Sofia-11 months old

Sofia is 11 months old today.  I reallly am so baffled of where the time went.  This last month she seemed to have gotten busier and more curious.  She is so active.  She is a climber and will try to get up onto the tv console or the couch by climbing on her toys.  Once she decides she wants something there is no stopping her.  She is one tenacious little Doo.   She loves" helping"  with the dishwasher, the laundry and with any kind of scrubbing.  She loves all food.  She is a great eater.  She will try anything once.  Her favorite food is meat and black beans.  She loves chicken, hot dogs, beef or pork.  If it is protein she is all over it.  She also loves grapes and bananas. 

She loves water but hates taking a bath.  She loves to take showers though.  She tries to play in the toilet and loves to pull all the toilet paper down and rip it into tiny pieces. 
She now has 7 teeth.  The four front ones and three on the bottom.  Can you see the drool?  She is teething right now obviously.   She has mastered crawling up and down the stairs.  This has opened a whole new world for her.  She can get anywhere in the house now.  She can stand by herself for about a half a minute and crawls along the furniture.  She is so close to walking..  She loves to play with the magnets on the fridge and with the bobble head Star Wars toys from McDonalds.  Her favorites are R2D2 and Ausoka.  (In above picture she is holding R2, I think she got that from her brother).  She loves paper and cups and playing with the lids to our pots and pans.  She is so inquisitive and has to know what everyone in the house is doing at all times.  She is so joyful and happy.  She has the funniest laugh that sounds like it is in the back of her throat.  She  loves people and lights up when she sees someone she recognizes.  I  just love being her mom.  Life with her will definitely be an exciting adventure.  

Thanksgiving 2008

We had a fanastic, yummy fun filled Thanksgiving.

We went to Kersten' s parents  house

And hung out the rest of the day

This is Noah who at this time is being Anakin Ghost.  He had died and was invincible.  

He was very happy because he decided to  kill all of us so that we could be together when we die.

We are a forever family after all

Josh is Baby Mario in this picture.  He kept saying "Mama Mia"

Here is baby Sofia at the begining of her meal on her first Thanksgiving.

It was a heavenly day. 

Reno 911 Anyone!

Sadly my husband would fit right into that show.

He sported this baby for about 3 hours on Saturday.

He says he never had so many weird looks

from everyone but especially women.  

Birthday Weekend

My 32nd birthday was on Friday the 21st. I feel like 32 sounds so much older than I really am.  I guess that is what happens to most people as they get older.  I had a really good day.  I made cinnamon rolls for breakfast,  I snuggled with my kids and watched Imagination Movers.  It was a lovely laid back morning.    It was Noah's last Speech Therapy appt for awhile,  Ms Libbi is having her new baby this weekend.  Noah earned a blue Scout trooper toy.  My mom then arrived to take me to lunch to Cafe Rio.  It was so yummy, (I'm obsessed) and it was nice to spend time with just my mom.  We talked and laughed and ate.  My kids were in good form also.   

When we returned it was time to drop of my kids to Aunt Ginny so that I would not be late for 

Twilight

Our Financial Advisor  rented out a theatre for a viewing of Twilight.  We had six tickets.  We invited our friends Kevin and Kieran and my sister Amy and My brother Nik.   Kieran made us these one of a kind t-shirts to wear to the show. I  love mine it brings in so many things that I love.   We were giddy with excitement.  Kersten met us at the theatre.  Where we enjoyed free popcorn and drinks.  I loved being there with my love, my sister, my brother and my one of my bestest friends in the world.  
Here we are after the show.. We all took pictures like this.  To see more about the Twilight screening and to see the picture of Nik ( a must see)  click Here

I came home to kisses and hugs from my kids,  many happy birthdays greetings on my phone, facebook etc and this lovely, totally exaggerated post about me to read that click Here

I ended the day snuggling with my hot husband watching Love Actually on tv.  Lovely way to end another birthday.  

It was a lovely wonderful day

6th

I was tagged by Carrie to post the 6th picture from your 6th folder in your pictures. I also have IPhoto so I copied Carrie and did two pictures, first one is the 6th picture from the 6th folder and the second is the 6th picture from the first event

This pic is from July 2004 from the very first time Noah went swimming at our condo.

