Happy New Year

Wishing you all a very Happy, Safe, & Healthy 2009!!!!

Just a trim...

Bella hasn't had a trim since April so after we exchanged gifts Cathy just barely trimmed her hair to hopefully make it grown in a little more!

THANKS!

Kirk Christmas...

Last night we had dinner and celebrated Christmas with the Kirk Kids!
They had Bella all dolled up in her new dress-up stuff!
Olivia, Jackson and Abby

Helmet Heroes...

We got Wyatt this cool helmet heroes thing that you drive and lights up, has siren on it and talks!

As you can see another hit with everyone!

Let the unwrapping begin...

Yeah, it's time!!!

Wyatt was ready with all his gifts lined up!
Bella and Wyatt gave Grandma and Papaw a picture this year!
Where is Aunt Suzi?

The first gift Bella opened was twin babies from Dr Beth and she played with those for awhile before she unwrapped anything else!!!

Cameron got a fun game that was a puzzle he had to figure out to get the money out!

Susi and Bella played with these John Deer Tools that Wyatt got for a long time!

At one point she was doing that and Wyatt was playing with the doll house?
Role Reversal???

Workman classes upside down!

A nerf gun that everyone had fun taking a shot at!

Were you good this year? Maybe they are full of coal?

The wonderful doll house they had made for Bella! She will have years of fun playing with it!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Before the Destruction....

Of the presents!!!

Another Spoiling Spot!!! We must of all been good this year b.c both of our parents did way too much for all of us!

Friday 26th, we went to Tim's parents for the afternoon to do Christmas! As I said before it was soo nice this year to spread it out and actually ENJOY spending time not trying to slam it all in and leave! Truly what I love about Christmas is being with family!

Anyways, we enjoyed a yummy meal and then had an evening of unwrapping gifts and visiting with friends and family!

Family Pictures...

We were excited the Dr Beth got to come for Chicago for Christmas...we

hadn't seen her since summer!
The Boyett's!

Annual Suzi and Alli pic in front of the tree!

Another shot at a family pic!?!?!

The Maines' Gang!!!

Bella & Baby Hannah...

Papaw and Grammy J got Bella Baby Hannah for Christmas and after we were down trying to take a family picture Bella wanted pictures of her and baby! Too cute! Funny how these turned out much better than the family pic!?!?!

Stafford Christmas...

An attempt for a good family picture...Bella didn't want to stop for that!

A new princess towel!

NOT FOR YOU UNCLE RYAN...

hehe...he unwrapped it first!
Beautiful tree and as you can tell we were SPOILED once again this year! Thank you! Making Chip a package!
Macy didn't care that all the wrapping piled up around her as long as she was in the center of things! Typical Lab!
Coloring with Aunt Rachel...hopefully you inherit some good arts skills from her!
Bella liked Aunt Rachel's cool new boots!
Emptying her stocking with Grammy J!
Christmas we had a very casual day at my parents, eating brunch, unwrapping gifts, snoozing, then eating dinner again! It was a very nice day and the first time in years we didn't have to go back and forth to family or I didn't have to rush off to work! A wonderful gift in itself!!!

Stocking...

We got so excited about presents daddy had to remind us about the stocking....

Some of the best treasures in there...

new sunglasses and tooth paste
What else???

a princess tooth brush

and of course chapstick!

Can't have enough of that!!!

Christmas Morning...

Izabella slept in until 9:30, then we all snuggled in bed with her while she had her milk sippy. We had to remind her that Santa had come and left some presents and then she went running down the hall, although Tim and I were able to get in front of her to get video and pictures...

Checking out her new Little People Castle, she loves the dragon that goes with it.
Opening more presents...
Trying out her new tricycle...
Ohhhh...Elefun!!!
And she is off on her tricycle!!!

After presents I started cinnamon rolls, Tim started is famous and healthy biscuits and gravy to take to my parents later and Bella got busy playing with her new stuff! We watched the Disney Christmas parade too.

It was a nice relaxing morning until we went to my parents for brunch and Christmas!

Santa Came...

And it was a

PINK Christmas for Bella
Tim and I got all her presents put together and ready for her Christmas morning. Once we put them under the tree I realized how PINK it was. Bella picked out her paper that was pink snowmen and then her castle and new bike were pink too!
As Tim coined the phrase after Bella was born...It puked pink again! I love it!

Matching Christmas Pj's...

Too cuties...ready to get to bed so Santa can come!!!

Say Cheese...

Already knows what to do...hummm does she have a mom that constantly take pictures too???

Christmas Eve...

The Maines side (Tim's dads side of the family)

Tim & Bella joined every one for dinner and they were all kind enough to save enough for me and wait for presents until I got off work!

The 2nd cousins Kenzlie, Bella, Konlie & Wyatt
PRESENTS....

Wyatt and Bella both got their own real digital cameras...watch out Bella maybe making her own post soon!

Konlie and Kenzlie both got loads of new clothes!
After we celebrated Tim headed home to get Bella tucked in her bed so Santa could come and then I headed to meet my family for candle lite service. It was a beautiful service that always ends right at the strike of midnight to just candles lighting the sanctuary and the singing of Silent Night, one of my favorites about Christmas! Although this year my sister, moms and my candles weren't staying lit so we were having a little giggle fit but still a wonderful way to bring in Christmas Day!

