Standing/November Happenings!

Aubriana started standing by herself 2 days ago, but today it has been non-stop! She loves it. She gets anywhere from 5 to 10 or 15 seconds of standing alone. She so wants to step forward, but still is a little intimidated. She stands, goes down, stands, goes down...over and over again. It's a fun game to her!! I'm lovin it too. She is doing new stuff all the time...constantly.






November News:

• Crawled for the first time on Friday the 13th.
• Sighs - lifts her shoulders, and lets out a sigh as her shoulders relax.
• Says "Hot"...by the stove, fireplace, and when she sees you with coffee.
• Shakes her head back and forth when she knows she's not supposed to do or touch something.
• Loves Trevor...always points to his picture to be taken to it and give kisses.
• Points at things she wants.
• Understands the meaning of many words: numbers, light, fan, give kisses, baby, book, hot, brrr, no no, be careful, be nice, Trevor, up, puppy/Ellie, balloon.
• When dressing her, she is very helpful by pushing her arms through and also knows to "switch" which hand is holding a toy so I can dress her.
• Goes up a flight of 8 stairs all by herself...and thinks she's hot stuff.
• Waves "hi" and "bye bye"...Princess Style!
• Winks both eyes.
• Folds her hands to pray before eating all by herself.
• Says "Ma ma, Ma ma constantly.
  

She's doing wonderful, except for her ear infection. I took her to the doctor today because she has had this cough that won't go away...no other symptoms, simply a cough a little bit in the early morning and then gone. Last night she woke up at 1:30 a.m., which is VERY unusual. I re-tucked her, gave a little Tylenol, and she went right back out and slept all night. I never would have dreamed she had an ear infection. She had a finger prick today as well and just watched the whole thing without making even a peep. She must have a very high pain tolerance! She's amazing.

Let the "Traditions" Begin...

It's the day after Thanksgiving and I have been talking to Trace about starting our own family traditions to carry out every year. Now that we have a daughter, I want to do special things year after year that hopefully will be special enough to her that she'll share them with her family someday. I wanted today and day's after Thanksgiving to come, to involve putting up the Christmas tree as a family while listening to Christmas music. Trace's input for the day was to begin by going to Cracker Barrell for breakfast/lunch and then end the day playing games together. We accomplished them all!

We picked Trevor up this morning and headed for Cracker Barrell!

Trevor enjoys playing with the "rockets" and the triangle!!

Here we go kids, we're going to put up the tree!

Aubriana helping take the branches out of the tote to hand off to Trevor.

Trevor helped separate the branches by putting them in piles according to the different colors.

Trace & Trevor needed a cookie break...Candy Cane Oreos...Yummy!

Time for the ornaments!

Taa Daaa!!

It's Game Time!! Trace introduced Trevor to the Wii today and he absolutely loves it and...is really good at it. He's a natural shot!

We had a really fun day together with lots of smiles and laughs! It was a good start to our new family traditions.

Miscellaneous Photos

These pictures are from the other day, but are too sweet not to post. So...they're out of order, but I will share anyway.

"I'm talkin to YOU"

LOVE her kisses!!

Bundled and ready to go.

Happy Thanksgiving

We are Thankful for oh so much!!

Preparing to leave for Elkhart!

Our little Cutie Patootie!!

This year for Thanksgiving we went to Trace's parents house and spent the day with his family, Grandma, Aunt, and Uncles. It was a really nice day and of course, the food was excellent. We've always been able to spend time with both of our families for the holidays, but with my family living in Arkansas now, it makes it a little more difficult. It's really hard not having them around or being able to buzz to both places within a day or two of a holiday, but it's okay. I miss them a lot and just want them to be happy!

Pretty fancy Aubriana!
A new princess car to drive!


It was Aubriana's 1st Thanksgiving so it was even more special! She had an enjoyable day as well and really took to Uncle Sherm. He and Aunt Mary and from Indiana and come every year for Thanksgiving.
Uncle Sherman & Aubriana

A family get together or holiday with the Kendig's is not complete until a game of "Pay Me" is in full swing! We love to play cards. I was the big winner of the day!!

A family picture to end the night!

Annual Shopping Trip

Watch Out...Here we come!

What a fantastic weekend!! It was our annual shopping trip weekend and let me tell ya... it was a BLAST! Every year since 2003 we, that is, myself, my mom, my mother-in-law, my aunts, and my cousins, pick a weekend to go Christmas shopping in Des Moines. We get a room at Studio Plus or Chase Suites, where we have stayed the past couple of trips, start on Friday afternoon and go until Sunday afternoon, shopping, eating, laughing, fellowshipping, shopping, talking, enjoying one another's company, and more shopping! We always go for supper Friday evening with a bunch of other family members, including the men. Then we spend the rest of that night being silly and shopping at Kohl's until midnight. It's the usual night for throwing in Gordman's as well, although sometimes we hit that store either on Saturday or Sunday.j

Enjoying supper at The Machine Shed!

We always do a White Elephant gift exchange, which is always fun and entertaining. We have so much food and fun, it's just great. This year was a little different because my mom wasn't able to be with us since they live in Arkansas, so it just wasn't the same without her. Miss ya, mom! But, on a good note, Aubriana got to join us in the fun this year and she was a trooper. I tell ya, this girl knows how to shop. She did awesome!! Hats off to you, baby doll. Thanks for being so good so mama could shop like a fool.

The start of the White Elephant Gift Exchange!

Kathy got Advil! Ya Hoo

Stacey got some chocolate and drink mix...not sure how old it is!
This was my gift, I really wanted the snowman...nobody even stole it from me!My cousin, Stacey, and I

The was mouth...we all had these a few years ago, and I brought mine out this year to show Samantha and Miranda.

Anyway...I had a fabulous weekend; the weather was perfect, Aubri did awesome, had lots of fun and good times, AND, I accomplished almost all of the Christmas shopping in one weekend. I think I have 2 people out of almost 20 people left to buy for, so I'm feeling pretty good!

Aubriana with her antlers!
Miranda, Aubri, me, and Samantha at the Mall Saturday!

The crew approaching Old Navy!


Let's just say, these are our "special" socks...unfortunately almost everyone forgot to bring theirs along this weekend, but it is a part of the annual trip!

My Aunt Sharon and I

Even Aubriana has some!

This was Kathy and I after 11pm at Kohls Saturday night...we were ready for bed!

Sunday back to a mall!

Then...HOME. Thanks for a great weekend ladies. I enjoyed myself!