Cooking up a storm!

Every great dish starts with a little stirring...

a lot of salt and pepper...

some more stirring...

just a little more stirring...

and it's ready for tasting!

Mmmmmm!

The Day After...

It was important for us to see both of our families during the holiday season this year. To make this happen without stress, we decided to have our family (our new, little, yet wonderful family) Christmas the day after. I think Joslin's favorite part was unwrapping this bilingual frog from Kim! She just tore right into it.


We decided to get Joslin a kitchen from Santa for Christmas this year. When we started looking around on the Internet we quickly found that there are a ton of kids kitchens. It is really a little (actually a lot) insane! We got it ordered, and then began the task of assembling it. It was a fun, after bedtime, project for us. Jose had to be in charge of the stickers, because I just could not handle the slightest bubble or crookedness. I know...But it turned out great! Her favorite part was definitely the built in phone. It makes sound and everything. For a little while, we thought we had just bought the most expensive toy phone in the world, but she really gets into cooking now.

Christmas Afternoon- Williamson Style

We spent Christmas afternoon at my Grandpa's cabin that is up by Kanopolis lake. It is a family tradition that I really enjoy. There is always yummy food to eat, fun games to play and usually a good time to be had by all.

Joslin got to play with her Cousin Cady. Cady was such a sweetie. She loves to twist her little feet around, and can really get after a good book.

Cady did a great job of sharing her toys with Joslin. It was really nice for them to have a chance to play together. I can only imagine the Christmases to come with all of the new little ones that are on the way.
...and this picture was just too cute not to include. What a silly little girl :)

Christmas Morning: Neal Style

We celebrated Christmas morning at my parent's house. It was nice to wake up there Christmas morning with the whole family, even Kylie:) I am so grateful to have a family who loves me, and who I love so much. Haley and Joslin had to take the traditional grand kid Christmas tree picture before we could commence the opening of the presents.

Christmas Eve: Alvarez Style

Every Christmas Eve we go to Jose's parents house for his extended family's Christmas. It is always a crazy fun time. There is a lot of wild dancing, which I love to sit and observe. Joslin was loving all of the action. I am sure next year she will be right out there in the middle of it all. I wish I had more pictures to share, but here is one of Joslin opening her gifts.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Ok, so not really but it makes a cute picture

A little help please...

When Barkley's favorite ball, "Wilson", gets stuck under the couch it results in a lot of scratching and whining. Luckily, this time Joslin came to the rescue.

Party Time

Joslin's birthday party was on Sunday at Rosalia's. I was a little apprehensive about how she would respond to the all of the action. Most of Jose's extended family came, so there were quite a few people. Honestly, I was preparing myself to handle a meltdown...but there was no need. She was eating up all of the attention...and a little cake and ice cream too!She was actually VERY neat while eating her cake and ice cream. She just took little bites, one at a time. I had envisioned much more smashing. I think she ate her ice cream one sprinkle at a time.

The hat was clearly not her favorite part...
The presents on the other hand were pretty cool!

All in all, I think a good time was had by all.

Happy Birthday Joslin Ana!

What an amazing year this has been. From that first scream at the hospital to the giggles and babbling of today. So many memories made and milestones achieved..and so many more to come. We are truly, truly blessed.


Does this girl look excited or what?


Oops...just a little distracted!

Hmm..which one should I play with first.

Priceless

Silly girl

The other morning Joslin was "reading" some of her books while I was getting ready in the morning. I start hearing a little distress in her voice, and when I walk into her room this is what I find. She has crawled all of the way into her box of books and is stuck. What a silly girl!

Hmmm... does it make me a bad mom that I took a picture before I took her out.

Joslin's Baptism

Joslin's baptism was a few weeks ago at Trinity Heights. She was her typical squirmy self during the church service, but she held it together for her moment in the spotlight. She LOVED crawling around the sanctuary after the service. It meant so much to have both sets of grandparents there for her special day. Joslin is lucky to have such wonderful grandparents who live so close, and love her so much! We love you all :)

More Fall Fun!

As a kid, we never had many leaves of our own, but Grandma Dort didn't ever mind sharing. I remember raking, jumping in, and re-raking the leaves for hours with Ryan and Kylie. This year when the leaves started to fall we took Joslin outside to enjoy them. It was so much fun to watch her play in the leaves.

This was right before she leaped off the edge. This girl is fearless!

The sight of this tree gives me mixed feelings, as the raking and bagging of all these leaves is not quite as much fun, but I guess I will take the good with the bad.

Cats

I think she is trying to tell us something...