Holiday Cheer

Kayleigh found a gift bag that had been left out after a Christmas party the night before.

I love that she finds so much joy in things like playing with a sheet of tissue paper.  (I also love that she helps "Keen!" [clean] up after herself now, too!)

As special as it was to share her First Christmas with her, this Christmas is full of just as much joy--and this year, it's because she does not only simply give us joy by being in our lives (like last year), this year, she creates joy for herself and for us, too.  I love every stage this sweet girl has experienced.  She truly fills our home with joy!

A Return to Oak Glen

A trip to Oak Glen in the fall is one of our favorite traditions.  Jesse and I have been going since we were first married, and last year, it was so special to be able to take Kayleigh for her first trip, too.

Isn't it incredible how much a person can change in one year?

Last year, we just tried to get her to smile for pictures...

...this year, we just tried to get her to stay still!

 

It was another perfect afternoon.

(Kayleigh's beautiful bow was created by the talented Jenn of Bowdacious Designs.  I just love it!)

Another favorite moment of the day was Kayleigh's 1st pickle.

Who would have known?  Lol!

Thanksgiving

We celebrate Thanksgiving this year at my Ami's (grandmother) new house.  So many prayers, so much work, and so much love went into bringing Ami to live two doors down from my parents.  It was a happy thing to celebrate with thanksgiving in our hearts!

Kayleigh got to sit in the highchair that her mom, uncle, and aunties used as kids

(she also got to show family her "prayer hands")

In the evening, Kayleigh played with Aunt Megan in a box...

...tried to wiggle out of family pictures...

...made silly Uncle Jon Jon sing Hickory Dickory Dock...

...and cuddled with Ami.

Surely though, the best part of the night was when we received a call from Romania.  It had been two months since any of us had heard my sister Kate's voice, and joy and love overflowed in the room that night.  

Grownup Thanksgivings are certainly different from childhood ones.  I don't know if I'll ever get used to not having all of my loved ones under one roof during favorite holidays, but I'm thankful for technology and the fact that both of my sisters were able to call home that day.  It truly completed Thanksgiving for us this year!