Just being cute!

Our good friend Ashlee snapped these super cute photos of Maryn at our bible study Christmas party...just had to share!

Trimming the tree

Maryn had lots of fun getting into the boxes of "kid-friendly" ornaments!! She even got to hang her very first ornament...

Hanging my first ornament

This one looks interesting!

Being silly :)

This is shiny!!

Santa's cutest reindeer!

Where are you christmas tree???

Since Jeremy and I have been married, we have always purchased a live tree for Christmas. We stroll over to the hardware store down the way and pick out just the right one...a classic story for many I'm sure. Well this year we decided to start something new and went on a search for Christmas tree farms. After a brief Google search, we choose just the right one...Piney Acres Christmas Tree Farm in Fortville, IN.
We bundled Maryn up, grabbed the Christmas music, and headed out of the big city. Thirty minutes later we pulled up to a farm full of an evergreen aroma! It was a gorgeous sunny day, but don't let the sun fool you- it was not warm! We climbed up into the wagon and took the bumpy ride out to the rows of trees. Since we were looking for a 8 foot tree, we got dropped off way in the back and wondered if they would remember to come back and pick us up. Wondering the rows of trees we stumbled across the perfect one! Jeremy was quick to start sawing away, but took a brief break to grab some pictures before the tree came tumbling down on top of him. After a bumpy ride back back to the barn with our tree,we were treated to hot chocolate and popcorn.
While this may not be an experience Maryn remembers, it was a special time to be together as a family. And hopefully it is the start of many family Christmas trees searches to come!!

All bundled up for the wagon ride

We found the perfect tree!!

Good work Daddy!

Ahhhh....

...what a comfy place!!

This has been a long day!

Are snowglobes for eating?

An Extra Thankful Thanksgiving

It was a great first Thanksgiving for the three of us. We enjoyed a day with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins...and plenty to eat! As we reflect back on this day about what we are thankful for there are truly many things that God has blessed us with over this past year. However we are most thankful for the beautiful daughter that God has given to us. We very often have people in public tell us how cute Maryn is and of course we gush with pride. Not only is she cuttiest little girl in the world, she is also packed full of personality and life. It has been such a wonderful experience to see how she has grown. We are truly grateful to God for blessing us with Maryn, for all he has provided for us and for all he has taught us over the past year! We are thankful.

A few favorite snapshots

I just couldn't resist sharing a few of my favorite snapshots from November...

Raking leaves with Daddy

A big blanket and I chose the far edge :)

That leaf was pretty crunchy

Go Dawgs!!!

Don't worry Daddy, I can handle this bag!

Or maybe not!

You don't mind picking these up again do you?

Daddy and his big helper

This has been a fun day!!!

Kitchen fun!!

I can't wait until I can run around that backyard!

Ziploc bags...cheap entertainment!

Me...into something???

Where did Duke's food go?

I'm getting tall!

Don't worry mommy, I'll help empty the dishwasher

Maryn's favorite room in the house to play is the kitchen. I think it is the combination of shiny appliances, cabinets full of fun, dishtowels and ziploc bags at her reach, and the bright sunshine coming in through the sliding door. She loves the kitchen!! Every morning when I let Duke outside, she squeals to be let down and will stand at the back door just watching, drooling, and jabbering away. From that spot she moves on to the ziploc bags. I know, you should not let your children play with plastic bags, but she is closely supervised and well entertained. She loves to pull them out of the box through them-what harm can that be? :) Her next stop is Duke's food dishes which she is quickly denied access to! To end her kitchen tour she pulls herself up to our bar height chairs and stands next to them blowing raspberries in the air. What a carefree life!!!

Happy Halloween!!

Me and my pumpkin

Are you taking my picture again?

What a cute giraffe!!!

Me and Uncle Scotty

Grandma and Grandpa

Kisses from my "bear" cousin Stone

My cousins gave me some trick-or-treating tips!
(Quincy, Maryn, Turner, and Stone)

Papaw and Mamaw

By the time I got my picture taken with Daddy and Mommy...I was ready to get the costume off!!

Fish and Friends in Chicago

To cap off Jeremy's birthday, we made a spontaneous trip to Chicago. It was Maryn's first time and with lucked out with great weather. We drove up on a Saturday morning and had brunch with the Beiers. Maryn and Tate had fun together even with a small size difference :) Unfortunately for some crazy reason I did not have my camera out while we were there...oops. We had a great time catching up with Scott and Lisa and enjoyed a yummy brunch. That afternoon we checked into our hotel and then headed to the Shedd Aquarium. Upon arrival there was a little apprehension from Maryn, but she quickly warmed up to the fish, sting ray, and eels swimming past her. She loved it!!! In fact, any time we walked away from one of the tanks she started screaming! While they were just fish to us, they were a whole new discovery for her and it was so exciting to see her joy. Guess we might be getting a fish sometime soon?!?
On Sunday we had lunch with the Horvaths and Bowers at Portillo's. We enjoyed introducing Peter and Claire to Maryn for the first time and catching up with them. Lucky for us we see Johnny, Sara, and Harrison fairly often. Maryn had a cute wave for Harrison! In one of the photos you can see a picture of all of us together. One of ladies working at the restuarant, Miss Showtime Nancy, was intrigued by our little ones! She was quick to bring Portillo's hats for Maryn and Harrison and also wanted my camera so she could take our picture. She was such a sweet lady!! After lunch we did a little shopping on Michigan Ave. and then were on our way back down windy 65. It was a great family trip and we look forward to many more in the months to come!

Quick stop before the aquarium!
Daddy that tickles:)

Whoa...that is a big fish coming right at us!

Bundled up to brave the Windy City

Peek-a-boo :)

Do you like my Portillo's hat?

Lunch with the Horvaths and Bowers

8 months going on 16 years!