"Blogged down"

Laurel in front of our Christmas tree.
Sorry, We've been "blogged down" with Christmas preparations, so our updates have been scarce, but we hope you enjoy the updates below...

Our 5th Anniversary!!!

We went to Red Lobster for our anniversary. We enjoyed every last bite of the dinner, reminisced about the past, and were really thankful Laurel kept herself entertained while we ate. It was a memorable evening! Looking forward to infinite years together!

Friends at Florida Hospital East Orlando

We took at little trip across town to visit Mommy's friends where she used to work. It was fun to see all the gang (minus Laura) and catch up. Nikki brought her little guy, Grant, and when Laurel saw him, she almost pulled his nose off. Oops!! Sorry Grant. You sure are a cutie!

Laurel and JessicaLaurel and Kaci

Well, the other day.....

We had Weston's co-worker Ray, his wife Amy and their baby Alyssa over for dinner. The girls enjoyed "chatting" while we ate. It was fun to see the 2 little ones together, chewing on each others' toys and using all the vowel sounds they know. We had a lot of fun.

Little Caesarette Augustus

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed"(Luke 2:1). Weston wrapped Laurel up like this in a blanket and I couldn't help but get the garland down. A Laurel wreath would have been more fitting, but this was all I could find at the time. It reminded me of years ago when my little brother Nathan was the cutest Caesar Augustus in the ward Christmas play.

Festival of the Nativity

We went to the Festival of the Nativity at the chapel across from the temple. It was wonderful. There was singing in the chapel. We enjoyed the music and struggled to keep a straight face through a couple of the songs. It sure made the evening fun. People brought their nativity sets aquired from all over the world and displayed them. It was a fun evening and made the warm season feel like Christmas. The cultural hall was decorated with a huge tree and there was a live nativity. Below are some of the nativity sets that we found interesting.

A tiny nativity
A corn husk nativity...this was taken for Weston.
A nativity painted on rice. It had to be the smallest one we saw. We also saw a nativity made out of potatoes. They had crafts for the kids and a manger dress up, they also had "Joy to the World" and other church videos playing. The church was beautiful. We didn't stay for the Christmas devotional, but that was later on that evening. Everyone got a cookie as they left. We look forward to going next year and bringing a few friends with us.

Let me have some!!!

Daddy was drinking and Laurel kept reaching, so he let her try it. Not too bad for a first try, just a little wet down the front. She had a smile after she was through and then reached for more.

Peeeeeek

A BOO!!!

Double Trouble

Mommy doesn't like me to suck on my thumb and fingers. I like to sneak them in my mouth every chance I get. Look at this trick Mommy! It is my thumb and toe at the same time!
Mommy says, "AHHH! Get them out of there!!" Mommy has been trying to stop me from birth. Aunt Eileen says she's fighting a losing battle, since she, my Grandma Helen, and their brothers all sucked their thumbs. Mommy forgets I'm already an expert. Remember those pictures you have of me in your tummy with my thumb in my mouth? She is still bound and determined not to have a thumb (or toe) sucker.

Bath Time

Laurel peeks through the towel after her bath. She enjoys kicking and playing in the water. I can't wait til she can sit up because she gets pretty slippery in my hands in the tub. She likes to reach for her temperature duck, which floats away as her hand gets close, then she is really on a mission to get it. Hold on tight Mommy!

Posing 11.24.07

This is one of my favorite pictures of Laurel. People often tell us she looks like the Gerber baby. Others say she has pretty eyes. This picture seems to capture her features. I think she's beautiful...but then I'm the mommy.

Rocking?

Daddy Time

It must be Wednesday! Daddy gets to spend one on one time playing with Laurel while mommy goes to Young Women.

Tickle Time

Laurel has the cutest smile and loves to be tickled. I think I enjoy seeing her smile as much as she enjoys the tickles.

Feeding Time

Laurel has been eating rice cereal and stage 1 foods for about a month now. She likes carrots, beans, and peas. She didn't seem to like squash, but we aren't giving up on that, yet. We started spoon feeding her when she quit sleeping as well through the night. She was waking every couple of hours to eat which was a change for us. She seems to enjoy eating. We don't usually give her the spoon.

Citrus Tower

We went to the Citrus Tower in Clermont November 17, to see the orange groves. It was only fitting since Weston works for Minute Maid. Most of the groves are gone and have been replaced by houses and shopping centers. Weston took time to point the limited groves out to Laurel. We enjoyed the lookout from all sides. The view was amazing!!!