Snow Day? S'No Way!

We looked out the window and what did we see... SNOW!!!

HOLY COW! We left Utah to get away from this stuff. What happened to global warming? Maddie has been in snow before, but she was to young to remember. She was so excited to get outside and see that it was snowing "Oh boy, just like on TV!" There wasn't enough to pull together any type of snowman, so she was a bit bummed and took her frustration out on her daddy with a snowball.

Walking in a "Winter Wonderland" Maddie catching snowflakes on her tongue Check out Steve's snowball! It may be mini, but it sure is mighty cold. Brrr!

Play Time

"Bobbing for Birdie"

Amelia loves to play with her arches. She especially loves to torment the little red bird that hangs from it. The other day I caught her trying to catch it in her mouth, but the silly thing kept elluding her. She was getting so mad at it. I swear she was telling it to just hold still for a minute so she could bite it.

Mia also loves her Jitterbuggy. Since she is doing so well at sitting up, we decided this week to let her test drive the car. She loves to play with the controls. She will pull back the reverse handleand gum on it. The whole time it is going BEEP BEEP BEEP over and over. It is so annoying and so adorable all at the same time. Everything is changing so fast with her. It is so much fun to watch her grow into such a big girl.

I Have My House Back!!

Our home improvements are finally over!!! It's been about one month since we began getting the tile put in the house and completing all the projects that went with it. I am so happy to have my kitchen, bathroom and laundry rooms back. It was not easy living without a kitchen, but it was well worth the wait.

We also had the carpet removed from the entry and tile laid there too. It looks so much nicer and really defines the rooms around it. . Laying the tile on the diagonal was a lot more labor intensive than the workers originally thought, but the outcome is beautiful!! New tile meant new paint in the laundry room as well. The new color is a big departure from the pink that was on the walls. I will miss my cheerful happy room, but this color flows a lot better with the rest of the house.

My New Do

Well, here's the "new" me. I chopped about 5 inches off my hair yesterday. I went to the salon and told Michelle, my "stylist", that I wanted to look like a different person when I left. My motivations were: 1) Not have long hair for Amelia to pull and eat and 2) I had been letting my hair grow since Maddie was born! That's three years of only getting trims. Change was definately needed. How do I look?

Costumed Cuties

Maddie has recently fallen in love with the Angelina Ballerina series, so naturally she was a "Dancing Ballerina" this year. She loves to show us how she dances and does wonderful spins.

Amelia was a little cheerleader. It was so very fun to have her dressed up. Steve carried her around cheering, "Yay! Go BYU! Go Cougars!"

This was actually the first year that we have taken Maddie around door to door for trick or treating. Before we have just gone to the ward trunk or treat and parties at friends houses. She loved it. For her first offical house we took her to Ms. Diane's and then went around a few blocks. I ended up carrying her from house to house, but she did knock on every door herself. She would tell people that she was a dancing ballerina and then she would give a twirl. People adored her! They would say her twirl was worth another candy and then they loaded her bag with more loot. What a deal. She did her trick and got MORE treats! Maddie loved Halloween so much, she is already planning for next year!

Here we are at The Farm

For our ward playgroup we all met at Old MacDonalds Farm. It is this neat place that had so much for kids to do. There is an incredible amount of animals to pet and meet up close, "wild" deer, pony rides, a humongous sand pile, a hay loft, swings, play structures and a choo-choo train. You could easily spend hours there.

The first thing we did when we arrived was pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. Maddie sorted through big ones and little bitty ones until she found her perfect pumpkin. I am glad it wasn't a huge one because I had to carry it around the rest of the day! Next we went to pet the sheep and goats and then we headed over to an open field full of deer napping in the shade. These were the most tame deer. They hardly batted a lash while Maddie and her friend Brenna pet them. While we were with the deer Maddie saw the horses and she was off running to them. She got to ride Joey around the arena twice and then we were off again. We pet the cows, pot-belly pigs, llamas, and rabbits. Maddie also chased some turkeys around with her friend Isaac. We did many more things and then had lunch.

