Christmas Fun

All dressed up for Christmas dinner
Family pic Christmas night (good thing Scott is sporting his Christmas purple!)
Thanks for all my stuff Grandpa Lewis- love you!!
Opening her first gift
Christmas morning
Stocking time!
Reese and mommy
The guys hanging with the kids
Family pic on Christmas Eve at the Kurtz's

We had a great first Christmas with our little Reesey bug. Spent Christmas Eve over at our friends, Nikki and Justin's, place for a big turkey dinner, drinks and a little game of catch phrase. Since we're so far from home, it was nice still being able to celebrate with friends.

Christmas morning we woke up early, opened our stockings and got breakfast started. Then we all went back to sleep for a morning snooze. Woke up to bacon brunch, fresh cinnamon rolls and gift opening. Scott had a practice in the afternoon (boo to skates on Christmas day), but we enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner with friends when he came home. Even though Santa was good to Reese, think she loved all the pretty Christmas lights most of all.

To our friends and family near and far- hope you all had a great Christmas and wishing you the best in 2010!

Grandpa Lewis!

We've been busy getting ready for Christmas with shopping, baking and decorating. It's been great to have Grandpa Lewis here to join in on the festivities and help out with Reese. She's been loving spending time playing with him and is already getting spoiled. She definitely has the most presents under the tree!

We have tried to get out for some fresh air as much as possible but it's been bitter cold here so have only managed a couple good walks. Grandpa goes out everyday but Reese has only been able to tag along once. We have been to town and the local mall finishing up our Christmas shopping- which really tuckered Reese right out. Despite the cold weather, we managed a quick trip out to pick out a tree. We also had some friends here yesterday for our annual cookie bake which turned out to be lots of fun. Daddy had a home game on Friday so the three of us headed over to cheer him on. They pulled off an OT win and celebrated after with a team Christmas party. Reese was great at the game, sleeping the whole time. I think she must have sensed the 'party' after because she decided to wake up and join the fun for a little bit. Good thing she was decked out in her cute Christmas jammies (thanks Paige!!).

We are planning on heading downtown tomorrow one last time before Grandpa has to head back home. Hopefully we will make it to the castle and maybe find a souvenir or two for Grandpa.

Here are a few pics from the last couple of weeks. As you can see, we will be enjoying a white Christmas this year!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us here in Sweden. Hugs and kisses to all!

2 Months

It was great having Grandma Sue here and so helpful in so many ways. I don't think we lifted a finger the entire time she was here. Of course Reese thoroughly enjoyed her special bonding time with Grandma too! We were actually able to get out for a dinner date which was a nice treat and easy to do knowing Reese would be in such loving arms. Next up is Grandpa Lewis who is due to arrive tomorrow, fingers crossed he got off the ground and gets here safely!

We've been busy getting ready for Christmas and are looking forward to Reese's first one. We are waiting until Grandpa is here to get the tree and decorate it. Also in the plans with Grandpa is our annual cookie bake. We have lots of treats on the list for this year- way too many for just the 3 of us but it's much too hard to make cuts!

As Grandma sue reported already, Reese is quite the smiley little girl. She is full of smiles all the time and it sure doesn't take much to get one. She is such a happy baby. She surprised us on her 2 month birthday and rolled from her belly to her back. She's done it a handful of times but still isn't a regular occurrence. Can't believe how fast she's growing up.

Yesterday we took our first road trip as a family of three. Headed to the U.S. embassy in Stockholm to report her birth and get her citizenship and passport in order. Want to make sure it's all taken care of before we head home in March. Reese was such a great little traveler. She slept the entire way there with just a quick pit stop for food. After we were done at the embassy, we headed downtown for some Christmas shopping and a late lunch.

Here are some of the latest pics!

More from Grandma Sue...

Greetings, once again, from Orebro, Sweden. Going to see Scott's last home game while I'm here, a sell-out!! Reese and Mommy are staying home. Had our turkey feast last night. I contributed apple crisp and fresh appleasauce. Now turkey soup is bubbling on the stove.

It's amazing how a baby can change ones habits. Scott and Catie love to take Reese for walks. Scott never wanted to walk with me. Tuesday night we were out and about for 2 hours...even got lost and had to ask for directions. Saturday was absolutely beautiful. The sun was shining all day. We spent the better part of the afternoon in the city centre exploring new spaces, window shopping and firming up reservations for our new parents to have a date at a sushi restaurant later in the evening. I happily Reese sat, read my book and knitted.

Each day Reese is my ray of sunshine. She smiles readily at Grandma, tells me stories, and sticks out her tongue. I usually give her one bottle during the day and that, too, makes me feel so close to her. It will definitely be hard to say goodbye to her until March. Grandpa Lewis will fill my shoes very well, I'm sure.

Catie and I joined the other women from the team Monday night for an evening of wine and cooking. We made a delicious 3 course meal which included lots of laughter and bonding time. Everyone speaks English so language was not a problem. Unfortunately, the recipes were in Swedish.

Tomorrow we hit the mall for some serious shopping and Sunday, with Scott away, we hope to go for coffee and dessert at Java's, dowtown.

Time for my pregame meal. See you all state side soon. Looking forward to catching up on the news and preparing Lola and David's cottage for Christmas.

Love,
Grandma Sue
xoxoxo

Grandma Sue!

Grandma Sue reporting in from Orebro, Sweden. One week here and already Reese is into her Grandma big time!! We grandmas know these things! Reese is absolutely precious and into a very comfortable eat/wake time/sleep routine. Because her schedule is pretty predictable Mama Catie has resumed workout time at a local gym in downtown Orebro while Grandma grandbaby sits. We have been to IKEA, the mall, Saturday brunch, a stroll in city centre, and a hockey game. Daddy scored 2 goals in a 5-1 victory. Today is an away game so we "girls" are on our own. This afternoon we are going for a walk, do a bit of shopping (I so want a pair of boots from here), grab a coffee and plan our own dinner. I have been eating some delicious meals compliments of my children. Scott and Catie enjoy experimenting in the kitchen and entertaining guests. Already plans are being made for a Thanksgiving feast next Thursday and Bloomer may be here for the weekend. I have managed to stay healthy and the trip over was relaxing and stress-free. The sun has not been very visible this past week but temps are very comfortable with some rain showers. Only had snow one evening but gone by mid-morning the next day. It sure gets dark early though.

All my best to blog friends and family. Will check in again next week. Stay warm.

Love,
Grandma Sue

1 Month Old!

Sitting nice with her poster...
...going...
...going...
....gone!

Reese turned one month on November 5th. We decided to do a little photo shoot to mark the occasion. As you can see, she didn't last too long but we had fun with it!