"Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God."
Titus 2:4-5
This year we are going to get to celebrate Christmas in many parts! Last night we celebrated Part 1... our family and 'Webber Christmas.' Since we are going to be up in Michigan with Kevin's side of the family, we decided to go ahead and open the gifts from the 'Webber' side of the family. Caroline is at that fun age, where she can enjoy the opening of the gifts. So, here are a few pictures from her opening her gifts. Hope you enjoy!
From Uncle Mike & Aunt Serah ... what could it be? ..... Fingerpaints!!
Thank you, and Tyler & Audrey too!
Santa's little helper!
Puzzles and Books from Grandma & Grandpa Webber! Oh what fun!
My own Minnie Blanket from the Thorntons! Thank you Uncle Bob, Aunt Cindy, Libby, Bobby & Leah!
Unwrapping the gifts are just as much fun as playing with them!
A great way to measure a good friend from a great friend is to sit down with them for an afternoon when you two have not seen each other for almost 15 years, and to see how much laughter fills the room! That is what we enjoyed today at the Henderson household. My friend, Amanda Urban, is someone I have known since we were both 5 years old. We met back in Kindergarten at Valapaiso Elementary School in Mrs. Cates class. Here we are in line coming back from P.E. in January 1990 (I am the little blonde in the blue jacket and Amanda is next to me in the pink dress)
From Kindergarten to 5th grade, we were good friends and were fortunate to sometimes be in the same class, but always at the same school. Today was so much fun remembering where we grew up, the friends that we knew, finding out what everyone is doing now and most importantly... what has happened over the last 15 years!
Amanda moved away in 1995 when we were in 5th grade. I remember it being a sad time, having such a good friend that I felt like I knew FOREVER (6 years is a long time when you are only 11 years old!) have to move. But, that is one of those thing about the Air Force/Military Life, most of us don't get to stay in the same spot for too long. The good thing about is, you get to make friends from all over and they never become strangers!
In June 1997, Amanda was able to make a trip back down to Niceville to visit. My mom snapped this picture of our friend Aleecia, Amanda and Me when they visited our house during her visit.
That was the last time I saw my good friend! Over the years I always wondered how Amanda was doing. Well, today I was able to find out! Last spring, I was able to locate Amanda via Facebook and we had kept up through message after message. A little over a week ago, I got a message saying that her fiancé had moved onto our base and lives down the street .... and she was here for a visit! I thought, 'What are the chances?' So, today we had a great afternoon and I must say, I am super thankful for Facebook being able to connect up with an old friend who I thought I would never EVER see again!
This morning was filled with sweet kisses from Caroline to laundry to organizing drawers & closets to even defrosting and cooking a turkey. (Thank you Gunter Housing for the voucher for a FREE turkey .. thank you Kevin for filling out the survey so we could get the voucher!) While Caroline was taking her morning nap, I realized that it was a BEAUTIFUL day outside. Although I had a laundry list of things I would like to accomplish (the laundry done ... check!), I decided the best thing to do was to walk to the park. We know that each day is a gift from God, but let's face it ... 70 degree weather in December is an EXTRA SPECIAL GIFT from God for us to enjoy :)
Here we are on our way!
As you can tell Caroline thoroughly enjoyed herself :)
We got back home and it was nap time for Caroline and more organizing for Mommy. Although not as fun as the park, for this Mommy, it is a close 2nd :)
Next, Daddy came home and it was time for dinner. A picture of the turkey must be included in the mix, since 'I think' this was the first full bird I every made :)
Don't forget about the blessing!
After a day filled with lots of little things to keep us busy, busy, busy around the house, along with a couple trips to the park and the grocery store, I must say my absolute FAVORITE time of the day is after the dishes are done and the three of us get to spend some fun time together!
Hope you enjoyed a little view of the beautiful day in our neighborhood :)
Over the last few days, I remembered that about this time last year I had taken some videos of Caroline and thought 'wouldn't it be neat to compare and see how she has grown?!' So, me being me, I had to see the exact date of the videos last year and make sure I got them on the same date this year. Figuring out last night that Dec. 6th was the day last year, I geared up and had the camera ready to get a good video. So, the day started with me trying to position Caroline in the same rocker. Come to find out, this now 16 month old DID NOT want to sit there, so onto ... let's fix her hair cute! My idea obviously wasn't her idea, so although I got her hair just right, by the time she was in her high chair it was pulling to fussing to Mommy not very happy.... so gone with the cute hair-do! I believe this was one of those precious moments when parent's learn that although we get to be in charge, it doesn't mean that we always get to have our way. Little did I know what I was going to actually get :) Hope you enjoy!
Here is our little sunshine at 4 months old last year on December 6, 2010
At lunch, Kevin brought Caroline down from her room since she was not wanting to take a nap. Since we needed to go to the Commissary, I set her in her high chair and gave her a little snack to hold her over until we got home. Kevin was sitting at the other end of the table, so we got this video today of our little-bit-bigger sunshine at 16-months old .... December 6, 2011
When we came back from the Commissary, Caroline had another snack while I put the groceries away. She was talking and playing and having a good time, then all of the sudden I noticed it got real quiet. So, I grabbed the camera once again and got a few last little moments!
Now, she is sleeping soundly up in her crib, and I must make up for all of the things that I didn't get done this morning! Caroline, once again, was able to bring sunshine to this cloudy, rainy Alabama day :) Hope you enjoyed a little peak of the 6th of December at the Henderson House!
Our little sunshine officially turned 16-months old! Since November is one of those great months that only has 30 days, we always wait until the 1st to celebrate.
It is absolutely amazing to me how much children at this age learn! It seems as if each day, Caroline is doing something new. Whether it is a new type of laugh, game, way to entertain herself or just a new 'word' it is so much fun for this Mommy (& Daddy too) to watch her grow!
Today, we spent lots of time in the Kitchen. Caroline has her own special drawer that she can put her 'Kitchen' toys in and it is right at her level so she can open it whenever she wants :) ALL of the rest of the drawers and cabinets have the appropriate 'childproof' (which is most of the time adult-proof too) locks on them. So, she loves having her own to play with.
Also, today was another milestone marker for any little girls life... 1st Pig-tails! After a few attempts, we were able to successfully get two little piggies with her cute light brown hair. She kept them in while we went to the bowling alley and the Commissary. Hopefully, this will be a hairstyle that she approves of, because you know, it has to be her idea ;)
Always looking for the next adventure, we are excited to see what she will learn next!
