Christmas 2012!!!

Whew! I feel like I haven't written on the blog in a long time. But I guess I have a good excuse - being with family..and away from home with no personal computer. I'll try to put everything I can remember about the past week on this post, so it might be extremely long. Don't feel bad if you don't read it all. :P This is mostly for my records anyway.

We drove down to Colorado last Thursday, the 20th. We arrived around 8-9pm. Lydia did real well on the ride down. She slept and ate her snacks and played with her toys. Whenever we'd stop we'd get out and let her walk and stretch her legs. However, by the time we got to Jonathan's parents, she developed a nasty rat's nest in the back of her head! Funny, but really hard to get out! That night we stayed at Laura's house.

the back uh her head is ri-dic-uh-lous!

The next morning we got up early and everybody headed out to the huge mall to do some Christmas shopping. We must've spent at least 5-6 hours there (in which me and Jon didn't buy a single thing! haha). It's amazing to me how much time you can spend in a mall, without actually getting anything.

We took a picture of a huge shoe store for Mari. We thought it'd make her jealous. It did.

say Cheese Tiki!

While at the mall, in the food court, they had a big carousel going. Lydia loved the idea of riding on the horsies..until she was actually on it. She did not have that much fun sitting on it. By the end of shopping my feet and legs were really tired and I was exhausted. That night their Spanish branch at church was having their Christmas party. We had yummy pozole (seriously.. my favorite mexican dish ever. I always tell Jonathan I could just sit there and chug the pot of it... I can't really, but I will stuff myself silly. Mmm).

I honestly can't remember what we did Saturday. I think we were at the parent's home all day, waiting for Jonathan's parents and brothers to come home. They left at 4 and by 8 we were pretty hungry (they still hadn't returned by 10). They were going to bring us food, but we couldn't wait any longer so we decided to drive around and find a place to eat. Somehow, "conveniently" (or not)... my credit card ended up extending my credit limit.. just in time for Christmas. Those sly devils.. it could be a good and a bad thing. But, we figured we might as well go eat somewhere nice. So we ate at the Olive Garden (we hadn't been there in 2 years, since living in Texas.) so that was really nice.

At the Olive Garden. She was really cooperative :)

 Then, we went to Walmart and I picked out some slippers as a present for me ("from" Jonathan haha) and for some last minute things for Lydia before Sunday. Sunday we went to church at the spanish branch. Me and Lydia just hung out in the back since we didn't understand much anyway. Afterward we went home and ate lunch and then had a nice big nap.

attempting to take pictures haha

Sunday we just rested. Each night we spent at Laura's, which Lydia absolutely loved. She had so much fun playing with Anna's toys, her baby dolls, and just following her around in general. She'd say, "An-nuh.. An-nuh" over and over. I'm surprised Anna wasn't sick of her name after a week of her repeating it constantly haha.

on our way to see the puppies. She was more excited to think about puppies than actually pet them.

Monday, Christmas Eve, I wanted Jonathan to take us to the smaller mall that had the puppies so Lydia could see them. I honestly thought she would be thrilled. When we got there she liked looking through the windows, but when we went up to the puppy pens she refused to pet them after one licked her. I think I turned her into a big girly girl because she always said, "ew". She did not want to be licked..at all. I think she actually liked the lizards, frogs, birds, and rats better than the puppies. I seriously thought she'd cry when we'd leave the pet shop, but she couldn't care less.

 After that I told Jonathan to pick out something, anything, that he wanted (for it to be "from me") haha. I wanted him to get something he really wanted instead of like.. an electric toothbrush from me ;) He ended up getting a Tennessee Titans Tshirt. After that we went to Target and I got a few maternity shirts and a black stuffed puppy for Lydia.

saying cheese haha

the tree has neon lights (lime green, pink, orange and yellow?), so when it's on it looks mostly pink haha, but it's so pretty.

A gift Anna got. it's a Brave coloring book they took turns coloring.

oh, hi, mom!

Grandpa with Lydia

Anthony and Zach building a home depot gingerbread house.

pretty legit

Jonathan and Tito

Baby Samantha and Zach's Dad.

