Oh Christmas Tree...

I just had to post this pic because this could quite possibly be the saddest little Christmas tree in all of South Elgin. We threw out our artificial tree last year because it broke and decided to "downsize" this year since we have very limited space in our condo.... But really? This little guy (which was advertised as 5 feet tall- but only comes up to my chest) reminds me of the Charlie Brown Christmas tree. It is kind of lame- admit it. I was afraid to hang too many ornaments on it because it seemed like it might tip over at any moment. Bel hasn't seen it yet since we put it up after she went to bed. Who knows, she might like it.

So girly!

Is a girl ever too young for her first pedi? I can't believe she sat perfectly still for this...

Thanksgiving- Take 2

 Here we are preparing our NON turkey Thanksgiving at home. A beef roast, seasoned potatoes, and green beans almondine.... We had never made any of those things before so we crossed our fingers..... and hoped for the best.

 Uncle Aaron came over to hang out with us.

 Isabel enjoying some appetizers before dinner...

 She made Uncle Aaron read her books...again.. and again..

 Lucky waited around the kitchen hoping for some scraps

 Dinner looks good

 and it tastes even better! Phew...

 Isabel didn't eat any though- she saved room for apple pie and ice cream

 I have so much to be thankful for- Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Thanksgiving- Take 1!

Since my mom will be "on-call" for work on Thanksgiving we had our Davis family Thanksgiving dinner this past Saturday. And, since my in-laws will be traveling on Thursday we are going to have our Leppin family Thanksgiving dinner NEXT weekend- so it looks like Jason, Bel and I will be on our own for the first time for the actual holiday.. We think this is pretty cool for a couple of reasons. First, if we work this right we can actually be eating Thanksgiving dinner(s) for the next 7 days at least. Second, we invited J's brother Aaron over for dinner on Thursday and we might just serve something TOTALLY non- Thanksgiving related. Like pizza, Chinese, or tacos. Who knows? Maybe we'll be those weirdos who go out for dinner on Thanksgiving?! Anyway, here are some pics from our fun first Thanksgiving feast---

 Sweet baby Payton

 Beautiful family!

 Cousins! Bel wasn't sure what to do with her...

 So weird..... Mandy! We're both moms?!

 Love my parents - xoxox

 Cheers! We have so much to be thankful for :)

 Great- grandpa Joe with three generations of girls

 Uncle Terry

 Look at that turkey!

 And this is our first new family picture- We keep expanding!

I love you Davis/Leppin/Kerruish clan :)

20 month update

See this crazy monkey- 20 months old! I haven't posted much lately because quite franklyy, this little one keeps us very busy. She is GO GO GO all day long and we are pretty exhausted by the time our heads hit the pillow. I love this age though. So much fun.

What's new?

 Bel is talking up a storm and putting together all kinds of phrases now. She repeats everything we say too (kinda dangerous) At her daycare she is working on her ABC's and 123's and is starting to learn to say them (they are not really in any particular order which makes it even cuter) Isabel is enjoying her tumbling class on Thursday nights and learned how to do somersaults and rolls. She refers to herself now as "Abba" (we don't know how she got that from Isabel) but we think she is kind of like "the artist formerly known as Prince". She has also been spending some time in a "time out" chair because she is not always interested in listening..... so far this isn't really working. She just laughs and tries to get down. Mom and dad will need to work on their discipline techniques.

She still loves reading her books and coloring pictures for her family. Some new DISlikes include- bubbles (she HATES any bubbles in her bath or on her hands) and coats (she hates wearing a coat or sweater and always insists that she is hot and tries to take her clothes off in public) Toddlerhood is an adventure but we love it. Perhaps the best new thing Isabel is doing is giving us lots of hugs and kisses. When she hugs us she pats our backs- so sweet...

Her school project "Decorate your own family turkey". (I thought hers looked pretty cool hanging up until I saw some of the other little turkeys in her class. I have a sneaking suspicion that some children's parents made their turkeys FOR them- not with them. The teacher in me just couldn't let that happen - :)

Showing off her Elmo underwear. She uses her potty at night before bed but is still full-time in diapers. We bought some big girl ELMO underwear and gave it a try. She had two accidents in 2 minutes so I think we'll have to put that idea on hold for a bit. I'm not sure she (or we) are quite ready to start serious potty training. Maybe age 2? I'll have to grill my mom friends for pointers.

Taking pictures already- just like mommy!

 Dressed for church- Doesn't she look so big?

Daddy and Bel
 How good looking is my husband by the way?)