Merry Christmas From US!

Making Cookies

This week we made cookies for the very first time!

I wasn't sure what Ross was going to do. In fact, I had visions of red and green sugar everywhere . . . but as it turned out, Ross was born to be a baker!

She was QUITE proud of her cookie decorating talent! Things were going wonderfully . . . UNTIL . . .

we had to put them in the oven. 

And for exactly 12 minutes, we cried and cried and cried.

Of course, things changed once we got our first bite!

Looks like we'll be making cookies more often around here . . .

Meet "Bo."

Honestly, I didn't know what to expect when we introduced the elf to Ross.  I figured this would be our trial-run year.  In fact, I didn't even expect her to name him . . . as the book suggests.  However, much to my surprise, Ross immediately blurted out the name "Bo."  I have no idea where it came from or even what could have possibly bring about such a word, but an easy name like that has worked out well for all of us.  :)

Every morning we search for him . . . calling him along the way . . . 

"Bo . . . ? Bo . . . ?"

And every morning he brings a giant smile.

In the Kitchen

We always have a good time in the kitchen.

Because there's plenty to get into.

In fact, we've recently discovered the art of cooking . . .

. . . and mama tasting.

"Wing-ies!"

I guess you're OFFICIALLY a big girl when you 

only want to swing in the big "wing-ies."

*sigh* 

How has it already come to this?

Christmas Tree Shopping!

I CAN'T believe it's already time to decorate for Christmas again! I've been running around crazy trying to get everything in order! Grady's been appreciating the Christmas music that now plays in the house all day and night . . . considering he's heard it at The Pottery since Halloween . . . 

But, it wasn't until we went Christmas tree shopping that it really became the "Christmas Season" around here!

Christmas 2011

Christmas 2010

Seriously.

Good gracious.

Clean Up, Clean Up . . .

everybody, everywhere . . . (surely you know this?!?!) 

Well, it's something we're having a bit of a hard time learning these days.  

Yesterday, however, we were very excited to try it out.

Inevitably, after the baby got her milk, 

Ross begins repeating, "Uh oh! Uh oh!" 

To which we find milk . . .

Of course, we'll need a "wie" to clean it up.

And, what do you know, we find a bit of milk on the cup too!

Much better.

That is, until it's time to clean up . . . again.

Play Day at the Park

 I feel like Ross has finally reached the age where she can truly enjoy a park!  

I was a bit nervous she may not want to do things on her own . . .

but, luckily she completely proved me wrong!

We met up with a new friend, Harper . . .

who seemed to have been there before . . .

as she was most happy to show Ross around!

I'm pretty sure we'll be headed back soon.

Trick or Treat!

Our little bumble bee!

Ross & Warner had the best time trick or treating!

Ross's very first house!

  

And, by the end of the night, those two were master trick or treaters!