Happy 1st Birthday Greta Mae!

We celebrated Augie's first girlfriend's first birthday on Saturday with sledding and sweet treats!

Greta and her dad ripping it up!

Modeling the latest fashion! How "cool"!

Yep, we're Jackson Hole boys and 30 degrees is way too hot!

Pow pow.

For more photos, including frame-by-frame action shots, check out our Shutterfly page: http://kjerajacob.shutterfly.com/6592

The Blockade

'Tis the season! Jacob has carefully crafted a Christmas Blockade around our tree and gifts. Having a curious 10 month old in the house has inspired Jacob's creativity in using every large-scale baby toy we own to deter the baby from his one true wish. We continue to learn as we go, like the time that Augie's new chair basically created a step stool for him to reach at least halfway up the tree!

Plotting his course

Pausing to sing a carol or two

Ho, ho, ho!

Away in a Manger

We were asked to participate in our church's Christmas production this year, "One Starry Night". Basically, it was a haunted house, but for Christmas! Guests arrived in the busy Bethlehem market and completed crafts and enjoyed middle eastern snacks, all while filling out their census form and evading the tax collector. After passing through the barn, comprised of three rowdy shepherds, two goats and a yearling steer, they arrived in a dim stable for the grand finale!

Virgin Mary and the newborn Christ child
(delicious straw)

O' Holy Night!

Sleep in heavenly peace!

Santa's Lil' Helper

Bows and boxes and ribbon, oh my!
In the excitement of Augie's first Christmas, let's not forget our 1st son . . Rio. He is just as thrilled with the signs of the season and late night projects. AND from the sounds of things, Augustus might be saying "Rio" before "Mami" or "Daddy". Only time will tell!

It's the MOST wonderful time of the year!

Over the river and through the woods . . .

 . . . to Grandma Sharon's house we go!
We celebrated Christmas a little early with Grandma Sharon and Grandpa Joe. According to the Henrie tradition, each family buys gifts for one other family. This year we shopped for Lawrence's family, and Joe and Sharon shopped for us. Kjera got a beautiful farmer's market cookbook, Jacob a useful tripod flashlight, Augie a beautiful chair, and we get to share some fun serving dishes! The best part was Sharon's homemade soup and watching Augie dig into the wrapping paper!

Rockin' around the Christmas tree!
(with the instruments that will live at Grandma's house)

Yum, yum, yum, yum, yum
(sung to the tune of "Little Drummer Boy")

Tiny tots, with their eyes all aglow!

Chairs are for ______________ .

Thank you Grandpa Joe!

Reservation for One

Jacob pulled this little discovery table out the garage (a pass-around blessing), and Augie is in love! Yet another baby tool, that I swore our tiny baby would never be ready for! I agreed to allow the sound on here with the caveat that we leave it in Spanish. It is so fun to watch him dance and do his "Stevie Wonder" head shaking to the little tunes. DJ ASH is available to spin disks at your holiday parties!

Exploration station

Sing it, brother!

P.S. the adorable Carhartt's in these photos were retired yesterday. That's how quickly he's growing out of clothing!

Ding Dong, Merrily on High!

We took Augustus' love of music to new heights on Sunday afternoon by joining the Jackson Hole Community Band for their holiday concert at Teton Village. Composed entirely of volunteers, including professional musicians and the mayor, we were treated to an hour of holiday favorites. Augie's favorite was "Little Drummer Boy" (just like his Daddy). It was wonderful to be at a family concert where the baby could squawk and crawl the stairs and just be one of the typical audience members! We also had the opportunity to give a toy to Santa to share with needy children. THAT'S the holiday spirit!

Jackson Hole Community Band

Lil' Drummer Boy (he alternated between percussion, singing and dancing)

Guess who's beard is long and white!

BIG boy!





When life gives you broken glass . . .

. . . you fuse it! Well, that's what Kjera learned to do in a glass workshop on Saturday afternoon. We worked with an Idaho artist using her scraps to create our own jewelry, ornaments and other treasures. Not only was this a much-needed time with the ladies, it was also a creative outlet that will (hopefully!) create some nice holiday gifts.

Kelly's truck (that Jacob sometimes borrows to do "man" stuff)

The ladies!!!

Trimming the Tree

There's nothing like changing the baby's environment to watch his curiosity and enthusiasm begin to churn. First came the tree, then the lights, then the-so-tempting ornaments. Each one of these moments is so much fun to share with Augustus, now if we can just keep him from sharing SO much time with the hanging ornaments!

The first one he went for was from Kjera's 1st Christmas in 1978!

"helping"

Wildlife Brewery and Pizzeria

We put the WILD in the Wildlife Pizza on Saturday night when we did an impromptu double date with Augie's godparents Josh and Betsy (since we were on their side of the "hill" in Victor, Idaho). The boys enjoyed some "Italian Stallion" and the ladies a Thai salad and the "Spinache" spinach pizza (sounds healthier than it was) and some Holiday Ale. ASH had some spinach and yams while Louise had a soft pretzel and cheese dip, but the best part was the company we keep!

Thanks for smiling, Josh!

Augie may be 8 months younger, but he's ahead in weight and almost height!

Holiday Happiness (Christmas card sneak peek)

IN THE YEAR OF AUGUSTUS . . .
ENERO- Augustus Strom Henrie was born on January 31 (his due date!) after 52 hours of labor, at 7 pounds 6 ounces and 20.5 inches.
FEBRERO- We enjoyed bringing our precious baby home and introducing him to his expanding fan club of family and friends, oh and Jacob perfected the swaddle.

MARZO- During a gathering of the Henrie family, we drew close together to support Sharon’s healing from an emergency surgery.

ABRIL- We said a tearful good bye to Bear who gave 14 years of faithful service, and Río accepted his new role in the family.

