The big 6-7!

Today is our Grampy's birthday!

We started the celebration with reading books and playing dress-up. Grampy couldn't quite fit into the Dora dress. Then we had a great dinner made by Daddy (of course).

Birthday parties are really fun, Daddy! When's mine?!

Time for cake! Not sure who was happier about this part. Grampy let Isla get some wish-making practice for another big day coming later this month.

"You promise I can have cake next year, Grampy?"

"Speaking of cake, I think I see another piece waiting for me on the counter!"

Happy Birthday Grampy, Dad, Iron Mike! We love you!

Happy New Year!

What a year it's been!

Last year, we promised this would be a year of exciting new adventures for our little Isla, and BOY were we right! We (secretly) already knew she was going to be a big sister, but had no idea this precious little man would make such a dramatic entrance!

Isla has become even more of an amazing little woman, mostly due to such big responsibilities of being a big sister. As usual, she is the life of our parties and was ready to ring in the new year in style!

Following our tradition started last year, here are Isla's Top 10 songs of 2011:
10. Just The Way You Are - Bruno Mars

09. I Gotta Feelin' - The Black Eyed Peas

08. A Million Years - Alexander

07. MoneyGrabber - Fitz & the Tantrums

06. Baba O'Riley - The Who

05. Upside Down - Jack Johnson

04. Forget You (clean version) - Cee Lo Green

03. Pumped Up Kicks - Foster the People

02. Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO

01. Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town - Kenny Rogers and Cake

We only wish all of you could see the sweet moves that accompany these songs and hear her interpretation of some of the lyrics. To say she's musically-inclined is an understatement!

Happy 2012 from the Kapellas family!

We hope you've enjoyed keeping up with us this year. Get ready...there's much more to keep up with on the horizon!

Gannon's "Rider"

Now that Gannon is 5 months old, he's gotten pretty good at working his magic for the camera.

And he's also come up with a list of requests for these mini-shoots:

good lighting, manly clothes and all that hair must be just right.

I put my lovely assistant, Isla (also known as "little mommy" who copies everything I do for Gannon), in charge of hair today.

"I heard there is the finest rice cereal money can buy in my trailer."

Picture perfect.

"This gig is really working. We can't get much cuter, can we?!"

***

In preparation for his 5-month chair appearance, Gannon decided to make some changes to his diet.

Hmm...this kind of looks like those mashed potatoes I wasn't too fond of the other day.

Ah! It's bananas! Phew...

Every food looks the same so far...but I overheard Daddy mention something about applesauce.

What about all of those colorful veggies in the Peapod order the other day?...

And he is already toning up from workouts with his new dumbbell (see Christmas Eve post).

Look at those guns!

"Seriously, Mommy. It's still the same old bath, even though my tub is now in the big tub.

I know, I know...growing up too fast, blah blah blah..."

"The M" is for Michael

We love when Uncle Michael comes to town for a visit! Aunt Jenna (with baby in belly!) made the long trip up from Memphis for Christmas.

"I really like your beard week. How do I get one of those?"

Isla loves reading books with Uncle Michael. She shared one of her new favorites, "The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School".

That Gingerbread Man looks good enough to eat!

We can't wait to meet our new girl cousin!

The best part of wakin' up...

"I was a VERY, VERY good girl!"

Isla couldn't help but repeat those words over and over as she excitedly discovered each present she asked for under the tree.

Little drummer girl

Whoa! Santa was hungry! And thirsty. How does he have time to grab another beer out of the fridge? He sure doesn't get any neater with each passing year.

Even Bosley was excited for Mr. Man's new dinosaurs.

Is that Ambulance #32?

"That kind of looks familiar. I didn't really get a good view of it since I wasn't in it very long."

Beauty and the Belle doll

Not sure which is more fun, the paper or the present?

"I'm going to have to ask Poppy about this chord. I'm working on perfecting my 'Feliz Navidad'."

The Christmas loot!

This has been one heck of a first Christmas!

"Mommy says mashed potatoes are her favorite food."

"I say I'll stick with my hands for now."

Say cheese! Everything and anything got its picture taken this afternoon.

All aboard the Animal Train!

Don't be sad, Gannon. Christmas comes every year! And my favorite present this year is you!

Here comes Santa Claus...

and there he goes! He arrived in Chicago at 11:26 CST. And the kiddos didn't hear a peep!

Good thing since Santa (Daddy) is hard at work on 2 special gifts.

Testing out Magical Fairy Dora's magic...

and so happy this Spinnin' Sounds Speedway for Gannon requires 1/100th of the effort Isla's kitchen did last year!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!