My Little Helper

So my little peanut is now almost 16 months old and the older she gets, the more helpful she gets.  For several months now, she has been very helpful in wiping down cabinets and sweeping the floor.  Lately she has picked up on wiping down her highchair and wiping out the bathtub and surrounding tile.  It is so very cute to watch her put elbo greese into her tasks.  She is very thorough and detail orriented.  In addition, she has been enthusiastic in her efforts to help me keep the weeds down in our planting areas.  The only issue with her being involved in this task is that she doesn't quite understand the difference between a weed and mommy's pretty flowers.  Oh well, that will come too I'm sure.  I'm just so very proud of my little Sami.  Thanks baby girl!

The Unusual Diaper Change

Getting her diaper changed is not one of Samantha's favorite things, to say the least.  In fact, 99% of the time, fussing, squirming, and general unhappiness is her typical reaction to this necessary action.  This morning, however, I had quite a different experience.  Just before laying her down for the change, Sami had grabbed one of her small Sesame Street picture books.  Then, as I went through the whole routine, she layed there very quietly looking through the pages of her book just as if she were an adult browsing through a newspaper.  She didn't even seem to notice or care what I was doing...she had other, more important business to occupy her thoughts with.

Family Fun at The Spotted Cow

The Spotted Cow is a charming little ice cream cafe not far from where we live.  Here they brew their own coffee and serve handcrafted ice cream.  And if that is not enough, they also have a wine menu that Andrew enjoys on our visits.  On this particular night we decided to stop in on our way home from a delicious Thai dinner.  It is a great place to relax and they also have a fantastic play area that is perfect for Sami. 

We Have an Announcement!

It is January 6th, 2010 and we finally received the news we had been hoping for.  Samantha is going to be a big sister!!  We are all so very excited.  The message on the board in the picture above is how I told Andrew the big news.  I had thought about it and researched different ideas online how best to break the news, and this is what I came up with.  Andrew passed by several times without paying any attention to the message board so I finally had to drop a hint.  Samantha was squeeling and laughing and he came out of his office and asked what the excitement was all about.  I told him she was really happy about the message that was written on the board.  It took a few seconds...and then we celebrated.

Three Christmases

Christmas at Grammy & Papa's

In order to avoid any scheduling conflicts, Joe & Peggy decided many years ago that they would host the Herb Family Christmas the weekend before the actual holiday.  This means that everyone in the family gets at least two Christmases!  It is always a lot of fun and everyone especially looks forward to the traditional evening meal of fried chicken and oysters. 

The younger cousins, Brett, Brianna, and Samantha get to open their presents first. 

Samantha sporting her new scarf, made by Brianna!

Brianna getting silly with new underpants.

Adult Present Time!

Papa Joe, Aunt Debbie, Uncle Scott, & Cousin Christopher

The Littlest Photographer

I love this look on Andrew!!

Sami very excited about the Ewok - an old toy that belonged to Andrew when he was a teen.  Dan & Kelly decided it was our turn to take possession of these hairy creatures.

Big smiles from Papa Joe & Uncle Dan.  Must have been a good Christmas!

Christmas Morning

Andrew and I enjoy spending Christmas morning with just our family.  This was technically our second Christmas as parents, but this year we weren't quite as overwhelmed as last year...and it was also so much fun to watch Sami open not only her presents, but ours too!

Ross Family Christmas

After a nice morning at home, we headed over to mom and dad's for more Christmas fun. 

Now that she's a real pro at gift opening, Sami jumps right in to lend a helping hand to Uncle Ryan.

What better way to wrap a new frying pan!

Favorite picture of the year...a monkey from uncle Chris.  So much joy on her face!

Hobo Chris

Enjoying one of his last opportunities to snugle with little Sami.  Chris was off to Australia for a whole year in just a few days.

I just love her messy hair!

Good ol' fashion family time.

New jammies and new rocking chair.  Life couldn't be better!

Merry Christmas Everyone and Have a Happy New Year!