We spent Christmas Eve at Laura's and had a nice feast. They made ham, potatoes, and green bean casserole, and his mom had made pozole (mmmmmmmmmmm). It was nice. Unfortunately, Lydia was given a sippy cup with a small amount of dr. pepper in it, but that small amount did some big damage! It took her over an hour and a half to go to sleep that night. I was so exhausted and frustrated with her by then..and she banged me in the head while I was asleep. By then both us girls were crying. And then after I got her to sleep and put her in her bed, she woke up again during the night and ended up sleeping with us after all. That Christmas morning was tiring! haha

All the presents that were brought to Laura's house for Christmas morning.

When we were shopping at the mall, I had asked little Anna what she wanted for Christmas. She told me, "a motorcycle" I then asked her... "uhh anything else?" And she said, "a helmet and gloves" hahaha. Well, she must've been good this year because Santa brought her a motorcycle and riding attire (the big bag on the left).

being silly

Her favorite face she made the whole time we were there..constantly..and especially when we'd take pictures. She hasn't done it once since we've been home. She knows how to work her magic at Grandma's apparently!! haha

opening presents

Grandma, Baby Samantha covered in presents, and uncle Tony

Grandpa and Tito checking out his new zip up tie for easy wearing!

Laura, Anna and half of Zach opening his Bronco attire for 12/31's game!

Haha we thought this was funny.. she hopped inside baby Sam's feeding chair. Must've thought it was the right size for her.. .either that or she was hungry for some Elmo! (you can tell by looking at her face this was when she had her cold.)

Christmas morning was full of tons of presents. Lydia got her stuffy puppy, lots of clothes, an Elmo stuffy, a singing Cookie Monster, a stuffed bear, and lots of stocking stuffers. Baby Elena got even MORE clothes, and a gift card to BabiesRus. Jonathan got some star wars gadgets/toys, the game CLUE (for the both of us), his shirt, a tie, Batman Begins and the Dark Knight on blue ray, plus a blue ray player from his mom, and socks. I got a shirt, my slippers, It's a Wonderful Life/White Christmas movie, a new Diaper bag (that I picked out... my old one's zipper broke), yummy lotion from Bath and Body works, and stocking stuffers. I feel like we got so much this year it really is hard for me to remember what all I got. I'm sure I left out a lot of gifts. Later, we went to Zach's parents house for Christmas lunch. It was very nice and yummy. After that we went to Jon's parents house and waited til 7ish. By then Lydia had developed a little cold and was feeling pretty sick. I was trying to decide if I should stay with her or go with the boys and see Les Miserables. I ended up going but I probably should've stayed home. I was so exhausted from the day and night before. I yawned through half the movie. I would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't sleepy, hadn't sat 3 rows from the screen, and maybe had subtitles (haha I'm old! but I like knowing what's being said and I couldn't understand what they were saying some of the time). But I really liked the idea and theme of the movie .. how people can change and become better and actually change others' lives while they're changing their own. I loved the ending. (And...I was kinda glad when Russel Crowe jumped off the bridge haha.. I can only take so much of his singing voice.)

Wednesday, the day after Christmas, the sister missionaries came over and taught Jonathan's grandpa a missionary lesson. He was really receptive and thankful they came over and even more thankful that they gave him a Book of Mormon. It was fun for me to try to understand the dialogue between him and the Sisters. Later that evening, my good friends from high school, Sam McLaren and Samantha Koeller wanted to meet up with me and my (little) family. But Jonathan invited Laura and her husband Zach, and Laura wanted Alex and Anthony to come along. We also had the 3 girls. So it was a big ol' party at Buffalo Wild Wings. It was yummy and it was so nice to catch up with them!! It's so cool to see people from high school in different parts of the states. We're all so grown up. :) After that me and Jonny went to Laura's and watched the Avengers in blue ray. It was my 4th time watching it this year so I ended up retiring early. Jonathan, however, can never get enough of it, apparently! One of his favorite movies!

Thursday was our last day there. We spent most the time at Jonathan's parents house. They ordered Chinese for dinner. Lydia played with Anna Isabella and with her Abuelito, "Tito". Lydia really loves Tito. She thought it was hilarious whenever he'd try to get her (even though he's very old and very frail). She didn't want him to actually hold her, but she thought it was so funny to just lay on the floor beyond arm's reach and just laugh and be silly. I'm really glad she loves him.. I am sure he is very lonely without his wife this time of year. Me and Jonathan went to the store later that night to get some diapers/milk/snacks for the trip for the next morning, and everyone else watched LOTR2 until it was time to go to bed. We had to be up early friday morning to leave.

