Winter Park ski trip

We had a wonderful time in Winter Park on our recent family ski trip! Loved it!

On our long car ride there, Andi (when she wasn't sleeping) kept asking, "Where's everybody going?" We would answer with, "We are going to Colorado, to the snow mountain." She would then say, "I like the snow mountain. Mommy, do you like the snow mountain? Daddy, do you like the snow mountain?
The day we left was Shawn's birthday so when we got to the house, Andi sang him happy birthday and even made him a pretend cake and ice cream. How thoughtful!

Look, even Andi got to do a little skiing. Her first of many! Only 1 year 10 months old and already skiing!

Andi did great and loved it too. The last day of skiing, my mom and Andi met us at the mountain to eat lunch. After lunch Dave and I got Andi ready to hit the slopes. We went into the ski school (which is where you have to rent skis and boots small enough for little ones...and they still did not have anything small enough for our baby!) Guess they do not see too many babies on the mountain. Andi's shoe size is a toddler 5/6 and the smallest size they carry is size 9. We put an extra pair of socks on her and buckled them tight and said that they would just have to work. :) Andi then saw the helmets and told the guy, "I need a helmet." I told the guy that we weren't going to do anything extreme so she did not need a helmet, but he said, "She is right. She should wear a helmet." Then Andi said, "I want a skateboard," pointing at the snowboards. I told her that she was going to ski, like Mommy and Daddy and the guy brought out the shortest, tiniest pair of skis I have ever seen.

We started out on the little bunny hill, skiing down and then taking the 'magic carpet' back to the top. Andi skied between mine or Dave's legs and we held onto her. She wanted to do it on her own..."I want to do it, mine do it," she said. I would let her ride the magic carpet back to the top as i stood behind her, not holding onto her, but wasn't quite ready to send he soaring down the hill on her own. Plus, we did not want her to fall and then be fearful of skiing more later. After a few times on the bunny hill, Andi saw the chair lift and said, "I want to ride the swings." Dave and I looked at each other and smiled and I said, "Sure. Let's do it. She can do it." Off we went. We successfully got on the chair lift and as Dave was putting his poles across our laps, Andi flung her arms, sending one of her mittens soaring through the air and it landed down below the lift (in an out of bounds area.) Dave later retrieved it. At the top of the mountain, we had the professional photographer take our picture right then, just in case we did not make it up anymore after this one. It's the pic at the top, cute! But we did ski all the way down and back up the chair lift a couple more times. Shane, Anna Lee, Lynley, and Shane met us at the bottom and rode up with us so they could also see Andi ski. They were shocked to see our little baby on skis and doing so well. Andi did great. Andi was so proud of herself and while skiing, yelled, "Look at me! Look at my skiing!" She got tired (and so did Momma) so after the last time down, she got in a wagon to be pull around at the base by Nana. They went to see the polar bear and the snow castle and then went back home for a nap. We were so proud of her!

Here is a family picture and our Frosty the Snowman that we built. Andi liked to check on him, looking out the window every now and then to make sure he was still there and doing ok. On the way to Colorado, she told all of us, "I want to make a baby frosty in the snow." Well, he's not quite a baby frosty-but an old man with a mustache frosty!


