Christmastime Festivities

There are many things to do in anticipation of Christmas: 

Drinking hot beverages (after thoroughly exploring the available options). 

 The Vocal Majority Christmas Concert...

...followed by the traditional IHOP breakfast Saturday Morning (12/03).

Playing with Daddy while Mommy cooks for the GCPC Progressive Dinner, a great tradition in and of itself!

Cooking in general is very festive.

As is eating soup.

Baking almond tarts.

 And then, on a cold, wet, wintery day, what better idea than to go to the zoo?! Thanks to "Aunt" (cousin) Jessica and Chelsea for letting us tag along.  

Pretty, but noisy and smell too. 

The white tigers were keeping out of the rain by snuggling up to the window.  I tried to put Naomi right next to him (her?) for a good photo. 

Naomi, however, is no one's no fool and protested immediately.

         

Thus, here I am acting as a buffer between cat and child.

And, of course, Christmas is a great time to enjoy the magic of a partially-decorated and crooked Christmas tree.

The big zero-ONE

Some quiet contemplation outside before the the festivities begin.

It's my birthday: I can squeeze in a nap (or two).

By afternoon, Mom has realized how cool it is, so I have been dressed properly to enjoy the rocks and neighbors' pets.

Birthday meal: pork loin and cauliflower.  Mom's favorite is my favorite. Hey, wait a minute...

The Bassetts all very intent on getting that single candle lit.

Phew! What a relief that got done, and we can all relax enough to smile.

After a slight hesitation, I decided Mom and Dad were not going to yank the cupcake, so I dug in.

Bleary-eye birthday girl, still enjoying the festivities. 

The blue bunny and Aunt Tami make for a cozy snuggle.

Now that I am one, I can pick out my own acorns.

Carefully inspecting each bulb for quality and clarity.

Practice makes perfect - on the second go around, I am ready to enjoy this rare opportunity!

Then, 4 days after I turn 1, I have a new cousin: Luke!!

From all counts, 1 looks like it will be a good year.

The Pumpkin Patch: Year 1

This was a pumpkin patch preview at the fall festival in Fort Worth. Oct 14th.

Then, Nana and Papaw came to visit from Boerne.

After a quick visit to Daddy's work...

We went to the Hall Johnson Pumpkin Patch.

Trouble deciding on a pumpkin.

 And trouble sitting still for a photo op.

 No trouble striking a dance move, however.  

 Naomi was called "he" one time too many, so we made sure to keep a bow in her hair.

 Strutting her stuff by the corn stalks.

   

Doing Papaw proud, messing around on the tractor.

Loving grandparents and pink cowgirl boots, what more could a girl ask for?

Horses. Mules. Cows. Alpacas?

 While Grandma is in town, exciting things occur.  At an exciting financial aid conference, I got text updates, about walks, getting lost, and one about stumbling upon llamas.

The animals turned out to be alpacas, but what a fantastic discovery.

Naomi and Grandma took the scenic (and most direct!) route to show Opa.

 Not only family is interested!  Here Naomi's friends have joined us for the excursion.

Naomi finally has the chance to show them off to her dad one Sunday afternoon.

Naomi telling me she wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. Or maybe just that she was just hungry.

We are taking reservations for any interested parties who want to take a walk with us to see the herd.  Plus, in the past couple of weeks a baby alpaca was born in Colleyville.  How often do you see that?!

The great outdoors

Here is a spontaneous outdoor excursion where we are simply enjoying the porch.

 

Regular planned field trips include: a) Taking a morning walk. b) Picking up the newspaper.  c) Watering Basil. d) Throwing away particularly offensive diapers. e) Checking the mailbox. f) Meeting Daddy at the crossroads after work.

 Naomi's excitement for each of the above 'outings' is mimicked here in the thrill of putting the lens cap on the camera.  

This was an unexpected treat: a new recycling trashcan!!! Given that it will never be this clean again, Naomi took a moment to sit on it and watch a passing car. 

 "Now, give me a second..."

 "There.  This is the best I've got."