Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Over Christmas, we went to Tiger World which is better than the zoo because a) it's an hour closer, b) you're literally 6 feet away from lions, tigers, and bears, and c) we were the only people there. I'm sure Ellie looks like a little m&m to this guy.



Ellie enjoying the new kitchen from Nannah


"Watcha cookin Hannah"?
Eggs.

Most played with toy so far = Jack in the Box

LOVING the Curious George blankie from Aunt Brittney

1st look at the presents


Got milk? These two do. Anytime they want. And they are mesmerized by it.

Ellie's piggy...oh and part of the 8 teeth that she's gotten in the last 3 weeks.

3 of the cutest Vikings fans. Too bad they peaked in Nov.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

A few of my favorite things:

I have so many. Here's a quick few of my favorite things lately:

I love Alicia Keys. Even though I've morphed into a complete noise-hater (seriously I can barely even stand the TV or radio being on), her music is so pleasant. She is a true musician and her smoky voice does my heart good. Her new album (Element of Freedeom) is good but my favorite album is still *As I Am*



My Great Grandma Rose was Swedish. Her daughter, my Grandma Wiscombe, has been in my thoughts alot lately. When I was younger Christmas Eve celebration at her house was like a religion. It was with sheer delight that I came across this Julbock (the Swedish Christmas goat who guards every Swedes Christmas tree) at IKEA (of course) for $10. Legend goes that he protect the gifts and ward off evil spirits from the house. Funny how things take on new meaning once you have a family of your own. Next Swedish purchase: a Dalahast.


These are a great invention for babies. You may think they're a little spendy (2.74/box). To that I say go to Walmart and buy some right now.
1. They are big enough to HOLD (think: driving in the van, handing back cheerios one at a time to a little munchkin working on their grasp reflex). We don't hear from Ellie for at least 5-6 minutes.
2.They dissolve and produce NO crumbs. I had to see it to believe
3. Healthy. C'mon they're rice rusks.


A winter skin MUST-HAVE.


What are yours?

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Here comes Santa Claus and other frightening holiday events:

Just how I wanted to spend my Sat morning

Waiting for Santa with their best stonefaces.









Some Christmas cookies decorating with Grammie, Pa, Uncle Alan, and Aunt Brittney


Ellie LOVES Uncle Al


My new favorite store in the south


Guess who is gettin a bath?



The one picture I got of Thanksgiving dinner. The inlaws came and our neighbors Chris, Nicole, and Hannah. Good food. Good times. SO much to be thankful for!

Friday, December 4, 2009

We did it!

You may think we finally won the lottery, but NOPE - and even bigger feat





































Thanks to Grandpa, WE FINALLY ATE AT WAFFLE HOUSE.
Even though these are on every street corner down south, we just haven't gotten around to it. Almost seems like a right of passage now. Not quite the fast food joint I expected, it reminded me a lot of when my dad would take us to the Echo Cafe when I was a kid. The "waitresses" were about 6 feet away from all the customers and were just yelling. "MISTY, clean your tables!!!" and "we're pre-bussin today ladies!!" Ah, a great experience; now I can feel like I can really connect with these folk:) But the food...eh maybe a 5.






Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Sillyness

Hannah's bff Hannah Gustad learning finger-painting techniques from the pro

Ellie's latest face

HJ after nursery





Who's in charge here?

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Moving right along

Little ones at play

My high-maintenance passengers.

Sorry for the minimal pictures - I deleted my whole picture card (on purpose don't worry, they're saved). Anyway, we are alive and well and having a wonderful fall.

Let's see, Hannah June (which she says constantly - everything is "Hannah June"s cup/bowl/bike/shoes/sheep"..)turned 2 on 10/24. Pics to come, sorry. She did great at the doctor and was telling them all about Tigger and Daddy. She's actually on the charts for height now:) She is still quite intrigued by TRYING ON SHOES. All day. She feeds herself now which is a tad messy but so nice too. Girl loves BOOKS. She would have me read to her for hours on end if I would. She's always asking "Go outside walk?" I wonder what she thinks when she sees other kids bigger than her actually riding in their stroller or cart. Unless I'm on a mission, I appreciate her being able to expel a bit of energy. LOVES church.
m: Hannah, who do we learn about at church?
H: Hevy Fah-er and Jee-us. Teacher. Sit down and listen. Dress. Mommy. Daddy. Eh-wee.
She knows and says her colors constantly and counts to 13 various different ways.
Favorite movie is Aristocats. She was Simba for Halloween and wouldn't say "trick or treat" but would just shake her bucket for candy.

