Today was "Breakfast with Santa" at church, so we were up early to get into the Christmas spirit. Over the last couple weeks, we have tried to get some "Christmas kid-pics" and it has been a challenge, but we achieved the goal in two different sittings (one with each parent).

(Dad's sitting)


(Mom's sitting)

All of this is to lead us to official Christmas pictures with the big guy in the red suite...that was TODAY! Edie all dressed in her holiday best very happy and ready for the experience.

One can only ask how someone so adorable could change so quickly in to the hot mess below when actually meeting Santa for the first time.



We don't know the answer, but we do know WE LOVE IT! We had every expectation to NOT get the good picture, but in our weird opinion...THIS IS A GREAT PIC. Everyone needs one of these in their photo album for later in life.

After some time away, we ventured back to make amends with Santa to insure that he would still stop by for milk and cookies, and leave Edie a present. I got the inside track from Santa's master list that she is on the "Nice" list and will be part of his Christmas Eve tour.

We have finally finished the 2010 version of the Zapchenk family Christmas tree. We realize that the tree seems to have some extra "junk in it's trunk" but we thought that was for a little extra holiday greeting.

...and our little Christmas angel lovin' the tree!

The other month (yes the other month) the only non-family that reads our blog (thanks Amy) wanted to know about someone other than Edie ... Danielle. Sorry Edie you aren’t the spotlight on this one. Tomorrow it has been 10 months that I have left my radio job to become a full time mom. It has been one of the best decisions of my life. Edie is such a joy to be with and we have a lot of fun. People ask me ... what do you do all day? Well Edie and I like to stay busy – whether it is helping out at church, baby-story time, mom’s group, grocery shopping, seeing friends or dancing around the house.

Even though I am not technically in the workforce I am definitely learning some new things. With only one income, I have learned how to use coupons to our benefit. I feel it is my job to stretch every dollar and spend as little as possible. I have learned that buying little girls clothes can be an addiction. I have learned how fun and joyous it is to see your child capture the attention of any and all grandparents. I have learned that I need to trust God with everything, because even though Edie is small now one day she will grow up to a young woman. Eric and I have grown together through the last 10 months and realize that we still need our time to ourselves. I love to watch him with Edie it is just so special.

In my mom’s group we recently read a parenting book, a main concept was where the color Orange represents a partnership between our family and our faith community. Red (the heart of our family) combined with Yellow (representing the light of our faith community) equals Orange. These two combined influences will make a greater impact than either influence alone. With our church, family, friends and us as parents we hope to have all of us edify Edie’s life.

I am really blessed and am very thankful this Thanksgiving season. We hope yours holiday is great too and don’t eat too much. We know Edie will.

Blessings - D

Edie is entered for Gap's Casting Call. Here are two of the photos we have entered and can enter up to two more. Please let us know if there are any cute photos from the past three months that we should enter. Gap will look at all her entries, but we can also vote Edie in as fan favorite. So get your computers reved up and start voting daily. And if you vote for Edie she will clap for you.


Vote for Edie (581055) -
http://www.gapcastingcall.com/GapCastingCall/EntryDetail.html?id=581055

Edie is getting bigger every day and she is learning a lot. I did a little weigh in today and she is 19.5 lbs! The little chunker must be building up her muscle mass from army crawling. Here are some pictures of her in her big girl blue dress. Thank you to Steve and Gail for the pretty outfit.

As you can see, our little pumpkin is growing and lovin' life. Today, with the Columbus Day holiday, the entire family went to Goebert's Pumpkin Patch and Farm. Edie saw her first pig race, magic show where a little girl floated in the air after being cut in half with a saw, and met a giraffe. She was able to pick out her first pumpkin from hundreds around her in two different sections. We brought four pumpkins home for our first "fall festival" together.

Voting for EDIE is over for now @ the Gerber Generation Contest.

We will update the link when the next round of voting starts...
and Edie thanks you for all the votes she received last month.

Edie stands on her own...kinda!

Edie is now 8 months old, and learning new things everyday. She has learned to how to clap.
She has been coughing on command for a few weeks now...the sky is the limit with this kid.

Vote for EDIE now @ the Gerber Generation Contest.

www.gerber.com/photo/#/vote/

Search for Edie or her ID number - 81679

Vote everday for this little cutie!

The laundry angels are singing about the sense of accomplishment and organization that has been bestowed upon our basement laundry area with additional shelf space for the "Coupon Queen" to store all her savings!

Today was "Fun at the park" with Mom & Dad day. We went to the Huntley Park District for a short walk in the park and playtime in their very cool kids area. Edie was able to swing with us on a big people swing, and play with some of the toys. All the fun can be seen below:

Edie is growing to be a very cool kid, with a great personality. She smile more than she cries, so we are lucky with that one. She enjoys the camera as seen below:

Danielle enrolled Edie in her first swim class in Algonquin. She loves to kick and splah around in the lake.

Edie's 5 Month pic

Relaxin' on the couch

Weekend Fun with Dad

Sleepin' Beauties

We enjoyed the smells and tastes at "Taste of The Lake" in Crystal Lake. We enjoyed a little picnic with our friends Ray, Lauren & Trey. After eating, we strolled thru the carnival and checked out all the rides that would make us puke.

Edie was enjoying her cruise in Trey's stroller!

Putting on a fireworks show for the baby!

Mom & Daughter posing for a 4th Of July pic!

Danielle and Edie and back from almost a week in Appleton, WI.
Here are some action shots from the week.

Today, we had a family day at Lincoln Park Zoo. We ventured into the city with our friends Ray, Lauren and Trey, and enjoyed the sites, sounds and smells of the zoo. When we were in the Ape house, we even were able to witness the act of ape mating for about 15 seconds. Visions that nightmares are made of...the pics below should help wash those visions away.