Christmas Tree O' Christmas Tree

Even though this is the second Christmas season we have lived in Vegas; this is the first year that we have gone hunting for a Christmas tree. Last year we didn't get a tree because we spend Christmas in Seattle. I looked online in hopes of finding a Christmas tree lot that was not set-up in a parking lot and I found was McKee Ranch. From the pictures online it appeared to have some potential. When we got there it was not completely what I expected but it definitely was an experience. The "ranch" was located right of the freeway and was much smaller than I was expecting but they did have a lot of fun animals and Christmas trees from Oregon. Here are some pictures from the ranch...

We ended up founding a beautiful tree from Oregon...

At the "ranch" Abby rode a rocking horse...

...and then a REAL horse...

I thought she would be afraid but she loved it!

After the "ranch" we took the tree home and then Jim put up the lights...

...then Abby helped me to decorate...

Even thought the"ranch" was not what I was expecting it was a great way to start out our holiday season.

Thank Goodness for Grandparents, Part 2

My parents left on November 19th and thank goodness Jim's parents arrived on the 21st...reinforcements!

This was Gwen and Regis' first visit to Las Vegas. So, not only did they come to meet their newest grand-daughter, spend time with Abby, enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, they also got to see some of the unknown sights.

Grandma Gwen and Kera...

Grandpa Regis & Kera...

Some of our activities for the week...

Some nice walks:

Jim, Abby, Gwen, & Regis took a tour of Red Rock:

Gwen and Regis joined Abby and I at gymnastics:

Jim, Abby, Gwen, & Regis took a trip up to Mount Charleston...

Thanksgiving morning started with a 5k fun run. This is a tradition we started when we were living in Naperville but this 5k did not go so well. The morning was very chilly and Abby was not a happy participant. She did not want to walk and she did not want to walk in the stroller...she wanted to be carried...the WHOLE time. I received a few complaining phone calls from Jim. The last of the calls Jim told me that they were coming home and not finishing the walk...Abby was just NOT having it.

She looks happy here...

Next, it was time for the bird...

It was a great meal with all the usual trimmings.

Later in the week Jim, Abby, Gwen, & Regis headed off to soccer...

Sunday of course equaled STEELERS!

Of course through out all of this there was plenty of snuggle time with Kera...

When Monday come a long it was time for Grandma and Grandpa to go home and it was a sad day for everyone. Abby had become very attached to Grandma Gwen and I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciated their help.

We had visitors in town from November 8th-28th and I was very worried about how I was going to handle 2 kids on my own. Abby had become very accustomed to having a lot of attention and I knew that she was not going to get all that she needed from me. I know now, since I am writing this nearly a month later, that things would work out just fine.

Thank Goodness for Grandparents, Part 1

So much to post about and SO little free time.

My parents came to town on November 8th, a few days before my scheduled inducement. It was great that they came in a couple days early so that they could reconnect with Abby.

I went into the hospital on the night of the 10th at 10pm. They started the inducement procedure at 11pm (WAY past my normal bed time). The procedure moved a long very slowly and at one point they were concerned about Kera's heart rate so they had to put a fetal heart monitor on her. Finally, 12 hours later, at 11 am Kera was ready to join the outside world. Kera Elizabeth was born at 11:13 on 11/11. The nurses were actually a bit disappointed that they did not pay closer attention to the time because she could have been born at 11:11. She was 7 lbs 4 oz and 20.5 inches long.

Besides the time it took for the inducement to work the actual delivery was amazingly non-eventful. I literally only pushed through one contraction.

Kera with her proud papa...

Kera's first visitors were her big sister Abby, Grandma Burs, and Grandpa Pepe.


Abby was not so sure about being in the hospital...she didn't like seeing me attached to a hospital bed.

Giving birth to Kera was a completely different experience then Abby. One of the most significant differences was that Jim was not by my side the entire time. It is not Jim did not want to be there but we have another family member now that needed his attention, Abby. I was VERY thankful that it was such an easy delivery because I was able to go home a day earlier than I did with Abby...Kera was born on Thursday morning and I was heading home Friday afternoon. In true Rogers' style Kera was decked out in Steelers gear for her arrival home.

Abby was meant to be a big sister, she is a natural and so helpful!


My parents were with us until November 19th and I have no idea how I could have done it without them! Mom and Dad thank you for making the transition from a family of 3 to a family of 4 so much easier!

Kera Elizabeth

We happily welcome Kera Elizabeth to our family!

Kera was born on 11/11 at 11:13 (SO close to 11:11). She weighed 7 lbs 4 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. Mom, dad, big sister Abby and Kera are doing great!

Halloween

This year was Abby's first real Halloween. Last year she was only 9 months old and we had just moved to Vegas on October 30th and not moved into the house yet so, we spent Halloween in the hotel.

This year the Halloween festivities began on Friday the 29th with a trick-or-treating event at Jim's office. There was a costume contest and lots of candy to be had. Abby actually won the costume contest for her age group there were 12 other kids in the running. I guess stressing over making her costume paid off.

On Saturday we went to Gilcrease Orchard to find our perfect pumpkins. Gilcrease Orchard was amazing it was only about 20 min away but it is an actual orchard, in VEGAS. Even though we waited until the last minute to get our pumpkins there were still plenty to choose from. This will definitely be out yearly pumpkin patch.





On Halloween afternoon we painted/carved our pumpkins...



Finally Halloween night was upon us. All of Abby's friends met at our house for a group picture:

left to right: Abby(Tinker Bell), Kyle (Elmo), Maddie (Fairy Princess), and Rohan (Tiger).


left to right: Abby, Maddie, Makayla (Kitten), and Rohan

Then it was off trick-or-treating. Abby did great. She would run up to the door with Rohan yelling trick-or-treat and then would wait nicely at the door for the owners to answer. The funny thing is as soon as the people would open the door she would say thank you and turn around...without getting the candy. At least she had good manners.

After a busy weekend and a great night of trick-or-treating Abby was ready for a good night's rest while Jim and I finished watching the Steelers game.

We are already looking forward to next year!

Pine Cone Hunt

Last month we headed up to Mount Charleston for a pine cone hunt and lunch at the lodge. We had not been up there in quite a while and we were hoping to see some fall colors. As usual, the mountain did not disappoint. Here are a few pictures from our fall afternoon (note: it was 85 degrees here yesterday...nowhere near fall weather).