One Non-blonde...

Gone are the days of my blonde hair. I have been wanting to do this for a while now...I've been shopping around with hair dressers and each time I ask to go dark. Each time I leave with blonde hair. But THIS time I fell in love with my new stylist. THIS time I didn't leave with blonde hair and "low lights." THIS time the girl was excited as I was and we talked "color" for over 30 minutes. As I sat in the chair (in front of the mirror, as when you go dark, you no longer need to sit under the old ladies' head-heater) staring at my sopping hair change from blonde, to red, to brown...I panicked as the colors changed. Then the wash and long wait for the cut and style...my stylist made me wait until she was complete until the big reveal. She turned me around, and I LOVED IT! It's quite dark, darker than my true light brown/dark blonde color. But I love it.

Mike keeps giving me double takes. I keep stopping when I walk by a mirror to do a double take. But Izzy, that girl doesn't know a thing has changed. First glance at me...and she gave me her huge smile that told me she knew who I was. That was all I needed to realize that nothing had really changed...girl still loves her mommy, brown hair and all.

Babies Galore!

The McCullochs
Jaime, Molly & Izzy
Luke Duke
Cooper
Bryant

Izzalicious

Last night we went to the Feller's house to celebrate Jaime's 30th birthday and Jeremy's 31st birthday. There was YUMMY food, fun friends, and lots of babies! In total, there were 4 babies in attendance, all of which were born in October 2007! It was fun to see how different each baby was in size (the oldest was the smallest and the youngest was the biggest-14 pounds!!!). The boys enjoyed playing Jeremy's new Wii and the girls gossiped, of course. Happy Birthday Fellers and and thanks for a FUN night!

More pics...

Self portrait with new camera...
Such a chunk...
Snug time with Grand Roo...
Aunt Kimmy...
I LOVE THESE CHEEKS!!!

We got a new camera for Christmas (thanks Dad & Anna)....so I've been playing around with it and having a fun time taking MORE pics of Izzy girl. She's growing leaps and bounds: sitting up in her Bumbo, holding her head HIGH during tummy time (so what if it's to watch the t.v.!?), taking all her naps in her crib, and she's even started to sleep for 9-10 hour stretches at night! GO IZZY!

New Years Eve 2007

Mikey & Kelly
Kelly, Jaime, Katie & Sandi
Mikey, Jason, Jeremy & Ricky
Katie & Rick
Jaime & Jeremy

Jason & Sandi

We rang in the New Year last night with 6 of our closest friends in Carmel at the Oak Hill Mansion. There were several hundred people in attendance, of which our group was the youngest by far! Next year we are going to have a bigger group and represent the 30-something age group. The Mansion served a delicious meal and had a 6 piece band. The girls did a lot of dancing, while the couples on the dance floor shot us dirty looks. Everyone else was dancing with their dates...while we girls were singing and dancing out loud, disrupting their dance space. Guess that was an age gap issue.

We had a blast and hope to be back next year! Happy New Year to all!

Celebrating with the Keel Clan

Family Photo
Izzy's patent leather shoes were tough to keep on!
Grandpa Keel snuggling
Izzy's great Aunt Celeste is an old pro at this baby thing...
Great Nana & Grandfather Keel

To round out our holiday travel we made a day trip to Michigan to visit with the Keel Clan. Mike, Izzy, my mom and I ventured up to meet my sister and her kids at my dad's house. My grandparents and aunt/uncle joined us in the celebration...this was their first meeting of Izzalicious! Izzy girl showed off by sitting up and holding her head up...something we have been practicing in her Bumbo for a while (and lots of tummy time)! It was great fun to visit and catch up, and we were sad it was such a quick visit.

On the drive home we had to make what we thought would be a quick stop to nurse and change a diaper. Turns out Izzy had a blowout and we had to do a diaper change/outfit change/cleanup in the backseat of the Hummer with a SHORTAGE of butt wipes. All of this was happening in our Hummer while my sister was in her car parked next to us while pumping up the volume to her music-dancing and singing "Oohaah Oohaah" that you hear in the clubs. It was all TOO funny.

My mom and sister/kids are visiting us in Indianapolis for the next few days (which means we have a babysitter for New Years!!!). We are going to celebrate NYE at Oak Hill Mansion in Carmel with 6 of our closest friends. Stay tuned for pictures!

The Inagural Run of the Jogger

Izzy in her new jogger and new bunting!

Last night Mike and I took our new jogging stroller out for a stroll. We didn't run with it...YET. Our training for the Mini Marathon starts in February...we just wanted to test run the new wheels. Izzy LOVED the ride...her eyes were wide awake and looking at the blue sky and trees the entire time. Thanks to Uncle Jimmy & Aunt Jesse for the new, warm bunting, Izzy stayed snug as a bug the entire time. We will be spending many hours on the Monon in the jogger this Spring, so we are glad she enjoyed the ride!

Christmas in Ft. Wayne

Santa filled Izzy's 1st Stocking...in the middle of the twins' stockings
Meeting Great Grandma Betty was scarrrry...
Izzy LOVES Uncle Steve and can't wait to see him again for the Mini Marathon in May
The McCulloch Family...bright and early in the morning!
Grandpa Bob had the magic touch...
Snuggling with Aunt Aimee
Where Izzy spent Christmas Eve...she LOVES being under the tree!
Katie Monster also spent some time under the tree!

We spent several days in Ft. Wayne at Mike's dad's house, where we visited with lots of family. The Jennings came down from Wisconsin...Izzy got to meet her Great Grandma Betty (who wanted us to name our daughter BETTY!), and aunts/uncles/cousins galore!

Christmas Eve brought the Roys to town, where the twins were anxiously waiting for Santa to visit the house. Grandpa Bob (Mike's dad) was supposed to be on lookout in the middle of the night so the boys didn't find "Santa" filling their stockings and delivering presents. Grandpa Bob fell asleep and the midnight church-goers came home to find the twins running around the house. Good thing Santa had already made his stop! Too funny. Izzy was showered with presents...thanks to all for your generosity. Next Christmas will be a lot of fun...when Izzy can open her own gifts!