Holiday projects...

It seems that Oak and I have had a lot of projects to get done lately...Christmas shopping, wrapping, packaging up things to be sent to family and friends...today we decided to work on baking some cookies and making his footprint/handprint ornaments. We decided we should wear something festive to put us in the mood. Of course, the inexperienced mommy/artsy person that I am, we tried to bake and do the footprint at the same time...not necessarily a good idea...cookie dough and plaster were on everything. But, in the end we had so much fun...and wore each other out...Oak is sound asleep right now for his afternoon nap! We hope you are enjoying your Christmas season as much as we are!

Changing Every Day

For those of you who are begging to see new pictures of Oak...there hasn't been any exciting, big events in the last two weeks to take pictures of. But for us, as Oak's parents, we get so googoo gaagaa over his daily changes... Within the last few weeks, he has begun to laugh out loud with various mouth noises or funny faces we make, loves to stand up or sit up all of the time (this has been going on forever, but now he won't be awake any other way), grabs and holds on tightly to anything and everything including other babies hands, and gives hugs and slobbery kisses. I wish I could catch all of the changes on video, but it seems the camera is never on hand at the right moment and then the moment is gone...you know what I mean. So, here are two videos of Oak recently (not necessarily his best moments, but still cute:), and although Alan says I sound hilarious in the second one, I really don't mind making a fool of myself with baby talk and noises if it makes my little boy light up. His smile brightens my world every day! Thanks for enjoying Oak's journey...

Winter Wonderland...

Alan and I are like kids in a candy store...We thought that the snow flurries we had over Thanksgiving was all we would see until after Christmas and then...
Thursday night we had the first big snow storm of the season and we awoke Friday morning to a winter wonderland...about 4-5 inches of snow, school cancellations and hot chocolate brewing. Winter hit with a furry...we have had snow, freezing rain, and cancellations every day since then. It has been so long since we have experienced this type of winter...we are loving it! Oak is in wonder, too, as he looks around at the bright white snow with the sun reflecting and feels the cold on his face. Of course, the first thing I wanted to do on Friday was take him sledding, but everyone seemed to think I was crazy and that he is too little still...we'll see...
On Saturday, my parents held their annual Christmas tree party for their clients. So, Alan and my brother trudged around in the snow and 10 degree weather helping people cut down their Christmas trees, while mom, dad, Oak, and I talked with people and stayed warm by the heater. We also cut down our first Christmas tree as a family and spent yesterday decorating for Christmas.
Alan and I love this time of year...It is the season in which we celebrate the greatest gift, God's son. Everything about the Christmas season reminds us of how thankful we are for that gift. We love to start playing our Christmas music, decorate, and snuggle up with hot chocolate by the lights of the Christmas tree. This year seems extra special since we now have Oak as part of our family to celebrate with. He is one gift that we are so thankful for this year. We marvel as we snuggle together with him in his snowman PJ's, in the dark, by the Christmas tree, with snow glistening outside the window and watch his eyes light up with all of the colors, lights, and sounds of Christmas...oh the wonder...
We hope the beginning of your Christmas season brings peace, joy, and wonder to you...