her across the street where she received $1 in quarters for her piggy bank. She did wear her costume to day care and for a few social calls.