Birthday and Park

So for my birthday, we got to have a little baby-moon (honeymoon before the baby).   Jenny had fun with Nathan and Janna (and Tessa), and we had fun without her (although we missed her at times).  The fun included cheap Cici's, a jacuzzi, free IHOP, Phase 10, Wal-Mart, Target, the mall, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and a Chik-fil-a milkshake.

 The baby didn't want to miss out on the birthday fun, and has been kicking up a storm since then. :)

The beautiful weather drove us to the park, where Jenny had a blast in the rocks while Mommy read more ideas of things to do with toddlers.

Shovels are overrated.

Honing those fine motor skills.

Toddler squat.

 Watching the other kids play.  

Jenny definitely knows few strangers.  She saw a lady with a kid of similar age, walked up to her and sat in her lap.  She wouldn't get out, even for me!  She also followed any kid who walked by slow enough.  Doesn't want to miss out on the action.

Christmas Preparations

I decided that I like blogging, and facebook doesn't fulfill that need.

We have been getting ready for Christmas.  Jenny is a big help in this endeavour:

following me around and checking out the ornaments to see if they survived storage.  This is her very first ornament, given to her by Grandma.

 The tree is a little more fleshed out than last year thanks to garage sales :)

We have two new stockings this year.  Apparently it's hard for me to get around to making them, so I thought I'd get ahead for next year.

When we visited Bethlehem, Jenny thought that being born among animals might not be a bad thing.

David invited Jenny to his birthday party where she enjoyed graham crackers while Mommy decorated the gingerbread house.  Too bad she doesn't know about candy...

At our church Christmas performance I was really struck by how special it is that God became a man.  I've known this story my whole life, so it rarely strikes me how special Jesus' birth really is.