11 Months

Another month has passed and this little beauty has continued to grow. She is always on the go and is so full  of personality. 

One of Blake's favorite things she has learned to do is wave. Whenever someone says hi or bye, she will happily wave. 

Sometimes while she is waving, she gets distracted by her own hand and becomes strangely fascinated with it.

I still feed her jars of baby food and rice cereal, but she is eating more normal foods and probably prefers them. Like Will, she is a big fan of chicken nuggets and vegetables.

She also really likes pretzels and crackers.

When I put headbands on her, she instantly grabs them and tries to rip them off. The only way I can get her to wear them is to distract her while I'm putting it on. Even then, it is usually pulled off within a few minutes.

She refuses to learn how to walk though I am convinced she could if she wanted. She walks along the furniture and can stand and balance. She will even take steps when you are holding her hands. But the second you let go, she tenses up and wants to sit down.

 

Blake also still refuses to come down the stairs. I have taught her how, and she has even done it a few times so I know that she is capable. However she simply refuses to do it most of the time. She sits at the top of the stairs and screams until I go get her. I often just stand at the bottom of the stairs and try to make her come to me. But then she just kicks her feet and gets even more upset when I don't get her.

The times she has come down, she scoots down one step, then turns around and sits. When she sees she isn't to the bottom yet, she'll turn around and go down one more step before she turns around again.

She has learned what it means to be told no. And she does not like it. When you tell her no, she instantly stops what she is doing for a moment. Then she tries doing it again. If you tell her no more firmly, then her lip starts to quiver and she gets her little feelings hurt.

She likes when people play with her and she loves to laugh.

Her hair is getting long enough that I can start trying some new things with it.

Since there aren't many any girl toys at our house, Blake has taken a fancy to cars, trains, etc. Basically she likes to play with any toy that Will doesn't want her to play with. This was a rare moment when Will was playing in a different room, and Blake was able to play with some of his toys without being mauled.

Unfortunately that didn't last long. Will was in the shortly, "playing with Blake". He uses his cars to run her over, drive on her, crash into her, etc.

Notice her desperately trying to get away.

She still only has her two bottom teeth, but I did barely notice one of top teeth is starting to poke through her gums.

Blake loves putting things in her mouth. She doesn't try to eat them or swallow them, she just likes something in her mouth. I try to keep small choking hazards away, but she always seems to find something.

Looks like she found a better place for her headbands.

She has this strange obsession with diapers and loves to play with them. It can be difficult to change her diaper because she tries to grab it and play with it. Sometimes I'll just grab an extra for her to play with while I am changing her.

She enjoys music and likes to stand up to the piano and hit the keys whenever I try to play.

Blake has to be within 2 feet of me 90% of the time. It's driving me crazy. Friends at church as if they can hold her, but if I am sitting there close by she doesn't want to be held by anyone but me.

Even though it is cold, we still try to go outside as much as possible. She loves sitting in the stroller either going on walks or just watching Will play outside.

Blake still takes two naps each day. Some days if she wakes up early, she might take a third short one. She tends to sleep shoved into some corner with her face smothered in the blankets. 

Blake sure is changing fast. It's weird to look back on pictures of just a few months ago and see how much she has grown. She definitely has her hard moments, but we love having her around.

Still crazy for me to think that she will be one next month. 

Christmas 2013

We did things a little differently for Christmas this year. We are typically up at the Hinton's in Logan for Christmas Eve, Christmas plus a few other days before or after. But this year we decided to stay home and celebrate in our new home. The main reason we did this was because most of Will's gifts were just too big to take anywhere. We would've had to leave most of our presents back at home, so we chose to head up to Logan Christmas day as soon as we were finished opening our gifts.

Wearing my new skirt that Cindy gave me.

Once Lance got off work on Christmas Eve, we invited some really good friends of ours over to hang out and have dinner. Tom and Savannah moved from Logan about the same time as we did and live just a few miles away from us now. Where their family lives in Arizona, we were happy to invite them over so neither of us would be alone on Christmas Eve.

We didn't do a "traditional" Christmas Eve dinner; instead, I decided I wanted to try something new. I made a chicken cordon bleu lasagna. It was a fun twist on normal lasagna and it actually tastes really good. Click here for the recipe. We had a salad, garlic bread, and some tamales that Tom and Savannah brought. I thought it was tasty.

