Pineapple Head

 Mom, I can't find my pineapple. Do you know where it went?

Oh, weird, how did it get up there?

Is anyone....

Is anyone still thinking about Christmas?

I know it seems like it's been ages since jolly old Saint Nick was in town, but I feel like I must post some Christmas pictures to feel complete. Because, yanno, there isn't a million other things I could, and probably should, be doing.

Nora prepping to make her debut as a Nativity Angel.

Darin's sweet sweet Grandparents. I always feel like it's such a pain to try and gather people up for pictures at family parties. But I know when they've passed I'm going to cherish this picture so much.

Can't make it through the day without a little pick me up. (Seriously, I cannot even imagine the massive amounts of energy this girl would have if she drank one of these.) (I may have nightmares about it tonight.)

Can you even believe how insanely cute this Santa Clause is that paid us a visit at our annual Christmas Eve party? Nora didn't even cry when he held her. She's such a friendly little tyke.

Christmas morning. I was surprised how into it Nora was this year. I wasn't expecting too much out of her, but she really loved opening all her presents and had many squeals of delight.

Then we headed to Darins parents house. Doesn't she look like a true to life angel in her little white outfit?

Now, here's where it gets good. Nora is still a 2 nap a dayer. 10 and 2. Same every day. So considering it was around 11 by this point, I was just counting down to the Melt Down.

In 3-2-1......

(Marshmallow, from Daddy's Marshmallow shooting gun he was gifted.)

Why am I such a bad mother? Instead of comforting my obviously exhausted child, I just sit and snap pictures instead. I'm feeling guilty.

These were the only pictures I got on New Year's Eve. But they sum up the night well. Games, games, and more games.

I'm not sure how this year could get any better than last year. I enjoy every minute I get to spend with Nora (well most every minute). She's getting so smart and funny. When I say cow, she says moo. When I say duck, she says quack. When I say kittie, she says meow. When I say fetch, she does it.

Just kidding on that last one, but truely this girl brings me more happiness than I know what to do with. Now, can we get some Summer around here? I'm extremely tired of the cold already.

Up and running....

Check out my new photography website and blog!

http://www.jessieobergphotography.com/

Never a post without a picture!

Do you want to hold the baby?

We asked Nora if she wanted to hold the baby, and she sat down excitedly in her chair. Should I mention that the baby (my niece) is 7 months younger than Nora and just about weighs the same amount. But Nora was excited so we let her have a go.

But then Nora got tired of holding the baby and wanted a turn of her own to be held. So she took a seat.

Silly peanut.

Now these next series of pictures are the EXACT reason why I'm not putting any presents under the tree until Christmas eve. It seemed awfully quiet so I peeked behind the couch where Nora had taken a present she found. She's such a sneak.

What, Mom? Isn't this for me?

Daddy's been gone for work so I was trying to think of fun things we could do for girls night. I thought I'd build a fort. Nora seemed to dig it. For five minutes anyway.

Then she needed a rest.

Nora has started saying quite a few things. When I'm looking for her binki I'll say "Biiiinnkkiii, where are you?" Now Nora walks around with me looking saying, "Kiinnkkii, uuuuuu aaaaaa uuuuuu?"

She says cute, cheese, shoes, Hi Diesel and a bunch of other mumbo jumbo that I haven't quite deciphered yet. She loves Baby Signing Time and signs a lot of the things when I sing the songs.

At almost 13 months she still doesn't have a single tooth. The girls been gumming her steak for months.

So excited for Christmas! Only 10 days away. I've loved having lots of time to enjoy the holidays this year. Hope your Christmas is wonderful!

Muffin Pan Advent Calendar

So excited to finally have this project done! I searched the internet for homemade advent calendars and this one was BY FAR my favorite. It only took me a couple days to put together and really turned out cute! All you need is a 24 count mini muffin pan, a roll of extra strength magnet, and all your shiny scrapbooking supplies! A little creativity doesn't hurt either.

 You can put treats, scripture verses, money, whatever fun little things your children might love in the cubbies. No more lame Wal Mart advent calendars anymore!

I can't wait for the many memories and traditions we'll create with this throughout the years to come.

As far as this lady lady is concerned, I just can't keep up with her. By the time I've picked up all her messes in one room, she's gone and terrorized the next! She's so stinkin fast.

We're already enjoying the holidays so much. We went and visited Santa at South Towne Mall yesterday. Nora was a tad irritated that we had to wait in the line for so dang long, but she wasn't even scared of the jolly old man. Going to the festival of trees tonight. Hope everybody has a wonderful weekend!