Winter & Christmas 2007

It's the most wonderful time of the year. I had the best Christmas, and I hope that yours was just as wonderful.

Here I am...all ready for my first day at "school," which is really a Mother's Morning Out program. I go once a week for a few hours and play with my friends and do a craft. It's a lot of fun. When my Mommy came to get me out of bed that morning, I was already out of bed (Yes, I am starting to climb out of my crib, but just not ready for the big girl bed yet.) Well, I was "coloring" my Mommy a picture on the wall...with very thick vaseline. This was after I had put it all in my hair. It was a mess, and Mommy didn't enjoy the picture I had made for her as much as I thought she would. So, after 2 hair washings, I had to get to school. I kept that "wet look" in my hair for about 6 days...baby oil was the only thing that was able to get it all out, and Daddy & Mommy tried all sorts of things. So, in this picture, my hair is not wet...just coated in some serious vaseline. But, my first day of school was sure fun!

This is what happens when furniture is being delivered, and my Mommy can't come check on me...I crawl out of my bed, put my shoe on, and realize that I am just plain tired, so I go to sleep. When my Mommy came up tot check on me about 20 minutes after putting me down, I was so asleep on the floor...with my shoe on...
Then, it was Christmas time. I celebrated with all my playgroup friends at Mrs. Trisha's house. We had so much fun. I got a tea set and some baby bottles from my playgroup buddy, Tucker, who drew my name. It was great!

I got to celebrate with Mommy and a few of her friends, Miss Joy & Mrs. Jenny, and Mrs. Jenny's baby, Charlie. We also had such a fun time.

Then, on Christmas Eve, Daddy, Mommy, & me went to our church to sing songs and listen to a Christmas story. Afterwards, we had dinner with Uncle Todd & Aunt Helen. Then, when we got home, I got to open my "traditional" one present on Christmas Eve...which was the jammies that I wore on Christmas Day! I loved them!
On Christmas morning, Daddy came to get me out of bed, I walked out of my room and saw what Santa had brought me. I was so very excited!! I LOVED it!! It was my very own rocking horse. I named him Rocket (with Daddy's help), and I got to play with Rocket all day. What a great gift!

Mommy & me on Christmas morning...
Opening my gifts from Daddy & Mommy...I got all sorts of fun stuff...books, puzzles, kitchen stuff, etc... I loved opening all the presents...it was great.
Daddy & me on Christmas morning...
Daddy & Mommy also gave me my first tricycle. I can't wait to be able to ride on this in the spring! It'll be awesome!
Then, we got to open our stockings. That was so fun, especially since I got to eat some of the candy that was in there...and play with the kitchen stuff, toothbrush, and book I got! What a great Christmas morning. That afternoon, my Poppy, Nana, Uncle Blair, and Aunt Brittany came over. The battery was dead in Mommy's camera, so once I get some pictures from Nana from that fun, I'll share them with you. They spoiled me with all sorts of fun stuff...baby doll stuff, books, sleeping bag, etc. But, I loved it! (It sure is nice being the only grandchild this Christmas on the Karaffa side!) :)
A few nights after Christmas, we celebrated with my Opa, Oma, VW uncles, aunts, & cousins. We had a fun night exchanging gifts and playing with all the fun toys. I got some great stuff, like the easel and big pink chair pictured below as well as some candy, baby doll doctor kit, magna doodle, and clothes!

Check out my smiles with Opa and Oma!! I was so excited!
Me with my Daddy & Mommy!
Check out my easel that I got from my Uncle Art & Aunt Kelly! They drew my name this year, and I already love coloring on it and playing with my magnets!
And, here is my chair from Opa & Oma...I love reading in this chair.

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

My 2 year old pictures

Here I am at the photographer's taking my 2 year old pictures. Daddy & Mommy can't believe that I am already 2. Oh, I had a wonderful Christmas, and I can't wait to share pictures with you once the week is through. Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Hi Everyone! It's been a long time since I've updated my blog. So much has gone on in our family, but all is well. We are officially moved into our new home (our first night was Dec. 1.) I sure miss my Opa & Oma, but I really like my new house. Here is a recap of my last few months...

