Merry Christmas 2010

So Christmas has come and gone. It's kind of like Thanksgiving dinner... a lot of prep work and a little bit of playtime.  In the case of Christmas it is days prepping and one day of playing, and we had a great day of playing. With the holiday being on a weekend it feels like it lasts so much longer. Christmas is quite different with a child in the house. We used to sleep late, play video games, watch movies, have Nerf gun fights, and have some fun. Thankfully she hasn't gotten all excited and waking up at early hours, we still slept 'till 9:00, which was very welcomed since we were up quite late finishing the "big" present. Blake had built Angela a barbie size doll house and then we got to decorate it. the decorating and finishing didn't end until about 1:00 am, then it was on to wrapping it and the other real stuff. Now the day after was a different story; she was  up at 6:00 AM and wanting to play with barbies and stuff. But once she got back to sleep - I had to wake her up AT 11:00 (good thing we had 1:00 church).  So check out the pictures below and see how much fun we had. 

Check out this cute video when she sees what Santa brought to her. Her face is priceless. And Santa has brought hours and hours of playtime. She plays and plays. Today during Sacrament meeting she was heard saying, "please, please, please can I play?"  not just once but multiple times. Even the folks in front of us commented on how cute that was. We do have to admit, Angela does use polite kind words - some of the time, just like any other 3 year old.  We hope y'all had a wonderful Christmas and felt the spirit of Christ in your homes.

Blustery Days

So it is starting to get blustery in Utah, Not really ready for the cold. Sure it is fun to see the leaves change and things like that. But clipping back all the plants, digging up the garden, winterizing the yard - just lots of work in horrible cold weather.  At least so far the snow has been cooperative and stayed in the mountains - we like that - unless you're 3 and want to play in the snow.  This particular day was extra cold and windy, so we watched a movie.  Angela had to get all her dollies and animals and have them watch too. She covered them all up so they would stay warm, then she joined them.  I was in the kitchen cooking and could hear her talking to them trying to get them to sit up and not fall over. It just made me smile. Not sure I can remember the movie, it was either How To Train your Dragon or a princess movie, I'm guess it was the former as it has been one of her favorites of late.  The music in it is fabulous so I don't mind hearing it over and over.   

 

Halloween 2010

Halloween... not a favorite holiday in our house if you are older than 3.  Of course, like all kids, Angela loves to play dress up, and what's better than dress up when you get to add candy on top of it?  She had a blast.  Trick-or-treating at Lorena's, Blake's and Aunt Marci's office she had a big bag already. Saturday night (since Halloween was on Sunday) she got even a little more, despite the rain.  Yep, rain, and more rain, but it stopped about 6:30 pm.  Angela made a beautiful Snow White.  Lorena stressed over the costume, like always, and put it off to the last minute, like always. After trying to be smarter than the pattern, she had to ask for expert help - HUGE thanks to Melanie and Tami for saving this costume. Turned out way better than the store bought ones, and will last longer through all her dress up days.  The big white collar only came out on trick or treat night.  Lorena's office goes all out for Halloween. One department decorated like the 7-dwarfs' cottage, complete with pumpkin painted faces, so we had to take the picture, and of course the preschool party, she had a great time.

First Snow

So this past week we had our first real snow day - we had about 4 inches of snow in our yard.  Why is it that kids are always more welcoming of snow than their parents? - at least in this house.  Angela was so excited to have the snow. We had to hurry and find the snow clothes so she could play in it before we went to preschool. The thing was that we we having to leave earlier than normal because of the training that Lorena was taking - preparing for the Project Manager Professional Exam.  The teachers said that it would be the hardest exam I would ever take - and it is 4 HOURS LONG!!  So now it is just study, study, study.  I want to pass the first time.  ok... back to snow..... While we had this much in the morning, it is gone now as I am writing this... in fact, it was gone that afternoon when we got home. So luckily she played in it that morning, and luckily it hasn't come back down to the valley.

