Christmas Dress

I had not bought a fancy Christmas dress for Saylor this year, deciding we could be content with wearing something she already had (that is to say, I could be content--Saylor couldn't care less either way.) Grammie Sheldon had shipped Christmas gifts out to us earlier in the week, and happened to ask if Saylor had a special dress to wear for Christmas Sunday--when I said, "No" she said we could open this gift early--a beautiful dress! Thank you Grammie, and Thank you Grampie (whom I am told helped pick it out :)

I guess this one would be my fault

Ranger's been itching to climb the stairs for awhile-he stands at the bottom of the stairs and bounces up and down while watching his sister (who cruises up and down constantly.) He's tried several times to figure out how to get a knee up, but without success. The other day however, I was sitting with him on the landing at the top of the stairs, and I helped him crawl up the final step into the loft. Well, apparently that was all the lesson he needed. Later that day I took Saylor out to the garage and strapped her into the stroller for a walk. I came back inside and Ranger was standing on the bottom stairstep just grinning away at me. So we had to get out the gate...unfortunately, the next morning we hadn't yet put it in place...

Mr. Smiley here was incredibly quiet when he was sneaking up those stairs!

More of Chicago

I swiped these pics from Paul's brother Eric, who has a great camera and knows how to take great pictures.

GO BEARS! 4 Generations Bathtime

Bubba

Fingerprint Art

After we had recovered from our noon-time Thanksgiving feast with family in Chicago, (and before we started on feast leftovers for dinner) we had a little craft time. I had bought this book

before our trip and brought it along with some nice paper (Bristol 100% cotton Smooth) and fine-point black markers. Grammy had tons of colored ink pads, and so I asked everyone present to create a fingerprint picture which I would then frame to put in Ranger's room. Everyone actually enjoyed the simple activity, some people got really creative and made up animals that weren't in the book, and Ranger got a really neat work of art (all signed by his relatives) for his wall. We also had plenty of paper left over for everyone to make prints for Ranger's 11 month old cousin Logan too.

I know these pics are terrible, but like my friend Courtney said, i can't be bothered to fix them right now, life is too busy!!!! It will at least give you an idea of how cute it turned out. Caterpillar by Aunt Nicki, snowmen by Aunt Jenny, elephant by Grampy, Sea dragon and bat by Aunt Stacy, choo-choo train by Papa, bees by Grampy, and lion by Mommy

Scorpion by Daddy, alligator by Uncle Eric, raccoons by Grammie, birds by Granna, frogs by Aunt Jenny, fireman by Uncle Nate, owls by Uncle Eric, and beetle by Daddy.

The Sheldon Family Christmas Card...

...is being printed as we speak! What will it be this year? Here's a hint: it was a delicious experience! In the meantime, here are some pictures from our trip to Chicago for Thanksgiving.
S, R and Grampy Sheldon

Sled Ride
First snow for R

R and Grammie Sheldon

S and Grampy

The kids and Granna and Papa

Papa, Uncle Nate & R

UsUs Again

And finally, here is our primary area of Christmas decor in our livingroom--we are foregoing a live Christmas tree in favor of this tabletop version since it would be a constant battle to keep R from pulling a floor level tree over. This one we've got anchored down so he can't pull it off the table. We'll hold out for a large, live tree next year when he has grasped the meaning of "No Touch!" a little better :) We also have an olivewood Nativity set I got in Israel on our china cabinet, and a Fisher Price Nativity set for Saylor to play with as well. She occasionally calls the Baby Jesus "Baby Ranger."

Keepers

It appears that once R discovered the concept of moving around, he didn't want to waste anymore time just sitting around. He is pulling up and shuffling along on anything he can now-his favorite being the bottom stair here:

Here he is working his way around the dining chair

the blue tape line in the background above is supposed to keep R from crossing into the kitchen. So far it's not been as successful as it was with S...of course she didn't even really crawl until she was a year old. Did I mention these 2 are a little different?

Trying "homemade" green beans--not a fan! I think it's the texture...

When she's happy, he's not...

When he's happy, she's not...

Ok, we'll settle for this one.

Sugar and Spice

If S is our Sugar... Then R is our Spice! He is definately keeping us on our toes.

Here he is in the Baby Olympics:
Army Crawl

Crawling on all fours

Hurdles

One-Legged Scoot

Trick or Treat

The Princess & The Pea(pod)

S getting bullied by her 8 month old brother-snatching her stuff is one of his favorite pasttimes.

S in her pretty purple princess hand-me-down costume-thanks Andee Jean!!

R was pretty much busting out of his pod, and it didn't last long since he couldn't crawl in it or even lay on his tummy with those giant foam peas in the way. But hey, we got the picture at least ;)

Folsom City Zoo

We met Aimee and her boys (and their Grammie and Grandpoo) at the Folsom City Zoo--it is a wild animal sanctuary and you can get closer to the animals than you can at most zoos. It is quite small, but quite perfect for our toddlers. And the train ride is a must!

S had fun chasing this albino peacock--they have lots of peacocks and chickens/roosters roaming free throughout the zoo. You are about 4 feet away from the tigers and bears, oh my!
Just happy to be a part of the action

2 Sheldon Animals

4 little monkeys

The kids loved feeding tree leaves to the deer

Group Photo on the train ride

Silly Stuff

I am a member of the Dixon Mothers' Club, and we had a Halloween party last week for all the little kiddos--Here is Saylor as a princessRanger gets in on the fun
Hey Mom, have you seen Ranger?!He's a buckethead!