Merry Christmas!

Love the Stegelmeiers.

We had a great Christmas this year with the exception of a few moments. I actually got my Christmas Cards out this year, which is a miracle seeing as how the last 2 years are still stamped and in storage!

It has been a wonderful year, full of great memories. A lot of fun changes came our way, as did a few challenges. We are still loving life and trying to make the best of it all at the same time.

Hailee has been our greatest strength and inspiration this year. We want to hold on to all of her moments as they seem to be coming so quickly!

We are far from being perfect people, but we sometimes feel we have the perfect life. We have wonderful family and friends who love and support us. We hope we too can be an inspiration in your lives. Thanks for a great year!

Britney

Christmas Comes Early....

My mom came up early this year and brought a bit of Christmas with her. She couldn't wait for Hailee to open up her gifts so she could wear the new clothes.

Hailee loved the babies and wanted to feed them. She also didn't think it was fair that the one baby had her very own "Mimi" and Hailee couldn't have hers.

Hailee played peek-a-boo with Uncle AJ using his coat. She thinks he is a pretty fun guy, I think we all do...

She helped Grandpa Jack open up his gifts. We wrapped them in an Oatmeal can because he LOVES his oatmeal!!!

Hailee helped me wrap all of the presents. She did the tape, and yes there was a lot of tape involved!

She also helped Grandma open her gifts. Hailee picked out lotion for a few of the people we love. She would smell them and decide who they went to!

I don't really think she knew, but I did help her a little.

My mom and Jack helped watch Hailee while I finished up teaching school. They played a lot, when shopping a little, and fed the horses everyday. I missed out on the moments AND the pictures, but can't wait for more this week!

Thanks for coming and visiting!

Here comes Santa Claus!

So we stayed at my dad's house for Christmas this year! It was really fun to have everyone there together, even if it was a bit chaotic! There was a huge mass of gifts that pretty much wore Hailee right out!

This is Hailee in her super cute pajamas Grandma gave her along with the cute princess slippers! She was tuckered out even before we started!

She started out pretty excited, but let's face it, we all got exhausted!!!!

Here they go ready to see if Santa really came!!!

The best Christmas Present...

Hailee recieved a lot of fun gifts for Christmas this year! She is such a lucky girl and has a lot of people who love her, thanks to everyone who helped make this a fabulous Christmas!!! Bath stickers!!! These are the greatest things ever!!! We love them a lot and can't wait to learn our alphabet, numbers, and more while we splash and play in the tub!

Tons of babies! Hailee is now the proud owner of four new dolls. All of them are completely different and fun in their own way. She loves playing mommy and wrapping her little ones up in blankets for night-night.

One of her dolls came with some crocks, which she consistently tries to put on and wear around.

This next gift is very cool. We love the Aguadoodle! Hailee has a lot of fun laying around drawing up pictures. Sometimes she draws on herself, or the carpet, but mom doesn't care. It is all due to the amazing idea of the cool water pen. The pen leaks out the water and the mat is made to show the water spots. When the water dries, the mat erases, no mess included!!! YEAH~~~~ Thanks Uncle AJ!

Sledding!!

After celebrating Christmas, my Dad, Stepmom, Jase, AJ, Curt, Hailee and I spent an afternoon playing in the snow! It was a blast and we CANNOT wait to do it again!!!

Everyone wore goggles to stay warm, except for me. I get to suffocated, but Hailee took to the monsterous bugeyes, perfectly! Grandma was the main snowmobile rider. Hailee often jumped on for the ride!

Granpa taking Hailee down the hill.

Me and Hailee ready to go!!! YEAH!!!!! (notice the absence of my goggles and hat...I am weird)

A great view of AJ ready to ride with the Tetons behind him.

Now this is a LOAD!!! Hailee and Grandma draggin' up AJ and Jase.

Yes he is holding on to the snowmobile....

Hailee is waiting for her ride up the hill. She couldn't walk to far, maybe 2-3 steps, before she biffed it!

