Go Bears Go

I can't get enough of these 3!

Out takes 

According to Michael they're practicing for Halloween!

pure joy 

I believe I have a summer theme going...

Hilton Head Vacation 2013

Summer time

St. Patty's Day 2013

Dear Connor and Grace,

You spent St. Patrick's Day with Grammie Mo, Papa Den and Uncle Matt while Daddy and I celebrated Uncle Matthew's 31st birthday at Girl and the Goat. It's rare to find a moment when you two are both awake, fed, and dressed, which is why these pictures were taken after St. Patty's Day. Enjoy!

Love, 
Mommy

I saved my favorite for last. Grace loves participating in tummy time. She has even started asking me if Connor can do tummy time with her and her baby.

baby blanket

Dear Connor,

Grandma Jo made the most special gift for you when you were born. She hand-stitched and painted a baby blanket for you. You love tummy time on your new blanket and the animals are a huge hit with your big sister Grace. There is so much detail in the blanket. You can tell Grandma Jo put so much love, time and effort into making you the perfect gift. 

Thank you, Grandma Jo.

Love, Mommy

Tummy time

NYE

Dear Connor and Grace,

We spent New Year's Eve in Indianapolis. It was Connor's first road trip and we think he cried more than half of the way down. Unlike your sister, you HATE being in your car seat and the motion of the car doesn't calm you down. 

We celebrated the holiday with some of our very good friends. The Wilson family met us at the Vetor's house. Enjoy!

Love, Mommy

Future best friends? Right now a month seems to be a big difference but in the game of life you two are the same age.

Nothing is cuter than daddies with their little girls. 

Happy New Year 2013!

Christmas Day

Dear Connor and Grace,

We spent a very relaxing Christmas Day with the Thompsons. We surprised Papa Jerry at his church in the morning. Papa Jerry shares his birthday with Jesus so it was extra special. We then hung out at Ma and Papa's until we headed over to Aunt Jeryl's house. Enjoy!

Love, Mommy

Papa, Connor and Grace couch time.

Mia was cooperating the best with posing for pictures.

Grandma Patti insisted that Daddy and I lay down for nap time since both of you happened to be napping at the same time. Between having a newborn and trying to keep up with the Christmas festivities, we were exhausted. We woke up rested and ready to continue our celebration at Aunt Jeryl's house.

My cousin, Spenser, is always so good with both of you. He was showing Grace Erik's Winnie the Pooh ornament from when he was her age.

Happy birthday to Papa Jerry and Jesus! 

Christmas Eve

Dear Connor and Grace,

We spent Christmas Eve at Grammie Mo and Grandpa Den's house. It started with a gift exchange with the O'Connors, followed by cocktail hour, dinner and a visit from Santa Claus! Enjoy!

Love, Mommy

Grace, you and Auntie Colleen share a love of Winnie the Pooh. You sat on her lap and made her read your new coloring book to you.

Everyone was so excited for the guest of honor.

Connor, you couldn't take your innocent eyes off Santa.

Grace, you still wake up in the morning and from your naps saying "ho, ho, ho" and reminding me that you waved "bye bye" to Santa as he was leaving.

Santa brought every good boy and girl a little something, giving everyone the opportunity to sit on his lap for the perfect photo opp.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight.

Thompson Christmas

Dear Connor and Grace,

We feel beyond blessed and grateful this Christmas season to be surrounded by so much family. It's completely different than how we celebrated as a little family of three last year. We had three days of Christmas with family this year starting with the Thompson brunch and gift exchange the Sunday before the holiday. Everyone brought a little something- making it a very relaxing morning. Enjoy!

Love, Mommy

Baby's 1st Christmas!

Mimosas or Lonnie's famous bloody mary's anyone? 

Yes, please.

Connor, your personality is showing more and more everyday through your smiles and giggles. 

I'm obviously not the only one enjoying them. :)

Aunt Susan introduced our family to a British Christmas tradition years ago after visiting her best friend, Julie, in the UK. Christmas poppers! After hearing a loud pop there are goodies and paper crowns to be found inside. 

Aunt Susan started the gift exchange by handing out an extra surprise this year for Daddy and the two Uncle Matts. Santa iced the boys.

It's a silly drinking game that Aunt Libbie started the day she married Uncle Matt. When you're at least 21 and someone sneakily gives you a Smirnoff Ice you have to take a knee and drink it. 

Uncle Matthew gave Papa Lon IU basketball pants just like Daddy's. These were a hot item this year. 

You were so excited to receive Uncle Matthew's handmade gift to you and Connor. He spent an endless amount of hours in Papa Jerry's garage making all his future and current nieces, nephews and kids of his own a set of table and chairs. You recognized them from Papa and Grandma's house and sat down right away. Thanks to Papa Jerry, Aunt Libbie, Uncle Matthew and I had a set to play with growing up too! 

Your engineering uncle also set up your train set from Ma and Papa.

Between this little blue train and one of your new train books, you seem to always have one in hand while saying, "choo choo."

Our family may have some quirky traditions, but we sure do know how to laugh and have fun together.

Christmas card out takes

Dear Connor and Grace,

I had such a great time taking pictures of you two for our Christmas card this year. My friend Julie came over with his daughter and we stumbled into the roles of me playing Santa and her being the photographer. Enjoy!

Love, Mommy