Chelsea: Months 10 & 11

I guess since my goo will turn 1 next week!!!....I better finish a post about her before then!

Here is a picture timeline. You can see how much she grew & changed over the summer.

My fat baby girl :-)

this was a favorite skill for a long time

I love these shoes!! I think they're adorable. I didn't buy them but once she starts walking.....

This is how my Chels throws a fit....make sure everyone is watching...

...and then really show them how tough life is!

Her first ponytail

The two kids have really started playing together; its so fun to watch.

Just last week Chels finally got tooth #3 in. She hasn't really been interested in walking. Sometimes she will lean forward to walk but can't and topples over. She then crawls on ahead like nothing happened. We'll see what happens in the next little while.

I'll probably be more verbal in her 12 month post and give details then!

We love you little girl!

Cleaning Secret!

Just cleaned my bathroom glass shower doors....and ALL the soap scum came off!

I used the bathroom specific magic eraser. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Bath Scrubber. It took me all of 10 min to clean my shower and that was with 2 kids "helping" and me maneuvering around them. (no harsh chemicals to worry about inhaling) It was wipe, swipe and dry. I used the eraser first--just wiped it down...no real elbow grease, then used a squeegee, and then dried with paper towels.

Shower is now spotless! LOVE IT!

Carson Lately

Self-inflicted time out?? not sure

 Oh my boy,
How mommy loves you.

it was105 degrees outside but he would not take off this jacket

"Please can I have these shoes mom? They light up!"

This morning Carson runs up to me, "Mom, I need sugar."          WHAT?!  

Lately he is very good at telling me what's what.

CARSON: Goobies' awake!!

ME: Chels is NOT awake.

CARSON: Goobies' IS awake.

ME: no, she's not. She's still sleeping.

CARSON: no is not sleeping....

5 min interlude.

CHELSEA: stirring...

CARSON: Goobies' awake!!
----wonder how that happened-----

He is a great big brother...always in her way, keeping things away from her, teaching her what not to do...Maybe he has a few things backwards.

The world still comes to an end every time I wash his blanket.

Tells me he loves me at least 5 times a day....he will sign it too.

precious cargo

He had been asleep for 2 hrs in the car and woke up just seconds before this

Dinner: Fish Tacos

I want to keep a record of some of my meals so that on the nights that I can't think of ANYTHING to fix...I'll just refer to my blog for ideas. This is what we ate last night

Fish Tacos

I breaded tilapia loins in Italian breadcrumbs mixed with plain panko. I dredged the loins in flour first, then egg yolk and then the breadcrumbs. I fried it in a pan with enough oil so that the loins were at least halfway submerged. About 5 min on each side.

Then just toppings
sour cream
avocado
tomatoes
lettuce
beans
tomatillo salsa
cheese
nectarines
cabbage
salsa

There and Back Again

a novel (because it will take FOREVER to finish) by: Malerie


Ok so this summer we left our house for a month long vacation involving 7 cities, 30 hours of driving, 10 hours of flying, and a TON of stuff in between.

IT WAS CRAZY! I'll do my best to recap our adventures.

We left our house on Sunday to drive 5 hours down to my parents house in Sa_____. We hung out there for a few days playing with siblings, gparents, uncles, an aunt...blah blah blah. The best part was riding in the wagon. Here are those pics.

On Wednesday around 7pm we had my parents suburban loaded with 15+ bags, a pack 'n play, SUV stroller, probably 15 pillows (for 8 people) dvds, food, and the tent trailer hitched in back. We drove through the night 14 hours to AZ. The kids sorta slept. They woke up several times and I'd nurse Chels back to sleep and then try to get some shut-eye myself. Lets just say I won't be driving through the night again.

Cities Vail & Tucson, AZ

 My Grandparents (mom's side) and my mom's sister Tracy & family live in AZ. I'm really glad I got to visit them. I think it had been 6 years since I'd been to my gparents house!      We went to the zoo...

