Bundled Up!

Kevin and Dalton put up our lights last weekend. It was actually pretty cold out! Anna was very curious as to what was going on on the porch, so we got bundled up to watch Daddy and Dalton put up the lights for a while. I took some pictures before we got outside. (I'll post a picture of our lights later...we still have to take some!)

First Thanksgiving

Anna had a great first Thanksgiving! She was very happy to sit at the big table with everyone. She didn't eat much but did enjoy contributing to the conversation and laughing when everyone else laughed. She is such a funny little character.

Fireworks!

Last night we went to the opening ceremony of the Christmas Festival and the lights in Natchitoches. It's a really fun time of year in Natchitoches--lots of family activities, etc. We found a good spot on the grass by the river and watched the lights come on and fireworks! It was Anna's FIRST fireworks! We weren't sure how she'd react, but she seemed to like them. She didn't act scared at all. Here are a few pictures from the evening.

Fall Photos

We're finally getting a new post up! These are some photos taken about 2 weeks ago on Front Street by the river. The city puts up these decorations, and they seemed like a great place to take some pictures. Anna was such a good sport. There was a little breeze off the river, and she seemed to be enjoying that. I can't believe she's 8 months old now! She's standing up while holding on to things really well. She's a crawling pro--goes everywhere. She loves to pull herself up to standing. We also discovered that she does NOT like peaches.

Halloween in Natchitoches

Anna had a fun first Halloween! We went to the kid carnival on Front Street as soon as Kevin got home from work. They closed off part of the street--it was packed! Then, after dinner at home, we went to the first half of the Halloween orchestra concert. She enjoyed it--seeing all the students dressed up, looking at all the people, and watching the orchestra play--although she watched the people in the audience more than the orchestra. She fell right to sleep when we got home--just in time for her bedtime! It was a great day, and all 3 of us had a great time!

Anna rocks!

Daddy and Anna played Guitar Hero together the other day. She's getting the hang of it! :) Medelee medelee medelee medelee meeeeee!

All done!

I finished my dinner, guys!

Just because...

This was taken last week. It's one of my favorites of her.

4 things about Malena...

This is from my friend Shannon's blog, and I thought I'd participate! Four jobs I have had in my life: 1. Haagen Dazs ice cream shop. (dangerous....but yummy!) 2. Blockbuster video. 3. selling Kirby vacuum cleaners door to door. (so sad) 4. Fajita Factory restaurant. 5. (bonus) the film library at University Hospital in Albuquerque. Four places I have been on vacation: 1. Scotland (a couple of times, once with Lynda and the second time for my and Kevin's wedding and honeymoon---it's our favorite place!) 2. Lido Key, Florida (with Lynda and Cheryl to celebrate our doctorates!) 3. Amboise, France (with Lynda) 4. Venice, Italy (with Lynda...same trip...so great!) Four of my favorite foods: 1. homemade bread (thanks, Shannon!) 2. red chili and potatoes/eggs with homemade tortillas. 3. mandarin oranges. 4. ice cream. 5. (bonus) paprika chicken and platke (Dennette makes this traditional Slovak yumminess!) Four places I would rather be now: 1. somewhere in the northeast where the leaves are changing and it feels like fall. 2. in Scotland (near Stirling/Callenadar) with Kevin and Anna. 3. watching sunset on the sea cliffs on the Isle of Skye. 4. hiking the foothills during sunset in Albuquerque. 5. (bonus) Victoria, British Columbia.

Anna's and Daddy's Adventure

Last weekend, I played with the Rapides Symphony in Alexandria. So, Kevin and Anna spent part of the day walking along the Red River. Kevin got some great pictures of Anna enjoying the day. Anna is beginning to climb up onto us if we're sitting on the floor with her. She loves to stand up (but still needs help)! Here's a picture of her pretending she doesn't need anyone's help to stand up. :) This weekend I'll be cleaning out her clothes again--she has outgrown almost all of her 3-6 month clothes. We've gotten some very cute outfits in the mail--so we're excited to be able to start wearing those! (Especially since it's actually starting to get a little cooler here...finally!)

Anna Banana!

This is Anna's Halloween costume. Perfect, huh? We thought we'd try it on to see how long she'll stay in it so we can plan our Halloween activities accordingly. We plan to take her to the first half of a Halloween Orchestra Concert. She might make it through if we take the "banana top" off during the concert.

Bath time!!

This was taken a couple of weeks ago. Anna likes to play in the bath now. So fun! She doesn't splash a lot yet, but she has begun trying to climb out of the tub. Slippery baby = scary! She's figuring it out. She likes having her face wiped now. Loves to be clean.

I'm ready!

Okay, guys! I'm ready for my bedtime story!

Oh, Daddy--you're so funny!

Daddy was making Anna laugh.

Morning Play Time!

This week Anna is starting to pull herself up--mostly on Mommy or Daddy. She is very proud of herself when she gets to a standing position! We also think she's close to getting her first tooth. She's been pretty miserable a couple of days this week--biting on everything and loving her cold teething rings. We added carrots to her repertoire of foods last week--she liked them very much. This week is pears. Her favorites are still sweet potatoes and squash, however. She has a new little friend at "school" this week--Amber. Amber is a couple of months younger than Anna, so she is no longer the "baby" at school. Amber wears bow wraps around her head, and Anna looks at them as if she's plotting the day she'll crawl over and take it off of Amber's head. Of course, Anna thinks everything must go into her mouth now, so I'm sure that's why the bows on Amber's head are so interesting--they are something she has not yet been able to taste. Anna's favorite friend at school is still Ross. He's a couple of months older than Anna, so he can show her how to move around a little more than Amber can. They sit on the floor and play together. Ross isn't crawling yet, but I'm sure that when he does, Anna will be even more motivated to get going herself! She is starting to pull herself forward on her tummy--just in the past couple of days. She can also go to all fours from sitting and then back to sitting again. We think she leared this from Ross. The teachers at her school all say that Anna is much older than her age--so much personality and great communication skills already! We can't believe she'll be 7 months old next weekend!

Just because...

Nothing terribly new or exciting has happened this week, but I thought I'd post this picture just because it makes me smile so much! It was taken a couple of weeks ago.

Good Morning!

Here is Anna shortly after she woke up this morning. Funny girl...

Play time!

Anna is playing with so many toys now! One of her favorites is still the good ol' oatmeal container. She had her 6 month shots yesterday, even though she's 6 1/2 months old. (She had an ear infection/fever last time we went, so her shots were postponed.) The ear infection is gone, and she's doing well! She is 16 pounds now. We've started having a regular breakfast time with her, and she is very happy about that. She surprises us every morning with how much cereal she wants for breakfast!

She's growing so fast and continues to be such a fiesty little personality!

Dinner time!

Dinner time is a new adventure at our house!

Soon....

Anna is looking forward to when she can go outside and play. Soon, Mom and Dad....Soon...

Six Months Old!

Anna is growing so fast! She is talking up a storm today (lots of "ba" and "wa"). She loves sitting by herself, being helped to stand up and walk, and playing with her rings. She also loves her trusty oatmeal box--go figure! She is eating a variety of solid foods now: cereal, squash, sweet potatoes, green beans, peas, bananas, and we're trying applesauce this week. Her favorites are squash and sweet potatoes. She seems to be enjoying her "school"--is usually smiling and playing when we pick her up. We are enjoying every moment with her!