Thanksgiving with the Crisafullis'

First off -- Grandma Helens birthday! 

This year was very different than past Thanksgivings for us. To start, Michael and I both worked. I have my hot cocoa stand set up at Dick & Nancy's house so I spent most of the day running in and out in between photo sessions. It actually worked wonderfully! Secondly, I didn't get to spend time with my side of the family this year, which was a bummer. With Michael & I working and the poor roads, it just wasn't happening. I'm planning to take a trip to Billings this week to make up for it though so I am looking forward to that! And lastly... We had a baby running around the house, dragging toys everywhere, refusing Thanksgiving dinner due to her tiredness. Although it was different, it was a great day with so much to be thankful for. Here are some pictures to prove it! 

When we got home, Michael insisted we blow this thing up, in the house. P didn't mind.

The next day, "Uncle" Chase came to visit! We missed him! 

And that was our Thanksgiving! We officially have less than a month until Christmas.. Let the fun begin! 

Remember that time

Remember that time we thought taking our 15 month old along for a 3 day car ride followed by 2 weeks in a hotel, was an awesome idea? Well... Turns out I've had better ideas before. 

Pen & I accompanied Michael again this October on his trip to Kansas City for work/school. Last time we did this, P was 3 months old. We didn't know it at the time but it was really, super easy. Fastforward a year later and wow. From the long days of traveling, to the million plus one things we had to pack, to eating out with a miniature crazy person, this trip was T-O-U-G-H. Pen finally decided to take her walking skills seriously as soon as we left on this adventure which was both exciting and exhausting at the same time! She wanted to be on the go....everywhere, constantly. This made hotel living and eating out every night a challenge. But I will quit whining and get to some of the fun parts, like swimming, the Omaha Zoo, and riding a (fake) pony! 

(These are all phone snaps, sorry!) 

All of that fun is hard work! 

 

When we arrived in Kansas City we took P to the aquarium & Lego land. She LOVED the aquarium, Mike & I were impressed as well! 

 

Being in Kansas City during the World Series was exciting! Everywhere you went was a sea of blue (Royals) color. We watched the whole thing play out while dining out at various places and lounging in our hotel room. Unfortunately they lost but we had fun cheering them on while we were in their city! 

After Mike's first week of classes we were able to head to Oklahoma City for the weekend and visit our friends, the Ricketts'. They took us to eat at the best places, little Cole wore Penelope out, and we got to relax and feel a little more at home than we did while hotel hopping. 

YES... They are kissing, which became pretty frequent. 

We had a blast in OKC. We can't wait to see them again, plus one! Congrats you guys, can't wait to meet the newest member of your family! 

And so we made our way back to Kansas City for our final week. 

 

We made it through, Mike did great at his classes and we started our trek home. Halloween happened to fall on the day we were staying in Sioux City, IA. So Pen got in her owl costume and we headed to the mall. Which was warm, which is the PERFECT way to trick-or-treat! 

 

Side note: Michael is convinced that her owl costume was in fact a bat costume. It has been an ongoing debate in our household. One thing we can agree on, the owl/bat girl was pretty darn cute.

And that was our trip! We were happy to be home and get back into our routine. In fact, the very next day I was back to "work". I was able to hang out and capture this sweet boy which was a real treat! 

Life is good.

Birthday Post!

For about 3 months I have been meaning to get on here and blog and all 3 months it just wasn't happening. What a summer, what a year for that matter. On one of my last blog posts I was planning P's 1st birthday with a broken promise to show you all how it turned out. So lets start there. The birthday was a great success; there was a huge bounce house, slip & slide, kiddie pools, jungle gym, trampoline and most importantly, all of the people that helped us celebrate. My dad was a birthday throwing machine that weekend, Michael and I quickly agreed we would be in huge trouble without all of his help and good humor that kept us going! Penelope was her usual, happy, content self. She spent most of her time being passed around to friends and family and enjoying the slip & slide. She sat on that thing for a good half hour just splashing and crawling around on it with her little pal Bentlee. It was truly a perfect day and we thank all that came. My grandparents, dad, brother and Michael's grandma all made 6 hour, round trip drives to attend. That meant everything to us! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Now for the pictures! 

As you can see, lots of fun! But since this party was held after her actual birthday, she had already celebrated a couple of times before this. Can you say spoiled? Ha -- so here are some pictures of her actual birthday! 

She got to wake up to a bed full of balloons and a photoshoot! 

Then we headed to grandma & grandpa's for cake and presents!

Her cousins kind of love her, if you can't tell. 

Penella is 14 months old now. She is sweet, smart and every part of the joy in our lives. She has grown so fast and has absolutely changed Michael and I from crazy kids, to well.....crazy parents. We love every bit of it and spend as much time loving on her as we can! What an amazing year it's been baby girl! 

And then in a flash....