Could You Juggle For Me...PLEEEEASE?!

Over Christmas Justin decided to juggle for Shelby. Little did we know that she'd get such a kick out of it. Unfortunately, the newness has worn off. Justin has tried time and time again to get that sweet giggle, but I think Shelby is stubborn like her mother...uh...I mean father!! The video is from Christmas, the time of the giggles!! Don't you just love her big belly. She does a perfect Santa - her big belly like a bowl full of jelly!

Garden of the Gods

If you look at any photography book on Colorado, there is guaranteed to be at least two pictures of Garden of the Gods, which is an incredibly beautiful park in Colorado Springs. The man who owned the park willed the property to the city of Colorado Springs before he died, with one condition: that it forever remain free to the public to visit.

As a photographer, I try to avoid taking cliche photographs that you see everywhere; the ones that are undoubtedly beautiful but have been photographed so many times that you get sick of looking at them. Garden of the Gods is a place where cliche photographs are made everyday. But it is also a place where seemingly endless photographic opportunities exist. We had some unexpected accumulating snow Friday night, so I thought I would give the Garden some more camera time on Saturday.

Snow + Shelby = Joy

We finally put Shelby in one of her snowsuits today...I don't think we have seen anything crazier or cuter! She loves the snow, but more importantly, she says she can't wait until she can ice climb!

We're Back!

I never realized how frustrating the internet could be. Ever since we got back from Texas, our internet connection has been incredibly slow and inconsistent. Blogging has been too time consuming, which explains why we haven't posted since the beginning of the month. It looks as if our internet connection has finally been fixed, so look for more blogs! This picture was taken last weekend on Monarch Pass on the Continental Divide...I have never seen more snow in this area before! It is unreal.

Christmas at Oma and Opa's!!

We also made it down to Austin to visit Justin's parents, Oma and Opa (which means Grandma and Grandpa in German). We had a fabulous time seeing Justin's parents and his sisters Jen (Justin's twin) and Meredith. Erin, Justin's other sister, couldn't make it and she was missed very much. We played around the world ping pong - tons of fun and I think someone (whose name I won't mentioned) actually tinkled in her pants from laughing! Justin's family loves to make fun of each other in a very playful way. It has taken some time, but this trip I really got into myself and threw a few jabs. We always have a super time, but I think for me this was the best visit we've had.

Unfortunately, Jen took most of the pictures with her camera and we don't have access to her pictures just yet, so until then this is what you get!!

This is a picture of Shelby with Opa. She loves her Opa!!!

This is Jen, looking her finest!!

And Mere too - lookin' good Mere!!

And this one is Oma and Opa playing ping pong. I actually think having a ping pong table may be in our future! We had so much fun as a family around the ping pong table. Who needs the dinner table when you have ping pong!! :)

Christmas with Friends!!

My good friends were able to stop by and see Shelby (some for the first time) while we were in Texas!! They were quick visits, but priceless. I'm so thankful that you were each able to take time away from your families during the holidays to stop by!!! Shelby may not remember it, but it will always be a special memory for me!

Here is me and Christine. Silly me didn't get one of Shelby with Christine. Christine, email me one of yours and I'll post it!!

Here is Shelby and Lori!!! Lori brought her sweet little boy, Cole to come over and play. When she stopped by, Whitney and her little boy Elijah were there, as well as my brother and sister-in-law and their two kids, Brendan and Corinne. It really felt like a play-date!!! Kids were everywhere!!

This is me and Shelby with Holly and her little boy Will. I think Will was smitten with Shelby. He sure was grinning at her and even planted a sweet little kiss on her! Oooh, Shelby's first sweetie! :)

And this is me and Shelby with Whitney and Elijah. Oh, and who is that sweet, tiny baby Whitney is holding?! That is beautiful Aydia Ann Terrell, born on Christmas Day at 5:00 in the morning!!!! Whitney came by and saw us a few days before Christmas, so I was so happy to see her pregnant, and then we got to see her on New Year's Eve before we flew back to Colorado!! She's beautiful Whitney!!!

Christmas at Mema and Papa's

We started our Christmas vacation in Arlington. Shelby was finally able to spend some good quality time with my parents, Mema and Papa. We also were able to visit with my brother and sister-in-law and their kiddos. Justin and Dad took many trips to Starbucks (typical), and Mom and I got in some good ol' mother-daughter time. Christmas Day was fun!!! Shelby was inundated with presents, so Justin and I ended up opening most of them. By the time the gifts were done, Shelby was ready for a nap. It was a great first Christmas for her!!

Shelby and Mema (my mom)


Shelby and Papa (my dad)

Shelby and her cousins, Brendan and Corinne. Notice a trend with the thumb?! She just started that about three weeks ago. It's so cute, but it's going to be tough to get her to quit!

Getting Ready for Christmas

So, it's been a while since my last post. Things have never been better!! We spent about a week and a half in Texas for Christmas!! I have several posts to catch up on, starting with putting up Christmas decorations at home.

Shelby thought that the Christmas tree would taste good! Shortly after this picture she spit it out...thank goodness. I especially enjoyed putting up the decorations this year, having a new baby and all. But of course she was pretty much oblivious to it all. She just wanted to put everything in her mouth. Mmm, stuffed Santa pillow! Mmm, Santa cookie jar! Mmm, Christmas tree!!!





These are after the tree was finished! She wasn't as intrigued with it as I thought she would've been. She actually ended up taking a nap while we set up the big tree. I just knew that when she woke up she'd be surprised to see it! But of course she could've cared less. Maybe next year!!