They are Mexicans! Eating a tortilla haha.. I dressed Lydia in her Bronco Tebow jersey (because we felt bad for the bad rap he's getting haha) and then Anna said she wanted to wear her's to match. :)  I think they were watching LOTR here but I'm not sure haha) Best Buds!

That morning we said our goodbyes and hugged everyone. It was a tight squeeze to fit us and everything we were bringing home in Alex's little car. Little room for a 12+ hour drive. Needless to say, I'm done with road trips after this next one to Payson on Monday. Luckily we won't be gone for too long/far, so it won't be that bad, but it is pretty hard to travel when you're pregnant.

Our ride home saying cheese haha..

in front of our tree at home with probably only half of our gifts.. we were really blessed this year. :)

Anyway, if you've made it this far in this post, congratulations! It may not be the most interesting thing to read, but I'm glad I'll have it to look back on and remember the things we did Christmastime 2012.

Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!!!

Monday Night Activity!

This last Monday we spent our family home evening with our friends Jared and Whitney. We did gingerbread houses/nativities/whatever you could think of making, and loaded them with frosting and candy. Mm mmm.. After that, my brother in law, Anthony, came over and we played the funnest game EVER - headbanz! Soo funny and HARD! at least for me. I could never guess mine haha. Afterward, Whitney made super yummy enchiladas and we watched Arthur Christmas. It was a fun night. Here are some pics!

Lydia's cute outfit from my sister Mari!

The bow I crocheted for this outfit.. looks better in person, and she was being soo wiggly!

My little nativity :) don't mind the snow in the stable, the gummy bear animals and the snowman... or baby Jesus' buck tooth haha the food coloring dripped..

Jonathan's TUMBLER haha

Whitney's cute town :) There's even a bear in a bikini in a tootsie sauna in the back right haha

Jared's house of horror HAHA.. he had halloween candy on his.. so it's kinda spooky.

 

 

 Needless to say..when Anthony walked in, he totally thought Jared and Whitney's were mine and Whitney's..and that the tumbler and my nasty stable nativity was done by Jared and Jonathan hahah.. That tells you how creative (or gross) mine really looked... obviously not good enough for an organized girl! Made me laugh. :)

Then we played this super fun game. GO GET IT. NOW!

Even Tiki wanted to play.....for half a second. :)

Oh man, that made us LAUGH and LAUGH! "Bra!" hahaha oh man.. He had no idea what was so funny. My stinking word was "carrot" and I could NOT guess it. You have to ask people questions that could be answered by yes, no, or could be. It's a lot harder than you think! :P

Whitney trying to guess what her's was..and Lydia fell asleep in her arms.. My pictures aren't the greatest.. oops!

 It was a pretty fun night! I'm glad we got to get together before Christmas and the holidays when everyone leaves and is super busy. We always love spending time with our friends!!

Christmas pictures of Lydia!

Every once in a while I try to get a little creative. I want to capture Lydia at this fun time of her life, and she is just so photogenic it makes it easy (when she's not sleepy haha). Here are some pictures I took earlier today and edited. I feel so privileged to have my baby girl with me, when others just lost their precious ones, especially during this time of year. I hope they can still find love and forgiveness in their hearts, despite their tragedy..I know it will be hard. I am thankful to know that Christ overcame the world, and that those children became sweet tender angels and don't have to grow up in a world of pain anymore.

I edited this one twice (see towards the end), but I think I like this one better. :)

Hahaha "and YOU.. you must be GRUMPY!" (from snow white haha..she loves when I say that)

Things I know..(about My 17 M/O)

Well, technically she's a little over 17 months, by a week or so...but I am always late on these so forgive me!
It seems that as each month goes by, her personality grows and blossoms more and more and I am always just so surprised! It seems my pattern has usually been to do this every 2 months, but it seems like she is learning a lot and changing ever so much, I don't want to accidentally miss something by skipping this month.

Here is what I know about
My 10 month old

My 1 year old

My 14 M/O

My 16 M/O

Here is what I know

I know

She absolutely loves milk. She doesn't say milk or "milkie" but she constantly signs it with both hands until you get her a sippy cup with milk in it. Before she used to drink it, we'd end up wasting at least half a gallon because it'd go bad or hit the expiration date. Now we are running out of milk (her whole milk and our 2%) by the end of the month.. WIC doesn't even satisfy her thirst (haha)! She drinks a lot!


