Every now and then Claire will humor me and sing one of her favorite songs on camera - she sang Do-Re-Me for my mom, only she insisted on standing very close to me so the angle is a bit funny. Lately she calls this one of her Maria songs.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Hold On to Your Heart
These two are so precious to us. It makes my heart melt a little to see these photos and think that they already look a little different from when these were taken 3 weeks ago. It was so hard to get Claire and Miles together in one picture but I like the action shots - it is more true to life, since they hardly ever stay still and are always running.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thanksgiving Highlights
We sent Thanksgiving in Northern California with the Johnsons this year and had a great time. We missed Becky and her family but we will see them soon when they come visit us in Vegas.
Highlights of our trip included:
Getting a rare visit with Grandma Ray - she flew in from Kansas to see us and she was her fun, fiesty self. She read to the girls, and Miles was always checking on Grandma and playing in her room. She always has a cup of crushed ice with her, so I think Miles was after that as well.
Makeovers with Aunt Megan - even Miles got some makeup, but photos were not allowed.
City kids getting face to face with nature - goats, donkeys, cows, horses, dogs, squirrels, etc.
Hanging out with Uncle Kenny - the Baby Whisperer title lives on!
Uncle Matty home from BYU-Idaho - I have no idea what this baby carrier is called, but Miles seemed to like it. I think the babies in Malaysia are a little smaller. Miles was scrunched up inside.
Discovering a new love - the rocking horse! Miles sat on this rocking horse, one that we played on as kids, all the time. I guess while Matt and I went to see Harry Potter (awesome!!!) the kids watched Toy Story 3 with my parents. Miles sat on this horse for the entire movie!
Fun times!
Highlights of our trip included:
Getting a rare visit with Grandma Ray - she flew in from Kansas to see us and she was her fun, fiesty self. She read to the girls, and Miles was always checking on Grandma and playing in her room. She always has a cup of crushed ice with her, so I think Miles was after that as well.
Makeovers with Aunt Megan - even Miles got some makeup, but photos were not allowed.
City kids getting face to face with nature - goats, donkeys, cows, horses, dogs, squirrels, etc.
Hanging out with Uncle Kenny - the Baby Whisperer title lives on!
Uncle Matty home from BYU-Idaho - I have no idea what this baby carrier is called, but Miles seemed to like it. I think the babies in Malaysia are a little smaller. Miles was scrunched up inside.
Discovering a new love - the rocking horse! Miles sat on this rocking horse, one that we played on as kids, all the time. I guess while Matt and I went to see Harry Potter (awesome!!!) the kids watched Toy Story 3 with my parents. Miles sat on this horse for the entire movie!
Fun times!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thankful Thursday - Thanksgiving Edition! This week, I am grateful:
1. That Claire still lets me hold her for more than 10 seconds every now and then. She is such a high-energy little girl, always running and playing. If I insist that she walk instead of run, say at church, she almost looks like it pains her to have to move that slowly.
2. That we have a little boy at our house to balance out all the girly stuff - I think I tell Miles maybe a bit too often - "you are such a boy!" But it is true - he just does things that Claire never even tried or cared to get into. He also likes to be naked :)
3. For an eternal perspective on my life - little things do set me back, or make me sad sometimes, but when you are looking at this life as a test of our faith and of our actions, it makes sense that challenges would come our way.
4. For sisters - what if I didn't have a sister?! It is nice to have a friend, who is a girl, who is stuck with you no matter what. :) I realized I need more photos of my sister when I went looking for a current one for this post. Here are a few quotes that I thought best described sisters:
"Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, which no subsequent connections can supply..." ~Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814
"A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost." ~Marion C. Garretty
"Sisters is probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once the sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship." ~Margaret Mead
5. My job as the marketing director for an accounting firm - I get to work at a reputable, stable company in this kind of scary economy, plus I have a great schedule - three days a week in the office. I am slowly but surely carving out more time to be home and with my kids - we will get there someday. In the meantime, I am blessed with work and a paycheck. We have had times over the past year without paychecks, which gives you a new perspective on getting to go to work.
6. And because it is Thanksgiving - one more thing to be grateful for, my husband. He can still make me laugh, he is a dad who pitches in and helps with the kids instead of coaching from the sidelines, and he is a lovely 6' 4" to match my need for high heeled boots. We are a good team in a lot of ways.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
1. That Claire still lets me hold her for more than 10 seconds every now and then. She is such a high-energy little girl, always running and playing. If I insist that she walk instead of run, say at church, she almost looks like it pains her to have to move that slowly.
2. That we have a little boy at our house to balance out all the girly stuff - I think I tell Miles maybe a bit too often - "you are such a boy!" But it is true - he just does things that Claire never even tried or cared to get into. He also likes to be naked :)
3. For an eternal perspective on my life - little things do set me back, or make me sad sometimes, but when you are looking at this life as a test of our faith and of our actions, it makes sense that challenges would come our way.
