A Christmas tree just Quinn's size!

Thanksgiving 2010

Steve, Quinn and Pete

{My parents are currently remodeling their living room. Hence the multi colored walls!}

Grandpa and Quinn playing peek-a-boo!

Thanksgiving was a success!

We headed to m&d's for a noon lunch and were able to spend time with them along with Katie and Pete.  We headed out just in time for it to begin snowing.... for our second thanksgiving at Steve's aunt and uncle's house, about an hours drive from my parents.  We were able to enjoy another delicious thanksgiving meal {yum!}, and more importantly, see more family!

We are blessed!  I am so thankful:

For my Savior, Jesus Christ and His promise of eternal life in Heaven...what a comforting thought!

...for the gift of faith from God!

For a healthy family! 

For a home... and

...a home that is filled with peace, love, kindness...

For food in our fridge and pantry...and the ability to be able to afford dinners out at restaurants every now and again!

For two cars that work and provide us with safety!

...For the support of our families: parents, siblings... ahhh, what a real blessing this is!

...and the gift of friendship!

It really is fun to count your blessing and be reminded of how much we really have to be thankful for! 

Quinn is walking!

Yesterday {11/23/10} I was able to capture some of Quinn's walking on video!

Bubbles!

Story time!

Oh how I love this photo of these two!

It's the little things that we look forward to most! {Like story time before bedtime!}

Awww! 

Quinn is 9 months old! {11/20/10}

Because my little guy can't sit still for even a second...I had to get creative with his nine month photos!

Somehow nine months have already come and gone...

Quinn is growing like a weed and just today actually, accomplished a new and very exciting milestone: He can officially walk for more than just a couple of steps before toppling over {11/22/10}!  As excited as Steve and I are...I am also thinking, 'oh boy...we are really going to be busy now!'

Some new and exciting developments for Quinn:

He is still crawling as his primary means of transportion!! He realizes that if he wants to get somewhere fast, crawling is his best option!

He has been cruising around furniture for a couple months now, and just last week we started noticing that he would let go of the furniture and balance by himself.  This quickly led to the first few 'brave' steps where he would eventually fall down, but then get right back up again!

He is starting to blow kisses and give me kisses!

He can wave bye-bye!

We are starting to introduce him to more of the food we have at dinner, instead of only the food I make just for him.  My hope is that he learns to enjoy a wide variety of foods {not just the stuff associated with kids: mac 'n cheese, pizza and chicken nuggets}.

He loves music and bobbing his head along to the beat! {Our church has a praise band, and Quinn loves listening to them play!}

...Those are just a few of his very exciting and new milestones! We are having so much fun watching him learn and explore!

Walking soon?

Solution for a baby who wants to be near mama 24/7!

Solution for when you have a 'clingy' child who will not let you get anything done around the house = put them in a baby bjorn.

Not only does this allow one to still be able to tidy up the house, it is a great workout to have a 20+ pound baby strapped onto you while you bend down to pick things up (great for the legs!)

And it makes for a great bonding experience with baby!

Baby Bjorn = happy baby, clean house, strong leg muscles.

Baby Biscuits

Baby biscuits are so good! {at least this little man thinks so...}

But they are also SO ridiculously messy!!

So much in fact...that while Quinn is eating one, I yell out: "NOT IT!" {for cleaning him up after he's done with his treat!!}

These pictures do not fully describe how messy he really is! 

Out for a walk with friends!

Sydney and Quinn on their first ever walk together. Let's be honest...Sydney slept the entire time :) 

How cute is this li'l peanut?! She just turned three months old!

I have a feeling these two are going to be good pals :)

Thanks for the walk on such a beautiful day, Angie and Sydney!

Happy Boy!

What's better than waking up from a nice, refreshing nap and then getting to play with the sun shining on you?! 

One of these is not like the others!

Can you spot it?!  Don't mind the yogurt he has smeared all over his lip!

You may have noticed I take lots of photos of Quinn in his highchair! There is a reason for this: it's the only place where I can get a decent face shot because he is unable to crawl away from me! 

Swing(ing) it up!

A boy and his dog. One of life's simple pleasures!

Today's lesson: We do not eat leaves, or grass, or twigs or pine cones. I think it may take awhile before Quinn remembers {and follows} this very important rule!

We took a walk to enjoy the beautiful {and very warm for early November} weather! We want to enjoy it for as long as we're blessed with it...we all know weather in the upper Midwest changes quickly: today's high is supposed to get to 65, by Saturday, we'll be back to the 'average' for this time of year... around 44!

Hurricane Quinn

This is a common sight in our home (specifically the kitchen!) Stuff EVERYWHERE! And to imagine this is on a day when Quinn isn't feeling his best...he never slows down! I think he's picked up another cold...poor guy. He was up from 1 to 2am and then again around 5, and wasn't happy being held or being in his crib...he just didn't know what he wanted, and I felt crummy myself so I had compassion for the little guy since I knew exactly how he was feeling.

He's finally down for his afternoon nap, so I better wash all the Tupperware that Hurricane Quinn left in it's wake!

I'm starting to notice a trend in every. single. photo. {of Quinn!}

Can you spot it too?