Christmas in Nebraska

Hello Friends & Family--

The last stop on our Christmas journey was back to my beloved home state, Nebraska! I love coming 'home' for many reasons: Runza, speed limit of 75 mph, "The Good Life" AND of course my family.  Sidenote, we missed out on Runza this year and I am very sad :( This year was definitely bittersweet with my Dad not being with us, but overall I think it was a good holiday. We missed out on all of the family celebrations, but we still were able to catch-up with most everyone. A trip to the Damn Bar (My Great Grandparents used to own this bar many years ago) in Rockville, NE was a perfect way to visit everyone! Plus we were able to visit my Grandma Dee in Ravenna and Show her how much Cameron had grown since August. We missed a few special people and I wish it would have worked out to see everyone.

At this point in our trip a u-haul trailer was looking good for toting back all of Cam's new toys/clothes! Either that or we could have left the dogs behind! You'd think with our massive vehicle we'd have no issues, but with our entire crew and all of our stuff it's easy to get packed in like sardines. Plus Grandma Ninny gave Cameron a HUGE gift...pictured below :)

Love,

Chris, Amber & Cameron

Christmas in Monroe

Hello Friends & Family--

We spent Christmas Eve in Monroe with Chris' side of the family. We haven't spent Christmas with them in a long time, so it was nice to be able to do this! We have a TON of family to visit during the holidays, so it's always difficult finding a good schedule.

Cameron was of course spoiled beyond belief. We have one lucky little guy who should be entertained for hours now! The next question is where to we begin to put all of this stuff (and this is only the 1st of 3 Christmases!)

We had good food and good company, who could ask for more? Thanks for everything!

Say cheese!

What Cameron did best...rolled around on the floor!

The whole gang!

Unfortunately there are not any pictures of Cameron opening gifts because it took both Chris and I to open them at all, if that says anything!


Love,

Chris, Amber & Cameron

Santa Claus

Hello Friends & Family--

After much deliberation on Chris and my part, we decided to have Cameron's picture taken with Santa. We both agree that it's "torture" to an extent to make your child sit on the lap of some strange looking guy in a red suit. Yet on the same token we know that it's a tradition that will be fun to look at in the future.

So, we waited until the very last minute (December 22nd to be exact) and headed to the mall to see Santa. Fortunately we went during the late afternoon and there wasn't really a line. We were given some prep time to get to know Santa prior to the picture, which I thought for sure would make it worse. To my surprise he didn't mind Santa one bit! He smiled and "flapped" around like a bird (he does this when he's happy/excited). In fact I left him with Santa while I picked out the pictures and he didn't even cry! I held out my arms to get him when I was done and he just continued to want to sit with Santa. I mentioned to Santa that I could just leave him there, but I don't think he'd appreciate that :)

So in other words, Santa = Success!

Truthfully, this whole mall santa/picture ordeal is a rip off. $25 dollars later and we have 2 low quality 5x7's, but I guess that's not what it's all about! Sorry the quality is so low we had to take a pic with my phone (of course we could have opted to add a cd for $7--Ha!)



Love,

Chris, Amber & Cameron

My Guardian Angel

Hello Friends & Family--

As the holidays have been approaching with lightening speed, I am constantly reminded of how my Dad won't be there this Christmas. I can't tell you how much it hurts to know that he won't be here or for any future holiday. He won't be requesting his yearly supply of "spikes" for ice fishing. Every year he'd ask "If Santa has time could he pick me up some spikes"? For those of you who aren't ice fishing savvy, spikes are maggots used as bait:) Awesome bait trust me (yes, I LOVE ice fishing--maggots and all).

Christmas 2008

Ice fishing is something that I have always done with my Dad (hunting was something we tried, but I had a hard time killing birds--this was more Keith's thing). Lucky Amy had Dad wrapped around her finger and bypassed the hunting/fishing and Dad took her shopping :) I would do anything to have him ask me what the latest ice depths were or the scouting report of crappie for the Madison lakes. I so badly want just one more adventure on the ice with my Dad. Just one more Christmas celebration, hell just one more day. My heart just aches. I will always have all my memories, but sometimes memories just aren't enough. I'll keep chugging, I always do. Yet the holiday season has been especially tough and I don't expect it to get any easier with each passing year.

Hug your loved ones a little tighter this season! Trust me you won't regret it; for every day here on Earth is a gift and it should be treasured.

I love you Dad, one sweet day I'll see you again. Don't catch the big one without me!

