What A Year

We spend a fun weekend at Grammy and Poppy's in Dubuque for the New Year. What a year we've had. While it's been one of the toughest for the Taylors, it's also one of our best. It's the year of Leo. He's amazed us and taught us so much beyond measure this year. With that, we look forward to 2012 and wish all of you the happiest of New Years!

In regular Leo fashion - he learns quickly. During this week, Leo starting standing, crawling well, cruising and is starting to get pretty gutsy with those first steps.  Check out the action shots.

He's pretty darn independent in his walker. 

Yes, this is a picture of my Poppy falling asleep and me playing with his iPad. 

Nice babysitting, Poppy!

We visited my sweet friend Julie and she let me sit in the princess chair in my "ensemble." Yes, again are you surprised? That's a word I use.

Leo watching intently while Grammy shows me the piano

Can you guess what he did? Yes, bang on the keys!

Three Christmases - Part Three

We had a great day at Grandpa and Grandma T's. We got to see my sweet cousin Annabelle. She loves me. And she and Leo are going to be causing trouble together soon! Well, they already are. Check out the video of the screaming contest. Yeah, I left the room for that one.

We all love her sweet cheeks!

Leo has an "old man shirt" like Daddy!

My horses. I already know all their names.

"Leo, what's that behind your ear" - yes, Annabelle's very advanced

Leo loves his Elmo rock star. Annabelle? Not so much.

Three Christmases - Part Two

Merry Christmas from Santa's Helpers!

Santa treated us well this year. I had fun really getting into the Santa thing and of course, telling Leo all about it. He seemed to be more interested in the wrapping paper, however.

Paints, paints, paints! I got my Christmas wish! And I also got a black eye from the ping-pong table at the Christmas Eve party. Oops.

Video of a budding artist

Three Christmases - Part One

Three Christmases? Yes, in our family that's how we roll. Part one - Christmas Eve with our gigantic awesome family. 

You can barely see us - that's me in back on my Dad's shoulder. Mom's head is somewhere in there. Where's Leo? Upstairs sleeping.

Grammy and Poppy's Grandkids

Mommy, Daddy and Leo - I'm downstairs with all the toys at this point, see you later!

Hmmmm.....I guess that's where I was. Don't worry, Soph and I are just stealing strawberries. But I bet you this photo will show up in 21 years. 

Pre-Christmas Fun

 We did so many fun things while my mom was on her winter break. 

It was my first time to Lights in Lincoln Park Zoo with Auntie Debbie and Uncle Pat. Ask me about Uncle Pat scaring a monkey and I will be sure to tell you the whole story. I told it to the Target cashier, she was quite impressed.

 Christmas cookie decorating with my BFF cousin, Sophie. Way too much sugar was had. See Sophie in action on Sophie's blog!  Don't worry, Auntie and Mommy don't always let us eat off the floor.

We DID get a little snow. Not enough. People, I got new snowpants and a sleigh! The lack of snow is "frustrating." Yes, imagine that, "frustrating" is my new favorite word. And my snow dog who is supposed to pull sleds? Hmmmm, she needs more work. 

Santa 2011

What a week I've had! And today I got to see Santa with my cousins. It's hard to believe this is my 4th year visiting Santa and Leo's 1st. It was a pretty close call at first due to the scary elf. However, I spent plenty of time on Santa's lap and (again) told him I wanted paints. I also told him Sophie wanted "beautiful things, too." And Clara and Leo? Well...maybe next year...

I am not sure that Santa's Elves look like THAT

I sweetly told him that I would like paints

This was before Leo realized what was going on...

...and now he realizes.

Little Girl in the Big City

I got to go to work with Dad today and talk into microphones. Apparently I was very chatty and had quite the knack directing "in the booth" - surprised? I loved riding the choo-choo train. Meanwhile at home, Leo learned to crawl and attempted to escape from his crib all in one day. 

Leo practicing his new tricks when he should be sleeping

Tiny Dancer

Today Mom, Dad and Leo got to see all my moves at ballet. What a show I put on! We'll have a video to share soon but for now enjoy some pictures! And try to imagine all that you see AND me talking the entire time. 

Leo vs. House

Leo is going to tear apart our house once he gets mobile. And he'll be crawling any day. In his walker, he's taken down a chair, tortured the dog, dumped over her water bowls, taken my toys off shelves, wiped all magneted things off the refrigerator and cleared our bookshelves with one fell swoop of his chubby hand. He's got his eye on the tree. Mom's watching him...

Christmas Rock

Well, Mom tried to get pictures for our Christmas card.
And that's when Leo figured out the rocking chair.

St. Nick!

I am fun this year. I am really getting into the whole St. Nick/Santa thing. Mom and Dad said I had to be good and stay in my bed (I have been getting out a lot these days) if I want St. Nick to put stuff in my stocking. Wow! Leo and I got matching jammies and hats! Now let's just see if Mom can get a proper picture for the Christmas card. We'll see about that.

The North Pole in the Rain

This weekend we went to the North Pole! Well, we actually went on a bus from the Geneva community center to see Santa, Mrs. Claus and Reindeer at a farm. That was a quick trip to the North Pole!

Grammy got Leo all bundled up to see Santa.

There was a new friend for me at Santa's workshop!

Wow, a real reindeer!

Mrs. Claus read us a story and I wanted to sit by her elf helpers.

Leo's first Santa sit!

I was a little apprehensive at first, but I just started talking to him (surprise)...

...and then I just kept talking to him. I asked him for paints and a teddy bear.

Mommy and Leo in the North Pole rain

These next three pictures took place in about 30 seconds. 

Yes, my brother can sleep anywhere.