4 Years

Happy Anniversary Nick. It has been a busy and oftens times very stressful 4 years. I wouldn't want to go through it with anyone else. I look forward to all the years to come and whatever else life brings our way, with you. I love you.

The 12 Days of Christmas

This year a wonderful person decided to do the 12 days of christmas to our family. They spoiled our family with wonderful gifts for 12 days. Every night Ellie looked forward to bringing the present in and opening it. She thought they were from Santa. One night she opened the box and told me, "This one's for Dad". It was filled with golf tees and balls. We got cookies, chocolate, bubble bath, a CD, a drum, gingerbread man decorating kit, christmas tutu's, and a leap frog fridge phonics. We enjoyed opening our gifts and were hopping that whoever it was would tell us on the last day. Unfourtunately this didn't happen and we don't know who did it. I wish I knew so I could tell them how grateful we are for everything they did for us. It was wonderful and we really appreciated it. Thank you to whoever it was.

The girls in their Christmas TuTu's.

Christmas Pictures

Why Daddy is the best

Nick kept Ellie on Saturday morning so I could go to a family cookie exchange. I knew he'd take her to do something fun and that she would have a great time with Daddy. I came home about three hours later, which was an hour after her nap time and she was just getting down for nap. I asked Nick what they had done and he just told me to look at the camera. There were over 100 pictures from that morning. He had taken her up past Enumclaw to play in the snow. She had sooooo much fun and couldn't stop talking about it after she woke up. No wonder Daddy is her favorite.

Santa Clause

We had our ward party on Saturday and Santa was there. It was actually pretty funny, Ellie was following him around the gym. He went and sat in his chair and my Mom asked me where Ellie was. I told her probably next to Santa. I lloked over to where he was and she was sitting on the floor next to his rocking chair opening a present that was decoration. We a few cute pictures, Santa was great and even held Lexie for one.

10 Months Old

Lexie just turned 10 months old. I can't believe that in two months she will be 1. Time sure has flown by. Happy ten months Lexie.

Decorating the Tree

Saturday evening we decorated the tree. I never knew decorating a tree could be such a stressful experience. Add two kids into the mix and we had chaos. In the end it was fun and the kids enjoyed it. I tried to get a few pictures of the girls but they weren't being very cooperative. Ellie loved putting the ornaments on the tree and kept putting them on the same branch. I didn't say anything to her I figured we'd fix the tree after she went to bed. She had a great time and kept wanting to put more ornaments on. Lexie was content sitting on the floor playing with a strand of beads that I was going to put on the tree. In the end after the kids were in bed I realized the stress was worth it since Ellie had such a good time.

The girls decorating the tree.



Ellie's version



The finished tree

Lexies alone time

Yesterday Ellie went and spent the afternoon with Papa and JuJu. Lexie normally really enjoys having some time to herself, but yesterday i think she missed Ellie. She seemed fine until it was bath time. I thoughht since she loves the bath she would really enjoy having it all to herself. At first she just sat and kept turing to look at me and smiling. She never really moved from the spot I set her in and didn't touch a single toy. After a few minutes she melted down and wanted out. I really think it wasn't as fun without Ellie. She didn't seem to enjoy doing anything after her bath, normally she plays and is happy. Not yesterday, she just didn't know wjhat to do. Eventually she went over to the movie cupboard and started pulling movies out. The poor kid was so sad, I didn't say anything to her, I just let her keep pulling moveis out. Apparently Lexie doesn't really enjoy her alone time much. I did however get a couple of cute pictures of her in the few moments she was happy.

Before the meltdown in the tub.


Dressed in some of Ellie's old christmas jammies and her baby's first christmas hat. Suprisingly she left that hat on for almost an hour.

Christmas Tree Farm

About a month ago my parents promised Ellie that she could go to the christmas tree farm. She had no idea what that was, but has been so excited to go ever since. She called it the christmas tree house farm, she also thought there would be animals since it was a farm. The whole family went and we picked out our trees. My Mom of course found a deal and got the biggest tree for the cheapest price. Ellie enjoyed running around with Carson and helped to pick the perfect tree. I thought with three families picking trees it would take a long time. I was wrong we all found trees quickly and the kids liked watching Poppy cut them down, Ellie especially enjoyed yelling timber. Here's a few pictures of our adventure.

The whole family


Ellie running around


Nick and Ellie showing off their catch ( I think it's funny that he is holding it like he just hunted it)


The only picture of Lexie we got and it is awful


Lexie wouldn't look at the camera she was to busy looking at Santa

So MAD!

Yesterday I was down at our church for a choir practice and someone backed into my car. They broke out the passengers side tail light. The worst part of it was they didn't even leave a note. I am so mad that someone elses actions are now going to cost me money. It's illegal to drive my car since I have no tail light. I can't believe someone would hit another car and then drive away.

