Happy Holidays!

We Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Photos complements of Linda Gentry Photography.

Winter Wonderland

POO REPORT - Omaha was buried under 12 inches of snow last Tuesday, and we were snowbound until Friday morning. We

received another inch or two this morning. I did some work from home and kept an eye on the little man while Nicki used the time to complete her immunology class (She got an 'A'!!...she is a kick-ass mom). In between, we
shoveled snow, finished some 'in-home' projects, and took turns skiing the streets and parks of Omaha. We also took Finn out for a spin in the 'Bob', and watched the chaos that happens when this much snow hits a midwest city.

Our home is in the bottom of a small valley, which means we had quite a few people stuck near our house, unable to climb the snowy hills out. Over the weekend we headed out to with the Camenzinds, took a tractor ride, marched around in the snow, and cut down a seven-foot tall, seven-year old spruce, Finn's first Christmas tree. Nicki played the lumberjack this year. Once again, Yoda adorns the crown (thanks Mistereks!). It is now so cold here that Manuel refused to ski with me today...brrrrr.

Click here for more wintery photos

Home Sweet Home

Jason and Finn in front of the collegiate Peaks

We have been on many adventures over the last couple weeks. We left the week before Thanksgiving to head to the hills, the hills of Colorado that is. Our first stop was in Fort Collins to visit our friend Mike Scott. After a fabulous lunch we headed to Dillon. We spent many relaxing nights there then headed to Glenwood Springs and New Castle to visit old neighbors and friends. We even stopped by Osage Organic Farm, where I used to work. It is a beautiful property on the Colorado river with tons of greenhouses and land for planting, and it is for sale if interested (click here). We left with some yummy herbs and produce and headed to Kate and Rick's up at the beautiful Ranch at Coulter Creek. The next morning we had a delicious breakfast at the Village Smithy with more friends then on to Durango. We landed at Jenni, Brett, and Bennett's house for Thanksgiving. We spent our time hiking, fishing, shopping and EATING! It was wonderful! Finn even learned to sign "more", my smart boy! Now we are home trying to settle in for a few weeks...until our next adventure! Click here for more pics from our trip.

I think Finn was getting a little stir crazy in the car...

Finn's favorite song, Finn Carter Alexander, Finn Carter Alex-an-an-der!

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha (literally!)

If Gavin Chard gets the crazies before bed, Finn gets the sillys. He is a giggle monster some nights and it doesn't take much to get this contagious laugh going! Jason gets home tonight from his 5 weeks away (he was home some weekends), but it has been a VERY long go for him. I'm not sure who is more excited us or him. Next week we leave for Colorado. We are very excited to visit friends and our beloved mountains. Until then, here is the silly man in action (sorry for the dark video).

Busy Bees

Finn on Halloween

We've all been busy bees lately! Last week Finn and I flew to St. Louis to spend time with the Alexander clan, while Jason was busy working on the Belle Fourche River in South Dakota. Finn loved playing with his cousins and seeing his grandparents. Here are more pics from St Louis Fun.

Finn went in for his 9 month appointment on Monday. His doc thought he looked great and was right on track for everything, still a little bit small 10% weight, 30% height, and 55% head (large noggin). Of course we think he is perfect!

I love this pic!

Nana Peggy and her boys.

Go Big Red!

Thank you Grandma Sue (our favorite adopted grandma) for the Go Big Red gear. We are all ready for the big game today so I thought I would post a picture and a video of the little man. Go Big Red!

9 months and countin'

Little man is approaching his 9 month mark. He is still a happy go lucky little guy, but he does not want to sleep ALONE! I don't blame him, but the sleep training has been tricky. I'm open to any and all suggestions, however, I'm sure I've tried them all! And this too shall pass...

We have been trying to get some hikes in at the state parks before it gets really cold, but I don't think that will stop us (note the snowy picture below).

A walk in Elmwood after the crazy snow last weekend

We've been to Platte River State Park and Schramm State Park in the last two days. The beautiful fall colors have been amazing!

