"It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself." -Charles Dickens

Christmas was wonderful this year. Since we were in the process of moving, I didn't really get to decorate or bake much. Which I love and did miss alot. But we got to go to FIVE Christmases this year and every one of them had wonderful food and beautiful decorations, so we were never without :)

Holden, especially, had a wonderful Christmas. He got so many fun new toys and cute new clothes. We are unbelievably appreciative. Now he's got lots to do and can even look good while he's doing it :)

On our way to some Christmas festivities!

Opening a present at Grandma and Grandpa Himes'

Uncle Tyler opening his silly new shirt from Mommy :)

Time for a milk break - with the new Piggy, of course.

Opening a present with Mimi and Josslyn

His first ride-on toy! Yay!

Helping Daddy

Scratchy Kisses from Daddy and his beard! :)

Getting into a bag

Uncle Tyler and Me

Uncle Corey (and Felix) and his new Skilsaw!

Joss peeking through Jared's new cornhole board

New Rain Boots!!

Being a stinker with his new boots on

Aunt Megan and Felix






Playing with the mower at Grandpa and Nana's Christmas






Opening presents at Grandpa and Nana's with Mommy and Joss







Holden and Mommy







Felix and Uncle Corey







Uncle Todd was home!





Emily sitting with Uncle Tyler while he tries out the new Snuggie and Baby toy.
Probably wondering why she still dates him.... hehe :)

All the men. Standing around. Admiring Dad's gun collection.






Uncle Tyler modeling his "new" Christmas sweater :)

Holden's New House

We are officially moved! Actually, as I write this, Jared is at the apartment doing the final cleaning (and catching of the outside cats to bring them to their new home. haha. good luck, Daddy.)

About a week before Christmas we finally got the keys and, with MUCH help from family, moved all of our things into our new home :)

We've kind of been living in a state of temporary disarray for a bit... but hopefully that will soon change. The next couple of days are going to be some dirty, working days - we're redoing some things and just want to get in there and get it done before we unpack and settle in too much - but we're very very glad to finally be here.

Aahhh.... a home :)

playing with the boxes

and this is what Holden does when we're all busy packing
and no one is watching him close enough....

The day we got the keys to our new little green house! Wee!

All ready to move in!

Eating a cookie in his new bedroom

Looking out his new window at his pretty view :)

"Everything you see I owe to spaghetti." - Sophia Loren

Because every kid should have some spaghetti pictures :)

Messy Baby

Doing good feeding himself...

...until he started holding it out for the dog instead. Stinker.

Ornery. Defined. :)

"When I grow up I want to be a little boy." - Joseph Heller

Is it any wonder where my heart has gone? ♥

Giving Mommy big, silly "cheeses"

playing with the new truck

such a sweetie

Balloons!!

We finally took down the balloons from Holden's birthday party. And he was so funny playing with them. We had them strung up around the room, so they were all still tied together with ribbon. He kept getting them wrapped around his feet and walking around the house with them bouncing around/behind him. He was cracking Mommy up.

Happy Birthday, Holden Tyler!!!

He's ONE!!! :) On November 24th our baby was officially not a baby anymore! And we celebrated Holden's birthday with lots of family, presents, and cupcakes - all smooshed into our little apartment :) I was nervous that with everyone here, Holden might feel shy or not really want to participate in his birthday fun. But I was wrong! He did great! From opening presents with all his little helpers (he would have rather just watched all the other kids, I think) all the way until the cupcake smashing. He just did great and had so much fun. Thank you to everyone who came and helped us celebrate our little stinker♥

The Birthday Boy!!♥

The Cupcake Tower

The Party :)

Time to Open Presents!







Holden had lots of great "helpers" at Present Time :)






The Cutest Little Birthday Boy Ever♥





Pulling off the paper all by himself






Modeling his adorable new little hat - now he can match Uncle Tyler H






Legos! Playing with some of the new toys






Holden's Birthday Cupcake did not last very long :)






Holden loves to share whatever he has.
Mommy did not want to share this. Hehe.






Daddy and the Birthday Boy





Our family






My sticky, sweet little boy♥