The Eve of Christmas

Finally a moment to breathe. Oh wait, nope... Need to add to that blog thing. So where were we? Ah, yes, Christmas.

Starting December 24th.

We opened up gifts at our house in the morning. Kara got some some clothes, a princess tent set, a Elmo Live and some other items. Kara's mom got a new watch, jewelry box and tickets to see Jewel in concert come January. Kara's dad was given a large frame filled with photos of him and Kara along with some other fun gifts including, but not limited to, pajama pants and a box of Captain Crunch.

Later on in the day we made our way over to the Heintz farm where we opened gifts with Becky's family. It was a lot of fun getting to spend time with everyone and not have to be in a hurry. Everyone opened their gifts and was able to open a few up there to show off and play with.






After gifts we all had some chili and had a chance to sit around a talk. There was also enough time for Lance and Joe to get in a game or five of Mario Baseball.

At about nine in the evening we left for Nevada to meet up with Lance's family to go to the Midnight (11pm) church service at the methodist church. Kara was running a bit low on sleep through the day and could very well have put us through a very intersting service of not only Christmas carols but a little Christmas crying as well. But we were pleasantly surprised when she fell asleep as the service started and didn't make a sound during the whole service. Layne on the other hand only wanted to be standing up so was taken to the back of the sanctuary and still coundn't resist to make a few sounds during the silent moments in the ceremony.

Afterwards we managed to keep Kara 'mostly' asleep for the car ride home.

The next morning was Christmas.

Back For More

So we were away from the blog for a while. I think we all survived just fine. Perhaps you were prompted to read a book as the alternative. However, now that we have returned to the site and signed in for another update I am sure that everyone can sleep at night knowing what is is that us Hardings are doing. So here goes with 'catch up' post number 1...

Kara is now crawling over to things and pulling herself up. We are definately enablers as we are assembling toys that help her do so. Se enjoys following us to the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and office. So the entire house is fair game. Here is some footage of the other night when she made her way to the kitchen.

Soon after this day was Christmas. We have pleanty of pictures to put up from then. Hopefully we can get those up soon.

Chocolate Break

This isn't a long post but sometimes it's more about the quality rather than the quantity. With that having been said I now leave you with the photos that show what happens when a mom leaves her daughter unattended for 30 seconds with mini candy bars.

Holiday Photos

Earlier this week we went to a local photo studio for some new holiday photos and an updated photo of Kara for our wall and our families. We were weary of how it might go because Kara had skipped her second nap that day and could have decided she was done at any moment but she made it through and all of the photos turned out great. Unfortunately the photos won't be done for a week or so. However, I happened to have my camera around before anyone came in. I'm sure they frown upon people doing this but, considering we don't care, here are a few photos we took.





If you find that you need to see more than those...

Kara Visits Santa

We were made aware of the presence of a certain St. Nick here in Ames. It seems that he manged to take a few days a week away from toy making and list checking in the North Pole to single out a local Wal-Mart Supercenter here in Story County, or as my friends and I like to call it... Sto-Co. I am almost certain Mr. Kringle does as well. But I digress...

So we knew it was time for Kara's first photo with Santa. We were a little disappointed with their set up for the photo. In a room with 10 or more decorated Christmas trees they decided that the best option for the photos to be taken was clearly in front of a cardboard background of a fireplace and tree. Then we remembered... It's Wal-Mart.

With the countless stories (not to mention photos) out there of horrified children sitting on the lap of a stranger dressed in red and white velvet, we were prepared for the worst but Kara was a very big girl and even managed to smile for us and the camera caught a great shot on the first try.

As soon as the photo was taken she turned her so we weren't sure if turned out but we got to see it on the camera and it was about the best we could have hoped for.

If the photo wasn't enough...

Uncle Joe Visits

Saturday evening we had the distinct pleasure of Kara's uncle Joe coming to visit. He always enjoys entertaining Kara and, if at all possible, Henry.

First there was a game playing with laundry baskets. I know, right? Something so simple. Now you too know what to play with when at a loss for things to do. After that it was bath time for the Goob and Uncle Joe provided some entertainment there as well.



During all of the excitement we found Uncle Joe had sneaked away and was trying on some of Kara's princess wear.


Interesting.

Eventually the Goob went to bed and we were able to get down to business and play a game of Phase 10. Both Lance and Becky felt sorry for Joe as they knew he would surely get ridiculed for the photos of him in a crown and baby glasses so they let him win. It seemed to make him happy. Next time we may not be so generous.

You're going down, Joe. Just like the Philadelphia Eagles. ...Burn!

Christmas Tree in Nevada

Friday evening we went to Nevada and met up with Lance's family for dinner at Mi Casita. Afterward we went back to the house and started putting up the tree as there is less than 3 weeks left until Christmas.



Aside from Layne trying to eat the Christmas lights, the tree went up without any problems.

Thursday

This evening we went out to eat at Applebee's in Ankeny with Kara's Grandma Harding and two uncles. Now that cell phones can record videos you can record things in the most unlikey of places. Until your daughter grabs the phone from you.

Once arriving home we did our nightly routine per usual of giving The Goob a bath just before bed.

It's just a shame that there was not camera running when she flipped over Henry's water and food onto her pajamas once she was ready for bed. Thus making us find new pajamas and try to dress her again.

Photos

Visiting an apple orchard outside of Minneapolis...




Halloween 2008...



Visiting Grandma and Kay...



First couple days crawling...



Putting up our Christmas Tree...

More Christmas fun to come...

Number One (time to catch up)

Figured we may as well start one of these things. Can't say we are huge blog fans but we'll see how it goes. Maybe in 2015 we'll look back and say, "That was a great Idea." Time will tell. Anyway, let's sum up...

Early October we moved into our new house. When I say 'our' I mean we rent. And when I say 'house' I mean that someone lives in the basement so they call it a duplex. However, we have the front door and he needs to come in through the garage. We also control the thermostat so, clearly, we have the better deal. So far so good aside from the moderately annoying dog inhabiting the basement that insists on barking every time we open the back door. But I digress.

Moving was slow but we now have about 98% of everything we own here. It's a three bedroom with a decent sized living room, kitchen and bathroom with a washer and dryer. A step up from an apartment but not our own place yet but what can you do?

About a month ago we decided having one kid around wasn't enough and went out on a mission to find a cat. We ended up at the animal shelter in Nevada and found a 4 month old kitten.

We picked the one with white on his face and feet. He was appropriately named Henry as my wife would not allow Indiana for one reason or another. It will be nice when he grows up a little. Some say he is just a kitten. I say he is mildly retarded. Aside from breaking things and wanting to sleep on your face, I suppose he is a good cat.

Kara just turned 9 months 2 days ago. Just prior to that (about a week ago) she finally figured out how to crawl. So now she is more or less everywhere. As I type this we are fulfilling our daily ritual of eating some lunch while watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

In an effort to catch you (whoever reads this) up on the last two months I will add another post with some photos. Should be fun. Until then...

That's all I got.