 

Shopping

Angela is an amazing shopper, which is good and bad.  Good because it is always fun to shop with her, bad because mom always gets to take her shopping.  She will walk through the isles saying, "how cute!', "this is pink," "I wear this tomorrow."  It is so funny to listen to her. What makes it even more fun is when her cousins and aunts go. Her aunts keep her loaded on sugar - Smarties- so you can only imagine what she's like later in the day. Then her cousins will find the most outlandish clothing and put it on. We laugh and laugh and laugh. And of course, Angela always likes to chime in with the "big" girls.  Yep, she's only 3, so we are looking forward to when she's 13! (can you see us laughing in a panic?)  We treasure these trips and the memories they make.  We are so glad for family close and the memories we make.

Where do Girls get it?

Where do girls get their princess poses and all things princess?  Angela loves princesses, especially the big three - Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora (Sleeping Beauty). She will take Belle too if it is an option.  I then have to remember that it is probably my fault - OK, a good porting is my fault with the hype of Disney. I'm not even sure where I got it from. Sometimes it is fun, other times not so fun as she throws the tempers - but we deal with that.  Her Aunt's also like to indulge her... as this cute princess shirt shows. She couldn't wait to wear it as it is now one of her favorites.  She danced around all morning in her skirt and shirt saying how beautiful she was. She is on this kick that she isn't beautiful until she is completely dresses, with shoes, hair fixed and lips (chap stick) on.



But that is not all that is fun... her daddy will play with the dollies too. check them out being all snugly in her Disney Princess Dream through. This was a great find - a love/hate relationship with Costco (rarely do I stick to the list).  This blanket is big enough to cover her twin bed - and it HAD to replace the current bedspread - just ask the resident princess.  This snugly time was after a long day of playing dress up with "slippery" shoes and all. Only promises that  she could wear it again "tomorrow" enabled the tears to go away and get ready for bed.

First Dentist Visit

Today was Angela's first visit to the Dentist.  Which means that mom and dad also got to visit the dentist, not something we are good at, but I guess will get better because she will need to have visits.  She did amazing!  She laid back in the chair, kept her mouth open and listened to their instructions. It was pretty funny, her tounge would follow the little mirror as she moved it around in her mouth.  I just laughed. Sometimes she would tense up, especially when they pulled out the poky tools, I would just hold her hand and she would relax.  Both the hygeniest and the Dentist said she was one of the best 3-year olds they've had.  I would have to agree seeing how she behaved.  Her checkup was perfect, good strong teeth, and NO CAVITIES - that is the best part.  Hey - did you know that they now paint on the flouride - no trays that make you gag!  I was amazed, and they said it tastes like watermelon. She could eat and drink immediately afterward too.  I think I might do flouride if they do that for adults.

However, mom has a 3-hour appointment in a week, she has been putting off 6 crowns for 5 years, and finally decided to start.  Yep, my molars have big huge cavities. I got them on my first dentist visit, and had none since, but they have taken a toll on my teeth.  P.S. don't forget to floss.

Adoption - round 2

Hi Everyone - we have had our application approved for a second adoption through LDS Family Services. So if you come across anyone in that situation, think of Blake, Lorena and Angela. We would welcome a child with open arms and Angela will make an amazing big sister.

Https://itsaboutlove.org/ial/profiles/23380252/ourMessage.jsf

Jump, Jump, Jump

This has been a very busy summer, but occasionally we have found ourselves at Blake's sister's house where there is a trampoline. Angela loves to play on it and jump, jump, jump. She seems to be concentrating on her motor skills and developing her jumping skills. Every where she goes she jumps and says, "jump, jump, jump" while she's at it. And of course we have to do it with her too. She's not afraid to tell us what she wants us to do and expects us to do it... sometimes all we can do is laugh, other times, we have to remind her we are the parents... not sure that is working though.

