Snap!

It's a brief clip, but I finally caught Camden "snapping" her fingers.

One Big Birthday Party

Grandma French had a birthday party to celebrate 4 of us who have December/January birthdays. Together, Brian, Kevin, Amanda and I total 144 years old!

Camden was a little astonished by such a big number. She can only handle 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (and her ABC's). Just ask her!

We had a feast of popular Grandma dishes...homemade chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, salad bar with all the fixings, hot out-of-the-oven yeast rolls...and a dessert spread for 50! Really, just the birthday cake, yummy lemon bars, and her famous cinnamon rolls; but for 8 of us, it was plenty.

Camden's favorite was the chocolate cake.

After dinner, Camden entertained us as usual. Dancing, reading, pointing at all the Christmas lights, and drinking from her mammoth special cup that she uses when at Grandmas.

She loves using a straw!

Camden was fascinated by her Uncle Brian. I think it's because he looks a little like her daddy and a little like her Papaw. Regardless, he makes her laugh.

It was a fun, delicious party...right, Camden?

Blue Eyes

Camden has been struggling lately to sleep in her crib. But last night she went down without a problem and stayed in the entire night. Yippee! Although I must admit I kind of like when she sleeps with me the nights Kevin is at work...I don't like the nights on the couch when he's home.


We had some extra time this morning after we were both up and ready and enjoyed playing and being goofy. I decided to take a few "us" pictures. Besides the fact that growing out a portion of my bangs makes me look like I have a really bad haircut, I love this picture. Though Camden's not smiling, she doesn't have a nippy in her mouth and you can really see those big blue eyes. Eveyone says she has my eyes, but if you look closely, they aren't the same color at all. I have more green and hazel in mine (from my father) and Camden's are crystal blue. Gorgeous!

Mommy and Daddy at Colts Game

We had a blast on Sunday! Aunt Carole watched Camden for the night, so Kevin and I had a date for dinner, a night at a hotel (well, I did; Kevin had to work), and a fun day at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Go Colts!

Colts Tickets

This week has been crazy...and makes a long story, so hold tight! Kevin and I were supposed to go to his annual Christmas Party for one of the committees he's on at work. It's so much fun. They put us up for two nights in the Crowne Plaza in downtown Indy, take us to a great steakhouse for dinner, then out to a show. Kevin attends meetings for two days, but we get the royal treatment at night...Kevin started vomitting on Tuesday night. At about 10am on Wednesday, it became apparent that I needed to leave work and head for home. We were both sicker than a dog for the next 24 - 48 hours. Needless to say, we cancelled our reservations.

Thankfully, Camden was able to stay at Grandma French's for the night. Although Grandma came down with the bug on Friday. Camden never got sick.

I was debating whether to go back to work on Friday, but decided since I had already taken it as a vacation day, that Camden and I would head to Indianapolis for some shopping.

While driving to the big city, I heard two separate announcements for Colts ticket giveaways for Sunday's game against the Titans. One was in the afternoon from 3-4pm at Meijer. I decided we had enough shopping that we could plan on going to that one. We got there about 2, but Camden was asleep. So I let her snooze for another 15 minutes, then did a quick loop through the store to see if there were any bargains. By the time we got to the deli area where they were having the giveaway, there were about 200 people in front of us...and it was only 2:30pm.

Camden was a little fussy, but it was snack time. Luckily we were by the produce and I grabbed a container of fruit and she was overjoyed. She loves her canteloupe!

The line moved quickly as you simply had to spin a wheel. Few people won. In fact I think only 3 had got tickets by the time it was our turn. We stopped to get a picture with some Colts cheerleaders and the people behind us went first.

I spun...and WON! Just like this guy a few people behind me. Camden and I apparently started a winning streak.

As you can see, Blue showed up. He got busy and entertained Camden for a while.

Miss America was there too! Camden only wanted Blue and, unfortunately, didn't want to pose for other pictures.

Did I mention I won Colts tickets...it also included VIP tickets to the Meijer Party Tent before the game - free food! I couldn't wait to get home and give Kevin his 40th birthday present. Am I a good wife or what?!?

Lafayette Thanksgiving

On Saturday, we headed to Lafayette to spend some holiday time with my family. Gramma Pat and Grampa Jim had come up too. Kevin hunted in the morning, then we went to Grammy's for a lunch of leftovers and visiting with her and Aunt Linda. Since Kevin and I don't host a meal, we never have leftovers, so we were happy with that option. Camden loved the apple salad and green bean casserole the best.

We went to the mall for a few hours of shopping then off to Aunt Carole and Uncle Ric's for games and more food. Camden got all kinds of fun attention from everyone, but especially her cousins LaLa and RaRa. I gave them my camera and asked them to take pictures. They got a few silly cute ones of themselves with Camden.

And then many of her escapades. Since Aunt Carole used to watch her all the time, Camden knew right where her stash of toys were. She headed for her basket of books.

Then her basket of toys.

She discovered that keys are used in a door and tried her best to lock us in.

Please note the most amazing dress Camden is wearing. She recieved it from Miss Lora, our friend in Colorado who hand made it. We got it in the mail on Friday and she HAD to wear it on Saturday. It is the most precious outfit!

Closer to bedtime, she got changed into her sleeper and still wanted to play. She loves to tickle the ivories and enjoyed looking through the music books.

And since she loves her shoes, RaRa thought she would enjoy some new rain boots. They were a little big.

She actually was giggling when she put these on, but it took us too long to find a camera and she got a little upset by the time we snapped this photo.

They captured how focused she gets on her activities. I love how she sets her mouth when she is concentrating.

It is also obvious how much she adores her cousins. The look on her face says it all.

It was a great day with my family. Kevin especially thought so, since he won EVERY game we played!

Cookies with Mama

Since hanging out with Grandma, Camden has an obsession with sitting on the kitchen counter and helping her Mama. Recently the task on hand was chocolate chip cookies.

Camden actually helped hold the mixer...

add the chips...

and eat them!

Unfortunately for Camden, Mama doesn't let her eat the dough. But she seemed fine with the chocolate!