Bowling with Great Gramma

This morning Emily and Lyla went to visit Great Gramma at her bowling league. Lyla was very excited to see Gramma and all the other ladies thought it was very fun to have a baby visit.


Patting Gramma's ball

Keeping Gramma company in between her turns

After Gramma was finished she treated us to lunch at the bowling alley restaurant. Lyla made a huge mess of breadcrumbs on the floor...but the waitress said not to worry, she's seen worse from the ground-ups that come in. :)

Thanks for lunch Gramma!

The Day After Christmas

The day after Christmas there were still a present or two to open from Mom and Dad at home.

She actually picked out this xylophone herself...we took her with us when we went Christmas shopping to see what she seemed the most interested in. :)

Lyla and Dad recoving from a VERY busy few days.

Christmastime with Family

We had a great Christmas surrounded by lots of family. (Emily's family is all spread out though...she is looking forward to getting together with a lot of them for the new year.)

Here are a few things we did:

Grandma and her sisters prepare Christmas Eve dinner while Lyla hangs out with Great Grandma.

Lyla look on as family photos are taken.

On Christmas Eve night we open presents with the Strand side of the family...

Lyla got lots of great stuff, including this winter hat with matching mittens (still attached on top).

Lyla decided it was time to get up at 4:40 Christmas morning. Here we are killing time waiting for the rest of the family to wake up. (Dad is much better at Guitar Hero than Mom.)

This phone from Auntie Kate was a huge hit.

Santa brought this great walker!

Bella, the bulldog, enjoyed the festivities with us.

Here Lyla waits patiently for waffle breakfast.

In the afternoon we headed over to Great Grandma Greta's for banana cream pie. Yum!!!

Grandpa Wolfe brought Lyla several gifts including some blocks and a book. All were a big hit.

That evening we headed over to the Job family party. Lyla was showered with more gifts including this great car that can be transformed into a walker too!

Everyone was so generous!!! Thank you for everything!!! It was great to see everyone...What a fun first Christmas for Lyla!

Waffle for Christmas Breakfast

Nick's B-day

Grandma made a DELICIOUS cake for Nick's birthday (Christmas Eve)...the combo of extra moist cake mix and double frosting made a droopy, gooey mess...but it sure was tasty!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Christmas Dress

We are so excited to celebrate Lyla's first Christmas!!!

Green Christmas Jammies

Visit from Al and Lisa

Thanks for coming up to see us! Always great to see you guys!

Winter Walk

Mom and Lyla out on a sunny winter walk.

Reading with Dad

Lyla and dad frequently enjoy time reading together. Lyla's picks include "Little Hands Love," "My Favorite Pets," and "My Favorite Farm Animals."

8 Months and a Plate of Rice

Lyla turned 8 months today! We figured that was big enough to play around with some rice mom made for dinner. This is her first big-girl plate of food.

Lyla's Shopping Cart Buddy

Lyla's really figuring out that when we get the camera out we want her to smile. She got really excited for these pictures.

Tummy Tickles

The unavoidable tummy tickling that all kids must endure...

Thanksgiving

While everyone else ate turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and more...

...Lyla enjoyed her pickle. She still doesn't have teeth so couldn't do much damage though.

Hanging out afterwards.

Napping on Family

Lyla loves to sleep on her people. :)

Here she is with Dad...

and Aunt Katie.