Ashton's First Christmas Tree

The past several years, Jeff & I have trekked out to the country to cut down our Christmas tree.  We decided to do the same this year, with Ashton in tow of course!  I will admit that this plan turned out to be slightly more complicated than we (or at least I) had envisioned.

We arrived at the tree farm with saw in hand and set out to find the perfect tree.  This elusive tree happened to be about a mile from where we set out, which didn't seem so bad on the way out but....on the way back, Jeff was left dragging a 70lb Christmas tree over a mile while I carried Ashton and two saws (I know, not super safe!).  Oh and did I mention that it was starting to get dark, so this wasn't a leisurely walk!

We survived however and have a beautiful (albeit LARGE!) tree to celebrate Ashton's first Christmas! 

 

Setting out to find the perfect tree.

Ashton was thrilled, can't you tell?  ;)

 

 


Did I mention that Ashton lost a shoe somewhere along the way also? 

 

Getting dark!  Saw quickly!

 

We made it home!

Love,

K & J

Turkey Day Extravaganza

We traveled back to Delaware for Ashton's first Thanksgiving.  It was a great reminder of how much we have to be thankful for!  Ashton LOVED his Thanksgiving dinner.  He gobbled up the turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes and he devoured his first taste of pumpkin pie!

 

As evidenced by the myriad of photos below, we had a wonderful trip full of lots of visits with family and friends.   

Ashton's Thanksgiving finery

 

 

Fun with cousins John & Claire

 

Ashton & Ava were two peas in a pod!

 

Ashton & Aunt Donna (Ashton had his eye on the big screen TV - typical boy! ;)

 

 
 

 

Ashton & Great Grandmom

 

Playing ball with Grammy

 

Sweet Ava, XOXO!

 

Pop Pop & Ashton

 



Fun at Brandywine River Museum



 

 

 

Admiring Wyeths with Grammy

 

 

 

Lehigh girls get together

 

The Malizias, with their newest addition, Luca

 

 

The Baums, with sweet daughters Emily & Caitlyn

 

Mickey indoctrination with Grammy

Goldie & her daughter, Katie, days before they welcomed Baby Samantha to the world!

 

Ashton & Katie



Ashton, the animal lover (with Chloe)

Love,
K & J


 

 

Ashton, the Fish

I've said it before but we have something of a water bug for a son.  He has loved bath time since Day 1, even when his rookie parents got water (and I'm sure soap) in his poor little eyes.  When we moved him to the regular tub, he starting trying to swim in it...so, shortly thereafter we signed him up for the real deal at our local pool.

He loves the weekly swim class and even though he is one of the younger kids in the class, he's very comfortable in the water.  He's a bit of a daredevil as evidenced by his kamikaze-style diving from the ledge and even tolerates the prerequisite 'dunking' while singing London Bridges.

 

 


 



 



 

 

Love,

K & J

Hurricane Sandy

Grammy came to visit just before Halloween.  Unfortunately, this was the same timeframe that Hurricane Sandy hit, which left poor Grandad to hold down the fort in Delaware while Grammy was in Cleveland.  Ironically, the storm was worse in Cleveland where we had 70mph winds and lost power for 2 days (of course, we were still very lucky!).

While most of our fun plans were cancelled, we tried to make the best of things.  And even in the cold, dark house, it was still so nice to have Grammy in town.  You'll notice that in all of the photos that Ashton is in his PJs; it was the warmest thing he had to wear!

 

Breakfast with Grammy

 

Ashton's October trick - cruising the furniture

 

Happy boy!

 

 

Reading one of his favorite books...Peek A Who

 

 

At GrafTech (my work), getting showered and enjoying the warmth!

 

Love,

K & J