After all the craziness...

 

Well, I guess not ALL of it, we still have new years. But, I haven't sat down since halloween. It's been crazy round here and no time for resting. I hosted bunko in the beginning of November. Then Thanksgiving. Then preparing for Christmas, which seemed to go by awfully fast this year, yes? We really couldn't afford to spend lots on Christmas, so I decided to make alot of my gifts, which money wise was good, but holy cow took me way more time than I was expecting. I made Braidons little sisters wall decor for their rooms, which consisted of painting 2 magnent boards, 5 frames, and a shelf. Plus make all the stuff to go inside the frames...it was just craziness! Then, as if that wasn't an overload of craftiness, my sweet parents insisted on us not spending any money on them for Christmas. They told us it was rediculous and a waste, they already have everything they want. They just want us to love them and have testimonies. So, we suprised them with a scrap book of sorts, it had letters from all of us (my family, kristens, and my sister Meg's), telling them how much we love them and our testimonies, plus pictures. But, it was well worth it, my mom cried when we gave it to her.

Christmas was a fantastical time!

We made a spare of the moment trip to Arizona, to see my Aunt, Uncle, and cousins. The eight hour drive kinda stank, but it was so much fun, and I'm so glad we were able to go. I haven't seen some of my cousins forever, due to school.

On the Wednesday before Christmas, my best friend Hilary Stavros, went through the temple, which of course was wonderful. Due to having a baby, I haven't been able to go for a few months. I really need to make more of an effort to go, I realized how much I missed it. It was a beautiful day.

Thursday we had our Bunko Christmas party. It was so much fun! I got the bestest of friends. We decided to have it be a couples party. So all brought our spouses, fiances, boyfriends. Sara was the host, and it was beautiful! The food was fantastic! Instead of 3 gifts, we just did 1 big gift, which yes Braidon and I won. How awesome! I never win (I think we all say that, haha)! But, it was a fun filled night. Thanks girls!

I may have stole this from Sara. :)

Our Ward Chrismas Party was on friday, so fun! Hilarious! KenLea got to sit on Santa's lap. She was shaking and whimpering while sitting on his lap, but she was mesmorized. She couldn't take her eyes off him. Then, while cleaning up, she decided that the big dust broom is the coolest thing ever, and followed my mom back and forth across the gym floor.

Kristen and Wade were here this year, which was wonderful! So we had a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner. Woke up Christmas morning, went and did Santa for KenLea at my parents. She was a hoot! There wasn't enough time before church to unwrap gifts, so we did breakfast and headed off to church, where I had to lead the Primary kids in a song, and play a cello solo. It was a beautiful meeting. We came home and unwrapped gifts. Where I got the best gift! Yes, my husband spoiled me. I've been wanting a DSLR for about two years now, and he got me the Canon EOS Rebel T3i. Got alot to learn, I do. ha But, I'm so excited! Braidon got his big gift a couple months ago, due to the fact that he will pry and snoop till he finds out what it is, he Hates suprises, weird! But, I got him a 22-250, which he's been able to put to good use anyways, so I guess it was ok that he got it early. My parents got KenLea one of those horses you can ride on. Already, she's gonna be a little rodeo girl. All by herself, she was bouncing on it, got up and stood on its back, then stuck one leg out to the side and rode it. Oh she's a character. Where does she come up with this stuff?

KenLea was spoiled of course. She got so many toys, she didn't know what to do with them all. But, that's how it is with the first huh.



Then Megan and her family came down Christmas evening. We had a big Christmas dinner, played some cards, and had a fun ol' time. The next morning, Olivia (my niece) wanted to do a tea party. My mom has these old, china cups and saucers, so we had a "hot chocolate" party. My mom made these yummy stirring sticks, peppermint candycane with a big marshmellow stuck on the end, dipped in white chocolate. It was to die for. My dad even joined in, with a pinky in the air while he sipped his cocoa, he's such a hoot! It was rather funny.

Delicious, I do say!

Then later in the evening we headed into town for Braidon's family Christmas dinner, where we had crab legs! Yes, soooo good! Sadly, KenLea hadn't been feeling so hot, she has had a runny nose, and was a bit of a grump.

And for those of you who didn't know, KenLea has been walking for over a month now. She started walking November 21st, five days before turning 8 months. I'm excited to see what the doc says next thursday at her 9 month appointment. She's a pro now, and has the cutest little walk. I didn't realize how rare this was till at our Ward Party where every person we talked too commented on how crazy it was. Well, I've got a little genius on my hands. She's gonna be smarter then me, here in a couple years. She's just growin like a weed, a Beautiful weed, she's just growing like crazy. She is so obedient though, she hates it, but she does what I say. I tell her "no," and she starts bawling, she stops what she's doing, but cries like it's the end of the world. It's kind of funny. And, she's starting to do the whole cry every time I leave the room thing, it's lovely! She also loves, loves, Loves animals. She loves to play with the dog and cats. She just jabbers, giggles, and gets the biggest smile on her face, even when she see's a picture in a book. She also, humms in church during the songs, it's bout the cutest thing ever! She's just the joy of my life. I can't imagine live before her. I love her so much, it's undescribable.

