Thursday, January 30, 2014

Annabel::2 Years

Time flies! Isn't that how all birthday posts begin? It's said so often it's almost cliche, but man! Where does the time go?! No babies in my house. And none on the way.

If Annabel is indeed my last baby, she is quite the finale! She is full of it! She is the happiest thing. I know I say she is crazy a lot, but I have to say it again. She's crazy!! She is brave and daring. She is loud and adventurous! She climbs on things, still. She's always balancing on ledges and jumping off of things. She will try ANYTHING she sees her older brothers doing. She sings and rocks baby dolls, and always has to bring an armful of them in the car. I looked up the other day and she was peddling a tricycle. Backwards, but still! I will not be surprised if one day this year she just picks up a book and reads it.

I have got to capture her walking on video, because everywhere she goes, she struts. No walking. It's either running or strutting her stuff. It's hilarious!

A couple months ago she decided she just didn't want to wear her diaper anymore. And so she used the toilet instead. It only works if she is naked, but still! :) Diapers are nearly a thing of the past!

She is my earliest potty trainer and my earliest to be done with pacifiers. Pacifiers were by accident, but still! She was really addicted! One day we couldn't find any. She asked. We said, "nope". And she slept without one, no problem. Hasn't looked back.

She eats almost anything and everything. She will eat vegetable soup with quinoa and kale for breakfast because she loves it. She eats spicy food and vegetables. What more could a mother of multiple children ask for? Just eat the food! And she does!

For her birthday we celebrated Lalaloopsy style. She has a Lalaloopsy doll that she loves and watches a Lalaloopsy movie that we found on Netflix. I find it fascinating that she loves girly things. She calls it "Loopy". And anytime Netflix is turned on Annabel will be shouting, "Loopy", which actually sounds more like "Yoopy"!
I made a fun Lalaloopsy cake with a new Lalaloopsy doll I got her, that turned out far better than I expected (cakes can easily go either way). It's been a while since I have been craftily inspired since having a 4th child, starting a business and homeschooling a 3rd and 5th grader. It was fun!

Annabel is a blessing and a joy.


Wednesday, January 1, 2014

2013::Year End Wrap-Up


Christmas 2013

Is 30 pictures too many? Well there might be about that many and I'm just going with it. With my lack of blogging consistency I sort of have to make up for it when I make it over to the space with pictures.
This year was similar to last except that Rachel and her family stayed in Kansas this year. :( We went to my mom's for Christmas Eve and my Dad's for Christmas Day dinner. Rand's mom came from Phoenix and stayed with us for the holidays as well.

We're sad that Christmas is over and we have the dull, dreariness of a long winter to face, but we are looking forward to good things in 2014. I even got an AeroGarden for Christmas which I've already planted and am waiting for herbs to spring up....which really gets me thinking about spring and gardens and that's something we can start doing now!

Without further ado....Christmas pictures!


Christmas Eve (the bag was her idea)
Jon winning over Annabel with food (an easy thing to do)
Jordan with a straw in the ranch. (not really)


Tired, but present

Annabel winning over Travis with her charm
 no winning-over needed

"Just Dance" Champ

Jordan is sad because he out ate his 3rd outfit. :(

And then Jetson ran across the house covered in mud

On to Christmas morning!
 
"Dad, look!"
he likes it
Brendan is wearing my clothes/pjs because of our Christmas pajama disaster. I'm a little disturbed that that sweatshirt fits him so well. CLASS OF '95, BABY!  (there's a weapon in that box)
Brendan giving Grandma a gift he made
my favorite Christmas picture of all