Happy New Year!

Well, I did warn you it might be a while before I did another blog entry, but I still apologize for the delay. In contrition, I offer you lots and lots of pictures. We have had a busy and wonderful past few weeks. The Moore clan was here for Christmas, and we had a great time with them. As usual, much delicious food was consumed and there was plenty of oohing and aahing over Max’s cuteness. I even got to finally try the famed chocolate-peanut butter-Ritz cracker concoctions (there’s a family legend with those).

Next, we headed off to Florida to ring in the new year with Dad and Helen. Despite waking up at 3am and only taking two half-hour naps all day, Max was a trooper on both (very full) flights there. He did well on the way home too, there was a little more crying on that trip but also more sleeping. We were blessed with very nice people in the aisle seat on all our flights, and heard several comments about how adorable and well-behaved Maxwell is. We really enjoyed our time in Florida, it wasn’t warm enough to swim but we did have a day that had good beach weather. While we were enjoying the beach, a group (pod?) of dolphins came and was swimming really close to shore, maybe 10 feet out. They went back and forth, playing and swimming all in a row, for maybe 10 or 15 minutes, swam away, then came back again a bit later. While we weren’t actually awake to ring in 2010, it was still very special to see it in in Florida with family. We also got to spend an afternoon with my friends Kevin and Amanda. We met at Calvin and I hadn’t seen them in 5 years, way too long.

Max’s first tooth made an appearance on his 9 month birthday! He is really enjoying solid foods now and is none too impressed with the baby food purees these days. He loves to wave and started clapping while we were in Florida. So cute! We had his 9 month well child check today and he weighs 20 pounds and 12 ounces, which is about the 55th percentile. He is still at the top of the charts for height and head circumference.

Many of you know that my wonderful family surprised me with my heart’s desire for Christmas, a Nikon DSLR camera! I was so surprised and excited and am loving taking photos with it. So, on to the mother lode of photos, enjoy!

Max in front of the tree:

With Oma and Opa:

Me, Denny and Elizabeth in our Christmas Eve popper crowns:

Family Christmas picture:

Max and I both received some University of Michigan gear for Christmas. Go Blue!

Max’s 9 month photo:

A couple with Daddy:

So cute!

Before you can go to the beach, you have to get your sunscreen on:

On the beach in Florida:

What is this stuff?

Beach baby:

Dining al fresco, Daddy showing how it’s done:

Out for a walk:

Dinner with Grandpa:

At the Tampa airport, waiting to fly home: