Christmas in Green Bay

A week before Christmas, we went to Green Bay to celebrate the holidays with my family. We were able to see many family members and had a great time!

Just before leaving for the airport, Nora found my headphones and got pumped up for the trip!

First, we celebrated Christmas with the immediate family.

Nora was a little overwhelmed looking at all the gifts under the tree. She quickly got over it and had fun opening some great gifts.

She did a little grocery shopping with Grandma the fun way.

Another family photo from the Wilde family celebration which was held in Chicago this year.

Nora and her second cousin Eli got along great. They both enjoyed taking all the ornaments off the tree.

And they both ate equally as little for brunch.Nora got serenaded by Great Grandpa and enjoyed it!

And played with cars with Great Grandma.

The Great Grandparents and all the kids!

Aside from Christmas celebrations, Nora had a lot of fun doing other things. She ran around sans clothes, a favorite activity.

Nora visited her Great Grandma Irene and discovered the reason for the season.

And she colored some beautiful artwork.

Nora got to go out and play in the snow for the first time this year and we got a little camera happy!

There are many more of Nora's Christmas adventures to share, check back soon for more updates! She also had Christmas in Denver and Christmas in Utah-lucky girl.

PJs, Doctors and Christmas Trees

It seems that every picture in this post shows Nora in her jammies. Here, she loves to walk around the house with a purse from Uncle Mike and Aunt Emily. She either carries it in her hand, or on her shoulder.



Last Monday night (Nov. 29) we ended up at Children's Hospital at 10pm to have Nora looked at. She had spiked a high fever and had rapid, shallow breathing. She was OK and sent home, but definitely wasn't herself.

A few days later she was feeling better and received a package in the mail from Grandma and Grandpa. It was a chance for her to practice her gift-opening skills in advance of the coming holiday!

Once unwrapped, she enjoyed her holiday book.

Last Friday (Dec 5) Nora had her 18 month well visit. We knew she hadn't gained much weight since her last appointment so we tried to beef her up beforehand! Her and Daddy enjoying some zucchini bread...anytime we can get her to eat, things are good.

A banana one evening...

So, time for her doctor visit. She was perfectly happy until the doctor came in! She weighed in at 20lb 6oz, only 6oz more than three months ago, and only in the 5th percentile. Her height is 31 inches, 30%.

She got a new doll after the immunizations at the doctor, and her baby monkey fits perfectly around its neck.

The weekend was spent playing; Nora talks nonstop these days but we don't understand a word of it! She built a big castle with Daddy.

And watched some football.

We headed to a Christmas tree lot to find the perfect tree. Nora really wasn't that interested in the trees, but we had a good time anyway.

We then had to decorate the tree. We only put ornaments on the top half, and all the ornaments we used this year are not breakable! It's just such a temptation for Nora.

This week I headed to San Francisco briefly for a business trip. Jeff is leaving Sunday for a business trip until Wednesday of next week, and we're leaving for Green Bay on Thursday. So, a few very busy weeks coming up. Once returning from Green Bay, we'll be home for just 2 days before we take a road trip to Utah to see the Koski's!

Nora is starting at a new daycare beginning in January. I know she'll be sad to leave her friends (like Ella, or Lella in Nora-speak) but hopefully she'll settle into the new class just fine.

Happy Holidays to all!

The Arrival of Cold Weather

Soon after the Koskis left Denver, the cold weather arrived. Unfortunately, that means a lot less outside play for Nora. We try to get out whenever possible though!

I wish I had a photo like this of Nora to share, digging into Thanksgiving dinner. But I guess we'll have to leave that job to Finn.

Nora thinks she can survive on Cheerios alone and therefore refused even the smallest morsel of mashed potatoes, stuffing, turkey and even pumpkin pie...

She has been working hard on her Christmas list, paging through all the magazines that arrive daily. Mostly she looks for puppies and babies. The day this one arrived, the American Girl catalog, I thought to myself that I am so glad she's still young...

To beat the cold and the shopping crowds on Black Friday, we headed to the aquarium. Nora really enjoyed the fish.

In case you're wondering, this is what the bottom of a stingray looks like!

And here is Nora checking it out for herself.

She and Finn wanted to jump into the tank with the ducks.

I couldn't even tell you what this thing is...and Nora doesn't look too enthused either!

The Koski Family in Denver

As previously mentioned, the entire Koski family came to visit the first weekend of November. We were lucky enough to have fantastic weather in the 70's, so we spent most of the weekend outside!



The first morning, we headed out for a hike. Emily was nice enough to tote Croix on what may have been his first hike!?

It was Rich's birthday, probably the first time since 1994 (or earlier) that all the boys were together for his birthday! Jeff's facial styling was (luckily) a one day thing...

Nora enjoyed Grandma and Sophie the Giraffe.

Nora showed Croix all her toys.

We went to Red Rocks to see the amazing views and took lots of pictures.

A walk in the park before lunch...

Nora and Grandma took a trip to the playground on Sunday

Before bringing everyone to the airport, we had a Thanksgiving Dinner, something the Koski's rarely get to do. Nora napped through it, but woke up in time for pumpkin pie :)

Overall, it was a great weekend spent with family doing something besides skiing!