Christmas continues...

We hosted the Stevens' Family Christmas here on Friday.  Twenty-seven family members were here and things went very well. 

 

Brian putting together Audrey's Christmas present.

An empty box is all she needs :)

Audrey's First Christmas!

We had a very good Christmas Eve and Day spending time with Brian's family.  However the nighttime was not so good.  Audrey was very upset when she heard a man would be coming down the chimney and proceeded to scream for 50 minutes straight in the middle of the night.  And that was just one of many awakenings in the night.  So as soon as the company left, we both took a nap!

 

Audrey going at her first present.  She liked the bows.

We went for a cold walk in the afternoon, so had to lay Audrey by the fire to defrost.  Her second nap.

This is my weird child who fell asleep face first in the couch.  Her fourth nap.

It's been a while...

I got a little lazy with updating this, it's been a busy month!

 

Audrey playing in the cupboard

Audrey met Santa.  She liked his beard, but didn't like it for too long. 

I call this Audrey's zoolander pose

Bahamas!

We have returned from our (business) vacation in the Bahamas!  We had a good time.  Spent a lot of time in the water; kiddy pool for Audrey and lazy river, waterslides and ocean for the adults.  Only rain was the day we left.

 

Audrey's first airplane ride.  She did great; let out a few screams, but don't think anyone got too annoyed with us.

Audrey getting the lay of the land with Daddy on the first day.  I was attending my conference.

Audrey is excited...

...until she sees what is behind her!

Trying out the waterslide, she wasn't a fan.

Jumping the waves in the ocean.  It was cold water!

Grandma and Grandpa came along to help watch Audrey while Brian and I enjoyed the waterslides.  Their help was much appreciated.

8 months old

Audrey is 8 months old now.  She is getting better at pulling herself up and not hitting her head on the coffee table.  She is still sick, but I finally broke down and put her on an antibiotic.  I'm hoping it helps everyone get some sleep! 

 

She's learned to clap!

Family time

Audrey had a good time visiting with her cousins over the holiday weekend. 

 

Audrey and Aubree

Drew, Aubree, Audrey, Grandma, Will

Emilee and Audrey

All 9 grandkids (wearing their ages)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Audrey is in a post-turkey slumber

Get me out of here!

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

And Happy Anniversary to Grandma and Grandpa Taylor :)

A sad day

Rest In Peace

Our beloved friend, partner and protector passed away on November 21, 2012 following a tragic accident at home.  Born December 25, 2003, Victor waisted no time starting to train for work.  He met his forever partner against crime when he was still a puppy and they have been inseperable since. 

Victor loved playing keep-away with his toys, eating Audrey's toys, barking at cars, biting Molly's head and sleeping on the couch.  But most of all, he loved going to work everyday.  If it wasn't a workday,  he would usually lay down by the squad car wondering when they will work again.  The city of Leroy is a safer place to live now and he will be missed by many.  He was preceded in death by his four-legged brother, Sam and he is survived by his sister, Molly, parents, Brian and Jennifer, and human sister, Audrey. 

Another beautiful weekend

It looks like Audrey is taking a self-portrait.  It also looks like she is the spitting image of her daddy :)

 

 

 

It's Friday!

 

 

 Audrey got a new winter suit.  She looks like Ralphie from A Christmas Story. 

She's getting over her cold, but now daddy has it.  And we found she really likes pears!

 

 

Moving and shaking!

Audrey has learned to crawl this weekend!  Started with a one-time movement on Friday.  Saturday she worked out the kinks, and today she can cover the room.  Brian tried to install the gate for the stairs, but realized "we're going to need a bigger gate" (Jaws, get it?).

Thank You to all the Veterans!

Audrey's sick :(

Audrey has her first true cold.  Snotty nose and coughing.  This is no fun.  The whole house was up all night last night.  Should only have 5 more days of this...

TGIF for me.  I'm drinking my dinner tonight.  Cheers!

It's not easy being green...

Not a lot going on with us but need to show off my little cutie :)

She is still not crawling, but soo close!

Busy weekend

Audrey and I went north to visit the family.  We went to a Halloween party at the country club Saturday night.  Audrey went as a cavewoman, I as a 70's mom.  She enjoyed watching all the kids dancing and then a hayrack ride. 

Sunday, we attended the Cropsey-wide get-together.  Ate dinner, met many neighbors, watched the band (yes, a band!) but skipped the hayrack ride as it was time for A to eat. 

Brian dressed up as Robocop - rather this is his riot gear, in case the s**t hits the fan. 

Molly also came with to visit Mom and Dad.  She got us in trouble for walking in the Forest Preserve, that led to the cop telling me my license plate sticker expired and then she set off the alarm at the house, which sent the police out.  And just to finish the weekend, Victor opened the garage door while we were at our dinner tonight, which set off our alarm! 

Another beautiful day

Illinois has the best weather!  Lucky me, today is my half-day for work and it was 80 degrees today.  So Audrey and I spread out a blanket on the grass and enjoyed the sunshine.  (I believe it was warmer here than in North Augusta)

Audrey got a taste of carrots tonight.  She didn't seem too excited. 

I did use the steamer and food processor - a first for me!

Brian finished putting the siding up on the garage.  He's more than a pretty face, he's got talent too!  It looks good, just need to get the roof painted and it will look brand new.

A Beautiful Day

We tried to go to the pumpkin farm today but everyone else also had that thought, so we ditched that plan and instead walked around the swanky downtown Normal and took some pictures by the pretty flowers.

Audrey had a good time hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa Taylor last night while Dad was at work and Mom went to a conference.  Thank you guys!