Bees Baseball Game

A couple weeks ago we got to go to the Bees baseball game. Blake's company has season passes to a suite there so we go to hang out, eat some food and enjoy the game. The game wasn't all that exciting. After 3 1/2 hours they were just barely reaching the 7th inning stretch. Yep, the pitching was pretty bad. But the view from the suite was pretty amazing. There was a great storm that night, the lightning was all around, but not where we were, we could see the strikes all over the valley, some were amazing. Then the Bees mascot, Bumble came around, Angela had some fun seeing him. It was pretty funny, toward the end of the game, she started going in and out of the door that led to the seats outside and pretending to be a rooster. That's right - a rooster! She would say "cock-a-doodle-do" in a really loud high pitched voice. It was so funny. I guess that is what sugar and a lack of sleep does.

Summer Nights

I love the summer nights and today was none different. The other day I was so excited to see a yummy yogurt place opening at the end of our street. So for a special treat tonight we walked and got us some yogurt. It was a great walk. Angela walked the whole way so it took us a while to get there. She had to put the rocks back in the dirt, point out the spiders, see the flowers and look int eh sky to see the birds. When we got home we played in the front yard a while; she wanted to be "nice" to the flowers - that means not pick them, but that typically doesn't

last too long, she will pick them and keep them wrapped
in her fists.

The other day she was picking
the daisies in the backyard so
we cut some to bring inside. I
had to move them to a different

counter she couldn't reach to make sure they wouldn't tip and
would be able to keep their
pedals. It is all pretty funny but

so sweet how much she loves the flowers.

Dress Up

What little girl doesn't like dress up? Well I guess there are probably some somewhere, but know this, it is NOT Angela. If there are princess anything around, she will find them and have to put them on. She loves Tinker Bell, Cinderella, Bell, ... well.... all the Disney princesses as well as the Dreamworks princess Fiona (Shrek). You can probably blame that on her mom, who loves Disney too. It's just happiness. When you see her light up when she sees the dress up clothes, it is just fun. And she acts like a little princess.

This past Wednesday I was very grateful for the dress up. I was doing a stamping card class and the home we were at has little girls with a half-basement devoted to little girls; kitchen, laundry area, dining area for dollies, cradles, dress up clothes, little vanity, dolly changing clothes - you name it, it was there. It kept her occupied happily for 3 hours. In fact when it was time to leave, yep you guessed it, kicking and screaming because she still wanted to

play with her friends. The class was a success and her unofficial play date was a hit!

Summer Days

How we love summer days -- too bad they all can't be weekends. It has gotten quite hot in July - finally. So to have fun outside, what do we do? yep - fishing. Angela likes to go fishing too, except she won't touch the fish. She likes being in the boat and with her daddy. The evening was great. I was surprised though, as the sun went down how chilly it got - wishing I had a light jacket chilly. When compared to the 95+ degree days it was a bit surprising. Blake caught a good number of fish that day - of course they all stayed in the pond. It's nice to have a place close to home to enjoy the afternoon and evening after all the chores are done.

Happy Birthday - 3 Yrs old

We cannot believe that Angela is already 3 years old. I think kids age faster when you miss out on the first year. We have had her just over 2 years now and life gets more fun every day. For her birthday her daddy had to spoil her. Mom was ready just to have another day with a cake, but dad needed to have a party - and what a party we had. A big bouncy with a water slide, snow cones, and hot dogs. We invited all the family and our neighborhood, and everyone came throughout the evening. Angela had so much fun with the kids and the slide. The morning after she had to go to the window just to be sure that what mom was saying was true - it was gone. She said we needed to do it again. While it was a castle, the cute little boys behind us thought we were setting up 4 rockets in our backyard, sorry to disappoint the boys, but they had fun too. We were lucky that the weather warmed up to be in the 70s, otherwise no water.

Fun at Grandma & Grandpa's

We had so much fun at grandma and grandpa's last month. I can hardly believe it was that long ago. Angela loved sleeping in her sleeping bag. She was so excited to get in it, but then would take a while to fall asleep. She would be so wound up from the day, but yet she would be so tired that all she could do is either go wild crazy (singing, laughing, playing) or crying because she was so tired. She had fun going to Down Town Disney - always a fun place to be. I love the laid back feeling, the music they play and the window shopping. Her new Mickey and Minnie Mouse hardly ever leave her side. They go everywhere, but are good to wait for us in the car. And of course, grandma's meals. MMMMMM ... Angela loved to eat with her cousins, especially when it was was dessert time.