Well, hopefully all yall's Holidays have been wonderful! Till next time...go watch this http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/rmdG36A4LZfH17Cp?cmpid=jj_url, I may or may not have sent this to Braidon's side of the family. Yeah, we may have a weird sense of humor. But hey, it gives us a good laugh.

Still Alive.

Okie Dokels

So...this was gonna be my Thanksgivingish post, but due to stupid internet (which we finally got a new server today, Yah!) I couldn't upload pictures, it was sooo Slow! But, hopefully no more problems.

In the original post I rambled on about the Pilgrims and Indians. And how eventually the "white man" took over the land, and drove out the "dark skined" people. And how my life is a similar story. Due to that everybody says that KenLea is a dead ringer of Braidon. I'll let you decide.

I didn't pick pictures that were common to each other in any way, so they aren't great comparisons, but will work. (Sentence fragment probably, I know.)



I just thought this picture was so funny. She sometimes likes to make faces for the camera.



The next post will be a long over due catch up. (As usual.)

Yes! I'm still alive.

Annoying Suh-low! internet! Ohh bugs me...thus the very long time between posts. I seriously have written this post like a million times. Urg! Well lets play a little catch up!

I'll try to make it short.
As of right now, KenLea is almost 8 months old, she'll be 8 months on the 26th. Ahh!

But, lets start with the month of October:

• Tex turned 2! He's finally growing out of the digging up and hauling anything we touch back up onto the lawn stage. Yah for that! He seriously is the most beautiful Golden Retriever ever! Weird comment I know, but I saw this golden retriever the other day and not so good lookin. Any who...

• My Grandma and her sister came to visit all the way from Illinois and Ohio. It was so so So wonderful! I'm so glad she was able to come! I wish we didn't live so far away from eachother.

• KenLea went on her first hike ever, in Zion! She was a pretty good sport. We had to take a little short eating break, but besides that she was golden!

•  She got her first little cold. Poor runny, red, sore nose for two weeks. No fun!

• She crawls up the stairs. She started doing this bout first of Octoberish.

• 
• She started standing up in the middle of the room with zero assistance at about 6 months 3 weeks old.

See the little red "stache" she's got goin? That's from all the nose wiping. Sore little red nose. :(

• She tries to climb on everything!

(*Whenever the word "she" is used, I'm referring to KenLea of course. ha :)

• Braidon and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary! He brought me home roses! Ahh!

• Yes, I did get dressed up for halloween, just cuz for Bunko we had to. This means I ramsacked Braidon's clothes. Imagine; beer belly, majority of my hair pulled up into a baseball cap, and putting the rest into a little ucky low mullet ponytail. A western button up shirt with chest hair sticking out, and facial hair made out of eyeshadow. I was hu-hu-hottt!

• I couldn't bring myself to spend the time or the money on a fancy halloween costume for KenLea, so I got one of her white onsies and put a pumpkin on it and made a matching headband.

Gettin ready to stand up

• Our little family took a trip up north to visit my sister Megan and the fam. It was a trip full of football. KenLea got to watch two of her cousins' games, and go to the Utes blackout game! Oh yah! So fun!

 

 

• KenLea wears 9 months and 12 months clothing.

• She eats the little puff crackers.
• She's startin to understand what "no" means. Ha And she don't like it!

We just love our little sweetheart more and more everyday! She brightens up our lives! I don't know what I'd do without her. Her personality is just shinnin through more and more everyday. She's a little chatter box and we love it. I love bein a Mom!