She is so tender hearted. We actually found The Fox and the Hound on Netflix today and while watching it she started crying when the master calls for Copper after he's playing with Todd and he's sentenced to his little barrel. She thought he had to go "ni-ni" (sleep) and she thought that was the saddest thing ever! It took us both everything we had not to laugh!


That being said, she loves that movie. She loves the animals and absolutely loves puppies (and kitties). She adores her puppy head stocking and it rarely is ever on the wall with the rest of the stockings. If I get the slightest chance to hang it up, she notices it and repeats "ruh-ruh-ruh" until I grab it down for her. I can't wait til we can own our first puppy!!


She is saying so many words. It always surprises me. Lately she says "up" "Jezuhzuh" (for Jesus), "boo" for boots, "co" for coat or cold, "ew" and "ow" any time she bumps her head or sees an owie. And she'll make a fist and point to her mouth to sign and will say "moo" for food haha. I think I've figured out that it's pretty easy for her to say her vowel words..she can repeat most anything that starts or ends with A E I O U. I'm always so impressed.


I'm pretty sure she has all her teeth in by now. I'm not sure what other ones are missing, but all the gaps that were just gums are filled with teeth.

I know

She thought it was so funny that her baby was in the picture with us (bad quality because the camera is facing us)

For some reason she loves taking showers with me haha. I used to be able to sit her on the couch with some milk, her Baby Bear and put in Sesame Street and run off to take a shower and come out and she'd be sitting in the same position watching her show. Now, at the sound of the water she comes a' running and puts her arms up for me to pick her up. I won't be able to do that for too long once my belly gets bigger.


She has so much fun playing with her toys... when I'm playing with them - making them come "alive." If I start to make her baby talk and wiggle and drink her bottle, she'll continue to make noises or start to whine if I dare stop.


I know she has some sort of separation anxiety! But it's with everybody! I know she gets mad when Jonathan leaves for work, or goes out the door for 5 minutes, or if I happen to want to go to the bathroom with the door shut. But she'll also freak out if people come over and they leave, even people she's never met before haha. Today we had carolers come to our door and after they got done singing they left and we shut the door and she seriously bawled her little eyes out for 5 minutes... and we didn't even know these people!!


My once-great eater... doesn't eat everything on her plate anymore. I know it's because of the milk. She'll take a few bites and then if she sees her cup she'll whine and fuss and won't eat anything until she gets her drink..and it kind of makes dinner time miserable so I give in knowing she won't eat everything because she fills up on that. She loves pasta though haha.


She is so smart!!! The Jesus "book" binder I made that has all sorts of pictures ranging from the birth of Christ to his Resurrection, has a picture of Mary and the angel Gabriel. Well, the other day when she first saw the picture she said, "maumey" for Mary..and before I could even turn the page she said "Baby!!" and on the flip side was an old Christian painting of the nativity scene, with baby Jesus. I was so surprised she remembered what was on the back of the picture. I need to give her more credit. :)

I know

She is going to be so tech savvy when she's older! NOT that we're gonna give her an itouch or something, which I've seen some parents give to their 7 year olds haha. But she already knows how to turn on our phone (pushing the home screen, sliding the bar across) and knows how to navigate around. She has her baby apps, but she is also good at holding a button down so you can rearrange things, which she does quite often.. luckily she brings it to us when it says it's about to delete an app. She's busy doing that, texting my sister, and calling China. She seriously dialed a number about 25 digits long the other night, luckily with a lot of hashtags, so it didn't go through. Phewph!


She sits forward facing in her carseat now...and I'm pretty sure she loves it! She always says "liii" for light, while looking out the window, and when I'm driving she says "Hi" over and over and I say hi back while looking in my rear view mirror at her. I love being able to see her. :)


She loves webcamming/face timing. She thinks it's so funny seeing herself on screen and she loves skyping with my sister/family. She'll grab the whole laptop away from me and position it on her legs (like it's HER'S!)...and occasionally turn off the computer while we're skyping...and then throw a fit when I take it away. She is so goofy lol. She also likes taking videos of herself (facing herself so she can see) on our phone and then watching it over and over.....and over and over.


