Gracie at 21 Months

This cute happy little girl is almost 2!!! What a busy and spunky little joy she is. She is changing and growing so fast. She is wearing a 24m to 2T in clothes and a 5/6 in shoes. She has quite a bit of hair and it is curly and so cut it totally fits her little personality. We were able to weigh her at Hallie's dr appt she is now about 24lbs and 2 oz with clothes on. She is still a great sleeper. She sleeps about 13 hours most nights and takes a 2 hour nap in the afternoon. She is talking like crazy and will try to repeat everything you say. She is the messiest eater I have ever seen. This girl can make a mess with just about anything. She also likes to drink condiments. I have found her at times trying to drink ketchup out of the bottle...yuck! She just like Hallie has become obsessed with Little Einsteins and quite likes tv lately. She loves to sing and is very good at picking up a tune and she even had rhythm when she dances.  Saying she is into babies is an understatement big time. She has a baby attached to her most of the day. Rocking, holding, feeding, singing, or reading to it she will be an amazing big sister some day. She also has so quirky things to her...she loves to open things with a pop top with her mouth and is really good at it she also pulls all the labels off water bottles. There is not one bottle in this house that has a label on it because she pulls them all off she does the same thing with tags on her new clothes it is so funny. She has figured out how to open doors. And she absolutely loves to brush her teeth and asks multiple times a day to do it...I really think she just likes the way the toothpaste tastes but hey she likes her teeth brushed that's all that really matters right? She has become quite interested in the potty and in Hallie's panties. I frequently find her with them on some part of her body. We may tackle potty training over Christmas break while Matt's home.

Happy 4 Years!!

Since Hallie turned 4 last month it was once again time for her yearly checkup. She finally broke the 30lb mark(30lbs 6 oz to be exact) with her shirt and pants on this ment she is also in the 12% which has never happened either. She is also 38.8 inches tall(26%). We just switched pediatricians, still trying to find one I like, she came in and first asked if we had any questions. We talked about transitioning to boosters from a five point. And then the big question was what her thoughts were about sending Hallie to Kindergarten next year. The preschool we chose for her takes kids 3-5 but they don't divide them by age but by ability. Since about the first month of school they have moved her into the kindergarten room. She has been excelling nad her preschool teachers have said if we try to put her in preschool again next year she will probably be bored. The thing I am most surprised by is how eager she is to learn. She is doing addition and subraction, can now in a matter of 6 weeks write and spell her name, and is getting better at writing the alphabet everyday. She loves homework and wants to do it the second we get home from school(I hope that continues). Initially the dr said they recommend making them the oldest and not the youngest but long story short at the end of our appointment she said she woud actually recommend we start her early. She said we woudl have a hard time keeping her in preschool for another year. Im still unsure i guess we will see. Also since school has started she has found a real love for art. She will sit at the table for hours and color or paint. She is so social and loves making new friends with pretty much any and everyone she comes in contact with. She is loving dance class and seems to be picking up more this year so far than she did last year. She is also extremely observant. The other day on the way home form shoppig she informed me that she thought she could find every letter in the alphabet before we got home, I was a little sceptical, but I shouldn't have been she toatlly did it. She also loves to play I spy with my little eye. She is wearing size 4 for the length both in the sleevs and the pants length. Although she could still wear a size smaller but they look a little floody. She wears a shoes size 7 or 8 depending on the brand. She loves her new little nike shoes. When we were in the store trying shoes on she had to run around the isle to test them out. She ultimately picked the ones she did because she said they made her the fastest.Her favorite show is still Team Umizoomi. She still loves to sing and read. She picks up on sings pretty quickly and after only a few times can sing a song pretty much word for word. She still naps for a couple hours each day which makes her a more happy and reasonable child.  She is completely a mini mom and loves Gracie to death. She is such a big helper to me especially since Matt has been gone so much. She put away all of her laundy and makes her bed sometimes without even being asked. She is very good about including Grace and usually wants her to do everything with her. Usually first thing in the morning she crawls in bed and cuddles with me. She reminds me to read my scriptures while she listens and then we take turns sayingour morning prayers. It never ceases to amaze me the glimpses of heaven this little ones gives me. She helps me keep focus. And brings so much joy into our lives What a blessing this little girl is to us.

