‘Tis the Season

This year we are excited to be set up for Christmas in our new home. Since we’ve never had this much space before, we thought this might be the year to graduate from the table top trees we’ve had in years past to something more substantial. We considered buying an artificial tree, but Colin, who worked at a Christmas tree farm as a kid, is always a bit nostalgic over the smell of pine. I figured if we got an artificial tree, we’d want to re-use it, and we may never be real-live-tree people. We found this stand by the park in Draper and brought our little piece of woodland home.  The people at the tree lot were so friendly. They freshly cut and drilled it for us. We tied it to the roof, picked up a stand at DI, and brought it home. Once it was all lit up, I was so glad we’d gotten a real tree. Phoebe thinks it’s a new toy just for her, and I love getting a whiff of that wintery pine smell every time I walk past.

Phoebe at 5 months

Phoebe at 5 months.

Things she is doing this month:

• Spitting up a lot
• Giggling
• Trying rice cereal
• Poosplosions!!!
• Chewing everything (including feet)
• Fascinated with textures
• Catching the sheep in her mobile
• Sleeping more predictably
• Sleeping without crying (sometimes)
• Smiling at the baby in the mirror
• Thinks it’s funny watching grown ups eat
• Likes to hang upside down like a bat
• ~14 lbs
• 26 inches

Happy Turkey Day!

I have a long standing love of turkeys. It all started back in high school with a strange inside joke about a man who made uncontrollable turkey noises whenever he was cold (think shivering gobble). Ever since, it has become a bit of an unofficial family tradition, that on the grandest day of the turkey (Thanksgiving), one must dress like the main dish. You can see in these pictures from Thanksgiving ‘09 just how far discovering our inner turkey had gone.

You can only imagine my delight when I came across this flyer posted by some anonymous kindred spirit in our rec center:

How could I possibly pass up the opportunity to meet the people who would most certainly become my new best friends? Colin and I donned our finest brown sweats and prepared to trot. Luckily for me, I have a mother who is just as enthusiastic about seasonal baby decorating as I am. With a half zillion balls of yarn, a smattering of glitter, and sheer determination, grandma Tena became Phoebe’s official Fairy God Turkey. I wondered if perhaps we had over done it, but as I rounded the corner into the park and spied a plush version of a fully cooked turkey atop my neighbors head, I knew I was in the right place. Several of our fellow trotters were dressed for the occasion (not the least of which was the real live human turkey pictured above), and some were even sweet enough to invite us to diner. Apparently this has been a tradition here for over five years. We cant wait to come back on year six.

Family Photos with Aly Willis

We are so lucky to know Aly Willis! I met Aly in college and hit it off with her right away. I am now grateful to be friends with her always epic husband Ryan and adorable wish-i-could-keep-them-in-my-pocket kids. One of the things that we love most about Aly is how comfortable and relaxed she makes everyone around her feel. The fact that she is so warm and personable makes her not just an amazing friend, but a great photographer as well. I think it shows in our pictures that we were just having a fun day out with friends (for those in the area, we were at Wheeler Historic Farm). Here are a few of our favorites from the shoot:

 

Phoebe at 4 Months

New This Month:

Getting very interested in textures

Wants to eat the world

12 lbs 12 oz 25 inches

Getting to be an expert grabber

Laughs at dogs, squeaky toys, and her daddy

Kristi’s Wedding and Other East Coast Adventures

There is no place I’d rather be than Virginia in the fall! That first little nip that hits the air is like a sigh of relief that lets you know that the sweaty summer must come to an end sometime. I love to watch the leaves change and smell the fresh air. I swear that the air has a taste.This time of year in Virginia, the air is thick and woody. It’s enough to make this year round mountain dweller nostalgic and a little homesick.

This too. I remember this place from driving past it on the way to my friend Kristi’s house when I was a kid. I just couldn’t keep myself from snapping a picture. I’ve been calling this the “Easter Egg Church House”  My family identifies a lot places near their home with physical characteristics rather than road names (who knows what they are anyway). This fits right in with “The Duck Corner” or “Where Princess Lives” (She’s a pig and former family member. I’m not being mean. She’s a literal pig)

We were planning to take a trip to VA sometime in the fall after the baby was born for my birthday or maybe Thanksgiving. When my aforementioned BFF Kristi told me she was engaged, I knew I had to go home for the wedding!

Kris and I have known each other since I was eight. I think we bonded over our love of handicrafts and the Little House on the Prairie books. I can hardly remember a time when she wasn’t in my life. She is one of the sweetest, most loyal, generous people I have ever met and I am beyond privileged to call her my friend. She went with me to college and stood next to me in front of the exact same temple when Colin and I got married. Seeing her be get married to the love of her life after all these years was such a joyful moment. I’m so glad I got to be there to be a part of it.

One of the great things about weddings is that it gives you the chance to catch up with old friends. Next to Kris in this picture is our friend Emily. We met in high school when Emily and I were both the new people in town. She invited me out to for food and we’ve been home fries ever since.

Another great part about our trip home was that I got a chance to visit with family. The picture above is me, my mom, my grandma Josie, and Phoebe. We represent four generations and we’re all the first daughters. While I was here, Grandma gave me an awesome envelope full of family history stories from Mom’s side of the family. I love looking at the old photos and learning the stories of our family. People’s real lives are  much more colorful than anything you could invent. I hope that soon I’ll be able to go through what I have  and add more to it.

Below are a few pictures of an impromptu soccer game in the back yard. This is one of a few attempts by Colin and David to teach Jake some “Man Skills.” Unfortunately, I never saw them get Jake to stand on any high perches, spray the hose straight into his mouth, or throw a Frisbee more than three feet in front of him (more on that later). The soccer ball kicking seemed to be the most successful pursuit.

Colin and Jake strategizing

Tackle Soccer

The other thing that I love when at home with the family is some mega crafting! I may or may not have a slightly unhealthy obsession with baby bows. Colin likes to ask me when I’ll know that I have enough bows, and I like to stare at him incredulously the way you do with any other obviously insane person.

We were getting a little restless one day decided to go to the park. David suggested an outing to this place called Catham Manor. I can’t believe I lived there so long and I’ve never been to this place. One thing I love about the east is that you can hardly swing a cat without hitting a historic place (I’m sure that expression is historic too).  We got there too late to tour the houses, but the gardens left nothing wanting.

Jake’s best fawn impression

Jake met this kid in the park. Jake, the most outgoing sibling, has a knack for that kid-park-meeting thing. None of the rest of us were like that. Being the youngest of nine children meant that Jacob was born with an audience. I predict a career in show business...

…maybe doing stupid human tricks. David tried to convince him that if he turned the hose on it would be the “Coolest picture EVER!”

Kelly and I “Owling”

Once we turned and got a look at each other

Kelly and I had a good time. She has a whole album on Facebook wherein we go around sticking googly eyes on things. Why? Because we can. What else are self-adhesive googly eyes made for? This might be my favorite:

Jake wanted a picture of him and Phoebe in hoodies so that they could be Spiderman and Spiderman’s baby in a hoodie. Not one of his more inventive moments.

Phoebe in her Clark Kent glasses before she prepares to fly back. It’s a bird! it’s a plane! it’s super baby! Some of her auntie Emily must have rubbed off on her.