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

.... that's what little girls are made of. Angela is all things girl: pink, pink, flowers, & pink, pretty nails and toes, dresses, shoes, all things girls. Yep - I think pink is her favorite color. If it has pink it in, we are good. She loves to have her nails and toes painted, even asks for it. I just laugh because I am so not that way. But since she likes it, we go for it. The recent trip to California put her in the midst of girls. Her cousins are older, and she loved being in with them fixing hair, then getting her nails done, trying on their shoes... She loved it, and they seemed to be having fun too. It is fun to see her interact with them. What I love, is that they take the time to interact with her - thank you!!

Shoe Fetish

What girl doesn't love shoes - right? Well Angela is no different. Every where we go she notices shoes, and she likes to try them on. She loves to wear "dress up" shoes, even if they are someone else's real shoes. A recent trip to California had her in the midst of lots of bigger cousins, all with cool shoes. Check these out, one is even 5 inches. I could barely walk

in them, and she couldn't even stand up in them without help.

Order Restored

After the fiasco of Angela wearing the U of U shirt, her daddy purchased some BYU clothing for her to wear - in her favorite color - PINK! Well, it came yesterday. When her daddy opened it and showed it to her, she said, "AH, for me?" She was so excited. She wore the cute pink sweat outfit last night. What a challenge to put her pajamas on. Then this morning the sweat pants and the t-shirt. She has re-affirmed her loyalty to BYU with the BYU dance - press play. All the while making her daddy proud.

A Perfect Day!

It is not often that we get a perfect day in March. We couldn't resist the 60+ degree weather and no snow on the ground. So after work and preschool we stopped at the local park, we didn't have anything else to do but go home, so we stopped and played. Angela is fearless when it comes to slides and toys. In fact, I think for her, the bigger the better. The slides that are her size just don't attract her. She has to go for the tall curly slides. Every time we pass slides she about comes out of her skin and wants to go play. The swings are just an occasional break, then it's back

to the slides. Did I mention she likes the slides?

When I park the car and we get out, she starts running. "C'mon mom!" "Run faster mom." "I'm running fast." It is so fun to see her excitement. So I have to run, but only at her speed (walking speed really).

Family Conflict?

Even little girls can sometimes break their daddies heart.

This shirt was a gift from a "friend" when we brought Angela home. We had forgotten about it until Angela found it in a drawer and wanted to wear it because she determined it was close enough to pink (dad was not home at the time).

Shortly after this picture was taken the shirt was in the DI pile and $50 worth of pink BYU toddler clothing was being sent next day air. Why? because she can't be in a U of U shirt and have her daddy stand idly by.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

It is weird going through all these "day" holidays with a child. Before, we would never think of wearing green today. I remember last year, I totally spaced that it was St. Patrick's Day and took her to preschool without any green. The kids all got after her. Luckily she had on her bracelet and guess what - it had green beads! So she was safe from the pinching. This year, I didn't make the same mistake. She had 3 outfits she could choose from, a green dress with white flowers, a striped dress that has a green stripe, or green pants with a green & white polka dot shirt. I thought for sure she would pick one of the dresses because that is ALL she likes to wear. But nope, she came out carrying the pant outfit, and it is CUTE! So again, she will be able to escape the "pinches" at preschool. I think she has her picture poses down pretty well. Makes me laugh.

Walking Jake

It has been so horribly cold lately that we just have to deal with it. So we took Jake out for a walk. The poor little dog had some surgery and so he was quite mellow. He had an abscessed tooth that caused some issues so the tooth and one other were pulled. He is doing much better now. And the cold also helps subdue him. So while he was in a mellow state, Angela took him for a walk. He actually knew she was doing it so he didn't try to run or walk ahead, he was really good with her. She thought it was so cool to be the one holding the leash. Jake is actually better at looking at the camera then she is, pretty funny. It was good to be outside. We are so ready for spring and warm weather, the house feels cramped.