Granny and Pa's house...Stella is reading her new Abby Potty book!

New orange crocs and 4-wheeling in the backyard

Christmas Part 2

Stella on a house call with her new Doctor kit thanks to Zack and Olivia!
Fruit!
At Grandma and Grandpa's house

Merry Christmas!

Christmas 2009

Stella left cookies out for Santa and decided that he would like to have some water from her "sport cup"
First set of wheels thanks to Aunt Robin and Uncle Doug. Stella is a natural driver.
Kitchen set thanks to Grandma and Pop Pop

Another cook to compete with in the kitchen. You know what they say, Too many cooks....

Holiday party with the girl gaggle

The girls braving the cold and playing outside (Aubrey, Stella and Cora Mae)

There were actually 9 little girls (including Stella) and two baby boys at the party. So it really was a girl gaggle of giggles, squeals and constant chatter. They all seemed to have a blast and the parents were delighted to let them all play and enjoy some needed adult time.
Sophia, Aubrey and Stella
Being adorable

Stella, before the party, she asked I take a picture of her angels (which are really salt and pepper shakers).

Holiday Party!

Eating pretzels pre-party under the table
Snacking
Being cute
The "spread" minus the baking artichoke dip
Cookies!

Stella's Sick Day

Stella had a great sick day playing with Puck and bringing him all of her toys saying "Here you go Pucky"
Bed head, working it!
Puck was less than amused but as always was a good sport.
Stella requested a picture of her by the Christmas tree again. It will be a sad day for Stella when the Christmas tree goes down.
Puck, again sitting with his new loot thanks to Stella.

Making Cookies

Stella is my favorite sous chef. I can't say Brian is as I am really his sous chef as he still out skills me in the kitchen. Stella loved mixing, using the cookie cutters and yelling "COOKIES" as she watched them bake in the oven. She also enjoyed taste testing. She thought they were terrific. I, on the other hand, being my usual critical self feel I haven't found the best recipes yet. I am making them for our christmas party but I have a long way to go. So far I have dough for coconut raspberry cookies being frozen until ready to bake, sugar cookies, mexican wedding (those turned out great) and peanut butter. We made cookies today (Stella's sick day) with what we had which limited our recipes. Happy Holiday baking!

Oldies but goodies

San Antonio Zoo when my parents came to visit
Being her usual silly self
Sand pit at the zoo

Checking out one of the many new toys from Grandma and Pop Pop

Stella is now almost 23 months old. She is a silly, sweet, girl who loves, loves loves to sing songs and dance. Her favorite songs are Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, I've Been Working on the Railroad, Itsy Bitsy Spider and Ba Ba Black Sheep. Our favorite phrases she loves to say are "All Done" for anything she doesn't like doing such as getting her nose cleaned, cutting her bangs, etc. "Another one" for anything she likes a lot such as oranges, cheese, and bean tacos. She loves Elmo, playing with her pots and pans, playing with her friends, she loves her cousins, she loves to swing, rock, and twirl around. She is big on giving hugs, reaching out and holding your hand, scratches your back, pats your arm, gives big squeezes and gentle caresses. She doesn't hold back on showing affection. We love every little bit she gives. She has had a wonderful past 2 weeks with a 5 day visit from Grandma and Pop Pop and then a 3 day trip to Houston where she visited Grandma and Grandpa, Granny and Pa, her cousins and her 4 Aunts and 3 Uncles. Stella was surrounded by laughter and love and she had a wonderful time. It is going to be so hard for all of us to return to our routine of work and school. I am glad the month of December is starting to get filled with parties and other Holiday fun.

The start of Christmas

Our Christmas Tree
Stella wanted to take a picture of her sitting next to it. She picked out the blue ornaments.

Stella and Sophia

Sophia and her parents came over for dinner and the girls had a blast. Stella could not stop talking about her friend Sophia.
Hamming it up on the chair.
Two cutie patoties.

Thanksgiving

Stella getting help on the swing from cousin Jenna
Fascinated by the bubble wand
Swinging

Barkely, Puck and Brandy. Best Buddies

Thanksgiving

After dinner bubble party
She really did have a good time, this picture doesn't really show her true mood. She had just woken up from a nice long nap.
Josh, checking out the delicious food cooking away in the oven.
Jenna, showing off the table deocrations we made. Everyone had a decorated nameplate thanks to Aunt Missy and her crafty idea.
Stella's first Thanksgiving Day Parade in downtown Houston.