9 months

He's in the 95th percentile for height and weight.

He's wearing 18-24 month clothes.

{Surprise surprise}.

He's army crawling.

{Which I'm super excited for since I've been lugging around a 9 month old stuck in a 2 year old body. I'm ready to chase that boy! Crazy I know. But, my arms are TIRED and I'm ready for some change!}

He has 4 teeth (2 on top, 2 on bottom) going on 6.

{and slightly resembles a vampire when he laughs}

He babbles "dadadadadadadadada" any chance he gets.

He is now a blonde dutch boy.

He is ready to move past baby food and eat some real food!

{the boy can eat....clearly.}

He wants to be near Kensie all the time.

{Tugging at her. Playing with her toys. Climbing on her. Giggling with her.}



Side note: This is the best Wendy's kid meal toy EVER! Wind up train that goes in circles. Who needs Christmas gifts? She has been playing with it for 3 days straight!



***

We are blessed to have you Mason Gregory!

Christmas is in the house! {a tour}

Since we've been married (6 years ago), I've slowly acquired a fair share of holiday decor. And since we moved into our first home (3 years ago), I think I've put the Christmas tree in a different spot each year!

I like change.

Welcome to this year's Christmas home tour...

Come on inside...

I wanted the nativity to be the first thing I see when heading out or coming home. The entryway is a perfect spot to showcase the setting for Christ's birth.

Now close the door behind you and come inside! It's freezing!

Welcome to the "fireplace" room. It was once a sitting area but is now the dining room.

Greg and my stockings (sewn by my Mama).

I can't wait to have Christmas dinner next to a roaring fire!

And the spot for the tree this year??

**drummmmmrollllll please**

In between rooms! It's the absolute best spot to see the tree from literally every living space in the house! So happy with it this year. 

This is the first year I set up a fake tree. I scored this super nice "Bethlehem" tree after Christmas sales last year. Doesn't it look real?? Bonus: I can leave it up twice as long!

If you'd like to see last year's bush tree...go HERE.

Kensie and Mason's stockings hung on the new little frame I painted recently. I painted it green without thinking "Christmas" but I love how it transformed into a festive little wall hanging.

With sturdy hooks so we can stuff them stockings full. *wink*

And some cookie cutters hung over the sink. I love Christmas in little nooks like this.

The sweater covered jars made a reappearance.

And you already saw the bookshelf but I had to include it in the tour.

 Kensie loves to point out the teeny tiny people in the windows of each house. Everyday. And she quickly reminds me to turn the village lights on first thing in the morning.

Hope you are having yourself a merry little {decorated} Christmas at your house!

***



Best most awesome/exhausting trip ever!

Wow. Where do I even begin...

I {heart} Californ-EYE-A.

And even more, I {BIG puffy red heart} my family.

We spent 6 days completely surrounded by some of my most favorite people in the world doing my favorite things.

Thanksgiving...



Uncle Rick always showing some humor



Apple pies I made under the wings of my artistic Aunt Gwen



Relaxing and playing...

Story time with "Lolo" and Aunt Gwen

playing in the backyard

Disneyland...




Kensie and her three aunt's walking down Main St. for the first time.

 



First rocket ride with Daddy!
(She didn't cry but didn't look like she loved it either...this was her face before and after.)

 

Pluto!

Kensie has been talking about Mickey Mouse ever since...



My favorite shot of the castle...it was stunning.




Disneyland during Christmas time = Uh-mazing.



 

Celebrating my Grandpa Woody turning 90...



Four Generations (minus Kensie)



The community he lives in decorated his golf cart and made a parade in honor of turning 90.
He's a kind of a big deal. :)

Terry and my Mama. Such a happy couple.



 

Aunt Gwen goes all out for parties. Over 80 people came to celebrate! Most of them being family.



Yes, there are 90 candles.



All FIVE of us siblings together again!! This pic means SO much to me.
From left to right--Katelyn. Lauren. Ryan. Me. Gretchen.



  

Meeting lots of "new" relatives and making friends left and right.

Grandma Bebe and Grandpa Woody. They just never seem to age! Love them.

 




My dear Aunt Gwen who I look up to so incredibly much. She's my aunt, my friend and my mentor.



The title of this post says it all. Never has a vacation been more fun and yet more exhausting than this one. 

And after squeezing all four of us into the tiny room pictured above, I've never been more thankful to be home.