Little Miss

Life has been pretty humdrum here at the Hamm household. We've had a lots of rain, lots of Sesame Street, lots of coloring and more "bubba time" than I'd like to admit. Let me just say... I AM READY FOR SPRING!!!!!!!! Or at least dry weather. Or warm weather. I don't even need both. Just one of those would be delightful. : )



Pleased with herself for eating "JELLOOOOOOOOO"!


Pleased with herself for climbing into the big chair. (And I thought her learning to walk was a challenge!)



Teaching Sleepy Baby how to color.


I've glimpsed some tulips through the rain splashed windshield, so I know spring is out there somewhere. Please Lord, please bring it soon!

XOXO
Melissa

Love and Laughter

A few weeks back my folks came into town just in time for one of my sleep deprived meltdowns. My sweet, sweet mother decided Jeff and I needed a night away. So she and Jeff connived and planned and on Friday morning I found myself laden with the instructions to pack for an overnight adventure. We spent our time at our favorite spot on the coast and came back happy, well rested and rejuvenated. Thank you Mom!!!

So here are some pics from our trip...

Our self portrait upon arrival:


Thinking of our wee one at home:


Our self portrait before the departure:


Some antics in town... if you are wondering "Is that a one legged seagull?", yes, you are correct. That is a one legged seagull.


We named him Bert. There is a story. Please ask if you are interested. : )

Some of McKinley's favorite things

Favorite thing #1: Using big people spoons
Favorite thing #2: Slurping
Favorite thing #3: Sitting on the stool by herself

Mommy's "oh my" moment: My little girl is growing up!

(P.S. Sorry about the sideways video.... I always, always, always forget that I can't "flip" videos.)

Happy Easter

I was just reminded of this cartoon, and seriously... it had me in tears. : )

What's going on with us

I've had another long absence from the blog and for that I apologize. I know there are a few of you who do like to see what we are up to and the fact of the matter is that lately we are up to not much! January and February we spent staying warm, dry and try to get healthy. McKinley ended up with a double ear infection... a big learning experience for mommy! She healed well and we are all healthy and happy again. Now we are just waiting for the rain to stop so we can get outside and play again.

McKinley is nearly 20 months and changes every day! She's talking in sentences, loves to dance, loves shoes, clothes and pony tails and is just the sweetest girl I know! She has stared to potty train herself, which is wonderful... I think in a couple weeks we'll try our first attempt at formal potty "training".

Jeff and I are well too, and don't do much other than hang out with McKinley. Weekday evenings consist of dinner, bath time, bedtime, clean up kitchen time, and sit on our keesters because we're exhausted time. Weekends are more fun because they often include donut time, and go to Target and spend some money time. : )

That's about all we're up to these days. Nothing overly exciting, but we are thankful for the blessing of McKinley and each other. Life is good! Below are some cute pics from the last couple months.

Blessings to you and your family!

Love,
Melissa

Christmas in Montana

Our Christmas in Montana was wonderful and long over due! We took the train out Thursday night (the 23rd) and arrived in Shelby, MT around 11:30 the next morning. I am sorry that I don't have better photos of the train, but the first pic below of me and McKinley is our "room". Literally, you can see it from wall to wall. I don't know that I would categorize it as a "room" per se... more like a closet! But it was nice to have a place to ourselves. If we get to take the train again, we will for sure get a sleeper car, but definitely it will be a bigger one! We arrived Christmas Eve morning and had a little trip back to Great Falls... after that we rested, we ate, we celebrated, we rested some more, we ate some more, we played cards, we opened gifts, we ate, we rested, we watched some football, we ate, we rested, we played in the snow, we ate, we went shopping, we ate, we slept, we ate and then it was time to go! : ) Thanks Mom and Norm for a fabulous trip to remember... we love you!

Mommy & McKinley before we've even left the station. Look how chipper and happy we were!


Our Gourmet dinner (actually very delicious) on the ride out. Notice the champagne... now that what "first class" is all about!


Daddy and McKinley in the observation car... stretching their legs!


Mommy and daughter the next morning... a little less chipper... : )


We eventually got the hang of unwrapping the gifts:


Our family Christmas morning in our matching Christmas Jammies! Even the bear got a pair!


McKinley's favorite thing this Christmas? Snowmen... loved, loved, loved them. I was thankful she got to see the real thing up close and personal. Multiple hugs and kisses came after this photo... for the snowman that is!


McKinley with Nana & Papa at Chez Hilton in Montana:


The whole family after church on Sunday:


Learning that applause after each bite may be a necessity. Thanks Nana & Papa.


Starting the journey home...


You will notice there are no photos of the train ride home. It wasn't that it was a bad trip... it just wasn't quite as smooth as the trip out. First it was a couple hours late, so we were a couple hours late eating, and thus we were a couple hours past getting a certain member of our family to bed. We were all thrilled to arrive in Portland the next morning relatively on time. I think we all slept for three hours that afternoon!

So that was our very white, very merry Montana Christmas! Hope yours was wonderful too. And even though January is almost over...

Happy New Year! We love you!
The Hamms

Random Pictures

Here are some of my favorite pictures of McKinley from the last few months... no rhyme or reason... just for fun!

After helping mommy build a snowman (a.k.a. "manny") in Montana:


Ms. Fashionista... sometimes only black patent leather will do:


Lunch with our new friend:


Giving mommy sweet smiles:


Part of our waking up routine in the morning... must have milk!


What my grandmother would have called a "raggamuffin"... love those bangs!