Christmas 2009 and New Years 2010

This post is a marathon but we had a very eventful holiday season and I want to include it all!

A few days before Christmas my cousin, Dayna, got married. My dad and I were able to attend the ceremony and Allie was an awesome babysitter for Navi in the waiting room. Nate unfortunately had to work that day and I don't really remember where my sister Bekka was. Haha Bekka. :)


The newlyweds Jake and Dayna. So pretty!

Christmas Eve
Navi with Great-Grandma Judy at Christmas Eve dinner with my Mom's family. A tradition that goes back as long as I can remember.

On Christmas Eve night we stayed at my family's house and Santa found Navi there. I like to be there on Christmas morning to watch my sisters open their presents since I help my Dad buy their gifts.

Christmas Day

In our family, Santa wraps his gifts in special BROWN paper. He also spreads the presents out all over the living room. Obviously I'm biased but I think it is much more exciting to see all the gifts spread across the living room (under the light of the Christmas tree) instead of sitting them out unwrapped on the couch. Boring! :) This is one tradition Nate knows I won't budge on.


Navi in the middle of the loot.





One of Allie's highly anticipated gifts - the Twillight series! Girl screams! AHH!


Navi was very spoiled on her first Christmas and she really enjoyed ripping open her presents. Of course she was more interested with eating the paper instead of what was in inside it, but there's hope for next year.

Bekka and one of her favorite presents - a PBR (professional bull riders) playstation game. I like to tease her that if someone would have just seen her pile of gifts without knowing who's they were, they could have mistaken her for a 13 year old boy. Ha, but that's why we love you Booie.




Christmas day afternoon we all go to talk to my brother the Elder. He sounded great and had some fun mission stories to tell us. We are so proud of him and can't wait for him to get home.

After we talked to Cade, we went back to the Buttars' for Christmas dinner. It is always fun to get together with all Nate's siblings and their kids, but we missed his sister Tif and her family who live in California! Navi especially loves to watch all her cousins. Before everyone arrived for dinner we got to open the presents that his parents gave us and Navi.


As you can see, she got spoiled once again. We did too for that matter! His parents go into A LOT of work to make it a great holiday and we really appreciate them.


Since Navi couldn't make a Christmas list this year, I requested a cabbage patch doll for her. I got one my first Christmas and she, "Noni", was my favorite doll for many years. Don't you love cabbage patch babies' names? Navi's was "Concha Corrinne". I'm thinking she'll go by Corrinne...



Her favorite toy is her Lion. She can ride on it to start and it transitions into a walker later on.






On Christmas night Nate's sister, Ashley, brought her new Wii game to share with the family. Needless to say, "Just Dance" was a HUGE hit. I'm not one to get up in front of people to play a game, but I couldn't help myself with this one. Turns out I'm pretty good too! Haha, but really, if you get a chance PLAY IT!!


Here are some of the cousins.


Ashely, Darrell, Marianne and Brex showing off their moves.


Nate, his brother and two brothers-in-law. The sisters and sisters-in-laws totally beat them score wise. Better luck next time boys.



We are very lucky to be able to share our Christmas with both our families. It was a great one!



NEW YEARS 2010

We celebrated New Years with my Wallentine family at a party at my Dad's. As Nate says, when you're with Wallentines be prepared for lots of LOUD stories and LOUD laughs. But I love it!


The next night, January 1, we had a party with our friends. Andy and Mallory Hutchison are excellent hosts and we had lots of good fun and lots of fun.


Here are some of the girls that were at the party. Traci, Alisha, me and Mallory. (I stole some of your pics Alisha! Hope you don't mind)


The cute kids at the party. Navi; Alli and Baby Jane, Andy and Mallory's girls; Cache, John and Anna's little boy; and Tag, Rem and Traci's newest boy. I love that most of Nate's friends are now dads!


And of course the night wouldn't be complete without more dancing! Here are some of the guys getting their groove on to "Womanizer". Ha.


And here Mallory is kicking all their butts.

Happy 2010 all!

Deep in the Heart of Texas...In May.

Grandma Buttars has been in town the last 2 weeks and we stayed very busy! We spent time at the pool, shopped till we couldn't shop anymore (hard to believe, I know), and when Nate was available we were able to sight-see a bit. We visited the historic Ft. Worth Main Street and stockyards the other day. Supposedly they have an actual cattle drive every day right down main street. We didn't catch it, but did see some other rather cool stuff...
(just a few more weeks Bekka and you will be in heaven)


This goofy guy walks around with this longhorn steer on a halter letting any old yahoo jump on and take pictures. (yes, climb on)

Just call us a couple of yahoos.

We also stopped by Arlington where the Texas Rangers' field is and also where the snazzy new Cowboy Stadium resides.



We had so much fun with Grandma and are so glad you were able to come spend time with us. I believe Navi was really beginning to think that being so spoiled and held non stop is indeed how life is. :) We're grateful for all your help, and it was especially nice to have someone else to hang out with while Nate was gone all day. Thanks again, we love you!


And here are about 1 million and 42 pictures of Navi. Mostly it's for all the aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and any other unmentioned family at home. However, if you are none of those and would still like to comment, feel free. ;)

We sent the Elder this picture in his birthday email. Happy 20th! (holy cow)

Yes Ash, another photo on the carpet with no blanket...don't judge me. :)

Hard day at the pool for Miss Navi

The ever-so-hard to catch on camera smile. But so worth it when I do!



So cute!



And last but not least... an attempt to capture some of her "talking". She turns out to be a bit camera shy because anytime I try and film the cute cooing, she suddenly stops. This has been the best video yet..which really isn't too much talking at all. Someday we'll catch it.