Home For the Holidays

What a week! On Tuesday, Dec. 22nd, we loaded everything up and headed to Northwest Iowa to start our Christmas. We spent a few days in Spencer with Andy's family and a few days in Sheldon with Kelly's family. Not only did we have our Christmas events, but also 22 inches of snow! It was definitely a white and crazy Christmas. Marie's first Christmas was eventful, exciting, and exhausting to say the least. We are back in DesMoines as of Tuesday, the 29th. Time to unpack and relax for the rest of the break. Here are some photos of the week:

All of Grandma Van Beek's Grandkids

Sitting in front of the tree at Grandma & Grandpa Mueting's house.

And here is how our little MarieB is spending her evening - sound asleep in her own bed :)

SANTA TIME

We took the plunge and went to see Santa on Saturday. There were several places to go, but we chose to visit Bass Pro Shops because we heard their winter wonderland was quite special. The Santa is even featured in an article at www.desmoinesregister.com.

Limited standing in line + happy baby = happy mom & dad! When it was Marie's turn, she sat on Santa's lap (real beard, good guy), took a picture, and then he was talking to her and she grabbed his beard and gave a hug...very sweet. Several "awwwws" were heard from the other parents waiting. All in all a good experience. Here is a picture from the day. No smile, but still adorable.

Snow Day

Iowa was hit with a huge blizzard this week leaving us all trapped in our house. No school, no test, no daycare...just fun family time and lots and lots of shoveling! Here are some pictures of our snow day adventures:

Who is this masked man? Andy was sinking into the snow it was so high.

One of our many trips outside to shovel.

Our little girlie sitting by the tree.

A bath had to be interjected in the middle of cookie decorating due to an explosive
you know what....

This is how Charlie spent the day.

Mommy and Marie decorating her first cookie.

Marie was definitely wanting a taste of that frosting...
Finished product - delicious!!! All in all this was a very fulfilling snow day. It was nice knowing that we had nowhere that we had to be and we could relax with some family time.
Happy Holidays everyone!!!

Marie's First Thanksgiving

This past week was spent between Spencer and Sheldon visiting family and friends. Marie had a very busy Thanksgiving being held, giggled with, being held, getting rocked to sleep, being held, and playing with cousins, oh, and being held! It was great to be home for awhile and see our family.

Cousin Alissa showing Marie pictures

Alissa & Abby feeding Marie a bottle. I think maybe Andy & I fed her one or 2 bottles the whole time...

Thanksgiving Family Picture - Char was exhausted from a good day of hunting.

Marie and Grandpa

Christmas in November

I was trying to get them to look at the camera, but Dad was more interesting.

Charlie wants to make sure Marie doesn't get away...

Dad & Marie studying on a Sunday morning.

Our tradition is to decorate for Christmas the weekend before Thanksgiving...that way when we get back home after visiting family for Turkey Day, our house is all ready for Christmas. This post has a wide array of pictures of us decorating, playing, and studying. Enjoy!

Say Cheese!

Marie had her first photo shoot on Saturday afternoon. She did so well!! It was hard to choose only a few poses because they were all really good. Here is a preview. Enjoy!

I love this picture...you can tell she was a little sleepy at this point.

Look at that smile - too cute.

5 months old!

"I can't believe I am 5 months old already!!"
Marie is officially 5 months old already and she has really changed in the recent days. She is eating baby food (she LOVES sweet potatoes) and sitting up all by herself! She talks and squeals ALL the time and she is trying really hard to blow zerbits with her tongue and lips. (FYI, some people refer to that noise as raspberries, growing up, my family used zerbits)
Life is busy but so much fun with Marie in it. We feel very blessed to have her. Just the other night Andy was holding her while she was sleeping and we both commented on how we can't believe she is this old already! We want time to slow down so we don't miss anything...

"so...this is what grass feels like."