Santa Visit...

Dear Mr Santa Clause,
Thank you for being understanding that I wasn't quite ready to sit on your lap by myself! I tried to be brave but still just a little scared. Thanks for letting my Daddy and Mama sit with me right next to you! I hope to be big enough to do it all by myself next year!
Also thank you for my cool candy cane ring pop!
We hope you get lots of rest and have a safe trip tomorrow night!
Love,
Izabella Raye Maines

Arlington Roe Visit...

Today we met Daddy for lunch and to visit his friends at work.

It is funny to see Bella so shy around new faces b.c those of you who know Bella

know she is not shy usually.

Samira had Bella on her mail cart collecting mail....candy and money too!
She thought the ride was quite fun!
We are glad we go to see so many of you and wish you all a
Merry Christmas!!!
And to Jennifer Hopper we must arrange a private time when you will be at the office so Bella can visit you!!!
We weren't even out of the parking lot from our visit and Bella was asleep but with her candy in hand!

Family Pics...

Sunday evening we had Christmas with my mom's side of the family at Aunt Beth's and Grandma's house.
Mom & Dad
Cousins...
Rachel, Lauren, Allison & Ryan
Beth and her nieces and nephews...
ahhh...where'd the tree go???
Grandma and her girls!
It was a wonderful evening spent with family!

Presents & Fun...

Fighting Uncle Ryan for those skittles...
Let's re-decorate the tree a little....

More Presents!!!

It is FREEZING outside!!!

G-ma enjoying her family around and pretty packages!

Blasting off into Lauren!!!

FINALLY I get to open presents!!!!

Fruit loops...

Bella decided the she, Zoe & Peyton needed an after dinner snack of fruit loops!!!

She distributed the snacks out of the laundry basket!

Tim and I couldn't help but laugh!

Christmas Fun at Miss Jenny's

Presents
Crafts

Gingerbread cookies for all!!!

What more could we ask for...lots of play and love!

Thanks Miss Jenny...may you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Brunch

This morning we went to Lafayette for our annual Christmas brunch at Aunt Sharon and Uncle Butch's (Tim's mom side)

The kids can hardly wait to finish brunch so they can dig into their presents!
Wyatt checking out his cool new race track with Aunt Sharon.

Bella loves her new baby dolls, rooms and family for her new doll house(yet to come from Grandma and PapawM) books, puzzle and puzzle holder!!
THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!

Now it is the Adults turn for

Our Gift Exchange!!!

Tim thrilled that no one "stole" his new Colts chairs!

14th Annual Chili Supper....

A Wonderful Tradtion that we look forward to each year!!!!

Gals lunch

At one of our favorite spots...

Cafe Patachou....

with Mimi and Annie after music playhouse

Before they head to Topeka KS for the holidays...

We enjoying lunch and chatting while Bella and Mimi entertain each other!

How perfect!!!

Energizer Bella...

Sunday night I got home from work and Tim had Bella all ready for bed yet Bella had other plans....she ran throug the house singing/ sreaming Jingle Bells for 45 minutes! She had Tim and I rolling in laughter most of the time which I am sure kept her going and going and going!!!! I caught her near the end of her "performance"! I love when she bows her head and says, "thank you, thank you very much!"

Movie Star in jammies....

Even right before bed Bella is constantly entertaining and cracking us up!!! Her imagination is HUGE and we are having sooo much fun right now even in between those 2 year old tantrums!!!

Tired Bella....

Mom and Dad...you brought me here with NO nap and now it is 6pm my belly if full so i think it is time for a nap!!!
How about just right here in my seat???
One TIRED girl!!!

Christmas with....

The Stafford's

Grammy J, Bella and mommy being silly!!!
Bella not thrilled about having a picture taken...
Every one enjoying a great meal while watching the game!

Nice red cupcake!

Bella did a great job entertaining Megan by reading, bouncing and singing to her.

So sweet!!!

We finally got to meet Megan Fox...my cousin, Matt's, first baby! She was so sweet and cute as you can see. Very happy baby too!

Sunday my parents hosted Christmas get together with my dad's side of the family! The house is always packed full of family, with good family style cooking(enough to serve an army) and wonderful company! Unfortunately I didn't get my camera out until most of the crowd was gone to get some good group shots!

Dress Rehersal...

Thank goodness for Aunt Rachel helping me while trying to get a good pictures of Bella all dressed up! The cream outfit with hat all the way down to the gold shoes is a early Christmas gift from Aunt Rachel....too cute!

We got some cute ones...I think I'm always looking for that "ahhh" perfect picture which is near impossible to get at this age!!!

What's in the box?

This box got delivered today and Bella was very curious what was inside...Too bad it is a present for her!

Our Elf Dance Moves...

This just made me chuckle tonight...Enjoy...Have fun doing your own family!

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/JNcS3U89QLlr8eny

And another but I think most of us have actually seen Tim do some of these moves...

hehe

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/bLXrhkvKmQHtpE4f

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Good News...

