what to treat myself with....

I have had a few real good sentsy parties latlely and I'm saving up my money to get something I want. Here are my top 3 things I'm deciding between.

~ipad

~new camerea nikon/canon?

~use the money towards our house projects....

 

any suggestions?

summer project list

As I sit here in my house this morning, I've been thinking of all the things I "want" to do with the house. Therefore I thought it would be logical to start a summer list. I think I already started one before, but can't recall...so I'll start again.

fence the back yard, white please

build a laundry basket holder

build a playhouse for audrey in the backyard

expand our garden

paint the living rom

paint audreys room

keep deocrating the house

paint the hutch in the kitchen

make a memory wall in the kitchen

new kitchen table

maybe next winter, we can do redo the basement (carpet & walls)

new windows?

rain gutters?

New siding?

Redo upstairs bathroom/new vanity top/new tub..

 

Oh my...who has some money I can barrow!

the calm after the storm

The storm is releavent to christmas. We had such a busy christmas, I feel life has finally slowed down a little. Audrey contiunes to change everyday! I was looking through old pictures, and my gosh...she has changed so much since her 1st birthday! The other day was an ah-ha moment as we were looking at pictures and I asked Audrey, who is this? She said "audrey!" Normally she says baby, but never relates it to herself.

I'm really nervous about taking away her nuki. At daycare she doesn't need it, but loves it for her comfort. I can already tell you the day we do take it away is going to be on nasty night! Today I'm home with Audrey as she has developed a nasty cough and runny nose. As I laid on the couch with her last night, it reminded me of when she first joined us in the world. Sleeping on the couch with Audrey on my chest. PEACEFUL. I probally got about 4 hours of sleep last night and I truly didn't even care. I just kept thinking, well I can stay home with tomorrow and drink coffee. :) It's been a pleasant day at home with Audrey. We had a few visitors stop by for lunch, papa sam & dad.

Favorite Christmas Decoration

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I think it's safe to say everday since we put out this "tree," Audrey danced with it. We finally put it away a week ago! Enjoy

christmas 2011

Our season of 2011 christmas has  been on going. We started celebrating the holiday on Christmas eve at my parents house and we will have our last celebration of Christmas tonight, new years eve. In total we had five Christmas celebrations! Audrey actually opened presents this year compared to last year where she just tried to eat the paper. She obviously doesn’t get to the concept of what Christmas is all about, but the skill I’m working on this year is waiting while other people open presents and that it’s not all about “her” getting presents. The holiday is always such a wonderful time to reflect on the past year, more so that the new year will be here tomorrow. Our family is so thankful for a healthy and happy year. We’ve had many changes in our life this past year, but I would say they have all been great changes. We left the city life to a more rural slower life. Kenneth and I both started new jobs. Audrey is living and loving being in the same town as her grandparents evans. We have started a family ritual of having Sunday night dinner with my parents.

As I’m sitting here on the couch at Dan & Ruth’s, I’m thinking how lucky I am. I was laying on the couch reading a book (Hot Sweaty Mama), Audrey is napping and I looked out the window and I see my husband going crazy on the four wheeler. He’s like a little kid…going up and down on the street and going in circles. I’m guessing he is having so much fun because we finally have SNOW to enjoy! Audrey played outside for an hour and a half with her grandma this morning! They have a good 5-6 inches here…we had none in Roseau when we left yesterday. I feel even more blessed as I look over at the Christmas tree and see soo many gifts under the tree still. We truly are blessed with an amazing family. Now I just say Grandma Dan cruising on the four wheeler…he’s acting like a little kid out there now tooJ

Last night I took in a good movie with Ruth, New Years Eve. It was a great movie to reflect on what new years is all about. Reflecting on the past year and setting goals for the upcoming year. Here is the start of my new year goals.

-complete the insanity series

-run a 10k (fargo) or DL ½ marathon

-be blessed every day.

-try to always make someone else’s day better

-do an outing with Audrey at least once a week (park/swimming/games…etc)

-always find the positive in every situation

-become stronger…physically, mentally, emotional, and spiritually

-save my money from surveys & scentsy to buy an iphone with internet and or ipad

 

Beyond these goals I have set for myself on the upcoming year I also want to continue to raise a healthy, disciplined and happy girl. We feel blessed that she has been relatively healthy. I do believe that her health is partially a reflection of being structured with a routine (eating, napping, sleeping).  I want to her to become herself, but at the same time help guide and give her guidance of being a respectful child.

 

18 months

Audrey 18 months

Audrey, where has time gone? It amazes me that you are a year and half years old. There are many ladies I know, that who had baby’s the same time Audrey arrived. It amazes me how these women function with a child the same age as Audrey and another peanut on the way or already arrived. Audrey you keep me so busy. Maybe it’s because I don’t know how to multitask with a beautiful baby/toddler in my presences.  J This age, 18 months, is such a fun time to watch you develop. It amazes me how well you can comprehend questions I ask or commands I tell you. You are becoming a smart girl who loves to dsicover things. You already try to test your parents. Most recently if your dad says “no,” you come crying to me saying, mommmmmy. At night when you wake up you call…mommmmy? Mommmmy! On a typical night if I find your nuki for you, you go right back to bed. We have removed your bumper from your bed….therefore your nuki falls out of your crib.

You are still a good eater, but have been finicky the past few days. You prefer milk or water over juice. Recently you have had an obsession with crackers and pickles. You love baby dolls, working on puzzles, watching baby Einstein movies, laying on the couch with dad before bed, lying in bed with mom, going to papa and mama’s hosue, turning on the Christmas lights and saying “ooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhh” with big big eyes. If I ask you what Santa says…your response is “ho ho ho.” You are such a delightful little girl! 18d.jpg (image/jpeg) 1,336K18month.jpg (image/jpeg) 1,036K DSC03615.JPG (image/jpeg) 2,410K

First Basketball Game

Kenneth had his first basketball game as a head coach in Roseau. It was a very exciting game...between both teams the biggest margin of points was 3 the whole game. It was exciting from the start to the end! Roseau scored with 6 seconds left to go up by 1 point. Within those last 6 seconds, Lake of the Woods took the ball from one end of the court to the other end and ALMOST scored. Thankfully they didn't. :) Here is a picture of Audrey after we got home from the game, of course I forgot to bring my camera with to the game. A girl named Ellie, gave Audrey a ring pop and oh my...did Audrey love it! We even got to see Grandma/Grandpa Hayden. They made the trip up for the game and we enjoyed watching it with them!!!!

painting

Audrey enjoyed the world of painting for her first time, Sunday December 4th, 2011. Your dad totally didn't think we needed to introduce you to paint yet, but I insisted it's a kid thing! You made a hand print christmas tree and also painted with paint brushes.

Penny Saver

Audrey, you are doing such a good job at saving your coins. Whenever you find a coin on the floor, couch, or anywhere you run and it put it in your piggy bank. I also noticed yesterday that you have learned to go to your dad when you want money. But you need to remember to ask him first before you take...

What Audrey's up too at 17 1/2 months

What Audrey’s up too…

 

Being busy

Standing on the edge of her crib, trying to climb in and out

Eating popsicles

Wanting her nook a-l-o-t

Jumping in her crib and says “boing, boing, boing,” while jumping around

Doesn’t want her diaper on or tells you when she poops

Climbing on .everything

Weighs 29 pounds 12 oz

Has been eating with her fingers again lately, had been using utensils very good before

Drinking out of cups

Doesn’t like baths or showers

Hates putting her coat on

Reading books

Pulling out all of the towels in the kitchen drawer and throwing them on the floor