The meal took longer than expected, and we didn't eat until after 7 pm. Once dinner was done, we read "The Christmas Train" by Thomas S. Monson then slowly got the kids down for bed. Tom and Savannah hung out until around 10 pm, then we went to sleep.

Unfortunately, it was a bit of a rough night for Will. Around 2 am, he came into our room telling us about his fire truck and four wheeler which he had apparently saw on his way to our room. We had a hard time getting him back to sleep, and he ended up spending most of the night in between Lance and I. That kid is a major bed hog. I don't think either one of us got much sleep.

When 6:30ish came around and we were just laying there in bed awake, we figured there wasn't much point waiting any longer and if we were already up, then we should get to opening presents so we could be on our way to Logan.

Will got a car bed, a huge fire truck engine, a million other toy cars, and a few other random things.

 Blake got some clothes, shoes, a few books, etc. I got us some memory foam pillows and a nice memory foam mattress topper. Lance got some tools and things he wanted for the garden, and he got me a Kitchen-aid mixer! I have been wanting one forever and I am SO happy to finally have one. It's awesome.

After we finished opening presents, we enjoyed some butterscotch rolls before we started packing for Logan. We got up to Logan by about 10 am and were greeted with warm welcomes. There, we had even more gifts to open.

We were able to stay in Logan until Friday afternoon. We watched movies, did puzzles, went shopping, but mostly just hung out and spent time together. Since we moved away, it's always so great to go to Logan and see everyone. Will doesn't go a day without at least mentioning Grandma and Grandpa so its fun when we can actually take him up there to see them.

It was nice to have some time with our own little family and start some of our own traditions, but it was nice to go to Grandma and Grandpas house afterwards to be with more family. We had a great holiday, and hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas as much as we did.

Blessings

We definitely scored big with the neighborhood and ward in which we live in. Our neighbors are amazing and are helping us constantly, it seems. EVERY time we have had more than an inch of snow, Brother Moyes has cleared our driveway and sidewalks with his snow-blower. He has even done it more than once in a single day. I've tried telling him it wasn't necessary, but he always says he enjoys the exercise. Thank you.

One storm in particular was pretty bad and we received several inches, but it was super wet snow. Our street didn't get plowed for several days because we live on a cul-de-sac. One morning, I woke up and the plow had come and we had a pile of snow blocking our driveway. Temperatures had dropped, so now it was a solid sheet of ice. I tried shoveling, but I was barely able to scrape off the top layer. Lance pulled out his pick and started breaking the ice apart. Before you know it, a different neighbor was there with a plow attached to his four-wheeler clearing our driveway for us. Thank you.

The engine in our Saturn blew up several months ago, so we have been down to one car. It can be very difficult at times. A neighbor across the street has offered to let me borrow her car any time I want, and said she would even watch my kids while I did the errands. I haven't taken her up on that yet, but I appreciate the offer. So thank you.

As Christmas started approaching, we had SO many people stop by to wish us Merry Christmas and give us something. All of our neighbors brought us delicious plates full of goodies. The Bishopric stopped by with a stocking full of oranges. Home teachers dropped by. The days before Christmas, our doorbell was ringing constantly with people bringing stuff by. I was completely overwhelmed and grateful for all of the amazing people the we live by.

I usually try to make treats or something to give to neighbors, but this year I just didn't get around to it. I felt bad receiving so much and having nothing to offer in return. Next year I am definitely stepping up and doing more for all these great people we are surrounded by.

And to top it off, there was a time we were doorbell ditched and left with a pile of presents at our door. There was a note inside that said "For your kids: Santa does exist". Again, I was overwhelmed and stunned at the amount of love we were being shown. I wish I knew who it was so I could do something nice for them. So whoever you are...Thank You.

We have only lived here a few short months, but I already look up to so many great families. We have some amazing examples here in our circle and I am grateful for the lessons they are teaching us.

A Woolsey Christmas Party

The annual Woolsey Family Christmas Party took place the weekend before Christmas. Our family met at Campos Tex Mex, a Mexican restaurant in Sandy. That place was not meant for large groups, so it was a bit crowded, but we made it work. The food was a bit eh, and many of us struggled with the spiciness, but as always it was great to see everyone and spend some time with my family.

Grandma and Grandpa had lots of presents for the kids and they were in heaven. One of the gifts they got Will was this four-wheeler. Will absolutely loves it.

We were also each given a little family history book with some of my grandparents journals, pictures, etc. I am excited to look through it and learn a little more about that side of my family.