Shawn was sweet enough to stay home with Andi while we skied the first day. (Nana ended up joining them mid morning.) We stayed at my aunt and uncle's gorgeous house and loved it. We wondered why we had not visited there before. Shortly after we left for the slopes, Shawn told us that Andi asked, "Where's Mommy? Where's Daddy?" He told her, "They are skiing on the snow mountain." She went to the window and looked out towards the mountain and said, "Oh! I see them!" Precious girl! Shawn said that he got her all bundled up (to the point of where she could barely move-he did not want her to get cold) and headed out the back door. Shawn said that Andi wasn't to sure about the snow and when Shawn took his first step he sunk mid thigh deep into the snow. Andi started crying, "Uncle Shawn! Oh no!" Then she was too scared to give playing in the snow a chance. That is until Shawn found this tube. He put Andi in the middle and pulled her around the snowy driveway and she loved it! She would yell, "Weee! Faster! Faster! Faster! Go Uncle Shawn." And when he was done, she applauded him and said "Yayyyyyy!" So cute. We got home from skiing just in time to see this and play too. Later Shawn told us that while they were playing, Andi patted him on the back and said, "You're a real, nice boy, Uncle Shawn." Ha! Hilarious! Uncle Shawn was so nice to stay with Andi and I think she helped him to some of his workouts. He did not have weights with him so he used Andi as a 25 pound weight. Andi would watch Shawn and tried to imitate him. The best was watching her try to jump. She could not get both feet off the ground at the same time, but sure did try. We all played a lot in the house after skiing and Andi loved throwing a big ball back and forth. It hit her in the head and she exclaimed, "Oh, gosh!" We all looked at each other and wondered where she heard that or did we hear her wrong. Nope, she said it again. It was pretty cute and funny but I tried to teacher her that she should not say that. Lately she has been saying, "Oopsie Daisy" instead. In the house Andi found some stuffed puppy dogs dressed as pirates. Andi would go around holding them saying, "Arrrr, Matey!"
We took a break from skiing our second day (snowed all day long-so I might not have enjoyed skiing this day anyway). We went tubing. This way we could enjoy and activity with Shawn (since he was not skiing-and Nana too). You can see how hard it was snowing by looking at this pic of Dave's frozen mustache! Yes, I said mustache. Something about ski trips (or trips in general) make Dave feel like he needs to grow/wear a mustache. Funny because now that he has shaved it off, Andi will say, "Daddy? You don't have a mustache? You shaved it."
We went to Frasier Hill and rented tubes. We asked the guy on the road directed people (and trying to draw in business) if our two year old (although only 22 months old) could ride. He told us to tell them that she was three. Well, I don't think they asked so we signed the waiver and went for it. I got my tube, put Andi in my lap, wrapped my legs and arms around her and Dave gave us a push. We went flying down the mountain. Wow wee! So fun. The snow and wind was hitting our faces so hard, I took of my neck warmer and put it over Andi's face to help keep her warm and free of wind burn. Instead of having to climb back up the hill, they had a pulley. You sat in the tube and it pulled you back up to the top. Genius!

22 months old

"I love you, Pearl Pearl."

"Clap your feet!"

Andi is a little talker! She impresses me daily with words she knows and phrases she can say. She talks in only complete sentences and the things she says are so sweet. "Thank you mommy for changing my diapie." A couple of other cute things she has said this past month: "Daddy is a big boy. Mommy, you're a big girl." "I'm a big girl. I don't need my paci." (Although she is still using her pacifier. We thought we might need it on the drive through the mountains on our way to Colorado, so now we might seriously consider having her give them up.) "Nana, your name's you and my name is me." "Shhh..Nana. Let's surprise Papa." "I'm cold. I need to put my jacket on." When we ask, "How old are you?" Andi will respond with, "I turn two in March." When I go to check her diaper, she will say, "I don't like to smell poo-poo." What makes my heart really melt is when she says, "I want to hold you, Mommy. Hold you all the time."

Andi still loves to sing. Her new accomplishment is being able to sing her Months of the Year. That's right! January through December! She has been singing all the verses to "Wheels on the Bus" a lot lately. She also likes to sing Dumbo's "I've seen an elephant flyyyyyy" She is sure to hold out the word "fly" as long and as loud as she can. Pretty cute. She also likes "Ring Around the Rosie" as she walks in circles and "Row, Row, Row your Boat" and "Oh, Mister Sun." She loves to sing, "Old MacDonald" and also enjoys "Jesus loves the little Children" and "Jesus loves Me." If Dave or I are singing or humming, Andi will ask, "What are you singing, Mommy/Daddy?" Andi has started singing in church. She sings what ever song she feels like singing while the congregation is singing. Cute!

She did something funny in church (01/15/12). We were all bowing our heads to pray. Andi looked at me and yelled, "Wake-up, Mommy!" Ha! So now I explain to her that we are going to pray before we bow our heads. She also called me "Shara" (01/12/12). She now knows that my name is Shara and Daddy's name is Dave.

Andi has become even more observant lately. She is very into her colors and knows green, blue, yellow, red, black, white, pink, and orange. She wants to know, "What color is it, Mommy?" as she points to an object or picture. I know she has always been a good listener and watches everything going on around her, but now she clearly verbalizes everything she is doing and seeing. Now that her carseat is facing forward, she loves to look out the window. She will tell me what she sees: "Mommy, look at the horses!" "Do you see all those birds?" "I see a big ole hawk." (She has been saying "big ole" to describe things-funny!) "Now we're going faster!" She will also point out the stop signs, and guess what!, she can spell stop. When asked to spell stop, she will say, "S-T-O-P, stop." She can also spell her name: A-N-D-I, Andi. So proud of my intelligent little girl!

