Merry Christmas: Part 1

Our Christmas weekend didn't turn out exactly as planned, but we had a great one.  We had planned on staying at home and then heading down to Salem on Christmas day, but we were here earlier in the week.  Jared's uncle David passed away and we were here for the services and it didn't make sense to drive back and forth.  No worries...Santa found us here in SoIL. 
We started our gift opening on Christmas eve at Jared's parents house.  We had a great meal and an overall great day.

Jared, Nora and Dustin



Ethan and Grandma Karen

Opening some presents!

 After our day at the Collier's we headed back into town to get ready for the Christmas Eve Service at church.  I have gone to Christmas Eve service for as long as I can remember.  There is just something amazing about gathering together and remembering the real reason we are all together!

Our Family all ready for church

Ethan and Nora in their snowman pjs

He sang us Jingle Bells before bed...I didn't even know he knew the song.

Christmas morning, we got up and went to church (I'm not sure we will ever be able to hold off Christmas morning again) and while there, Santa came!

Checking out the stocking

Nora was thrilled with her new purse and cell phone...

Say Cheese!

Abby, Nora and Pop

Alex and Abby giving Ethan a Spiderman tattoo

Grilling some meat

Nora at 2 Months

Nora was 2 months old yesterday.  And these last 2 months have flown by!

She has started smiling and 'talking'.  I love talking to her and watching her smile back.  A few things about our Nora:

• She's a healthy girl!  She had her 2 mo check-up today where she got 3 shots and an oral vaccine (poor girl).  She weighs 13 lbs (95%) and is 24 in long (97%).
• She would much rather lay and look at you (when awake) than be held.
• She is sleeping great!  The last week, she has been consistent at 8 hours or so at night.  11pm to 7am, generally.
• She enjoyed her 1st Christmas, even if she was unaware :).
• She still has her umbilical hernia, and the doctors aren't at all concerned, so I'm not either!  It's just a part of her.
• She is eating great- about every 3 to 4 hours during the day. 
• Her eyes are dark blue and hair is light brown, though there is still time for both to change colors.
• Her big brother, Ethan, loves her and I love to hear him talking to her.  It's so funny.  

Waiting to see the Dr. this morning.

Neighborhood Christmas

Since moving, we have really  missed our neighbors.  I knew we would, but we still try to get together as often as possible.  We had our annual 'Neighborhood' Christmas get together (even if we aren't in the neighborhood anymore).  Eric and Heather were wonderful hosts, as usual, and we had a great time.  Ethan and Braden were running and playing like crazy boys and Zach joined in on it too!  While us adults enjoyed chatting and catching up (with a little Nora cuddling on the side).  It's so nice to have great friends to spend time with!  Merry Christmas 'neighbors'! 

Presents!

Zach and Nora hanging out

The engineers

Dr's. Ethan and Braden (they both got doctor kits)

Ruth cuddling with Nora

Ethan and Braden...Best Buds!

Photo shoot over.  Ethan took off, followed shortly by Braden!

Finger Painting!

Here in Mt. Zion, we have this great little ceramics shop called Next of Kiln.  There are all kinds of projects to paint from bowls, plates and pitchers to seasonal decorations and jewlery boxes.  I've painted a few projects there and always have a great time.
Anyway...Arika, Ethan's sitter from the time he was born, is getting ready to move to Alabama.  I'm super sad about this and I know Ethan will be too (when he figures out what is going on).  He has 2 other friends that go to Arika as well, Braden and Noah.  Us moms decided we wanted to get something for Arika for her to remember the boys by.  So, we went to Next of Kiln.  They do lots of finger/hand/foot print things and had a great idea.  The boys had a good time getting their hands dirty and I think Arika will really like her little piece of them. 

Braden, making his mark!  Notice the nice blue streak in Heather's hair.  Braden painted her :)

Ethan's turn.  He really liked doing this!

Now time for Noah.  He wasn't so into it...but he made his flower.

