Holiday Road Trip

We broke in our car DVD player for a road trip to see family in San Antonio (how did anyone travel with kids before these??) this past weekend.

Granddad and Aunt Meredith teaching Mer the fine art of cookie dunking
Enjoying the Christmas tree

A highchair with history-- my brother and sisters all ate here

Woo hoo-- Mexican brunch!

Guitar Hero is So 2007

Last year's Guitar Hero gift had nothing on Rock Band. The girls were so cute rocking out to Nirvana! Who knew?

Merry Christmas!

I thought this year would be all about the wrapping paper and not the gifts, but Mer really got into it.

Big girl bowls!

"OMG, I've been wanting this!"

Mischievious Mer

I only turned my back for a second...

Pics That Didn't Make the Xmas Card Cut

La Nina
Adoring Mom and Dad

Mer and Dad

Jess + Mer = BFFs 4ever

I love how Mer is dipping her toe in the grass in this pic

Let It Snow

It's snowing in Houston tonight! And it's sticking (for now)! And it's beautiful!

The Things You Say Before You're a Mom

Before I became a mom, I had always promised myself that I wouldn't subject my child to a Santa photo until she was old enough to decide for herself. But the other day, Mer and I were strolling through the mall and there was not a SINGLE person in line to see Santa (is Santa feeling the economic pinch too??), so I couldn't really resist. Mer didn't love it, but she didn't hate it either, so I haven't scarred her forever, right?

The Cupcake

Some video of the cupcake moment.

The Big One, Part II

We celebrated Mer's 1st birthday in Arizona with a party at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, a wonderful place where I spent much time growing up so it was extra special. The weather was beautiful-- perfect for grilling burgers and enjoying a little touch football. And fortunately, the brutal and disgusting stomach flu that my brother passed on to basically everyone at the party didn't strike until after the festivities (thanks again Zach!).

Family football game with Gigi front and center
Our ramada

Mer and Dad

Party guests, pre-flu

Mer and Cousin Dylan waiting for a double-stroll around the park

The Big One, Part I

Since we're going to be in Arizona on Merritt's actual 1st Birthday, we had an early celebration here in Houston last night with Eric's family.

Caterpillar cupcakes
First cupcake!

More squishing than actual eating (thank goodness!)

Opening gifts with help from Dad and Cousins Kayla and Abby

Of course the box alone is as exciting as the toy inside

BFFs II

BFFs

New Tricks

The obligatory "gimme five":

And a backward wave:

11 Months Old Today and a Bucket of Fun

Our Little Punk, I Mean Pumpkin

Merritt got into the Halloween spirit at the family dinner Eric's grandmother hosted on Sunday (thanks Gammer!).

Milestones

At the tender age of 10 1/2 months, Merritt can now drive a car (kind of) and feed herself with a spoon (sort of)! And yes, we do a lot of drooling on our shirts and eating dinner in our diaper around here.

Feeling Fall-ish

Even though we're still having 90-degree days here, we got into the fall spirit this weekend at our local pumpkin patch. Merritt loved watching all the kids run around and even picked out her own baby pumpkin!