We had a little party yesterday...

More pictures to come when I have the time to upload them :) Spoiler alert, she didn't like the cake!

Uncle J with baby J

Sweet Julia Jane at 11 months

Pictures of Julia from Christmas day. We have pictures of the boys on 12x12 canvases when they were 10-11 months and we needed one of Julia!  Christmas was grey and cold out so we had a hard time finding good light...but managed to capture a few.  Best ones are from outside (brr) on my parents back deck!

 

 

  

 

 

At 11 months, Julia is still such a joy!!!  She almost always has a smile on her face. 
-Learning to walk (cruising on furniture, walks while holding on to one of my hands, and has taken a few steps on her own)
-Eating like a champ, nursing 3-4x/day
-Weighs around 19 pounds, although official stats will come at her first birthday
-One big afternoon nap, and usually a short morning one too
-Says "dada" all the time but not "real" words yet
-Is SUCH a daddy's girl
-Much more social than the boys were--waves to everyone (while saying "haaaa") and lets friends/family hold her
-Still sleeps with fingers in her mouth, and with her "lovie" (small blanket with satin edges)
-Loves her big brothers almost as much as her daddy, and constantly chases them from room to room

Christmas morning

We spent Christmas morning at home this year--the kids slept until 8am!  We opened presents as a family and then the rest of the Wells clan came over for brunch.  Naturally I failed to take any pictures of any adults (or even baby Liam!) but I think that's due to my dad running around with his camera.  Unfortunately I'll never get those pictures from him :)

The kids were so excited to see that Santa ate some of the cookies, and all the carrots for the reindeer.

 

 The window clings in the stocking were a big hit.

 

 

 Julia showing off some of her presents (more play food)

 

We had Christmas dinner at my parents house.  Poor Sam had a cold but otherwise a relaxing day spent with family.  I've really enjoyed having Scott home from work this week, and the whole house sleeping in until 8am :)

Breakfast with Santa

Now that we have kids, I feel like life is on "repeat" sometimes-traditions where each year is so different for us as a family (due to adding kids and changing ages) but when I'm documenting, it sounds like "Groundhog's Day" (I think my dad's favorite movie).  Like last year, we once again found ourselves at the Rivi--this time I was present.  And the boys are wearing the same Christmas sweaters (hey, if they fit...) but I had to chuckle at how tiny Sam looked last year!

Much to my surprise, both boys willingly climbed onto Santa's lap. 

And my super-social Julia had a MELTDOWN when I handed her over (guess this answers last year's question of "can Santa hold 3 children at once?")

 

(She spent the rest of the time on my knee)

 

Charlie asked for a toy rocketship (because Santa might bring him a real one if he didn't specify) and Sam asked for a car transporter "like Ty and Drew have" (his friends).  We forgot to ask Santa for something for Julia (sorry #3...) The tiny candy cane afterwards was a big highlight!

We sat near our friends the Meeks and Foxs and had a nice breakfast.  The kids ran around and the adults even managed a few minutes of chatting.

Photoshoot

Thanksgiving

"Late" has become the norm around here.  Especially with the blog...and I don't anticipate getting any more prompt in the new year.  On the plus side, life is good, we are all in good health, and we generally enjoy being busy!

Thanksgiving this year, Scott's parents came in town.  We hosted "Thanksgiving Eve" and then had Thanksgiving dinner at Becky and Kyle's new home. The kids loved running around together and the adults enjoyed (often interrupted) conversation.  We also celebrated Christmas since we didn't have plans to see Scott's parents for Christmas.

Friday night the Collevechio/Applegate crew met up with the Wells crew at Highland.  We filled the back room (thank goodness there weren't any other diners, as we were loud and our kids enjoyed running around).  We snapped these family pictures in the foyer at Highland.  Sam was less than thrilled.

  

Saturday afternoon we celebrated Thanksgiving again, this time with my side of the family.  Also a new norm, I didn't take any pictures.  It was so much fun getting to snuggle Ryan and Amanda's new baby Liam.  We are so lucky to be able to see both families over the holiday!