Getting ready to enjoy the holidays

Those of you that have kiddo's know how much crap you need when your going to spend a night or two away from home. We left our house Wed. to go spend Thanksgiving with Brady's parents then planned to leave from there Thurs. night to head to my bros house in Houston to have "Christmas" with the McDaniel's. It took me most of the day Wed. to pack all of our stuff.
The pile-o-crap to take with us. FYI, Brady & I are sharing a suitcase.

What back of the van looked like loaded.

Another funny about traveling for the Holidays........ Nothing is open on Thanksging night! So if you plan to stop to let your baby stretch his legs, change his diaper, or eat his dinner, your gonna have to get creative. Places like Jack in the Box are open, but those of you that know Brady, probaly know he's not gonna take Kellan in there for dinner. So, here was my husbands solution.




Notice what he's eating, I packed Turkey & Rice dinner !!!

Sweet Carmie, we will miss you

Thanksgiving part 1

With so many families, and so little time, we decided to do the holidays a little different this year. Grandma Dossie had us over on Sunday for Thanksgiving. I was great and it didn't seem like it wasn't Thanksgiving day, we still had food, football, family and most important, fun.
I think its clear how much he loves his Grandma Dossie

Good times with good friends

Let me just set the scene........I had the awesome pleasure of spending this past weekend with a group of good ole friends. J Wilson has been living in St. Louis now for years, and though she does come home from time to time, its never enough. And with the addition of baby Tyler (born 8-21-8) she 's been grounded to her house for the time being.
Wilson and I meet in 1996 and have gotten closer as the years go by. I meet Heather around the same time in 96 and same thing, the longer we know each other, the more the friendship grows. And April, sweet silly April, I can't remember when exactly we meet, but through the years of running into each other, we have made a nice little friendship and now that we are neighbors, it will only keep getting better. Oh, and Heather, April and I play Keno together every 2 months or so. Anyways, with Jennifer having the baby, and all of us wanting to see him, and her and daddy too, and me needing a little break (we all needed a break) from my wonderful life of a stay at home mom of a 8 month old, I was time to load up and fly out. St Louis here we come !!! We all got there Thurs night and the fun began. Friday we got up, sat around drank coffee, played with sweet baby Tyler, giggled and went on for the day. Jennifer took us to a little part of St Louis called The Hill, it was this little Italian hood. Italian flags everywhere, fire hydrants painted red, white and green and the cutest little Italians walking the streets. We ate the bestest food I think we had ever eaten. Saturday we headed up the hills and valleys to the world of winery's. We all thought we were in another country it was so beautiful. But as beautiful as it was us Texas gals couldn't hang long, the high for the day was supposed to be 46, but with the wind I swear it was like 20 !!! Because of the chill in the air we moved on to a warmer local to continue the visit. Its amazing how a group of 4 old pals can spend day and night for 3+ days and never run out of something to say or laugh about. It was truly a great bonding and friendship strengthening weekend. I hope this is the first of an annual gathering. With all that said, I was so happy to come home to my hubby, baby and four legged kiddos, but am already missin my girls!


Friday lunch at Zia's










Saturday at Montell Winery

Freezing our little bobo's off

Winery #2, much warmer with the addition of a fire place.

Just an update

As before, we are off track with Kellan's well check's, but for insurance reasons we can't get back on track just yet. So anyways, we had his 6 month check today at 8 months. He continues to be long and lean. He weighed in at a whooping 17.7 pounds, and measures 27 1/2 inches. We have successfully doubled his birth weight (finally). So all in all, Kellan is a happy, healthy baby !!!

Favorite things

A few of Kellan's favorite things other than me....... His doggy Margo. Everyone thought she would be the one of the four dogs that would be really bitter with a baby around, but really, she likes him the best. And Kellan just can't get enough, he loves to pet the dogs.

oops

In addition to Margo, he has a new toy, one that we have all become to love. He loves it because he can look, talk, smile, dance and lick, yes lick himself. We love it for the obvious, watching him do all those things. At times he gets tired, so he uses his feet !!

What I can do now

There are many things Kellan is getting very good at. In the last few weeks, he has mastered sitting, and he will do it for quite a while. Not only can he sit, but he can play while sitting, which does take talent, well maybe not talent but balance and concentration. Also, we are now riding in shopping carts (with propping) and sitting in big boy high chairs at restaurants. He can even sit on his bobo in the tub !!!

A birthday at the park

We spent my big 32 the best way I know how, as a family. Though I am a little pissed at the getting older/fatter issue, I couldn't feel more blessed. I am truly overwhelmed with all the joys in my life. Anyways.....our day started with a little shopping, not for me, but for Kellan. Then we had lunch with Bibi & Pa. It was such a gorgeous day outside we walked around and took pictures of our favorite subject, you guessed it, Kellan. And to top the day off, after a wonderful family dinner we got to go out for a drink. Ooh, and the best part, the in laws kept Kellan all night long for the first time !!! Whoo hoo, I am glad that is over with and they can see what an angle he is threw the night !!

Fall 2008

Since we just had Kellan's 6 month pictures professionally made, Brady and I decided to get creative for fall & Halloween photo's. Of course in Texas fall doesn't mean leaves on the ground, bummer, I had a vision of Kellan covered in leaves, maybe in a month or so. Here are a few of my favorites.

Good Ole Family Reunion

Sat was my dads side, family reunion. It is something I look forward to all year. I love to get to see everyone and eat all the good food. This year was especially exciting for two reasons, one, my sis-law and her gang, minus my bro, he had to work, bummer, came and stayed with us Friday night which meant extra visiting time. And two, this was Kellan's 1st year to go to the reunion and meet some of the family. We have it at the same place every year out at Green's Lake in Emory. My Grandjim used to mow the property when he was a young boy and Mr. Green is kind enough to let us use it every year. It is truly the most beautiful, peaceful place.

Applesauce.... NO WAY

We are still trying to make it through all of our "first" foods. Thursday was time to try applesauce, as you'll see in the pictures, Kellan did not like it !

More of the same

Well the last week or so has been pretty uneventful. Kellan is still trying to crawl and is still almost sitting. He's been eating carrots this week and I think they are his fave, he does make the face . Floor time has become a work out, he gets those legs a kickin like crazy. Here are a few random pictures from the last week or so.