Merry Christmas!

Whitney had a very special first Christmas. Festivities kicked off on Christmas Eve for brunch in Madison with Mommy, Daddy, some cousins, aunts, and uncles.

Two generations of Godparents.

The celebration continued back at Nana and Papa's for presents and more delicious food.

After all of that activity, Whitney was ready for a bottle and snuggle with Aunt Katie.

Christmas morning brought even more presents! Later in the afternoon we joined the Kelly crew at Aunt Colleen and Uncle Jim's house for more Christmas cheer.

I'll end this post with a nice picture of Whitney and Daddy testing out their matching footed Christmas jammies!

santa claus was in town!

As you can see from the first photo, Whitney wasn't quite sure what to make of the big guy! She wasn't scared but rather intrigued by his long white beard.

As if that wasn't enough excitement, Grandma and Grandpa Carlson were down for a visit and to celebrate Christmas early. Whitney had a blast dancing to Christmas carols, making cookies, looking at Christmas lights, opening presents, and just spending quality time with 2 of her favorite people.

visit from st. nick!

December started out with a bang when Christmas festivities began on December 6th with a visit from St. Nick. On the night of the 5th we set out the biggest socks we own, only to find them stuffed with goodies the following morning!

It's hard to tell in this last photo, but when Whitney is extra happy she gives us her biggest smile complete with scrunched up nose and squinty eyes. It kind of photographs as if she's crying, so I had to set the record straight!

are we back in 1977?

While at Grandma and Grandpa's, we subjected Whitney to a "vintage" photo shoot. She was a good sport smiling for the camera in some of Mommy's baby clothes. When people ask who Whitney most resembles, we say Grandma Carlson. As a result, she resembles Mommy a little bit too. Since we don't have baby pictures of Grandma, these ones of Mommy will have to do for comparative purposes.

Whitney at 7 1/2 months

Mommy at 7 1/2 months

Whitney

Mommy

You may not be able to tell from the photos, but Mommy had the same 2 bottom teeth that Whitney does at 7 1/2 months.

first taste of winter...

"Oh gee, that snow stuff sure looks like fun..."

"This is even better than I imagined!"

"It's fun and all to be pulled around, but when can I go down the hills?"

"Mommy, do we really have to start on this small one??"

"This is more of what I had in mind Grandpa!"

"This is better yet! I knew Daddy would let me down the black diamond runs."

Later on, Whitney checked out the snowman Grandpa made her.

Whitney had her eyes on this "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree", but we told her we should let it grow another ten or fifteen years.

Hopefully it won't be too long until we get some snow at home!

happy thanksgiving!

James and I had a lot to be thankful for this year celebrating Whitney's first Thanksgiving. We were in Hudson for the long weekend and got in lots of quality time with the Carlson side of the family. However, time still seems to go by too quickly.

Hanging out with Cousin Drew.

The stare down.

Working on her standing skills.

Playing with Grandma.

Chatting with Great Aunt Julie.

Stretching out after her big Thanksgiving bottle.

The weekend before Thanksgiving, Whitney had a special visitor. Mommy's friend Amy flew down for a fun girls weekend.