December 2012 Texas Trip

Rachel - 3, Joseph - 21 Months

There is always a pre-vacation Costco shopping trip.


Our valiant travelers after the first full day in the car.



Hurray!  It's Grandmother!


Worn out!


Doug's treats!







My angel mother!


We were thrilled that my Mom wanted Zoe.  We wanted her to be in a home where she would be loved.  She is the best little dog!


On a side note:  Zoe has since moved to be with our niece Sydney.  They are the best of friends.  I think it is an ideal situation for them both.

Nobody Like Dad

Moms are always fun.  But there is nothing like horse play with Dad.


Ticklefest!

10/21/2012

Girl's Best Friend

Rachel loves walking Zoe.


It doesn't even matter, to either of them, that they can't leave the yard.

Inside or Out?

Joey:  "Hey Zoe!  How'd you get outside?"
Zoe:  "Stop fooling around and let me in."

August 12th

Doug and I don't set alarms.  Our kids wake us up every morning.  It really is the best .
 

Every morning starts with diapers, kid clothes, and making the bed (on good days).


I'm trying to put together a weekly menu.  I've got a lot more gaps than meals.


Doug graciously made eggs for all of us.


Joseph supervised.
 

My posse and I went shopping at Wal-Mart.


By lunchtime I was tired and frazzled.  My healthy well-balanced meal plan morphed into McDonalds nuggets and fries.
 
 
My shadow followed me everywhere I would allow.
 

"Is nap time over?  Is it time to get up?"


I LOVE Rachel's hair.  She has amazing color, sheen, and just the right amount of natural curl.  She has the hair I always wanted.
 

"No pictures please."
 

We went on a walk.
 

Joseph watched some "Baby Einstein."

I played 500 matchstick pickup.  It's fun.  You should try it sometime.


We ended the day with stories, prayers, hugs and sloppy kisses.

February 12th

Good Morning!  It's February 12th. 


Rachel wore braids for the first time.
 

 
This little smock from IKEA has been a lifesaver for me.  I wish I had known they existed a year ago.


Most of you know that I hate slime.  I hate slime so much that Rachel gets double bibbed on days where breakfast consists of oatmeal and applesauce.


It allows her the independence to feed herself and me the freedom to know that it's mostly contained.


My breakfast:  a protein shake and a banana.  I read a couple of verses of The Book of Mormon to Rachel when I'm finished with my feast.


Doug attended the LDS Church Worldwide Leadership Training broadcast.  He is so handsome in his shirt and tie.


Joseph spent a good part of the day kicking me in the spine.  The pain was awful.  So I laid on the couch and watched my very own darling source of entertainment.
 


Rachel has a lot of fun playing with her truck and her other toys.


 

She has figured out how to turn on the loud toys all by herself.  Batteries may have to be removed for parental preservation.
 
 

Rachel was thrilled to see her dad come home.  They practiced the ABCs on her keyboard.


Then daddy played one of her favorite games.




We looked at some old home videos.  Rachel LOVES seeing herself on TV.  I love the interaction between her and her TV persona.


During Rachel's nap I spent a few minutes doing a stuffed animal photo shoot for the blog.  Then I took a nap.


Doug took the opportunity to take some stuff to the DI and run to Lowe's.  We were so blessed.  He happened to go on the day that 3 different deals converged.  He bought the vanity, counter top, mirror, and cabinet fixtures for the bathroom for $650 instead of $950.  My hero.  He's trying to get the basement bathroom usable before my family (and the new baby) comes.




 

Rachel woke up pleasant from a long afternoon nap.
 

She helped me put away her books.



Zoe retrieved her toy in hopes that I would play with her.  I was sorry to disappoint.

Doug finished taping and painting the new basement office and bathroom. 


Once dinner was over and Rachel was nestled in bed, Doug and I enjoyed some time alone.  Neither of us could move so we sat together and watched an episode or two of "Eureka" then crawled off to bed.