slippers

We made slippers for all of the sister missionaries in Heather's mission (Nebraska Omaha). My mom, Amanda and I knitted them (114 pairs). My dad made the balls. Syd, and Janessa helped package them. Abbie tried them all on and named them. It really was a whole family effort. They turned out so cute!

activities for Christmas

 We did lots of fun things leading up to Christmas.

Forgotten Carols- Syd in the choir

 Choir performance

enjoying the christmas lights

Santa visit- Nielsen family christmas party

ugly sweater contest- McDaniel family party

- ward Christmas parties - The Messiah - making treats to give to friends - lots of Christmas shopping - work Christmas party at the country club - Christmas Adam party with Crowthers - Christmas Eve party with my fam -

Christmas Day

Brandon woke up at 6:30 because he was so excited, and I woke up around 7. We got a phone call around 7:15 letting us know that Dallin would call around 8:15. So we decided to hurry and get ready. At 7:45, after we were mostly ready, we decided to wake Abbie up. You can kind of tell that she is still a little tired in the video.

We quite a busy day, but it was great! We headed out around 8:50 to Brandon's fam's house to hopefully get to talk to Dallin. We ended up having plenty of time and it was fun to see him. Then we ate breakfast there, and opened presents, and Grandma Smith and Grandpa Nielsen came over so we got to see them too.  Then we went to grandpa Crowther's  and met up with the rest of the crowther family for a while. Next we headed over to my grandma and grandpa Winterton's for lunch. Then our last stop was at my family's house. More presents to open, and then we got to talk to Heather. She is doing so well, and is so happy.
We had a wonderful day and were able to see all of our immediate family and grandparents. Let's just say that Abbie is a very spoiled girl! She got way too much stuff. It's good to know that we are so loved.

Luke - 5 months

Lucas is a growing boy!
* He can now roll both ways: tummy to back; back to tummy
* Seriously the happiest baby I've ever seen. He is always smiling or giggling.
* He had a cough for awhile and was not sleeping good at night (like waking up 5 times). Now he is better and back to his old schedule. Sleeps from 8:30- 5ish, and then back to sleep until wake up time around 8.
* Can kind of sit up for short periods of time.
* Wears 3-6 month clothes
*  He is very interested in our food when we eat. He usually gets some kind of solid at lunch and dinner. So far he has only had rice cereal mixed with apple juice, and bananas. He likes them both.
* Starting to like actual toys. Still loves shoving them and his hands in his mouth.
* Abbie is very entertaining to watch. He loves being around her.
We love you Lukey, and are soo grateful to have you in our family!

Our little dancer

One of Abbie's favorite things to do right now is to put on dance shows. It's seriously so cute. I love watching her dance. She has some pretty funny moves. Here is a small collection of her recent dance shows.

Snow

I am normally a snow hater. I hate the cold weather. I hate having to gear up to go outside. I hate when my boots/ shoes get all wet. And I especially hate driving in the snow and ice.

But, today I did enjoy watching Brandon and Abbie play in the pretty snow.

Luke stats

Luke's stats at 4.5 months 

Weight: 14 lbs. 4 oz.  (17th percentile)

Height: 25.75 in.  (65th percentile)

Head Circumference: 42 cm  (51st percentile)

He is a healthy little boy!  Luke also had to get 4 shots, which he didn't even mind. He only made a little whine one time. Abbie on the other hand was being sad in the corner because she was so worried about Luke having to get shots. The doctor also told us to start giving him baby cereal once a day.  

Here is his first taste of rice cereal. He isn't too sure of it.

Last month

November in a nutshell of pictures.