Overdue Post

Here is a picture from Halloween- I know, over a month ago. I don't think I'm alone here- everyone I talk to agrees with me. They LOVE checking other peoples blogs, but HATE having to post on their own. I am absolutely forcing myself to put a new post up tonight because it's been a really long time.

So Andy was Batman for Halloween. Please excuse the poor excuse for a batsuit. I felt somehow it was my motherly duty to make his costume instead of buying it. So I did... and the results were less than spectacular. But he loved it and that's all that mattered. Never mind that I saw a batsuit at Target the day before Halloween for only $10 - it's the principle of it. I guess.

Daisy was a giraffe (Andy's old costume). I guess I needed to dress her up as a princess because everyone was calling her a boy. At the town Halloween party we went to a lady even told me Daisy was sure to be a 'lady-killer' when he grew up.

The kids had a fun time. Andy was really looking forward to having trick-or-treaters come to our door, but we only had two. It was a cold night. So this is a pretty bad picture of the kids, but somehow it's the only one I got. I'm really bad about remembering the camera.

The other pictures are just random - Andy with his buddy Xander, and Daisy eating a snack, looking cute.

My sister and her family made it up to Alaska. We are really happy to have them here! The kids have been having a blast - sledding, making gingerbread houses, and playing with all of each other's toys.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

North to Alaska

My sister Amy and her family are driving up to Alaska right now! I'm so excited that they are moving here! Let's all pray they get up here safely and without too much hassle!!

My Post on Politics....

Just kidding!

Instead I'll just post a cute picture of Daisy.

Andy's John Deere Birthday Party

Andy had his 4th birthday party (2 months ago!) I know, I'm a bit slow.

He wanted John Deere party, so we decorated with green balloons, and I did my best effort at a tractor cake. He and several friends went to Bouncing Bears first. It is a giant warehouse filled with blow-up bouncy slides, etc. They had a blast. Daisy kept Kevin busy taking her down the tallest and fastest slides. Then we had family and friends to our house for lots of food and noise.

He got way too many presents - his pride and joy being a little battery-operated John Deere 'Gator' from his dad. He had to promise not to drive it

down any window wells!

My baby girl turned one!

Daisy turned one year old on July 15th. We celebrated she and Kevin's birthdays with a delicious dinner of tortilla soup with my family. I made pink cupcakes and Andy and I decorated the house with pink balloons (I used to swear I would stay away from pink when I had a girl! Guess things change...)

Daisy loved her first cupcake. But she really hated the cute pink tennis shoes I bought her. I mean REALLY hated them. She just hates shoes and I don't know why. She also got a little toy phone that makes lots of noise and some cute babylegs from Mom and Rachel.

Happy Birthday to Daisy and Kevin!

We finally got our house painted!

Back from Utah

We had a fun trip to Utah to visit Kevin's family. The sunshine felt so good! I also got to spend time with Lori and Amy and their kids, which was so fun!

Sunday we had a big birthday party for Kevin's Dad, who was turning 70 this month. It was a surprise birthday party, and it's a good thing he can't understand Andy too well because he almost gave it away several times! Kevin's parents bought a trampoline for the party and it was a big hit with Andy and Daisy for the rest of the visit.

Some other highlights of the trip included:

- Trip to the Logan Aquatic Center. The kids loved playing in the water. Andy went down the big waterslide with Kevin and was disappointed that it didn't shoot him up into the air at the end. The kids were taking turns jumping off the side of the pool and into our arms. Lori's daughter Avery was standing behind Andy and I guess he was taking too long, so she booted him right in the rear end and into the pool. We couldn't stop laughing!

- We took the kids to Wall-E (wierd movie!) and then to an adorable little ice cream shop afterwards. They made a big mess but loved it.

- A trip to Bear Lake! Bear Lake is one of my favorite memories from visiting Utah as a kid, so I'm so glad we got to go. The kids loved playing in the sand and chasing the seagulls.

- Playing the marble game with Kevin's family. We have a long-running feud between the men and women and I'm pretty sure the women came out victorious last week.

-Fourth of July Fireworks and parade. I love the Fourth of July! It was a little hot that day, but still fun!

-On a visit to Kevin's brothers house, Andy and his cousins were driving around in their little battery-operated jeeps. Andy took a turn driving, and nose-dived the jeep down an open window well! It was so funny. I wish we'd gotten a picture, but at the time, they were stuck in a window well screaming so we had to get them out first and make sure they were ok!

At the Friday Market - the best picture I could get (Daisy wouldn't cooperate)

I caught Daisy making out with Curious George

The King of Kong

My brother was bothering me forever to watch this documentary. He finally convinced me - and he was SO right! It is awesome. I know it looks crazy, but go rent it - you won't be sorry, I promise!

A Few of My Favorite Things...

