Family Holiday Fun!!

Christmas 2007

We had a great Christmas!! The whole Oldham family came to visit - and though we think they mostly came to see Kaitlyn and to enjoy the 70 degree weather - we think they were glad to see Nell and Jeff too. While the snow was measured in feet in southeastern Idaho, we enjoyed sunshine for most of the week in San Antonio. Even when it did cool down, it was still only jacket weather in the 60s.

We enjoyed lots of fun and games and were glad to spend time just "hanging out" with one another. Shopping, golfing, and trips to Costco were among the favorites activities - Dave, Travis, and Jeff played golf on both Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas. They also hit the driving range later in the week so Josh could try out his new clubs.

We spent one afternoon at Brakenridge Park where we were able to enjoy the nice weather and ride the train. We capped off that evening with dessert at The Cheesecake Factory. Yummy!! The day after Christmas we visited the Alamo and the River Walk in downtown San Antonio; it was a highlight because not only were all the Oldhams there, but we were also able to meet up with Nate, Laura, and Addie who were visiting Nate's family in Houston for Christmas (a big THANKS for making the 8 hour round trip to see us).

The guys also had a great day at the Mooney Aircraft Factory where Brooks arranged a personalized tour. It was pretty amazing to see all the work, especially hand tooling, that went into building those little aircraft. Everyone loved Seaworld (not something most people think of during the holidays) and all the shows. Brooklyn said she'd ride the big roller coaster again just not again that day so we thought that was a good sign.

Kaitlyn went to her first movie and made it through all but the last 10 minutes (National Treasure Book of Secrets). We all enjoyed the flick and laughed when Aaron thought we shouldn't eat our popcorn until the movie had actually started. And with the exception of Nell and Jeff, the adults were able to spend a morning at the beautiful San Antonio Temple. Travis later talked about how that time meant a lot to him that we could all be together in that sacred place.

All in all, we had a great and memorable week and were all still friends at the end!! Kaitlyn was sad to see everyone go and especially confused by the sudden lack of those wanting to hold her and play with her. Luckily, she's adjusting and, albeit a little quieter, her and Mom are getting back into a daily routine.

Kaitlyn's First Christmas

Merry Chirstmas everyone!! We miss you all, but have been blessed to have Danielle's family come and visit this week (more on their exciting trip later). What a wonderful morning to share with our new baby girl! It helps to remind us how lucky -- rather how blessed we are to have Princess Kaitlyn with us. She continues to be an angel and has thoroughly enjoyed having some of her cousins around. Nell and I were thinking about her birthmom yesterday (I do that a lot, actually). We are so grateful to Chelsey and continue to pray for her; we cannot begin to thank her for the wonderful blessing Kaitlyn is in our lives. Please keep her and her family in your prayers as go through the holidays and enjoy the companionship and love within your own families. Anyway, here are a few pictures from this morning. Enjoy.

Build-A-Bear Baby

We received this adorable outfit from the Monson and Woodbury families last week. I thought it was the perfect thing for a holiday party so Kaitlyn got all dressed up to head to the Boerne 2nd Ward Christmas Party. She is adored by all who see her though my friend Heather captured it best when she said, "She looks like a bear from Build-A-Bear . . . only a baby!"

Thanksgiving 2007

We were so excited to have Grandma and Grandpa Dillon and Uncle Chris come down from Utah for Thanksgiving this year!! We even had Jared and Melissa and their family visit from Austin! It was a full house, but we all had a great time!! Kaitlyn, of course, was the star of the show -- not even the brined turkey (Thanks, Chip!) could compete with her.

(Please note that the rest of us are just a supporting cast to our little diva!!)

I never thought I'd fall in love again!!

Jeff aptly summed up the last six weeks when he was holding Kaitlyn a few nights ago and said to me "I never thought I'd fall in love again."

Kaitlyn is a sweet baby and we are enjoying watching her grow and change. We're getting a few smiles now (but they're still rare) and in the last week she has started to watch the mobile on her swing and playmat. Her attention span is short, but she's watching nonethless.

We took her to church for the first time a week ago and then to Stake Conference this weekend. We're 2 for 3 in actually getting to listen to the meeting. Not knowing what to expect when we got to our ward here, we were excited to meet lots of families with young children and definitely excited to know that including Kaitlyn there are 5 infants whose birthdays are within three months of each other. Kaitlyn will have lots of friends here!!

Kaitlyn seems to be growing out of clothes left and right. We also had to leave behind the small bottles last night and move up to the big ones; of course we don't have enough of the large bottles so we'll have to make yet another trip to Target or Babies'R'Us. Is it a problem when the clerks start to recognize you??