Baptism 12-22-13

Before church started

In front of the congregation.  Before the water.  She was 1 of 3 babies.

After the water.  Not impressed.

Then they gave her a book to distract here....AKA her first bible :)

With godparents Catherine and Pat Jones.  not pictured: Jamie Fandrich

Grandpa Gene, Grandma Theresa, Great Grandma Rosie, and Great Grandpa Donnie

This picture is too funny to skip

We had a GREAT time having everyone over to our house afterwords.  THANKS!!!

Some more fun before Christmas

We have been busy this month, but are enjoying watching Helen learn more and more.  We went to visit Santa.  Also, we were so excited for her little tikes car, that Mike put it together and we gave it to her.  Happy early Christmas!

These two are best friends

Skype with cousin Chloe.  We aren't great at this yet.

cute overload!

We went to petsmart and it took quite a few pictures to get a good one.

Not quite sure

Take 62 :) not really

After seeing Santa, we stopped for a snack.  Helen loves Tutti Frutti.  Her mouth is full of frutti :)

Trying out the new car.  Also, the Vikings won because Helen wore her Vikings shirt

Blue eyes

p.s. I know you are reading this at school, Jaden!  Get back to work!  See you in a week. Love, Jess

Getting ready for Christmas

I've never been the type to go super crazy decorating at Christmastime.  I get the essentials done.  I don't spend days baking or anything like that.  I like those things, I just don't really get to them. 

This year has been a little different.  I still haven't gone crazy baking or anything, but I've really started to notice things around me that matter more. 

1.  It is very important that there is a nativity seen around.  I want Helen at ask about it and know that actual reason we have Christmas.

2.  We still need some Santa at Christmas!

3.  I don't think I will ever have a creepy Elf on the Shelf.  First of all, kids should be good all year round.  I'm sure Helen will always be an angel :) Anyways, that puts a lot of pressure on the parents.  Every night I'm supposed to figure out some crazy and creative thing to do with him?  I would FAIL!  25 days of that?  No thank you.

4. I was really nervous about Helen and a tree, so she has her own little tree in the living room.  It is has things she can't break or choke on.  YAY!  She likes it.  Every once in awhile, she walks/crawls past it and pulls an ornament or 2 off.  She hasn't crawled under it or knocked it over yet.  I'm sure that will happen soon.

5.  We put our "normal" size tree in our bedroom.  So far, the best part of Christmas has been laying in bed with my little family, right before Helen is ready to go to sleep.  Everything feels perfect then.

Tipsy even made it in a couple of pictures

p.s. she doesn't sleep with us, she just cuddles sometimes.

ooooooohhhhhh aaaaaaahhhh

Visits

We love having company.  This weekend, Pat and Cat came to see us. We got a lot of shopping done too. 

Happy times.

I came home from work tonight and Helen decided to get up.  Look at these 2 being goofy :)

Pumpkin fun

We had a lot of family come to visit the weekend before Helen's birthday. The highlight for everyone was the pumpkin patch. 

Grandma and grandpa Martel with some of their grand kids. 

Auntie Jamie had a lot of fun!

This is Helen's first petting zoo. She thought it was pretty interesting. 

Mike couldn't get helen off of this old/vintage mcdonalds toy. 

Enjoying one of our last nice days of the year.  

Lawn

Apparently mowing the lawn is incredibly entertaining.  Helen and Murphy spent a long time watching Mike.  It was so nice out on Wednesday.  At least we all got outside :)

Daddy went around the corner

nosey

checking out the flowers

Mike has quite the audience

agh!  look at those green feet

the lawn got a little long