Christmas in a Flash

With both sides of the family in town, Lindsay had a very busy first Christmas!  After we went to the Christmas Eve service with the Anglin side, we had Christmas with Lollie and Pops.  The next morning, we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa's house for Christmas Day.  Talk about a whirlwind two days!  Here's a quick Christmas 2011 recap:

Our little elf

"Monkey, aren't you so excited for Christmas??"

She loved finding her "be-be" ornament on the tree! 

Christmas Eve Service with Grandma and Grandpa

Merry Christmas Eve!  

"Opening presents" really meant L taking the bows off of the gifts.

Loving on Lamb Chop 

Merry Christmas morning!

Loving the library Grandpa and Uncle Dustin built!

Thanks for the house, Lollie and Pops!

We had a great first Christmas!  Now I just need to post L's first birthday and we'll be caught up.... then maybe I can put some more of my recent craft projects and random goings-on up here! :)

December at Disney - Lindsay's First Official Vacation!

Todd and I have a family tradition of going to DisneyWorld in early December (thanks in large part to an annual conference that Todd speaks at every year at that time).  December at WDW is simply magical -- crowds are light, room prices are reduced, and everything is decorated for Christmas with that Disney attention to detail.  If you can't get into the holiday spirit here, you are truly a Scrooge! :)

This year was an extra special trip -- we took Lindsay for the first time!  We also invited the rest of the Anglin family to come with us, so we got to experience Disney with Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Dustin.  Lindsay had a great time and loved watching and waving to all of the people!

Anglin Family Reunion 2011 - Uncle Dustin, Grandma, Grandpa, Todd, Lindsay, and Raemi

Day One - Epcot and Hollywood Studios

Daddy and Lindsay in front of Spaceship Earth at Epcot.  Spaceship Earth was Lindsay's first ride at Disney, and she was not too excited about it.... it was really dark, and she thought we were trying to make her take a nap!

Toy Story Mania!

Uncle Dustin and Todd ready to blast off with Star Tours!

Day Two - Animal Kingdom

Ready for Animal Kingdom!

Watching the Expedition Everest roller coaster with Grandma

The whole gang at Animal Kingdom

We loved riding the boats at Wilderness Lodge!

Day Three - Magic Kingdom

Taking the boat from our hotel to Magic Kingdom

Mommy and Lindsay riding the Carousel at Magic Kingdom

Meeting Mickey and Minnie for the very first time.

We swear this sign followed us around the resort!  We'd turn corners, there it was in the middle of the hallway (on the carpet).  We got off the bus, there it was by the bus stop.  It was even inside the elevator one evening when we were headed back to our room!  Weirdest part?  There weren't any wet floors at any of the places we saw it!

Day Four - Hollywood Studios and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Grandpa, Grandma, and Uncle Dustin at Hollywood Studios

Our first family picture with the Castle! 

She wasn't sure what to think about Donald... but she warmed up to him at little bit eventually!

Watching the Christmas parade with Grandpa and Grandma

Tired baby!  Too much excitement!

Playing Peek-a-Boo with Uncle Dustin on the Magical Express to the airport

Bye bye Disney World... we'll be back soon!

We could not have asked for a better first trip with a baby -- Lindsay was great on the plane ride over to Florida and a such a trooper through all of the parks and monorails and buses.  She especially loved people watching and parades and shows with lots of lights!  She was a little confused when we met characters, but at least she wasn't afraid of them.  Her two favorite things of the entire trip were It's a Small World ride and the stroller we rented (okay, maybe the stroller was Mommy's favorite part -- so much I asked Santa to bring me one just like it!).  We had a great time, and I definitely see more Disney World in this baby's future! :)

11 Months already?

I can't believe that my little one is almost, well, one!  We're enjoying her in all of her 11-month old, 20 pounds of opinion glory right now.  Oh yes, our little angel has found her opinion this month! :)

Some other fun 11 month happenings:
- started saying "hi" to family
- waves bye-bye
- got two more teeth on top
- points at things with a purpose, as in, "I want that!"
- can make a few animal sounds: monkey, cow, fish, rabbit (sniffing)
- tells us a turkey says "turkey" :)
- can sit up from laying down
- started scooting forward, then crawled army-style for a few days before actual crawling
- likes to put things into containers (she got that from Mommy!)
- wants to choose her own books at bedtime
- caught her very first cold, but was a trooper and rode it out well!
- Favorite toys: stuffed animals, v-tech push walker (playing with the front of it)
- Wears 9-12 month clothes and size 3 diapers

A few of our favorite 11 month moments:

We love riding on Daddy's shoulders (even though it makes Mommy nervous...)

She has started to "love" on things by hugging them.

Started crawling on Thanksgiving!

Lindsay loves remote controls (and pretty much anything that lights up!)

Lindsay and her great-grandma Memaw at Thanksgiving

Trying out our new backpack for DisneyWorld!

Lindsay started pulling up to her knees, so it was time to lower the crib... 

Lindsay and Daddy on her first plane ride

We went to DisneyWorld!  More on that later....

This is officially her favorite position to sleep in.  Knees tucked in, hands tucked under, behind up in the air. :)

 Lindsay also learned a few animal sounds this month... can you guess from the video which one is her favorite?

We love you sweet girl!  I can't believe your birthday is right around the corner!