Connor's Crib

Dakota - Week 44 - Dakota's First Christmas & Sierra's 2 Yr BDay Party

As you can expect there was a lot of crazy fun for Christmas this year. Being Dakota's First Christmas, Momma was sure to photograph ALL of it!

First came the annual train decorating activity at Gigi and PopPop's house. Sierra was a great help this year!

After decorating the train, Uncle Sean, Aunt Jo and Devon arrived making it time to open presents. This was the first time that Dakota opened a present. She picked up the "ripping" skill really quickly!

We even had stockings to open.

The highlight for me were musical. Gigi and PopPop gave me my first drum set. As soon as we made it home Momma set up a mini-rock band for us. The concert was great!

And Daddy built the doll house that Gigi and PopPop had given Sierra for Christmas. We are some very lucky little kids!

Momma played with a couple of the photos of me with the guitar that Uncle Sean and Aunt Jo gave to me. Watch out world, I have my album cover already!

Then it was onto Christmas morning. By far the family favorite was the Bat Cave, complete with a cast of supporting characters for everyone!

Tazz enjoyed Christmas morning too! She is always a great one for opening presents quickly.

Sierra even helped Dakota with her presents.

Dakota was soon executing the opening process on her own.

By the end Momma had the satisfying mess that she has come to love!

And we had lots of new fun toys to play with. Foosball anyone?

Even Tazz made out with a brand new bed to replace her old one.

And you might have thought that would be the end of our day. Not so... then it was on to Grandma's house for more presents. Dakota loved her treats.

Sierra made friends with her new doll.

By the end though, we were all TIRED. They say a picture is worth one thousand words, and Dakota summed up our Christmas best!

If Christmas wasn't enough for the week a few days later it was time to celebrate Sierra's 2nd Birthday Party. Winnie the Pooh was the theme for the party - Sierra's favorite bed time stories these days...

Daddy helped with the candles.

But the cake was all Sierra's!

Then it was time for the presents!

Sierra dug in with a passion not seen in most two year olds I'm told!

The payoff was great - Daddy of course had the challenge of unboxing everything. Luckily he is a smart Daddy.

Sierra asked me to thank everyone for helping her to celebrate her special day. It is such a blessing to be able to have our family here for these milestone.

Dakota - Week 43 - Christmas Tree Hunt

Momma came back home during the middle of the week and we immediately started planning our Christmas Tree Hunting trip. Going to the tree farm has become an annual tradition in our family. As it was Dakota's first time, she had to have the necessary pictures taken by Momma.

Sierra just wasn't into finding the perfect tree this year. We missed having an extra set of arms to carry her. Taking pictures helped. But it wasn't until the candy cane treat at the end that she decided she might just like Christmas Tree Hunts.

Momma was successful at getting us all in front of one tree. All three looking at the camera was an entirely different matter...

But after confirming we would do a dog tree and Momma agreeing to the "perfect" one. Daddy got down and dirty.

Then it was time to haul the tree to the front so they could wrap it up for us to bring home!

See what I mean about how much happier a candy cane can make a girl?

And just because I am still the cutest guy around, when Momma pulled out the stockings I came across Daddy's old stocking. Momma couldn't resist this photo opportunity.

And in case you were wondering about how things are going at pre-school... This Christmas Ball is a gift I made with my teachers for Momma and Daddy at school. It made the perfect ball for our "dog tree" to chase!

Dakota - Week 41 - First Steps without Fingers

Momma was certain that Dakota was going to start walking while she was away in India. But my little sister gave Momma great present just before she left - she walked on her own pushing the red wagon just before Momma left on Saturday.

We also tried to catch it on the camera, but the focus wasn't really working out for Momma.

Then I blew Momma a kiss to take with her!

Dakota - Week 40 - B & B - Birthday's and Baptisms

Since one major holiday is never enough when the Foys and Surrettes get together we thought we would add a couple of more fun events to the week. First on Friday it was time for an early celebration of Devon's 3rd birthday. The cake proved to be as yummy as it looked!

Then it was time for Dakota and Sierra's baptism.

Dakota was a beautiful angel in her long white gown!

While Sierra did a good job of reminding everyone of Julia Robert's movie "The Runaway Bride".

Momma did finally wrangle Sierra, much to Father Dave's relief. Momma understands now why people are either Baptized as infants or adults....

The actual baptism went off without a hitch.

So please join me in welcoming my two sisters to the Catholic Church.

Dakota - Week 39 - The T & T - Tongues & Thanksgiving

For anyone one who has come to visit, you may have noticed that Dakota's favorite smile comes complete with her cute little tongue poking out. Momma of course had to share that image with everyone who has not been able to see it for themselves.

The weather has been great so we have had a lot of time outside. As a result Dakota seems to be picking up on how to "play ball" with Tazz. Well, almost...

This week was also, Dakota's first Thanksgiving. Nanny and Bobby were kind enough to host the entire extended family at their house on the Cape. Nanny and Bobby spent days shopping ahead of time to ensure Momma had everything she needed for the big dinner. Once we arrived, it was time to prep. Momma didn't hesitate to put us to work!