Christmas Day!!

Present from Aunt Amy and Aunt Hannah and Uncle Brandon

























































Winston got a new toy from Aunt Amy too!














Christmas evening we hosted a dinner with our neighbors and friends from church. We all chipped in with the food and had a major feast. It was a lot of fun and so nice to spend Christmas with "family" away from family".



























Here are couple of videos from Christmas morning...

Our silly girl....

Here are some fun pics and videos of our little comedian. She definitely keeps us laughing.














Here she is with her very own bowl of mashed potatoes. As you can see she enjoyed them.



























These are some silly ones I got of her one day after changing her diaper. She scooted up so fast I didn't have a chance to zip her back up and she was off.

Meeting Family ....

The Friday before Christmas we had some visitors. Allison's cousin Jonny and his wife Chelsea were in town from Australia. It was our first time meeting Chelsea and it had been a while since we had seen Jonny. We had such a nice visit and were able to spend a lot of time with them. Here are some pics from the visit and a short little video.

growing so fast

Here's Isabella playing with her Lego set. Right before we turned the camera on her, she was talking like crazy. Once the camera came on, she clammed up. She starts jabbering a little toward the end of this clip.


Sorry this video is so dark. You should still be able to make out where she's walking a little now. Each day, she's taking more steps on her own. Obviously mommy and daddy are having fun with her.


One day, she discovered that she enjoys helping mommy in the kitchen.


























Over at a friend's house, she discovered a new toy. This was an inflatable bus that she really enjoyed.













Against my better judgment, we introduced her to Santa Claus at a Christmas party we went to on Saturday. She wasn't too thrilled.













And finally, she loves Winston!

Thanksgiving and Snow Fun!!

We hope everyone had a very nice Thanksgiving. We sure missed being with family but our Colorado family welcomed us with open arms. Our neighbors, the Patel's invited to their house for dinner Thanksgiving evening. We had a very nice time and Charlotte outdid herself as always. I've posted a few pics of after dinner. We had to work it off somehow. :-)















On our way to Thanksgiving dinner




















Here is Nicolas & Selena playing a little Wii; Xander is waiting his turn.















Isabella having some fun with Nick














Just chilling....

Friday and yesterday, Sunday, we got a lot of snow. We wanted to see what Isabella thought of the snow. I've attached a few pics and a video. The snow suit was given to us and this is the first time she has worn it. She looks like the little boy from The Christmas Story. :-) Enjoy!!

Enjoying the nice weather...

We have been enjoying some really nice weather this past week. We are trying to enjoy as much as we can before going into hibernation for winter.














This past Saturday, Isabella and Daddy went for a little ride. Our friends and neighbors, the Patels loaned us their bicycle trailer. She looks ready to go. Safety first!!














They're off.....














This was a Sunday ride we did with Lee, Monique and Connor Barnes. It was a little colder but she was nice and toasty.















Today (Wednesday), we went to the park.















No humidity plus plastic slide equals static charged hair















She wanted to do it herself....




















Wheeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!














She likes swinging with Mommy!!

12 month checkup...

Well yesterday, we took Isabella to her 12 month checkup. Her doctor said she is doing great and growing like she should. She is still low on the weight side but her doctor was not concerned and said it was normal as she is more active at this age. She weighed in at 17 lbs 9 ozs and her height is 28 3/4". The only down side about yesterday is she had to get 4 shots. I sure hate when she gets those. :-(

I have attached a few pics that I took this morning. Our friends, Lee, Monique and Connor Barnes gave her this Lego set and table. Connor said she could have it as he doesn't play with it that much anymore. Lee & Monique said they got it for Connor when he turned 1 and he loved it. As you can see from the pics, so does she!! Thanks again to the Barnes' for letting us have this.

Videos of birthday....

Day of Birthday - 11/12/07



Playing with present from Aunt Dea & Uncle Phil



More playing with present from Aunt Dea & Uncle Phil



Going down the stairs and crawling to the basement to play with the other kids



Singing Happy Birthday and eating first cupcake at party on Saturday



Enjoying first cupcake...



More of eating cupcake...

1st Birthday Party....

We celebrated Isabella's birthday on Saturday, 11/15/07. We were able to celebrate with some new and old friends and Aunt Amy and Aunt Hannah. It was really special to have them all here to celebrate her 1st birthday. We did miss having family here but it was nice having our "new family" from Colorado here.















I did cupcakes instead of a cake.















Her spread before everyone got there.















Enjoying her first cupcake.












































She wouldn't share. :-)















Present time. The tutu she is wearing was a present from one of our neighbors that makes them. She was so cute crawling around in it. :-)





























More presents. Yeah!!!

Thanks again to all of you that were able to be with us to celebrate her 1st birthday. It really meant a lot to Ben and I.

Family time and some pics with presents....

Aunt Dea and Uncle Phil sent some money for Isabella's birthday present. Aunt Amy and I picked this out and she just loved it. Thanks Aunt Dea and Uncle Phil!!!















Cousin Sarah sent this cool blocks set. However, I think she liked the wrapping it came in just a little better. :-) Thanks Cousin Sarah!!















Aunt Amy and Aunt Hannah came to celebrate Isabella's birthday and have some fun time. Here is Aunt Amy playing Mario Cart on the Wii system (Our early Christmas present to each other).















Here is Aunt Hannah and Ben playing one of the sports games on Wii. Not sure if it's Baseball or Tennis. They had a lot of fun.

Thanks Aunt Amy and Aunt Hannah for coming to celebrate Isabella's birthday and to spend time together. We missed you Uncle Brandon. :-)