Carissa Loves to Play the Piano

Here mom, "take the phone while I play the piano"!!
Doesn't this sound great!!

Adding my vocals to the mix!!

I Am Finally Walking!!!!!

Carissa has been attempting to walk since the weekend before Christmas but while we were at my parents house in West Virginia she really gained the confidence and started walking. Since being home she walks in circles and follows me everywhere. She was walking with her hands in the air but now she is beginning to pick up things and carry them around without her hands in the air. Now starts the fun - she is into everything!!

Helping Mom Make Chocolate Chip Cookies

Helping mix

Taste Testing

It's on my hands!!
Are they done yet?

Random pictures of our days at home

Piggy Tails - Very short piggy tails!!

Ryan reading one of his favorite books he got for Christmas

Reading one of Carissa's favorite books - All About Girls!!
Coloring with my new fancy crayons

Uh, Oh!! I dumped all of my raisins on the floor.

Ryan thought it would be funny to put a "Made in China" sticker on my forehead

Crazy brother!!!!

Ryan's starting his snow fort

Snow, snow and more snow - It's Michigan!!

My Sleeping Beauty

Surrounded by all of her dollies and animals
Snug as a bug!!

I surrender!!

More pictures while in West Virginia

Uncle Bruce and Aunt Diana's house on New Years DayrRockin away in Mamaw's rocker

Cuddle time with Aunt Mary

Giggles, giggles and more giggles!!

My cousin Todd. He was my new buddy for a few days!

Sleepy time with Great Aunt Allie

Christmas in West Virginia

Little Emma (Emmakins)
Getting ready to open presents

Ryan with his second cousins Timothy III and Anna

Some first but mostly second cousins

Trying on Uncle Charlie's hat

Carissa with some of her girl cousins

Caitlyn, Carissa, Jessica, Aislinn and Megan (Meggie Pie)

Having fun with Mamaw Smith

Carissa and Great Aunt Allie

Sarah and Carissa

Uncle Tim reading me a book

We enjoyed a large family gathering on the Friday after Christmas. We had 42 people at my parents house. All of them except for my parents were meeting Carissa for the first time. She was a bit overwhelmed at first but quickly became her silly self and was the life of the party. She has shown us in the last few weeks that she is definitely a people person and loves to socialize. She makes us all laugh!!

Our Traditional Butter Cookies - YUMMY!!

Ryan helping Carissa with sprinkles

Carissa enjoyed the taste test!!

Every year, Ryan and I have had a tradition of making butter cookies. I frost them and he has free reign of decorating. This year we included Carissa in our tradition. She was mostly interested in how they tasted rather than decorating. This was a tradition I used to do with my mother and now I have it with my children. We also make them at Valentines - YUMMY!!

Opening Presents!!

Stocking Time!!

Ryan's favorite present this Christmas except for his sister!!

My New Kitchen

A new baby with a stroller and high chair

Ryan was good about helping me open my presents!!

Our First Christmas with Carissa

Traditional Chinese Dress
Dad and Carissa looking at new puzzle

Carissa's favorite big brother!!

Me and my favorite girl

We celebrated Christmas a few days early as our new family of four. Curt had to work on Christmas Eve then early on Christmas moring, we drove to my parents house in West Virginia to have a large family gathering on Friday. Carissa wasn't sure of what to do with the presents quite yet but really liked her new books and her kitchen. She did great on our 10 hour drive to West Virginia and was the hit of the party on Friday night. We had 42 at my parents house, which was a record. We also got to see our newest member of the family, Emma. She was born just after Thanksgiving and is such a tiny precious little girl. Carissa thought she was doll and wanted to hold her. My brother is now a father for the first time at the age of 54. Good things come to those who wait was out motto this year. We waited for three years to finally celebrate Christmas with Carissa and David waited for years to finally become a father. What a blessed Christmas we celebrated this year.