One year old

Favorite Allison things:

Constant mamama and dadadada. Loves to call out to the doggie (dogggagagaga!)

Loves to hug and kiss - the more slobbery the better.

Just starting to wean, and she's too enamored with grapes and cheese to miss the breastmilk too much.

Still not walking, but still into absolutely everything.

Wants to do anything and everything that Kaitlin is doing. We call her Godzilla because she just demolishes any project we're working on.

Still adores her grandpa.

Loves to pull tissues and diaper wipes out of their boxes. We wrapped up a box of tissue for her birthday and it was perfect!

Still has those gorgeous blue eyes and red hair (we've been calling it ginger). I hope she keeps both.

Happy First Birthday, Allison

Wow, what a year. It's been fast and slow and wonderful and busy. We love this little girl so much. We went out to dinner as a family on her birthday, and then had the grandparents over for a birthday party on the weekend.

"So Kaitlin, what is your favorite color?"
"Pink and purple."
"What is your favorite food?"
"Hot Pockets."
"Hey Kaitlin, what is your favorite holiday?"
"Um, Wednesday, definitely Wednesday."

For the record, we've never really discussed days of the week with her, and I think she's had a hot pocket twice in her life. So funny what they come up with.

Casa Bonita

So we all acknowledge that the food isn't the best, but it seems like we always seem to visit the great place of dragon caves, divers, and puppet shows when my family is all in town. Kaitlin absolutely loved it, and we all had a pretty good time. I was remembering that last time we were there, Kaitlin burst out "there's a baby in mommy's tummy" in the middle of dinner. Cat was out of the bag I guess.

The grown ups - Christmas 2009

This was by far my favorite holiday since we've been married. I love staying home on Christmas Eve and making Polish and Russian food together. It's so fun starting our own family traditions. We got to go to a Broncos game on Sunday, and my parents kept the kids all day. Michael got golf clubs and every accessory to go with it, I got new shoes and a nifty hair straightener. We had fun visiting my parents in the morning and Baileys in the afternoon. I feel like we got to see all of our extended family, but the holiday was really about spending time with our beautiful girls and really enjoying time as a family. We have much to be grateful for this holiday!

Kaitlin Christmas 2009

Favorite things about Kaitlin this Christmas:

• Favorite present: Care-alot village. Waita go Santa on this one!
• Really got it this year. She was excited to leave Santa cookies and carrots for the reindeer.
• Frosting sugar cookies with sprinkles and no frosting - "why won't they stay?"
• Perfect pictures with Santa every time.
• Came upstairs the day after Christmas asking for a stamp and envelope so she could mail Santa her thank you letter. We were very touched over that one.
  
• Had fun playing with James Preston when Devores came over on Christmas Eve. He is the sweetest, most well behaved boy I've ever been around. We love having them over and are grateful that we've been friends all these years.
  
  

Allison Christmas 2009

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  Favorite things about Allison this Christmas:



• She started crawling a few weeks before Christmas, and by the big day she was everywhere (including up stairs). Our Christmas tree had very few ornaments on it this year because her little curiousity just kept getting the best of her.



• Constant babababa and dadadada coming from her directions



• Favorite present: wrapping paper. Not the cool rag doll I was so excited that she'd want:)
  
• Best kisses ever!
• So afraid of Santa Clause. We never did get the perfect picture with him.
• Being told that she fit right in at Bass Pro shop when she was wearing her cheetah print coat.
• Wore that little Santa suit about 5 times...and always received a million compliments over it.