This was taken on a random camera that Kerst won at work.  

Our first digital and we could not get them off our camera for awhile.  

We took them off when we got our first Mac computer

So much easier and happier to use.

Isn't he so sweet..   What a cute baby he was  

This is Noah at 2, he is wearing his Buzz Jacket that he had to wear everyday or he would throw a fit.

In this pic, he is throwing a fit because he wants to take a picture with mom's camera.

I love that he has a  sword even back then.

He is such a boy

Now I tag anyone who wants to show off some pictures....Please we love to see them

Grateful Sunday 11-16-08

Fall Weather:   Oh, today is blissful outside.  As my little family walked to church this morning in our Sunday attire and Sofia in her fur coat.  The sky was clear, the air was brisk,  the smell of the changing leaves permeated the air and I  was overcome with the  beauty of the day and of my sweet family.  

Noah' s Imagination:  This boy has such a huge imagination.  especially if it pertains to Star Wars.  On our walk to church he was tracking Count Dooku's footprints to make sure he did not get into the church.  It is a good thing he keeps us so safe from the bad guys.  He even discusses with his bad guy toys how to make better choices so that they turn into good guys.  I marvel at his inventivness and his desire and ability to make things fresh and beautiful all around us.  I am grateful I get to be in his world and play there with him

Creative Days:  this week I was lucky enough to go to Kieran's house almost the whole day.  I LOVE being with her.  We talked and worked on Modpodgeing letters for Sofia's name to hang in their room.  It felt so fabulous creating something beautiful and something I have been planning in my head since she was born.  I am so lucky that I have a friend that fills this part of me. 

Kersten's help:  My husband  has really stepped it up the last couple of weeks helping me with household chores.  Every night he has spent hours folding laundry, doing dishes, bathing children or vacuming.  It really has lightened my load and I feel so much more centered.  He is the best.  

8 Things

8 Things...
These list are fun  for me to do as I LOVE life and struggle to document it. I love these tags because you learn lots about the people you love and it is great for journaling about ourselves.

8 FAVORITE T.V. SHOWS:

1. Grey's Anatomy
2. Burn Notice
3. Clone Wars
4. Flight of the Concords
5. Life on Mars
6. Ben 10 Alien Force
7. Ace of Cakes
8. What Not to Wear

8 FAVORITE RESTAURANTS and what I order…
1. Cheesecake Factory- Avocado rolls and
2. Cafe Rio- Pork burrito or Pork salad
3. The Bohemian- Shnichel (spelled wrong)
4. Five Alls- Chicken Kiev
5. Lone Star- just for Buffalo wings
6. Neil's Halibut an d Chips- best cheesburger ever
7. Fries with fry sauce
8. Hires-Country H

(it is so sad you can tell we have kids)

THINGS THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY: (Thursday, November 13)
1. Sofia stood for almost 10 seconds by herself
2. Went to Kierans house and made Sofia's name for her wall
3. Went to Karate with Noah and he had the loudest yells
4. Inspired by Kieran's creativity and capacity
5. Read The Pigeon books over and over.
6. went to Costco and stocked up on essentials = expensive
7. Watched Noah and Heber battle with their light sabers all day long
8. Worked on Christmas cards a little

8 THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO:
1. Thanksgiving
2. My Birthday
3. Christmas season- holiday lights
4. Seeing my niece Kristin in the Nutcracker
5. Sofia's first birthday
6. Spencer's baptism
7. time alone with my husband, Kersten
8. Having some scrapbooks complete

8 THING I LOVE ABOUT FALL:
1. Thanksgiving
2. My birthday
3. Cool crisp air, the sounds, the music, the sights
4. The start of the Holiday season.
5. Finally Jacket weather... I love jackets
6. Seeing friends and family in person or photos
7. Yummy treats 
8. It is hands down the best season ever… magical

8 THINGS ON MY WISH LIST:
1. new black pumps
2.  A new rug for our front room
3. A new computer desk
4. time to paint my kitchen table and chairs
5. To have a 12 by 12 scanner and printer
6. To exercise regularly
7. lamps for my yellow end tables in my front room
8. To have the house organized with containers I want

8 WAYS I KNOW I'M LOVED:

1. Noah knocking me over with his strong hugs

2. Sofia giving me big open mouth kisses

3. Kersten helping me fold mounds of laundry

4.  My sister understanding the importance of the perfect doll

5.  When I get to sleep in on the weekends

6.when my kids brighten up after I have been gone

7. My mom cleaning my house every week when I was on bed rest

8.My husband still grabs at me as much as he used to

Tivo or DVR if we had one....