You know you're a bad housekeeper when....

Your husband comes home and sees you cleaning and asks you who's coming over. There must be someone coming over because that is the only logical reason you would be cleaning up. So sad, embarrassing and unfortunately partially true.

Cutest Sisters Ever!

My girls have become the sweetest sister. I love to watch them and I beem with pride as they interact so well. They really seem to enjoy playing together. Ellie is a wonderful big sister, she looks for Lexie and will often tell her not to do something because she might get hurt. Lexie wants to do whatever Ellie does and for the most part doesn't want to leave her alone. I just love to watch them hug and kiss each other. I just wanted to share a few new pictures of them.

Christmas Countdown

While I was in Idaho in October I saw a great idea at a little boutique. It was a Christmas countdown made out of a mini muffin tin, they wanted $38 for it. I looked at it and decided I could make it. So I shopped around and found all the things I needed and made three of them. The one I originally saw may have been slightly cuter, but mine was alot less expensive. To give you an idea of how it works you put the numbers over the muffin tin. They stick with magnets on the back and you put the candy inside the tin. I thought it was a great, reusable idea. I stamped the numbers on and then embossed them with a sparkly embossing powder, you can't really see that in the picture. I also made sure that if I used as a stamp it included glitter, it made it look much cuter.

Possibly the cutest pictures ever

I picked up Lexie's 9 month pictures today. I think they might be the cutest pictures I have ever seen. She went in today for her 9 month check-up. She weighs 15lbs even and was only 24in. She is so short. She is right on track with everything and in my eyes is perfect! While we were at the doctors someone drove their car into the building. They didn't go all the way through, but still. How do you drive over the cement bump at the top of the stall, over the side walk through the bushes and into the building. Seriouisly I don't get it!




I have add because I am very proud of it. I got this dress at The Childrens Place for $1.99!

Birthday Cake

It was my Mom's birthday last week and I offered to make dessert for her. She picked a checkerboard cake. She had bought the pan set but hadn't tried it yet. I've been wanting to learn how to cake decorate so I thought I'd give it a try. It turned out alright, it wasn't hidious, it wasn't perfect, it was ok. Not bad for a first try at decorating on my own. The inside was the coolest part. It was really fun making it and I enjoyed doing it. Hopefully I'll improve in my decorating skills. I didn't put the sprinkles on the top. That was Ellies job, so was very proud of herself.

Ellieisms

Ellie is staring to talk non-stop. She says some of the funniest things lately. We called her Great Grandma Ellie (who she is named after) to wish her a Happy Halloween. She had a nice little conversation and quickly said bye. When Nick got home she told him that she called and talked to Great Grandma. Nick asked her Great Grandma who, her response was Great Grandma Me. We got a good laugh out of this one. Now whenever she talks about Great Grandma Ellie she says, Great Grandma Me. She is so cute at 2!

Lexie is 9 months old!

I just can't believe Alexis is already 9 months old. The time as just flown by. She is growing up so fast and so much has changeed since last month. Her newset "trick" is pulling herself up to things. She stands up on everything and is staring to figure out that she can walk along the furniture. She looks pretty funny doing it since she is so short. Today she stood by herself not holding onto anything for about 6 seconds. She was very proud, and Ellie had to show us that she could do it too since we were praising Lex. She has three teeth and I think she is working on the fourth. She says Mama and Dada, whcih is so cute to hear. She is still a great eater and is staring to try table foods. She loves to play especially with Ellie. They really are the cutest sisters, and truly do love each other. Happy 9 months Lexie.

A few pictures of the many strange faces Alexis makes.

My new addiction

I just can't help myself these days with all of the cute christmas dresses out. So far I have bought Ellie 2 on top of the one she already had for Christmas this year. They are just so pretty and I can't resist. I get myself into trouble with these darn girls of mine!

Thoughts on gratitude

I think my efforts to become a more thankful person have paid off. I have to admit that I am glad I don't have to post every day, but I do still think about what i am grateful for everyday. I find myself laying in bed reflecting on the day and what I'm grateful for. This really helps me to focus on the good of the which in turn is making me a happier person. I think it was a great "experiment" that had a very postivie effect on my life. Now I won't be conituing to post my thankful list everyday, I think that whenever I post there will be a thankful list included at the end.

Halloween

Here's a few pictures of the girls on Halloween.




We went up to Nick's parents house and Ellie got to go trick-or-treating with Papa and JuJu. After that we went down to the ward trunk-or-treat and she got to see Nanny and Poppy and her cousins and friends. She had a great time, and of course loved the fact that she got candy.

