Christmas 2011

Our own little Rudolph

So excited about her "Tangled" book!

Jenna was a so fun to watch this Christmas.

Every present she opened brought pure joy to her face!

Taking her unwrapping seriously.

I love that she gets excited about clothes!

That's my girl!

Opening her present from Daddy.

Jenna loves to draw.

Feeding her baby yogurt.

Leading the music.

We enjoyed being home and spending time together. 
It was nice to have the time off!

O Come Let Us Adore Him!

 

We are thankful to have this season to reflect on the 

birth and life of our Savior Jesus Christ.  

He is the Son of God 

and we know all things are possible because of Him. 

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We hope 2012 is a wonderful year for all!

Santa

Our local Costco had Santa come the weekend before Thanksgiving.  We braved the long line of anxious parents and kids to have our turn with the jolly elf.  Jenna was an angel!  She was so patient waiting in line.  When we got close enough to see Santa, Jenna wanted to be held so she could see him.  I was nervous that her first encounter would result in tears and screams.  She is very wary of people she doesn't know, especially men.  She has a scowl that lets you know exactly how she feels about you.  Jenna watched the girl in front of us, who was probably 4, freak out when it was her turn.  I thought for sure this would set Jenna off thinking Santa was scary.  Thankfully it didn't!  We walked up and I tried to put her on his lap, but she wouldn't have it.  Santa handed her a treat, which she accepted gladly.  She allowed Santa to have his hands on her shoulders as she sat in front of him.  It took about 4 pictures before we got a little bit of a smile out of her.  All in all, it was a good experience.  When we were done and walking away, Jenna wanted to go back to see Santa again.  I'm so glad that there was no melt down!  I told Austin we wouldn't have to do this again until our next kid was 2.  And who knows when that will be?

Merry Christmas!

Love,

The Cowleys

Christmas Day

I know I'm behind since it is now February and I'm just getting Christmas posted, but life, which is always busy, has been even busier these last few weeks. With school starting back up after the holiday, grades were due, sleep was not happening, and sickness hit. Then we had parent/teacher conferences and more sickness. We are glad to have January over with!

Christmas Morning

Coming out to see what Santa brought.

Jenna checking out her presents.

Santa brought Jenna her own rocking chair.
Now she can "rocka, rocka" anytime she wants!

Rocking her new baby in the "rocka chair".

Jenna LOVED opening the presents.
She knew exactly what to do!

Giving love to her new pillow pet that daddy gave her.

Trying to figure out how to maneuver the stroller.
She had a hard time with turns.

Austin must have been a good boy this year!

Jenna is so happy in the bath!

Visiting Great Grandma Summerhays

"Grandma Great" opening her presents.
Mallory was her little helper.

A nice bed jacket to wear and keep her warm.
Lovin' the shades Grandma!

My Dad and sis Shannon

Jenna and Daddy

Jenna with "Grandma Great".
She will turn 94 in 2011!

It was fun to be able to have Austin's parents and his sister Whitney over for Christmas dinner. We made a ham, cheesy potatoes, rolls, and Christmas Jello. It sure was tasty!

Mom and Dad Cowley opening their Christmas gift.

We were able to go in together and get them a Kindle.
They were so surprised!
What a Merry Christmas it was!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours a safe and wonderful Holiday Season!
We love you all!

Jenna's First Christmas

I have been trying to get this post out for a month! Life has been crazy and really busy. Being a mom, wife, and working full time takes up all my time!

Christmas was hard for me to really get into this year. The craziness of going back to work full time was not meshing with excitement for Christmas. At first we weren't going to have a tree. Our little apartment isn't big enough for a full sized tree because of the rearranging we had to do when Jenna was born. I know you don't need a tree to make it Christmas, but to me it wouldn't have been the same. Austin was voting for no tree. I finally decided to get a small fake tree from Robert's Craft. By the time I got around to buying the tree it was the week before Christmas and there was only one small non-lit tree left in the whole store. I brought it home and knew it was pathetic looking, but at least it was a tree. Once I got the lights on it (I re-strung it twice), and the ornaments, it actually looked quite cute.

The tree

The stockings were hung...

Austin and Jenna

The best present of the year!

Jenna liked the paper more than the presents!

Austin was so excited for Jenna to get Snow White!

Mama and baby
I was so excited to spend Christmas with my little family. I know Jenna didn't understand one bit what was going on, but that didn't stop my enthusiasm to wrap her gifts and open them for her!

Jenna's haul!

Ingrid Michealson, gotta love it!
Austin also surprised me with a new car stereo! I can now listen to CD's in my car again!

Austin with his surprise gift!

My friend Jen sent me the best package! It was the gift that just kept giving! I don't know how she stuffed that box so full. Thanks for all the great stuff Jen!

I guess you could say we might have gone a little overboard with the electronic gifts this year.

It isn't Christmas unless you have Christmas Casserole! Yum!

We went over to my parents to talk to my sister Meghan who called from Brazil. It was so good to hear her voice!

My mom embroidered this adorable baby sampler. It has Jenna's name, her birth date, height and weight. It was such a thoughtful gift!

Austin sporting the bow from one of Jenna's gifts. He looks like a 1920's flapper!
Every year my mom gives a bear to one of the grand kids. This year she gave it to Jenna.

Jenna in her cute Christmas outfit.

My beautiful sisters Shannon and Eliza with Jenna and Mallory

Austin and Shannon
Lisa and Mallory (Mallory didn't want her picture taken. Sorry Mal!)

Jenna trying the Bumbo chair
She had been doing so well with holding her up we thought we'd try it out.

Ready for bed after a busy but fun day!

My little Mei Mei in her Christmas jammies!