Thanksgiving 2011

I hosted and cooked my very first Thanksgiving this year. We had two of our friends and their families over. It was so nice to spend the day with friends since our families are so far away. Christian and I cooked the night before and all morning together. I really loved it! Christian was so great and helped out so much. We didn't even fight over how things were being done once! I deserve some serious points for that one!

Unfortunately I didn't take one picture of our amazing feast. I wanted proof that I really did it! But instead I was enjoying time with my friends and eating all the yummy food. I wanted to write down what I made this year that way if I doubt myself again I can remind myself  that I can do it!

Christian and I made:

-turkey

-ham

- mashed potatoes & gravy

-stuffing

-yams

-rolls

-banana cream pie

-veggie tray

Halloween.... October 2011

We were so excited to be in Utah for Halloween. It was such a fun day spent with grandparents and cousins. The weather was beautiful so the kids played outside the whole day. They made a really big pile of leaves and then went crazy throwing them everywhere.

Of course my kids were glued to the swings. Their cousins were so great about taking turns pushing them while Nanny Jamie and I were getting things ready for the party. 

The kids got into their costumes and we were ready to party! They all looked so cute and had a blast together.

                         

Nanny Jamie and Rona always dress up. They were mad scientists this year and really pulled off the part!

I loved Addy and Benson's costumes this year. I let them both choose what they wanted to be. Benson was obsessed with cows at the time so we were happy to find this costume. He didn't really like wearing it at Addy's birthday party but didn't mind for Halloween. He of course hates to get his picture taken so I was lucky to get these few of him. Addy on the other hand was happy to smile for me! She loved her costume and being dressed up.

All of the cousins were able to go trick or treating together. It was so cute watching them run house to house. Christian and I talked to Addy about not eating the candy before we checked everything. She is still allergic to nuts and we wanted to make sure she didn't eat anything she wasn't suppose to. More chocolate for mom! The first house she told the lady  passing out treats " I can't have any bad nuts!" It was so cute but I don't think she knew what Addy was talking about. She just smiled and handed her a different treat. It's great that Addy really listened! I loved seeing how happy the kids were all together.

 Addy was pretty tired half way through trick or treating. Maddison was so sweet to pick her up and run to keep up with all the kids. Benson mostly rode on his daddy's shoulders eating a sucker. Halloween was definitely a fun day!

JC & Andrea's Wedding.... October 2011

It seemed like we had been waiting all year for the wedding to come. Once it did, it went by in a flash! My kids and I went home the week before to help out with the wedding plans and I had a lot of hair to do before the big day. It was so much fun getting to spend so much time with my sisters. Allyson took some time off work and stayed at my mom's with my kids and I. We stayed up late every night and had fun chatting and crafting. We embossed all the name cards and place numbers for the wedding dinner. They turned out so great!

The ceremony was really nice and my kids were awesome! I was really worried how they would be. Quiet just doesn't exist at our house. Addy was such a beautiful flower girl and loved throwing all the petals. Benson walked down the isle with me and held the pillow the whole time. I thought for sure he would throw it! Of course my sister looked beautiful! Her dress was very stunning and I loved all the crystals! The flowers were one of my favorite details and the colors were so pretty.

The dinner and reception were great.  I enjoyed seeing lots of our family and friends. My kids were wild and loved dancing and eating the treats from the favors. I loved seeing my dad and Addy dance. She adores him and it was so sweet!

January 2011

Here are some highlights from January:

New Years Eve

Our New Years was very low key. We spent the evening with our kids. We went to dinner at the Olive Garden and both kids were very quiet through dinner and ate more than I have ever had them eat. Christian and I had an actual conversation! It was awesome! Addy had a meltdown of a lifetime when we made a quick stop at the grocery store on the ride home for some sparkling grape juice. It was awful! We rigged the camera to take our last family photo of the year and put the kids to bed.


New Years Day

I can't remember what we even did but here is our first family picture of the year.

My Little Sunbeam

Addy is in primary now and loves it! These pictures are of her first day as a sunbeam. I was a little nervous for her first day because I didn't know how she would do without being able to play and have a snack. She transitioned great! She loves her teacher Brother Swanson and all her friends in the class. Christian and I checked on her during singing time and class a few times. She stayed in her chair the entire time. I got a little emotional seeing her be so grown up! Her favorite day of the week is Sunday because she loves primary so much!

Princess Ballet

Addy started a dance class at our gym. It's a princess ballet class for 3 year olds. Addy loves her teacher Miss Jess and really enjoys being with 8 other little girls dancing and twirling around the room. Addy really wants some more dance outfits. One in every color to be exact. She saw a blue outfit at Target recently and said " If you don't buy me that dress Miss Jess will be so sad!"
This little girl is so silly!

Playing

These two pictures are of my kids playing before they went to bed one night. Benson loves to play with all the toys. He rolls and crawls to get to whatever he wants to play with. His favorite things to play with are usually whatever Addy has.

Addy was playing "row row row your boat" with her barbies. She was using her shovel as her paddle and scooting her "boat" across the floor singing. She definitely has a great imagination!






Hair

Addy is obsessed with hair. She wants to do her own hair or one of our hair everyday. Christian caught her in my bathroom flat ironing her hair. Luckily it wasn't plugged in! She has been watching me a lot lately when I have hair app. at our house. She always wants to "cut" or "paint" our hair. It's only a matter of time before she cuts her own hair. Christian was studying at the table and Addy pulled up a chair next to him and was doing his hair. She had the flat iron out and I let her use one of my bowls and a brush. Next thing Christian knew was his head was wet. So he asked her why and she said " I'm painting your hair." So I had her show me how she was painting his hair. She was licking the color brush and wiping his hair with it. I laughed so hard.
She didn't have any color in her bowl so she was improvising.




Potty Training

I have never said anything about Addy being potty trained. She has been for 4 months and has done great! We prepared her and said that when she turned 3 she had to wear big girl undies. The morning of her 3rd birthday I told her it was time. She got really upset and kept telling me she wasn't big yet. She went and hid in her room all morning. I caught her before she went potty and I had her sit on the toilet. I put her new undies on her and told her to tell me if she had to go. I had no idea what I was doing! I set the timer for 20 min and planned on having her go all day. She was pretty sad about it, but when the timer would go off she was so excited to run right in. She had one accident that first day which was pretty much my fault. I got distracted and forgot to have her go potty for a little over 2 hours. Besides that she has been dry every night and never had an accident again! I wish I could say that I have great tricks and tips and that's why she transitioned so well. Addy was just ready! She even gets out of bed to go potty at night all by herself. It is so nice to only be buying diapers for one kid!


Valentine Package



My parents sent the kids a Valentine package. Addy was so excited to open it! Benson got a cute measuring tape and a ring pop, which by the way are his favorite thanks to Addy! Addy got some new princess undies, a note pad and pen, a ring pop, and some other treats. Thanks Nanny and Pappa!