A friend of mine did a blog with some of her favorite things, and I thought it was so fun... so I thought I'd share a few of mine -




1. Babylegs
They are adorable little legwarmers in every color and pattern you can imagine. They are perfect for throwing on when your baby is in a cute little dress but it starts to get cold outside. Or I put them on Daisy under her pants if we go for a walk because her little pant legs always hike up and part of her legs get cold. I love the story behind them too - A stay-at-home mom invented them! I love these soooo much I want them in every color.





2. House, M.D.
This is the BEST show on T.V. - Kevin and I love it! I usually hate medical dramas (E.R. is the worst!) This is a can't miss. I have certain sisters who refuse to watch this show , and they are seriously missing out.





3. Chutney
Ok, don't laugh at this one. Maybe everyone already knows about this but it's a recent discovery of mine. It's sort of an Indian relish, I guess. It's just the right combination of sweet and spicy and it goes great on everything!





4. Josh Ritter
Really great singer/songwriter. Traditional, kind of folk music I guess. I really like him



That's all for now because it's getting late. I'd love to see everyone else's favorites!

Sleepy Kids

It was a long day...

I was at the park the other day with one of my friends and she got this cute picture of Daisy in the swing. I found a picture of Andy at the same age - so I thought it would be fun to put them side by side. I think they look nothing alike! Both adorable though, if you ask me!!

Long Time Gone

I doubt anyone checks this blog anymore because I never update! I've been meaning to - but I have been seriously busy! I hate moving! But I love my new house. We are finally in. Aside from the exterior painting (which will have to wait until spring) - the house is finally, finally finished. I didn't believe the day would ever come. We are loving it so far - but it's quite a task to get everything unpacked. The garage is still compeltely full of stuff but I think we have lost all motivation for a week or so. I'll get to it eventually. Aside from that, not much has been going on - which is why I never update. I don't want to bore people to death. But I love checking everyone else's blogs - it's so fun to get updated on people's lives and see pictures. Daisy is growing so fast - I can't believe she's almost nine months. She's been crawling since January and is now walking around all of the furniture. And the best of all , she is finally, FINALLY sleeping in her own crib! And sleeping through the night! (Most of the time...) Andy just wants to be outside all of the time. He wants to go ride bikes, walking, whatever. Unfortunately , although we've had some sunny days it's still pretty cold here. And he's sick today, which never happens, so I think we're going to have to wait for some warmer weather. He got a brand new game the other day - Go Fish. He loves it. He makes us play it all the time. He doesn't understand the rules 100%, but he is so cute playing it I just love it. He is obsessed with anything to do with transportation. Motorcycles, snowmobiles, bikes, 4-wheelers, trucks, trains... you name it. But his latest obsession is airplanes. He flies around the house all day with his arms out and his motor running. Yesterday morning I asked him "Are you an airplane today Andy?" And he just looked at me and said "All the time I am!" - Like I should just assume. My dad brought him back a toy bi-plane from their trip to Washington D.C. and now he's learning about all of the different types of planes. He even watches some old show called Sky King with my dad. It's not a cartoon or anything.. it just has airplanes in it.

Well I'm going to attempt to post a few pics now... they never go where I want them to, but here goes. I hope someone (or two!) leaves me a comment so I know if anyone even reads this darn thing or not.

Music Video

My little brother Calvin has his music video up on Youtube. If you want to see what he did all last semester instead of studying....search for "Calvin Smooth Peach Fuzz"

It's about time..

I haven't written for a while - but I have a good reason! Kevin and I have been trying frantically to get our house finished. We are mere weeks away but it's been a lot of work and there is a lot left to do!
But in the meantime, here's an update of the past month...
Christmas was great. Melissa and James came up from Boston so we finally got to meet little Louis. He was so cute! Although he's almost two months younger than Daisy, he's already taller and heavier than she is. Andy gave him a lot of hugs and kisses (he loves babies), and Louis put up with it pretty well. Andy got everything he ever wanted for Christmas , and more. He got a tool bench with lots of tools, Lincoln Logs, cars, trains, etc. Grandpa Chuck got him a camo hunting shirt and is now promising to take him moose hunting. That will have to wait ten years or so. Kevin bought me a new digital video camera called a Flip Video. It's great - it holds 60 minutes of video and plugs right into the computer to download. As soon as I have more time I will try to post some videos of the kids. Calvin and Keith were also home - that was so much fun and it was great to have so much help with the kids. When I told Andy his uncles were coming home for a visit, he thought for a few minutes and said "Mom.... an uncle is kind of like a friend!"
So over at the house we have been painting and painting, tiling, wiring, etc.. The cabinets are going in this week, then all the doors and trim - and we should be done soon! I will post some pictures of the final product. I am so excited - mostly to have my own washer and dryer and a dishwasher!
This week Lori and Avery are visiting. She is such a funny girl! She loves to sing and dance and run around. Andy is so excited to have a friend around, although he still calls her "Baby Avery" and talks to her in a soft, high-pitched baby voice. He hugs and kisses her constantly and I'm not sure she appreciates it all that much, but they seem to be getting along quite well! I can't wait until they move up here this summer.
Well it is late at night, and I'd better get to bed. I'll post pictures soon hopefully.