Eliza's 1st

Wow, I've had this video put together for a while now and just have had no time to put it on. I figured that I better get it up before I put Finley's on in a month. Where has all the time gone? Brian was gone over Eliza's birthday so we had a week's worth of celebrating. Come to find out, she is like her sister and doesn't care for the actual cake, just frosting. I can't believe a year has come and gone. Everyone told me how on the second child your number of pictures of them and attention to detail kind of slips. So true, I feel bad that I don't have 500 pictures of Eliza's first year, but things are busier and just because I don't have 500 pictures doesn't mean my love for her is less.

Eliza likes to do everything at her own pace. And though she's taken 4 or 5 steps by herself, she thinks it's funnier to stand and then fall on her bum and just look at you and laugh mockingly saying 'Oh got you! You want me to walk but I think it's funnier to watch your face when I don't.' What a toad! She continues to eat and sleep so well and wants to be in Finley's shadow all the time. The two are playing more and more together now. Eliza also has an obsession with shoes! She's only one and that's what she gets most excited about to wear. Is this a sign of things to come? Her teeth are coming in and she loves to give you this cheesy grin to show them off. Eliza really is such an easy going and happy child. Sometimes I feel bad for Brian because she is such a mama's girl. She'll give me kisses all the time, but not once has she given him one. Her big blue eyes are constantly smiling at you. And though she doesn't look like she has much hair, it's there and coming in strong. I can't wait for the summer to sit out on the grass and watch my two girls chase each other around. It's amazing how much you can love your children and love them individually for who they are.

Life

What can I say, I have no pictures for this post, I'm actually not sure how I've found time to write this. Life has been upside down and to tell you the truth, I don't think I could tell you what day it is. These last few weeks (and months) Brian's work has gone through the roof. He's working 11-14 hour days and that sometime doesn't include the hour drive to and from work. He leaves before we get up, and gets home with 20 mins to spare to hang with his girls before they go to bed. My work has been keeping me busy on top of being a mom, homemaker, wife and taking 20 credit hours of school for my job. I guess that since Bri and I are both in the ski industry it's nothing short of normal for this time of the year. The holiday's were so fun and over so quickly. In one short week my baby is turning ONE! Where does the time go?

Eliza now has four teeth with more on the way, she loves crawling up stairs but hasn't decided she wants to know how to go down, she stands for mins on end and will walk with you holding her hands, the formula and bottle are nothing she wants to deal with (it's all about big people food) and she loves to eat, some of her favorite toys are shoes, she's a chatter box and loves to make all sorts of sounds but mostly 'OOOOHHHH', and she wants to be doing anything and everything that her big sister is doing. All the hand me downs of her sister worked for about 3 months but now are not working since the ones that do fit are for the wrong season. Unlike her quiet reserved sister, she is a social butterfly (we may have to teach her stranger danger). I've decided that when she decides to do something she just does it, but is laid back to do as she pleases.

Finley is now a Sunbeam at church and loves every minute of it (mostly the singing part), she goes to preschool twice a week and still does ballet, she's being more protective of her baby sister and will tell anyone that she's a big sister, her love for being outside continues to grow and keeps asking when does she get to go skiing, she loves her time with her papa and insists that we need to go to St. George so they can ride bikes together. Her memory never ceases to amaze me and her love for movies is like her uncle Spencer's. Play dates are one of her most favorite past times, and has already asks what sleepovers mean. She is more girly then I know how to deal with sometimes, but I love her independence and strong opinions. I can't believe that she will turn 4 in March already.

I love watching my girls play and just love each other. The best is that Eliza will crawl over to Fin and just sit or lay on her and Fin can't move. I love my blue eyed wonder and my brown eyed sweetness. Life is good, busy, and adventurous.

Classic

Finley has been doing ballet for 4 months and they had their first recital on Friday. She has been SO excited for it and couldn't wait to dress up (minus the tights debacle) and dance on the big stage. Her class were little presents and their purple costumes were darling! Luckily this performance was on rehearsal night (we couldn't make the actual event). We had grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles there so we were excited to show them what she's been working on. I have to go through picture by picture and give detail on the leading up to the actual dance.

First picture. All smiles and can't wait to go on. Cutest little ballerina.

Finley with her friend Kennedy. Still happy.

Pretty smile. Again, still happy and asking 'When do we go on?'

Ah oh, rubbing of eyes and saying 'Mom I just want to go home.' It begins.

Not sure and still on the verge of crying.

On the big stage getting ready to go. Eyes are watering, still saying 'I just want to go home.'

Take 1

(This is a classic video of a 3 1/2 year old and their first ballet recital). We tried cheering her on, dancing in front of her, nothing worked. You'll even notice in the video that the teach must have said something to her and she shook her head and said I can't. It may make you giggle. (She's the second one in from the left)

Take 2

(I promise she really did know the dance quite well. I think the lack of a nap didn't help either. Maybe if we had one more go she would have done it all)

Did I mention I had to bribe her with an Ice Cream Cone to get her to just do it once? Love it! I guess I'm lucky that she is humble and not attention getter right?

