Easter

We had a gorgeous Easter Weekend, so sunny and warm.  We went to our Ward's Easter Egg Hunt and then relaxed while Norah napped.  Ben and I have differing opinions regarding when the "Easter Bunny" comes.  His family always celebrated the Easter Bunny on Sunday, Easter, and my family always celebrated the Easter Bunny the Saturday before, so we could focus on the REAL reason for Easter on Sunday.  We haven't been able to compromise on our differing traditions thus far, but usually I win and we do baskets on Saturday, so that we can start eating the candy already!  SO, during Norah's nap Ben decided the Easter Bunny would come and leave Norah's basket for her to wake up to.  She was beyond thrilled to see the basket, but rather than try to get the candy open she picked it aside and started playing with the Easter grass.  Once she discovered the pure deliciousness of the candy though we couldn't pry her away.  She has only gotten a few pieces here and there after that though, her mom and dad ate the rest :)  We enjoyed a relaxing Sabbath the next day, up until Ben had to leave get to Portland for some training the next day.  Grateful for a source of income though, a comfortable place to live, wonderful family, and our Savior Jesus Christ.  Happy Easter!

Yep, these are the best pictures I got.  My daughter does not pose for the Camera...especially when she is preoccupied ;)

Look What I Made

My Mother would be so proud!  When I was pregnant with Norah my mom convinced me that I could sew my own burp-clothes.  Now I knew how to sew on a button and I could repair minor rips and tears in clothing, but I had never used a sewing machine before.  My mom showed me the ropes and I spent the rest of the day working on the burp clothes.  It took forever!  Since then I have gotten a bit more practice and attempted a few other projects, although I would still call myself a beginner! 
My friend convinced me that I would definitely need new burp clothes this time around since I am having a baby boy.  I can't lay little man on my shoulder with a PINK burp cloth under his tiny face.  So I've been working on a new set for him and am finally finished.  They were so much easier this time, although actually finding the time to sew becomes a bit complicated with a little toddler underfoot  :)

Making these helped it sink in that I am going to be a mommy to a little BOY and got me quite excited for his arrival.  Just 11 more weeks...

Such a cute little girl with such a great sense of style!  I asked Ben to go out and get me a few things at the store before dinner.  He willingly said he'd take Norah along for the ride.  When I saw her "going out attire" I couldn't stop laughing.  Ben tried to hurry and get out the door before I could take pictures but when I asked Norah to pose for the picture and she raised her arms, Ben and I were both laughing. Not only was she one silly looking little girl, but she still had the tags on her new consignment shop raincoat.  I cut the tag for her and she was off with daddy to the store.  They reportedly had a great time just the two of them.  Might have to send them off without me more often :) Aren't Daddy's the best?!

Rainy Days and Mondays Always Get Me Down

Norah has become very aware of the weather and her environment.  She get's excited to see the sun come out(don't we all these days!) and knows when the moon comes out because the sun goes to bed.  She loves to look out the windows in her bedroom.  She listens for the choo choo, watches for the birds, or lately she thinks every time she looks out the window daddy will be out walking on the path because we saw him last week out the window as he was taking out the garbage :)

She's not allowed to touch the window or stand up to it, but this was her testing the limits.  Such a stinker!

We spend a lot of time watching the rain come down these days.  But there is nobody I'd rather spend a rainy day with!  Alright it might be nice to have Ben with us every now and then ;)

28 is Great!

Today has been a perfect day!  As I've grown older I seem to like Birthday's less and less, but today was an exception.  What more could I have asked for?  You just can't beat waking up to the smiling face of a toddler, especially MY toddler.  We then had a yummy breakfast of fruit crepes.  Ben offered to bring it to me in Bed, but who really wants to eat in their bed? Gross. 

Our friends watched Norah for us this afternoon so Ben and I could get out and enjoy some time together.  We had a nice lunch where I didn't have to worry about if Norah needed a diaper change or if she was going to like what I ordered.  In fact I didn't even have to share :)  It was wonderful!  And then back home this evening to a dinner of Crab and Artichokes, delicious!  Such a great day with the ones I love; this is going to be a good year.  Wonderful Hubby, Beautiful daughter, and another precious baby reminding me of his presence more and more each day.  (still sinking in that we're having a boy!) Happy 28 to me! Yikes, that sounds old!

Norah is going to be a Big Sister to a....

 Little BROTHER! 

21 Weeks with Baby # 2 and it's a BOY!

Chistmas at Our House

We had a cozy Christmas here in Washington.  We missed our families but really enjoyed the time we had with our little family.  Norah was in Heaven with all the fun wrapping paper and ribbons to play with, before and after Christmas.

 We planned on getting Norah only one gift, because she is too young to care and she really didn't need anymore toys.  However the one gift idea expanded as we stumbled upon gifts that we knew she would LOVE.  I can see how hard it is to not spoil your children. 

 She did love all her fun little gifts we got her, but her most favorite was a Farm House my sister passed onto us because she didn't have room for it at her house anymore.  Norah would play with the Farm House and animals every waking hour if I didn't pull her away for meal times and diaper changes etc.  She does usually have at least one of the animals in her hand though.  Maybe a future veterinarian? or Farmer :)

Her very own laptop!

Animal Train from Grandma B.  She takes it apart and carries around the heads of the animals.

 These last pictures are from Christmas Eve.  We thought instead of trying to read from the scriptures about Jesus Birth, Norah would much rather have it acted out with her own little Nativity Set. Ben summed up the story and Norah was actually interested and listening, it was fun to watch.

I know these pictures of Norah are not very flattering, and the lighting is so poor, but I can't help but laugh, she looks like a teenager already, not excited about having her picture taken but posing nonetheless.  I love my girl!

And lastly, Christmas Eve PJ's!  Ben refused to pose in his new PJ's, but they are pretty cute on him!

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Some Light Reading

Where does she pick this stuff up?  Must be in her genes, from her daddy, not me.  Guess I can't blame her, diaper changes are a bore.

 And she'd prefer to stay naked, but can you blame her with that hot bod :)

Treats

I love baking around this time of year.  Not only does the oven make the house nice and toasty, but I can't resist a good treat!  I tried my hand at caramel and chocolate dipped pretzel rods this week.  They tasted amazing but were as ugly as ever.  I need to work on my chocolate dipping skills I guess, it's a lot harder than it seems.  

Tonight Ben and I made Sugar Cookies.  They were delicious!  I used my mom's recipe, they were super soft, and just perfect!  We made a cream cheese frosting for the tops though, Ben is a sucker for cream cheese.  Merry Christmas and Happy Baking!

Pardon Us

I guess you could say we are still settling it, but we are mostly just enjoying one another's company and exploring our new surroundings.  There's a park just up the hill from where we live.  It makes for a great workout for me, and Norah loves the slides and swings.  

We put up our Christmas decor and have been teaching Norah about it.  She says Santa so sweetly and then follows with a "ho ho ho".  For Family Home Evening we talked about what all the different symbols of Christmas mean.  It was over Norah's head, but soon she will understand the real reason we celebrate Christmas.  She is able to point out Jesus in pictures, and is fascinated with our Nativity Set, mostly the sheep and donkey :)  So here's to a great Holiday Season!  We are going to a Christmas Parade tomorrow.  Most towns have their summertime parades, but here there is a Santa Parade.  Can't Wait!