Jumperoo

We celebrated Christmas with the Way family on Sunday afternoon. Mimi & PopPop gave Katherine a jumperoo. After you watch the video, you'll have to decide if you think Katherine or Mimi had more fun. Once Katherine figured out she could jump in it, she stayed fully entertained for the next hour while the rest of us exchanged presents. I can forsee this being a GREAT help in our near future!

Vacation Day 1

We left at 3pm on Friday afternoon and drove to Hobe Sound, Florida for the Maxey Family Christmas. It took 13 hours, but Katherine slept the entire time - it worked! Some of you asked for lots of pictures and video, so get ready! Make sure to look at all 5 vacation posts (including Christmas Eve & Christmas Day). Note to the Maxey family: I have tons more pictures of everyone else, but I only focused on Katherine on the blog.

Tim & Becky set up two trailers in their yard. We got to use one of them, and Grandma & Grandpa were in the other one.Our trailer had electricity & running water! It helped to have our own bathroom, even though the shower was TINY.Our bedroom in the camper - the bed was actually SO comfortable.Katherine's stuff filled up the rest of our space.

Everyone was so excited to see Katherine. They had not seen her since she was 6 weeks old. She was her usual happy self!
Acha's grandmother (Ibod) was with us from Cameroon. She does not speak any English. Having her there added an extra special twist to the gathering.Saturday was spent unpacking, wrapping presents, planning meals & grocery shopping. Andrew, Rose & Rachel hung the stockings outside.Tim grilled a variety of sausage and hotdogs for dinner around the campfire. We had s'mores and sang and did family devotions outside until the bugs drove us indoors.

This year Grandma & Grandpa came prepared with words to Christmas songs typed out, so no one had an excuse not to sing. It didn't really help much. Grandma & Grandpa and the grandkids were still the only ones singing.

Vacation Day 2

Sunday morning, we went to Ft. Lauderdale to visit Aunt Dot. She is my mom's step-sister. Rose (age 7) helped feed Katherine several times during our visit. Peas & carrots - yummy!That evening, we went to the beach for family photos. It was both Katherine's and Ibod's first time at the beach. Our photographer ended up not being able to come, so I just set up our camera on the tripod and used the timer. It was very difficult getting all the kids (and adults for that matter) to look at the camera at the same time when there was no one standing behind it! We got some good ones of Katherine and our little family.

Christmas Eve

The morning of Christmas Eve, we visited the nursery that Tim owns. He sells primarily to contractors and developers. It was much bigger than I had pictured in my mind.

These are the "baby" plants. They grow their own plants from cuttings. Very cool!

The Maxeys open presents on Christmas Eve, so we got started around 3:30pm, so the kids would not be tired. Rose recited the Christmas story from Luke before we started.

Katherine chose the first present to be opened. The other kids (and the dog) crowded to see which one she would choose.

Opening her present from Rose & Grace.

Random pictures while opening presents.

Christmas Day

Waiting to open stockings. Looks like everyone is so excited they can hardly stay awake!I'm ready!
Katherine is grabbing for everything these days.
Rachel gave Katherine a rudolph nose that lights up. She didn't like it very much!
Video of the nose.

Becky & Andrew both cut their heads over the holiday. Becky ran into a cabinet, and Andrew ran into something in the camper.

"White Christmas" was one of the songs we sang on Christmas Day at the beginning of devotions. I thought it was pretty funny, since we were in Florida, and Christmas was over! We all shared one praise and one prayer request for the year. We captured Ibod on video sharing her thoughts.

Rose & Grace helped give Katherine her bath.

Vacation Day 5

We spent the day shopping at Chuckles, Gary's, The Home Store, TJ Maxx and Walmart. It actually was not that crowded. Saying good-bye to Uncle Acha - they left on Wednesday.

Grace (3 1/2 years old) took her turn feeding Katherine.

Playing in the camper bunk beds. Grace said that she and Rose were the three little pigs and Katherine was the big bad wolf who came to blow their house down!

Bubbles

Our youth choir does a warm up called "bubbles," and Katherine was awake past her bedtime tonight practicing it.

Dedication

Katherine was technically dedicated to the Lord this summer when Andrew's family was here, and we had a special private service at our house. Today at church, we participated in the formal dedication service there. Mimi (my mom) bought Katherine's dress at the beach with Ms. Harvey (later pictured) in October. After church, we had some close friends over for lunch to celebrate. Katherine did very well considering she did not take her morning nap! She listen intently to Pastor Joel's comments and then crashed during the worship music.

Our happy familyPop Pop, Mimi & KatherineOur little angelBelle Cormier was dedicated also. She was born in November, and we hope the girls will be friends!
Gail & Bob
Buddy & Harvey
Dave & JenDevin

Six Months

Katherine turned 6 months old yesterday! She's so much fun. Her checkup is on Wednesday, so I'll let you know where she ranks on height and weight.

I was talking with her teacher this week and randomly found out that the only way she'll nap at school is in the swing with a pacifier and her blanket tucked up around her. Amy said when they do that, she'll fall asleep without a fuss. I decided to try that at home, because naptime is usually accompanied by much wailing and gnashing of teeth. I've tried it for two days, and it's working beautifully!Our house is all decorated for Christmas. Katherine loves the lights and wishes she could touch the ornaments on our tree.Grandma & Grandpa Maxey came for the weekend to visit. Katherine enjoyed all of the extra attention.

Church

Here are a couple of pictures from church last Sunday. Andrew & Katherine go early with me every week and hang out in my office. Andrew usually reads or surfs the internet, and Katherine tries to help him. Devin & Paige (Devin's girlfriend) were here for Thanksgiving. So cute!

Thanksgiving

We took it easy on Thanksgiving Day. We went for a family walk, ate lunch at Mimi & Pop Pop's house and then watched CSI episodes on DVD.Friday, we drove to Nashville to see extended family (on Lori's side). People are listed by their relationship to Katherine, because she was the center of attention, of course!

Second cousin, Dawn.Avoiding her nap...Second cousin, Lynn.Third cousin, Delaney.Katherine is named after my grandmother. There are two other Katherines in the family, but they go by their middle names: Great Aunt Katherine (Linda) and third cousin Katherine (Paige).Part of the family that was still there for the traditional porch shot.
Opening a Christmas present from Great Aunt Linda.
It fits!First bath in a kitchen sink!Reading the Saturday morning paper with Great Uncle Jimmy.