Ice Fishing in Wisconsin

Dad's big catch!

My Guardian Angel

Love,

Amber

First Snow

Hello Friends & Family--

We finally had our first real snowfall of the season on December 17th! I'm not complaining, I could do without the snow! I'm thinking of taking up residence somewhere warmer :) Unfortunately I married someone who LOVES the snow and all that goes with it (skiing, sledding, etc...).

Getting our snowsuit on!

Cameron received a snowsuit from his Grandparents so we've been waiting to test it out. You'd think living in the tundra that Wisconsin is that we'd already have received 20+ inches this season. Ha! Anyways, Cameron loves being outside, but the restriction (as you can tell by the photos) made him kind of angry. Maybe when he can crawl he won't feel so confined. Regardless he's pretty darn cute all bundled up--like a little blue star.

This isn't so bad...

Ok, I'm not sure about this.

I hate it, someone pick me up :)

This is better.

Just kidding :)

Love,

Chris, Amber & Cameron

Week 34!

Hello Friends & Family--

Cameron was 34 weeks on December 23rd.

What? Did I do something wrong Mom?

Love,

Chris, Amber & Cameron

Tag Blankets

Hello Friends & Family--

Cameron has always had an infatuation with tags. Whether these tags are on toys, blankets or any other object he can get his hands on. I've seen tag blankets being sold in stores and have been meaning to get Cam one. Since I just received a new sewing machine for my birthday/Christmas gift I took advantage of my new machine and made a few tag blankets.

Here's a couple examples of the finished product! I'm still mastering the process (definitely not perfect), but for the most part they are super easy. The 'monster' blanket is for a friend, and the black/white bird blanket is Cam's. Can you tell I love my sewing machine? I think there are a lot of future projects in my future.

Love,

Chris, Amber & Cameron

First Christmas Celebration

Hello Friends & Family--

Anyone that knows us, knows that we have a HUGE family between Chris and myself. This means we have lots of Christmas celebrations. Lucky little Cam! This past Sunday, December 18th was the first of the celebrations. He did wonderfully, minus a little meltdown during nap time. With all of the distractions he was still able to take about a 45 minute nap! Wahoo!

He was very curious about the presents thanks to his cousin Brayden :) I think these two will have a lot of fun at future Christmas gatherings. I do think Cam was more enthralled with the actual wrapping paper than the gift inside. Easy to please! Thanks for all the wonderful gifts!

5 Generations! 

Cousins!

I love wrapping paper! Yum!

Silly Mom, no time for hats!

Love,

Chris, Amber & Cameron

Sitting

Hello Friends & Family--

Cam has been working at sitting on his own for awhile. Many head-dives straight into the floor and crashes sideways! He never really mastered the tri-pod stance where he used his arms in front to hold himself up. We just had to load him up with pillows! We've recently discovered that the cloth diapers have really been inhibiting his ability to sit. Bummer. So in a disposable he can sit alone, but with his bulkier cloth diapers he needs a bit of assistance.

I'm just happy we've hit that milestone. FINALLY!

These photos are from my phone, so they aren't the best quality but you get the idea! And yes he's watching football with Daddy :)

Love,

Chris, Amber & Cameron

Homemade Baby Food

Hello Friends & Family--

Like I've mentioned before I am making 'most' of Cameron's baby food. It's super easy, just takes some extra time and planning. I usually make up 2-3 batches of something and then store them in the freezer. Right now I'm using an awesome cookbook from William Sonoma and I haven't been let down yet.

So far we've tried:

Squash
Sweet Potatoes
Peas
Pumpkin
Apples
Prunes
Carrots
Rice Cereal
Oatmeal Cereal

Next up:

Green Beans
Bananas
Mangos

Here are some pictures of the latest batch of applesauce I made. I love these OXO containers. They are super easy to use and are perfect for the freezer! They come in 2 oz and 4 oz portions, perfect for a growing baby.

Yummy apples...

Love,

Chris, Amber & Cameron

33 weeks!

Hello Friends & Family--

He was 33 weeks on December 16th! He's discovered that he likes to "chase" the dogs around the house. I hold him up like he's walking/running and we follow the dogs around the house. He squeals the entire time! Then he likes to grab a fistful of dog hair :). He also enjoys playing ball with Cooper (Mom more-or-less does all the work and he just watches). He can't get enough of watching Hurley, it brings an instant smile to his face. I think we will have a strong love affair with the dogs when he's more mobile.

Love,

Chris, Amber & Cameron