9 months and a new baby...

...Camera that is! We got another Cannon and I was very happy with it until I uploaded this picture of Josh. The picture on the camera is clear and not washed out. It only looks like this since I uploaded it. I am too impatient to wait until Ryan gets home to look at it, so here is a cute but washed out picture of my baby boy. He turned 9 months on the 7th and is as fun as ever. He is saying "dada"(he said that first. Zachary was my only to say mama first.) Josh does say "mama" very clearly though. He babbles a lot! He also has three teeth. Two on the bottom and a snaggle tooth on the top. He still loves his food and is now wanting to eat everything we eat. He is a good, fun, happy baby!

Josh 9 months

Zachary 9 months ( with 4 big chompers!)

Allison 9 months (Alli didn't even get her first tooth until almost 10 months)

Santa

It is hard for me to write about my dad because I feel I cannot properly express in words how I feel about him or his passing. Two days ago marked the five year anniversary of his death. Every year at this time when the Christmas music is playing, the decorations are up, the lights are lit and everyone is in the "holiday spirit", it all brings out bitter-sweet emotions for me. My dad LOVED Christmas. He made this holiday most special for us even when money was tight. He wanted us to have memories of Christmas that he never had. I think his most favorite thing about Christmas though was dressing up as Santa. He had the rosy red cheeks, the big round belly, and as the years progressed his beard became as white as snow. He really made a great Santa. He enjoyed having kids (and adults) sit on his lap and tell him their Christmas wishes. He loved everything about this holiday season.

I have thought back to this time five years ago when he was so sick and could not even walk. Allison was only two months old. The holidays were approaching and all he wanted was to look like Santa so she could be on his lap if only for one time. It breaks my heart thinking about that moment. He knew this was going to be his last time as Santa and I am so thankful it got to be with his only grandchild at the time. It brings me to tears to know that all of his grandchildren will not have the opportunity to sit on his lap at Christmas time. He would have loved it more than the kids! I just have to realize that I was blessed to have the best "Santa" around for all the years I did. I need to keep his memory alive by making Christmas special for my kids, enjoying the holiday season like he did, and telling them stories of the greatest Santa around. Love you Santa.