Septemer 2013-First Day of Preschool and Lilly's First Family Vacation

Well I've decided that since it's September 2014, it's high time I blogged about September 2013! I have a whole year of events to catch up on on here. I have a very good life. Nothing about it is perfect, and there is a pretty good sized list of things in it that I wish were better or different, but still it is good and happy, and I want to record these special memories.

Last September, Danny started his first year of preschool! He was very ready, and wasn't sad at all to see me walk out the door. It was an exciting and crazy time in our lives with Nick beginning his first year of teaching special education at the middle school and Lilly arriving just a month before.

First day by the preschool sign. 

I wasn't sure if I was going to send Danny to preschool, but I am sooooo glad I did. He grew so much from interacting with other kids and learning how to be away from me and the comforts of home. Danny loves to go places, but he is kind of a home body for the most part. His teachers would treat him like he was the star of the show every day when he arrived, and he had lots of new friends. The friends he talked about most were Addison, Gabe, Hayden, and Colston. Remember them Danny?

 We were still VERY much in the adjustment stage with having a new baby is the house. Getting Danny dressed, fed and on time at 9 o' clock in the morning was quite  challenge. No to mention feeding, and clothing this little Lilly girl and making sure she as clean and full so she didn't SCREEEAAM the whole time in the car! Look how tiny she is in that little carseat with her half bald little head. 

 Danny has loved having Lilly around from day one. He was always gentle in these early months and so good about not trying to pick her up or poke her eyes out. Way to go Danny my gentle and sensitive little man!

 Lilly was almost 6 weeks old in this picture.

First Family trip with Lilly.

We were NERVOUS! There is something about a crying baby in the backseat while stuck in Portland traffic that Nick and I dread wholeheartedly! But we got lucky and she slept like a rock! Nick's parents rented a cabin just past Portland for the Leonard clan to relax and play together, and Lilly slept about 4 out of the 5 hours it took to get there. Phew! 

 The cabin was beautiful, and fun, and of course we had to take family pictures. Our dear husbands tend to complain and moan about taking pictures, but I'm sure glad we put them through the torture so that we can have these wonderful and hilarious photos for years to come!

 We don't all get together like this very often, but we have a great time when we do!

Arthur 

This is Arthur the miniature horse. He belongs to the family that rented us the cabin we stayed in. He just hangs around the yard. Doesn't have to be fenced in or anything, and loves to be in pictures! As you can see he is incredibly friendly and the owners said that he is a main attraction for their vacation rental! Words cannot describe how adorable and sweet he was. Danny is quite scared of animals so it was exciting to see him warm up to Arthur so easily. 

 These next two pictures look a little Christmasy. We were getting pictures ready for Christmas cards. This is not Danny's usual smile, but it is adorable! I don't think I ended up even making Christmas cards after all : )! Like I said we were still adjusting...

 At 1 1/2 months old, there was not a lot that Lilly could do accept lie there and look cute : ). She made lots of little baby coos and smiled sometimes. She was just starting to try and lift her head when she was on her tummy.

 Well there you have it. September from a year ago is documented. Let's hope I can keep it up!