Festival of Lights

This was the 25th anniversary of the Festival of Lights. We have been for 22 of those 25 years...crazy! Even though we've been so many times, I still love it and seeing the lights never gets old! This year was different since it was our first time going with Daniel. Even though he is only 6 1/2 months old, it was still so much fun to see his face light up when he saw all the lights. Daniels favorite part was a part of the park that plays Christmas songs and has trees that light up with the music. He loved that but it was hard to get his reaction on video because it was so dark but it was awesome!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2015 is even better than 2014!

Grinch Night

I make an advent calendar at Christmas full of activities that we can do as a family during December. One of Mike's favorite movies at Christmas is the Grinch with Jim Carrey. This year I wanted to do more than just watch the movie so I planned a Grinch themed dinner to eat during the movie. The only negative was that I wanted it to be a surprise so Mike had to hide out in our bedroom all day...it was worth it though.

The dinner :) I think this is definitely going to be an annual tradition.

Mmmm so yummy!

Gingerbread Houses!

Building gingerbread houses is part of our Christmas traditions. This year we were super excited to be able to do it with Daniel! We decided to do a village this year instead of just one house. Daniel was really just interested in eating the houses :)

We sure do love our sweet boy! I love that he has his tongue sticking out :) We didn't let him taste it but I'm sure he would've enjoyed the sugar rush! Next year he can definitely help his dad eat the village.

6 Months!

Happy 6 Months Daniel!!!

Weight: 16 lbs. 2 oz.

Height: 25 1/4 inches

 I can't believe my baby boy is already 6 months old! I'm not sure where the time went but it sure has gone by super fast. I was looking at pictures of him when he first came home and I already couldn't remember what it was like to hold my 5 lb baby boy :( He is so much fun though! We're loving all the new things he is doing!

- He is a rolling boy now! He is rolling from his back to his belly and belly to back all the time. He is also starting to scoot around a little but he is mainly only scooting in a circle. I don't think it will be long though before he gets the forward motion going. He is starting to pull himself up to his knees. He wants to crawl so bad and I don't think its going to be long now.

- He is sometimes able to sit up on his own but he LOVES his feet! So when he is sitting up it doesn't last long before he finds his feet and leans forward and then face plants into the floor :)

- Daniel still loves bath time and especially loves to drink the water and eat the wash cloth :)

- He is wearing 3-6 month clothes and some 6-9 month clothes. Everyone says he is so big but he is still pretty small and is definitely short but that's fine :)

- Daniel is such a happy boy! He really only gets upset if he is really hungry or if he is really tired. I love that he is so happy because it makes taking him places so much easier and makes our days at home a lot more fun. He loves being around people too. He loves to "talk" to them and have people play with him. He doesn't have to be held all the time though. Sometimes if he is getting fussy I'll put him down with his toys and he is super happy to just play by himself as long as he can see people he knows around him.  He has the best laugh and smile. I love when he starts to giggle for no reason but its great when we can get him laughing.

- Daniel is still great in the car. I really hope this lasts because we like to go places. Right now he is able to entertain himself pretty well in the back seat though. 

- Daniel is such a curious little boy. He loves to explore and you know when he wants something because he gets such a determined look on his face and he will do anything to get it. Its pretty cute to watch him be so serious and then laugh and play once he gets the toy or to the place he wants to be. He gets the same look when he sees someone he doesn't know, he'll just watch the person and stare until they look at him then he turns away.

- Teething has begun too although no teeth are poking through yet. He hasn't gotten fussy but he does love to chew on just about everything (especially his little worm) and he is drooling a lot! I hope teething isn't too hard for him.

- I love how relaxed he is. He is so content to play or to sit and watch us make dinner or work on a project. He really only gets upset if he is hungry or tired. We love it too because its easier for us to do fun things with a content and happy boy :)

- He is doing pretty well with sleeping through the night too. Most of the time he doesn't wake up and when he does its usually because he is hot, cold or he pooped his pants. He doesn't need a bottle to get back to sleep and usually Mike can just give him his pacifier and he'll do back to sleep on his own which is awesome!

Admiring the tree :)

He likes to help in the kitchen :)

He rolled himself across the room and stayed there for about 20 minutes until I moved him....silly boy :)

We love you Daniel! You are the perfect addition to our family and we can't imagine life without you and most of time we can't remember what life was like before you! We're so excited for all the new things you're learning and we can't wait to experience them with you!

Happy Thanksgiving 2014!

I love this time of year! I love watching the leaves change and even though I'm always cold, I love when the weather changes and it gets chilly enough to wear all my winter stuff and to cuddle under a blanket. I also love Thanksgiving! This year I was especially excited because it was Daniel's first Thanksgiving. I know he won't remember it but it was so much fun to have him there with us doing all of the normal Thanksgiving activities and remembering being pregnant last year and wondering what this year would be like.

We went down to Charleston again this year and spent it with my parents and my brother. We had a lot of fun playing games, watching football, going running in the park together, shopping and of course eating way too much food.

My favorite part of Thanksgiving is spending time with family and thinking about what I am most grateful for. This year Daniel is definitely what I am most grateful for. I love my two boys! I am so grateful for my wondering husband who takes such great care of Daniel and I and is one of the most selfless people I know. I'm grateful that he such a wondering dad to our little guy and he loves spending time with Daniel. I love seeing the two of them together! I'm grateful to my husband for helping to make sure I get to go to the gym everyday and for being so patient with me. I love you sweetie!

I am also very grateful for my sweet Daniel. I still can't completely believe that he is my son and I really can't believe how fast he is growing. I love watching him learn and grow and do new things. He has such a sweet smile and spirit and it is impossible to be sad around him. He hasn't failed to cheer me up and put a smile on my face. I love his laugh and seeing his little personality coming through. I'm very grateful that Heavenly Father blessed me with his best little boy and that I get to be his mom.

We had a lot of fun with family. It's always fun to see Daniel with his grandma and papa and uncle josh.

Mike's family has a Thanksgiving tradition of a Huff and Puff before you stuff. Mike and I went out first and went for a little run on our own and then we all went out together for a nice walk. Its one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving and helps me to justify all the yummy pie I eat later that day :)

So I am not a big fan of turkey. I really prefer ham but the food was all really good this year. Also, we have never made homemade rolls for Thanksgiving but this year we decided to be brave and make them and they were amazing!

Of course we can't have Thanksgiving without pie :)

It was a great Thanksgiving this year! Daniel also started rolling over in both directions during Thanksgiving so that was pretty exciting. We have lots and lots to be grateful for and its great to have this time of year to remember all that my Heavenly Father has given me :)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!