Our Christmas Angel

Finally, last Tuesday we went and got this year's Christmas tree. Morgan was bundled up in the below picture more than she had ever been before. She acted like she couldn't move for some reason.

Once back at the house, Morgan helped unpack storage bins.

the wreath,

the lights,

and eventually had to take a snack break.

She even helped dad with the grand finale! It was a really nice evening. We played Christmas music and just took our time and enjoyed each other.

Winter Time!

A couple weeks back it was finally cold enough for a fire. Morgan watched her dad build the fire for the first time. She was VERY interested.

She didn't understand why dad wouldn't let her play with it, hence the huge tear on her cheek. What she didn't realize is that she was sitting on a lighter. She could have made her very own fire.

This is just sad!

Is it wrong that I sometimes smile when she cries? She does this thing where she scrunches her nose, it's so pitiful that's it's really cute.

Christmas Tree Lane

Last Saturday, Morgan and I went to Christmas Tree Lane with some friends while Daniel was at work. Fresno has this street where all the houses decorate with amazing Christmas decorations. Usually you just drive down the street but they shut it down so people could walk it. It was cool being able to take Morgan for her first time because I remember loving Christmas Tree Lane as a little girl myself. Here are some pictures of our night.

It was pretty chilly for Fresno.

Hopefully next year Daniel will get to join us.

Who's this Santa guy?

Saturday morning Daniel and I woke up and got ready and then woke Morgan up to get ready to go see Santa. She was pretty happy even though we woke her up before 9 am (which is the time she normally sleeps in).

She danced to the Christmas music.

She played with her brush.

She watched other kids standing in line.

She posed for mommy.

She posed with mom.

And then she met Santa...

Why was this so fun?

She thought I couldn't see what she was doing because she was hiding behind our recliner in the living room.

This Thanksgiving I'm thankful for....

....time spent with family during the holidays. Wish we could visit Daniel's side too though.



....never having to worry about where our next meal will come from.


....our health and being able to take a family walk together this year after our big meal.


....my happy girl!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Can't believe it's December already!

Par-tay!

Our friend Tammy offered to help make Morgan's birthday cake and cupcakes. We didn't plan on it but we ended up having a pre-party the night before Morgan's birthday because 7 people ended up staying at our house until 1:30 in the morning working on the cake. It turned out great and we all had a lot of fun!

Morgan loved her tutu. Thanks Kelly!

I have to confess that I started planning the party in September because I was so excited about it. We kept it small and simple but I sure had fun planning it.

Thanks Fran for all the great appetizers!

Morgan started off slow with digging into the cake but after about 15 minutes she really started to get into it. I was a nervous wreck since she hasn't had soy or any dairy proteins since she was around 5 months old. I asked her doctor about giving her cake and she advised against it but I couldn't take her advice. It was Morgan's first birthday and she had to have cake. It turns out Morgan did great! She didn't seem to have any adverse reactions to the cake. I had prepared myself for a trip to the hospital that night just in case.

Birthday To Remember

I was so excited about Morgan turning one that I took the actual day of her birthday off from work. I know this sounds cheesy but with the rough start Morgan had, I remember praying during those first couple of months that God would at least give me one year with her. Why one year, I don't know but I just remember thinking that she seemed so little and frail and I just thought if she could make it through her first year then things had to get easier. Well of course she did and she's doing great! I did a lot of reminiscing during this time and it was bittersweet.

That day, Daniel and I took Morgan for her first haircut.
Daniel graciously offered to look through a magazine with Morgan while we waited. Look how disturbed poor Morgan looks. Good one Dad!

Morgan wasn't exactly thrilled throughout the entire cut but as usual she did great!

Later that day, I took Morgan to get her pictures taken. I'll be sending these out so if anyone has a preference please let me know.

Daniel and I decided that since Morgan's birthday parties would likely land after her actual birthday because of Halloween, we would allow her to open a couple of gifts on her actual birthday. She opened her blocks she got from Chris and Laura. She loved them and so did Maggie! No damage was done but we have to keep a close eye on big sis.