 Carson would not leave this tractor alone. It was his favorite "attraction" at the zoo or "bee-youm" as he calls it. Not that it sounds at all like zoo.

it was SO hot I had to keep getting the kids' hair wet to cool them off

 The zoo was actually really fun...and it was one of the quickest trips to the zoo I've ever experienced!

 While in AZ we also played in my aunt's pool, went to In n out several times, and had a really fun time visiting with my cousins there. (they are closer in age to my sibling and my own children so they all had a blast playing with one another). Carson still to this day tells me he want to go to Aunt Tracy's house.

We ate good food, played with toys that I used to play with as a kid, played Shanghai, talked, and really had a great time!

Really not sure how this happened....poor Goo

 City # 4, Provo UT

After 4 full days of fun, we left Monday around noon to make the 13 or so hour drive up to UT. We got in around 1:30am and that was SO much better than all night long. Aw Utah. Home.

Provo House,                
                              Family,

Such a great depiction of their relationship

 Memories,  
                

                                    BBQs,




             
                                                 Games,

             




                                   



                          Best Friends,

really unsure of what I'm doing

 Learning, 

Bonding,                     

              Cousins, 




Aunts & Uncles,

Food,                
                Siblings,

LOVE

Do I even dare say that this was my favorite part of my vacation....? It was just peaceful and warm, comforting, and familiar. I love coming back home.

I loved seeing old friends, meeting new ones, and remembering why I LOVE being me.   Thanks to the Gill's for letting us stay with you! It was so great to be in your home again.

To be continued......

30 Day Challenge

Day 20: A picture of your favorite book

What classifies as favorite? I figured that since I have read, and re-read these books several times....that probably fits the best reason of being a favorite. I've really enjoyed other books but have a read them over and over again???

I find the story wildly entertaining, easy to read, easy to become absorbed in, etc. It's a silly love story but a am a hopeless romantic!

30 Day Challenge

Day 19: A picture of someone who inspires you



My mother-in-law, Donna. If I could be half as organized, calm, patient, relaxed, and strong as her...I think I'd be pretty incredible. Every time I see her interact with people...I am amazed at how incredible she is.

A woman of so many strengths and gifts....yet so quiet and reserved. She could give fantastic advice constantly but instead she lives her life and those who watch can pick up what they will from her. She is the best of mother-in-laws in that respect. I learn so much from her about how to love her son. Thanks DONNA!

30 Day Challenge

Day 18: A picture of an indulgence (food)

I really love ice cream. Cones, bowls, milkshakes...love it all. I also love how cold my lips are after I eat it...and then I love a kiss :) Its a fun feeling....try it if you haven't!

30 Day Challenge

Day 17: A picture of someone you miss


Started crying....

I love you Elder Facer! Words can't express how proud I am to be your sister. Can't wait to have you home!!

30 Day Challenge

Day 16: A picture of the place you want to travel to most




I'm kinda thinking a Mediterranean cruise might be nicely incorporated with a visit to Greece.

30 Day Challenge

Day 15: A picture of you and the person you have done the craziest stuff with

Winter 2002
One person comes to mind...no contest.

Kel, without you I would be a boring stick in the mud...thanks for teaching me to be silly, to laugh at myself, and that best friends are friends forever.

30 Day Challenge

Day 14: A picture of something you regret



As I look back through my life I find myself wishing I had tried more things.

I should have gone out for more things in High School, or tried different activities when they were available or even tried different foods. I went years without eating sushi because I wouldn't try it.....oh how i LOVE sushi!

Maybe this is why I just certified last week for SCUBA Diving. (Which was great!) I want to try things at least to see if I like them or not so that my decision is based on experience.

I think I will always ask my kids this... and also live by example...,

"How do you know you don't like it...if you haven't tried it first?"

30 Day Challenge

Day 13: A picture of something you want to do before you die