Go Team Snarf!

Brett is on a broomball team that plays one or two days a week, which he really enjoys.  Although I have heard he spends more time in the penalty box than any other player on the team, he still manages to score a few goals.  Shay enjoys watching him "get game ready".  Last week she decided it was time for her to get ready.

9 Months

Alyssa is 3/4 of a year old!  She is such a delight.  One of my favorite things right now is to walk in after work and just see her face light up.  She kicks her feet and lets out a squeal when she realizes I am home-- what a good welcoming committee!  She has also been up to a few new things this past month:
- Rolls to where she wants to go
- Stands with help
- Says "dada" and "ba ba"
- Squeals and shrieks quite loudly
- Separation anxiety (a little bit)
- "Swims"- when on her tummy lifts both her legs and arms up and wiggles.  Maybe it is her version of crawling, except she doesn't go anywhere.
- Laughs at her sister
- Reacts to noises (Bailey's play bark)
And to think she will be turning 1 in 3 months- wow.

1st Bath Together

Alyssa has now graduated from the baby bath tub, is using the regular tub and loves it!  She lets out this scream every time we turn the water on and splashes away once she is in the tub.  The first time Shay came to see what the commotion was and decided she wanted to join her.  It was a cool moment to remember- one of those that makes you warm and glowing inside (an utterly happy for a minute :).  However, the pictures did not exactly capture that!

 Alyssa determined to splash, Shay not a fan

First Official Haircut

Notice the Shrek toy she is still clutching

We have cut Shay's hair several times at home-- usually just a bang trim, but this week she got her first professional haircut.  Shay did a great job sitting patiently and followed everything the hairdresser asked her to do.  It may have been because they let her hold the Shrek toy (which was the absolute highlight of the whole experience), or because Shay was not quite sure what this lady was doing.  At the end, Shay also got to bring a sucker home.  What a good day!

A Week in Review with Papa Mark and Grandma Stacy

 Everyone headed to the Macy's Holiday Display

 Shay and Alyssa just enjoying the display, not the camera

 Shay found a giraffe- the animal she absolutely loves

(hence the halloween costume earlier this year)

 the Girls with Great Grandma Parke

 Having Fun with Cousin Taylor-

Dressing up and Reading

 Papa Mark and Miss Alyssa

 Loving the Snow

Climbing to the slide at the park, or

up the hill in the cul-de-sac

 The morning we got home

Shay is wearing the shirt we got her from Busch Gardens

Shay and Alyssa spent a week with Grandma and Grandpa while Brett and Rachel headed south for a cruise.   Both girls told us they had a great time :)  Brett and I really appreciated the time to relax and really want to thank Grandma and Grandpa for allowing us to do that!

Christmas with the Carroll's

We were able to celebrate Christmas a few times.  We started in Duluth with the Sturm family (as seen before), but spent the 23rd and 24th with the Carroll's.  Because Brett and Rachel were leaving for the Bahamas the day after Christmas, we celebrated with Papa Bill and Grandma Ginger a couple days early.  On Chirstmas day we spent the day at my Aunt's house with the extended family, but sadly forgot the camera!

 Alyssa enjoying the exersaucer

(notice the holiday onsie-- pretty good for us)

 Shay with her Cars Lego's

 Both Shay and Rachel super excited about her new train set

 An ice cream cone and milk from a swirly straw- can't ask for more!

 Again notice the holiday outfits :)

 Our girls

 Christmas Eve at Amma's

the kiddos