It's only been 74 days since I last posted, but I guess I'll go ahead a do another post anyway.
Our first snowstorm required two-and-a-half people with two-and-a-half shovels to get it all off the sidewalks and driveway. Thank goodness we happen to have a pint-sized kid around to help.
We built Addie's first snowman after finishing the walks. She really loved that snowman...I guess there's no snowman like your first. Sadly, we looked out the window an hour after going inside to find that his head had fallen off. She checked on him frequently throughout the day and each time muttered a "so sad" while frowning out the window in genuine pity.
We went to STG for Thanksgiving and had a swell time. Addie found this extremely oversized hat in the basement and wore it around for a surprisingly long time.
Bapa and Addie fed the sheep together, and Addie was brave enough to feed them right out of her hand.
Addie has been really into mermaids, so Nana helped her become one with this tube scarf. Lately she has been telling me that she is a "big pink mermaid". Hey, if you're going to dream, dream big. And pink.
Cami convinced me that I could have beautiful curly hair with her braiding technique. I was skeptical since I have never achieved curly hair, much (much) less beautiful curly hair, but I decided to give it a shot. She is a smooth talker and convinced two more suckers into doing it, too. So, Thanksgiving night, we watched Phantom of the Opera and braided each other's hair. It was the girliest experience I have ever had, and I enjoyed it.
In the morning we unbraided our hair. I was hoping for lovely curls but, quite honestly, was expecting what I got: matted poodle. Cami's hair, of course, turned out awesome (I'd like to point out here that I braided it). Clare and Caitie's weren't too bad, but not entirely eye-pleasing either. While the rest of us went to wash and brush our hair, Cami stroked hers admiringly. (Please notice the model-esque looks on Cami and Caitie. These girls crack me up. I couldn't ask for better sisters-in-law.)
Sadly, I have forgotten many details about our Thanksgiving, but one was too memorable to forget: Jason accidently smacked Nate a good one in the forehead with a racket (Thanksgiving night), which resulted in busted goggles, a trip to insta-care and stitches. In Jason's defense, they
were playing racquetball, so he was justified in swinging rackets near people's heads. In any other circumstance he would have been flat-out guilty and likely accused of premeditated smackage. I wanted to take a picture, but at the same time, not really. So I didn't.
Having a family where all members are able to fully participate in holiday traditions is fun. Take this gingerbread house, for example: Jason and I made it while Addie ate the candies that she thought wouldn't fit...which was very nearly all of them. Still, it was a family effort to construct this lovely little sugar shack. (Actually, Addie was pretty good at putting the candies onto the freshly squirted frosting lines.)
Addie and I made snowman ornaments out of clay for family night one night. Jason went to play racquetball and so was left out of the family festivities, a mistake he now admits after seeing our awesome creations. Addie insisted that they have big noses.
Addie and her snowman really bonded, even to the point of her putting him down for naps in her bed. And trying to get candy for herself by telling me her snowman earned it.
We decided to do snowmen round #2 in the backyard just in case snowman #1's fate wasn't accidental. We are awesome at building snowmen. We really put a lot of oomph into rolling balls of snow...
... which ended up being too much for Addie. She told me she wanted to go in, so I went to put the shovel away in the shed and came back to find her face down. Don't worry, she was just sleeping, although I'll admit I was worried too at first glance. I checked her breathing before taking pictures.
These are our mommy and baby snowfolks. We had every intention to build a daddy but Addie ran out of fuel. They seem really happy to be in existence. You're welcome, snowpeople.
This is Addie's second Santa encounter. The first one ended with her screaming, "NO! NO!", and that was just when he entered the room. It was at Jason's work party and we told her Santa would be there. She was excited and really wanted to see him, so we waited around for him to show up. The moment he walked in Addie panicked, yelling "NO!" with absolute terror in her eyes. She did better at the ward party a few weeks later, although she wouldn't make eye contact or smile. It was like she knew she couldn't run away because he just kept showing up everywhere, so she just got it over with. Santa looks like he feels the same way.
We went to see the lights at Temple Square a few times. Stunning. Addie talks about it every time she sees a photo of the Salt Lake Temple. Too bad it takes just as long to park as it does to wander around all of Temple Square (visitor centers and nativities included) and admire the lights.
We spent Christmas at home this year and really enjoyed being able to start our own traditions and do the whole Santa part. We filmed Christmas morning but didn't take any photos (what jerks we are!). She ran straight past a play kitchen to my stocking and started going through it with a confused look on her face. "Why did Santa give me a flashlight and candlestick holders?" is what she was thinking. It made more sense after we directed her to her own presents and stocking. She was pretty excited about it all. Then we went to my parents house for more Christmas fun and presents. It was a really enjoyable Christmas...I think having an excited kid helps.
For New Year's we went to Richfield to spend time with Jason's family. Jason pulled us around on a toboggan with the 4-wheeler over bumpy fields. It was awesome. We also sled down the manure pile, making careful alterations to the slope after each ride. We played games, watched movies and ate well. Addie loves going to the farm to see all the animals, and she wasn't dissapointed, even with the cold. She even got to pet some baby goats.
This is what a toddler looks like after a late New Year's night. The love sac made both Addie and I have super static-y hair, which only looks awesome when you're laying down.
Addie went to a birthday party for her buddy, Mya, last Saturday. It was a fun party with perfectly planned activities for little kids.
Here they are all playing with Mya's new toys. Pretty cute. Addie was really excited to go to Mya's party and asked everyday if we were going to Mya's yet. She even hugged the invitation when it came in the mail.
(This is taken while standing underneath an ice arch.)
The biggest ice tower/castle. It was about 20 feet high. He makes the crosses at the top by harvesting icicles from other parts of the tower and resetting them with a little water in new locations. I know because I watched him do it on another tower. Nobody's smart but me!
These were pretty amazing to see: icicles that grow up! The man responsible for the whole event said he "couldn't take credit for those. Strange things happen when it gets really cold." They look like ice flowers with petals all the way up to the top.
Addie was really excited to see the ice castles, but her favorite part-and the part she spent the most time paying attention to- was the walking stick. (The entire ground was made up of ice chunks and was a bit slippery at times, so walking sticks were made available to everyone.) It was pretty amazing how Addie could float above the ground while holding onto the walking stick. I told you it was a magical place.
I liked these pebbly ice forms.
He's hard to see, but the creator is up on top of this ice tower. Addie was pretty impressed by him and kept asking me when his birthday is. He was really nice and talked to everyone while setting harvested icicles in various positions. He also said, "this is only about half of where we can be. If you come back in two weeks that tower right there (pointing to the biggest tower at about 20 feet high) will be about forty feet high." Suddenly, Jason was disappointed that we hadn't waited two more weeks before coming (mostly because he always wants more bang for his buck). So, if anyone reading this is interested in going, I guess you oughta wait two weeks and see it at peak time. It really is pretty amazing to see, even at the midway point (chuckle). Thanks, Stanton and Billie, for coming along on the adventure! We love spending time with you guys!