Here I am...on my 2nd birthday (november 16). I had the best time spending it with family. We got to eat at Kabuto's, where they cook the food in front of you. I like to call it "big fire." It was so yummy! Afterwards, we had cake and presents at my Opa & Oma's house.

Me with my Daddy and Mommy!
Check out my yummy cake. I loved the candles and everyone singing to me!
I got a fun apron (I love to cook) with my name on it, a buggy, a doll, some other toys and clothes, and a brand new car. Sure is fun to be 2!
Here I am in my brand new car...thanks to all my Van Wingerden Uncles & Aunts! Watch out, new house, I'm learning how to drive!
A few days before my birthday, I got to have my birthday party at Ray's Splash Planet. We had so much fun swimming, sliding, and eating pizza and cake. I am so thankful for my friends that I got to celebrate with!
Check out my bite of cake...YUMMY!

In early November, my Daddy & Mommy got some great news...and I got to get a new t-shirt. Check it out! Yep, I am gonna be a big sister. Daddy and Mommy are having a baby in July! YIPPEE!!
On Octboer 31, I went to my fall festival at church. I had the best time. I got to be a Cincinnati Reds cheerleader (Daddy bought me this when he was in Ohio visiting his family!). It was so fun!

Mommy & Me
At our fall festival, there was this HUGE "air" slide. It took me a while to climb up it, but it was awesome sliding down. I almost fell on Minnie Mouse!

I also saw my cousins, Brayden & Jackson, there! I sure love my cousins!
And, my friend, Tyler, was also there! (Yep, another "boy" friend!)
Always time for a family picture (that's what Mommy always says!)
I also tried a Reeces peanut butter cup for the first time. Now, if you know my Mommy, she does not like those. She doesn't even like the smell. So, I was shocked that she helped my eat it. Daddy is so glad that I love these. He loves them too!
Then, I went down this really big slide with my Daddy. We sat on a potato bag to go even faster, and it was so cool!

Check out how much I LOVED that! We did it lots! What a great night!
At Opa & Oma's house...playing outside!
Lovin' the rings!!
The swing is my favorite. I can swing for at least 30 minutes, always wanting to go higher and faster! It is so much fun!

HI Everyone! Here I am at my Opa & Oma's house...I love being outside! I love swinging and riding on the golf cart.

Then, one morning, I got to go to Ray's Splash Planet (our indoor water park in Charlotte) for a few hours! It was so much fun sliding down the slide and being with a few of my friends.
I got to go with Aiden and Jake, 2 of my very many "boy" friends. We had fun together!
That fountain is so fun!
I always have fun at Ray's...what a great morning!

Lazy 5 Ranch & Daddy's Birthday

This past Saturday, Daddy & Mommy took me to Lazy 5 Ranch in Moorseville. We got to ride a wagon and feed animals. I had so much fun. I got to go with some friends of mine from playgroup, and we had the best time. The animals were so fun!

Here I am feeding some animals with Mommy. It was really cool to feed them!

Then, I fed some animals with Daddy...check out that animal's (I think the water buffalo) tongue!
Then, I tried it all by myself...but, when I did it by myself, I would just throw the food on the ground!
Then, I just talked to the water buffalo while Daddy fed him!
Here we all are...a group shot of me with my friends from playgroup.

(I'm in the front middle if you can't find me!)

Look at me with Mommy and the giraffe. Notice that I am also squeezing the food in my hands. It took me about 15-20 minutes of riding in the wagon before I would let go of it. I just held it and watched!

Then, Daddy and I fed the baby animals!

Here are a few of us with some pumpkins...aren't we just so cute?
My shirt was appropriate for the day...I do love horses...what a great day it was!

On October 4, my Daddy turned 30. Since Mommy had already taken him to Niagara Falls as a surprise trip (see pictures below), we just celebrated at lunch with some of my uncles, aunts, & cousins at Olive Garden. That night, Mommy and I took Daddy out to dinner at Red Rocks. It was a great day!

Here I am with Daddy...right after he opened his present from me.

I LOVE my Daddy...
Before bedtime, Daddy read me a book. I love to have people read books to me and sing to me. Right now, I love "Jesus Loves Me" and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." And, I love all books!
When Daddy & Mommy got back from Niagara Falls, they brought me a present. So, here I am closing my eyes as I await my surprise... ...It was an Elmo doll! I loved it.