MAYO- We celebrated Sara and Kevin’s wedding with a sunny weekend in Moab, Kjera reluctantly headed back to work, and ASH’s fan club gathered from near and far to honor his baptism.

JUNIO- Jacob departed for New Mexico for some fire fun, Kjera marked one decade of teaching, and Augustus became a professional tooth grower.
JULIO- The baby explored the best of the Midwest, including Chicago artwork and Wisconsin farmer’s markets. Kjera and Jacob celebrated their birthdays in different time zones and Augustus tried his first food . . . a Wisconsin green bean!
AGOSTO- Augie put those little piggies in the ocean for the first time in Hilton Head, North Carolina and Kjera continued performing with her improv troupe, even with a broken foot!
SEPTIEMBRE- Augustus settled into his new childcare routine with our friend and her two sons and joined the Hedgehog Classroom, and we also partied at Cousin Kristy’s wedding.
OCTUBRE- We explored Yellowstone snowballs with Grammy, Jacob and Kjera celebrated two years of marriage and Augustus dressed up in three different Halloween costumes.
NOVIEMBRE- Our not-so-baby-boy mastered crawling and standing, visited Grammy and Papa in Park City, and Kjera left the boys overnight for the first time.
DICIEMBRE- We can’t wait to snuggle Aunt Tesha’s baby bump and introduce Augie to the true joy of Christmas.

What will 2012 hold for the Henries? Check in our adventures at jacobandkjera.blogspot.com.
 
¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

With love,

Kjera, Jacob and Augustus

Big Boy Burger Date

Well, we attempted a family lunch at a local burger place. We got out in an hour and a half with only one lap full of beer.

Ok, he didn't have a burger . . .

. . . but he did love his pears and bananas!

RSVP

Augustus was invited to his friend Greta's birthday party coming up. She was his first girlfriend! He can't wait to get his sled on to celebrate her big day. Which gets me thinking, what should we plan for his first birthday?

10 months

How in the world did we get a 10 month old baby? Our monthly photo ops are quickly becoming a 3 ring circus, with Augustus in every ring. Our 10 month piece of advice came from Sydney Daniels who suggested taking a Strom-Henrie Christmas photo in matching colors! (She also included a precious Strom family photo of the infamous red dresses!) Good thinking! For now we are loving our (not so) little 10 month old. He is funny and enjoys laughing at himself. He climbs the stairs. He does a killer Stevie Wonder impersonation. As much as we try for "Mami" and "Daddy", his first words may be "Ho, ho, ho!" He loves reading books and turning the pages and tried his first piece of elk meat. His favorite toy is the cat and he lights up when he watches Grammy and Papa on skype. ASH is a beautiful, beautiful baby.

Telling funny stories

Standing up!

Who's a big boy???

I can feed myself!

Augustus continues to experiment with and enjoy lots of new foods. When we have the time (and precious energy) we allow him to feed himself. This delicious meal consisted of avocados, brown rice, pears and spinach. Want some?

Sharing is caring

Expressing delight with a little "bhurrrrr".

How Bazaar!

Last weekend, Augie hit up the Jackson Hole Holiday Bazaar with his friend Maeve. They were both exhausted after bilingual story hour, but made the social circle none the less.

Snoozing Maeve

Gluttony of Cuteness

After a bout of the stomach flu cleaned out my system, I was up for more gluttony. This time it was reuniting with dear friends in the celebration of a precious puppy and a busy baby. Sure a trip to Idaho Falls and back in one day with an almost 10 month old might be little crazy, but the adorableness of it all makes it worth while. Besides, what's a few miles between old friends?

Hello sweet Meggie!

"The last time you saw me, I was a baby!"

Friends.

Giving Thanks

Well, we certainly have much to be thankful for. As Grandma Sharon's Thanksgiving prayer reminded us, it has been quite the year in the Henrie family. What about yours? We celebrate and cherish each day of health and new memories that are being created. The small has become everything. A giggle, a hand to hold, a new taste on your tongue . . . these are the moments. Thank God.

Seriously! How could you not be thankful for this lil' guy?

Going Up?

We were shocked when one day, Augie rounded the corner and headed up the stairs. Who knew? Since then, we have given him many opportunities to hone his new skill, but he has not shown the same enthusiasm. Maybe he just needs authentic motivation? We'll see!

Face of determination

Face of celebration

One small step . . .

One small step for Augustus, one giant leap for baby-proofing. This morning, the baby decided to put himself down for a nap and headed up the stairs to his room.

Check out the Daddy Cam!

Sushi Surprise!

The only surprise here is how much Augustus loved his raw veggie sushi roll!

I think the red pepper and asparagus were both new to him, and the seaweed made for an awesome teether!

Eating off chopsticks like a pro!
He'll be teaching Baby Choi in no time!

Snugglefest 2011

Augie and parents loaded in the car and headed down to Park City, Utah to meet up with Grammy and Papa for a weekend of wintry fun. We enjoyed strolling around town and watching the snow fall. We all had to adjust to vacationing on "baby time", a.k.a. cramming as much fun as possible between naps, snacks, nursing, meals, diaper changes and bedtime. Don't worry, we still made it a Strom vacation with a tequila tasting from our Mexican honeymoon and some hot tub polar bear-ing. Thanks to his darling Wisconsin Badger outfit, we met and chatted with the owner of Wasatch Brewery. Here are just a few of our memories!

Telling stories with Papa

Catching up about the Brewers, Badgers, Packers, etcetra . . .

Grammy got some snuggle time too!
We can't believe ASH is wearing the sweater she bought for him so long ago!

We made time for some napping and resting, too.

But mostly we hung out and did this :)

Augie also showed off his swimming skills that he has been learning in his Tu/Th lessons with Daddy.