4. For sisters - what if I didn't have a sister?! It is nice to have a friend, who is a girl, who is stuck with you no matter what. :) I realized I need more photos of my sister when I went looking for a current one for this post. Here are a few quotes that I thought best described sisters:
"Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, which no subsequent connections can supply..." ~Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814
"A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost." ~Marion C. Garretty
"Sisters is probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once the sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship." ~Margaret Mead
5. My job as the marketing director for an accounting firm - I get to work at a reputable, stable company in this kind of scary economy, plus I have a great schedule - three days a week in the office. I am slowly but surely carving out more time to be home and with my kids - we will get there someday. In the meantime, I am blessed with work and a paycheck. We have had times over the past year without paychecks, which gives you a new perspective on getting to go to work.
6. And because it is Thanksgiving - one more thing to be grateful for, my husband. He can still make me laugh, he is a dad who pitches in and helps with the kids instead of coaching from the sidelines, and he is a lovely 6' 4" to match my need for high heeled boots. We are a good team in a lot of ways.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Thankful Thursdays
I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week! This time of year just flies by. It seems like Thanksgiving gets overlooked sometimes (I agree Emily!) - when I went to look for Halloween decorations at one department store in the middle of October, they already had Christmas decorations up. I asked if they had any Halloween stuff still (after all, Halloween was still 2 weeks away), and they said they had never really put out any Halloween or Thanksgiving decorations this year (thanks Sears). I love Christmas decor as much as the next person, and Claire and I have been learning new Christmas songs for the past month, but come on!
So, to continue in the spirit of Thanksgiving, here are five things I am grateful for this week:
1. Being the oldest of five siblings - I grew up being taught about responsibility, being an example, and making good decisions since my sister and brothers would copy me (according to my dad, also an oldest child). Of course as we got older that wasn't always the case, but I think that mentality has helped me along the way.
2. Having a mortgage that we can afford - sometimes I get house envy and I wish we could move to a bigger place, but at least we have a home and it's one we can pay for each month.
3. Finally! Some cooler temps! I love Fall weather, and the few weeks a year in Vegas where it is cool without a ton of wind are the best!
4. Old friends. Having good friends kept me in Vegas for much longer than I had anticipated staying after moving here in 2000, and that led to other developments in my life, namely meeting Matt, marriage and a family. I am also grateful to have friends that have known me for 25+ years. Man, 25 years?! That's a lot of history.
5. My love of reading - I am always reading two or three books at a time, and I am just so grateful to have access to wonderful stories, histories and helpful books, plus to carve out the time to read them. There are few things I'd rather do than read a book.
So, to continue in the spirit of Thanksgiving, here are five things I am grateful for this week:
1. Being the oldest of five siblings - I grew up being taught about responsibility, being an example, and making good decisions since my sister and brothers would copy me (according to my dad, also an oldest child). Of course as we got older that wasn't always the case, but I think that mentality has helped me along the way.
2. Having a mortgage that we can afford - sometimes I get house envy and I wish we could move to a bigger place, but at least we have a home and it's one we can pay for each month.
3. Finally! Some cooler temps! I love Fall weather, and the few weeks a year in Vegas where it is cool without a ton of wind are the best!
4. Old friends. Having good friends kept me in Vegas for much longer than I had anticipated staying after moving here in 2000, and that led to other developments in my life, namely meeting Matt, marriage and a family. I am also grateful to have friends that have known me for 25+ years. Man, 25 years?! That's a lot of history.
5. My love of reading - I am always reading two or three books at a time, and I am just so grateful to have access to wonderful stories, histories and helpful books, plus to carve out the time to read them. There are few things I'd rather do than read a book.
Princess Hair
Claire is getting to the age where she cares how I do her hair - she chooses braids, ponytail, pigtails or headband (hair down). I really don't like to have her hair down very often so I usually say - two braids or one ponytail? so she doesn't have the option. Sometimes it works.
Today I had more time than usual to do her hair, so while she zoned into Micky Mouse Clubhouse I told her I'd do a princess hair-do. It would be easier if her hair was a bit longer than shoulder length, but if you want to recreate this look you start at the top and do a french braid, but only take hair from the outside as you add to the braid, if that makes sense. Then just keep going around and pin the end. I added the headband since the end of her braid was right in the middle of her forehead. I predict this will last all of one hour before the braid starts coming out a bit but for now she has Princess Hair! I showed her these pictures to show her what it looked like, and she just gave me a really big smile!
I'm not sure if I will really do this or not, but a few people have asked me to teach them how to french braid and do other cute braids and hair styles for little girls. If you want to join us, let me know and I will plan something.
Today I had more time than usual to do her hair, so while she zoned into Micky Mouse Clubhouse I told her I'd do a princess hair-do. It would be easier if her hair was a bit longer than shoulder length, but if you want to recreate this look you start at the top and do a french braid, but only take hair from the outside as you add to the braid, if that makes sense. Then just keep going around and pin the end. I added the headband since the end of her braid was right in the middle of her forehead. I predict this will last all of one hour before the braid starts coming out a bit but for now she has Princess Hair! I showed her these pictures to show her what it looked like, and she just gave me a really big smile!
