Christmas Eve Eve with Katelyn and Jordan

Katelyn and Jordan came over for some Christmas fun.  We ate yummy treats, exchanged gifts, and played GREED and Wii.  It twas quite an enjoyable evening.

Katelyn and Jordan enlisted the help of the two young professional present openers.  We got them what they asked for, a couple of movies, The Pursuit of Happyness and Inception.

Another Sunday

 

 

 These last two pictures were taken almost exactly a month ago of Hannah in the same outfit.  If you ask me, I'd say there's been huge difference between 17 months and 18 months for this little girl.  The good news is that I think it's the growth of her legs that's straightened out her pigeon toe walk.  She doesn't trip over her own feet anymore- yay!

Right after church today...

One smiling.


The other one smiling.


Both smiling- yay!


Hannah thinking she's so funny to pull her headband off.


A ghost hovering in front of Hannah.


My favorite.


For some reason I find it so funny that Hannah's pronunciation of Gabe sounds a lot like Bob.

Say Cheese!




Hannah's turn, Say cheese!


And then a more natural smile...


Gabe's natural smile (inspired here by tickling) is also his cheesy smile.


Here Gabe was saying, "I make Nana laugh," over and over very pleased with himself. He's at an age that everything he says he has to say five times or more in a row. The other day he was asking me the same question over and over and each time I answered it, sometimes even expounding on my answer in hopes that I could answer it so well that he wouldn't ask it again. He does this often. Sometimes I lose patience. This time I said, "You've asked that question five times. I'm done answering it. Can you just be quiet for a little while?" And his response was, "I don't want to be quiet. I want to talk." Awesome.







In this picture Gabe is caught red handed not just trying to touch the ornament with one finger but two! And he thought I was distracted. He's always trying something. (They're not allowed to touch the tree, and of course they can't resist.)

So thankful...

We celebrated Thanksgiving this year with the Strombergs immediate and extended family. The food was so good and the company was even better. I'm definitely thankful to be a part of such a great family. Here are some pictures from the day of thanks.

This is some of the group gathered at Aunt Chris's house. This picture shows part of her way cool basement. It's a big open room with a kitchenette at one end and a little sitting area at the other with about 10 big tables all set up and decorated in between. My favorite feature of her basement (which I failed to get a picture of) is the kid's play room that's built into the wall so that the area under the stairs is filled with toys. There's a tiny door and window opening on the wall and the room has an adult size back door that leads into a whole other area of her basement.


If you look at the wall behind Betsy and Ryan, under the painting that's higher up on the left, there's the left corner of the door opening and next to it the right corner of the window opening.




The kids table.


Eating a chocolate turkey.


After the wonderful meal we had a blast at Fat Cats in Ogden.


Gabe's midair celebration of his awesome bowling skills- no pins left standing, that's how good he is. Who cares if he uses the bumpers and sits to bowl. He is two after all.




Hannah's surprised face. Check out those adorable baby bowling shoes!


Ball selection is a big part of bowling for kids. Gabe and Hannah both enjoyed trying out different colors each time.


The motion of Kip throwing her up in the air mixed with bowling alley lighting makes her look like she's on fire. Cool camera trick- totally did it on purpose.


Here's Hannah imitating her grandpa's perfect form.








After the kids watched the big kids ride on the bumper cars Hannah decided she was ready to try it out. Too bad there's a height requirement.


She had fun pretending anyway.


Gabe loved getting tickets probably more than picking out his prize. He got a little glow in the dark plastic lizard, and he named him Frankie.


Hannah was telling me about her prize- a little pink bracelet.


We had a really great time. Quality time with family is really what it's all about. I can't wait until Christmas!