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

 

 

 

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is always a great time of the year, a time to reflect on what you’re thankful for. We have spent thanksgiving with both sides of the family Since moving to Roseau, I think we will create a tradition of spending thanksgiving with the Runyan side of the family as we see the Evans’ side many times throughout the year. By spending thanksgiving with the Runyans, it’s another opportunity we get to see that side of the family. The Runyans’ have created a thanksgiving tradition that is something I look forward to each year. We go shopping in Brainerd on Black Friday. I would have to vote this year was the most peaceful shopping there has ever been with stores opening at midnight; we left at 3:30am. I got about 80% of the Christmas Shopping done!!

I’m thankful for a relativity healthy and happy family. Since return home from thanksgiving, Audrey got the flu! L Tuesday night after work we headed over to a friend’s house for a play date. Audrey had been pretty needed since returning from our vacation, but that is partly her personality. We got home at about 6:15pm and I went to lay Audrey down for bed at 7:05 and she just stared at me as I laid her in the crib…and there it came. L All over her face, eyes…yuck. Let’s just say, after 2 new sheets in the crib, 2 carpet cleanings and 2 wood floor cleanings our girl was fast asleep at 9:15pm. Audrey’s Great Aunt Audrey was transferred to the grand forks hospital for an infection she has. They were doing surgery when she arrived last night…add her to your prayer list!

I’m blessed I get to spend today at home with Audrey, even though she is under the weather. I get to stay home with her two extra days next week as her daycare has vacation and I’m taking the two days off from work.

 

happy anniversary

this past week my parents celebrated their 30 wedding anniversary. kenneth and i volunteered to organize a party/get together to celebrate such an accoplishment...however my parents just wanted us to join by attending the lifecare medical center gala. it's one of the most elegant events held around roseau. it's a fundraiser for the lifecare medical centers in roseau county. if you were just an average person wanting to attending a dinner plate cost $75.00. however you can buy a table for 4+ people at a much higher rate which includes many adventurous things to try (wine, food, etc.) it reminded me of an adult prom :) there are many (100 +) items for silent auctions, live actions, deal or no deal, or last chance raffles. the auction items went between $25.00 to $1,000+). the theme of this years event was "global partnership." therefor we tried many different types of global foods. my favorite was the steak and cake :)

redo20

I'm blank because...

 

I’m weird because…
I can’t sleep with my hair in a pony tail.
I don’t drink more than two glasses of water a day.
I don’t like when people wear shoes in my house.
I like Doritos with nacho cheese and nacho chips with cream cheese/salsa /cheese/taco sauce.
I wish for something whenever its 2:22, 1:11….etc.
I probably make my daughter kiss me 15 times a day.
I could eat pasta 4 times a week.
I have never cut my daughters toe nails.
I only eat salads with ranch dressing.
I take a bath twice a week.
I wouldn’t spend more than $20.00 on a purse.
I almost always go straight to the clearance section in a clothing store.
I HATE when dishes are left in the sink overnight.
I do a happy dance when I get a package in the mail.
I don’t eat breakfast during the week.

I’m a bad friend because…
I’m not great at responding to messages right away.
I make myself too busy and don’t spend enough time with friends.
Often when a friend talks, I always try to relate to what they are talking about. Sometimes I just need to listen…

I’m a good friend because…
I want to see those I love succeed.
I love friendship, I wouldn’t be me without my friends.
I love my friends kiddos like they are my own.
You can show up at my house at midnight to talk about your bad day.
I’m always up for a girls night.
I enjoying doing activities and events with friends.

I’m sad because…
I wish all my family lived closer.
I wouldn’t be seeing my sister and brother along with their families for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
I too often get consumed with being a mom.
I sometimes let little things get in the way.
I miss shopping at Carters Outlet and Trade Secret Outlet.
I miss working in a school and teaching kids, sharing resources, and having a regular schedule.
I miss my mommy friends and kids in Delano.

I’m happy because…
My family is healthy and happy.
I have my “own” house.
We are building the life we wanted.
Audrey is beautiful.
My husband is my best friend.
My job is amazing flexible.

I’m excited for…
Making some DIY projects.
Black Friday Shopping.
Snowman building with Audrey & Ken.
Christmas decorating.
Cousins laughing.
Eating a lot of food over the holidays.
Playing games.
Movie watching on life time with my mother in law.
Family time.

a little fun

thanks to my dear friend, chantel vatnsdal, i've been having a blast taking some photo's of audrey and editing them. i'm so excited to be able to use her camera as i hope to capture the perfect photo of "not sure what" to turn it into a canvas for our living room. enjoy these photos