Day 364 - Arctic Warfare Abby

We dressed Abby up in her snow jumper, coat, and boots and took her out to play. She was a little uncertain in her boots, but got the hang of it. We took a little walk around the block and we discovered that sliding on the ice made Abby laugh hysterically.

Day 363 - Daddy Cuddles

There's our little Daddy's girl. Steve took off for several hours today. I thought Abby would have a hard time while he was gone, but she actually did really well. But, when he got home, she was all about demanding attention from him.

Day 362 - Longing for Escape

Every day this week, Abby has wanted to go out, but neither of us has wanted to go out with her. She has had a cold, and the one time we did, the cold air started a coughing fit almost immediately. Abby also has this thing about carrying bags around like purses.... she is a girlie girl through and through. Doesn't she look ready to go?

Day 361 - Epic Kill

This was not one of my finer moments... or was it. I suppose it depends on your point of view. I was holding Abby and needed to get something out of the fridge. I had to squat down for whatever it was, and when I came up, my rear end hit and knocked off an entire shelf... the shelf with the full carton of eggs. Every egg was cracked.

Day 360 - Aunt Katie and Abby

We had the pleasure of having Steve's sister Katie and her fiance Dave come join us for Christmas Dinner last night. Before they headed back to California, they came to visit for a little bit today.

Day 359 - Christmas Morning

Christmas Day is here! We spent the day helping Abby open the enormous amounts of gifts she received from our family. One of my favorite parts of the day today, was when we helped Abby with her stocking. She went right over to Daddy and started cuddling with him as we pulled out her toys.

Day 358 - Christmas Eve Sunrise

I looked out the window this morning and noticed a beautiful glow, so I grabbed my camera and headed out into the cold air to snap a few shots. It was not disappointing!

Day 357 - Visit With Santa

Today we came back to the mall so we could get a picture of Abby with Santa Claus. It did not go well at all. The moment she saw the big jolly man, she was sure she didn't like him. Steve placed her on his lap and instantly she started crying. Eventually, we both had to get into the photo with her and Santa. Here is a picture of us leaving the mall... I'm sure Abby was happy about that.

Day 356 - Abby's New Move

Tonight, Abby was getting wild in her daily dance routine. She started spreading her legs as if she was doing the splits... it was so cute. We all thought it was funny, including Abby, until she was stuck and promptly started to whine for help. Good thing Daddy was standing nearby.

Day 355 - New Playground

This morning we decided to go for a walk in the mall. We discovered that there is a brand new playground, so after we were done we headed right on over to do some playing. Abby had such a great time running and crawling around.

Day 354 - Daddy Magic

Steve got home for Christmas vacation late Saturday night. Today, I went to the grocery store alone today. When I came back, Steve was up in Abby's room putting her down for her nap. It's so cute to see them together.

Day 353 - Playing Together

I've noticed in the past couple weeks that Abby is starting to play with other kids instead of watching and playing on her own. She especially likes it when other kids play chase with her. Tonight, Abby and Bailey were playing on a play station together.

Day 352 - Visit From Oma

Oma Bonnie came to visit Abby and I today for a little Christmas visit. We went to breakfast at Peg's Glorified Ham n' Eggs, visited with Great Grandma and Grandpa Kintner, and then she entertained Abby while I did some last minute prep for our Ward Christmas Party. Abby is being silly with Oma at the party.

Day 351 - Snow Storm

It's been snowing all day!! When I woke up this morning, there was nothing on the ground. When we left to go to the store a few hours later, there was a thick layer of snow on the ground. When we got home, it was even thicker. We got about 11 inches today. Believe it or not, this is actually a night shot... still snowing.

Day 350 - The Holy Family

I love that the Reno LDS Temple has nativity scene. It's simple, there are no lights; beautiful. Actually... the statues may light up at night. I'm not sure.

Day 349 - Christmas Ornament

It's a tradition for our family every Christmas to buy a new ornament for our tree... something we started the second year of our marriage. Of all the ornaments we have, I would have to say that this one is my most favorite. It holds a photo of our family photo from last year... another favorite in this photo.

Day 348 - Christmas Card Assembly Line

I received my Christmas cards in the mail today... I was pretty excited. This year, I did it all on Heritage Makers... can't believe how much time it saved and peace of mind it gave me. I had all my envelopes already addressed and stamped, so all I had to do was stuff them and put the in the mail box.

Day 347 - Decorating the Tree

Today, Abby and I decorated our Christmas tree. I love how fast Abby picks up on things... it's so cute how she will watch and then copy what you do. Today she watched me put ornaments on our tree, and then she would take one and place it on the branch. What was really funny was when we got a box from Nanny and Peepaw and I was trying to teach her to put the gifts under the tree... she was putting them on the tree! I couldn't stop laughing.

