First Christmas with the Martin Family

We celebrated Christmas with the Martins Thursday night. Lyla sported the "My 1st Christmas" outfit her Granny bought her. We had a delicious meal and opened presents. They can't wait to have Lyla next Christmas when she is getting into EVERYTHING!

With Aunt Kristie & Jamie

Papa & Maisie

Sucking on Uncle John's knuckle

Granny getting Lyla ready for a nap

Opening her present from Aunt Kristie & family

Jamie & I posing with the Santa bear

Giggling with Papa

Poor Lane...trapped by all the presents (we picked him up from the kennel on our way)

Several blogs in ONE

We drove through the night Wednesday night and arrived home at 3:30 am Thursday. This is the first chance I have I had to catch up. Look for Lyla's Christmas with the Martins later today.
Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Lyla's new friend, Alyssa

Alyssa, Uncle Ken's granddaughter, was born almost a month before Lyla. It was so fun watching them play with and "talk" to each other. Next time they are together they will probably chasing each other around...either crawling or walking!

Christmas Day

We went to Aunt Andrea & Uncle Ken's for lunch, presents, etc. Lyla was kind enough to nap all the way through lunch but woke up in time for presents. She didn't know what to think of the presents...she's a little young. However, she was pretty sure everything could go in her mouth, including her new bracelet.

With Uncle Kendall & Aunt Andrea

Kendall & Alison

Mimi & DDaddy

Alison, Andrea, Ashley & Seth

Pretty bracelet

Tasty book

Cousins: Jesse, Jared, Justin & Jessica

With Aunt Alison Kendra

With Aunt Alison Joy

With Uncle Kendall

With Brenda, Uncle Ken's mother

Lyla did NOT like Uncle Ken's goatee :(

Christmas Morning

Santa found Lyla at Mimi and DDaddy's house. She got an exersaucer and LOVES it! I took many pictures of Lyla with family members at breakfast but I promised I wouldn't post those pictures on the blog. They took this morning picture of me to make it fair...it's not my best look but I'll take one for the team and share it.

Christmas Eve

Mom, Lyla and I had lunch with my high school friend, Autumn and her mother, Lynne. Lyla is so well-behaved...I am so glad she is easy to take anywhere. As you can see she loved the rubber duckies Lynne gave her. She is definitely getting closer to teeth--anything within reach goes in her mouth.

After lunch and shopping. See Diesel in the background? He was so good with Lyla and she loved sticking HER hand in HIS mouth.

Whose got Lyla?

Christmastime means lots of family which this year means everyone wants to hold Lyla. It began Saturday with The Martin family Christmas. Lyla got to meet all of her great aunts, uncles and cousins. We were intercepted at the door by Aunt Kristie and she was passed around from then on. Unfortunately, I wasn't quick with the camera and didn't get many pictures. I did get one of Maisie with her, though. Now we are in Georgia so Lyla has had some quality time with Mimi, DDaddy, Aunt Alison and Aunt Andrea. My dad said it best last night as we were ALL giving her a bath in the kitchen sink, "it takes a family (to raise a baby)." I couldn't agree more! My parents have lived in this house for 29 years and Lyla is the first baby to bathe in the kitchen sink. :) Lyla is so loved by so many people...one day I hope she realizes how truly blessed she is.

By the way, do you like Lyla's new face? Kinda looks like a turtle.

Christmas Decorations

I stole this idea from a friend's blog...she had posted some of her favorite ornaments. My twist is to post the ornaments Lyla has received this year. I also wanted to show you the Christmas stocking I made for her. My stocking was made by my grandmother when I was a baby and when Seth and I got married, I made one for him and one for Lane. So, I naturally had to make one for Lyla, too. In case you can't tell, that is a monkey on the toe; 2 reasons - her toes were so long at birth that we joked about them being "monkey toes" AND more recently we sometimes call her Little Chunky Monkey (also her initials). Hope everyone traveling has a safe trip!

From Lyla's Granny & Papa

From Seth and I. It says "How delightful," said Pooh, "to be so brand new."

Made with love by the nursery staff at our church

Christmas storybook from The Rodgers

Family Ornament from Lyla's Mimi & DDaddy

L to R: Ashley, Lyla, Lane, Seth

What're you looking at?

Lane has adjusted so well to having Lyla around. He likes following us into her room to get her up or change her. He also really likes sniffing her...especially when we get back from somewhere. Lyla has also recently (within the past month) really started noticing Lane, too. She likes following him around the room as he walks and doesn't seem to mind his breath as much as we do. I am so glad Lyla has such a good dog to grow up with.

Lyla Meets Santa

Seth and I were dreading the inevitable trip to the mall. We didn't need to do any shopping there but didn't know of anywhere else to visit Santa. Lo and behold...Walgreens to the rescue! That's right-we were driving through Nicholasville Friday night when I read on their marquis "Santa is Coming December 16, 2-4 pm FREE 4X6." You can guess what word drew me like a moth to a flame. Not only did we dodge the mall parking lot AND the ridiculously long line to see Santa but we also saved a minimum of $16 (smallest package: One 3x5, Plus Two Photos in Two Keychains). Santa was very sweet to Lyla and even complimented her on her beautiful name. As you can see, she was as happy as can be sitting there--she didn't even seem to notice him actually. Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Parties

We have had a busy weekend...I guess it's just that time of year. Friday night a small group at our church offered 4 hours of babysitting to whoever wanted it so we dropped Lyla off and got 95% of our Christmas shopping done. It was WONDERFUL! Then last night Seth and I went to a "Tacky Christmas Sweater" party and Lyla stayed with Granny and Papa. We picked her up today after church and headed to a Christmas lunch THEN stopped off to see Santa on the way home. Whew. Lyla and Seth are both napping right now...why am I still awake? Oh, well. Lyla's picture with Santa won't be posted til tomorrow or Tuesday. Enjoy the others!