I was browsing, thinking and looking at blogs and noticed somewhere along the way someone wrote what is on their DVR. Well, Kersten and I don't have a DVR. We have talked about it, researched it, dreamed about it, and have coveted it a little when other people have it. (I know we have repented). But we just can't justify the cost. So we do things the old school way. Where we know when our favorite shows are on and try to plan life around it and if we miss it we search online and if it is still not available we live without it. Because of this we watch a lot of Disney Channel, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon and Noah's favorite tv shows (can you guess, Star Wars). We do still have our favorites and we are a bit sad when they overlap. So here it is... If we had a list of things we could record this is what it would be...
* The Clone Wars- Cartoon Network
*Dirty Jobs
*Wonder Pets
*Myth Busters
*Gilmore Girls
*Ellen
*Pushing Daisies
*Dancing with the Stars
*Ace of Cakes
*Diners, Drive Ins and Dives
*My Name is Earl
*Imagination Movers (our new favorite, both kids love it)
*Spiderman, Iron Man, Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk Batman etc (cartoons on Jetex Disney).
*Ben 10 Alien Force (my new favorite cartoon)


*Man Vs Wild with Bear Grylls
*Iron Chef America- FN
*Burn Notice (new obsession. bought on dvd, love so much) -USA

*The Office

*Heroes

*Scrubs

*What Not to Wear

*Jon and Kate Plus 8

*Grey's Anatomy

*CSI Miami

*Life on Mars

*30 Rock

*Project Runway

*Charlie and Lola

*Word Girl

*Super Why

*Wishbone

*Curious George

*WordWorld

Okay so now that you know this useless information,  you also need to know that we do not watch all these every week.  These are shows we  watch sometimes or weekly but that we enjoy on occasion.

So what you you watching these days?

Another Quilt Giveaway.

Okay,  so I am totally jealous of people who have the natural talent to make beautiful things.

Especially quilts..

And another talented woman is giving away 3 quilts.

Yeah you heard that right, I said 3  quilts..

Can I just say that I am in love.

I am also in love with her blog,  Old Red Barn Co...

I have been a stalker of her blog for awhile

thoughts of my boy

I have had blogs racing through my head for days and now that I have a minute to write,  my mind is a complete blank.  Life is good and busy,  running here and there and everywhere.  So happy to be a mom and to be a wife.  I really am living my dream life.  It may not always be pretty, calm or very organized.  But my life is full of beautiful moments, wet kisses and lots of tiny fingers.  Really I can't ask for more than that. It is what I always wanted. 

Noah and I made cookies this afternoon to surprise Daddy when he gets home.  Noah was so excited he had to call Dad and tell him we had a surprise and he would see when he gets home.  The thing about a four year old is promptly after that he told him, that we made some cookies.  He is growing so big.  This time he had to measure all the ingredients by himself and make the tops flat.  I did the eggs and the wet stuff.  These were HIS surprise to daddy. He is growing so lean and so very independent.  I think I still forget although I remind myself, that he is big and not so little.  It is easy to forget when he gabbers all day long. He has big emotions and wants.  I am lucky enough that he still wants to snuggle and will still give me great kisses.    