Day 346 - Welcome to Nursery

Today was Abby's first day of Nursery at church. It was supposed to be last Sunday, but she was a little bit sick, so I kept her out. She was a little nervous, but did amazing on her first day! I went to peek in on her between classes and one of the nursery leaders who happened to be in the hall told me she had been a little clingy, but was doing fine. I looked through the peep hole, and there she was with her back towards the door sitting at the table eating a snack. I will forever have that image in my mind.

Day 345 - Wrapped and Ready for Shipment

I got all of the gifts ready and wrapped up for our out of town family. I ended up shipping six boxes this year. Two to California, two to Indiana, one to Arizona, and one to Pennsylvania. The only thing I have left to do is shop for Steve.

Day 344 - Oh Christmas Tree

I found our Christmas tree today. I decided to go with an Aspen because the branches are sturdy. Last year the tree I picked had a hard time holding up our ornaments... they are almost all very heavy. This tree should do an excellent job. It's a little short, but sure is a great looking tree!

Day 343 - Holiday Baking

This year I'm sending all of our siblings goodie tins for Christmas. I made chocolate chip cookies this morning. Later, my friend Shauna came over and made caramels while I made rice krispy treats, and then I made fudge this evening. It's been a very busy treat day.

Day 342 - It's Christmas Time

I was able to get some decorating done today. I really love stockings. They are so personal. It has always been my favorite thing on Christmas morning... going through my stocking. I don't have our tree yet, but hopefully some time this week.

Day 341 - Bagging the Leaves

I was finally remembered to purchase some lawn bags so we could get all the leaves out of the yard. We needed some fresh air so we went outside to do some raking and bagging. Abby was very helpful. Though, sometimes she would take leaves back out of the bag and put them back in the pile.

Day 340 - Reading Time, Again

Abby and I were invited to a friends house for dinner tonight. We had very yummy fettuccine alfredo made from scratch. Abby played with a stroller that belong to the youngest girl in the household. She had such a great time. Then the oldest did some reading with Abby.

Day 339 - Acrobat Abby

Tonight we were hanging out at the Sadlers for FHE and watching the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. Abby was having a fabulous time playing with some of Bailey's necklaces. She was also having fun with Jeff, who was putting her up in the air.

Day 338 - Yep, Reading Again

Why are there so many pictures of Abby reading? Well, we spend quite a bit of time doing just that... reading. Tonight, her bedtime book of choice is, I Love You Stinky Face. It's one of my favorites to read. What is Abby's favorite right now? It's Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See. She can point out the Cat, Dog, Duck, Frog, and Goldfish if you ask her.

Day 337 - Third Time Lucky

Well... we made it back up to the hill today to snap our Christmas photo. Today everything worked out great. Since Abby will be 18 months old this weekend, this photo shoot counts as her 18 month pictures. This photo was my favorite... she looks like she is expounding from the pulpit.

Day 336 - Momma Come Back

I went outside to get the mail and Abby was watching out the window. She doesn't like it when I go outside... she wants to go outside too. Sometimes if I come back in she will do everything she can to convince me to take her outside. It's really cute when she gets her shoes, has me put them on, and then walks over to the door.

Day 335 - Christmas Photo Attempt Two

I decided to hike up the hill near our house today to snap our Christmas picture. Abby woke up early, so I got us ready pretty quick so we could catch the morning light and get Mount Rose in the background. After about 30 min of walking, I finally settled on a spot, got arranged, snapped a few shots to check lighting and then set the timer. Then the batteries died. And that was the beginning of one of the worst days ever. This is a great shot of Abby though!

Day 334 - Ballerina Toes

Abby has some impressive tippy toe power. When she dances, one foot is constantly in a tippy toe position. In this shot, she was trying very hard to reach something in her dresser drawer.

Day 333 - Special Delivery

We got a box from Nanny today. Abby was pretty excited about it. I laid it on the floor and she proceeded to examine it. One of the first things she did was lay across the box... I'm not really sure what that accomplished. Eventually it progressed to standing, jumping, and dancing on top.

Day 332 - Coloring Duo

While in the middle of Family Home Evening, the girls both sat down on their bellies to do some coloring. It so neat to catch the two of them doing things together.

Day 330 - Chip Dipper

I've been making a lot of fresh salsa lately; about a batch a week. Today I let Abby try her hand at dipping chips into our salsa. She didn't really get much on her chip most of the time, but what was cute was when she would let it marinate then eat it. At one point she stuck almost her entire hand in the bowl (along with the chip). Needless to say, we shall be scooping out our salsa into a separate bowl at each sitting.

