Early Thanksgiving and Christmas

 Grandma & Grandpa Brock

This year, we're heading to Long Island for the holidays. Of course, that doesn't mean baby girl gets any less celebrating with my side of the family. Instead, she received and early Thanksgiving and Christmas this weekend with her Grandma and Grandpa Brock.

Noelle focused on developing her present-opening ability; a very important childhood skill. Pretty soon she'll be an old pro at it =)

That's a lot of wrapping paper for one baby girl.

 Noelle, modeling some of her loot.

One of my favorite presents was a DVD of "The Snowman". I remember watching this VHS many, many times as a child; at the very least every Christmas. Here is Noelle enjoying her first Snowman experience with Grandpa.

Watching her first DVD, "The Snowman", with Grandpa

Alex and I received many wonderful presents as well; but none so good as free babysitting! We actually got dressed up and made it out for a wonderful dinner together. Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa!

Ready for our big dinner out sans baby girl.

No holiday weekend would be complete without a heavy emphasis on food. Noelle got to play with pumpkin seeds (from pumpkin pie making). It wasn't quite as fun as play-dough, but still entertaining. What I found funny was the huge change in Noelle since her first pumpkin experience last Halloween, when she was only 6 weeks old.

Halloween 2010 and 2011: She doesn't fit in the pumpkin anymore!

Noelle continued to do her part to keep the dairy industry alive and well by meeting her daily quota for cheese consumption. The rest of us overdid it as well, with our Thanksgiving/Christmas spread. It was a wonderful holiday weekend!

Cheese! 

Thanksgiving/Christmas spread

First Halloween; Trick-or-Treat!

Thanks for bib, Grandma!

Noelle's first Halloween started off like any other day - with a hearty breakfast. Unfortunately, I then had to head off on a business trip. Alex was ready to be the designated batter for Halloween, though. Back in September he was already planning when he got Noelle her adorable Halloween costume:

Our Little Fairy

Now, just because Noelle can't eat candy yet don't suppose we would forgo trick-or-treating. Parents, after all, need candy too! Even the dogs got in on the Halloween fun:

Trick-or-Treat; "Family Style"

As usual, Noelle needed no convincing to go for the good stuff. She knows a golden opportunity when she sees it!

Gimme!

Getting an Early Start...

It didn't take long, however, for Noelle to wear out. It's hard work being so darn cute!

I'm Tired

Passed Out; Trick-or-Treating is Hard Work!