Merry Christmas to all...

It's still hard to believe that Christmas is upon is, isn't it? The year 2011 has come and almost gone. I was reflecting just the other day on what an intense year this has been for us; it has been full of so many ups and downs. It all started with us making a major life changing decision and moving to Albany in January. It meant leaving a job and people that I loved and moving in with my husband and our baby into his parents house, and starting new jobs. The following month our little girl turned a year old, which was a huge milestone. In April Kyle graduated with his Master's degree, and finished his student teaching in June. In May my sweet grandmother lost her long and hard fought battle with cancer. She was one of the kindest, most generous, wonderful women I've ever known, and her death has really affected me. I had always counted on her as one of the most supportive and important people in my life, so to lose her was devastating. I think about her daily, and I always will. In June we finally decided to put our house in Portland on the market; it would take five months for it to sell, but was definitely one of the hightlights of the year! In September Kyle started officially teaching at his alma mater, West Albany high school. It was the culmination of many years of hard work, and he loves what he does. In October we closed on our home in Albany, and moved out of Rick and Sue's. It was nice to be in our own place again, but bittersweet because we had such a great time staying there with them, and they were so wonderful to us by taking us in until we got on our feet. Which brings us to now... I'm not going to lie, I am excited for 2012. I hope it brings prosperity and peace to all!

We've already been in our new house 2 months now, and finally starting to feel settled in with all of the improvements. Our new carpet arrived a few weeks ago and has made a HUGE difference! It looks nice, but more importantly the house smells so much nicer. You're not assaulted by the smell of cat pee every time you walk in the door. 100% worth it!

Ahhh, new carpet. I swear the wall isn't that bright, my camera's flash makes it look funny.

The new carpet in Payton's room

Our stockings :)
e hallway


My grandpa dug this out of his attic, it's a table and chairs that Chelsea and I used to use. Payton loves it!

This is the face she made when I told her to say "cheese!" (with her baby of course!)

Payton has been so much fun to watch, she is saying SO MUCH these days. If you haven't seen her in a while, you would be amazed at how much she's developed! Every morning I get her up, we go down the hallway and she says "Tree! Tree! Hi tree!" We went for a walk tonight and she had to say hello to everything. "Hi bush! Hi car! Hi truck!" It is super cute, she pretty much chatters nonstop. She can sing her abc's all the way through, and even count to ten. She likes identifying everything and everyone. If we're in a room with a bunch of people, she will go around and say hello to each of us, mutliple times. She's getting pretty bossy too :) We jump when she says jump, literally! She loves her books and her babies, and spends most of her time playing with them or following us around. She likes to be doing what we're doing, whether it be laundry, cleaning, getting dressed, you name it. She repeats everything, she seems like such a little sponge. Last weekend we took her to a place called The Little Gym in Corvallis. It's a class where the kids are in a certain age group (Payton's is 19 months to 2 1/2, they're called "beasts"). They sing songs, tumble, play, throw balls, identify colors, that sort of thing. She's usually pretty shy with new people, but after the introductory song she was up and running! She had SO much fun, and Kyle and I had so much fun watching her. We will definitely be going again! Her favorite part was when they had a big parachute that the kids all got to slide on and go under. She was laughing hysterically, it was so cute.

So I know I never posted Thanksgiving pictures (I'm lame). Here are a few for you!

Snuggling with Grandma Jo

Singing songs with cousin Kyanne!

Reading with cousin McKenna

A very special tradition... Great grandpa Book reading Hucklebones

Grandma got me a new purse

See my pretty bracelet?

One of the highlights of the weekend; Zoolights!











Checking out the fish tank...

We had a great weekend! It went by waaaay too fast. Back at home...

Supervising daddy putting up the Christmas lights

I love this one :)

So much fun to explore

We took Payton to an event called Storybook Land that they do every year at Christmas the expo center. It's free, and it's really neat for kids. Payton loved it!



Kyle and I are so excited to watch Payton enjoy Christmas this year. It seems like forever ago that we bought her gifts, and we can't wait to watch her face when she gets to open them. Her big gift from Kyle and I is a big girl kitchen, which we think she will love. The ladies at her daycare told us that she's pretty obsessed with thiers, so I think she'll love having one at home. We were watching home videos from last years Christmas and it is amazing how different Payton is in just a year. Last year she just sat there and stared at everyone; I can only imagine what she will be like this year! Running around, laughing, talking up a storm. We can't wait! :)

Merry Chirstmas everyone! We will miss you Casebolts/Books/Walkers/Cooks. Wish we could be there!

And congratulations to Richard and Chelsea, the future Mr. and Mrs. Falk!!! :)