Bowling on Christmas Eve

Court's family goes bowling on Christmas Eve every year. The tradition started a few years ago and I really enjoy it. And my little girl fell in love with it this year.

After watching oh so careful for a few minutes she had it down. She knew what she must do. She stepped up on the floor, walked over to the balls and pointed at the one she wanted. Then one of us would carry it to the lane at which point she would sit down. The ball would be put in front of her and she would (with our help of course) push. And did she push hard. The crazy thing of all she got at least 2 spares and a strike, among a lot of gutter balls of course. It took all of us to tear her away at the end of the game.

On a side note: Not to brag or anything I got a 130. And if you knew how well I normally bowled you would be impressed.

Going on Strike

I am going on strike, anyone want to come? Won't it be nice to put a sign up on the door and just spend the rest of the season with just your hubby and kids. At least that is how I feel this Christmas season.

Actually I was doing really well until last night. I was even impressed with how festive I had felt especially since I have had my non-believing grandmother staying at my house over the last week. But last night I just decided it is all too much. The decorating, the shopping in the overcrowded stores, the traffic that moves at a crawl, and all the effort to make sure you coordinate your schedule so you can get everyone in before Christmas. I won't even mention how much work it took for me to coordinate a time to spend Christmas with all my family before my mom goes home on Sunday.

Next year I going to the Bahamas. Won't that be great? Just Court, me and Izzy. No grandparents, coordinating schedules, shopping or traffic. Just the sun and those that mean the most.

Heber Creeper

My father-in-law loves trains. So this year he decided he needed to take Izzy on the Heber Valley Railroad. Of course the weekend we choose to go was the weekend we got hit really hard with snow. But that didn't derail Douglas. We just left earlier that morning. Lucky for us the canyons actually weren't too bad.

Once on the train, Izzy was so excited that she didn't have to be in a car seat. She just wanted to walk around and stand up on all the benches. For the first half an hour she would just point at every new thing she could find. And I am sure that grandpa had fun showing Isabel all the scenery. It must have been a really tiring process because she fell asleep. The swaying of the train I am sure helped.

Once we were at the turn-around point, we got out and played in the snow a bit. Grandma and Grandpa bought her this new snowsuit that kept her so toasty warm. After a bit of fun in the snow, a visitor arrived for all the kids. Santa came and rode back to town with us. As you can tell from the picture my child wasn't excited for the new visitor and even less so to be standing that close to him. But she survived. She however loved the candy cane he left with her.

Daddy is a bad example

Court has taught Izzy to stick out her tongue. It would be the cutest thing if I wasn't so perturbed that he taught her such things. It doesn't matter where or what she is doing, all he has to say is "Hey Izzy". Out comes the tongue. And of course he likes to do it at the worse times. I guess I can be glad that he is the only one so far that can get her to do it on command. Now if I can only get him to stop.

The Bookcase

Isabel loves to read. And if we are tired from a long day of reading, She will pick up a book and turn the pages while reading out loud to herself. It is the cutest. Her favorite thing to do is pick out the book that daddy reads to her. She loves to read so much that we got bought her, her very own bookshelf. Of course it really is suppose to be a shelf for shoes but we figured it is the perfect size for Izzy. The days after putting it together all she did was take a book off, sit down, read it and pick up another. Within a half hour the room is covered in books. I guess if she has to love something that much I am glad it is books.
Speaking of books, last week I took her to the library for the first time. She got to pick out two board books to bring home. And of all the options this one caught her action. Underwear, Do's and Don'ts. Crazy It must be the bright colors, at least that is what I tell myself.

Lights at Temple Square

Last night we meet some friends at temple square to see the lights. Getting ready for the cold night was a project in itself. After finding all the winter gear and packing the kid into the car, I only had to made two trips into the house: for Isabel's Bink and the keys. And we still forgot my scarf. Oh well as least we had enough blankets to keep her warm and wrapped so tight she was never getting out of the stroller unassisted strapped in or not. We won't even mention the challenge of finding a parking spot downtown.

It was really fun to share all the beautiful lights with Isabel. Every few feets you would hear whoo, awa. Much like the 4th of July. However, her favorite things was the water fountains. She loved watching them. That is where she would just get so excited and clap her hands. I am not sure what it is but she is ever so fascinated with water. It doesn't matter what type either, any water will do. Even the dog's water dish. Which she loves to dump over and then run her hands through the water on the kitchen tile. Crazy kid.

After traveling all over the square it was up to see the Christus. It was so cute to see Isabel's reaction. She would stare up at him and then all of a sudden point up at the statue and start jabbering away. She had a story to tell and she wanted us to know what she was thinking. It is amazing to me how much kids really do know. If only they could talk.

