Story time with Isla

Isla love story time.  She listens intently as we read each day.  Lately she enjoys "holding" a.k.a. grabbing and eating the book as well.  She has also become quite the story teller herself.  Check it out....

Ghanaian Basket

I love these Ghanaian baskets and have fond memories of walking down streets and streets full of them in Accra.  I came up stairs one morning to find this seen.  Guess she takes after me a bit after all.

Isla + Bathtime = Best time of the day

Isla loves loves loves the bath, or shower, or let's face it, anything water.  And this little lady can splash!  I guess the good thing about that is our bathtub walls and bathroom floor get "mopped" daily after bath time.  It is a rare occasion that Jared or I don't have to change our soaking wet clothes after her splashing.  It is so fun to see her light up when the water starts running.  In fact, ever since her first bath she has been hooked.  She has been able to recognize the water and impending bath since I can remember.  Here is a small video of her enjoying her bath after her four month check up and dreaded immunization boosters. Do know though, that this video contains infant nudity.  View at your own discretion.

Christmas Morning

Christmas was more than wonderful.  Though our house was less than festive as we packed and packed, battled colds, and tried to feel somewhat normal despite the transient nature of our lives for the next month, it was nonetheless a wonderful Christmas with lots of surprises.  Among those surprises was Jared's sneaky nature of purchasing the camera we had been looking at.  Here is a snapshot video of Christmas morning with Isla in one of her most favorite toys, the bouncer chair.  It's not professional, but we are just learning how to work our camera ... and for that matter iMovie.

Other exciting presents that were received in the family included ...

 The Nerf Guns.  

Sam, Cooper, Aaron, Carter, Sage, and who knows who else all received these bad boys.

Sadie and Isla enjoying a little Christmas morning snuggle.  We had all climbed straight out of bed and up to the tree so most of the pictures are PJ shots.  Sadie, you look amazing for just waking up!

Carter and Isla chattin' it up.  Isla lights up when Carter holds her.  She thinks he is one handsome uncle!

Lindsey's exciting Christmas surprise.  A BOB.  She is 4.5 months away from walking her baby around in this smooth ride.  Glad to have you in the BOB club Linds.

And last but certainly not least, Cooper and his constant grin about opening Christmas presents.  Though I have to say, seeing the few presents he opened at Gram's it always seemed to be a toss up between whether or not he like the present or the wrapping paper and box that held the present better.  Seriously, Toy's R Us you've got nothing on some good old paper, cardboard, plastic, and bubble wrap when it comes to toys for kids.

Big Girl

Yesterday, I was over at Anita and Kim's to use their elliptical due to the bitterly cold and tremendously snowy weather that have cause a serious kink in my efforts to go running.  While I was using the elliptical Gram and Isla played.  Anita took these pictures and I think they make Isla look so grown up.

Leah and Geoff's

The day after Thanksgiving we went down to Leah and Geoff's with all our Utah family to share the day together.  The rest of the weekend we spent at Leah and Geoff's.  It was so so nice to all be together for a day.  Leah caught these pictures while I was outside playing with Isaac and Lucy.  Isaac and Lucy, by the way, are enamored with baby Isla.  They are going to be such good big siblings to their new sister due to arrive in three months.  Leave it to Leah to get such amazing shots.  Thank you!

Thanksgiving

Aside from Thanksgiving at my grandparents growing up, I think this year was one of my most favorite Thanksgivings.  It was small and quiet (usually I like lots of people and busy/happy loud) and we had a fabulous time just all talking together about memories at the dinner table.  It really was special.  Grandma Ann and Grandpa Cal came.  It was wonderful to spend time with them when they were feeling so well and also for them to enjoy time with Isla.

I couldn't' stop taking pictures of the three of them together.  It surely was a picture of peace.