Christmas!!!

 This years Christmas was so wonderful.  I'm not sure I"ll ever get used to having no snow for Christmas but, besides that, it went off without a hitch!

It was such a good day.  Quincey understood the idea behind opening up presents and really enjoyed that.  She loved all of her presents.  This year, her favorite goes to a big jug of beads she got from Auntie Dessa.  And what a mess they are!  She takes the whole jug and dumps out hundreds of beads that mama has to clean up from all over the house later.  There are these certain little ones she loves the most that she calls her raspberry beads.  

We had such a nice day.  

All in all, this holiday season has been so fun, relaxing, and full of love and laughter!

The Beans

 Since Quincey was big enough to walk, she has loved to find what we call beans.  There is one certain area at the park we go to daily that has a bunch of them.  She will squat there finding all the beans she can.  They are actually seeds.  She also knows what the seed pods look like and when she spots them, (they are all over,) she rounds them up and has mama or papa get all the beans out.

For over a year now, my house constantly has a bean in the corner, stuck in the carpet, in the bath tub, etc.

I'll miss it when she no longer cares about her precious beans.

Christmas Tree Hunting

 What an absolutely amazing time we had Christmas tree hunting this year.  Joe researched a good spot in our favorite mountains, Jemez Mountains, and we took off the day after Thanksgiving to go find our perfect tree.  

Last year, we didn't really like the location or the trees available but this year, both were perfect.

We couldn't have asked for a better day for it.  There was some snow on the ground but it was still nice outside and there was plenty of areas baby safe for Quincey to explore.  And, to top it all off, right around the bend, was the perfect tree!  I mean, definitely our best tree yet.  

Quincey still talks about the pond we found that was covered in ice and how we threw rocks through the ice and it made "a big splash!"

Such a great family tradition.

The Duck Pond

 I had no idea that there was a duck pond around here.  Our friends happened upon one at the UNM campus and told me about it.  So, I asked Joe about it and he told me there was a different one that Quincey would love so, the first chance we got, we headed over there.  

It was so cute.  Once we got there, Quincey just stood there forever and then finally sat down in the midst of all the goose poop and just watched them.  She was completely enthralled and, not scared at all when the geese started getting a little too friendly, wanting the snacks in her hands.  I didn't bring anything to feed them but it was obvious that they were used to getting fed and, all the other people had bread.  So, I found some cheerios in Quincey's diaper bag and she was able to feed them.  It was pretty funny watching her try to throw one cheerio into the water with so many ducks and geese begging.

We have gone back a couple times and even brought papa with us.  It's definitely been a hit!

And look at that bruise on her cheek!  She fell into her night stand in her bedroom like a week before this and STILL had the nasty bruise.  

Thanksgiving time!!!!

 I was so happy when I found this cute little thanksgiving outfit for Quincey at the Goodwill. It had a turkey on it.  I have been waiting a couple months for her to wear it.  

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and this year we were blessed with our friends coming over.  They left town and moved back to Canada the next day so it was also a farewell.  

Quincey has gotten to know their little son Nolan and their dog Blue quite well.  She still asks for them every couple days.

We had a wonderful evening together and, Quincey was cute as could be in her outfit!

Of course Joe made his apple pie which has become a fun tradition.  He seems to throw it together every year and every year, it turns out amazing!  Like he's been doing it forever.

And, Quincey even made some arts and crafts for the big dinner.  She painted this plate all by herself and I cut out her hand for the feathers.