Jase riding the snowmobile around!

Of course it wouldn't be right unless a few people got a bit of snow in their face!

Jase got dumped off by Grandma a few times, Hahahaha!!!!

Again the hazards of holding on to the back of the snowmachine! AJ got it in the face as well...

AJ and Curt wrestling...what are the odds....

This was actually taken a few days earlier, but this is Aj on the old Elan. We had a lot of good times on this ol' sled!! It actaully reminds me of my sister a lot because she would always pull us around the house with it!

DAY!!!!

Translation....."YEAH!!!!!" Hailee is constantly clapping her hands cheering "Day!!"

And yes, "DAY!!!" we went to Seattle!!!! It was a much needed experience. I have been really struggling this fall with my emotions and with school. I needed to get away and so we did. Actually, I had sort of been planning this trip with my sister in-laws Cathy and Cheri, but it was so very convienently timed. I was within moments of an emotional if not mental breakdown. Now I am super energized with new thinking and a new attitude!!!! DAY!!!!!!

I was so excited to spend some quality time as a family. We have had to be separated a lot in the last little while so it was nice to just be together, without worrying about anything!

Hailee loved visiting her Aunt Cheri and Uncle Mike. She constantly brings them up. The above picture is of her leg. She was climbing into the bag to see what present she was getting!

So funny...

She played with huge dogs. Hailee is a big time "hugger" and wanted to hug these puppies. Well she could only get her arms around their bellies and the dogs didn't like that! Oh well, learning..

Hailee got some serious bonding time in with Uncle Mike, Aunt Cheri, and Aunt Cathy.

For more details on our amazing travel adventure read the next several posts!

Restraunt Review

On our way to Seattle we stopped in Everett to eat. We went to Roadhouse Grill, which from appearance was a mix between Texas Roadhouse and a Frontier Pies. I will admit that I was a little hestitant, but this place ROCKED IT! The food was very tastey and extremely timely and presented well. Our waiter was fun and did a great job and keeping up with us. That isn't even the best part. They are 100% kid friendly! Hailee walked in to get this really cool waxy thing she could mold and play with, which entertained her for a good amount of the dinner. Then after we all ordered she gets this complimentary kid's appetizer, which was great! It was animal crackers, celery, carrots, and raisins (total hit with this kid!) She was completely satisfied before her meal even came out. She didn't need to get into a purse once the whole time at the Grill. Then as we were leaving they asked if she could pick out a couple toys. I didn't even need to answer because Hailee already heard "toy" and they convienently put their toys in a similar chest as does my dad. She got a worm bookmark and a bell necklace!

NOTE to SELF: This place deserves a return visit!~

Yeah the whole platter in front of her was filled with her favorite snacks! She had a blast!

I can't believe I forgot a bib for this child. It was common for me to take off whatever top she was wearing and have her eat in the onsie underneith, it was a pretty good idea...

Experience TWO.

I am a "Rainforest Cafe" Junkie. I admit it. I love the dang place because I think it is totally kid friendly and fun! They are a pretty pricey place though, but I have always had a great time and excellent food. I pretty much convinced everyone to go to the Seattle Rainforest Cafe while we were there. It was pretty fun, and Hailee liked the animals. I wouldn't say it was as great as I had hoped, Curt had pretty bad food and our waiter was TeRriBlE! I always recommend the place, but I admit that I was bummed this time around. Anyway thanks for going guys!

Experience 3

Jimmy's On First. I can't believe I didn't take any pictures but the restraunt in our motel was also very nice. We ate their both mornings that we stayed and had a great experience both times. I loved that even though their food was slow, they compensated by giving us a gift card for the second visit. They also were more "adultish," but they accommodated for Hailee very well. Our waiter was a big guy that could've been an Elvis impersonator. He did a great job and we gave him rave reviews.

GO NINERS!

