9 Months and 8 days

While we were in Montana, Rebecca turned nine months old! She continues to bring us lots of joy and happiness.                          
                                                                                        

With her Papa

Wearing her new boots

At nine months Rebecca is~

twenty pounds

wears a size four diaper

loves to eat

makes lots of noises when she eats

sleeps through the night

still taking two naps a day

pulls up on the furniture

can stand alone for a few seconds

likes to try and climb the stairs

adores her big sister

is starting to fear strangers

likes to drink from a cup

gets upset if you eat in front of her

has two teeth

needs a haircut

likes to bounce up and down

is adorable !

Montana Trip

The girls and I are back from a trip to Montana. On Christmas morning, my Grandma Ivy passed away.
 We knew the day was coming, but it was so sad for all of us. I flew to Billings and met up with my family for the funeral. My Grandma was a wonderful woman. She loved us lots, was there for all the birthdays and holiday parties. She always had lots of hugs and kisses for me and my sister. I am thankful I was able to see her this summer. I really wanted her to meet Rebecca(Rebecca's middle name is Ivy- after my grandma and after Raphael's aunt and niece). She was able to hold and kiss on Rebecca and Rachel. We will all miss her very much!
                                                                     

Me with Grandma and Rachel- 2004

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We spent a week in Montana. The first few days were in Billings, where I was born and raised. I haven't been back for about eight years. The city has changed alot. We drove around one day just looking at all the changes and new buildings. We were at a nice hotel, with a pool, so of course we had to go swimming.

The girls and I had our own room next to my parents. Rebecca had the cutest little crib to sleep in.We spent lots of time just hanging out and talking.

Rebecca and Papa

Beautiful Montana mountains!

Rachel and Nana making cookies

This was the highchair for me and my sister. A classic!

Rachel and Rebecca have both used it too.

We made a snow fort.

My helper. She LOVED the snow!

Sisters on the sled.

Me and the girls.

                                                                                                                          

Christmas photos

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. It was fun celebrating with two little girls.  Last year, I was six months pregnant with Rebecca. She had a good day, didn't understand what was going on, but had fun anyways.  On Christmas Eve we went to church and then Christmas morning we opened up gifts. We sat around, played with girls and relaxed. Later in the afternoon, we went to our friends' house for a really good Christmas dinner.

Rachel modeling her dress before church

Rebecca relaxing in her pretty dress

Checking out the new toys!

The girls in their Christmas pjs

We took dessert to our friend's for dinner.I attempted to make a cake.

This is the "before" .

And the "after". Tasted better than it looked!

Sisters!

                                                                    

Merry Christmas!

         For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;

           and the government will be upon his shoulder,

              and his name will be~

                 "Wonderful Counselor,Mighty God,

               Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

    Isaiah 9:6

Dress Rehearsal

                                                                         

Back in October I was at the mall looking at clothes for the girls. I went into Crazy Eights and they had beautiful Christmas dresses already. There were some in a dark green  material that I knew would look pretty on both of the girls. And they had similar styles in big and little girls, so I knew I could dress the girls in almost-matching outfits for Christmas Eve. Since the girls are so far apart in age, and Rebecca wears Rachel's old clothes, I usually don't/can't have them dress the same. I don't want to overdo the "matching", but I thought it would be fun for Christmas.

For Rebecca

For Rachel

                                                                             
 Since I bought the dresses, I have been looking for shoes, tights(sparkly silver for Rachel- hard too find!) and hair bows. I managed to find everything, and this morning I wanted the girls to try on the dresses and make sure it all looked OK. Well, let's just say it didn't go too well. Rebecca was screaming and Rachel really needed to watch a Mickey Mouse Christmas special. I did get Rachel into her dress and tights- she looked so cute. For Rebecca- it was a nap. So hopefully tomorrow night before church we will get some good pictures of the girls to share. Wish us luck!

                                                                             

All I want for Christmas ...

Is my two front teeth! Rebecca is trying really hard to fullfill this wish. For about a month now the bottom right front tooth has been poking through. On Sunday, I was prying something out of her mouth and noticed another tooth trying to make an appearance.  Rebecca has been a cranky,drooly, not wanting to eat much of anything little girl- so guess that is due to her teeth.Yesterday I tried for a loooong time to get a picture of her little teeth, but couldn't get a good shot. So this photo will have to do for now.

Not much else is happening here at our house right now. Rachel is on Christmas vacation, and we are trying to take it easy. Today we went to a plyagroup Christmas party and had a great time. Tomorrow Rachel wants to bake cookies for Santa. And Santa sent Rachel and email message yesterday. She LOVED it and watched about twenty times!

Party Week

This has been a very busy week- full of Christmas parties and school activities. On Monday afternoon, my MOMS club had a party for the kids. It was lots of fun, Rachel had great time running around with her friends and eating pizza. Then on Wednesday morning, my ladies Bible study group had a brunch and gift exchange. There was tons of good food and I got the cutest jingle bell wreath as a gift. Rebecca was a great party guest, all the ladies wanted to hold her. She charmed them with her big blue eyes.

Rebecca at the party

Wednesday night was my MOMS club for "adults only" party, but I didn't go. Too much going on, and I wasn't feeling the best. I heard it was alot of fun though. On Thursday afternoon, we went to visit our local fire station. Rachel had never been on a tour or seen a firetruck up close before. It was really interesting, and the firemen were just the nicest guys ever. Rachel loved it!

Future firelady!

Then last night I went to a Christmas gift wrapping get- together. It was so much fun. My neighbor had a bunch of friends over. We all brought our gifts, paper and tape. She had drinks and desserts for us all. We talked for awhile and then we got wrapping. I managed to wrap all my gifts, and met some of the ladies in the neighborhood. I think it was a great idea, and made wrapping all those gifts much more enjoyable.

Then finally today, was Rachel's last day of school before Christmas break and her BIG party at school. Today happened to be a windy, rainy, cold day. Rebecca and I braved the elements and made it to the school in one piece. Rachel was so excited to have us there. It was a zoo in her room- kids and candy and parents everywhere. They made houses out of graham crackers and decorated with icing and candy.

                           Decorating her house and wearing reindeer ears.

Posing with her house- it was interesting getting it home in one piece!

I tried to keep Rebecca in her stroller and busy with some cheerios. It worked for about ten minutes. She could see all the fun and she wanted out-ha!

Rachel really wanted her picture with Rebecca in their pretty dresses, but Rebecca was not in the mood. She pretty much cried the whole way home and then went straight for a nap!

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Lastly, Rachel's teacher had a gift for each parent. It is the cutest plate, and the reindeer antlers are the child's handprints. Rachel's teacher is just the best.

Merry Christmas!