 Oh how I love these 2 sweet girls and how they love each other

Saturday of Our Fun Filled Weekend

Saturday we got up and dressed with the intention of going to Boo at the Zoo but after a second thought and talking to others that have been we decided we could go any other time and wanted to avoid the crowds. So we headed out to find a Christmas tree and look at model homes on our way to Kim's house. We made a quick stop at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory to get Kimber a caramel apple for her birthday.  We let each of the girls pick a treat and that kept them quiet the rest of the way to kims. 

We got there about noon and had lunch while we wrapped and packaged Nate's Christmas packages. Grandma entertained the little ones while we got the packages done.  

 She pushed them up and down the hall in a empty diaper box...pretty creative to say the least

Im kicking myself in the butt because I didn't take any pictures of the packages or what was in them so we will write Nate and hope he remembers to do it. Then we set up for Kimber's maxi skirt party that afternoon. I found a hand ful of skirts for both me and the girls and as I was narrowing them down Matt said matter of factly. Just buy all of them I can tell you love them all...so we did and I do love them. Yet again a reminder why I love the man I married. Then we loaded up and hurried back to Ogden for The ward Chili cookoff Matt was in charge of. We got there just in time . The kids enjoyed the games and dancing more than the food.

 They had 32 chilis and 8 soups entered and had over 190 people attend it is becoming the event of the year. Im so proud of Matt and how well he does with everything he is involved in. It was a great night spent with friends. And a great weekend spent with the ones we love. Im so glad we have and make the time to grow together and make lasting memories. It was a fun weekend but also very exhausting. Only a couple weeks to recover before we do it again.

Friday of Our Fun Filled Weekend

Friday afternoon we got dressed up and headed for Manor Care this has become a tradition to go to the nursing home trick or treating. The kids seem to like it and the residents love it. After they finish trick or treating they always have a snack and a drink. 

 This year Matt was able to go with us which even made it that much more fun.

 Then we head to Gardner Village which is also a yearly tradition. We met up with the rest of the family and enjoyed looking at the witches and through the shops. We made the mistake of going on witches night out weekend and we wont do that again it was really busy which made it hard to really enjoy it.

 The dance stage with the Halloween music. I have been learning to let go and have fun with the kids and look silly even in public. What makes it even "better" is Matt has been capturing most of these moments.

 The cool witches are the highlight although this year we missed the witch riding her bike suspended in the air but maybe next year.

 The we took a break from the crowds and fed the ducks the kids always think that is really cool when the ducks pretty much come right up to you and eat whatever snack you have to share.

 I think this year the quilt shop was the favorite or at least it was mine. When we came upon this bed pictured below Hallie was immediately in love with it. She told my mom that when we build our house and I get a bigger kitchen that she wanted her bedroom to look just like this. I guess we will have to work on that.

 Here is the majority of the group minus mom and grandma harri's that were still looking in the quilt shop

 Then before heading to dinner each of the kids took a turn ringing the bell....they all thought that was cool

The we headed back to Kimbers to eat dinner and celebrate all our Oct birthdays. We had delicious soup, bread sticks, cake, and ice cream. We all brought a part to contribute it worked out really well. Nic made the cake and was very proud of her decor this is the 1st time she has ever decorated a cake.

After dinner the adults visited and made plans for Saturday while the older kids watch Tangled on Kimbers bed. I love how much they love each other.

Then we all headed for a late night drive home for a couple hours of sleep before getting together and doing it all again.

Wed/Thursday of Our Fun Filled Weekend

 Wednesday night after working so much I was so tired so we took a trip to Macey's to get dinner after dance class. They had samples of pistachio salad with color marshmallows. My grandma Norr used to make it all the time growing up and it brings back so many memories. The girls seemed to enjoy it as well. When we got home Maddi called to see if she could come stay with us for the night while my parents were at Nic's house.

 Thursday morning Hallie had preschool so once we got ready Maddi, Grace, and I set out to find the rest of the stuff for Nate's Christmas package. Maddi thought this headband wig was so funny as did Gracie.

Once Hallie got home from preschool we quickly fed everyone and headed for Tremonton and Grandma Harris's. Last week was her 80th birthday so we all got together to celebrate. Everyone was already there when we arrived. The kids were as always thrilled to see there cousins and became the inseparable 3...im sure the number will grow as the other 2 become mobile.

Both my mom and grandma Harris's took the kids down to feed the ducks and play on the swings while us sisters caught up and visited. I guess the kids wanted to sit on the deer so they lines them up for a picture.