An Elf named Roxy

This is something that I just learned existed this week. 'Elf on a Shelf.' It's this darling book and Elf that helps keeps kids excited and good for Christmas.

Last night Santa left a gift for Finley and Eliza.

So we opened it.

The 'instruction manual', book.

According the the book this little elf is magical. They sit around somewhere in your house and watch you to make sure you are happy and good. Then magically at night they fly home to the North Pole to update Santa on how you are. Then the next morning you have to look around your house to see where the little elf is watching you from. The book has a cute story to explain the elf and what they do. It tells how on Christmas Day they go back home to help Santa until next year when they come back again to keep an eye on you. The book states that you have to name your elf so they know they belong to you, Fin chose the name 'Roxy'.

I've been wanting to start a few little traditions of our own and I thought this is a cute and unique idea. I highly recommend getting one of your own.

Two Cuties

It has been a chaotic last few weeks, ok maybe even a month or so, and I haven't gotten any pictures like I've wanted to. Thanksgiving was wonderful and freezing! We went to 'The Barn' in Bondurant, WY with my in-laws and it was a great time. Lots of yummy food and family togetherness. The kids ventured outside for maybe 20 mins because the temps hit a high of 3 degrees. We went into Jackson for a day to do a little shopping, and ate at Billy's Burgers (some of the yummiest, messiest burgers you'll have). We drove out to the Elk Refuge where there were lots of big elk, plus saw lots of Bald and Golden Eagles along the drive.

Work for both Brian and I has been extra busy. In fact, Bri has had to spend the night 2-3 times a week in Salt Lake and feels like we haven't seen him in weeks. I know its good he's busy because that means that business is good. And don't worry he's had his fair share of ski days in there too. The fact that Brian and I are both in the ski industry means November through April are pretty hectic. I'm not sure who is more excited for Christmas, the girls or me. We put up the tree this year and have a few presents underneath already. I've forgotten what it's like having a mobile infant and having to watch her and the tree every 5 seconds. I'm looking forward to starting new traditions and just enjoying this month and all it has to bring.

I was able to get the girls to hold still for .2 seconds to get these two pictures. Not much but better then just reading text. :)

9 Months

My sweet little Eliza Ann (Liza Lou, Liza Blue Eyes, Li Li). You have hit the 9 month mark and I feel like that is a big number. You're so close to turning 1 and I'm afraid the next few months of the 'baby' stage are going to go quickly. I admire that you don't worry about what stage you're at and when you decide to do something it's all or nothing. One day you just decided you wanted to crawl and the next thing I knew you were across the room and down the hall. No army scoot, up and away you went. There's a feeling your dad and I have that because of your pattern's and that you have no teeth yet, we are going to look in your mouth one of these days and all of them will be there. I've had to baby proof the house and I've forgotten how you little ones learn to explore and get stuck in the most unforeseen places. Your giggle and smile is so contagious, and your eyes say it all. Those big brilliant blue eyes catch everyones attention. My heart melts every time you snuggle into my chest and give me loves with your little arms. We had your 9 month check up last week and even though you still have cute little rolls, you're starting to even out, 17.5 lbs and 27 1 /2 inches long. Yes you have hair, it's super blonde but lots of is. Finley adores you and you her. I love watching the two of you play and tease each other. We walked each week to take Fin to school and you can't wait to go pick her up. You're waving Hi and Good Bye, say dada and mama, and love giving Hi-5's. Sleep? Well that is not an issue in your book. 12-13 hours a night and two naps of 2+ hours. Food? Another nonissue. You love to eat and you've you discovered how to drink out of a cup, it did take a couple weeks of lapping it like a puppy but you got it. French fries are one of your favorites but there's not much you turn down. Forget baby toys, you want to play with anything and everything your big sister has. I love you with all my heart and look forward to all the future has to bring with you!

Loving the french fries

Like your sister, you love being outside

My baby is growing up

Brian's 'Work'

I have to post these incredible pictures from Brian's work this past week. Yes, this is current and YES that is a lot of snow in the mountains (like waist deep). Ok so apart from getting up at 4:45 am to 'go to work' there's not much sympathy on Bri's work lately. All the employees go for a few hours before actually going into the office. They head up to Alta to go touring on their new touring set ups (plus the resorts aren't open yet). It's a lot of hard work and a good work out from what I can tell. They do in fact get a lot of work accomplished while on the mountain, and who wouldn't with this scenery? I'm very proud of Brian and his hard work with this new job. I can tell he loves it and wants the companies to grow.

Hey if anyone's in need of new skis, I know a guy. ;)