Sooooo B-I-G!

It's hard to believe another year has passed us by. Remember this little baby-o?

 I can't believe those cheeks and that round little face! Although it was just after these pictures were taken that Susannah started crawling- December 23rd! I remember that she went straight for a blueberry that was on the floor and ate it before I could stop her! She has not stopped moving (or eating blueberr-e-e-es as she calls them).

Last year we had our family Christmas early and then headed to Rock Hill to celebrate with Matt's family. Susannah loved discovering the gifts from Santa! 

I am trying to remember why I thought this Tiger Xylophone was so cute. It is played regularly here on Knollwood Lane and can drive you to the Tylenol pretty quick!

 Chubby baby on Christmas morning...

 Hanging out with Mimi...

 Thrilled with the music box from Pop... and this is still a favorite of Susannah's. She loves to watch the horses spin around.

 Enjoying the gift- unwrapping...

This book from Aunt Emmy has helped us through many a plane ride to OK. We can read it over and over again and Susannah always finds something new to talk about. It's hard to believe our girl is growing so fast. We are looking forward to seeing her delight at Santa's stash this year! I am definitely not including any instruments!!!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

The decorations are out, the tree is trimmed and lots of ornaments have been "rearranged" (or possibly dismantled, decapitated, hidden in purses, etc.) several times. It is a whole new adventure to decorate with an elfin assistant who likes to test her limits!

This is her "I promise I was not about to break something or rip the garland off" face. "What me? Never!"

This morning we had LOTS of friends over to kick off our Christmas season with the 3rd Annual Dunbar Christmas Brunch! We I love getting all the yummy food ready and decking the halls on Knollwood Lane. Matt is a fantastic sport and even picked up leaves in the dark last night! I think it was worth it, though! What a festive little house!

 IF you look closely, you can see Susannah's new stocking. Thank you Mia for such a beautiful gift. All her friends loved it too!

Oh yes, there are presents under that tree, and luckily Susannah has not yet realized that they can be ripped open. It's a good thing, too. Most of them are for her!

 I wasn't sure if our house could hold 6 girls between 19 and 27 months, but we did. More little ones came later, but here is the largest group we had at once. From left to right- Madeline and mommy Rita; Elizabeth and mommy Laura; Susannah and me; Berkeley and mommy Meg; Ella Grace and mommy Emily; and Natalie and mommy Coleman. The daddies were here too, but they were busy chatting and eating- and taking our pictures! We are so thankful for all of our wonderful friends!

It's beginning to look a LOT like Christmas here at the Dunbar house! Merry Christmas to you!

These Boots Are Made For Walkin'

This girl is hip. This girl is stylish. She knows tall boots are all the rage

 and the girl knows how to wear them- over her pants!

 She has them in both black...

and brown!!! Work it Suz!

I Just Called...

to say I Love You! The End!

Susannah has spent A LOT of time on the phone lately. She "calls" various members of our family to ask how they are doing, tell them she misses them and loves them and usually ends with some kind of greeting, i.e. Trick or Treat, Happy Thanksgiving, Night-Night, Merry Christmas, etc.

This morning when I brought her out for breakfast, she ran to her phone, picked it up and had the following conversation:

Hi Uncle Steve J! How are you? I miss you! I love you! Do you have a Christmas tree at your house- with lights? Night, night. Bye-bye. The End!" 

You know, you spend those first several months dreaming of the days when your baby can talk to you and tell you what she needs/wants. Well, for me those days seem so long ago.

BOOMER!!!!

Oh yeah, there was another big "thanksgiving moment" this weekend.
Our Sooners won Bedlam!

Boomer Sooner!!! Onto the Big XII Championship!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with the Captain, Mimi, Pop and Aunt Emily. Susannah had plenty of cookies and plenty of attention, so she had much to be thankful for!

 

Susannah said a beautiful prayer! 

Before we sat down for the meal, there was much preparation to do. Susannah and Daddy made some deviled eggs. (This is a Southern thing at every holiday!)

While Mommy did lots of cooking, Captain, Daddy and Suzy went on a nature hike and Susannah climbed her first tree (with some help from the Captain, of course).

After dinner there was some playtime where Susannah tried on the Captain's shoes...

stripped down to her diaper and boots and demanded a ride in her play stroller.

and we all ventured down to the park to slide, find dandelions and kick the ball. 

What a wonderful day with much to be thankful for! Hope all of you had a wonderful weekend!

Giving thanks for fall...

Lately, we have been thanking the Lord for a lot of things around the Dunbar house. Susannah loves to pray and thank God for all the people, places, numbers, letters, toys, experiences, etc. What a sweet thing to hear and a great reminder that we really do have so much to be thankful for.
I am thankful for a healthy nearly 19-month old who loves to help her momma. 
We have a beautiful magnolia tree in our backyard that produces some not-so-beautiful seed pods. Luckily my little helper and I went on a pod hunt and filled up this trashcan.

She also was quite helpful at throwing picking up leaves.

Oh yes, we have so much to be thankful for and Susannah made a list. Here it is!

Her list starts with colors, then lists friends Berkeley, Ella Grace, Joseph, Daddy and Mommy, animals, elephants, the color orange and the park. I am not really sure how she managed to leave tutus off that list. She is clearly sporting one in this picture and demanded it throughout the morning.  Apparently she was in the mood to twirl.

Among other things, I am thankful that my little baby isn't trying to grow up too fast. She insists on sitting in her baby's stroller while watching Sesame Street. 

Happy Thanksgiving!   Much love to you all!

Crafts, Coloring and Christmas

We did some serious coloring and crafting while Ibby and Mana were here. We made some ornaments, Ibby and Mana did a LOT of coloring and many a hand-turkey were created. Susannah loved having such willing participants in her coloring camp. She is quite the little commander when it comes to her "colors" and she likes you to perform on the spot. "Draw a mommy! Draw a kitty! Draw a snake! (not sure about this fascination!) Draw the Suzy!" Mana and Ibby were always usually willing to oblige.

Ibby and Suz decorating a Christmas tree.

A rare sight- Susannah coloring by herself.

Ornaments made (kind-of) by Susannah

Aunt Mana doing a hand turkey on Susannah.

Susannah doing a hand turkey on Aunt Mana.

Although this last picture doesn't have anything to do with crafts, coloring or Christmas, it does perfectly exemplify who was in control during the visits from Mana and Ibby. It is clear who called the shots, isn't it?!? What a loved little girl! We have now spent about 2 hours without any visitors and so far, she has asked about them no less than 20 times. We love and miss you Ibby and Mana!!!