This afternoon Bella and I headed to Riley hospital to have her follow-up appt for her tubes and also a hearing test....

We got GREAT news....Bella's hearing has returned to the normal decimal range since her tubes and her "blue" tube and eardrum look great!
Bella was a very good girl through all the hearing test! They did a new one on her today and she sat right through it!

We return to our pediatrician in 4-5 months to check on the tube.

Chritmas at the Zoo

Bella's first bite of cotton candy...
Boyett's all bundled up

Pretty lights EVERY WHERE!!!

Miss Melanie even got to spend the evening having fun with us!

Her mommy and daddy had a wedding to go to so she was staying with Suzi...she was a great little one...not a peep out of her!

Saturday we bundled up and enjoyed a night at the zoo! YES, it was a cold night but it is Indiana and December...so we put 7 layers on and went...and all in all stayed fairly warm.

We loved seeing all the lights and animals. Too bad my pictures of the animals were too dark but our favorite animals were the new 10 month old brother and sister Kodiak bears that just arrived at our zoo! They are 1/4 of the size of the old bears and so cute! It will be fun to watch them grow!

Warming up in the aquarium part!

Daddy and Bella checking out the sharks!

PS The hat that is keeping her head warm my grandma made for my brother when he was little! It did the job!

Breakfast with Santa...

They love each other sooo much!
Suzi and Shirley sorority hosted Breakfast with Santa on Saturday!

Grammy J got to go with us.

Happy Bella!

Cousins...

Kenzlie, Konlie, Wyatt and Bella...

Verdict this year...

Izabella is still not very fond of Santa...

I really don't want to talk to him...not even for a candy cane!!!

Birthday Dinner...

After a day a pampering...hair, nails and toes...Thanks Cathy!!!
I joined some of my girlfriends at Kona Grill for a wonderful Birthday dinner!

We had a great meal and of course lots of fun chatting without our kids...I was a little overwhelmed being in the middle of the table trying to keep up with each conversations! It was fun!

Thanks so much to every one for stepping away from your busy December schedule to share dinner with me!!!

You all mean so much to me and I am lucky to that I can call you friend!

THANKS!

My Birthday Song...

I love Bella's version of the Birthday song! Had to share... for your viewing pleasure!

Holiday Spectacular...

Enjoying a great dinner with mom and Rachel.
Tonight we went to dinner and the Carmel High School Holiday Spectacular performance for our Birthdays.
It was a wonderful show and certainly helped get you in the Christmas spirit!
I am so glad I got to enjoy a nice night with my mom and sister!

My little helper...loves all the Birthdays we've been celebrating!

Thanks for the great gifts too mom and Rachel!

Book Exchange...

Sarah had this great idea to do a book exchange with the kids and they LOVED unwrapping and reading their new books!

Play Group Winter Fun at Our House...

Charlie getting ready to move...
Hayden was playing with the vacuum...
I think he put his request in for his own with Santa
Bella and Gavin doing puzzles

Libby enjoying her donut!

Emily, Bella & Fallyn...best one I could get of them all looking.

Aunt Rachel got to join us too!

Today we did a cookie exchange for the moms and book exchange for the kids at play group it was a lot of fun! I think the cookies brought every one in early too....usually we all casually get to play group late but today every one was here by 10:15... which made it fun for us to visit and the kids to play!

THANKS to all of you for coming and for the yummy cookies!!!

Christmas Baker...

Decorating...

Yes, so our decorating took a few days this year and I don't have that much out but what was so much fun is that Bella LOVED it.

Tim pulled the rubbermaid containers down and she was so excited to go through them!

Made mommy a little nervous with all the breakable...but we only lost one colts ornament so far!

She woke up yesterday morning the the lights on the tree and was so excited! After nap I had the rest of the ornaments on except for the ones for her and Tim to hang...she did a great job hangin them although she likes to do it over and over again.
Tonight while picking up I found an ornament on the couch...she was decorating the rest of the house!
Hanging it up!
We thought Daddy could hold Bella and she could do the tree topper but not quite... so daddy added the finishing touch!
Our angle the has sat on the top of our tree for 14 years!

Beautiful! Our Tree...I love when the Christmas Tree lights are the only ones on in the house!

Birthdays...

Bella and MiMi blowing out the Birthday candles for

Annie and me...
After music yesterday Mimi and Ann came over for lunch, to play and celebrate our
Birthdays, her is November 30th.
The girls had so much fun and of course we had to have Flying Cupcakes!
YUM!

Ella's Party...

Once again blogger messed up my order...urgg..

Bella LOVED the cupcakes...

does this look her daddy or what?
Happy Birthday Ella...make a wish!

Ella got some great presents and the kids had fun checking them out!

Ella and her awesome family!
Thanks for including us in your celebrating! It has been so fun to watch you grow over these last 2 years we are looking forward to lots more fun with you and Cole!

Bella and Ella...loving on each other!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Aunt Rachel....

We hope you have a fabulous 29th (for real)

Birthday and all you wishes come true!!!

We love you!
Tim, Alli & Bella Raye