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I promise, I'm still taking pictures!

I realize I haven't been posting nearly as many pictures as I normally do, and I've really neglected our Shutterfly site. In actuality, I am still taking pictures (a lot in fact!). I'm not taking nearly as many as I used to (most months I was taking 300+!!), but I'm still capturing all of the kids' cute moments. Ever since the switch to the new computer, it's been tough trying to edit, crop and catalog all of the pictures. I'm slowly playing catch up, so the Shuttefly site should be updated today or tomorrow.

All I Want for Christmas is Lunch

I've spent the last few weeks trying to explain the concept of Christmas to Riley. I know the combination of Jesus' birthday and Christmas trees is a confusing one for her, but once she heard the word "presents" I'm pretty sure she stopped hearing anything else :) I've really struggled with helping her find the line between being grateful and being really, really excited for Christmas. I can't wait to see her face on Christmas morning, but I also realize she needs to understand the concept of gratefulness and appreciation (in a 2 year old kind of way). It's funny, because on some days I ask her what she wants for Christmas and she screams "toys!" because she knows that's what she's supposed to say, but on other days she has a totally different answer. Here are some of my favorites:

"Don't want anyfing!"

"Want lunch for Christmas."

"A rolley fing with Goldfish" (aka "a rolling thing with Goldfish," and no I'm not sure where she got that from, as all of our Goldfish come in a bag)

We just finished putting up the tree, so I'm excited to see the kids reaction in the morning. We put Emerson to bed before we even started, as I was pretty sure he couldn't handle all of the excitement or the lack of attention :) We let Riley stay up a little past her bedtime to help put up a few of her ornaments. She was beyond excited to see that we had fruit ornaments. She was tempted to try a few of the grapes, so we had to explain the difference between real and fake fruit. My dad has sent a few presents to the house, so Riley has already memorized who they belong to.

Emerson has no idea what is going on, but I have a feeling he's going to be really excited about all of the wrapping paper and tissue paper. He's a huge fan of paper and a huge fan of Riley (especially when she's excited), so it's going to be a big day for him! He's personality is really starting to shine through and I'm constantly reminded of what a happy kid he is. He's such a joy to be around and always has a huge smile on his face. His unhappiest moments are when he isn't being held or fed. He's a big fan of both! I've started sign language with him and I can already see his brain starting to process the signs. He always laughs when we do it, so I know he's paying attention. He's also learning Riley's name, because whenever I say "Let's go get Riley" he starts to smile and get excited.

Brent wants everyone to know that he made his own egg nog (now if only those egg nog skills could translate to dinner :) It looks a lot like snot and smells a lot like what I imagine a fruit cake smells like. I'm pretty sure he's going to try and hide it in my cereal or something, because I refuse to try it. Luckily you can smell it from miles away!

We're all getting excited for the upcoming holidays and really looking forward to my dad and Cameron's visit. Brent was able to take quite a few days off, so he gets to enjoy some festive activities with us. We have an exciting month ahead of us!!

Love from the kiddos

Favorite phrase: No, I da boss!
Favorite game: playin' wif playdoh
Favorite show: Dora the Explorer
Favorite foods: whipt keem (whipped cream), bananas, cheese, orange
Loves to read: "Fancy Nancy," "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus," and "No, David"
Good habits: saying "please" and "thank you," giving hugs, saving her "moneys"
Bad habits: bossing people around, sitting on her brother's face, hiding her messes
Stupid human trick: memorizing a book after only reading it a few times
Latest news: She's finally getting some new teeth!
Loves: dressing up, eating snacks, swimming, reading books, drawing, and weekends with Dad
Dislikes: being told "no," sleeves that are too long, naptime, sharing with Emerson, hot dogs


Favorite time of day: morning
Least favorite time of day: 4-7:30 (sour hours!)
Favorite food: apples
Latest achievement: cruising along the couch
Favorite person: mom!
Good habits: giving hugs and kisses, smiling at everyone, early morning cuddling
Bad habits: never leaving mom's sight, crawling all over the closest person available, eating paper
Favorite toys: paper, stacking cups, anything that lights up
Latest news: He has his first teeth FINALLY!
Loves to: grunt when you don't feed him fast enough, jump on the bed with Riley and fly in the air
Dislikes: playing alone, plain rice cereal, nose picking

preceding a day of thanks

tomorrow figures to be a day of food, family, and general busyness... and in the rush it may be easy to forget to remember why it will be special. for one, life without people in it is a life not well spent. tomorrow when i get up, i will have the three most important people surrounding me all day. life is far from perfect, but when you are surrounded by people very dear to you, the small things make the big things less big and the small things bigger. an odd way of saying all the time in between is the time i cherish the most. to my family. i love you all. steph. riley. emerson. i am a content being.

The Mimic and Me

I've come to find out that Riley is the perfect mimic. Not only can she remember EVERYTHING you say, she also manages to look completely oblivious while listening to every word that you say. Here are a few of my favorites:

"Mommy, that's enough now."

"Please stop fussin, Emerson."

"No sir, Emerson!"

"Maybe when I'm older or maybe right now."

"Put something in my hair Mommy!"

"That is my hair. Stop touching please."

"I'm having a few minutes."

"Maybe 30 minutes we go."

"My feets really cold. Riley needs socks."

"That's not a doog idea." (doog is her version of good)

It's been a VERY long while...

Yes, we're still alive and yes, our computer still works. I just can't seem to find the time to sit down and write. We've had a busy couple of weeks and lately I'm lucky to remember what day it is!


Last Friday, Riley turned 2. It's hard to believe that the tiny little girl I brought home is now a toddler. She's an amazing little girl and I feel so lucky to be a part of her life. She got to spend a very special day with both of us on her birthday (Brent even took the day off!) and had a wonderful party at the park with some of her closest friends. Other than the muddy grass, we really couldn't have picked a better day! I can't think of many places that can brag about a sunny, cloudless, 70 degree day in the middle of November!!

This past weekend, Brent's parents along with all of his great grandparents made the drive down to see us. This was the first time that the great grandparents met Riley and Emerson. Riley warmed up instantly and Emerson charmed them with his smile. We had a great time seeing everyone, we just wish we could live closer. Both of the kids loved all the attention!!