Nora even got in on the paint.  The owner of the shop said she would do a footprint for us at no charge!  So we have a little pink Nora footprint on a tile. 

Finished Product!

 Noah wasn't able to deliver it with us.  And I forgot my camera, so my phone had to do...

Ethan, Arika and Braden being silly!

This picture is one from Arika during the summer.  It's the three 2 year olds!

Noah, Ethan and Braden

Baby Dedication 'Class Photo'

I posted several weeks back about Nora's baby dedication at our church.  A professional photographer was there to take a class photo and individual family photos.  I was able to get this copy of the class photo.  Pretty cute!

Photoshop is amazing!  Nora is the 3rd from the right in the front row.

Merry Christmas!!

We're not doing Christmas cards this year, so here are our 'virtual' greetings!  Wishing everyone a very blessed and Merry Christmas!  Here are the cute faces you would see if we were sending some out...

Weekend

Jared took Friday off and we headed to Salem for the weekend, our first trip since Nora was born.  It was a nice long weekend and we saw lots of family. 
Jared's family has had a LONG week.  He had 2 uncles in the same ICUwith non-related issues.  His Uncle David Collier is still very critical in Mt. Vernon with multiple system failures but showing signs of improvement.  And his Uncle Edwin Phillips was taken to the hospital last week after suffering a major heart attack.  He has since had open heart surgery and is home recovering.  Thanks to lots and lots of prayers.  More prayers are needed for David and Ed's recovery at home.
Anyway, we had planned this trip to Salem before any of this happened, so it was good to be able to be there, see family and show our support.  So, Friday afternoon, we went to the hospital.  It was Nora's first introduction to most of the Collier clan and they were happy to meet her.  Ethan had fun in the waiting room playing with some of the cousins.

Darcy and Nora

Electronics are very entertaining!  Maci, Jadyn and Ethan

The rest of the weekend, we pretty much just hung out.  Libby and her girls, Haley and Katie were also in town.  And it was their first time meeting Nora as well.  Katie and Nora are 2 1/2 months apart.  We are sure they will be best friends!

Nora and Katie= BFF's!

Nora and Libby

They play so well together!  Ethan and Haley

Seriously!  Look how beautiful this girl is!!  Katie Sue- 4 months

The 3rd BFF...Abby

Smiling at her Aunt Abby.  Don't you just want to squeeze those cheeks!?!

The Collier Kids and The Mehrle Kids
Ethan- 2 1/2, Nora- 6 weeks, Haley 3 1/2, Katie- 4 months

Christmas Fun

It's been almost 2 weeks since my last post...sorry about that.  We've been busy with lots of fun Christmas-type things...

I realized after my last post, I didn't put a picture of Ethan's final project. Here is his baked Santa.

 



I LOVE decorating our house for Christmas!  It's my favorite time of year.  I've had fun decorating this year in our new home (and I haven't even bought too many new things)!

Bringing in the tree!

He likes to 'put them in order'.  Which involves him moving them all over the tree, and me vacuuming up all the needles that fall!

Ethan's 1st time to put the star on top

Our Living Room

  A few of my favorite ornaments...

This snowflake is from Noni (my grandma) from the year Jared and I were married

This is Ethan's silver ornament from my Mom and Dad

Nora's silver ornament from Mom and Dad for her 1st Christmas

The Elf (he doesn't really have a name yet...) hanging out in the kitchen

What is Christmastime without some fresh baked cookies!  I had help this year...

Such a good helper

Enjoying his chocolate cookie!

And I just had to share this one... They love each other :)

Randomness

Today, Ethan and I worked on a little Christmas craft.  It's one of those bead, suncatcher things that you have to bake.  Anyway, he was so excited about it.  I asked if he wanted to keep it or give it away.  He said he wanted to give it to Santa. 



Very Focused


 

Excitedly watching it bake

And I have to post a few of Nora just hanging around the house.  She is getting so big!  She's 5 weeks old today, by the way!

Enjoying bathtime

5 Weeks Old

And Ethan...telling me that he is a 'little tiny baby'...