Ravioli

This was Alena's lunch today (or what's left of it). She had some leftover ravioli. Some she whipped onto the ground... right side as always. Some was nicely shoved into her mush. and some was used to create "highchair art." She, herself, is part of the exhibit I am told.

This is the second day in a row that she's made some highchair art at lunchtime. Part of it is what I'm giving her to eat; part is Alena showing her artistic side; most of it is just so that she can get another bath! Of course, when I want the bath all clear and ready to go, I've been trying to clean the tub. So, I have to try my best to get all of the chemicals out of there before she takes a dip!! Really, my child is a dip!

Sleigh Ride

Keeping warm on Grandma's lap at the beginning of our sleigh ride. She loved watching the horses following us with the other sleigh. I think she liked hearing the sleigh bells!

Family photo.

All snuggled up by Mama.

All the cousins at Nutzie's for our rest/warm up stop. We have Amanda, Andy, Auntie Avery, Alena and Mama. Alena ate a whole bunch of saltine crackers and a cherry for a little snack. She even drank water with a straw!

More Splash Splash Time!

Watching the water fill the tub... gotta make sure Mama does it right!

Yeah, we're OK here... getting excited and lookin' cute!

Whew! That was refreshing!

Rolling over and splashing up a storm!

After lapping up some oh-so-tasty water :) She loves this pose whether she's in the bath our out!

A Growing Child

Alena is growing up so quickly! She has been pulling herself up time and time again... it won't be long before she's walking! The other day, we were lucky to capture her trying to "escape" from her crib. We had just lowered the mattress to its lowest setting because we didn't want her flipping out over the side.

New Year, 2010!

Uncle Greg (Alena's Godfather) decided it would be great fun to put Alena in Aiden's toy basket! Aiden and Caleb look on in horror!

"Where am I?"

Mama, get me out of here! (In all reality, she kinda liked being in the basket because Aiden and Greg gave her toys)

Can you believe it that most of us girls have been friends for 10 years!?!

Alena and Aiden both got New Year's Day baths. We naughty parents just couldn't resisst getting a few naked bath shots!!

Austin, Laura and Aiden Schmitt were kind enough to host a New Year's Eve party at their house (and kind enough to host us :). There were so many boys around, and Alena was the oldest girl. Kiera Poludniak and Olivia Arciszewski were the other little girls around. We had fun chatting, and catching up with other adults witle the kids played and played! We also got in a couple of rounds of Hoopla. Alena went to sleep nicely before 8pm, but seemed to know when the New Year was close because she woke up at 11:45. Needless to say, she got to stay up to help us ring it in. She got some kissies from Mommy and Daddy!

Thanks Austin and Laura for opening up your house to us :)

Christmas Take 3

Here we are at Grandpa Cance's house, getting ready to exchange gifts.

Opening another gift to Alena from Uncle Jake and Auntie Ashley.

Pulling herself up on her next gift!

The Auntie's thought it was fun to put Alena in a gift box full of shredded paper. Mommy showed them how she likes to be tipped and moved around like she's in a racecar!

So cute with her reindeer antlers on her head. Always playing around!

Christmas Take 2

First, she got to open some gifts with Mommy & Daddy :)

Then, we went over to Grandpa & Grandma Cerkas' house where she got to tackle another present with Uncle Nick!

Grandma Hawkins was very happy to have Alena at her house on Christmas morning (especially after the treacherous drive the night before)!

She loved her gift from Uncle Jake and Auntie Ashley!

She had to get all scrubbed up so she wasn't so smelly. Grandma and her Aunties washed her up and had some fun in the process! She looks like some kind of cartoon character.

Alena's First Christmas Take 1

This was one of the first Christmas gifts that Alena opened. Our neighbor, Lorraine, brought the present over earlier in the day. It was so nice of her to think of Alena!! In true Alena style, she had to give it a taste test first thing. She puts EVERYTHING into her mouth! We thought that this particular instance was pretty funny!