Christmas Eve 2007 / The Fellowship of the Ring

"A Long-expected Party"

The build up to Christmas Eve was unbelievable. Deirdre knew something was up. Unfortunately right before the holidays Deirdre also wanted to share the "Christmas Spirit" with everyone and we all caught the flu. Most of Christmas Eve is a fog.

"The Shadow of the Past"

Watching Deirdre open up her presents made me a bit sad as I knew it would. I couldn't help but think of mom, both because she loved buying things for Deirdre, but also because while looking at my child I constantly saw my mother in her. Something about her features now remind me of my mom. Several people have commented on this too.

"Three is Company"

Our guests this Christmas Eve were the usual suspects: Rachael, Dad, and Becky. Our original plan was to have the celebration at the Pietra's, but due to our sicknesses, they came to us...and were infected themselves. Hey I learned to share!

"A Conspiracy Unmasked"


Or at least in the process of being unmasked here... you never know what you are going to find in those "mimi becky / grandad" presents.

After the official unmasking has taken place.

"A Shortcut to Mushrooms"

Deirdre playing with her little "gnome and fairy" boot/playhouse, complete with mushroom table and chairs!!! You thought I was stretching the mushroom title, didn't you? DIDN'T YOU?

A closer examination of the inhabitants of Bootville.

"Lothlorien"

Cause see...her name is Lorien. See how that fits? Come on, it's clever!

"Not idly do the leaves of Lorien fall" - but Lorien falls pretty easily.

"The Council of Elrond"

I would be referring to the "elf" ears here. Plus we all know that Deirdre is going to vote to "cast it into the fire from whence it came" which sounds an awful lot like you know who...

Even Elrond needs to occasionally consult a parent in matters of world wide destruction, etc.

"In the House of Tom Bombadil"

After all presents were opened, all food had been eaten, and all guests left, Nathan and I blew up over 25 balloons and filled the living room for Deirdre and Lorien to come down to in the morning. We were quite happy with our creation and looked forward to seeing the girls and their reactions.

December 2007

November 2007

The girls are growing up too fast. Deirdre is now 21 months old, and Lorien is 3 months!


Deirdre in an outfit my mom saved for me when I had kids, something she used to dress me in. I have old photos of me in this very outfit. Deirdre seems pleased enough to be wearing it, though she has never given me trouble over outfits and I hope that continues to be our world.



I will have to ask my sister about this, but the expression on Deirdre's face just reminds me of a picture of myself growing up. It's strange because usually I think she looks so much like her Papa.



She is all smiles when she sits in big girl chairs. Sometimes her "playing" will consist of getting up into and down from chairs.



Lorien wondering what in the world is going on. Though she seems comfy enough in her new Bundle Me car seat cover.

Thanksgiving 2007 - November

Thanksgiving was held at Dad and Becky's house this year. It was a lovely meal and the babies looked fabulous in the dresses Auntie Rachael purchased for the occasion.

Becky and Deirdre, all smiles




Becky carving the turkey



Rachael trying to burn the house down.



Deirdre before dinner



A comfy Lorien in Mimi Becky's arms.



Mama and Lorien before dinner.



Lorien sporting her new threads Auntie Rachael bought for her. Notice how utterly ridiculous this child's hair is. There is NOTHING that can be done with it.



After dinner. Clearly.

Halloween 2007

The Henkel Family enjoyed a wonderful Halloween this year. We carved three pumpkins with a little (a very little) help from Deirdre and Auntie Rachael. We went Trick Or Treating with Mimi Becky and Granddad Gene, and Deirdre (once again a Fairy) ran out of steam on the way back and needed to be carried.

The best pumpkins on our street, hands down.

Rachael taking her time crafting the perfect pumpkin. She found it "nezzezery" (necessary) to make sure that the design of her pumpkin complimented the face shape of Mr. Jack O' Lantern.

Mama's silly Pumpkin. He was supposed to have more teeth, but lost them in the "Great Carving Accident of 2007"

The Henkel girls before venturing out to get Halloween Candy...we were told by some older woman that we should "Take the children to Strawberry Fields...." but we didn't trust her, so we didn't. We should have gone to Strawberry Fields.

Tired Mama and Baby Lorien, the baby pumpkin before going out. She looks like she is giving a thug sign, I didn't realize she was a "Gangsta Pumpkin."

Baby Deirdre with her Halloween Loot. She was very good at saying "Trick Or Treat" and putting out her basket so the neighbors could fill it with candy. That night she enjoyed taking all of her candy out of her basket, and then putting it all back in. Seriously, all night.

The lengths one takes to get this child to stay in one place for a semi- decent, but not really shot of her in her costume without her running up to the camera and saying "I see you".

Baby Lorien, almost 2 months here.

October 2007

The month of October was a wonderful time for our little family. Baby Lorien started sleeping through the night towards the end of it, and baby Deirdre took a new interest in her dolly, "molly" imitating everything she saw Mommy do with Lorien. Such sweet girls, we love them so!


Deirdre "changing" Molly, her dolly.



Deirdre burping Molly and saying "pat pat". She would usually do this when she saw Mommy burping baby sister after a feeding.



It's time to get Molly ready for bed. Deirdre has spread the blanket out on the floor in preparation for swaddling her baby, and look she got her dolly's tooth brush all ready too.



Baby Lorien about 6 weeks old. She is such a little scrumples.



Baby Deirdre 20 months.

Late September 2007 - Outdoor Photo Shoot

The weather was unusually warm and the girls and mama enjoyed many a day outside playing on the deck. Deirdre would play with her "water tubs" and Lorien would sleep peacefully in her swing. Lunch was eaten at the little play table that Nana purchased as a Christmas present for Deirdre.

Yummy Ham and Cheese

Bathing suit and tennis shoes, the latest style...

Lorien enjoying a catnap on a beautiful September morning. She is barely 3 weeks here.

Deirdre 19 months

Lunch is finished, and mama is apparently very funny.

Dessert is a game of hide and seek. Silly girl.