O Christmas Tree

Right after Thanksgiving Clay went and found the perfect live tree. I love live trees, growing up we had live trees but because west Texas was so dry we eventually gave into pre-lit fakes. This year, our Christmas tree looks a little strange. I wasn't sure just how touchy Riley would be around the tree so we left off many of the breakable ornaments and the few we put on the tree are all at the top. I did lay several glittery star ornaments on branches near the bottom for Riley to take on and off as she pleases. It seems to have worked pretty well. Except for two ornaments. Last year I found a kit to make Rileys hand and footprints into an ornament. They turned out so cute. And since they weren't breakable I thought I'd put them towards the bottom so Riley could really get a good look at them. Well, not only did she get a good look she....

took a bite out of each one! Ha! After finding the pieces she bit off and deciding she was not poisoned, I realized that it is actually quite cute and adds ummm. Character.

A few of my favorite ornaments.


Clay and I got the last ornament our Senior year of Tech; we attended our church's Singing Christmas Tree. It was awesome and I had never seen it done like that before. There were choir people (?) on a special scaffolding type thing all the way to the very peak of the ceiling inside First Baptist. Too cool! As we headed out the door, children were handing out ornaments they had made with their families. This was the one given to us.

I've had a lot of fun playing with my camera and the lights on the tree.

Jolly Ole St Nick

Our yearly trip to see Santa was a quick one. Riley smiled and waved at Santa while we were in line but the minute she was placed on his knee she decided she did not want anything to do with him. The pictures are so cute and funny (although the last is a little heart breaking.) I was expecting this and I love the way they turned out!!







And for a little reminiscing (not sure if that is spelled right...)
Last years picture!

Christmas pjs

Since it is so hard to get Riley to sit still for even a second, Clay jumped in front of the camera and I was able to get a few cute shots of my loves!








One of Riley's fun Christmas presents from last year.

My little turkey

I got a little crafty before Thanksgiving and decided to sew Riley a few more things. Here she is modeling her new skirt (love this fabric) and her turkey top. I started a red and white dress for Christmas but it will have to be a Valentines dress because I haven't gotten around to finishing it. :) Sewing is fun but its alot of work when you don't have a dedicated space for it. Having to drag out all the supplies and machine out, and cleaning it all up and storing it again is my road block.


I can't believe I got both Scout and Riley to sit still and look at me for this picture. Lucky shot.



Oh and here are a few shots documenting the fun tantrums that can be thrown. Poor thing! She actually is really a very sweet, good natured girl. But she can get frustrated if I don't understand what she wants, or if she doesn't want to do something, or if she's doing something that she shouldn't be.

Wordless Wednesday

Busted

Riley had her first mishap which resulted in blood a few weeks ago. (Her first actual booboo was shown here.) It was nothing major and for that we are so thankful, but it is still not fun to see your sweet baby hurting or scraped up.

One slightly chilly afternoon we decided to go on a family walk. These have been scarce lately thanks to the good old time change. Anyway, an idea is tossed out that Riley might like to walk with us instead of riding in her stroller. After questioning the idea, we decided sure why not. So off we go all bundled up; Riley is zooming down the street totally enjoying herself. We make it around the corner and down a house or two, then she see's a stick. This stick needed to be in her hands immediately, poor thing squats down and almost in slow motion completely face plants into the cracked pavement. (I think her puffy jacket may have thrown her off balance.) Screaming and blood ensues and back to the house we go. My baby was busted for several days.

Thanksgiving

This year we spent our Thanksgiving with Clay's family. We had a wonderful meal, good quality time with family and we were able to relax a ton! I sadly forgot my memory card, I lugged all my camera gear up to Kingwood only to pull out my camera to take a pic and a black screen flashed up "No card." Boo. Poor planning on my part. I did get a few pics from the weekend before, when Riley's Great Grannie flew into town (she stayed the whole week of Thanksgiving). Grannie had not seen Riley since last year about this time.





Here are a few pics of us just playing outside waiting for Grannie to get here. I hardly have any pics of me and Riley so I handed off the camera and I think Clay did a good job with these shots. :)


Cheesy?

Wordless wednesday - Bathtime!

Pre thanksgiving

The week before Thanksgiving Clay had a business conference in DFW. So we were able to spend several days at my parents. Unfortunately, Riley was sick, so we mostly just hung out at the house, I did get to do a little shopping in Granbury (cutest town square ever), and I worked on a few sewing projects. As always it was great to have extra hands so willing to help and play with Riley.






My attempts at backlighting. Result=too brown, and kindof blah. Any suggestions photography peeps out there?




Happily running to Nana!

Wordless Wednesday

Playdates with little bittys

And I'm finally back from a nice little blogging break. I just really didn't feel like getting on the computer much this past week. But I will resume my at least once a week posting. :)

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Towards the end of last month, Riley got to play with several teeny tiny babies. It is hard to believe (and crazy that I really have trouble remembering) she was ever that small.

One of Riley's special guests came to visit with her parents all the way from San Jose, CA. Clays great friend, Jamall and his beautiful wife Andrea, came by to introduce us to sweet Aryah. She is precious and such a good, sweet baby. I seriously didn't know babies could be so good. I mean I haven't really been around many other babies (other than about 30 mins) so its nice to see a different non-colicy side of these tiny beings.





I thought Riley would be very jealous when I got to hold Aryah but she didn't even protest once.

Riley also got to spend sweet time with baby Jay and Callie. Jay belongs to my good friend, Courtney, from my old school; she helped me survive my first year of teaching. :) Jay is such a sweet baby, he spends most of his time resting on his mommy and smiling. And Callie belongs to one of my sorority sisters, Cari. Callie has got to be the easiest-going baby alive. These babies actually nap and sleep!




(Jay was such a cute football for Halloween!)