Christmas at Grandad's House

Christmas #4 was at Grandad's house. We met at Grandad's house on Christmas day for a noon lunch of turkey and dressing. I have to say my favorite meal is turkey and dressing. We somehow fit 13 people around a table that was made for 8 people. We sure didn't have a lot of elbow room, but it is so neat enjoying the dinning room with Christmas dishes once a year. After dinner, we had dessert and coffee followed by opening presents. It was such a nice time - I wish it wasn't already over.

Christmas Eve at Grammie's House

Christmas #3 was at Grammie's house on Christmas Eve. Yes -Christmas Eve is as crazy as Thanksgiving. It is probably even more crazy since it is too dark to gather outside. We had lots of finger foods while we visited with the family. Like always, Ainsley was not about to miss a thing so she stayed up late and didn't fall asleep until after we left. We had a nice time like always. Josh's cousin, Jackie, was disappointed that I forgot Catch Phrase. What was I thinking?

Christmas with Grandma, Grandpa and Stewart

Christmas #2. This year we celebrated Christmas with my family at our house. We had pork roast for dinner with all of the sides. After dinner, we opened presents from each other. Josh and I got a Nintendo Wii. We have been playing it none stop. Ainsley got a lot of neat presents too. I think her favorite gift so far is her new baby doll. Check out the pictures below.

Williams Family Christmas

Last night we had Christmas number 1 with Josh's immediate family. Josh made homemade lasagna and his brothers brought all of the sides. It was so nice seeing everyone. Jim, Josh's Dad, brought presents for everyone. It was really nice. We can't wait to see everyone again on Christmas Eve at Grammie's house.

Cookie Swap

This last weekend I went to a cookie swap party at Tonya's house. We frosted cookies, drank poinsettias (a holiday drink) and played catchphrase. It was really nice hanging out with the girls. We should do it again next year!

Pulling Up

We had to lower Ainsley's matress in her crib today because she has started pulling up. Her poor little butterfly mobile is now hanging by a thread:) She is crawling all over the house and is pulling up on everything. It is so neat to see her change month after month. We truly have a little blessing.

Harry's Birthday

Our good friend, Harry, had a birthday last week. So, we celebrated by having dinner and game night at our house. I fixed a lemon cake, and Josh fixed a pork tenderloin with beans and cornbread. I thought the food was outstanding. After dinner and cake, we played rummy 500. I am happy to say that I finally won. Happy Birthday Harry!

Thanksgiving at Debbie's House

After going to Grammie's house, we went to Thanksgiving dinner number 4 with Josh's Mom. She had a delicious turkey with dressing and all of the sides. It was nice to visit with Josh's brother and sister - Daniel and Heather. We played mexican train with the dominos and ate more food. In the pictures you will see Daniel and Jana's kids - Bryce and Lilly.

Williams Family Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving dinner number 3 was at Grammie's house with the Williams family. Grammie is Josh's Grandmother. Josh and I have always been very fond of Grammie, so it was nice to see her. For those of you that don't know, Grammie had 9 kids. So, Josh is one of twenty something grandchildren and Ainsley is one of ten great grandchildren. It is always interesting having an event at Grammie's house because it is usually standing room only. This year we were lucky because it was nice outside which allowed a lot of the crowd to filter outside. The video is a short clip of what it is like at Grammie's house on Thanksgiving.

Clark Family Thanksgiving

On Sunday, we had Thanksgiving dinner number 2 at Aunt Diane and Uncle Rocky's house. Instead of the traditional turkey and dressing we had fried oysters with french fries, baked beans and cold slaw. My mouth is watering right now thinking of it. The food was outstanding, but it was even nicer seeing our family. Ainsley got a chance to play with Jennifer and Alan's daughter -Georgia. Since we only see Georgia a few times a year, it is shocking to see how much she has changed since the last time we saw her.

