Just for Fun

December Updates

The day has come!  Gwen can hold the bottle!

We got a dining room desk (in the background) this was the organizing process.
Sorry no "after picture," but it looks better now.

Yet another scene of these two together at play.  I do not set these up.

She tipped over and didn't move for a while.  I was baking nearby.

December has brought the snuggles for Gwen.  She leans her head into us now.
It is absolutely wonderful.  Swoon.

Reading with Sister

The suspenseful Hunger Games books claimed yet another household.  I read the first book in 16 hours, and consequently was done with the next two books 6 days later.  They are very plot-driven and I HAD to know what was going to happen in the fascinating and very disturbing story.  The story definitely makes you think and strategize and wonder.  But when they were all done, I was happy to get my brain and my sleep back!  I can't say that I wholeheartedly recommend these books.  They require discernment while you read.  (More to come on that later, when I eventually get back to my Book Corner posts...)  But I am looking forward to the movie being released in March 2012. :)

The Red Coat

This is a favorite sight in my everyday life.  I am so lucky. :)

Merry Christmas 2011

From our family to yours!

We are so thankful for Emmanuel this year.

God WITH us.

Even though we are small, and he is very very big.

Celebrating that grace today!

December Snapshots

Beauties.

Gwen met Levi at the Combs house. He is a month younger, but you wouldn't guess it. What a cutie! :)

Gifts were wrapped.

I experimented with Christmas card hanging techniques.  No official solution yet.
 I like to take them down and show people, so this didn't really fully work for me. 

I'm loving that patch of afternoon sun caught by the couch in this arrangement.
 If I can, I love to sit there for a few minutes during Gwen's second nap!

In my ECFE class they mentioned that I am probably Gwen's favorite toy.  I think this picture displays the truth of that statement.  Gwen spends a lot of time playing with ME (zippers, hair, glasses, eyeballs, fingers, collarbones).  My hoodie strings are very entertaining to her.

I love being Gwen's mom!

A Fun Morning Visit

Kaylee brought treats from Baker's Wife (YUM).

Maggie brought Isaac and a surprise gift (LOVE BOTH).

And I built a fire. 

Lovely.

Decorating for Christmas

The weekend after Thanksgiving was the beginning of Christmas at our house.  We've never gotten a tree so early before, but it has been so fun to have it this year.  And we have already gotten a lot of use out of the fireplace, which is very cozy. 

Adorable. They wouldn't stop giggling.

So helpful. So obsessed with ornament hooks.  Thanks Oakley.

Just one more. I can't help it.

Daily Life Photos

A couple shots of Gwen from daily life.  Nothing ground breaking, but we like her a lot.

Some new expressions have emerged, but I have a hard time naming them. 

Curious?

Helping Daddy

Busy playing with her book

(Greek) Thanksgiving 2011

Since we had already eaten turkey with extended family, Beth had the idea to eat Greek food for thanksgiving this year.  So we did.  It was fun, different, and tasty! 

The menu:

Lamb Roast

Stuffed Cabbage

Baked Veggies (Megali Yia Yia style)

Olive Bread

Galaktobouriko 

Too bad I didn't take pictures of our actual food.  But here are some from that weekend:

Beth supplied the pumpkins, gourds, and name cards

Boys did computery problem solving

Multi-purpose name

Olive Bread! Yum.

Water-pitcher view

Obligatory sister picture. We do love each other.

Jessie wasn't at Greek Thanksgiving, but she was here the weekend before for Family Thanksgiving!

Playing with Great Grandma Lee, the day before Thanksgiving

Shower for Baby Johnson

11.19.2011

A sweet time of gathering and celebrating a new addition to Kristie and Caleb's family.

We can't wait to meet you little one!

Kristie is going to be a fantastic mom!