Santa Baby

Although the last several weeks have been quite eventful, I have been spending my "extra" minutes reading other peoples blogs & shopping online rather than blogging myself. My apologies. Thanksgiving was wonderful! We had my Uncle Carl & Aunt Rita who drove in from OH and my sister Becky and her husband Elias stay with us for the break. It was great to have the house full of people. Kate was so funny. Each morning, she would greet our guests with her serious face as though she was saying "Who are you? Are you going to interfere with my breakfast?" By the time breakfast was over, she warmed up considerably. Each day, the process repeated itself, with the exception of the last morning (Sunday). She couldn't wait to jump into her uncles arms to see what little treat he might have saved for her. Her favorite food of the whole weekend was Becky's pumpkin bread. She was even willing to trade some "loves" (hugs) for bread. Should I be worried that she's figured that out before she was even one year old? My uncle has posted a few clips online. Enjoy!






Thanksgiving Day morning, Josh walked into the bedroom with a funny little smile on his face. Kate & I were on the bed and each time Josh passed by, his smile got wider & wider. I asked him what on earth he was smiling about, but he brushed off the question. He left the room, and when he returned he had a large Pottery Barn bag with one of his fleece sweaters bulging out of the top of the bag. His smile was not to be denied. It wasn't "nothing." My husband had something up his sleeve. He told me he had an early Christmas present for me. Early! It's practically heart attack early. I "opened" up my delightfully arranged gift bag and what do my eyes behold but a shiny new digital SLR! He wanted me to be able to take pictures of the holidays, and more importantly, Kate's first birthday with my new camera, instead of waiting until after Christmas to use it. When Josh decides to do a thing, he DOES it.

A year ago (or more), I was writing up my list of big purchases for the family, attempting to prioritize. When it came to the top two items on my list (oven & camera), I was in a quandary. I really wanted a camera the most, but I technically needed the oven more. In my mind, I could still cook with my peg-leg oven, but I wasn't satisfied with my picture quality with my point & click dig. Well, all this time later, I get both of my top two wishes satisfied IN ONE WEEK.

So now, you're all expecting a picture heavy post, but I haven't gotten the cable & software out of the box yet, although I have been snapping pics like crazy. :-)