I'm not sure if I will really do this or not, but a few people have asked me to teach them how to french braid and do other cute braids and hair styles for little girls. If you want to join us, let me know and I will plan something.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Preview
We got holiday photos taken recently and I am so impatient waiting to see them all. I just got one preview pic today. I have a feeling I am going to love them all!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Holy Bangs!
My friend Stephanie took me down memory lane today - to a time when crimped hair and huge bangs were in. And by the looks of it we were the poster children for the 80s, even in our soccer pictures! Go Shooting Stars!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Thankful Thursdays
The past week has reminded me that looking for things to be grateful for gets easier when we try every day. Today I am thankful:
1. That we can always start over tomorrow and be better; that we can improve and change as people
2. To live near family, and that they are willing to help my family make it through the school-work-school-church routine each week
3. For Ben and Jerry's Oatmeal Cookie Chunk ice cream - if you haven't had it before, don't start. I want to make sure there are plenty at the store anytime I need some.
4. That I received a much needed apology from someone at work - it was just eating at me and now it feels resolved.
5. That today is Veteran's Day and for the military and patriotic heritage that my children will inherit from both sides of their family.
1. That we can always start over tomorrow and be better; that we can improve and change as people
2. To live near family, and that they are willing to help my family make it through the school-work-school-church routine each week
3. For Ben and Jerry's Oatmeal Cookie Chunk ice cream - if you haven't had it before, don't start. I want to make sure there are plenty at the store anytime I need some.
4. That I received a much needed apology from someone at work - it was just eating at me and now it feels resolved.
5. That today is Veteran's Day and for the military and patriotic heritage that my children will inherit from both sides of their family.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Family Double Date to GVR
We had perfect weather this weekend at Green Valley Ranch for our double date with the Askeroths. We had a great dinner at Lucille's BBQ and then went over to the carousel. Miles wasn't so sure about it at first, but he was waiting at the gate anxious to go in with the big kids.
Then we told him we had to leave the carousel... I felt mean (for a second) for snapping this picture instead of comforting him - he seemed so heartbroken!
We distracted him with the huge Christmas decorations that are already out - running around the tree and presents, and just generally running everywhere! It was a fun night with perfect weather - low 70s, nice cool breeze. One of those nights where you remember that Vegas eventually pays you back for making it through the summer temps.
Then we told him we had to leave the carousel... I felt mean (for a second) for snapping this picture instead of comforting him - he seemed so heartbroken!
We distracted him with the huge Christmas decorations that are already out - running around the tree and presents, and just generally running everywhere! It was a fun night with perfect weather - low 70s, nice cool breeze. One of those nights where you remember that Vegas eventually pays you back for making it through the summer temps.
First Ballerina Class
Claire started her first ballet class today - it is a 3 to 5 year old class so she is one of the youngest ones. They are practicing for a recital in December so they go over their 3 routines and then class is over - Claire just kind of swayed along and tried to follow the girls around her (there are 16 girls in the class). She definitely had one of the puffiest tutus - I think we need to tone it down a bit. But it sure is cute!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Thankful Thursdays
I have been keeping a gratitude journal for a few months now - I write down five things a day that I am thankful for and I have found that it really helps me find perspective on my challenges and day-to-day gripes. Some days it is easy to come up with five things, even more than five. Other days I stare at the page and it takes me awhile to come up with something. So for the month of November, I am going to have Thankful Thursdays, an idea I totally stole from a friend but that goes right along with my gratitude journal.
Today I am thankful for:
1. Getting a huge hug from Miles today; he uses both arms to squeeze my neck and face, and it is the most precious feeling in the world.
2. The fact that I can still run up and down a basketball court on Thursday nights.
3. Working from home two days a week to be with my kids, and having an employer that will let me have a flex schedule
4. Eyeliner - I look really scary without it.
5. My 80-year-old grandma, who is willing to travel alone from Kansas to come and see us this month
Today I am thankful for:
1. Getting a huge hug from Miles today; he uses both arms to squeeze my neck and face, and it is the most precious feeling in the world.
2. The fact that I can still run up and down a basketball court on Thursday nights.
3. Working from home two days a week to be with my kids, and having an employer that will let me have a flex schedule
4. Eyeliner - I look really scary without it.
5. My 80-year-old grandma, who is willing to travel alone from Kansas to come and see us this month
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Only in Las Vegas...
...Would my kids be able to wear these summer clothes in November and not freeze (Matt dressed them, I have to add...):
...Would we see two wild burros on the side of the road on our way out to Red Rock:
...Would we find a stagecoach, snake and lizard as playground equipment:
...Would we see two wild burros on the side of the road on our way out to Red Rock:
...Would we find a stagecoach, snake and lizard as playground equipment:
Still Can't Leave Her Alone...
... Because this is what happens when Claire brushes her teeth by herself - an impromptu shower.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Halloween Haul
We took most of this candy to Wagner Dental where Claire got $1 a pound for her Halloween loot - she felt rich!
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