Day 31

One day late I know, I just didn't have it in me last night..
Thankful things
1. Nick's soccer game got canceled which meant he got to spend the whole night with us. I know he was upset he didn't get to play, but we loved having him around last night.
2. My girls were wonderfully behaved last night, it made trick-or-treating a fun event. I loved watching Ellie because she was so excited. I was a great night. She is growing up so fast, I couldn't believe she was old enough to be out trick or treating. I explained to her that there would be other people out also and they would be dressed up in costumes. I warned her that it might be scary but she would be fine because Mommy and Daddy would be with her. She procceeded to tell me she would be scared but it's ok cause Daddy will hold her. It was sweet to hear her tell me that. Daddy will make it ok. She is such a sweet little girl.
3. I'm cheating with this one cause it was from today instead of yesterday. The strike is over!

Day 30

Thankful things
1.The ability to play the piano. Let me explain this one. I mentioned yesterday that I had gone to a funeral. I was actually the pianist for it. I felt very inadequate and thought there had to be someone else better fit to it. I was asked so I agreed. I am cheating a little with this grateful moment because it actually occured last night while I was in bed. I've never been one who is good with words. When bad things happen to anyone I never know what to say. So most of the time I just don't say anything. This probably comes across as me being heartless or insensitive. Truly on the inside my heart breaks for people who are going through trials and pain, I just don't have the right words to say. I became grateful thhat I got to play for this funeral and give something to that family that was grieving. Now I realize that the music was nothing they will remember but it meant something to me to be able give of myself for thtem. Does that make any sense? Although I might not of had the right words I gave something to this family. I like to think that made a difference to someone there.
2. My sweet Lexie took the cutest pictures today. I'm always grateful when we have a photo appointment that doesn't include any crying. She did great and of course was adorable.
3. The christmas season is coming. I know silly, but I love it. I love buying gifts, christmas music, the smells, the cookies, family... everything about the holidays I love. It just puts me in s uch a good mood. I am also very grateful to not be on bedrest thsi christmas. Some of you may know that I spend from October till February on bedrest and in and out of the hospital. I didn't get to fully enjoy the holiday season and I am very much looking forward to it this year.

Lexie's newly aquired skill.

Day 29

Thankful things
1. Lexie's cuteness. She has learned to shake her head no. It is very cute! I know the time will quickly come when it will no longer be cute when she tells me no. So for now I'm going to enjoy it while I can.
2. I'm alive. I know that may sound strange. I went to a funeral today (may I add it was a very nice funeral in my opinion). It made me grateful to be alive. It also made me reflect on life and want to become a better person. You start to think what would people say about me at my funeral. That always makes me want to be better.
3. A wonderful life full of blessings. I'm very lucky and haven't had to go through very many awful things. I hear of things others are going through and become grateful for my seemingly easy life.

Last night on Oprah they showed a you tube video called 99 Balloons. I had already seen it once and found it just as toiuching and heart wrenching the second time. If you haven't already seen this grab a box of tissue and watch. She interviewed Eliots parents afterwards and his Mother said something I hope to never forget in the face of adversity. She said she could be sad later. For now she was going to enjoy every moment. They have such strength. I found them to be inspirational.

Day 28

Thankful things
1. I didn't inflict bodily harm on a certain unamed child who wouldn't stop screaming today. I felt much better after she quickly fell asleep in my arms. All bad was forgotten and I snuggled her for a few extra minutes before putting her to bed.
2. I finished all my laundry today. There are a few dirty towels and todays clothes. That's it, I also put almost all of them away! I'm fairly proud of myself. Todays laundry also included Ellie's bedding, washed, dried and back on the bed before bed time.
3. Nick is home tonight to deal with the screaming of another unnamed child who I wish would go to bed this week without having to wake up for "nuggles" it is driving me crazy. Remind me I love her too. Just kidding.

Pictures

I haven't posted many pictures latley. It isn't beacuse we haven't taken any. We have over 200 from the last week and a half! I figured I better share a few.

We went to the pumpkin patch and Ellie got to ride a Pony. She was in HEAVEN!


Sweet little Lexie hung out in the carrier and checked everything out.


Nick told Ellie she could have any pumpkin she could pick up. She tried to pick up a lot of pumpkins.


We set Lexie down to get a picture with the pumpkins. She immediatley picked up stuff off the ground and put it right into her mouth.


Family pic


Helping Dad gut the pumpkin. She wasn't a huge fan of this.


The final product. Obviously Ellie didn't help carve but she did choose to make it a witch. It was funny beacsue she was scared of it when it was done.


Ellie and Kenidee. They weren't posed I just happened to catch this cute moment.


My old roommate Josies wedding with the other roommates. We hadn't seen each other in over two years. It was wonderful to see them.