Amelia's First Halloween

Here are photos from Amelia's first Halloween, dressed as none other than the Halloween favorite, a pumpkin. She is our little pumpkin after all. She had a parade at school, and a party afterward, complete with orange jello and lots of sucking on the outside of a pumpkin. Sounds like a great time, huh? We had so much fun, and loved spending the morning with our little one.

This was our favorite costume in the parade, an "old" woman with a walker.

They lined up all the babies that couldn't sit, in one crib. And then all the babies that could sit were in the other crib, and they wheeled them around in the parade. So funny - they look like sardines!

Amelia was a little shocked by the crowds!

Amelia's teachers at school made this scrapbook page for us, isn't that so sweet?

Cruising at the Farmer's Market on the Sunday before Halloween - all of the kids dress up and get candy from the vendors. The last 3 years of participating in the Farmer's Market every Sunday, I have looked forward to this weekend when we had a munchkin to dress up and enjoy the day with! It was so much fun, not just for her, but for us too!

Great-Grandma Powers

Chris' great-grandmother Alberta Powers passed away on October 17th, at the age of 92. She lived a very full, long life and was able to live to see the 5 generation legacy of her family and life well lived. Amelia met Grandma Powers in May when she was 2 months old, and we are so thankful to have had that special memory of Amelia and her great, great grandmother together. We made a quick trip to Missouri for the funeral and to celebrate the rich, full life of Grandma Powers.

4 Generation Photo

Amelia Leigh, Christopher Lee, Stuart Lee and Robert Lee Gilstrap

Amelia and her Poppi

With Aunt Kim and her new boots

Fancy new "boots with the fur" from her aunts

Traveling on the airplane, such a great traveler!

Aunt Kim's Visit to Denver

We were so lucky to have Chris' sister Kim come to Denver over her fall break! We enjoyed lots of fun memories with Amelia and showing off our Denver favorites - Duffey Roll, Park Burger - you know, all the great eats!

Aunt Kim came to swim lessons!

We went to visit Amelia's 2nd cousin Noah - Chris' cousin Andrew and wife Melissa had baby Noah in September. We're looking forward to being together again at Christmas in Kansas City!

Swim Lessons

Spending my years growing up in the swimming pool, I was quick to sign Amelia up for swim lessons. We had a great time playing and singing with other babies and parents, and Amelia is a big fan of splashing and drinking pool water. 

This was dad teaching how to blow bubbles - Amelia decided she would drink the pool water instead.

Intently listening to directions from the teacher - they both look very concerned with getting the directions correct.

Quick Trip to Western Colorado

I was working a conference in western Colorado, so we made a quick trip to our favorite part of Colorado, Montrose and Ridgway. Amelia stayed in Denver with my parents, and it was a nice little overnight get away for Chris and I - and of course, my parents loved grandbaby time as well. The San Juan range was beautiful, as always, and the aspens were beginning to turn yellow. The photos don't do the beauty of the landscape justice, but I promise you, it's one of the most beautiful places you have ever seen.

 

Almost 6 Months - Photo Update

Sitting up all by herself now

Riding in the stroller without the infant seat, she's getting so big so fast!

Amelia got a high-chair, such a big girl!

A picture from the video monitor in her crib - Amelia likes to sleep on her side, and so does Sophie the giraffe.

Tasting solids for the first time - oatmeal, rice cereal, applesauce, bananas and avocado. Not a huge fan of solids yet, so we'll keep trying them in the months to come!

Santa Fe Wedding

We spent last weekend in Santa Fe, NM celebrating the wedding of Hilary and Harry! The wedding was absolutely beautiful and the bride was stunning. The resort, La Posada, was perfect and we loved the southwest setting. My parents came along to take care of Amelia, and loved every minute with their grandbaby. We snapped a few great pictures of the happy couple and of Amelia enjoying the weekend!

 

Amelia loved the hotel room, especially the big bed to roll around on.

 

 

We had to make some stops along the way so she could roll around and stretch out. She doesn't enjoy her carseat as much as she used to before she learned how to roll.

 

 

The cutie all dolled up for the wedding

 

Hilary's mom Jean got Amelia this adorable onesie, such a great pic with the bride-to-be!

Family photo! Don't be surprised if this ends up on our Christmas card, haha!

Amelia Meets Her Friends

Even before she was born, we were planning for all the wonderful friends Amelia would have in her life. Our good friends the Greenos, Florida Mollers and Colorado Mollers all have little ones, and we were finally able to get everyone together in September. We were introduced to Ashley and Hunter Greeno through a mutual friend almost 5 years ago now, and then through Ashley and Hunter, we met the Mollers, Jon and Kim, and Kaity and Nathaniel. Ashley and Hunter welcomed Lily to their family just over 2 years ago, and then Jon and Kim welcomed Justus just two weeks after we had Amelia. Most recently, Kaity and Nathaniel had baby Ava Jane. We all met when Ashley, Kim and I were all recent newlyweds, new to Colorado and career searching. We've come so far since then, and remained friends through multiple apartment/house moves, job changes, and now through growing families! We used to say how wonderful it was that God blessed us with such great "couple friends" and now we are so thankful to have "young family friends." It's neat how we are truly growing up together in our marriages and careers, and how our kiddos will get grow up together as friends as well.

 

 

Amelia and Justus really hit it off! 

 

Proud dads of 5 month olds