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London (18 months) so excited for the big game! 

Addy (same shirt, 23 months)

Since we gave up cable, Jonathan's parents (raging Ute fans) invited us over for the big game.  We were all decked out in blue.  While we were eating lunch, before we went to their house, I said to Addy, "Grandma will try to get you to say 'Go Utes!' and other horrible sayings...you just say, 'No thank you Grandma, I like the Cougars.' "  We weren't there for more than 10 minutes when Grandma Sans came out with a Ute sweatshirt for Addy to wear.  My girl stayed strong.  :-)

I was wearing red shoes to show some common courtesy (after all, she did take me to Cancun), but I am not a sub-dued football fan like my calm husband, so it was hard for me to show restraint, which I'm afraid I didn't show enough of.  Good thing we are all good sports (damn Utes!). 

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

We have some professional tree decorators at our house that we'd be happy to rent out for a nominal fee. 

For the past few weeks, London has become obsessed with stools.  She was in heaven standing on it for so long.  (Jonathan thinks we should just wrap up the 2 stools and give them to her for Christmas...she's that obsessed.  She stands on one stool to try to open the pantry door to get to the other stool and gets so frustrated that it won't open...uh, because you are standing in front of the door dear.)

Sidenote:  We got the Elf on the Shelf book this year and read it the day after Thanksgiving.  Pretty much, it's a cute story that comes with a freaky looking elf (cute, but freaky like a clown) that watches all day and goes and reports to Santa at night.  After Addy had a rough night being disobedient, she was laying by me on the couch and was looking right up at Buddy the Elf and said, "Mom, I don't want that elf around here anymore." 

Addy's Creations

turkey made with finger/thumb prints

Major rain storm, but not to worry, Addy and her friend Megan both had one giant pink umbrella so they stayed dry.  Phew!  (Not quite sure who the poor girl is on the left who got soaked...probably me.)

Santa Clause, his toy bag, and his favorite reindeer

(love the stick Santa!)

The Annual Gingerbread House Making Party

Every year either after Thanksgiving, or the Sunday before we make gingerbread houses.  My mom makes the gingerbread and gets all the goodies together and we just show up and start building.  Addy and Jenni's girls were super helpers this year.  We missed Dani & Tara...maybe next year?

London: 18 Months Old

Our little London is now 18 months old today.  To celebrate, she got her very first haircut. We love those piggies, it was just looking a bit too mullet-esque, so just a quick trim.  I have been banned from cutting our children's hair by Jonathan after a little trim to Addy's baby hair didn't go so well. 

The cute girl cutting London's hair asked me if I wanted to save some of her hair. Go ahead and call me a bad, non-sentimental mother...I just think it is really strange to save hair from their first haircut.  I did it with Addy because that's what you're supposed to do, but I'm hear to ask, who said so?  It's weird and kinda gross and just tell me, what exactly are you going to do with it?  Just sayin'.

Before (zoned out watching a DVD)

After (still zoned out)

I took her at naptime and she was so tired!

  Here are the stats:

Height:  33.8" (Still 97th percentile)

Weight:  22.8 lb (Jumped from the 15th to the 25th percentile...fattie)

London was named after my Dad. Huh? Your Dad's name is Barney. While it totally fits my Dad, it wasn't likely that he was going to get any grandchildren named after him...no offense Dad...not because my Dad isn't totally worth naming a kid after, but simply so our kids don't get bullied on the playground. My Dad served his mission in England so we decided to name London "London" to pay homage to my Dad. While I know I already had "favorite child status," this just sort of sets it in stone.

love that bum

London can finally sleep through the night, which means her mother can too!  This month marked the first time in 18 months that I didn't have to get up at some horrific hour to feed my baby.  I love sleep.  It's no wonder I'm not itching to get pregnant again.

London doesn't say much.  She can say a few choice words:

shoes

Ma

Da

A-ee (Addy)

nigh nigh

nana (banana)

tada!

but not a whole lot more. 

Her typical forms of communication include a loud, piercing whine, pointing, or holding our hands and leading us to what she wants. 

She cries and screams from the minute I get her out of the tub until she is dressed for bed. 

