Big Sister

BIG NEWS! Abby is going to be a big sister (and what a good big sister she'll be). We're expecting Baby #2 in July and are so excited to meet him/her.

We surprised some of our family on Thanksgiving by putting Abby in a "big sister" shirt and waiting for them to ask what was going on.  Everyone was really excited...even if it took a while for them to catch on! :) 

Here I am at 15 weeks. It's true what they say...your belly really does pop faster the second time around and it feels like the pregnancy goes by a whole lot faster too.

15 weeks

Happy Birthday Grammy

Christmas with the Cassels 2011

The day after Christmas, we traveled to Grammy and G-Diddy's to celebrate with the rest of the family. There is something so special about sitting in front of the fire together while listening to Mannheim Steamroller and watching the tree. Aunt Cyncy always reminds us how important it is not to waste a good fire! My mother-in-law does a beautiful job decorating her house for Christmas and has the best collection of Santas displayed in every room. This year, Abby had a blast running from room to room finding each one.

We spent time with Grammy, G-Diddy, Uncle Bradley, Alex, Uncle Tommy, Aunt Cyncy, Uncle John and Nana (and of course Greeley).  It was a full house! Abby had played with everyone, but whenever she could she would sneak upstairs to the second floor to play with Grammy's Ginny dolls.

The weather was great for it being mid-December...so mild actually that Abby rallied all the guys to go outside and play football with her in the yard! She also played the organ with her Daddy, walked around with Nana's walker, bounced around with her uncles, played on the phone with Alex and was convinced that Uncle John must be Santa because of his white beard!

With all that fun, it's a wonder we even found time to exchange gifts! :)

Right to the chess table....this girl isn't going to let her game get rusty.

"Hey Buddy, I missed you!"

Sticker book in her stocking = no interest in other gifts for at least 30 minutes

new definition of puppy love 

"Hi Ruff! Can I tell you a secret?"

Rolling around with Uncle Bradley

Reading books with Nana and convincing Nana to give her some more Reeses Pieces

Nana's walker

Reading Pat the Bunny with Grammy

Elmo stickers!

Calling China with Uncle Bradley and Alex

Puzzles with Nana

Green smoothies anyone?

Alex bought G-Diddy a green smoothie cookbook for Christmas and we all got to experience tasting the SUPER HEALTHY GREEN smoothies! Not my thing, but also not as bad as you might expect. Go green!

brothers

loving the gingerbread doll Aunt Cyncy gave her

bouncing around with Uncle B

Opening gifts with Uncle Tommy

playing with her new toys

priceless

love.

the guys

reading to Greeley and educating him in his ABCS

Hanging out with Uncle Tommy and playing with the new puppy he gave her. Abby named her Samantha. 

Christmas 2011

This year, we celebrated Christmas for the first year in our own home and loved every minute of it. It was also the first year Abby could really appreciate all of the fun holiday excitement and festivities.

We started the night at church with a wonderful Christmas Eve service that helped us focus our hearts and minds on Jesus. Then, we came back to the house and spent the evening celebrating with Chrissy, Terry, Papa and Uncle Cory. My Dad and Cory stayed the night. There's just something about Jesus, delicious food, candles,  music, Christmas lights, people we love and Home Alone that make Christmas perfectly cozy.

There is nothing like Christmas morning through the eyes of a child. Abby ran down the hallway and wasn't sure how to respond to all of the fun under the tree. We took our time enjoying the morning together giving and receiving gifts, opening stockings first, breaking for Christmas breakfast cooked by Papa, then opening gifts.  Grandma and Casey came in the afternoon and we all had Christmas dinner together.

Aunt Chrissy knew exactly what a little girl would love to get for Christmas

butterfly wings, wands, tutus and bows: perfect for her dress up box

The ring around her mouth were from the cookies she kept sneaking off the table when no one was looking.

When Abby saw her new cow umbrella, she started mooing and then calling it Nina (see picture of Nina below and you'll understand why).

The guys enjoying our annual Christmas Eve tradition and watching Home Alone

Nina a.k.a. Abby's favorite cow :)

Nina was worn out after a night of socializing and celebrating, so she curled right up and went to sleep. 

One of Abby's favorite finds in her stocking: her very own jewelery!

Rivaling the jewelry at a close second was her very own set of fruity chapsticks.

When I was a little girl, my Grandpa (my Mom's Dad)  made me this bench. It was always one of my favorite things as a kid. When my dad came for Christmas, he brought it up for Abby. It was really sweet to pass the bench down to the next generation.

You can see Abby's excitement over the bench in this picture!

Joe and his new tool set

Uncle Cory and Abby taking a reading break in Abby's closet

Enjoying her OJ with Papa

new puzzle

Abby helped Nina unwrap the her doggie gifts.

My Dad was VERY surprised by the gift Cory got him.

Abby on her new bike from Nagymama

She now rides her bike up and down the hall everyday in her sunglasses and with her purse filled. When asked where she is going she sweetly replies, "Nagymama's! Airplane. Pool. Pleasssssse!"

With the help of Abby and I, Nina got girlie on Christmas morning.

Uncle Cory's favorite gift.

Abby "checking her email" on her new V-Tech laptop from Papa.

my baby girl

For those who see no mommy resemblance.... here you go! :)

Playing with Joe's new toy.

buddies

opening gifts with Grandma and Casey and Abby got another fun girlie dress-up treat to add to her box: high heels

"Thanks Grandma! These will look great with the next pedicure you give me."

Abby gave Papa this picture of them blowing bubbles together for Christmas. We found her sitting and admiring the picture  later that afternoon.

coloring with the new crayons and coloring books from Grandma and Casey

modeling Casey's hat....

...deciding she might need a cool hat of her own.

We are thankful for a great Christmas together, but more than anything and most importantly we are thankful for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  Happy Birthday Jesus!