Our early christmas present

A timeline up to the big surprise...

So the week of December 7 I noticed Katherine was standing more easily on her own and for longer periods of time.

December 12 - while at the cookie decorating party she tried out a walker and took to it with no problems and really seemed to enjoy it

On December 14 - I noticed 3 different times throughout the day she took 1 little step.

December 15 - a friend noticed a step which then confirmed for me I was not seeing things the day before.

December 18 - I put Katherine in front of me, sort of jokingly, and said come here - she took 3 steps and fell! I couldn't believe it! That night when we went to show Daddy she took 12 steps! She is officially walking for the past week now almost 2 weeks - come Friday. She is still falling at times of course, but she has mastered turning herself around, standing up from a sitting position, she knows when she is about to fall to put her hands down which balances her and she stands right back up. She is trying to get faster especially when she sees something she wants and then falls as she approaches because her little feet can't keep up with the rest of her body. When she first started she would laugh and make a cute sound as she walked. She still laughs at times. She is definitely enjoying this new freedom and adventure. As are we! Here are some photos and hopefully, video.

She is also making new sounds - saying Mama a lot more and including dada now. She loves to clap her hands to music or just because. She loves to wave either on command or just because as well. She is starting to get better at drinking from her sippy cup but still likes to chew on it. We are trying to start her eating real food - she loves bananas, toast, string cheese. But is not always willing to try new stuff - she seems to like hard or crunchy things...

She has lots of new toys and 6 new dolls for Christmas but she still loves to get into Emma's stuff because it is Emma's, of course. She seems especially intrigued by Emma's princess dolls.

Emma's Christmas Concert

Emma's 4 year old preschool class had a Christmas Concert on December 17. She did a very nice job singing all of the songs. I will have to see if I can download the video so you can hear too.

She is in the back row. I think they are singing "Must be Santa" in these two photos.

I can tell in this photo my little girl is growing up.

Other random photos from December

Here are some random photos from December.
Ethan & I with our friends Mike & Aimee at the Packer vs. Baltimore Ravens game, December 7

Katherine & Emma with Santa at Snips & Giggles on December 3. Snips & Giggles is a hair salon for kids. They hosted Santa, cookie decorating, sleigh rides, and more fun for an evening.

Check out the shirt! :-)

Emma and the gingerbread house which she made at an art class she takes once a week.

December Snow

We went for a run the morning of December 8 with the girls - before it started to snow, but by the time we returned home the flakes were falling. Here are a few photos of Emma & Katherine admiring the beautiful first snowflakes which turned into a record snowfall for Green Bay - 14+ inches. Emma had fun making snow angels.

Weekend of Fun

Two weeks before Christmas we had quite a fun-filled weekend. It started Friday evening with Emma & I attending the Green Bay Dance Organization's Nutcracker Ballet. Emma was especially excited because one of her classmates from preschool was in it as a snow angel. The seats I chose were fabulous - big, comfy leather chairs(which Emma could curl up in when she got tired) in the top middle of the theatre. We both enjoyed it!


Saturday morning we headed to Sheboygan to have Breakfast with Santa. The photos are in the slideshow in the previous post.
After breakfast and spending some time with family we headed to New Berlin to visit some of Ethan's college friends and their kids. They invited us to come for a cookie decorating party! Which I knew would be a hit with Emma. See the slideshow at the end of this post.

Sunday we headed to Whispering Pines Tree Farm in Oconto to pick and cut down our Christmas Tree. My father-in-law lives next door to the tree farm so he helps out every year. We are lucky to be able to have him come along with us into the field of trees to find the right one and assist if needed. This year there was a lot of snow to travel through since we had the Blizzard on December 9. Emma picked the Thomas the Train tractor to take us into the area of trees we were looking for, Fraser Fir. Katherine decided she did not want to stay in my arms while waiting for Daddy to cut the tree so I let her down in the snow - which she did not mind at all and of course, started to crawl wherever she could although she had a few face to snow meetings.
All of us on the tractor headed to find our tree
Katherine & Grandpa Rob on the tractor ride
Thomas the Train Tractor ride
Daddy cutting down our tree.
Emma helping Daddy move the tree
Posing with our Christmas tree
Emma trying to help Katherine
First taste of snow!
Trying to crawl through it.


So after the fun of picking out our tree Santa was at the tree farm and we had to have a visit. I took Katherine twice - once with Emma and once alone. Since it is her first Christmas this year I wanted a photo of just her and Santa.
A great photo of Katherine & Santa - he was a very smart Santa - getting out a book to read was the trick to not make her cry.
Admiring Santa
Together with Santa - no crying even


Here is a slideshow of the cookie decorating party. Too many cute photos to choose from and post separately - quicker way of posting many at once.

Breakfast with Santa

December 12 we went to Breakfast with Santa at my alma mater, Lakeland College. My sister and family along with my parents all joined us as well. It was a nice event for Lakeland alum. Here is a slideshow of some of the photos from that morning.

Thanksgiving Photos

This is Katherine taking over the driver's seat in Menominee, WI where we stopped to feed her on our way to Minnesota.

Let me out of here.

We traveled to the Twin Cities for 2 days to celebrate Thanksgiving with my Dad's family. My cousin and his wife hosted dinner for both families. It was a great feast! We arrived Wednesday late afternoon and took Emma to the MOA so Max & Jenna (her bitty twins) could get cleaned up at the American Girl store.

Changing Max & Jenna (Bitty Twins) into their new pajamas(that Daddy bought for them) at the American Girl store in Twin Cities at Mall of America
Emma & her two favorite dolls showing off their new p.j.s

A look at the Thanksgiving table.

Enjoying the meal

Thankful for Family

Katherine's 1st Thanksgiving - she tried some turkey after her usual vegetable and fruit.

Hiram waiting for his meal of rice before eveyone else ate.

My cousin, Brad, and his son, Hiram

Hadley, Brad & Hiram

Cute smile Hiram

2nd cousins - Hiram (5 months) & Katherine(9 months)

Now since I have finally posted Thanksgivin photos - December photos are not too far behind. We have had fun this month preparing for Christmas. Watch for more posts - before the end of the year, I hope.

Belated Photos

E and I enjoying the Packer vs. 49ers football game on a mild November Sunday before Thanksgiving.

My Dad and I enjoying the last home Badger game of the season. A tradition of sorts - every year my Dad comes with me to a game.

One of our beautiful fall days

Big sister - wake up!

Maybe if I pull her hair...

Big Sister, Little Sister What do you See?

Water bottles...

and cupboards - two of my favorite things.

Daddy trying to get Katherine to sit and watch the Packer game - oh no Daddy - I am on the move...

Our baby growing up - 9 months

Mom and her girls on her birthday

Ma Ma and Katherine

My future musician

Snow White and the lil' monkey

Lil' monkey can't see!

Lil' Monkey and Daddy

Our budding 4 year old princess

Just a few photos from the last few weeks, since Halloween actually, that I have not had a chance to post. More from Thanksgiving and recent coming soon.