I keep thinking about him.  This event keeps running through my mind.  I don't think it will settle until I write it down.  He was so brave during the primary program a couple weeks ago.  Waiting with anticipation to talk into the microphone.  He got to sit where the bishop does.  The entire time he was entertaining the ward by playing lightsabers on the stand, during each song.  He get doing force lightening and force push (from the game Force Unleashed)  at his Dad in the audience.  For FHE the next week we decided we needed to discuss reverence.    When it came his turn to talk he walked boldly forward and said right up next to the microphone  "Uhh UHh"  Pause "Uh Uh".  The audience members chuckled at his cuteness and I instantly started crying.  Tears streaming down my face.  He looks at me for approval with a grin plastered on his face.  I give him a two thumbs up while grinning through my tears.  Kersten at first thought I was crying because the audience laughed and Noah would not know that they thought he was cute.  I was just bursting with pride that he still after this last hard, trial ridden frustrating year that he still had the confidence and desire to get up and say his lines in front of everyone in sacrament.  I had lots of comments from some of his Primary leaders and the President called to say how proud they were of him.  They teared up also.  

Noah is working so hard with Speech Therapy.  Several people have commented that they understand more words.  His therapist that comes on Fridays is having her baby on the 23rd and we won't see her until the new year after that.  He promises her he will still practice.  As his mother it is heartbreaking to see him struggle with talking, maintaining his friendships, not being frustrated with himself or them for not understanding.  He is a delight and I thank Heavenly Father every minute of the day that I am his mother.  

This post did not start out or end up the way I thought it would.  Thanks for playing

Treasures #3- Blankets

Our Blankets....

 my son and daughter's blankets that is...

Noah's blanket was made for him by my sister Emilee.  He received it on his very first Christmas. 

 Both of her children loved their blankets and she has a firm belief that all kids need a blanket.  

Noah calls his blanket his "B".  

He has to sleep with is every night.  And really does have a restless night sleeping without it.

In the above picture it was taken in Sept.  when he could not walk.

B is such a comfort to him and if you ask him it is the thing that keeps him the warmest.  

Emilee surprised both Noah and Kara with a "B" that year.

I remember her excitement and satisfaction in making and giving this treasure to my boy.

I know if I asked him this would be one of his most valuable treasures. 

Thank you Em... for taking the time and for this treasure.

Sofia's blanket is hand crochet by my dear friend and her Godmother Carrie.

I love the color and the size.  I love that my Carrie made it.

I love the love, emotions and connection it envzoks.

Sofia loves to put her fingers through the holes.

play peek a boo with it and stare at you through the holes.

She thinks she is so funny when she does this.

And she is.

I honestly have to say I don't know if she is as attached to this blanket as I am.

I love it and find it so lovely.  Thanks again Carrie....

Have you Voted today?

I exercised my right to vote  today...

Are we not so lucky to live in a country where we get to choose our leaders

So get out to the polls

Halloween 2008 Star Wars Edition

Our Trick or Treating group, 

Kristin as Darth Vader, Emilee as Padme Amidala, Kersten as Obiwan Kenobi, Noah as Anakin Skywalker, Laurie as Princess Leia, Sofia as Yoda and Spencer as Jango Fett

Halloween was fabulous fun. It was a crazy night. We started out by visiting my Grandma Shep, she always makes hot chocolate and has donuts. And it would not seem like Halloween without hearing her voice exclaim"Oh, my look at you. "

We then spirited off to our ward Party and Trunk or Treat.  They had yummy sloppy joes and homemade root beer, carinval games for the kids and of course the Trunk or treat.  Where you go around to people's trunks of their cars to get candy.  Our ward has the kids go around until all the candy is gone.  We got a ton of candy.   We drove halfway across town to trick or treat in Emilee's new neighborhood.  My sister Amy, Jason and her Allie who was Cinderella  and Chris and Angie (Cannon) Mee they were Zorro and Esmerelda came with us.  It would not be Halloween without being with a Cannon.  We were totally hard core and went to as many houses as we could.  Noah started to droop and I asked him if we should go to a couple more houses and then go back to Aunt Em's house.  He said "No, more and more and more and more"  and then promplty showed us that he was not tired by running as fast as he could down the street.  

 

We hung out at Em's for awhile.  Gearold dressed up like a priest,  made dinner and passed out the candy.  So we talked.  My mom and Al showed up and the kids ran around with their sugar highs.  Noah came and snuggled with me on a chair for awhile.  Sofia loves to party and did not fall asleep until right before we left. We left way to late but happy and ready for bed.