October, November, December Oh My

Life for the last few months feels like I have the fast forward button on. I really want to be a better blogger in 2012, it helps me slow down, reflect and I love looking back on the stories of my little life. Let me catch up.

 October- Isabel was running down the hallway to her bath, tripped and knocked out one of her front teeth AGAIN, poor thing. I really need to wrap her in bubble wrap. She had to be put under for the procedure, which scares me half to death, but she did fine and remembers nothing except getting a shot.
Isabel enjoyed her 3rd Family birthday party...minus one tooth, but had tons of fun! Crafts, cupcakes, and cool presents.

A new pumpkin patch opened near our house and we had a great day enjoying all it had to offer. Petting zoo, playground made of straw bales, paint on tattoos, fresh pumpkin pie and a tracter ride to pick our own pumpkin,  Isabel is still talking about the jumping "pillow." 

Her face still puffy from surgery a few days prior, we donned her ballerina princess costume (all usable at a later date.) We went trick-or-treating at the mall for a special young children only night, and on Halloween we went from our house to Mimi's house with T Em and Rouge. Most of our neighborhood sits out in their yards or porches so it made it fun. By the third house Issy wanted to go up herself. * Josh made her leg warmers, so cute!

November: We had a Lasagna family dinner at my parents for my 31st birthday...luckily there are no pictures, but I did take a pic of what I got with my Crate and Barrel gift card. I love it and have never owned one, can you believe it!

Besides badly spraining my ankle the night before my all nighter setting the Black Friday Ad at work, Thanksgiving was extra fun this year. We did a breakfast and dinner, so everyone could attend. There was chit chat about the last minute decision Target made to open at midnight, which affected most of our schedules. Josh waited in line for a TV from 6pm to midnight, it rained and he had to do crowd control when people started to get out of hand. He was 2 people too late for the TV he wanted, so he got the next cheapest and it was returned within a week. Haha.  I caught these precious moments, my Grandma teaching Isabel how to line dance, and her and my Grandpa playing the piano together.

Oh and my Mom had wine on tap...maybe that is why it was so fun. I told you I took a pic mom!

I did get my most favoritist Black Friday deal this year, a Duraflame fireplace heater.

  In early December we had more than a few rainy days...luckily these Missoni rain boots went on clearance and we could enjoy the rain properly!

We did crafts... I also discovered Pinterst, which is where all these ideas came from.

Isabel had Observation Week at Gymnastics...they did a little snowman routine.

I made my own pumpkin for baking from scratch by baking pie pumpkins for an hour and then pureeing. It was so easy and I think, was more flavorful.

Hubby expanded my Pen for the chickens and they are in Hen Heaven!

We watched Elf 500 hundred times, made Hello Dollies, I got 50mm lens for my camera, Isabel learned to sing Silent Night, we went to Winterhaven to see lights, I redecorated a wall in the living room, I paid off my car, Isabel got her first hair cut, and we made Hello Dollies again. That is the rest of December in fast forward. Christmas will have to be a new post as I haven't uploaded those pictures yet. :)

Easter and What Happened to the Fair?

I have been a lazy blogger...I get too caught up with what everyone else posts and run out of time to post my own.
Anyway, this Easter included a week early brunch with the Fam, Church, and a trip to the County Fair.
 Isabel enjoyed church, she danced, clapped and got to play with toys...how could she not enjoy it? We came home for a family nap and then Emily and I talked each other into going to the Fair. We don't do rides, we go for the animals, the food and to reminisce of the olden days when showing animals was actually cool to do in High School and when they had put a limit on how many animals you could enter. These days you are lucky to see 10 rabbits. When I was in 4-H I entered 10 myself! And the 4-H auction now only has a few grandstands of buyers as opposed to a stadium. So sad...I must revive 4-H by time Isabel is 9!

December Memories...part 1

December flew by faster that ever before, and last night I was thinking "gosh, what did I even do besides work this month?" But then I started a list, and it came rushing back.  That is why I think blogging is so awesome, because it makes me stop and think and recall these memories so that I will remember more than putting red and khaki on everyday and coming home exhausted.

 We went to Winterhaven, I can't even remember if I had been there before. We bundled up and headed out with Emily and Mike. It was a walk-thru night, and I wouldn't do it any other way. We just strolled around commenting and critiquing the houses decorations. I think the fav was the "Ballagio House", which had a lit water fall timed to Christmas Music.

I want this house...isn't it cute?

We also painted the kitchen yellow, it took way longer than expected! I said "I can get it done in a morning it's just 3 walls." Yeah right, took all day, mostly due to poor paint quality. Tip: do not buy paint from Ace... even if you have a coupon.

 

 For Josh's 32nd birthday I took him to a indoor shooting range, which turned into my first shooting lesson. Josh was amazed that I could hit the target...I told him he just hasn't seen many girls shoot for the first time, but a few minutes later 2 women walked in and were obviously being shown for the first time, and you know what, they couldn't even get close! One even hit the metal clip that holds the paper figure...Josh got that shell in the face. I think I just had a good teacher.

I loved our new annual tradition of girls trip to La Encantada. On the 18th, mother and sisters gathered at the ritzy outdoor shopping mall for some browsing, apple ring buying, snacking on expensive treats, helping mom spend a giftcard she's had for a year, picture taking, relaxing, chat time.

 Then there was the week before Christmas were I stayed up way too late every night baking, while attempting to watch some of the new "holiday TV movies." I always attempt but they are so terrible that I go back to my favs...The Family Stone, Elf, and Miracle on 24th St.

 One tradition I thought I'd start is Christmas Eve PJ's, or Jam Jams. So here is Isa on Christmas morning with her "big gift", her Papa Kiven and her Christmas Jam Jams.

The rest of Christmas will need to be a new post, this one has gone on long enough...