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."