Happy Happy

Since Evan's birthday a few weeks ago Autumn has been very into telling people happy birthday.  Although she only says, "Happy".  Anyhow my younger, not quite little anymore, brother came to visit for Martin Luther King Jr.  aka Equality Day weekend, which just so happened to also be his birthday.  So pre-birthday activities included indoor rock climbing in the big city 45 minutes south of her, a drive around Colorado State University, and then dinner at a sports bar and grill.  No pictures of the food, but I had a great bacon burger with a fried egg.

 Autumn outside in my jacket, because we left hers in the car, eating a little snack. "CHEESE"

 Autumn was actually really good at climbing the rock wall.

 CSU:  Not quite sure what goes on in the "WEED LAB", but it is Colorado...

Noah was the designated story time reader.  Autumn's current favorite: "Go Dog Go"

On Noah's actual birthday we went to church, then Noah made us Macoroni and Cheese, Autumn took a nap, then we went on an abbreviated "Cheyenne Boot Tour".

One of my favorite hidden hang-outs with Autumn.

And the library...where we go weekly.  We say more boots, just didn't take pictures with all of them.

Then Noah and I made dinner: steaks, roasted sweet potatoes, pasta and a green salad. 

 Noah wondering what's in his present that Autumn is opening...by the way Noah did Autumn's hair.

 My mom sent a "care" package of a bunch of things Noah likes, so I wrapped them all up individually...so Autumn he could open more presents.

 After Noah was posing with his presents Autumn wanted to pose with all of them too.

 Apparently "creamy chicken" Top Ramen is quite tasty...

 Noah actually got to open this one by himself.

 Blowing out the candles...he got all 25 in one go, too bad he forgot to make a wish.

 Birthday boy plate and cup... Anyone else have the "red plate" for their birthdays?

The new year/Autumn's blog

On New Years Eve after Autumn went to bed Evan and I went over to the neighbors house.  We played "The Man Game" board game, where girls can play, but they better now win.  I was awesome at that game especially with the physical challenges like kick a ping pong ball through a target, flick a coin through a target ect.  The game was taking too long so we didn't finish, but when we called it quits I was in third and Evan had already lost and been kicked out of the game.  Then we all ate 10 grapes at 10 o'clock to ring in the new year and made 10 wishes, which is a Spanish tradition (except you are suppose to do it a midnight and eat 12 grapes for the 12 strokes of midnight) I learned about this tradition when I visited Spain a few years ago.  The grapes I bought were ginormous.  The activity proved to be quite comical.

Anyhow on to the resolutions. I didn't start making resolutions until I started this blog.  I really like reading other people's resolutions, I find it inspiring.  Plus if I write down my resolutions I feel like I am accountable to the blog-o-sphere and my father-in-law who reminds me quite often that my resolution last year was to stretch more.  "How's that stretching coming, Amber?"

Let recount how awesome/less awesome I was last year:

1. Blog

-Stop putting every single picture I take on the blog. I still put a ton of pictures, but I think only the best ones right?

-Take pictures of myself.  I made a point to have Evan take more pictures of me, plus he likes using the new camera.  

2. Mind

-read 6 books.(check) I read an interesting book about professional bull riding, a volunteer writing teacher at a juvenile prison, and the book, "annoying" among others.

-Learn how to use Photo Shop.   (check)I finally opened it up and have used it a few times, but am not very good at editing photos yet.  I'm going to sign up for an online class through the community college here.

3. Body:

-Exercise.   This will be a repeat goal.  I joined a gym when we moved to Cheyenne, but it doesn't have child care.  I can go in the evening when Evan gets home, but by then I'm just way too tired.  This past week I started doing some exercise videos on Amazon Prime.  The Gillian Michael's ones totally kick my booty, so I'll think I'll stick with this plan.  Working out in the morning just works better for me.

-Drink 64 oz. of water a day.  (check)  I rocked this one.  My mom got me a nice water bottle last Christmas and for some reason it is easier to remember to drink water if it is out of a bottle.

-Stretch daily. Ok David we'll make this a repeat goal ;)

4. Soul

-Go to the temple 4 times.  (check)  It takes a lot more planning and forethought to go to the temple when you have a kid.  We'll make this a repeat goal too.

