Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Okay, a little late, but you know me...Hope you all had a fabulous Holiday!

We're finally back to the land of the living after battling a cold for the past few weeks. I didn't even look at the computer for a week, then one thing led to another and I'm barely getting around to updating this. How in the world did Halloween turn into Thanksgiving?!?

This is a bit of what we've been up to:

Ashlyn Updates
Having a baby on the go certainly makes you very aware of just how dirty floors are!

Of all the toys we get to try and entertain her, Ashlyn apparently finds stairs the most amusing. She's turning into a little dare-devil. She'll stand up to the gate and shake it. The other day she was trying to climb over it when she ended up pulling the gate completely down and tumbling to the floor. No worries - it's only 1 1/2 stairs that we can't block with the gate and she was shaken but totally fine. Enough so that she was right back trying to climb over it again that night. Ever since she discovered the stairs I've been working with her on getting down the "safe" way. She's doing pretty well, but every once in a while will still try to go head first and then laugh about it......little stinker!

Leaving a trail of destruction in her path, Derek has tenderly nicknamed her "Ashlyn the Destroyer". She's certainly not quiet or stranger shy. She gives slobbery kisses & loves to give high-fives. Still only has the two bottom teeth & is learning she would rather feed herself than have me spoon feed her. She'll copy us in saying "mamama" & "dadada" but doesn't put meaning to it yet. She's cruising furniture and can stand on her own for a couple seconds. She does love to hold hands and try walking though so I'm hoping she might be walking on her own by her first birthday. We have a neighbor that is ten days older and she has been walking since 8 months - crazy!

Our Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a nice & quiet Thanksgiving. Even though it was just the three of us, we did the whole shebang. It was really good, but by the fourth time of eating leftover turkey dinners, we're ready for it to be over :)

Derek set an example of how to play with your mashed potatoes, and Ashlyn loved her stuffing & sweet potatoes.

Last night we went to the Mesa Temple to see the lights display. Having lighted palm trees does not create nearly the same winter wonderland effect as the snow, cold, and pine trees of Temple Square. We were a bit disappointed, but it was still fun and will take a distant second as a favorite new Christmas tradition.

Hope Ya'll are doing well & Thanks for Checkin' In!