More Holiday Preparations

Yesterday we dressed Haley to the tee and took her to get holiday portraits (since Santa was a bust).  At first we did not think that portraits were going to happen since upon walking into the photo studio the eyes got wide and the lower  lip began to tremble.  Luckily the photographer was a real charmer and with a little encouragement from Mom & Dad and some silly faces & noises from the photographer, Haley was all smiles!  Let me tell you the photos turned out GREAT!  However, we do not get them back for another week so you will have to WAIT!  Sorry!  :)  After photos we had a nice dinner at home with Grandma & Grandpa Egbert before heading to bed for some much needed sleep.  With stockings hung, lights up, and wrapped gifts starting to accumulate on the tree it is definitely beginning to feel like Christmas!

A New Year Off and Running!

The holiday bustle has started to slow down so you would think that our lives would have started to settle but MAN have things been crazy lately!  Ally started her new school and seems to be adjusting well and making new friends. Grandpa Egbert has been in the hospital for about a week now but has finally stabilized (from apparent kidney failure) and is doing MUCH better.  We are looking forward to him coming home later this week.  Dad has been busy working and Mom & Haley have been spending time together at home.  Haley continues to learn new things everyday and charms & amuses us with her antics :)  She is such a happy baby and loves giving kisses and reading books with Mom & Dad.  She is such a joy!  We will soon be starting some baby swim lessons and other activities (singing, art, etc) at the community center later in the month.  I look forward to Haley experiencing all these new fun activities and enjoying other kids company.  Although things have been nuts things seem to be slowing down and we look forward to a little calmness around here – at least Mom is looking forward to some!

A Wonderful Weekend

We had a very busy but fun weekend at the Egbert house!  Saturday the girls went over to Grammy’s to help cousin Sandy decorate the Christmas tree.  Although I am not sure how much “help” Haley was she certainly had a good time!  Ally stayed at Grammy’s and spent the night so she could attend a choir performance in the morning with Grammy & Papa.  Haley came home to a decorated house (Mom & Dad spent the day cooking, decorating & doing yard work) and took a nap before friend’s came over for a small housewarming party. We had four kids under the age of two over – Haley, Makenna, Lyric & Coco.  All the adults had fun playing with the babies and laughing at Haley & Makenna’s antics! They really have a blast playing together! After a nice evening with friends we went to bed so we could have another fun day of Christmas shopping with Auntie Shoe followed by a nice evening with Uncle enjoying the Festival of Lights at the Grotto.     Haley loved all the people and all the cool lights! She was running around touching all the lights and being generally sweet & cute like usual :)     Haley was exhausted so Dad picked her up and took her home while Ally & Mom had yummy dinner at Uncles.  It was a great way to cap off a really great weekend!

Up and running again!

So I FINALLY have all the things I need to start posting my blog again – camera battery, download cord & laptop – hurray!  Since my camera has not been working until recently I do not have too many photos to post but I do have a few good ones from the last couple of weeks :)  We have all been busy with various school and holiday related activities – I will go over some of the highlights…  A fantastic afternoon downtown with Uncle to see the Singing Christmas tree with Ally…  Two band concerts – one at Zoolights and Ally’s final performance at Alder Creek (she will start at her new school in January)… A meatloaf in true Grammy style in the shape of a house to honor our new home… And of course a not so successful trip with Haley to meet Santa (Haley not a big fan)… As you can see we have been busy but having lots of fun!  Haley is getting so big and learning new things every day!  Today she got a spoon out of the dishwasher and walked over and put it in the silverware drawer – Momma’s little helper!  She is so sweet and funny and brings us so much joy.  We are truly blessed this holiday season!

A New Home

So we have all began to settle in to the new house. Alex keeps walking around saying "I love this place" so that makes me happy :) Haley seems to be adjusting well and is certainly enjoying all the new things to explore and discover! She new house has a better floor plan that allows her more freedom which she of course loves! We have a lot more work to do but it is certainly coming along!

Moving

OK so things have been really crazy around here because we are moving :) We are all really excited but we have SO much to do! I can not believe that we have all this stuff! Man I don't even know how it happened! We moved in as a single couple and left married with kids so I guess I know what happened... Anyway I will update more once I get the family settled into the new place!

Volleyball & Chili's

Today we met Grammy at Alder Creek so she could attend one of Alex's volleyball games before the season ended. Alex was so excited that we were all there to cheer her on! She was especially excited because her team won! After the game we went with Grammy and had dinner at Chilis - yum! Haley had a great time eating and screaming (her new favorite attention getter - yikes!)