Snow Day/ Inauguration Day!

Today is an extra stolen day to be with Skylar at home; an unexpected blessing. After waking up to see that school had been cancelled for the day as it is snowing outside, Skylar and I spent the morning playing in the snow, coming back in to warm up with hot cocoa (cold milk) and playing with her toys. Now as she is all snuggled up taking a nap, I am watching history being made in Washington, DC, as past presidents and justices are making the walk down history lane, toward the future of an America for "Change". 

So, today is a stolen day where I can be with Skylar and watch history and pray for real change to happen over the next four years. I wish you all the best, Obama!

The last of "The Loveshack"

Last weekend Skylar and I headed to Durham for a bridal shower for the last of my college roommates to get married, Anne. She is going to be a beautiful bride when she marries Alan is a few months!  While in college, I lived in a house aptly nicknamed "The Loveshack" as all 5 of us are now to be hitched!  Skylar was terribly shy at first, hiding behind mommy's legs, but slowly emerged from her shell so that by the end of our time she was fearlessly looking through the kitchen cabinets for fun toys to bang, going through the trashcan, and running behind the chairs to play hide-and-seek. 

The beautiful bride-to-be

Jessie with Skylar- Jessie got married about 8 months ago!

Notice someone peeking out behind the chair? 

Skylar looking in the trash...

Skylar looking through the cabinets- you can see she has already been through the cabinets behind her.

Christmastime!

This year we spent Christmas eve with my family. My mom and I spent the morning going to the hospital to welcome the newest little addition to our family, Micael, born on the 23rd; going by the cemetary to visit my dad's graveside, where we were happily surprised to see that his plaque had been delivered and set up in time for Christmas. That evening we went over to my aunt's house to celebrate with my extended family through food and presents. After that, we went back to my mom's house with my brother and his family to open presents between us. After a quick tour on our new roller skates (thanks Mom!) we packed up with Skylar's favorite toy of the night, the chipmunk, and headed off to Oak Ridge, TN to spend the next several days with Ken's extended family; a once-every-two-years special tradition.

In TN, we spent 5 days with Ken's extended family, all 23 of us, at Ken's grandparents house in Oak Ridge. It was a great time, with a great family, whom I am sooo blessed to be able to call my own now. I was really refreshed by the end of the 5 days; and all of Ken's family now knows our dirty secret of having a daughter addicted to soda. Seriously. 

Three of the Nebraska Stirlings playing "Santa" and passing out presents.

Precious child snuggles. Ken thinks he is the man. 

Skylar really liked the air mattresses and refused to get off of it even after it was deflated.

Looking in her stocking for more stuff.

I love all of the shoes grouped in the background. And how nosy Sky is! :)

Skylar LOVED opening presents and tried her best to open them all before it was time. When I wouldn't let her open hers, she tried to steal presents from the other kids... 

The aforementioned Chipmunk.

Better late than never...

Even though it is several weeks past due, I wanted to post a few pics of Skylar's first Christmas tree decorating. Since we were busy with school, work and moving, we decided not to put up a Christmas tree at our house this year. Therefore, since my mom did not want to put up a tree by herself (she wasn't sure if she wanted one up this year anyway since this is the first Christmas without my dad), she waited until we came into town a few days before Christmas and we put it up together with her cousins. Skylar had a great time getting the ornaments out and putting them on the tree- however she picked two spots to put all of her ornaments and just shoved them back into the tree. Of course we left them all where they were. :) 

One of Skylar's ornament spots.

She also enjoyed the boxes...