Let the baby proofing begin!

Yesterday Liam turned 9 months.Writing this leaves me in shock. 9 months is a pregnancy time frame.  9 months is an academic school year.  9 months is longer then some celebrity marriages!   I have literally watch time fly as he turned from the infant I brought home in April to the little boy who always wears a smile on his face.

In his 9 months he has learned to crawl and climb onto EVERYTHING, even up stairs.  He puts EVERYTHING he comes across on his little adventures into his mouth.  He has started to walk around furniture and every once in a while, he will forget what he is doing and stand with no assistance. Liam LOVES his sister and thinks they are the same age.  He can wrestle with the best of them and has a bite to go with it.  He has discovered the joys of food, and this lazy mom feeds him most of the things we are eating.  Who needs baby food?  Not us.  He has started babbling Dada, Mama, Baba and will shake his head "no" if we ask for another word (Oh Lord, please don't let me have another highly strong willed child). Liam and Amelia have also started sharing a room.  It was an easier transition then I anticipated, and both have handled it well. He is the perfect 50% in head (18), weight (19) and height (28).

Best of all.....he is a total Mama's boy.

What do we do on snow days?

We make snow angels.  We sled.  We throw snowballs.

We go on walks.  We play with the dog.  We enjoy the beauty of it all.

But best of all...
We drink hot chocolate. We listen to Caspar Babypants Radio on Pandora. We PARTY HARD!

Parental Obligations

When you become a parent, you sign on the dotted line for many parental obligations: food, shelter, clothing. LOVE!  However, it goes beyond that in many different ways.  One of which is the sibling bath photo. 

This obligation comes in two parts:
1) Getting the picture of your children while they are taking a bath together.  My parents did this a number of times throughout the years with my sister, brother and myself. 
2) Bringing these pictures out at opportune moments for child's embarrassment and parent pleasure. Examples include to their Prom date, when they introduce you to "the one" or face cakes for celebrations!

I have started my collection.

Christmas

Christmas came and went as fast as it always does each year.  Our month was full of holiday traditions, parties and hitting the slopes.  Even with its speed, it was one of memories and fun. It was Liam's first and Amelia's first full of Christmas magic.  I am excited about the upcoming years and experiencing the season through my children's fresh eyes.

I have been spoiled....I got to go to Baker not once, but twice over my break.  Once with Amelia (we rode the lifts) and the second with Wade.  The new Raven's Lodge was awesome to eat lunch and have some between run beers.

Koning Christmas at Wade's Cousin Lynn's house.

Santa came!

Christmas with the cousins. 

After Christmas trip to the zoo. 

Elf (in the liquor) Shelf

Having a two year old in the home, Santa sent one of his magic elves down to help us with behavior through the holiday season.  

He sent us a dud. 

Caught red handed!

I should have known what we got ourselves into when the naming ceremony started.  We read the book he came with, looked at the pictures and talked about what the naught/nice lists looked like.  Amelia then stated the name of her new holiday friend.....Fart.  I quickly renamed him Zart.

Zart....he is a lazy one.

Some of Santa's magic elves bring gifts and cheer to their families.  This one forgot to move half the time (I think he is a drinker).

Some of Santa's magic elves play funny tricks with the kids.  This one is a peeper.  Wade caught him one time peeping on him above the toilet.

Tonight is our last night with Zart.  I hope he returns next year with a new lease on life (and a little rehab under his belt).

A little holiday fun...

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Wreaths

One of the reasons I LOVE this season is this tradition that has become an annual must for many years (before kids, when dogs where the center of our universes), "The Gilbertson's Wreath Making Party".  I have gotten to know the families that attend yearly and they have watched as my family has grown.  It is a day full of food, wine, crisp air and of course taking home a homemade wreath (or three this year).  I think this year was the best with a bonus dance party to Christmas music and perfect weather.

Best wreath of the event goes to Anna. Mine came pretty close :). I know my kids will remember this event with fond memories.  I LOVE my friend family!

Amelia got to try some fishing.  She didn't catch anything though.  A little too cold for the trout.