Christmas Eve

2009 also brought one of the snowiest Christmases on record. We were not hopeful about even making it back to SD, but when we woke up Christmas Eve and saw the weather was okay, we decided to try to head back. It actually ended up being just fine, the perfect break in the storm after receiving 6 inches the night before. Though not stormy, it was definitley still a white Christmas. I took a couple pictures on the trip (they're a little blurry since I just took them from the car).

I love how you can barely see the horizon. The sky and ground were nerely identical, we're thankful the wind wasn't blowing!

We celebrated Christmas Eve in De Smet with the extended Widman family. It was a smaller crowd due to the weather, but still a great time of seeing aunts and uncles.
Unfortunately I forgot my camera in the car.

We knew that we would be snowed in at Papa & Nana's on Christmas Day, so instead of opening gifts on the Eve like usual, we decided to wait an do it on Christmas. Here is Papa reading "The Night Before Christmas" to the grandchildren before bed.

Nana loves this picture:) But, really
what could be better than baby snuggles on Christmas Eve?!

Thompson Christmas

This year, the Thompsons celebrated Christmas on December 23 at "City Grandpa & Grandma's". Our mission was to bring some yummy Christmas cookies (though really why? it's completely unnecessary with the spread that Aunt Jodi puts together). But, Nathan and Ella enjoyed the experience. They especially loved making peanut butter blossoms. Nathan was good at putting the Hershey kiss in the middle of the cookie, and Ella was good at swiping kisses to eat! They were also all about the sprinkles, which were eventually banned from the kitchen.

Christmas was extra special because Great-Grandma Marilyn was able to join us. She is deeply loved and highly valued by this family. It was great to see her face light up as Jodi talked about past Christmases and all the potato sausage they would make! Great-Grandpa Bob, of course, is sporting the traditional Christmas bow during gift opening!

It was a great 1st Christmas celebration for Adeline.

Christmas 2009

I tried for a little Christmas photoshoot, tried being the key word. It wasn't horrible, Nathan is great and does whatever you tell him, but always has a cheesy grin. Ella is not cooperative, but has the sweetest little face. Adeline just tolerates it as best as she can. So, I got a couple pics, not sure if we'll actually do a Christmas card though, life seems full enough.

Here's Adeline at 7 weeks:

She's flashed a couple little smiles, nothing big yet though. Here she was thinking about it.

Nathan (3 1/2), Ella (21 mos), and Adeline (7 weeks)

first hair cut.

I said I wouldn't do it, but I couldn't take the mullet any longer. Today Ella got her first haircut! It took all of about 3 minutes, which Ella cried through. I'm still planning on growing it long, but hopefully now it can grow out normally...not that she couldn't pull off the mullet:)

I really thought she was going to like it. She was all excited before we left the house, plus she got a special cape and a princess...but not so much.

All done. Ella has her hair down and can still see:)

The back: looks pretty much the same, just shorter:)

Giving Thanks at One Month

This year has been interesting. We have been challenged, oh yes, but we also have been greatly blessed. So, as we reflect and give thanks to the Blesser and Giver of all good gifts, it's impossible not to thank God for Adeline, who turned one month on Thanksgiving Day.

We're starting to build a Thanksgiving tradition of eating dinner with Matt's family in the Cities, and then trekking to SD for some late snacking, and of course Black Friday shopping:)

Here is the Thompson crew with grandma Lois: Logan, Nathan, Julia, Ella, Lois, & Adeline.

Unfortunately, the camera battery died after that pic, so there is no other documentation from Thanksgiving. But, I did manage to get some one-month photos of Adeline a little later.

She is already changing and getting so big. An unofficial weigh-in at home had her at about 10 pounds! She currently sleeps ok, waking up once during the night (about 2 ish) and then again in the early morning (about 5:45 ish). But, even after this, she usually goes back to sleep until about 8:30 or 9:00, so no complaints here. She hasn't quite mastered napping yet, or at least napping while not being held or riding in car, but she'll get it...it's hard being #3!


The great thing about being #3, is that you get lots and lots of love! Nathan and Ella are always in her face wanting to give her kisses and talk to her. There's even been a few fights over whose turn it is to hold baby Addy!

Here's a mid-yawnn shot...just for fun:)

Our little Pumpkins.

This year on October 31, we continued our 2-year tradition and went to the "Pumpkin Patch" at Calvary Baptist Church. Fun was had by all the kids, and Adeline was even kind enough to sleep through the entire event. I admit that since it had only been 4 days since Adeline was born, I was not fully into the festivities-but at least I had enough sense to get pictures of the kids in their costumes, even though not ever all together.

Adeline, the pumpkin:

Ella, the giraffe:

and Nathan, the tiger:

sweet adeline.

Adeline Marie graced this world with her presence on Monday, October 26 at 8:54 p.m. She was a perfect 6 lbs. 13 oz. and 20 inches long. She is doing well, already weighing 7 lbs. 1.5 oz at her one-week weight check. She seems like such a sweet little girl! Big brother and big sister are in love with baby Addy, though everyone seems a little more emotional than usual.

Here is our little sweetie, moments after birth. More pics to come soon!