Anyone who knows Curt, understands how important football is to him. He LOVES football. It is one of his passions to say the least. This summer I had talked to Cheri about getting over to see her in Washington and maybe going to a game when the Seahawks played the Niners. (The San Fransisco 49ers are Curt's absolute favorite team~He grew up with Joe Montana, Steve Young, Jerry Rice, and many more he can name...so I don't really blame him.) So up we went for the game!!! WAHOO..... it was a really great experience. I mostly liked the hot chocolate, the amazing backdrop and view, and the SeaGals. Most wouldn't think I am into dancing and such, but I am. Plus Cathy and I joked about their name and laughed about the 49er dancers being called "Gold Diggers." They aren't because I already looked it up and they are the "Gold Rush." Personally I like our idea better. Anyway it was a great experience and I am glad that I got to share it with the most amazing person ever! I love you HONEY!!!!!
Funny observation. At Sporting Events such as this you will find longer lines for men than women. Everyone gets patted down to enter the stadium thus there are two lines. The girl's line was atleast 1/3 the length of the guys!!!!

Also, when Curt and I jumped out to check out the concessions and use the restrooms (not me, too public of an area I say!). Well the guys line went way out the door and their was not a woman in sight by our door!!!!

YEAH FOR SPORTING EVENTS!

ANOTHER funny story. That guy standing by Curt in the picture below is Canadian. He came to the game with like 14 buddies for a "Guy's Weekend." He chatted it up with Curt the whole game and I was suprised at how much they got along. The guy was drinking a lot as were his buddies, but then again, most of the crowd was drinking!

So it is really freezing and my mouth is about to fall out from pain. (If you don't remember I had ALOT of dental work done prior to Thanksgiving, and yes I was still a pain pill popper every 4 hours at this point on DEC 6th). I was leaning against Curt to apply pressure to my mouth and to warm me up. This random Canadian joins in on the snuggle!!! I was totally shocked, apparantly him and Curt were more friendly than I had assumed! Anyway it was a funny moment to me and I am happy to have met that great bunch of guys.

While we were here at the game, Cheri was entertaining Hailee at the motel across the street. She is not an easy girl to entertain, but Cheri did a great job. She got her to nap right off and then they met us in the lobby after the game!! Yeah we had a great time!

One Fish...Two Fish...Three Fish...

The aquarium was really amazing! We had so many things to see and only so much time and energy for Hailee! She LOVED the fish and couldn't stand leaving each exhibit to see what the next one would offer. Slowly we noticed her energy and attitude failing, and by the time we left she had already had a tantrum over a drink of water among several other little things. She was asleep by the time we left the building! Hailee and Aunt Cheri checking out the cool jelly fish that were lit up with different lights.

Hailee's only front facing shot that isn't a complete blur from her nonstop movements. I love this girl so much!!!

Hailee and her dad checking out the cool touch ponds! These starfish were pretty amazing, but I was sure missing my hand sanitizer! Oh well we used wet ones. (She's a farm girl right?)

A semi-good group shot! Hailee's tantrums were just beginning at this point. Can you tell? We love the nonstop energy she has, but when crash time comes...IT COMES!

This huge tank is right at the entrance. Hailee would have stayed here the entire time, but we made her move on!

7 to 10

HOURS in the car with a one-year-old. It wasn't that bad. The car period was pretty annoying, but Hailee was not. She had a few moments when it came time for the invinsible "mimi," but besides that she was no more crazy than the rest of us with the ride!

We bundled her in the car before she even woke up and so she didn't get her hair done all day! Here she is with her baby that Aunt Cheri gave her!

This is such a sweet picture, but mostly because you can't see the rest of the picture. Curt and Hailee were sleeping the ride away holding hands! It was a priceless moment, I love that he is such a great daddy!

The way home ended with a dentist appointment and a lot of unpacking of the car! I alway dred that part of vacation because it means laundry, messes, and readjusting to life. It was all worth it though and in the end I was glad to be home and look forward to Christmas!

Thanks for a great mini-vacation Cheri, Mike, and Cathy we all had a blast!