Busy Day

We had a busy day today! First we went to meet Brad for lunch at Cheddar's. But it was too crowded so we went to Phil Sandoval's. Mexican is Camden's FAVORITE!

While we were eating, Gary H. walked by. Of course, Brad got his attention by throwing out his Michael Jackson "A-Hee-hee!"

Then Brad & I took cheesy self-portraits of ourselves in the parking lot. It only took 5 tries to get one with Brad's eyes open and me not looking like a turkey about to get it's head cut off.

After a trip across town, visiting with Nana & a Target run, we stopped in to visit Danielle at her office.

Yes, that is another high-quality photo courtesy of yours truly. I really need to get my photography business going! Camden had fun chasing Danielle around the office. She taught him a new game - slap your hand. He thought that was the funniest thing ever! He also thought it was funny to run into patient rooms while they were having their teeth cleaned! Dr. K - I think you need to get some doors on your patient rooms! I saw our my dental hygenist there. She left my dentist's office just after Camden was born. I was so glad to see Janelle & show off Camden to her. Camden also made a new friend in the waiting room. I'm sure that nice man was relieved that we left before his appointment started! We sure had fun visiting with all of our friends - both old & new - today!

O Christmas Tree

Camden had already been asleep for hours by the time we got the tree totally decorated. Actually, Brad had been asleep for hours, too!

Here is Cam's first look at the tree the next morning. See the look of awe in his eyes?

Or was that a glint of mischief. Yup, definitely mischief. He managed to pull off an ornament even though it was tightly attached to the tree limb.

Then he had to investigate under the tree. Or maybe he was just chasing Jasper.

He offered several non-ornament objects to decorate the tree. Like this green ball. He had the right idea...until he started putting koozies & pens in the tree.

Our beautiful Christmas tree, with all new, kid (& cat) approved, shatter-proof ornaments.

The laziest & fattest elf of them all!

Mommy's Little Helpers Pt. 2

Finally the Cuteness got up from his nap & offered to help me put up the tree. Thank Goodness!

Wait a minute, it looks like he is going to tidy up the tree first. Interesting...

Uh oh! Looks like he's off to bigger & better things.

I never would have thought to store my souvenir hand grenade cup on my plunger! Thanks Cam! I think the irony was lost on him how those two items really do go hand in hand.

As you can see, all thoughts of assembling the Christmas tree are gone. I think we are about to start dueling, instead!

Nope, the duel is off. Now it's time to make Mommy think she's gone crazy by stealing this holiday rug and leaving it in different places!

Mommy's Little Helpers Pt. 1

I had some stellar help decorating the Christmas tree.

No, you are not drunk - this picture really is blurry. Well, maybe you are drunk, but the picture is still blurry. My sub-optimal camera skills & my wiggly wild toddler make for some high quality pictures. I should really start a business!

Here I am looking all cheesy. Who knows why? Not me! I think it's time to buy some new yoga pants - those aren't doing me any favors! Neither is my $5 "Ho Ho Ho" glittery t-shirt from Walmart. From last year. I think I got my $5 bucks out of that jewel. Maybe I'll abandon my new photography career to be a fashion stylist!

Hey Brad! Wrong holiday! It's Christmas time, not Valentine's! At least he actually helped me with the tree. After I asked, pleaded & nagged for a week, he finally put the tree together (after I brought it downstairs from the attic!). Then he helpfully attached the ornament hooks to the ornaments. Yes, that really is a two person job.

Before I convinced Brad it would be in his best interest to put up the tree, I tried to recruit some other helpers. Here comes Cracker to inspect the tree. You can really tell what a big cat he is in this picture. He weighs about 18 pounds.

Taking a closer look...perhaps planning the best course of action...

Hmph! I guess Cracker's idea of helping is to keep the tree from floating up to the ceiling. Thanks Cracker!

Here's 2 more of my helpers that didn't do diddly squat.

Y'all make better decorations than helpers!

Elmo Outfit from Grandma Cathy!

Grandma Cathy sent Camden this super cute Elmo outfit! I love the puffy vest.

Doesn't he look adorable? Elmo would be so proud!

Once again, Camden is wondering why he has to have his picture taken before he can even get his juice in the morning!

It didn't take long for him to decide he wanted to take the vest off. Ha!

Camden is newly fascinated with his stuffed puppy that Karl & Cyndi gave him before he was born. He loves to give the puppy kisses on the nose!

Camden does this all the time, he puts his sippy cup inside an adult cup or koozie. He thinks he is so clever! (I do too, actually!)

And here is Brad, um, well, I'm not really sure what he is doing! Care to guess?

Reindeer Outfit

My friend Susan made this awesome Reindeer outfit for Camden! Isn't it the cutest thing ever? I just love it.

I took this pictures first thing in the morning, but Camden was too busy playing to pose for me.

And I didn't grab the camera (or a bib!) quick enough - as you can see he had already drooled all over his shirt.

"Aw, Mom, can't you stop taking my picture already and just let me play?"

It's a little hard to tell with these high-quality photos, but Camden's name is embroidered in the red ball next to Rudolph. Such a cute holiday outfit for a little boy! I Thank you, Susan for making this adorable outfit for Camden. Susan has her own web boutique & makes all kinds of cute outfits for girls & boys! You visit her boutique, Sara Says here.

Thanksgiving '09

Okay here's the few random pictures I took on Thanksgiving. How did I not get a family photo? Too busy cooking, eating, cleaning, reading the sales ads & watching football, I guess!

Also, I didn't get a picture of my Dad or Brad's Dad!

Of course the highlight of the meal was watching the Cuteness. Everybody was trying to take a picture of him at the same time!

"Y'all are so funny!"

We were delighted to have Amanda & Paul join us.

Before the meal, Camden got mad when Nana left the room and he was trapped in the highchair.

Still mad, but look at the beautiful table.

The Cuteness being funny.

One of the most fun things we did on Thanksgiving was play Football Bingo. I found the bingo cards on the Family Fun website. They had 2 versions, one for the parade and one for football. We didn't get to watch the parade but we certainly watched football! We didn't have prizes, but everybody really got into the hunt for items on the bingo card. I highly recommend playing this. It would make a fun game while watching your favorite College Bowl Game or the Super Bowl!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. I don't think I even have to tell you what I'm most thankful for this year, but I will anyway: My wonderful family & my amazing baby boy Camden!