Collins Xmas

Uncle Adam

Dad shows Kendall how to open presents.

Grandpa Great

Aunt Kathy made some blocks for Kendall - which she loved.

Lunch at Rays - Kendall tries and likes Cheeseburger soup.

We had a great time with the family playing celebrity, opening presents, and of course eating. Kendall had her first real experience with a dog - Taylor. She was scared at first, but it didn't take long for them to get used to one another.

Redmond Xmas

Shopping with the girls.

Aunt Leighanne.

Cousin Carmen

Cousin Maria

Cousin Isabel and Kendall's new "fred"

Breakfast

Transporting the ham via sled from the neighbors house to mom and dads - hey you do what you have to do.Kendall looks on as Gpa Bob plays in the snow.

The stairs - one of Kendall's first that she got to experience on this trip home. She also went sledding for the first time.

Since I forgot my camera battery charger, this is unfortunately about all the shots I took with my camera - but, please check out the Redmond and Denja blogs for more great pics of our time in Traverse City celebrating with the fam. More pics still to come...

Christmas 09

Here's the big girl standing up in her crib. She started this about a week before we left for vacation.

Kendall reading in the car.

Dad consults the map.

SNOW!

Well after a 21 hour car ride we made it to Michigan and have successfully completed almost all the family Christmas celebrations. Post of pics coming soon.

Kendall taking her lumps...learning to walk.

It's beginning to look like Christmas

Well it was another nice weekend - thank goodness for the weekends! - it began with a trip to Lexington Carolighting where we listened to some caroling and watched Lexington light the big Christmas tree. We missed Santa, but had fun anyway. Wrapped up the night with Taco Bell and Big Love. Don't you like my Shaft jacket? Picked this gem up in a thrift store in Traverse for $20!

Kendall loves the pom poms on her new boots. By the looks of things on mom and dad's blog she will be able to experience a white Christmas after all. I can't wait to see her reaction to snow!

On Friday - I don't remember Friday. Saturday we spent the day running errands and watching football of course. Watched the ol' Chippewas beat the Bobcats. Dad asked if I was torn in terms of choosing who to root for - no way, Chips win everytime. Excited to see them play in the GMAC Bowl against Troy on January 6th. How far away is Alabama? Oh, and the Chips are ranked 25 in the AP Poll - Go Fire Up!

We started off the Sunday pretty lazy - just watching movies. I did make it outside for a quick run and later met the Weidners in West Columbia for their Christmas parade. It was cold, but I think Kendall enjoyed all the lights. Kendall and Aunt Erin on a walk earlier today. If you look really close, you can actually see a sliver of Kendall's face under all her layers.

Kendall's reaction at the parade. I promise she had a good time...it's the hat - it squishes her face. Note the mitten - it really threw her for a loop when she couldn't find her thumb.

The Shriners - all lit up!

Kendall has started to try several new foods. Here she is munching on some meat sticks.

Erin finished one test Saturday and will take another tomorrow morning. Aaron only has 9.5 days of school left and we leave for Michigan in t-12 days! Can't wait.

Turkey Day

My parents joined us for Thanksgiving, arriving on Wednesday afternoon. After I arrived home from work we decided to go out for dinner to a local favorite (Lexington Wings and Ale) where we ordered our favorite wings and wing chips. As you can see we did pretty well.
On Thursday morning, as is our tradition, we participated in a 3k walk to benefit Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Columbia. Upon returning home we readied the house for the arrival of friends (the Weidners) who helped us celebrate Turkey Day. We had lots of food and enjoyed games after dinner.
On Friday, dad and Erin got right to work on the bathroom. Erin had decided to make a bathroom remodel by bday present. So with Dad's help they painted, installed new fixtures, sink and concrete counter top. On Friday night, the Aaerins and I headed to Main Street Cafe to watch our favorite band play while mom and dad babysat Kendall. After lots of drinks and dancing, Saturday morning was a bit slow going...in fact we pretty much spend the day laying around and watching movies (Twilight). On Sunday we visited a nearby flea market to take in some some local 'culture.' There we lost one of Kendall's favorite toys - Fred, but picked up a rider/walker for Kendall for $4. Erin and Dad continued work on the bathroom while mom and I went out searching for a swing and playset that they wanted to get as an early birthday present. We ended up finding a cute little house complete with ladder and slide that Kendall is sure to love. Later we put up the outdoor Christmas decorations. Monday morning, Aaron headed back to work while we took in a local cafe for breakfast. We then headed out to pick up a swing that Dad later installed along with a new doorbell. Later we headed to Olive Garden for lunch before saying goodbye to mom and dad.

We had a great time with family and friend and are extremely lucky and thankful to everyone. P.S. Dad beat me to the post, so check out their blog for more pictures.