Ellie is not far behind her big sister. She is so quick to smile and laugh but is a smidge too dramatic if you ask me. Like if she falls on her bum or I wipe her face you'd think she's getting her fingernails ripped off one by one. It's funny to see her personality. She LOVES Hannah and her favorite game is when H runs up to her and she just about tackles whoevers holding her and squeals with sheer joy. She takes 2-3 naps a day and sleeps 10 hours a night. Crawls faster than I can run and pulls herself up alot but no standing on her own or steps yet. (Part of me wants that and part of me doesn't).

Nate has a new calling that requires Sunday meetings so I won't be able to work my Sat nights anymore. Back to Fridays I guess. His job is wonderful and the Vikings are winning more than losing (for once:) so he's a happy man.

I'm holding my own I guess. For the first time since Ellie has been born (except the first 2 weeks) I've actually been struggling with trying to find a balance between everything. The girls, the house, myself, and Nate. I don't know if anything changed but I'm struggling with there not being enough hours in the day (welcome to earth, right?) I feel like I pick up the house all day...but it's never clean. I want the house to be spotless (because I just can't stand a mess anymore) and I want to make a yummy dinner but don't want to neglect the girls. And I want to have structured play with the girls (read books, go outside, sing, dance) but I want time to myself too. I want to make crafts, make my own baby food, read good books, work out, organize my house - OH the things I want to do...but just can't find the time. I will say this, there is something so wonderful about being completely worn out at the end of the day (8:30 p.m.) For the last few months I think my average head-hit-the-pillow to "unconscious" time is around 45 seconds. I love that. I honestly feel like my days have never been so "busy." Even in high school/college, nope, because at least I only had myself to take care of. Have small kids is just it's own kind of busy I guess. The thing I love about being a mom (besides my 2 little monkeys) is that it requires that I draw nearer to Jesus Christ. The attributes that He has are the same ones that a mother requires:(patience - "if I have to wipe up ONE MORE MESS, I'm going to scream!", kindness, "Hannah, be NICE to Ellie. Don't hit her on the head with the toy, that's not nice. Yes Nate, it's fine that you have meetings yet again tonight. Doesn't bother me at all. Have a great time socializing with adults honey," selflessness - "let's see, just getting my teeth brushed and it's only 11:30 a.m., not bad.") Oh, it really is a beautiful thing isn't it?

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Picture catch-up

From this morning on our walk

Little E in her sweatsuit

These girls don't even need me

H's curls



When H's told to "smile":




What E and I are up against ALL. DAY. LONG.

Czar Ellie




My cousin Heather (London) and her hubby Mike stayed with us when Rachelle (Heather's older sister) and hubby Dave finalized Jackson's adoption. Mike is attending U of Georgia for his PhD in Economics (correct me if I'm wrong Heath). It was so fun to see them!



Aunt Heather and Jackson


Da guys (Dave, Nate doing dishes, poor thing, and Mike)


Heather, Rachelle, Jackson



And the reason for the season: J-MAN. He is the cutest little guy - no seriously - THE cutest. So full of smiles and just so content to be wherever with whomever. Jackson will be sealed to Rachelle and Dave Oct 17! SO happy for them! (Funny story, Rachelle and Dave adopted Jackson from South Carolina when Ellie was about 3 weeks old and my mom was back visiting us. She said, "Who would have thought I'd be in North Carolina visiting my 2nd granddaughter and meet up with my 2 nieces (Rachelle and Liisa) who I used to babysit from Morgan UT and their families?" It is a small small world. Have a great day!!!!!