SCENES FROM CHRISTMAS 2009

This picture of Aaron was taken by Noah!

Kelly resting in the wrapping paper bliss!

sweet girl

Yummy ribbon!!

Noah basking in the greatness that is Wii.

Claaaassic Bella!

Pretty girl

Bella & Auntie Christine hung out all morning!

Thanks for the noisy toy, Auntie Kelly!

I love it!

Yes, I do!!

Yeah, I'm wearin' a Santa headband - jealous??

WORK ANTICS

(can you tell I was finally able to download some videos from my Flip??)
The first video was birthed out of a dare. A coworker and friend, Sherry, made fun of an outfit I was wearing one day. I had beaded fringe on the hem of my pants and a very sparkly shirt. She said, "What's it gonna be tomorrow, CharB - FEATHERS??!!" So guess what?

The second video is at a TERRIBLE angle, but I've had requests (believe it or not) from coworkers for me to put this video up on my blog. It was taken last Thursday at our office Christmas party. Please excuse the camera work at the beginning (and the angle all the way through). Maybe just close your eyes and listen. Okay.....here's the video.

VIDEO EXTRAVAGANZA!

From 11/25/09

From 11/25/09

From 11/22/09

OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY

The Yule Tones (Bella stole the show!)

Sonny & Cher---reunited!

"River" - what can I say? It's a sad Christmas song.

Mike on guitar and Kevin on keyboard (not pictured) were awesome accompanists!

We had a great office Christmas party last Thursday. I know - you usually don't hear the words "great" and "office party" together, but it truely was! A group of us sang carols, I sang a solo, and a band from the middle school across the street came over and played a ton of festive music! Even though times are times, or maybe BECAUSE times are tough, I am thankful that I work at a fun place. I have to say, with the new addition of the "Steevie Awards", it felt an awful lot like an episode of The Office. I couldn't get the "Dundees" out of my head!

MILESTONES

Our Bella is so sweet (even though she won't sleep for more than 3 hours at a time - grrr)! She is doing so much and growing so much!

Here are just a few of the new developments:

1. She knows her name when we call her.
2. She pulls herself up on ANY and EVERY thing: laundry basket, storage totes, bookshelves, rocking chair, ottoman, couch, paper shredder (!), etc.
3. She loves to be with us EVERYWHERE, ALL THE TIME.
4. She claps.
5. She does "all done" in sign language.
6. She waves (backwards, but it still counts!).
7. She eats "Level 3" solid baby food.
8. She wears 9 mos clothing.
9. She eats paper (not a positive development, but funny)!
10. She plays peek-a-boo by holding up a blanket or something over her eyes and waiting for us to say "peek-a-boo."
11. She CRAWLS!!! The old Army scoot is a thing of the past. And she's FAST!
12. She holds her own bottle. This has just happened in the last couple of days, and we are thrilled about it! No more "I'm-gonna-put-my-hands-behind-my-head-while-you-feed-me" pose.
13. When she wants to stand up, she looks for our hands because she knows we'll stick out a finger that she can grasp. When she's grasped one finger, she looks to our other hand for the other finger and then hoists herself up.

It's a really fun time in our lives, and she is such a blessing.

CUTE STOCKING STUFFER IDEA

These are so funny! And who wouldn't like a real dollar from Burger King? Okay, well maybe not my vegan friends, but hey! The cards are still a hoot!
https://secure2.bk.com/en/us/campaigns/bk-dollar-holidays.html

TIS THE SEASON!

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/r5Hi2EeQFtxH820j