Christmas Spirit

We have spent the last week doing all sorts of Christmas activities, including the last of our shopping and going to look at Christmas lights downtown in the middle of a major snowstorm! I think the hot chocolate stop was the highlight over the Christmas lights. At any rate, we're really getting into the spirit and Isabelle is super excited for Santa! I don't think Mark knows what's going on either way, but he sure has fun trying to join in on all our activities.

Isabelle did a great job making Christmas cookies this year. Making the dough...

 Kneading the dough....

 Rolling the dough and Mark getting in on the action.

Cutting the cookie shapes....

 A whole lot of frosting and whole lot of sprinkles = the best cookies...

 And finally! Eating them!! Thanks, Sierra, for cleaning up the gazillion sprinkles that landed on the floor.

Isabelle and Mark also got to open an early Christmas present from Grammy and Pepe since they will be in Portland with Robin, Guy, and Phoebe. Isabelle got a dress up basket which pretty much was the best thing in the entire world. We spend, oh, about all day long playing dress up now. Mark also enjoys his new shoes which he likes to try to pull off and chew on (two more teeth are appearing!) I figured we don't really need another picture of Mark chewing on his personal items, but here are some pictures of what Belle refers to as "Princess Belle", "Getting Married Belle," and "Spider Girl Belle."

 We also finally finished our giant Santa.

And finally, two kids ready for Santa (well, not so sure about Mark).

Merry Christmas!

Nine Months!

Nine Months old!!  Mark has brought pure joy (and lots of tiresome days and nights) for nine months already! This past month was a month of milestones!

The biggest milestone (and I think it's safe to say now) is that Mark has been sleeping through the night for about 3 weeks!! We're talking 10-11 hours! We never thought we'd see this day. After being up every night a handful of times for 8 months straight, it's hard to imagine that he is suddenly sleeping so well. We had a couple really rough nights doing some sleep training (I think it was harder on me than Mark), but he finally realized that he doesn't need mom or dad to hold him all night to still sleep well. I think Jamie and I both miss our cuddles with him, but there is no question that we are enjoying the rest we're getting. Mark gives us plenty of cuddles and love during the day to make up for the ones we don't get at night anymore. It was definitely a well needed milestone and we are all much happier and feeling more energetic during the day. Besides, he really likes his crib now. He also takes two really great naps (usually) during the day! Way to go buddy!

Not only is Mark the world's fastest crawler, but he has become a champion "puller upper." Once he finds a piece of furniture and pulls himself up to standing position, he tries to climb onto the furniture. He's still a little too small to actually get up on things, but he did manage to crawl up onto the dishwasher yesterday. It was just the right height. I'd like to say he was trying to help, but pulling out the dirty silverware and sticking them into his mouth isn't exactly helping much.

He also really loves to play in Sierra's water and food bowl. We usually have to move it so he'll stay out. I remember Isabelle doing the exact same thing! Luckily we have the greatest dog who doesn't care for one second when Mark or Isabelle tries to get into her bowl as she eats. She just looks at them wondering why the heck they want dog food.

Isabelle doing the same as Mark at 10 months

The best thing about Mark is his constant smiling and the constant love he gives. We just can't get enough of him crawling as fast as he can to us, pulling up on our leg, and wrapping his arms around our neck when we pick him up. We will always cherish his hugs and all the slobber that gets smeared across our face as he shows his affection. He is the happiest, most loving baby ever! 

Some of Mark's favorite activities include, peek a boo..... 

grabbing most anything in sight and testing how it taste (unfortunately, most of the time it is not food)...

standing to play and trying to push his toys (he doesn't get far)...

messing with anything that involves technology (tv, stereo, remote control, wires, cords)

and playing with Isabelle (whether it's crawling all over her, wrestling with her, cuddling with her, or pulling her hair).

We can't believe you are nine months old!! We are so excited to see what new milestones you bring to us this next month. Love you buddy!

Boulderado Christmas!

Every year for the past few years we celebrate an early Christmas at the Boulderado in honor of my grandparents. My great grandpa was the manager of the hotel for years and my grandpa grew up there which is why we pick this spot. My great grandpa's picture is still hanging next to the check-in counter.

The whole family gets together for a delicious brunch at Q's, we look at the enormously giant tree inside the hotel, and then visit my Nana and Papa's gravestone and have cookies and champagne. It's a very special time for the family. This is also the side of the family we named Mark after, so that's special for us. Unfortunately, Jamie, who is the best husband ever, was dealing with the hot water heater at our rental property, so we were sad he wasn't there.
 
After brunch, the kids are watching carolers up on the balcony. It was so cute. These are all the kids of my various cousins (minus a few who are hiding elsewhere).

 Dance time....

 My cousin, Lisa, is teaching Belle all about her great grandparents.

 Mark just loved his aunty Nellie. He stayed awake just long enough to learn about his name and visit family.

Honoring their parents--Barb, my mom, and Billy, who are all now grandparents to a bunch of sweet kids!

 

In Evergreen the next day playing with Noah and Will. This is just part of the mess they started....

 

 Mark trying to keep up with the boys.

Marching to Christmas music. We're excited for the cousin's to get together again in a couple weeks for Christmas. Wish we were in Puerto Rico with them right now!! We'll just have to dream it.

Inside Days

Not much to report here, but thought I'd add some random photos I've taken in the past two weeks. Aside from enjoying our tree and making a few holiday crafts we haven't done much. I worked a couple days this week, so Isabelle and Mark have enjoyed some time with the Nana and Papa and Grammy and Pepe.

Mark is officially into everything. He is also pulling up on all the furniture and loving it! Here he is getting into trouble. He loves to pull the Ramen noodles out of the cupboard and listen to the crinkle sound they make.

 These two love to wrestle each other. They just laugh and laugh.

 Luckily, it usually ends with some hugs and kisses. At least on this day.

 We had our friend Timothy over one day. Here they all are playing on the iPad.

And sweet Belle cuddling up and reading her books in a sleeping bag. She spent almost an hour doing this!!

 And our two water lovers. The bath is a highlight of their evening just before bed.