Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Kraatz-mas 2009!

Maebry's first Christmas festivities began in the middle of December with Christa's work Christmas party. Mae got all dressed up and won over the crowd of County Committee members and Christa's coworkers. She even ate some homemade sweet potatoes at dinner time. Maebry made it all the way through the evening before finally passing out.

Then...after a break during the weekend, the three of us hit the road for a WHIRLWIND tour of Christmases! First, we headed out to Rockne to have a great time at Lloyd, Susan and Kolton's with Mark and Cherie and the kids. We snacked and opened gifts and poor Susan had JUST broken her heel...but as always, she had prepared a great afternoon and we enjoyed it very much. Then that evening we headed over to Grandma Thompson's for the BIG Christmas get together...and the first time for many of Christa's family members to meet Maebry...and what did she do? She went to sleep about 5:30 and slept alllllll evening! So family was able to meet her...with her eyes shut and butt in the air! =) Still...it was sweet and a lot of fun. Thank you Grandma Thompson for letting our sweet Mae borrow your bed.

We headed home about 10pm, packed up and got to sleep. We woke up Mae Day at 7am on Christmas morning, bundled up the family and headed out to Mamaw and Papaw's house in Richland Springs. We arrived and Mae was up, so we went straight into opening some GREAT presents that Maebry began enjoying...immediately! She started her musical career with her Learn N Groove table and her driving career with her first car steering wheel and horn! What fun! We had a fantastic lunch and dinner, some really nice time spent with Mae's cousins, great aunts and uncles.

Finally, the day after Christmas, we had lunch with Mamaw and Papaw and headed back out on the road to Grandmomma and Grand-daddy Kraatz's house! Mae spent the afternoon enjoying the spoils of the day with tons great gifts including her ExcerSaucer which she waisted NO time getting started having a blast! She was able to spend time with Poppo and her great aunt Sandy and great uncle Ron. After all the travels and toys...she went to bed early and passed out for a long winters's nap.

Below we share proof of the joys of spoils of Maebry's very first Christmas!!!

Here is Mr. Stromberg, one of Christa's producers, at their annual Caldwell County Christmas Party. We celebrated with a white elephant exchange and dinner.

Here is Mr. Kelley, former CED, negotiating for his Whataburger gift certificate. I don't think he ended up with it...poor guy.

Here is a group shot during the Christmas party. Dusty came home with a skillet and sauces, and we can't remember what Christa came home with because everyone stole her gifts. Four different times.

Aunt Pam is holding our little miss in her cute Santa hat.

Mae looking a little surprised but her Great-Aunt Elisa is ready for all the Christmas festivities.

All those presents are for ME!!

Thank you Great Mamaw for all MY presents! MINE!

Hey there cousin Jadyn, thanks for letting me chew on your teething ring. I hope you don't want it back.

Thank you Mamaw Charlene and Papaw Gary for my awesome musical table .

Look what I got...a Sophie! I am going to give you a kiss, I mean a chew.

Grand-daddy why are we watching other people open presents.

Well, I guess my mom can open one present. This one was for me too. We both love our new Vera Bradley tote. Thanks Grand-daddy and Grand-momma.

How cute is this photo. Merry Kraatz-mas to all.

This photo looks like is suppose to be in advertisement for Exersaucer.

Did you really think I was not going to have fun with all of the toys?

Merry Christmas to me!

We had to do this photo because my mom wanted me in this Christmas outfit posing by my Christmas ornaments. Oh Christmas!

How cute are the ruffles on my bottom?

Oh boy, I hope all Christmas's are this great!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Mae Went Dashing Through December

Greetings! Wow, it's actually been a COLD winter thus far, which has been great fun dressing Maebry up in plenty of warm clothes and cute accessories...purely for added warmth, of course! =)

December has been crazy busy for both mommy and daddy. Christa has been kept PLENTY busy at work trying to wrap up a program by it's mid-month deadline, and Dusty had a big production at the beginning of the month for Genghis Grill. Thank goodness we have the amazing fortune to not only the best grandparents EVER, but our very helpful Ms. Teri as well.

Mae has been trucking along with her solids, still loving those yummy sweet potatoes best. Sleeping has been getting better off and on. We definitely have nailed down a pattern for night night time. Christa gets home and she gets to feed Maebry the solid food du jour, then we have a little bit of playtime/wind down...then as soon as we see the face rubs, we put on a fresh diaper, change her into her nightgown, then mommy sings the "greatest hits" and lulls little bit to near sleep. We lay her down and hope for the best lol...just kidding, she normally goes right to sleep and we get to eat dinner and have our own down time.

Below we have posted some of Mae's cutest winter garb and smiling faces. Enjoy!


Mmmm...BREAKFAST!

This bow is so big it brings out the smile in both mommy and Maebry!

Forget the BOW! Did someone say "CUPCAKES"!?!?!?!?

How do you even put a caption on a look that cute?

Mae letting her locks down, waiting to get rescued...or fed.

Cutest. Toboggan. Ever. Thanks again Uncle Troy!

Looks Tootsie, Gilmore Girls is on...AGAIN! Ohhh, Daddy!

"Come with me if you want to live."

You think this one's adorable...wait for it...

Now Showing: The next cover of American Baby magazine! =)

This brings our fashion show to a close...please tune in next time for our Christmas Special!

Love,
D, C and M

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Mae....Meet Santa Claus

Well, 'tis the season, and we decided to brave the mall and take Maebry to meet Santa for the very first time! Dusty and Susan took Maebry to Barton Creek Mall in Austin. Their Santa was AMAZING! The official photo is to come, but here's a little clip of Santa and Mae...year one.


Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Mae Laughs Last!

Here's a special little mid week Mae Day treat! Make sure to watch allll the way to the end!