"Ryland is the baby and I'm the mommy" ~Natalie Dunham

Christmas 2010

Christmas 2010 was one of the most magical Christmas' in my memory to this day. This year Natalie and Ryland both understood all of the exciting things that Christmas has to offer. As a family we savored every day and all of the special moments leading up to the the big day. For me, I realized how important the little things are, how a homemade tree ornament from my little girl was far better than anything money could buy!

Ryland's hand print

On Christmas Eve the kids and I had breakfast with Santa at our favorite place, the
Water St. Cafe.
  

Obviously they had no problem warming up to Old Saint Nick!

Christmas Eve night we all went to Grandma and Papa Dunham's house for a fun family celebration, all of the cousins enjoyed their time together.

Priceless!

Uncle Jeff read "The Night Before Christmas" to the kids before everyone went home.

Natalie and Ryland prepared for Santa's visit by spreading their reindeer food outside and putting out milk and cookies for the hungry visitors.

The stockings were filled...

And the gifts were placed with care under the Christmas tree.

On Christmas morning the smiles were endless! We were so thankful to have dad home for breakfast and gifts.

Ryland's dreams were totally fulfilled when he opened "big Buzz" or Buzz Light Year from the movie Toy Story. Thomas and I were so confused by Ryland's unenthusiastic demeanor while opening the gifts prior to Buzz. As soon as we realized that he was looking for a specific gift we quickly had him open it, finally a smile!

Santa brought Natalie a very special dress!

Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa Tookles house.

On the way home from Ithaca...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY JESUS!

Looking forward to Christmas 2011...

December 2010

The weekend after Thanksgiving Natalie and I went to see the Nutcracker at the Smith Opera House in Geneva. This was Natalie's third time seeing the Nutcracker, it was also the third year that my niece Kyiah has performed in the ballet.

Cozy Days Preschool had a nativity play on December 10th, Natalie was an angel in the play and enjoyed singing the Christmas songs that she had learned in school.

This year Natalie and Ryland really acquired a taste for hot chocolate, now they ask for it every day!

December has been a great month for Ryland, he has made unbelievable progress in swimming! He is totally in love with his teacher Ms. Heidi and asks about her every day! We decided to sign him up for another session in January because he loves to swim so much. Ryland has been recommended to move up another level, from the Pike class to the Eels. However, mommy thought that it was in his best interest to keep him with the Pikes (and Ms. Heidi) for one more session because of his age. Ryland has learned to do sitting dives, swim on his back, swim under water and jump off of the diving block. We are very proud of our boy!

Christmas is coming...

Move out of the way Halloween, forget Thanksgiving...Christmas is coming!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Halloween 2010

On the Friday before Halloween Natalie wore her costume to school for a parade and a party, the excitement in this little girl was overflowing! Trying to explain to a 2-year old that he couldn't wear his costume "yet" was attempting the impossible. So needless to say, Ryland went to Ms. Millie's as the only one dressed up for Halloween...he so didn't care!

A fifties girl and a race car driver, my babies rocked out these costumes like nobody's buisness!

Natalie and Victoria

Mommy and Natalie after the Cozy Days Preschool parade

All ready to trick or treat with the cousins

Five out of seven Dunham cousins, missing Allison and Emily

A picture with daddy and mommy at the end of the night

Happy Halloween!