January

Samantha started daycare/preschool January 5. I think it was more difficult for mom & dad than it was for Sam. She hit the ground running and didn't even look back at us that first day! Since then she seems to be a little more reserved but still enjoys it, I think. She got really sick with a bad cold, an ear infection, and cut 6 new teeth all within 10 days. Current tooth count: 14! All the better to eat with, my dear! She's feeling better now.

first day of school

little bookworm

Even though Gidget is 14, she's still spry on occasion

little stinker

so serious

December

December was really great. Grandma came down from Alaska and spent a whole month with us and Grandpa joined us for the last two weeks. Samantha just ate up all the attention and mom and dad enjoyed some extra help around the house. (free babysitting, great food and all the clean laundry!)

Santa or Grandpa?

Silly Grandpa! That's my binkie!

enjoying the gifts

An extraordinary amount of snow fell this December and it was Sam's first experience with the white stuff. I don't think she was too pleased with it, when she tried to walk in it, she just fell down and cried :(

our front yard

its more fun to wear your winter hat around the house in just a t-shirt and diaper

Thanksgiving

We were lucky enough to have two Thanksgiving dinners. The first one we celebrated with friends and the second one was shared with family at Aunt Nadene's house after Grandma arrived for the holidays.

Sam and Grandma having fun with cool whip

three crazy ladies

Who's the cutest baby ever?

Samantha, of course! Here's just a few of her one year photos...

Growth update

Samantha went for her 12 month well-check appointment this past week. She weighed in at 26lb 13 oz and was 31 1/2" tall. Yes, she's still off the charts, I guess they don't come any bigger than Sam. Its okay, we love her anyway ;)

Here's some photos of our yard cleanup day

sea of leaves

so helpful

I can pick them up one by one, ok?

or I can just run around and play

Number 1!

We can't believe it either, but its already been a year since Samantha came screaming ito the world. She had a great time at her party: opening presents, eating cake and showing off her newfound walking skills. Sam received a lot of very nice gifts including clothes, books and toys.

look mom! no hands!

mmm... cake

what am I supposed to do with this again?

ok, I'll test it

sugar drunk

I hate my hat!!

Pumpkin fun

This little bee isn't quite big enough to go trick-or-treating yet so she just buzzed around the yard on Halloween. But we did go to a local pumpkin patch and Sam picked out her pumpkin and we all enjoyed a hayride.

at the pumpkin farm

hayride

I like this one!