Andi has continued on with her pretend play. She loves to have Nana or Mommy and Daddy sit with her at her play table (thanks, Gram) and serve us play food. She also likes to give her baby a bath and a bottle. She will use soap and a wash rag and bathe her baby then brush its teeth and hair. She has a Fisher-price zoo and she loves playing with her "zoo animals" and has to weigh, feed, and wash them. Andi also wants to pretend to be different animals from time to time. "Look, Mommy! I'm walking like a penguin!" "Daddy, fly like a parrot." She is now trying to jump. Pretty funny to watch. She will tippie toe on one leg and say, "jump!" She will pretend to sleep and even fake "snores" when laying down. Another funny thing she says is "How does Papa sneeze?" And will then yell, "Ahhh, Ahhh, Ahhh-CHOOOOOO!" "How does Andi sneeze?" In a tiny voice, "Ah Choo." Silly girl. She will often say, "That's silly!" or "Silly Goose!" She likes the Mommy/Baby relationship. She will see an animal and say, "Look! A Mommy horse. Where's its baby?" Or better yet, "Oh look at the teeny, tiny puppy dog. It needs its mommy." Adorable!!!

Still loves to read. Her favorite books include: The Big Red Tub, Panda Bear, Panda Bear, "Lucy" (My New School), The Going to Bed Book, Row Your Boat; all of which she can now easily read/recite to me. Genius baby!

Andi still sleeps in her crib and is an excellent sleeper. Andi usually tells us when she is ready for bed “Ready for bed.” “I want to go to bed. I want to go night-night.” ...although sometimes we have to let her know it is bedtime. She usually does not put up a fight. Yay! In her crib she wants a couple pacifiers, blanket, stuffed animal, and pillow. Bedtime is usually 8:30 and wakes by about 6:45.

Andi eats well. Lately she asks for "macaroni" or "chicken nuggets." She will usually eat most of what is on her plate. Loves "mash-ups."

Andi is pretty petite and able to wear most 12-24 months clothes (although the 24 month size pants usually fall off of her and we have to roll them up). Size 6 shoes. She is in a size 4 diaper.

I wish that I could capture every moment and every cute thing she says and does so I can relive these precious moments later in life!

Our New House

OK, so I have been meaning to post some pictures of our new house for a few months now (since we moved in August), and I am just now getting around to it. I took these pictures before Christmas. Since then we have done a little redecorating (and taken down the Christmas decor, of course). With that said, I guess I need to take some NEW pictures of the rooms that we have made changes to. Those will come later (hopefully soon...).

The front of the house (looks pretty with Christmas lights up, doesn't it?)The entry way

Dining Room

Office

Living Room

(after Christmas we have added a new rug and loveseat/oversized chair (not shown here) pics to come soon)

Kitchen

Hallway

Half bath

Master bedroom

Master bath

Then we go upstair...

Living room

Andi's playroom
(I has been painted since I took this picture (completed the painting last night). It is now a deep yellow/gold color)

Andi's bathroom (next to the playroom). It is a Jack & Jill bath. Guest bedroom (connected to Jack & Jill bath)
Andi's nursery
Guest bath
connects to guest roomBack porch

Backyard

Side of backyard with Andi's playground/fort (swings and slide)

Christmas 2011

Christmas this year was a lot of fun! Andi was not so sure about all of the Santa hype at first, but I think she warmed up to him. She will sometimes ask, “What did Santa bring?” I think she has heard a few people ask her this question. We had been wanting to take Andi to have her picture taken with Santa for some time, but whenever we asked her, “Andi, do you want to go see Santa?” She would respond with, “No, I don’t like Santa.” So we took her up to see Santa from a distance a few times to try to warm her up to the idea of taking a picture with him. Well, we finally decided to do it the first day we were off for Christmas break. I got Andi dressed and then asked if she wanted to go see Santa. She of course said, “No.” I then called Uncle Shawn and talked to him as though he was Santa. I put the phone up to Andi’s ear and she got to hear Santa tell her that he wanted her to come see him today and come take a picture with him. We put Andi in the car and began the very short (5 minute) drive to The Real Bookstore to see Santa. And would you believe that she fell asleep on the way up there?! I told Dave that maybe we should just try again later. He said that we were here and she is dressed so we should just do it…and I’m glad we did. Dave got Andi out of the car and she stayed asleep on his shoulder the whole time while we stood in line (probably about 20 minutes). Probably a good thing that she stayed asleep because she did not have the chance to think about going to see Santa or fear seeing him. When it was finally her turn, Dave placed Andi in Santa’s lap and her eyes opened. Santa was trying to shade her eyes with his hand, but we told him that it was ok. We wanted her to wake up to take a picture. The photographer took a few quick pics of Andi (before she had time to realize where she was). Her picture is a bit expressionless (because she just woke up), but she is not crying! We asked her if she wanted to give Santa a high-five after and she did! No tears or fears. Yay! After we asked her about it and she smiles and says, “Go take a picture with Santa.” She did such a wonderful job-I was so proud of her! It was time for lunch after taking her picture so we let her choose and she said she wanted a hamburger. We took her to Mooyah Burger. (Might be her favorite place! Loved cheeseburgers, fries, and chocolate milkshake (but it must be chocolate!))