Whenever we listen to music (mostly up-beat music, like rap or hip-hop) she dances sooo much! She's mastered how to "shake those hips" from side to side during songs and does it on command when we tell her to. It's probably my most favorite thing to watch her do. It is hilarious. She was headbanging at church on Sunday during all the Christmas songs. It made a few people laugh, including us. I love that she has a passion for dancing/music!


Sometimes she'll just sit there and say "Daddy..daddy daddy da da da da daddy" over and over, as well as "Mommy, mama" etc. Even when you say "what" she still continues to do it. It's like she wants to tell us something.. but doesn't know what to say once she gets past that part hahah.


My most favorite thing is when I take the opening line/tune of the primary song, Teacher, do you love me? (which is "Teacher, do you love me?") and change the words to, "Lyyydiiaa, I love yooouuu!" and she says, 'LUH YOU!?' back to me, and then I tell her "YEP, I LOVE YOU!" She does it every time without fail. Sometimes she'll say, "daddy! luh you!" It's so precious.

Yep, those three words from her mouth are my favorite!

Lately I've Been

Making crafts (and treats) from Pinterest!

The Christ Book, which you can find the printouts,
(besides the pictures which you have to buy from the LDS store) here

Crocheting this beautiful scarf! (which is for sale - $15!)

Also crocheting this stocking for my second born!

Had a Scentsy party Thursday night.

Making home made Butter Toffee for the first time, ever for the party. And it turned out great! Can't wait to make it again!
Here's the recipe

I also made

Candy Cane Popcorn from The Girl Who Ate Everything

And home made Caramel Apple Cider

for the party

I'm currently working on another fuzzy scarf, but it's not completed yet, so no picture.

But I've been a busy busy girl and it's only December 8th!

I Believe - December

This is part of my I Believe series I do every first Sunday of the month. It is my testimony. Sometimes I get a chance to share it at church, other times I don't, but today, I'd like to share it with you.


I believe in the power of the Atonement. It can heal anything. We can become 100% clean from our sins and mistakes, and our consciences can be guilt free, but that doesn't always mean it will take away our consequences. I believe in a loving and forgiving God, but I also know that He has great expectations from us, and wants and desires us to be good people. I know there is a God. You cannot take that knowledge away from me. I have had the Spirit testify to me again and again that it is true and that there is a higher power looking over us.

I know the Savior came to earth.. in His humble meekness and poor circumstances He came to our world to save us. He came, He taught, He lived, and He died. And yet, He still lives. And we still continue to learn from Him.

At the start of this Christmas season I have begun to think a lot more about the true meaning of Christmas. It seems each year I think I grasp a little bit more of the true meaning, but this time I think I have truly felt it. It was while I was reading

Maybe Christmas Doesn't Come From A Store

that I believe I finally understood just how sacred the moment of His birth was. You should definitely read it, if you never have. It brought a whole new perspective to me about Christ's parents and their sacrifices and just how dirty and gross the place he was actually born in was and how poor they really were. Me, having given birth to Lydia in a clean hospital, with doctors and nurses, had it so much better than even our Heavenly King and his humble mother. I love the point that he makes, that Mary and Joseph probably knew that even in the beginning of His mortal life, it wouldn't be easy, preparing him for later things to come, but it would be done so he could know how to help others who feel the same way.

Elder Holland definitely says it better, 

"Perhaps these parents knew even then that in the beginning of his mortal life, as well as in the end, this baby son born to them would have to descend beneath every human pain and disappointment. He would do so to help those who also felt they had been born without advantage."

I was enlightened while reading it, understanding that Christ, the Savior of us all, never once had a prideful moment, even at his birth. He was humble all throughout his life. He wasn't born in an adorned palace, but a lowly stable. Up through his crucifixion he lived a truly meek life. 

I am so extremely humbled by reading about this sacred experience. I have a renewed love for the Savior and his earthly and heavenly parents. Before this, I wasn't either for or against Santa Claus and letting Lydia know who he was or letting her experience the fun in believing in him. Now, I feel it would be totally against everything that I feel is right for this special holiday, to introduce him into our home and let him take the spotlight for the one time of year which belongs to a precious, perfect, little child.

I believe in Christ, He is my {Heavenly} King