Christmas!

This felt like Courtney's "real" first Christmas since it felt like she could really participate...understanding and recognizing Santa, loving to open presents, and excited about the next chance to do so! It was also the strangest Christmas we've ever had. Becuase of the foot of snow and ice we got while at my parents house in Stewartsville, we lost power in the middle of the night (at 2:30). Courtney sleeps wonderfully when she has a fan going for background noise, but woke up a few minutes after it went off (it got freakishly silent). She stayed awake with Dan from 2:30 - 5:30 when she finally laid down on the floor and fell asleep. We didn't get power back until n oon on Christmas Day, so we spent some time at my sister's house day so we weren't freezing (she was lucky enough to get power back early that morning). There were tons of pictures taken, so here are some highlights!

CHRISTMAS #1 - Joplin with Papa Steve and Meemaw Leslie

CHRISTMAS #2 - Our house!

CHRISTMAS #3 - GoJo's and Meemaw Jody's house

Eating her bowl of rice like a big girl:)

Lovin her new Dora suitcase!

New kitchen!

Courtney and momma with their boots on!

CHRISTMAS #4 - Stewartsville with Meemaw Frances and Papa

Helping momma scrapbook (Courtney got her own Tinkerbell stickers to use)!

Hanging out at Aunt DeeDee's (warm) house Christmas morning!

Pretending to go back to sleep with her cousins!

no camera, but a few stories

The flash died in our camera, so off it went to West Virginia to be fixed (under warranty - yeah:)! So...to keep some grandparents happy, here are some stories and new, fun things that Courtney is doing!

*For some reason, Courtney has started calling me Dana a lot. Dan uses my name, so I am sure she is picking up on that. She says Dan's name every now and then, but is calling me Dana more than mommy. A little sad, but also funny!

*Courtney is talking UP A STORM! We are so amazed at all the cute phrases she is saying/asking. It seems like over Thanksgiving break, she started really talking in sentences: "What's that noise?" "Where's daddy" "I do it" "Courtney did it!!" "One more time".

*Courts is super interested in potty training. She is really pushing this process. Every time she says "potty" we go and sit and hang out in the bathroom and almost every time she at least goes potty. She is so proud of herself when she (sorry if it's TMI...) pees, she looks down, gets a huge smile and says, "GOOD GIRL".

*When she wants us to see something, she grabs our hands and directs us to see. "Stand up". "C'mon!". It's really cute and we can't resist.

*Over thanksgiving break, we went to Stewartsville and saw my sister and Patrick. Courtney was having them help her put on lotion, so after 6 times, I told her one more time. Well, after she told Patrick "c"mon, more lotion", he couldn't resist and they went in the next room to get lotion. He told her "you're going to get me in trouble with your mom". She whispered, "shut the door". It was hilarious! I KNOW she is going to get my orneriness!!