Day 329 - Grandpa's Girl

Abby and I went to Steve's grandparents house for Thanksgiving dinner today. I find it so cute that she cozies right up with her grandpa's... all 4 of them (2 great-grandpa's). She is a daddy's girl and a grandpa's girl through and through.

Day 328 - Family Christmas Photo: Take One

So, brilliant idea that was not so brilliant today. I really wanted to have a Christmasey type of background for our picture this year. In an effort to accomplish this, I drove up to Tahoe Meadows where I knew there was snow. There was snow alright!!!! Up past my waist... this is quite a tale, but all will not be told here. All I will say is that we did not get a good enough photo and will have to try again; somewhere less treacherous.

Day 327 - Lessons in Sculpting

Abby received some Play Doh at a birthday party a while back. I really needed a diversion today (for Abby), and this proved to work great. I gave her a few things to use, but she mostly enjoyed tearing it in pieces and putting it back in it's container.

Day 326 - Inked

I went to pick up Abby to put her in her high chair for lunch when I noticed that she had scribbled all over her belly with a stray pen. It was quite a shocking discovery... I had no idea there was a pen loose.

Day 325 - Pretty Skies

Abby and I were out for a walk and getting home just as it was starting to get dark. The clouds in the sky seemed so beautiful. Sadly, I didn't have the camera with me, so I had to rush to the house to get it. The sky was not as gorgeous as it was before, but still nice.

Day 324 - Exerting Every Effort

Don't ask me why... but reason or another, Abby decided she wanted one of the wii cases hanging out on the shelf. But what is crazy is that she couldn't just reach up and grab it, she felt the need to stand on her tippy toes, on a toy, on the bottom shelf, while holding on with both hands to the next level and grab the case with her mouth. Kids are so funny!

Day 323 - Pile 'em Up

We have a massive amount of leaves spread out in our yard. I finally taken a little time to get some of them piled up so we can get them out of sight. I love raking leaves, but it's a challenge when you have a toddler running around and you have to keep her out of the street. Our pile was probably about 2 feet high.

Day 321 - Farewell

Our good friends the Eagleston's are moving to Utah tomorrow. It's been a pretty hard hit to most of the ward... it was very short notice, Jake is one of the counselor's in the Bishopric, and the Eagleston's are, well... they are just simply amazing. Plus, Jake was the only claim to family I had in the area (we were related by through a marriage that was dissolved many years ago). Abby and I went to help do some cleaning in their home. They will be missed something terrible!

Day 320 - The House of the Lord

Today I had the opportunity to clean the inside of our Reno Temple. This is a service that is performed every Tuesday morning by the members of the church. This week was the South Meadows ward turn. It's not the first time I've been able to have this opportunity, but this time it was particularly impressionable. A thought that the Brother Lord's shared, "There is power in purity."

Day 318 - New Skill

In the last few days, Abby has gotten really good at blowing her own nose. I wish I could say that I taught her how to do this... I did not. This may be her answer to the hatred she has towards the nasal aspirator.

Day 317 - Juice Mustache

I've recently bought a juicer, so I've been making some fresh juice for Abby and I to enjoy throughout the week. Abby has graduated to cups (in a regulated enviornment), and tonight I gave her some juice in a cup. It was so cute to watch her drink and I especially love the juice mustache.

Day 316 - Pacified

I try pretty hard to keep Abby's paci away from her most of the day, at least while we are downstairs. However, when we go upstairs, all bets are off. She knows that when she wakes up and I pull her out of the crib, that she has to leave the paci behind, but once we go back upstairs... she goes straight to the crib and grabs her little paci pal.

Day 315 - Enjoy Any Good Books Lately?

Yep... another shot of Abby reading a book. I'm telling you, she is obsessed. I hope you believe me. Today we were chillin on my bed and doing a little bit of reading together. It makes me happy that she loves books so much.

Day 314 - Snow

I've been anxious for it to snow... well, it finally did today. Not much though. By the time I got out to take this picture, it had already mostly melted away. The snow usually sticks around much longer in our yard because the sun doesn't really hit it.

Day 313 - Autumn in Reno

Many of the leaves changed colors weeks ago. There were so many great fall scenes I had aspired to take snapshots of, but never got around to it. I got this one while we were out for our walk today. I love fall... it's my favorite time of year. The time of year where I miss Indiana the most.

Day 312 - Organizational Skills

Tonight we went back to the Anderson's home because I left my camera last night. Abby got into Mary's drawer where she keeps her ziploc bags. She had a great time giving them to Papa Anderson as well as making a nice little pile on the floor.