Christmas 2009 Photo Shoot

Now, that we are on vacation in San Marcos, TX visiting family, I finally have some time to update the blog :)

Here are some pics from our Christmas Photo Shoot that we are going to try to do every year.

Christmas Festivities

My previous excuses for not blogging for almost a month remain fully intact. Charles with finals, and my hatred for this new program that doesn't handle the uploading of photos as I'd like. And it's the photos that I use as the basis for my blogging.

Ok, on to the catch up. We went to Ev's house again this year for Thanksgiving and loved being with her family and seeing the beautiful mountains that we miss dearly! We drove up to Virginia and West Virginia too, cause we're crazy like that.

But, we're also slightly lame because we didn't take any pictures of Ev or her family or the beautiful mountains.

Here's a crafty Thanksgiving project that we did in YWs. It's a Thanksgiving tree where we wrote what we were thankful for on the leaves. I like when they inspire me to be crafty, because I'm usually not.

We put our little Christmas tree up the Monday after Thanksgiving for Family Home Evening. I think we may make that into a tradition.

Azure with Santa at our ward Christmas party. Some kids were crying and did NOT want to sit on his lap. She did okay, but wasn't super thrilled about it. And if anyone is curious about our decision in regards to last year's post about Santa Claus, we're not telling her that Santa is coming to bring gifts, we're telling her that Mommy and Daddy are giving her presents. But, we're not anti-Santa Claus entirely.

While we put together our gingerbread house Azure picked up a candy cane and asked what it was. After telling her she said, "It's for sheep mommy!" I was impressed that she recognized it as a shephard's cane. I then realized that that was the symbol for the candy cane. And she knew it before I even did.

I was also pretty impressed with Azure's decorating skills. She was in deep concentration as she placed each piece of candy on the house. I think I need to do some more crafting projects with her.

Funny Stuff

Potty-training update: Chocolate chips have proven to be quite the successful motivator in getting Azure to poop on the potty. She has previously received stickers for relieving herself of any sort. But, when she started hiding behind doors and then telling me, "Mommy, I went poop", I knew we needed something even cooler than stickers.

Yesterday after going pee, she said, "Yay! Now I get chocolate!" "No," I exclaimed. "You only get chocolate for going poop. You can get a sticker for going pee." So, she plops right back down on the potty, pushes a bit, produces a rabbit pellet sized turd and then says, "Yay! Chocolate!" I know this is a bit graphic, but, it's so dang hilarious that I must share :)

Then again today she did something similar. After pooping in her underwear, I asked her why she didn't let me know beforehand that she had to go. Then I explained that she wouldn't be getting any chocolate. So, again she sat on the potty and pushed the rest of the poop out. "See Mommy? Look. I went poop in the potty. I need some chocolate." The laughs never stop.

Take a look at this crazy ensemble...
Last night we got back late from the temple and consequently all went to bed very late. Azure woke up at 7:30 this morning. I told her that I was still really tired and needed to sleep longer. I asked her if she would go back to sleep with me in my bed. To my delight, she said yes. I was somewhat skeptical but, she fell back asleep right away and so did I. We didn't wake up until 10:30. It was so nice :) We both really needed it. Poor Daddy had to work early this morning and didn't get to sleep in with us. We appreciate his sacrifices!

Me with 3 of my Laurels at the temple :)

I got my hair cut finally. It had been 7 months. It hasn't taken me that long between cuts for years. I've been struggling to find a stylist that's affordable and skilled. I finally just decided to go to the lady that cut my hair the last time, even though she's expensive. So, here's my new do. She did cut an extra layer at the top that I didn't want, so it kind of looks 80'sesque (though you can't tell in this pic).

30.5 weeks

Gratitude

I give thanks for this beautiful girl who keeps me laughing daily.
Last night she thought 3am was a good time to wake up and crawl in our bed. She figured out how to open her door. We're currently thinking of ways to solve this problem. She continued to go back and forth from our bed to hers until at 4am she announced that she was hungry for lunch! So, we both had a snack and I tried to put her back down to bed. As much as I could be upset or annoyed that she kept me up so much, I couldn't because she was in such a happy mood, with a great big smile saying, "Hi, mommy!" as our eyes adjusted to the light being turned on. How could I be upset? I taught her the song "Good Morning" from Singing in the Rain and it's her new favorite. She sings it so well, I'm impressed. I think she was a little too excited about the morning :) Around 6am she cried for more milk. I guess she's trying to get me ready for being up with Vince all night in a few months.

I give thanks for a husband who adores me despite my weaknesses. And who is forgiving, loving, and kind.
I give thanks for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Today is my 11 year anniversary of being baptized. As I look back over the last 11 years, I'm overwhelmed with the blessings I have received in that time. So much good has come from that decision, mostly the two previous blessings I've already mentioned.
I am grateful to be a mother again to baby Vince soon. I'm grateful that I will have a son. I look forward to him receiving the Priesthood; to the time when he will bless the sacrament for the first time; when he and his daddy can lay their hands upon my head and give me a blessing; when he will serve as a missionary.

"For the joy of human love, Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above, For all gentle thoughts and mild,
Lord of all, to thee we raise This our hymn of grateful praise."

Videos from the past month or so

I've been behind on blogging and I will give my reasons.

1) Charles has the computer most of the day at school. Though I have my own lap top, it's primary function is the internet. I can't upload any photos or videos from it. So, I haven't had much access to the "big" computer lately with all the tests Charles has had.

2) We updated our computer with Windows 7 and I absolutely HATE it. The program I've used for editing pictures is entirely gone. I've had to relearn how to do things and it's not as effective.

3) This past week I put together our yearly Young Women in Excellence program. It was a lot of work. And though, I'm relieved that it's over (since my stress levels were running a little high) I enjoyed doing it. I put together a slide show (among other things) with pics from this past year of all the girls, including a recent photo shoot we had with each of them. They are all beautiful and I love those girls. The program turned out great.

Okay, now on to the videos...

Every night Azure sings her ducky happy birthday in the tub. The end of the video is pretty dang funny. She's gotten into the habit of telling me to go "bye,bye" or "go take a shower", or "go play on the computer" when I tell her something she doesn't want to hear. At this point, it's mostly funny.






Unfortunately this is the only good pic we got of Azure in her Halloween costume this year. She was not cooperating and neither was our camera. Can't wait to get a new SLR for Christmas this year :) Oh the joy!!!

Bubble beard

Helping Daddy wash the car

Keeping the Sabbath day

Today while waiting for Daddy in the car, I put on the radio to pass the time and started singing along with a song. Azure said, "No, turn it off Mommy!"
A little puzzled, I asked, "Why?"
"It's Sunday!"
Laughing hysterically, I said, "No, it's Friday. But, you're right, we don't listen to the radio on Sunday."
What a cutie!