After dinner, a few of us wanted to go see the lights at temple square. But it was already a little bit late and we weren't sure if we could make it down there before the lights turned off. So we decided to go ride Trax and let all of the boys go on a train ride.

We hopped on Trax and before you knew it, we were in Downtown SLC. The kids were a bit wild on the train and I felt bad for the other passengers around us, but they had such a great time.

Will was pretty content to just sit by Grandpa and watch all of the lights pass out the window. He loved "going so fast!"

It was way past the kids' bedtime, and we had debated whether or not we should even go. But Lance has managed to live in Utah for years, yet he has never seen the lights at temple square. That was simply not acceptable. Even though it was so late, the kids did pretty good. Will was still a ball full of energy, but Blake was exhausted. She fell asleep at some point and spend the rest of the night sleeping in Lance's arms. 

We had about 20-30 minutes before the lights turned off, so we got off the train and headed towards the temple. On the corner, there was a hot chocolate booth and grandma treated every to some much appreciated hot cocoa. It was freezing outside and many of us weren't quite dressed properly.

We walked around Temple Square for a bit before the kids started complaining of being too cold. Then we headed back to Trax and enjoyed another train ride back to the cars.

This is the group that decided to go to the temple. Unfortunately the guy who took the picture for us cut off my dad, who is standing next to Lance. 

The temple is so pretty at night time.

Will was getting cold and tired and wanted to be held the rest of the way. Let me tell you, this kid weighs quite a bit.

Will has an obsession with trains so he was beyond thrilled to go on a train ride. For days/weeks after, he would ask if we could go in the car to ride the train. 

It's always so great to spend time with family, I just wish we could get together more often. Tony, we all missed you, but we understand that is a long way to drive for a party.

Christmas Pictures

Deseret Industries had a Christmas party for it's employees and their families the early part of December. I'm the nerdy wife that likes to have her family wear matching clothes when we go to church, parties, etc. Christmas parties are ultimate chance to dress up in coordinating, festive outfits.

Will and Blake looked so adorable that I decided it was the perfect opportunity to snap some pictures. And the pictures even turned out well enough that I was able to make a Christmas card for all the grandparents. 

Here are a few many that I took:

So lucky to have such adorable kids.

I was in a different room and I hear Will playing the piano. It was picture perfect.

Lance's work party was lots of fun, filled with super good food, white elephant gifts, and a giant electric train. What more could you want? I have NEVER seen Will so enthralled with anything. He would not take his eyes off of that train, and got even more excited when they let him play with the train cars. 

She wasn't very fond of his arm around her shoulder.

We were there at least 2 hours or more, and Will never stopped playing with that train. When it was time to leave, Will was devastated to leave the train behind. The entire way home, he cried and cried, "Mom...go to Christmas party!", "Go back to Christmas party." For the next several days, he begged and begged to go to a Christmas party. 

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Decorations

***Little behind on my posts - going to try to catch up over the next few days.***

Thanksgiving was great. And like most people, once it is over, it's immediately "Christmas Season". Yay! I know many have traditions of decorating the day after Thanksgiving, but we weren't in a big rush this year, plus we weren't home most of the day after and Lance worked late (which is probably the real reason). Once we found an evening that Lance had off and we weren't super busy, we pulled out all of our decorations.

I love decorating for Christmas. There is just something about having a tree full of lights and decorations scattered throughout the house that just makes everything feel so much more...homey.

Will enjoys helping us put up the tree and hanging ornaments. 

Yes, we are fake tree people. I find them so much more convenient and cheaper. Maybe one day we'll try a real tree once, but for now, we are happy with our little tree.

 Don't mind Will not wearing any pants. It seems these days he is pant-less more often than not. (At least he stays dressed whenever we aren't at home.)

We bought him some snow boots and this quickly became Will's outfit of choice.

I swear I dress my kids.

 Blake knew what time of year it was. When she was in the bubble bath, she tried doing an impersonation of Santa Claus. 

I made stockings for Lance and I several years back. But since we now have two additions to our family, I decided it was time to make updated ones. These look WAY better in person. All of the names are in gold string across the top and the patterns stand out a lot more. The two one the ends are checkered-ish, while the middle two have polka dots.

 Another of my favorite things to do during the Christmas season is curling up under a blanket and watching a good Christmas movie.

 As this is Blake's first Christmas, she was very dazzled by the lights and succeeded pulling the bottom layer off of the tree several times.

We love decorating for Christmas, even though the kids may not look like they are enjoying it.