New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve was another great day.  Brian had work off so we headed to Bandon to eat & shop.  It was particularly chilly but it made our fish, chips & chowder that much better.  We shopped at my favorite store ever - The Toy Room and picked up a couple little goodies for the kids.  (thank you Mom & Dad)

Afterwards, my parents watched the kids so Brian and I could enjoy a night out alone.  It was the first date we've had in a very long time with just he and I.  We went to the movies before completely indulging ourselves at The Coach House.  It was so delicious and SO appreciated.  What a great way to ring in the new year.  

 

Addison Turns TWO

Sweet Baby Girl turned TWO years old!  I can't express how much I love her.  She makes us laugh everyday and is such a little pistol around the house.  Addison thinks she is in charge like most 2 year olds, but she is also very sensitive and caring.  She has more personality in her little finger then I have in my whole body.  She's been hitting milestones left and right lately.  Some fun facts about Addison:

• talking more and more - babbling ALL the time
• calling family members by name (Jackson (brother) = "Brah-dah", Oliva = "Eee-ah")
• cut another molar
• 25 lbs & 34" tall (35th & 75th percentile)
• LOVES babies - plays with her dolls & accessories ALL day
• LOVES her shopping cart which she uses every day
• still sleeps in her crib, averaging 12 hours at night and a 2-3 hour nap
• she loves slides & the park
• she loves to be outside "side"
• nickname is Beast - just reference the 'terrible twos'
• eats like a champ - can finish a pint of blueberries in no time flat.
• Messiest eater in the house.
• Loves her blanket, binkies, babies and bottles which she calls all four "B"
• Favorite movies right now are Pocohantas "girl" & Beauty & the Beast "beast"
• Loves to sit and go through books
• Dances any time she hears music. 

For her birthday my parents took us all out to Fisherman's Grotto for a yummy dinner then we opened fun presents and enjoyed a delicious cake at home.  I could not get Addison to pose in her cute new outfit (from my friend Amy) but she had on striped leggings, an orange tutu and a "cute as a button" top. 

 

Projects

Before my Dad came up he asked if we had any projects he could help out with while he was here. 

Really? 

Ummmm, YAH!  We always have projects we can work on to keep ya busy.  So we put him to work helping us paint our two large front rooms and two night stands.  The rooms were originally gold with one rust colored accent wall.  I tolerated them as long as I could but with my Dad here to help paint and my Mom here to watch the kids - the "taco bell" room had to go.  I chose the neutral tan that the rest of the house is in and a navy accent wall (which I LOVE).  I am so thrilled with the difference.  It just feels so much calmer and looks so much better - definitely more 'me'.  Now I need some decorations (and furniture) to match. 

I'm really bad about taking before and after pics but this is what I was able to pull off my computer.  Some of the 'before' pics are from before we moved in, but they show the gold and red pretty well.

Before . . .    

During . . .

 

After . . .

 

Some extra pics.  This room looks better in person but I definitely need some wall decor.  The furniture is all our old stuff that is functional but not too fashionable.

                                  

Christmas with Nana & Papa

We had such a great Christmas this year.  We were lucky enough to have my parents here with us and we were spoiled by their love and attention.  Christmas morning was all about watching the kids open their gifts then a yummy french toast breakfast from Dad and lots of relaxing, watching movies and toys, toys, toys!  I really love being home for Christmas and not having to rush to be any where or do anything other than enjoy my family.  And that we did.

      

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was so fun & busy this year that I hardly took any pictures.  So you'll just have to trust me on this one, it was a good one.  The Herzogs joined us for dinner and we were so happy to have their cute family to share this special night with. 

I made a feast fit for a king (if I do say so myself) . . . honey glazed ham, potato casserole, butternut squash gratin with pecan-thyme streusel, green beans with baby bellas, creamed corn with bacon bits and rolls.  Janet brought a strawberry salad and we enjoyed chocolate cream pie and blackberry cheesecake.  Oh, if I could only have that dinner again without all the work.  Sigh. 

My parents arrived a little later than expected but still in time to eat and play with the kids.  The kids opened their one Christmas Eve present of matching jammies and went to bed excited for Santa!  And thus began a 10 day busy holiday with Nana & Papa.     

Olivia Raine - 6.5 months

                                                       

The Party

Jackson had his choice of party locations and he chose BOWLING!  It was a great choice and all had a great time.  We started with pizza, presents and cake then spent an hour bowling with all his cute friends.  Jackson's friends were so generous and he came home with tons of awesome gifts.  Again, I'm extremely grateful for my dear friends here in Coos.  They are all so supportive and make living far from family so much easier.