What a wonderful holiday we had this year! It was so much fun to have all of the kids with us, including Tim and Josh. Surprisingly, Bella really got in to the gift opening and was ripping the paper off. I didn't expect that this year!

Gracie using the "You move, you lose" rule. Jen took Brella out of her seat and Gracie decided it looked pretty inviting.

Isabella turned 4 months old on December 21, 2009.

Isabella doesn't look particularly thrilled, but Precious wanted in on this picture with her. We thought it was sweet; notice the Scotties on Bella's jumper. Isabella is growing up so fast!

Bella has added "solid" foods to her diet!

A while back, Jen started Bella on rice cereal. She has since graduated to baby food - so far sweet potatoes and green beans. She loves it! She's really not a messy eater; I had to pretty much stage this messy face. (I think it's cute!) One of our friends gave Jen this neat high chair seat that is portable and just attaches to a dining room chair with straps. It's good for birth through 4 years old.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

We left Columbia Metropolitan Airport right on time (6:52 a.m.). Although the flight was a little bumpy, Isabella did very well and is a great little traveler. We didn't experience any delays and actually arrived in Green Bay ahead of our scheduled arrival time. After collecting Linda from Cindy's house, we were on our way to Egg Harbor. Mom had lunch waiting for us when we got there - Sloppy Joes and tuna salad. Yum! Not much in the way of leftovers. By evening, the whole gang was together and we enjoyed catching up.

It looks like Leann and Isabella are deep in conversation.

A new dolly from Great-grandma and Great-grandpa!

Cindy, Alex, Sadie and Isabella playing on the floor the day of our arrival.

Wisconsin, here we come!

Tomorrow morning, the girls and I leave at 6:52 a.m. for Green Bay. We are so excited and hope to catch up with everyone while we are there!

Isabella's baptism - November 29, 2009

Bella was baptized at the 11:00 am service yesterday at Whaley United Methodist Church, the same church where Jen and Tim got married. She has the distinction of being the first infant baptism in that church in 7 years (it is an older congregation). The church members are so excited to have little Bella in their midst! This is one of many pictures taken yesterday and was taken at the lunch that followed the service. Church members, family and friends enjoyed the spaghetti lunch that the 2 families prepared on Saturday and served on Sunday. Much thanks to 2 of Patti's (Tim's mom) church friends that made sure that the spaghetti was warmed and laid out in a lovely buffet which included salad, rolls and yummy desserts - ready for us all when the service ended. Stay tuned as many family and friends snapped pictures of the festivities. I am still waiting to see many of the pictures myself.

With the girls' blessing, I dismantled their bouquets from Jennifer and Tim's wedding to make 2 flower arrangements. These served as the altar flowers for Isabella's baptism.