Talking to Myself

"Hmm...blogging. I find myself so boring. I wish I were more creative and funny with my words, like Elyse Beard (she's a must read! So if you haven't read her blog, Do!). Or, could do amazing photography, like Sara and Brenna (if you need pictures done, they are Uh-mazing!). Or, say touching and sweet things like Lauren. Or, be good at documenting everything like Bobbi. Or,  looks good in every picture, like Brandi and Dani. Or, is the kindest and everybody loves, like Kelcie. Or, is so motivational, like Janelle. Or, just says it how it is and makes me laugh, like Ashlee. Or, funnest person Ever, like Kendra! Or, be amazing at everything; being a mom, keeping her house clean, etc, like Natasha. But, for some reason I just....blah! How to be more creative? How to be timeless? Someday, hopefully sooner than later, I will get that DSLR camera and will be able to capture time artfully (ifff I have any skill in that area). And one day, I will get out of these sweats (Rachel you're awesome. I don't change right before Braidon gets home. Yeah, probably should do that.:) And someday I will loosen up, and not be so uptight about every little thing! (It's rediculous, it really is. I don't know why I am. Is it a women thing? It only causes stress. So why, I ask. Why?) Ok, maybe I'm being a tad hard on myself. Besides, all my friends are amazing, so it's easy to find a million nice things to say abouth them. But, I read all these inspiring blogs, and I think "julie, you could totally do that." No. Never happens. Do I have any cute halloween decorations? Nuh uh! Do I say the funny thoughts that go through my head infront of anybody besides my twin? No, I'm shy, even infront of my good friends. I'm so silly. My poor husband, he might as well live with a twenty-ton rock. It may be more spontaneous and fun. So, get off your butt, get dressed up, buy that cute little vintage dress you want to put KenLea in, and take your cute little family for a fun day out! Uh....where? How? Have you looked outside? You live next to a national park, there's a very sunny place just fourty minutes south of here, even the side lawn would work. Dhurr! Just gather a few things; picnic basket, blanket, camera, don't forget the food for inside the picnic basket!, some good tunes, etc. You don't need loads of money to have fun. Just a little time. Time! Ah ha! Yeah, well if I didn't have to pump every couple hours this would be so much easier! Just bring it along. But, it's so annoying! Minor pile of shit in the middle of the trail, just side step it. Ohh-K! Now, just pick a day. Check. Get rid of KenLea's cold. Which is so miserable by the way! I hate seeing her sick. Snot running down her face all day long! No fun. Poor little red nosed girl. :(But, it should be over by this little outing.) Lose a little more of the prego weight so you can wear some of your cute jeans, rather than the oh so sexy basketball shorts. Actually, follow through! And document it! Like a cute little story. Yes, it's gonna happen. Going to get out of this messy house, go for a fun filled day with my two babes, and going to blog about it, in a non-boring way." 

On a side story, we have been a little slow on paying tithing. Not that we don't mean to, we just kept forgetting to go to the ATM while in town. Finally, got it paid this week, and while going through this bucket, that I've gone through multiple times these past weeks, I found a five dollar bill. Point: pay your tithing! Yes, it was small, and I wasn't exactly in need of the money. But, it was like those little notes your mom puts in your lunchbox when you're little, just reminding you that she loves you.

Lots of Pictures, Little Words

September 26th and a six month old baby girl! "Is she just the cutest ever?" you ask. Oh beyond words can tell. She is...just the sweetest, "funnest", smartest, funniest, most everything wonderful baby girl ever! Love her so so soooo much!

She's our little "super baby." And a chunk. Oh so cute!

Ok so maybe I'm a little proud of her, but I'm her moo-ter so...mothers should be like that right?

Lets see where to start?
+We started feeding her baby food. Began with the squash, which she loved. And then we tried some peas a few days later. No likey! But, good thing is she was willing to give it a try. She took about 8 good spoonfuls, giving me the "eww" look, before saying "nuh uh!"



Very first time eating baby food.



+ We started her on fruit too, she loves it, of course!

+ For the past couple months she has been trying to sit up by herself and at about 5 months 1 week she was able to get herself to the sitting position and be stable, with out getting high-centered on one butt cheek and toppling over.

 Haha, she makes the funniest expressions.

It sure made things lots easier till...

+ At 5 1/2 months she started crawling. Everywhere! AND...

 + Pulling herself up by herself. Lot's of "bonks," if you will. She's a little practice, practice, practice baby.

+She also went to her first rodeo...

and "You fellll asleeppp!" I was bouncin her on my knee, and she was just lookin around, when all of a sudden I looked down to see her snoozin away. It was hilarious.

+She took her first "bath bath." Going from this

to this. And she still LOVES bath time.

+She now purposely reaches for me while she's being held by others. And crawls to my feet and reaches up for me. Cute!

+She has a little bit of stranger anxiety, but only with men, and only every once in a while. She likes to look at them, but as soon as they talk to her she begins to cry. I don't know what it is. She'll grow out of it, hopefully.
+She's trying to give me a heart attack. Favorite sleeping position: face down!
+She's in 9 month clothing. Chubby chubby!
+6 month stats: 18lb 8oz (90%), 25 3/4in (49%), and 78% Head Cer.

I could go on and on about how amazing she is and how much we love her, but it seriously took me 5 days to finish this post. I just don't have the time to sit down and finish a blog, it takes me doing little bits and pieces at a time. Plus this is a rather Long post. Sorry!

She's such a sweetheart and gives me multiple hugs throughout the day, making my heart fill with joy beyond words. She loves outside! Good thang to! She is full of giggles and just brightens every moment of our day. We love her so so much! And are so glad she came into our lives. 

Now, off to another adventure :)