We had a lot of fun in Richmond the weekend before Christmas. According to tradition, we celebrated the weekend before with Brian’s family. Reese loved being with her cousins. Here she is looking for Caleb:

Even though she can open doors, she prefers to look under the door. Unfortunately, that is the bathroom.

Reese loves her cousins, but she does have some favorites. Now she has a new favorite: she fell in love with Levi, her 15 year old cousin from Georgia. I love that picture.

Grandma’s gift to Reese: fur, of course.

Grandma also got the girls matching outfits (semi-matching in big girl Grace’s case). Aren’t they sweet?

Grandma also picked out an awesome tutu. The best part was that Reese opened it, pulled it out of the box, immediately put it on, stood up, and twirled. I wish I had it on video.

I’m sorry I’ve been away and without photos for so long. I’ll try to mollify you all with a few posts.

We decorated the first weekend in December (leading to a very dry tree by the 27th) and Reese really enjoyed helping.

Last year after Christmas I got a garland of bells especially for Reese and she had a fun time playing with it. It spurred many refrains of “Jingle Bells.”

Brian and I left her with Grandma and Grandpa for the afternoon and evening to go to DC to celebrate our 6th anniversary and to meet up with some college friends. We had lunch at the hotel where our reception was and had someone take a picture:

If I were more industrious I would post a similar photo 6 years old, but I’m not.

We also visited the Archives and National Gallery and spent some quality time on the Metro. I still can’t wait to see that group picture of us all (ahem, Erica!).

I have some Christmas decorating pictures to post, but I’m too tired tonight. Soon!

I did want to post two stories you all will love.

When we were driving to Richmond for Thanksgiving, Reese slept most of the way, but she woke up towards the end. After a little conversation about going to Grandma and Grandpa’s for Thanksgiving, eating turkey, and what turkeys say I looked in the back seat, and she had her hand to her hair and I heard “Beautiful hair. Curly hair.”

Then, on the way from Grandma and Grandpa’s to Aunt Tracy’s we saw some cows lying down in the field. I said, “The cows are lying down, they must be night-night.”

So she said, “Cows read books. Cows have pipes (pacifiers for the uninitiated). Cows have blankies. Cows go night-night.”

Apparently cows have the same bedtime routine that she does.

Caleb and Jonah

Ever since we got back from Richmond, Reese has gotten too big to call me “mommy.” I am now “mom.”

“All done, mom.”
“Out of bed, mom.”

It makes me feel old! Like I have some surly teenage daughter! The worst part is that Brian reinforces it, “Go take that to mom.”

I tried to get back at him, and get her to call him dad. I told her, “Say I love you, dad.” She says, “I love you, daddy.” Ug. Already daddy’s little girl.

At least she doesn’t call me “Meg.”

Joshua

We had a fun weekend, but we didn’t take the camera. Sorry! We took Reese to the Carolina Raptor Center and we saw “Owls!” and “Eagles!” It was very exciting.

Reese also had a new phrase that is our favorite.

Reese: Airplane!
Mommy: I don’t see it.
Reese: Must be bye-bye.

Incredible.

This is my favorite video yet.

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We have been having some fun since the advent of repetition. I can see why the guys on funnyordie.com had so much fun with “The Landlord.”

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Sorry for the long absence. As I explained earlier, when my computer has not been broken, I have been out of town. I’ll try to catch you up.

First, Halloween. We had the cutest ladybug ever. We hit a few houses on our road, then Reese got too tired to go on, after all, it was 6:45 already. She enjoyed ringing doorbells and seeing everyone’s dog.

The previous weekend Brian had bought some materials to make a raised garden for me, so that in the spring, I can grow vegetables! Yay! Reese liked helping, but she enjoyed the bugs the most. Any big she sees, she has to pick up. Lately, the victims have been beetles and daddy long legs. She’s not very gentle, so she’s sending some to their heavenly bug home.

Last week, we spent some time in Albuquerque (fun election videos and such will be forthcoming). We had a great time with my mom going to the aquarium and out to our favorite restaurant. It was a quick trip, but worth it to see Nana and, of course, Buster.

I’ll try to make some videos before Reese wakes up. We’ve got some great ones.

Most of you know that Reese can climb out of her crib, but everyone asks “How does she do that?!” Well, my friends, here it is!

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