The Latest Introduction

While we don't have any permanent family here in AZ we are super blessed to have many family members travel this way during different times of the year. A few weekends ago Avery and I cruised an hour south to Casa Grande so she could meet her GG and Papa Streit! They came down from Northern CA to soak up the AZ sunshine and shower their newest great-grandkid with kisses! What a joy it is to see Avery's delight in each new face. We had a fantastic time lunching, laughing, and catching up.

Locating Home

This weekend Avery and I did the 6 hour drive (7.5 hours if you're stopping to feed a kid!) to San Diego. Our main objective was to secure a place to live since we have just over a month before the moving truck comes. We were successful in signing a lease for a cute place only 2 blocks from Balboa Park! The Pettit family was kind enough to let us crash their pad for a few days. Thank you!!! Daddy and Avery got to reconnect - having not seen each other for 6 weeks. And little missy started on rice cereal! At her visit with the Dr. last week she weighed in a bit low for her age, so she's moved into the world of "real" food to help plump her up!

Miss Attitude

Laughter from The McNeils on Vimeo.

I was filming Avery playing with her rattle the other day and ended up catching her very first laugh on film! She has an array of new vocal and physical talents! Runtime: 1min 18sec

Pseudo-Professional Photo Shoot

There is just something about naked little babies that I love... especially my own! Avery was in a great mood today so we took advantage of the beautiful weather and snapped some new pics.

Oooo... He's FINE at 29

Avery and I celebrated Matt's 29th birthday today! Even though he couldn't be with us we still relished in the joy of his special day. Here's Avery singing the birthday song this morning...

Avery Montage

Ok, ok... so I know I just posted the annual video and that's probably what you're here to see (it's below), but I couldn't resist sharing a quick montage of Avery from last week at 2 mo 3 wk old. She's growing at warp speed!!! ~ Runtime: 2 min.

2 mo 3 wk old from The McNeils on Vimeo.

Life a la 2008

2008 from The McNeils on Vimeo.

This year was pretty eventful, life-changing, insert-epic-adjective-here! Here's the re-cap with some fav tunes from this annum.
Runtime: 18 min.

Family Road Trip

Every year about this time we take a trip up to Sedona. The air is crisp and hiking through the red rocks quickly cleanses the soul. This was also Avery's first time in the snow... Her cold weather get-up made her look like a new Dr. Suess character! (as always, click on the pictures to enjoy them up close!)

A Diaper Reprieve

2 years ago I painted this tree in the nursery of a wonderful young family. This year, they asked me to duplicate the whimsy on some children's furniture for Christmas. Having not picked up a paintbrush in almost 3 months, it was a fabulous timeout from my baby responsibilities. Not to mention some sweet side cash to help fund Matt's desperate need to be Blackberried! * wink *

Christmas Card

Time has simply skittered away and somehow we neglected to send out any Christmas cards! Hopefully a blog family portrait will suffice this year. Saves on postage! :)

May the joy of this season fill your home and the gift of Jesus enrapture your heart.

Love ~ The McNeil Family

p.s. Have no fear! Our annual DVD will be posted sometime in January...