Hotchkiss Family Thanksgiving

Josh, Ainsley and I kicked off our Thanksgiving week by going to Baytown last weekend. We always enjoy hanging out with family. We decided that we should go to Baytoen more often. On Saturday night, we had Thanksgiving dinner at Ma's house. We had Turkey and game night. For those of you that don't know, I love to play games. My favorite is Catch Phrase. It was a great turn out and the food was so yummy!

Holding the Bottle

Ainsley has started holding the bottle by herself. So far, she has just been playing with the bottle in her mouth. I would like to think that she is actually drinking from the bottle.

Ready, Set, Go!

Ainsley is officially crawling! She started crawling a few days ago and has gotten better ever since. Today, she crawled over to me. Check out the video clip below!

Out to eat with Friends

Every once in a while we will go out to eat with our friends - usually on Friday night. We always have a nice time socializing at the end of the week. Ainsley enjoys it because she is passed around.

Ainsley's Art Work

Every week, Ainsley does art work at her school. I have taken a couple of pictures of current art work hanging around the daycare room. I probably looked like a crazy woman taking pictures of baby art work on the walls - oh well. What can I say - I am a first time Mom! Josh likes the Indian babies holding hands (see below).

Family Tree

Native American Ainsley

Feather Painting

Ainsley's Turkey

San Antonio Zoo

Today we took Ainsley to the zoo for the first time. I think she was more interested in the plants closest to her instead of the animal itself. Even though she didn't seem to notice the animals she was content all day as we pushed her around in the stroller. Josh thought it was silly taking her to the zoo considering that she wouldn't remember it. I reminded him that she probably wouldn't remember anything for the next 5 years. If anything - I have the pictures!

Petting Zoo

Looking at the Birds

Riding the Lion

Crawling Position

Ainsley has started pulling up into the crawling position. She has been rocking back and forth on her hands and knees. Josh and I are starting to prepare for the crawling. We aren't exactly sure what to expect. I'm sure like everything else - it will be a big change! Josh came in the house today screwing plexiglass on everything. He saw nothing wrong with it. I told him that I didn't want our house to look like a museum. I guess we will just have to take everything off the bookshelves and end tables.

We Have Teeth!

For the last couple of weeks, Ainsley has been teething. So, we have been using the famous washcloth. We just put the washcloth in the freezer and then give it to her when she is fussy. So far, the washcloth has worked great! Who would of thought - a washcloth!

Pumpkin Carving Night

Last Wednesday, we had Tonya, Barbara, Harry and Stephanie over to carve pumpkins. Uncle Stewart, Grandma and Grandpa surprised us by showing up too. The pumpkin carving was a success. Josh set up a table outside while others were eating beef stroganoff inside. The pumkins all look great!

Lost Maples

This weekend Josh and I went to Lost Maples State Park located in Vanderpool, Texas (Near Garner State Park). We hiked about 10 miles over hills and valleys to see the beautiful views of the maple trees. The views were spectacular! Ainsley stayed with Grandma and Grandpa. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for everything you do for us. Ainsley told me she had a blast - she has been sleeping more than usual:)

Ainsley's stuff for 2 days

Roddy Ranch Lodge

The View

Josh and I looking at the view

Making Baby Food

Josh and I decided to start making baby food instead of buying the baby jar food. Mainly because it is healthy for Ainsley and saves us some money. Today, we got a little carried away. As you can see in the pictures, the kitchen was a mess. We made sweet potatoes, peas, applesauce, peaches and I can't remember what else. Oh yeah - prunes - my favorite. We have a baby cook book that was given to me when I was pregnant. The neat part about the cookbook is that it tells you to put the unused baby food in ice trays and freeze it. Then, you can just pull it out when you are ready.

Ainsley was a little upset because she couldn't see what we were doing in the kitchen. So, we decided to put her in her back pack carrier. She always likes to see what we are doing. She is afraid she may miss something!

Pumpkin Patch

Josh and I took Ainsley to the pumpkin patch on Monday afternoon. We had a lot of fun picking out pumkins for each other. We picked a mommy pumkin, daddy pumpkin and a baby pumpkin. Josh was thrilled by my creative thinking skills. Since Ainsley had been sitting up, we got several good pictures of her.