Anson's Theatrical Debut

MVI_1083.mpg-edited a video by roseanneschmidt on Flickr.

Christmas Fun

We have been very busy with all sorts of Christmas festivities.

Grady had a great part in our church's production of "The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever". The whole family went to watch him perform.





Waiting for the show to begin




Our little actor! In this scene he is the littlest Wise Man :)





The whole cast did a great job, Grady got a few laughs (he had funny lines), and Grady was so proud. He is a natural actor!

A few days later we all went to pick out our tree! Grady liked this tiny one



But we settled on a nice big one!



That weekend we went to the Festival of the Trees, a family tradition.

Here we go!




The boys both loved this construction-themed one



Grady went to his first baseball game this past summer. Here he is with the baseball team's tree!



This tree reminds me of Camille



A few days later Anson had his little class Christmas party. Grady was already out of school so he came too! It was so sweet because he took his camera to take video of Anson singing (he mistakenly erased it, but it's the thought that counts, right?).





I have video coming! Anson was the only kid who would really do it. The rest just ran away.

Last night all the boys went to Roper Mountain Lights (a big Christmas lights show). Eric took pictures that I will share soon. It's another great tradition for us, and it was Anson's first year going!

Off to wrap gifts and make cookies!

Camille is ONE!

It is unbelievable to think I am writing this post, but it has finally happened. My third baby has turned ONE! Camille is officially... well, she's still a baby. But she thinks she is a big-girl baby now :). Actually, she really does try to be a big girl. She has been walking for 1.5 months now, has several words ("baby is her favorite!), and she carries thing around when she walks (often pretending the thing is a phone - strange, since I am never on the phone in front of her). If I had to describe her, I would say she is super sweet, happy, easygoing, and very friendly. She loves meeting people and visiting with friends. She waves and smiles whenever we see ANYone.

She is a pretty good sleeper now. She puts herself to sleep at night (with a binkie) with no tears. She sleeps from about 7PM - 6:30AM straight. She takes 2 naps (we rock her for those but plan to phase that out soon) for about 45-90 minutes each.

She isn't eating too many things. She just does not love purees, so we are giving her more finger foods now. She likes pears, Cheerios, watermelon, Mum Mums, puffs, and Italian bread. She also LOVES ice cream cake (found that out on her birthday).

As far as what she enjoys, she loves the baby swings at the park, playing peek-a-boo, baby dolls, bouncing games on my knees, anything to do with Daddy, dancing, and reading (especially touch and feel books).

On her birthday we took her to the Children's Museum for the first time, and she loved it!





See? She is pretending that car part is a phone!



She was Grady's pit crew





Her favorite area was the farm!



She is trying to make pig noises here



In the water area









Pushing the little shopping cart, which is still bigger than her



She loved the ice cream cake that we got her







That night we went out to dinner at Mimi's Cafe. I have to say, considering we have 3 very small kids, it was a fun time!

We could not love little Camille more - all of us. Her brothers really adore her, which is so sweet. It has been a very special first year, we just hope the second year does not go quite so quickly!

Santa!

We recently took the kids to our neighborhood's breakfast with Santa. Camille was finishing up her nap, so she came late, but all the kids got to visit with the big man, and they all seemed to enjoy their visit.

By the tree, when we arrived



Grady and several friends swarmed Santa when he arrived





Anson got a visit at our table



They had a great time hanging out with him. It was nice because they really were not rushed at all.








Grady was being a good big bro and giving Anson a turn to speak




Mama jumped in!



Sweet!





Look who arrived in time to see Santa too!




Her reaction to Santa











Making her way around the party




Grady also wrote Santa a letter about what he wanted for Christmas






Anson kept hugging Camille



Mischief!





Trying to take a bigger friend's candy!




We have been busy with all sorts of Christmas activities - school and church performances, festival of the trees, and special Christmas-themed tub times. I will update on all of it after taking a break from everything Christmas tomorrow, in honor of Camille's first birthday!