Lisa: I like you

But...I don't like you the BEST.

Lisa: snow beast

Pop-Pop and I took Nora out sledding on the snowy streets around the farmhouse. I like that this has the makings of a Christmas tradition.

Lisa: keeping her brains warm

My mom wears this cozy winter hat completely unironically. Thank goodness now Nora does too.

Lisa: presents

Clearly I need to get my act together and take some photos on Christmas Day, not least because then I wouldn't be appearing in the photos, looking like a tipsy Russian grandmother.

Lisa: Thanksgiving

I don't know why I can't seem to get my act together and take some decent photos at Thanksgiving. What we have here is a few photos taken with someone else's camera of the excursion to the Eagle Tree with Dave, Angie, and Becky (who has twinner coats with Nora) and then the photos Nora took with my camera while we were in church. After we stopped her in the nick of time from throwing herself off the balcony, the camera seemed to be the only thing that would keep her sitting down and relatively quiet. Sorry, fellow churchgoers.

Lisa: Pie Day

My mom had us come up to Spring City to put all of the apples and plums they had left at the end of the season into pies. Nora was such a great sport, stirring bowls and sorting apple peels all through our marathon day of baking. Grandma even made her a tiny pie of her very own.

Lisa: The Big Red Barn

Every time we drive down to Spring City to visit my parents, I see the sign for the Big Red Barn and its "world's best ice cream." This time we finally stopped and checked it out. It was packed with people, and was a little more of a commercial operation than I expected (I guess I thought it would be a more rustic mom-and-pop situation). In addition to fruit, fudge, and baked goods, they sell old-fashioned candies and the sort of country-cute tchotchkes you might see at Kneaders or Gardner Village. Of course, we did get some tasty fresh creamery ice cream cones.

They had a little area on one side of the barn set up with hay bales and pumpkins, and there was a whole family camped out on the bales, getting holiday photos taken. I couldn't resist snapping a few of Nora before we left.

Lisa: jump

Nora is crazy about Grandma, but I think she might be even crazier about Grandma's trampoline.

Lisa: Andre

For one brief, sunny day, a glorious chicken named Andre was part of our lives. RIP, little buddy.

Lisa: Heritage Days

I have to admit, I just stole these photos from Spring City's Heritage Days festival right off Valori's Facebook page. They had to be free, for all the world to see. Sorry, Valori.

Lisa: the farmhouse

Nora loves visiting my parents in Spring City--even when she has to trek to the animal pens with her feet falling right out of their too-big Hello Kitty galoshes.

Lisa: winter sports

My dad had the awesome idea of pulling Nora around their property in a sled. She loved it, even when one too-sharp turn spilled her out onto the road. She just got right back in the sled and started chanting, "fast, fast!"

Lisa: pegged

Nora quickly put her new table to good use: becoming a genius.

Lisa: Christmas Day

Here's Nora, bumming around at home while we threw the last few items in our suitcases. Since we almost crashed on our way to Spring City, this might have been the last picture of Nora, ever. Do I even have to say how glad I am that it wasn't?

Sarah gave Nora this adorable tutu. The vest is also from Sarah, actually. What a good aunt, right?

The table and chairs are from my parents. Unfortunately, they made Nora grow up about four months in five minutes...but she loves them.

Lisa: Thanksgiving in Spring City

I'm so thankful we caught Aunt Sarah on film.

Lisa: here comes the big parade

Sarah and I rode our bikes in the Pioneer Day parade in Spring City, with Nora in the baby seat. The whole thing was awesomely ridiculous (and ridiculously awesome), but I think the best part was riding past my dad and hearing him shout to the crowd around him, "That's my granddaughter! That's my granddaughter!"

Lisa: my fellow Americans

Something about being in a small town and with family just makes you feel more patriotic. Happy fourth of July!

Lisa: This is what she likes.

My little Nora, someday you will be glad you have this video of you and Great Grandma Gorgeous. Between now and then, I'll just enjoy how cute you are, banging on your high chair tray.

Lisa: Spring in Spring City

Lisa: future hacker

While we were in Spring City, Sarah let Nora have some dangerous solo computer time.

Also, every time I use Sarah's camera, I'm more jealous of it. Thanks, Sar!

Lisa: so big