Before we could leave we had to ride the train. It was one of those kind that is pulled by a tractor and I thought for sure it wasn't going to make it all the way around the park. It reminded me of the little engine that could... I think I can, I think I can. Both the girls had a great time and were asleep before we even made it out of the parking lot. HOORAY FOR THE FARM!!!

Mosaics

Okay, so I saw these on a friends site and thought they were pretty neat.

Here is how you can play too:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.

b. Using only the first page, pick an image.

c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd's mosaic maker.

The Questions:1. What is your first name?2. What is your favorite food?3. What college did you go to?4. What is your favorite color?5. Who is your celebrity crush?6. Favorite drink?7. Dream vacation?8. Favorite dessert?9. What you want to be when you grow up?10. What do you love most in life?11. One Word to describe you.12. Where You are from?

1. Lori 2. Steak 3. BYU 4. Red 5. Mark Wahlberg 6. Cherry Lime-aid 7. Santorini 8. Italian Cream Cake 9. Mommy 10. Steve 11. Stubborn 12. San Antonio

I had so much fun doing this that I had Steve do it too. Here is his:

1. Steve 2. Salmon Sushi 3. BYU 4. Red 5. Megan Fox 6. Monster Energy Drinks 7. Alaska 8. Jello Poke Cake 9. Park Ranger 10. Family 11. Intense 12. Scottsdale

Amelia goes to the Doctor

Amelia had her 4 month check-up this week. Our little girl is growing so big. She weighed in at 14.5 pounds and she is 25 3/4 inches long. She had to get 2 shots plus an additional oral vaccine, so it was a hard day for her, but she is in excellent health and is progressing very well for her age! Maddie came with us to the appointment. She was and exceptionally good helper to Mommy and the doctor. She read books and played with Mia while we waited. She also held Mia's hand while the doctor did her exam. She is a great sister.

Play Time

Amelia is becoming quite good at peek-a-boo. Every time the blanket pops up... presto!!! She gives big grins and giggles. It is so much fun to watch our little baby grow into such a big personality.

The other day Steve tried Mia out in the Bumbo so he could get some work done around the house while I was gone (Sweet, huh?). We weren't sure if she could do it - sit up alone that is - since she still topples over when we try it out ourselves. Well, the proof is in the pictures. Amelia loved it. Obviously she could tell she was doing something special because she was incredibly pleased with herself. Way to go big girl!

Painting Party

Aunt Lisa is the coolest! One night she brought paints over to Grandma's house and after dinner we went outside for a little inspiration and a lot of room. Colby painted too, but quickly went to swing when he finished his picture. Painting can be messy, but Maddie did great. Maybe, I will get brave enough to get Maddie paints too... maybe...

"Tub" Time At Grandma's

The tradition continues. Amelia had her first bath in Grandma's sink during our last visit. The big smile says it all. She looooved it! The sink is high enough so mommy's back isn't sore, and it's deep so there is plenty of room to splash. Plus, Grandma gets her dishes done and her sink scrubbed. Everyone is happy. Now that's good clean fun.

Let's Bowl!

While in San Antonio, Grandpa took our little clan along with cousin Hagen to enjoy a good old fashioned game of bowling!! We were set up on two lanes, the guys on one lane and the girls on the other with bumpers. Maddie insisted she needed a pink ball to bowl, no other would do.

Maddie had lots of fun at first and was a good sport considering we went during nap time. She quickly tired, but a little vanilla ice cream got her back into action. We all had a blast. Thanks Grandpa!

Mischief Makers

You know something is going on when the house is too quiet... I was busy cleaning in mom's laundry room and thought to myself "Hmmm... Too... Quiet..." That's when I found these two holed up in the computer room taking pictures. Normally this would have made me quite upset, but when I saw how much fun they were having I just had to laugh - especially when I saw some of the pictures they took. Ahhh, to see the world through the eyes of 3 year olds.