 After some talk about doing crafts with old windows grandma said there would be a bunch of them over at the farm so we headed over to find some. The kids had a great time feeding the cows, playing in the hay, and eating "cheesies" little edible seeds found on a weed at the farm. I was a little nervous about them but they are all still alive and they had a great time.

 Luke was to interested in the cows to look at the camera. He was unsure whether he liked them or not. And his beautiful mom that has changed her lifestyle and had lost quite a bit of weight...doesn't she look great.

 Our little adventure group for the day minus Nic who is taking the picture

 The kids had a ball and I should have dressed Hallie differently if I would have know she was going to play on the farm but she didn't seem to mind. Hallie and her poses are killer lately this is just a small glimpse of one of them.

It ended up being a great trip. We each found multiple windows for projects we have been dreaming up. It was a fun day spent with family celebrating grandmas birthday. Then the girls and I headed home for Matt and I to head out on a date.

Black Island Farms 2013

Luckily for us when Matt changed jobs within his company as part of the negotiations he was given another week of vacation. Im pretty excited about that especially since he is gone so much with all that he is doing. Usually I take the kids to the pumpkin patch with the preschool or with a group of friends but this year we decided that he would take the day off and we would do it as a family. So Monday morning we got up and ready and headed for Black Island Farms. I was really excited Matt had decided to come since its something I have been doing with Hallie for the last couple of years. When we got there they gave us a time to come back to go on the wagon ride out to pick a pumpkin so we headed to the big grass field where all the other activities were. First we stopped to see the animals and feed them some carrots. Gracie was so funny and after she fed them would look at you in amazement that they had taken it and eaten it...so cute.

 

 First we stopped to see the animals and feed them some carrots. Gracie was so funny and after she fed them would look at you in amazement that they had taken it and eaten it...so cute.

 Next was the swings and the slides. They had cool swings shaped like horses and what we think was a dragon.

 Then to the slides. We all had a ball climbing up and down. Gracie was a little nervous at first but after the first time she wanted to go again and again. She also loved the big tall slide and Hallie learned how to climb the cargo pretty quickly.

 Then came the cow and pig train the first time around we made Gracie ride with Hallie because we weren't sure if Gracie would stay sat down. After that we felt confident in letting her go herself and she loved it and stayed sat down the entire time. When the tractor would come around the corner I could see Hallie and Gracie' smiles from a mile away and Gracie would be frantically waving.

After a couple times around we decided to try the maze on the way over I stayed back and walked with Grace while Matt and Hallie went ahead. I could help but take a picture of the sweet moment between them. She has really missed her dad and it is in moments like this that I completely fall in love with Matt. I always knew he would be a amazing dad but he has surpassed my expectations. 

 Oh how I love this man of mine

After that we spent some time mostly being lost in the maze we stopped for snacks and a drink then found our way out. The girls spent some time in the bounce house but Gracie soon realized she was the little one bouncing and quickly got out. 

Then we headed over to catch the tractor ride to get our pumpkin. when we got there we were disappointed to find they had left already and there wasn't another one for a couple of hours so they just let the girls pick one they had closer to the grassy field. I was disappointed as was Matt but the girls didn't care all they wanted was a pumpkin.

 Gracie was so funny and wanted to carry her pumpkin herself if we tried to help she would say, "me". A couple of times she set it down but eventually made it to car with pumpkin in hand.

We asked the girls where they wanted to go to lunch Hallie's only request was to go somewhere that we could stay and eat. We decided to do buffalo wild wings and it ended up being a great choice. Both the girls finished their food and got dessert. Then we headed home we were all exhausted. Once we got home we all had a nap...it was awesome! 

 After we slept a couple hours it was time for Matt to go teach...biggest bummer of the night. But he got Hallie started painting her pumpkin. She spent the next 2 hours painting that pumpkin first it was a light purple then she added pink then blue, yellow, green, brown, and orange. To be honest it was looking not so cute. When I asked her why she was putting so many colors and layers she replied, "Im putting a layer for each of the people I love and together it is beautiful." I was somewhat in amazement she spent the next 15 minutes telling me what color was who and why she loved them. The one I remember the best is Aunt Kimi was pink since she had brought her a pink frosted doughnut recently.

I don't know that I will ever look at a multicolored pumpkin the same ever again. I went to bed that night with a feeling that I really needed and had been missing. This day my my heart and mind happy. I didn't worry about what needed to be done or worry about the at time dramatic world around me it was a good day that reminded me what was really important and helped my focus on the important stuff.