Early Christmas Party

On December 10, 2008 we celebrated an early Christmas with Aunt Nancy, Uncle Lon & Grandma Kessler at our house. I think Sonora enjoyed her first celebration! Here is our Christmas tree...

Aunt Nancy holding Sonora

Steve opening up his present from Uncle Scotty & Aunt Tammy and Taylor & Reid from guess where? Minnesota!

Aunt Nancy showing off Sonora's new pink uggs (purchased WAY before she was even born!)

I'm showing off my new lipstick from the box of makeup that Nance bought for me! Any girl's dream, right?

We tried to take a picture of Sonora with her Great-Grandma and Sonora didn't want any of it!

Suesse is showing off her new joker's hat!

I think Sonora wanted more presents! How much longer until the next party?

Fowler Christmas Celebration

Last Saturday, December 6, 2008, Fowler had their annual Christmas tree lighting and craft festival. We opened up the office during the celebration since the street was closed off in front of our office and a lot of people were going to be there. We decorated the office and served cookies to the people who stopped by. We were dressed for the occasion and made sure Sonora was too!

The Fowler Christmas tree!

There was big crowd out there - we didn't venture out too often, it was cold!

A local Fowlerite (what do you call a person from Fowler?) brought in her bass flute to play for two boys who wanted to hear it but couldn't because it was was too loud outside. I had never heard the bass flute before and it was beautiful.

The CustomEyes staff saying "Merry Christmas" to you!

More pics from Thanksgiving Weekend

Here are the pictures of Greta (Amy's college friend) & her fiance, Jonathan, holding Sonora on their trek back home from Northern California. We were so glad they were able to stop by and see Sonora for the first time!

On Sunday, we were able to go pick out a tree for Sonora's first Christmas. Although she slept through it all, I think she had a very memorable experience.

Thanksgiving weekend

We had a great time over Thanksgiving weekend as we were visited by two of Amy's friends (one from high school and one from college - pics to come) and were able to spend time with both of our families. It was so nice to have 4 days off together as a family! Wish we could do it all the time....

Here is Suzanne Ellett with her daughter Kate who is about 9 months old with me and Sonora at 5 weeks. Thanksgiving at the Farris' on Thursday was fun! Steve & his dad carved the turkey, while his mom made sure everything else was done and put on the table.

Me with Sonora on her first Thanksgiving...
We can't believe how fast Sonora is growing...she can almost touch both sides of her bassinet already!

Just a cute picture of her in her boppy!

Our family!

Sonora in the fall leaves - I thought she looked beautiful!

The Friday after Thanksgiving is the annual Christmas tree lighting in Kingsburg. We went this year with my whole family and it was so cold Sonora had to stay in her "pod" the whole time.

Isn't she cute though?

Aunt Wendy holding Sonora.

Cousin Jordan holding Sonora. You can see how much he loves her!

On Saturday we went to the Hillcrest Christmas Tree Farm in Reedley, an old tradition of our family that we finally got to do again this year. Here we are on the train.

And my sister-in-law Wendy with Corey, Jordan & Riley

Riley is swinging away on the rope swing

The Kessler boys laying in the leaves - what a great photo (and everyone is actually smiling!)

Aw, fatherly love :)

Me and my mom

Steve & Sonora in front of the cornstalk maze - the boys sure had fun in there!

Team Kess in the sunflowers: I think by this time the boys were slightly tired of the extreme photo ops, hence their corny expressions. ;)

One more of our family in the beautiful colored trees at the farm. There is a baby under that sweatshirt!

What a great 4 days!

3 weeks old and growing cuter every day

Aunt Reba came by to hold Sonora for the first time.

Aunt Nancy & Uncle Lon (see next picture) stopped by for some bonding time with Sonora on their way down to So Cal.

Uncle Scotty was in town from Minnesota and came by to meet the newest member of the family.

Sonora turns 2 weeks old today!

Sonora went to her 2 week check up at the Pediatrician's office today. She weighed 7 lbs 2 oz and 20 inches. So she's definitely growing and eating well! This is her doctor, Dr. Sidhom in Visalia. She was extremely hungry at this moment, so I'm surprised that she had stopped crying while we were taking a picture!

Sonora thinking deeply while sleeping. Wonder what she's planning for us today?

Sonora's final 3 first cousins came over on Wednesday night to see her for the first time...Haley (the only other girl in the family). She was instantly smitten with the cutie.

Randy, who also was excited to hold her...

and Carter, who said when he first met her, "she's tiny!"

We can't wait for all the cousins to grow up together and have such special relationships. Sonora was born into 2 great families!