Maryland Christmas {The End}

Last Christmas post until December, I swear.

The final days of our Christmas trip were spent hanging with my family. 

At Pop Pop's house, that meant playing and climbing his stairs.

Since we don't have stairs in our house they are a bit novel to the baby girl. 

I'm afraid she may put them on her Christmas list next year. 

Cole also got lot of snuggles with Aunt Kelsey.
Since Kelsey lives in California she so Cole don't get to visit, it's pretty special when the see each other. 

Back over at Scottie and Big's house, Cole spent lots of time with Peggy Sue.
What can I say? She's a dog person. No surprise there, really.

Cole was also spoiled by lots of visitors!
My sister has kept up her high school friendships in a way that absolutely shames me. (Keeping up with people is not one of my strong suits.)
Anyway, I've known the girls below for 15 years or longer. And each one of them is a doll!

Cole got loads of quality time with her grandparents over the break- though surely it never feels like enough. 

We'll be welcoming all five of her grandparents to our house in the next couple of months. 

Everyone wants to help celebrate her big first birthday!

Maryland Christmas {Snow Days}

Cole saw her first snow while we were in Maryland. It was so romantic. The snow fell on Christmas day.
(Turns out she would have seen snow if we'd stayed in Memphis, too.)
Cole looked around the winter wonderland before deciding to try a taste.

The day after Christmas,  it snowed again.
We stayed toasty warm inside for all but a little while.
Bundled up, Cole got her second chance to play in the snow.

Unfortunately, while I packed Cole's coat I didn't pack any reasonable snow shoes for myself.
So our outdoor adventures were short lived.

Sunday Afternoon

We took Cole to the greatest playground ever Sunday afternoon.
She'd been before (in the stroller) but she is just now old enough to enjoy the park.
Cole had as much fun watching the big kids as she did on the playground.

Cole is getting bolder taking steps. Up to six at a time.
She is most confident when mommy are daddy are acting as safe landing pads. 
After ever sequence of steps, she gets a wide grin on her face. She knows she's growing up.
She can taste the independence. The freedom.
Any day now she's going to let go.