Her poop smells like fish (side effect of the medication she takes). 

She loves to watch DVDs in the car (mother of the year).

She is a climber and will climb up on stools, counters, couches, tables without any problem.

She loves to sit on my bathroom counter while I am getting ready and brush her teeth and stick her fingers in play with my make-up. 

She likes to lay down on the counter on her tummy and drink out of the faucet...a little something she learned from Addy.

She mimics anything and everything Addy does, which lately means sitting on the potty anytime Addy goes.

She loves shoes and will make a fuss until she has them on her feet.  She tries to take off her footed jammies because she can't wear shoes with them.  She will also gladly wear Jonathan's, mine, or Addy's shoes too. 

She gives the biggest smiles which makes those big, blue eyes sparkle. 

She has learned how to dance quite well over the past few months.  Usually includes stomping, raising the roof, and twisting her torso...a natural. 

We love you London!



Addy's Creations

Jonny is so proud that Addy has finally learned to stay in the lines.

Looks like evolution from monkeys may actually be true.

Beautiful!

Couldn't resist taking these while stopped at a red light through my windshield

only to get home to see that my little brother Alex posted the exact same picture on facebook. 

Addy's Dance Class

These Boots Were Made For Walking

Megan & Julie

So Addy's best buddy Megan lives just across the street.  They play together at least 5 out of the 7 days typically starting at one house and ending at the other.  She's a spunky little girl who makes me laugh.  We had the pleasure of hosting both Megan and her 6-year-old sister on Saturday for an afternoon of fun. 

The girls found the Christmas Nativity dress-ups down in the basement which kept them busy for awhile.  Addy yelled up the stairs that they were ready to show me their play they had been working on, so I promptly went downstairs to see the masterpiece. 

Julie was Jesus, and not baby Jesus.  She proceeded to raise Megan from the dead and heal Addy because Addy touched her robe. 

I was trying really hard not to laugh for so many reasons, but was seriously impressed that Julie knew those stories (way to go Marianne!).  

After they put the costumes away, Julie walked up the stairs and let out a big sigh.  "I am so tired.  I have been playing Jesus all day." 

Makes me laugh out loud everytime I think about it. 

Ladies Trip to Cancun

I have been blessed with the world's best mother-in-law!  She had 4 boys, no girls, and every three years she treats her four daughters-in-law to a fun-filled getaway.  Last trip we went to LA, had 5th row seats to Wicked, and shopped til we dropped.  This trip was an all-inclusive resort in Cancun which was absolutely AMAZING! 

 Our day went a little like this...layout & read, eat, layout & read, eat, layout & read, eat. 

Hardest decisions of the day...pool or beach?  pina or daquiri?  more guac or more ice cream?

Our lovely suite had an abnormally ginormous whirlpool tub in the middle which we thoroughly enjoyed.

and got a little silly.

So not only am I blessed with the best mother-in-law, but also with these fine ladies!  I thoroughly enjoy their company.  We shared many laughs, good discussions, a few tears, and great memories. 

Nacho Libre

Yum!

Our poolside waiters.  Pablo said more than once (in his thick Mexican accent), "Tequila ladies?  Come on you're on vacation."

I read Lone Survivor while here and was deeply moved.  I stayed up til 2 am with my heart pounding during the midst of the Taliban's attack on these brave 4 navy seals.  I sat by the pool with tears streaming down my face as I felt such pride and gratitude for brave men and women who fight for our country.  Thank you to all those who serve to keep us free and safe.  If you haven't read it, I hightly recommend it!

On our way to dinner

Enjoying a walk on the soft white sand while trying to burn a few calories and work up an appetite for dinner.  The three of us were totally enthralled in our conversation on politics and economics.  (Did I mention these ladies are super smart...masters degrees and PhDs?)

Spent a lovely afternoon at the spa enjoying manicures and pedicures

Yummy food and a great mariachi band

Uh...playing with the restaurant decor?  I'm pretty sure those drinks were non-alcoholic.

Thank you for an amazing trip Sandi!  Can't wait for 2013!

Thank you to Jenni, Dani, Andrea, and Kristin for helping with my girls!  It's so nice to have good friends and family who are always willing to help.