Ba-Da-Bling

When Daddy's away the girls will play! That was exactly what we did last month when Steve went to Utah. Steve wasn't against getting Amelia's ears pierced, he just didn't want to be around when it happened. (He's a softy like that) Amelia was a true champ through the whole experience. She cried less than when she had her first shots and it was all over in just 5 minutes.

Maddie's 3rd Birthday Blowout Extravaganza!!!

Say hello to the newest and cutest 3 year old around! Maddie's birthday was on the 31st and we took the whole weekend to celebrate. Maddie's day was packed with tons of super fun activities so we began bright and early.

We started the day off the way any one would if given the choice...a sprinkle donut with candles! It is Maddie's favorite and has become a Saturday tradition in our home. (Minus the candles of course)

The next activity on the agend was a game of goofy-golf Maddie style. This is the way Maddie plays golf: 1. Hit ball off of starting tee 2. Pick ball up and carry it to the hole 3. Place ball 6 inches away from hole 4. Hit ball into hole It is a very fast and effective way to play. You don't have to be in the sweltering heat so long and she always makes par.

Next we met up with the Hubert clan at the best place where a kid can be a kid... Chuck E Cheese! There's no better way to celebrate than with fun games, an almost supply of tokens endless tokens and cheesy pizza. Maddie is terrified of the mechanical mouse that sings and dances by the stage. She isn't fond of the person in the mouse costume either. She will however watch and wave from very, very far away.

When our bellies were full and all the tokens were gone, we headed over to the Hubert's for some fun in the sun. It was such a beautiful day and swimming in the pool was the best way to enjoy it. Everyone had such a good time splashing and playing. Thanks again Bonnie and Sketter for inviting us over. It sure was a blast.

And of course there was cake! Tons of chocolate and oodles of SPRINKLES! Maddie was in heaven. The rest of us weren't doing to bad either. It was just enough sugar to give us the energy to keep going. After cake Maddie opened her presents! She had so much fun opening one after another and discovering the treasures hidden inside all the wrapping. Soon after presents we headed over to "Uncle" Israel's house to watch the BYU game. Maddie cheered, "Go Cougars!!" (Steve was so proud. He spent half the morning teaching her to say that.)

We are so thankful to everyone, near and far, who helped us celebrate Maddie's Big Day. She is loved by many and we make sure she knows that everyday. What a way to age...

Cuddle Bear

Amelia absolutely loooves bathtime!!! From the moment she gets into her tub until she is cozy in her jammies she is just darling. She coos and smiles and is so animated. I couldn't help myself the other day. I grabbed the camera and snapped shot after shot of her. She really is a doll. I must confess, I love her bathtime too!

Growing Girl

Today Amelia had her 2 month doctors visit. For anyone that doesn't have kids or can't remember, this visit is known for its dreaded first shots. Three to be exact plus an oral vaccine. It is a hard trip for all parties involved. Hard for Amelia because it makes her sore and grumpy the rest of the day and hard for the rest of us that have to hear about it. Amelia was a trooper. She cried of course, but recovered quickly and has been quite happy all day. The doctor gave her two thumbs up. She now weighs 11 lbs 12 oz and is 23.25 inches long - Way to go Mia!!

By the way, if you couldn't tell, her eyes are definately going to be brown.

Don't you just love that smile?

So Chic!!

We were heading to the pool the other day and I turned around and just had to take these pictures of Maddie. She is growing up so fast! I can't believe that she will be 3 in less than a week. Where does the time go and when did my baby become such a little fashionista???

Chuck & Randy

We would like to introduce everyone to the newest members of our family. Everyone these cuties are Chuck and Miranda (Randy, for short). Chuck and Randy are boy and girl beta fish. They were named after some of Steve's favorite MMA fighters. After all, betas are natural fighters. Chuck is after "the Iceman" Chuck Lidell and well we needed another name and since there really aren't great women fighters in MMA we just went for the best fighter ever Randy Couture. The fish are Maddie's responsibilities. She wakes them up in the morning, feeds them twice a day, sings songs to them and helps Daddy clean their bowls.