Schramm State Park

Our Kitchen remodel is almost done! We just have some minor touch up work, but otherwise done! And it is wonderful. So come on over and we'll cook ya something!

Jason has been out of town the last couple weeks and he has a couple to go. So Finn and I will try and stay busy, in fact we are heading to St. Louis to visit the Alexanders next week. More pics to follow...

Nana Peggy

Nana Peggy came to visit last weekend. It was great. We went to the zoo, out to our favorite breakfast place, and played, played played! Here are some pictures from last weekend.

Finn and his fish

Riding Skyfari at the zoo

Happy Teeth

Jason and I took turns taking the little man on hikes this week. Monday Jason went to Schramm State Park and yesterday I went to Hitchcock Nature Center. We are trying to enjoy the last few WARM days. Here are some pictures from beautiful fall hiking.

Schramm State Park


Hitchcock Nature Center

Niobrara

Last weekend we went to the Niobrara river. It was wonderful! Mom hadn't been in that part of the state in over 10 years, and she had never canoed it, so we decided it was time. We rented a cabin at Sunny Brook Campground just south of Sparks, NE. It was a little rustic for mom, but she did great (no running water or bathrooms, oops, next time I'll ask...). We drove through the wildlife refuge on our way to the campground and saw lots of Bison. Then on Saturday a trip to Smith Falls, the largest waterfall in NE, and onto our canoeing adventure. We saw many smaller waterfalls, a few people at the beginning of our trip, and mom paddled through a class II rapid (and many smaller ones). We spent the rest of the time by the campfire and even listened to the Nebraska game for awhile. Here are some pics from our adventure.

Finn giving the thumbs up
We're off...
Stairstep waterfall, our favorite

Bison at the wildlife refuge
Beautiful Sunset
Happy Camper

Wine-O Bee

Bye Bye Niobrara, until we meet again...

Teeth!

Last week one, this week the other. Finn got both his bottom teeth over the last couple weeks. He really hasn't complained much, just a lot of chewing and drooling. Tonight he picked up one of his daddy's rocks and chewed away, taking time in between to smile in delight. I'm not sure who was happier Finn or Jason...rocks, who knew?!

Finn's been watching Football games with grandma, helping remodel the kitchen (which is almost done), and seeing his cousin Riley off. We will miss our Riley, she was so wonderful with Finn and just great to have around, she is off to bigger and better things, Job Corp.

Finn standing in his crib, he is always trying to break out!

Go big RED man!

7 month photo shoot!

Last week we had so much fun with our friend Linda. She came an did a 7 month photo shoot with us at the house. Finn was a ham as you can see. If you want to see the entire collection click on this link (or let me know).

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=9b577rlb.bxudz8q7&x=0&y=ufzo0g&localeid=en_US&cm_mmc=site_email-_-site_share-_-core-_-view_photos_album

Crawling...Man!

Big news, big news...yesterday Finn crawled for the first time! I guess you could say it was more of an inch worm kind of thing, but forward movement none-the-less. Here is a video from today.

While we were in Colorado for Lindsey and Dave's wedding we made an unexpected trip to Missouri to honor our Aunt Margie. She passed after battling Ovarian cancer for over two years. We were able to be with friends and family to remember her. She was so special to us (See posting from June 12th to see a wonderful picture of Margie and Finn). On the day of her funeral, two of our best friends (Jaime and Cindy Boock) welcomed their baby boy Paul into the world. It made us smile on a day filled with so many tears.

(Here is big Sis Sarah with Paul)

Lindsey and Dave's Wedding

They got married in beautiful Marble, CO.
It was one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever been to.

Us...

Canoeing

Finn had his first canoe adventure last Sunday. He did great, not just because he slept most the way down the river, but because he is such a good little man (it helped that Steve was with us too). So happy all the time. How did we get so lucky...

Amy, Steve, Doug and James were in Omaha for a visit too. It was a great weekend!


The little man loves his exersaucer, Jason calls it his "Office"


Finn even got a visit from Great, Great Uncle Glen Nabb