We had a week long (or maybe longer) Christmas celebration. We started off the celebration by school letting out for two weeks! That is enough reason to celebrate, right. (Andi got RSV the week before the break and had to miss her last week of school, including her class party…not that she missed it or knew anything about it.) Saturday night my parents hosted my Dad’s family Christmas. We had lots of aunts, uncles, cousins, etc over…including Andi’s great grandfather. Pretty neat. We did the annual Christmas exchange game and Dave and I actually went home with good presents this year, which is a first! Then on Thursday we celebrated Christmas with my parents and my brothers and their wives. So fun! We got some wonderful presents and gave some pretty neat gifts too. More importantly, it was great all being together. We wanted to celebrate early because we were left early Friday morning to drive to Lubbock to see my Mom’s family, including Andi’s great grandmother. We had a good time and while there we also celebrated Meemaw’s birthday. She was completely surprised (maybe because her birthday isn’t until February). But my mom and aunt wanted to do it this way so the whole family could be there together and help celebrate her. It was really special. My mom and aunt put a lot of thought, heart, and energy into making it special and memorable. While in Lubbock we got to see snow! Yes, snow! Beautiful. (We just didn’t want to get snowed in.) We left Lubbock Saturday afternoon to head back home before Christmas Day. We had a car-full: me, Dave, Andi, Shane, Anna Lee, Shawn, and Lynley…all in one vehicle!
Christmas morning was special, as always, but even more so this year watching Andi get excited as she opened presents. We were then finished opening presents (most of the presents-there are still a couple that Andi didn’t open…she had all she needed/wanted and got busy playing with her new toys). We showed her that there we a couple more to open, but she must have decided she would save those for later. After presents we fixed breakfast (and coffee-Dave and I both got lots of coffee in our stockings). As we were about to get ready for church, the doorbell rings-Gram and Grandavs had arrived. They were planning to meet us at church, but got in early. We said hello and Merry Christmas and then we got dressed and headed to church. Guess what Andi wanted to take to church with her…her large plastic dinosaur that was in her stocking. People at church thought this was too funny (and pretty cute). Andi was very interested in singing and would even continue to sing after the congregation had finished. She was singing Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer over and over. Pretty precious (although a little difficult to explain to her to be quiet or whisper when saying a prayer-when all she wanted to do was continue to sing).
After church we went home and ate some turkey and dressing and waited for the rest of Dave’s family to arrive: Chloe, Andrew, and Samuel. They had already eaten lunch so told us to eat without them and we would fix a big dinner (I made Chicken Enchiladas for dinner and they were wonderful!). When they got to the house, we opened presents, lots of presents! It was fun to all be together. After opening presents and playing with them for a little while, we decided to all go for a walk to the park. We put the babies in the strollers, bundled up, and headed out. Andi loves the park/playground! Absolutely loves it! Then we headed back home and I started cooking dinner while the babies napped. We spent the evening hanging out and enjoying family time. It was wonderful having everyone together. The next day, we went to JCPenney and had family pictures taken. Gram had been wanting some pictures of all of us and I am glad we did it. They turned out really well.
The fun continued Thursday night with Game Night Extravaganza! We always look forward to this, but my dad looks forward to it even more, I think. We play games as couples and the couple that wins, get to pick a wrapped present as their prize. The presents are worth playing for! Dave and I did really well and went home the biggest winners (unlike last year!). In Shane’s defense, he was not feeling well and the next morning went to the Emergency Room and was diagnosed with Meningitis! Scary! They kept him for a few days to give him antibiotics and see if bacterial cultures came back positive, but thankfully it was viral. Still scary and caused him some awful headaches. They spent New Year’s Eve and Day in the hospital. They didn’t know they would go all out and spend big bucks on celebrating New Year’s! He is better now and back to work, thankfully!