Gardner Christmas

Gardner Christmas in Indianapolis.
We spent my first Christmas in Indy at Grandma Dianne and Grandpa Charlie's house. Aunt Christine and Uncle Brian live across town with my cousins Jacob, Mary and Hannah. Uncle Dave and Aunt Christina came from DC with my cousins Ella and Zoe. Hannah is three months older than me. Zoe is 2 1/2 months younger than me. We had a great time together. Mamarazzi took way too many pictures. Here are just a few.

Mary is so good at giving lovins. Here she is kissing Zoe, while Christina looks on.

Baba made me a puzzle with my name. He used Great Grandpa Charlie's scroll saw to make it. I was very proud of him.

Grandma and Grandpa have alphebet letters on their fridge. I spent hours taking them off, putting them back on, and chewing on them.

Zoe and I played piano with Grandma.

These are our little fingers on the keys.

I met Great Grandma Betty while in Louisville. She has tupperware. I liked to sing into the cups and hear my voice really loud. Great Aunt Charlene played this game with me too. We laughed a lot.

Zoe reaching out for Grandma Ginger.

The adults go out to a Turkish restaurant for dinner each year. I didn't even know it happened.

Me and Grandma Dianne.

Me and Zoe looking down at the Indianapolis Art Museum.

Cousins Mary and Ella in their princess dresses.

Christine, Brian and Hannah opening presents.

Baba played the bass every day. I stood and bounced to the beat, feeling the vibrations on the bass.

Great Grandma Ginger and Grandpa Charlie.

Mary listening to Christine play piano. Mary likes to watch the hammers on the inside.

I played piano with Grandma and Grandpa a lot. Here are Zoe and me helping Grandma play Christmas carols.

Abell Christmas

Christmas in Louisville.
Here are some pics from the Abell Christmas party in Louisville. I loved being with my cousin Anna, Uncle Mike, Aunt Hayley, Uncle Jake, Grandpapa and Grammie. I learned how to go down stairs head first. Anna calls me "Seoul". Meg is "An Mic" (Aunt Meg) and Jon is "Djon". Anna cracked us all up when she began calling Grammie Lisa "Yisa YaYa" and Grandpapa "Pa Pa Pa". I tried to follow her around, but she is quite fast. We opened lots of presents, enjoyed yummy food, and played games.

Sol hanging out in the blue chair.

Anna in the blue chair.

The men with their bags.

With the blanket Granny Gwen made for me.

Trying on my jester hat from Florence, Italy.

The Christmas scene.

Grammie, Anna and Solomon

Grammie and Solomon.

Uncle Mike, Anna and Solomon.

Hayley and Anna

Playing with Anna in our Christmas outfits.

Taking a bath.

Grandpapa making me laugh playing horsey.

Family Portraits

Meg starts to get loopy.

A note from Meg:
Our friend Justin, who among many, many things, is a photographer, came over one evening to take photos of our family. These were taken at the end of October, in our backyard, and down by the river down the road. Here are a few of the series. Solomon was getting tired and in the end was very thankful when we stopped taking pictures. That's when I got some very sweet kisses from him.

Teeth and other cute photos

I have teeth! They are coming in fast! For quite awhile, I just had this one loner tooth on my bottom gums, off to the side. It gave my face a jack-o-lantern look. Then, two middle teeth surfaced up top. Then another on bottom. Today another poked up on bottom. Mama says there are two on top and another on bottom that are near the surface. She can see them. I can feel them.

I eat bananas.

Handsome little boy.

A glimpse into my teenage years?

This is the life--reading while naked.

Hanging out with my Buddha-Mama, Heather.

I am cracking up my Mama with this silly smile.

Taking a bath.

Thanksgiving with Mimi

My Mimi came to visit this week. She made me very happy (as you can see in this picture which is in the running for cutest smile ever on a baby). She read to me, changed my diapers, took me on walks, fed me and made funny faces. She even put me to bed and let my parents go see a movie. This was a first. I think they liked it. I liked it too.

I celebrated my first Thanksgiving this week. Mimi was here, and our friends Kirsten, Aaron, Laura (who left early) and Rose (taking the picture) all came over to celebrate. The ladies made enough food to feed about 50 people. We ate leftovers for days and then Mama made two soups out of the rest. I got to stay up late and play.

My first Christmas is coming up soon. I helped Mama and Baba unpack all their Christmas decorations. I really liked playing with this red ornament.

I got to open my very first Christmas present this week. I know we're a bit early, but Mimi was here and wanted to give me this. It makes the most beautiful wooden clicking noise. I push it around with my hands. I am told it will be even more fun when I start walking.

Baba sings and plays guitar. I shake my rattle (made by Mimi out of an old medicine bottle and some pasta shells) and croon along.

Giving a pouty little look with Mama and Mimi. I'm ready for bed.

Here is a family portrait taken in our livingroom. You just may get a copy in your Christmas card.