By the end of the night we were tired and cold. As you can probably tell from our cold noses and red cheeks. But it was worth it. Doesn't she just look so adorable in the hat that grandma bought her. She has matching mittens too but you can't see them in the shot.

Anyways, there was so much excitement Isabel fell asleep in the car on the way home. Thanks Erin and Brian for inviting us. It was a great night.

A first birthday

Isabel turned one. Her birthday was packed with lots of fun activities. Dad got up and made her pancakes. In the shape of Mikey Mouse, of course. She loved them.

After a nap and some lunch. We were off to the Living Planet Aquarium. Mom was most excited about turning around the carseat. I don't think Isabel really mind it either. She loves looking at everything from a new perspective. In fact, anytime she would go for a tried she would get tired but would almost force herself to stay awake. Now that it has been a whole week it is finally ok to fall asleep in it faced forward.

Isabel loved the aquarium. Her favorite exhibit was all the bright colored fish. Of course Dad and Auntie Em kept referring to them as the fish from the movie Finding Nemo the whole time.

I just love this picture of her with the shark. She didn't dare take her eyes off of him.

After the aquarium and some fries at Red Robin it was home to get ready for the party. Here is the cake that Mikey made for the occasion.

Many family members were able to join us. But Isabel's favorite party goers were her cousin Nathaniel and friend Logan. She is starting to surround herself with boys already. Oh no.

She seemed to really like tearing the paper from the presents. At least once she got started. But after she say that first toy it was downhill from there. Good thing we opened clothes first.

Her favorite toy was the animal kingdom train. All she wanted to do was play with it. Everytime the commerical for it came on she would stop everything she was doing and start dancing. No wonder we got it for her. Daddy just loved that it was a train.



After opening presents it was on to the cake. We stripped her down to her onesie. Thinking that for sure she would make a mess. Not at all. She was so gentle and delicate with it. Putting one finger in, tasting it and then another. Then she decided to try her lips. How silly. Finally, Uncle Mikey put her whole hand into it. At that point she seemed to get the hang of it. However, she never got messy or grabbed at the actually cake. When it came time to clean her up she had only got frosting on one hand and her face.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IZZY!

Izzy's photo shoot

My friend Aubrey took pictures of Isabel for her birthday. They turned out so cute I can't help but share.









She loves the camera can you tell. I am impressed how well she did. Especially after we got home and I realized that sometime in the middle of it all she got a fever. A few days later she came down with roseola. Poor thing. The fever seemed to be more of a bother then the rash ever was. I am just glad it didn't last long.


Look back in a few days for pictures from her 1st birthday.

My little helper

Isabel loves to be in the kitchen with me. No matter what I am doing whether it is making dinner or doing the dishes she has to be helping. In fact one of her favorite things to do is try and climb into the dishwasher. Daddy couldn't resist taking these pictures before pulling her away to go play with her own toys.

We have tried the whole pots and pans on the floor and it doesn't seem to be for her. So when I am making dinner I sit her on the counter next to me with a bowl and spoon. Before you know it she is grabbing for the dinner that is being prepared. Lucky for me she doesn't squirm much and just loves to sit up on the counter next to mommy. I love this time with my little girl.

Izzy's first Halloween

As many of you know we go all out for Halloween. This year was an exception, we decide to do simple. And in a small way I was surprised that I could do SIMPLE. Usually, I continue to add and improve on the costumes, decorations and Halloween party until at the last minute I have todrop something because I planned too much. Not this year.


Court and I went simple on our costumes. We used one of his old costumes and Mikey added lapels. He went as General Mills (play on our last name of course). I went as a box of honey cheerios and Isabel as the honeybee. I am sure in a lot of ways Mikey was grateful that we choose costumes that weren't the usual time consuming projects as in times past. The Halloween party even went smoothly. Have additional people to help with food and decorations, we were ready and waiting for guests to arrive 30 minutes early. I guess it helps to surround yourself with great friends and family. It was nice to have things be a bit less stressful but I missed, of all things, dressing up in those outrageous costumes.


This year was Isabel's first Halloween. She looked so adorable. Here are just a few of many cute pictures that Mikey took of her at the park. It is so nice to have such a creative and wonderful brother. But don't tell him that.








Isn't she adorable.

Another journal

Here I go starting another journal. This time it's just online. How I am going to keep up with them I don't know. But, I really felt the need to start a blog as a way of keeping in contact with friends throughout the states.

I know I know -- the pictures is an old one but it is very difficult to find a picture of me by myself. So get use to, as it this will probably be the only picture of me on the blog. Unless I am holding my babe.