Estella at 10 Months

Gone are the days when I can lay Estie on a blanket and she stays put. Now she is a blur, being set down in a safe spot one moment, look away, and then she is sitting in the fireplace soot the next. The boys are on red alert with all their little treasures and those apparently delicious Nerf bullets.

So many teeth!

Estella has four teeth at 10 months. Everytime a new tooth comes in she is pretty grumpy for a couple days, then she is back to her happy little self. She does have such a sweet little personality, except when she is upset with her big brothers. She lets them know it too! My dreams of having a quiet little girl are quickly fading.

There's a hint of mischief in those eyes.

She is doing really well at walking around things, just building up those little leg muscles and figuring out the whole balance thing and soon she'll be off and running!

The Christmas Tree Hunt

Our little family of five.

Every year at Christmas time our family goes to a Christmas tree farm to cut our own tree down. I will have none of this, "tree lot in Oregon" nonsense. No way, I've been to Oklahoma way too many times to not take advantage of having a freshly cut Christmas tree. I love making a day of it and spending time outdoors hunting down the perfect tree. Okay, so really what happens is that I wander all over looking for the perfect tree with children and husband in tow, then every so often I'll say, "Oooo, I like this one, what do you think, Tone'?" He promptly replies, "perfect, shall I cut it down?". Then I always reply, "NOOOO! We have to see all of them first." Then I zigzag through all the trees sizing them all up and finally, I come back to one of my first choices and give Tone' the green light. The kids and I have a great time just being outside, while Tone' grumbles and groans at my slow decision making. (I think he secretly likes watching me hunt for the perfect one, the groaning is just part of the whole experience now)

Lukas hitching a ride with Daddy

The boys were so proud to take turns holding the saw. Now if only I could get Lukas to smile normal.....

I never did get a picture of our tree decorated. You'll just have to trust me that it was beautiful. Beautiful and fragrant too, another reason a fresh cut tree is better. Don't even get me started on fake trees.