HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!!

Ok, this is my new favorite photo of Stella. Those teeth, the twinkling eyes, the cheeks...oh what a joy to be able to look at this face everyday!

We have spent this first week of 2008 adjusting back to reality after a wonderful trip to California. We returned home on the 31st at 3am after 8 wonderful days in Palm Springs. Once we got home, we prepared for a belated Christmas celebration on the 1st with Nick's mom, step-dad, sister, brother-in-law and our niece and nephew. It was so fun to be able to host all of them at our house. We finally have the space to do it! It has been a bit busy since we got back. Now we're getting ready to head to Cincinnati for the weekend to visit friends and celebrate Josh and Betsy's baby shower. Whew! I think I might be ready for another vacation!
Really though, our Christmas was fantastic! Great to be with family...fun to introduce Stella to even more relatives and wonderful to be outdoors in the sunshine! For those of you who were patient enough to listen to/read about my stresses with the time change...thank you. Everything turned out fine...we did wake up most days before 5am since Stella insisted on staying on East Coast Time. It was ok though. With lots of helpers, we muscled through the early mornings. Here are some of the highlights:
(As I am going through the photos I realized that I didn't take nearly enough and I definitely didn't photograph Stella with other people as much as I should have. Hopefully between my mom and Uncle Jimmy I'll get my hands on some other great shots.)

Stella's awesome Lion walker-thing...it roared and played music...a huge hit!

Thanks again Grandma and Grandpa!!

Our first family Christmas

Hmmmm....

Figuring it out...

So, I'm supposed to rip it apart? Gotcha!

Even though it was a bit chilly, both Nick and I took Stella swimming on different occasions.
(I promise I took her too even though there isn't proof!)

Our little reader!

Pre-hike brunch with cousins, Stacy and Meridith

Annual post-Christmas hike to Palm Canyon

We can't refuse the opportunity for a photo in the tub!

Our last night in CA and "BUSTED"...still finding new stuff to get into

2 blocks away from the airport we got to meet cousin Kelly before we left!

So, now we're home, talking about projects, enjoying time together, and getting back to THE BLOG! Sorry I've been absent. Thank you to those friends and family members who have shared that they've missed us on here. We're back!