Late to Christmas

For anyone who's ever been to my mom's house - and I mean EVER - you'll know what I'm talking about when I say it's a place that always feels like home. No matter who you are or how long she's know you, when you walk in her door, my mom makes you feel like you're family who's just come home. She makes it a place where you can take your shoes off and put your feet up...a place where you can (and probably will need to) cuddle up with a blanket and just hang out... a place where the food is always plentiful and where home-cooked meals abound.  And, you can believe me when I tell you that it's not the home itself that offers up these feelings. It's the actual woman who feels like home. It's a gift that she has and one that she freely offers to all.

This is true of my mom no matter what time of year it is, but the feelings are even more special and heartwarming at Christmastime. I must admit, I think we were all a little concerned that the move into their new house this year might lessen the effect of the warmth and coziness that we always felt at my parents' old house. There was, of course, no need for worry though, because my mom inhabits this new home just like she inhabited the old one... with all of her love and warmth...
Not to mention all of her Christmas trees...:)

Now, we know that Christmas trees don't make a home feel like a home, but Christmas lights certainly do add a feeling of coziness and warmth to even the most dreary of places!

And, in case you couldn't keep track, there were 19 trees in my mom's house. That's right people... NINETEEN!!

And she actually had room for more, too. It's so wonderful to see her beautiful new home coming together. God has truly blessed my parents this year!

Rebecca got some great shots with her new camera, too.

Leila had her own stocking on a stocking stand that will eventually hold stockings for all of the grandchildren.

I think we got some pretty shots of both living rooms when they were all decorated, but I haven't found them yet. I'll let you know when I do.

Special Edition

This post of the Daily Krannon has been hijacked (and not in a malicious way) by a guest host...ME! And by me, I mean Rebecca :) Seeing as Michele started nursing school this week and that I take a ridiculous amount of pictures of Leila, I offered to help out with the blogging duties. So, without further ado, I give you...pictures!

This is the view Michele & I had during the bit of snow we had. She wasn't feeling well, so I made soup and chocolate chip cookies, opened the blinds and we watched White Christmas.

Little one has definitely taken an interest in the animals. Here she is trying to get Betsey to be her friend. Of course, hit the couch and trying to grab her tail is probably not the best way to befriend a cat..

 Here is Miss Thing enjoying one of the many applications of her Christmas present from "Uncle" Chad & "Aunt" Heather

 This little porcelain duck was Leila's Great-Grandma Kracht's when she was a little girl. It normally stays on a shelf on Leila's wall, but on this day, Leila got to play with it (and chew on it a bit..)

 And nooowww for some obligatory & uber cute high-chair pictures.

" Look Ma, I can fit my whole hand in my mouth!"

We are all so very proud.

 This is Lei's new sippy cup. It's bigger than her arm.

 Oh how I love this little hammy face.

 She is very aware of the camera that is being shoved in her face..daily. And that is a bit of cheese on her lip, in case you were wondering. Food just isn't fun if it doesn't stick to your face.

Alrighty, my first blog is over and I should PROBABLY start paying attention to whatever it is this professor is babbling on about. You'll hear from me again in the next..(*looks around suspiciously*)..Special Edition.  Dun dun dunnnn.

Have a lovely day!

Snow Play

On nice days, Aunt Becca likes to take Leila outside to play.

This is the drum that Ryan bought for Leila for Christmas.

Ryan and Leila spent our first snow of 2011 at his parent's house while I stayed at home and tried to sleep off a cold.

She played with Deedee...

and enjoyed new toys.

So much fun!

Playtime Fun

Here are a few more pictures of Leila playing in her room

She loves pulling books out of her bookshelf

She also LOVES her new big-girl bath tub

She was splashing like crazy!

Leila's Dedication

On December 26, 2010 Leila's was life dedicated to God at Gospel Lighthouse Church.

Her name means "Dark Beauty".

This is actually the reason we chose the name to begin with - It was one of the names that Ryan and I were considering for our baby, but couldn't decide on a definite name until we met the person we were naming. But, we did agree that, IF we had a baby that was born with hair AND that hair happened to be dark (both very unlikely scenarios in our families) that we would name her Leila.

The spiritual connotations is "Bringer of Light".

Scripture: "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts."

Ecclesiastes 3:11

We were a little worried that she wouldn't let Pastor Headley hold her.

But, she did!

And then she tried to grab his microphone while he was praying. :)

Christian and Monica got Nolan dedicated, too.

The entire congregation blessed all the babies.