We went to visit Eldon (aka Papa) in Central Missouri. Papa is Shane's grandpa, Daniel's great grandpa. We really enjoyed seeing him. Here is a family photo pf Shane, Papa, and Daniel.

Mia is sitting on Papa's lap. She is ten months old now and continues to grow so big. Papa started calling her "chunkin" while we were there and Shane and I think that name is appropriate. 

This picture could have been clearer, but I love her smile so much that I posted it anyway. I couldn't find her hat, so she is wearing mine. 

On Christmas Eve we went to church service. After the service, the kids needed a snack before bed and I didn't want Mia to get food on her dress. So here she is with everything on - except the dress. 

Christmas morning finally came and it was by far the best Christas I've ever had. Daniel enjoyed opening the presents and Mia had fun with the wrapping paper. Here she is looking at a new doggie that sings and plays music. 

This is Daniel opening an Elmo doll. It was a Rock and Roll Elmo that sang and giggled. 

We went to Branson for a few days and did a little shopping. At a shoe store, I parked the kids in front of a mirrow and they enjoyed looking at themselves. Daniel is starting to enjoy making "pretty" faces in the mirror, like sticking his tongue out. 

Ater two nights of enjoying Silver Dollar City's shows, lights, food, and fun, the kids were pooped. They both gave out and laid just like this for about an hour while they napped. Shane and I parked the stroller, enjoyed a funnel cake (without sharing ANY with them), and had a few minutes of quiet time together on a park bench. Everyone who walked by asked how we got them to sleep like that. 

Daniel and Shane playing games while we waited for the parade to come at SDC. 

It was cold the second nigjt that we visited SDC, so everyone was wearing coat, hat, and gloves. 

 

Daniel is posing for us in front of some beautiful Christmas trees at Silver Dollar City. 

Daniel and Daddy enjoying a new drum set.

They were pounding out a version of "A, B, C's". Daniel knows the entire alphabet song now, although many of the letters a still pretty slurred. He can also count to 10. Pretty good for a 2 year old! 

While Daniel played outside, Mia was having a good time enjoying the nice day too. She has almost enough hair now to sport a hair clip. 

One of Daniel's presents was a new tricycle. His legs are a little short for the pedals, so I've taped match boxes to them so his feet can reach. But here he can be seen just pushing it around. 

Danial blowing out his candles. 

 

Daniel turned 2!

We had sucha wonderful party! We had so many friends and family and had a wonderful time. It was an Elmo themed party that began with a craft project, followed by presents, and cake and ice cream. Daniel had a wonderful time! 

After watching some good friend's video of their little boy, we decided to make videos of Daniel and Mia. Mia is now nine months old and this is her first Christmas, so this video is an overview of her first nine months. She has grown and changed so much in that last nine months. She is so active and wants to be everyone's friend. She and Daniel have become very close, wrestling around on the floor, holding hands, and playing with their kitchen set together. Mia is a special blessing in our life. Please click on the video below to see a montage of pictures and videos from her first 3/4 year.

Daniel is turning two this weekend. As I spend time reflecting over the past two years, I remember lots of highlights; everything from the day the ultrasound said that he was a boy and Shane exclaiming "at least we get to buy the good toys" to the first time he gave me a kiss. Click on the video below to view a montage of our favorite pictures and a few video snippets from his first two years.

Daniel is nearly two years old. I can't remember what we were doing, but he was really laughing and we caught his great smile. 

Mia is 9 months old. She is crawling and pulling to a stand and is begining to walk while holding to furniture. Here she observed that the bow is crooked on the bear and is attempting to fix it. Pretty amazing, right?

Shane and Daniel left to get a Christmas tree on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. While they were gone, Mia and I got out the decorations. Mia had lots of fun playing with the lights. 

Daniel had so much fun helping decorate the tree. Here he is reaching for a bulb that I was handing him. Please ignore the huge box of toys in the background. 

Daniel playing with a snow globe. 

Yummy! A Christmas tree ball! 

I really wish Mia was smiling, but it is still a good picture. They are my two angels sitting under the Christmas tree.