-Read my scriptures 5 days a week.  I stink at reading my scriptures.  Definitely a repeat goal.

New Resolutions for this year.  We had a good talk today in Church on "moving forward with faith"  which included resolutions, but the speaker talked about making short term goals.  So I think I will revisit these goals in 3 months and see how I'm doing oppose to 12 months-I had a ton of goals for this year, but I'll just write what I think I can do in 3 months.

-I resolve to be more earth friendly.  I will try and remember to take my reusable shopping bags to the grocery store.  Also I will try and hand wash more dishes so I don't run the dish washer as often.

-I read this horrifying book about disconnected from media.  I actually didn't finish it because it was giving me lots of anxiety about what an awful society we are becoming.  Thus I resolve for Tuesdays to be a no tech day (I've done this for 2 Tuesdays so far.  And so far so good.  I did use the computer to find a recipe, but I already had it saved so it wasn't like I was spending forever looking for a  new recipe) so I can focus more on Autumn and no Facebook on Fridays.

-I watched this train wreck of a show called "Cheapskates".  Oh boy did those people put me to shame when it comes to being cheap.  And although most of their habits I would consider social unacceptable.  I did learn some tricks.  One man did a financial fast for one week each month.  (They don't spend any money for an entire week).  I tried this in January.  We did spend $1.19 on a Red Box movie (The Way Way Back-which I highly recommend).  My plan was to see a movie in the theater since we had movie passes, but Evan wasn't interested in seeing anything.  The only problem with the fast is I noticed a slight "feast" if you will before and after the fast.  However I was missing some ingredients for Evan's birthday dinner and we just did without.  I will also try to avoid the grocery store.  I am not good at "running in for a couple things"  I end up with a full cart.

-I want to start a one day a week preschool with Autumn. Hasn't happened yet.  Although she is getting pretty good at her letters.

 

 

Now per my father's request some photos Autumn took with my old digital camera

 One day she took a picture of each of the books in her book basket.  This one is currently one of her favorites, "Knuffle Bunny Free"

 The farm and some of her "girls"

 Me, pink bear, and the farm with Rapunzel on top (which appears to be her favorite girl)

 I took this picture.  I came out of the bathroom one day to find Autumn had moved the end table in front of the bathroom door and had blocked me in.  She also put the Disney princesses with the nativity set.

 Artsy picture of the bathroom sink

 OOooo OO

 Oooo oo and Babee

Girl and Daddy Bear. (come to think of it this is kinda a creepy picture of Daddy bear, I'll have to have a talk with him and tell him to be less creepy)

Also Autumn did probably the cutest thing of her life today in nursery.  She was playing with afake camera, when I noticed she no longer had it, but was still saying "CHEEEEEEEEESE".  I look around and noticed Autumn had placed the fake camera across the room (self timer style) put one of the dolls on her lap and was saying "cheese" for her picture.  I love that Autumn has a great imagination.  Even if it takes longer to eat meals, get ready for bed, or really everything takes longer when you have to involve Autumn's whole entourage.  Autumn is stinkin' adorable and becoming quite the smarty pants. 

Catwalk, Fan Club, and Poop

In case you hadn't read in a previous post Evan bought himself a ginormous TV.  So I told him I wouldn't be buying him any other presents, (that I hadn't already bought).  I usually get most of his birthday shopping down while I'm Christmas shopping.  I had only gotten him close at this point, thus I knew it would be kinda a boring birthday, but I had to stick with my word.  So I planned a "Star" party for him.  I e-mailed our families and asked if the would write him some "fan mail".  I printed them out and put them in different envelopes for him to read throughout the day.  The fan letters were so funny!  Our families are awesome.  So Evan had a great day...Now me on the other hand...The day started off as usually.  I got Autumn some breakfast and I did a 15 minute Gillian Michaels work-out video on Amazon Prime.  Then I made myself breakfast and a shake.  I got a Ninja blender for Christmas, I mean I got Evan a Ninja blender for Christmas. So I've been making lots of shakes and drinks lately.  Then I took a shower and got ready.  Autumn peed on the bathroom floor after she took off her diaper and before I got her dressed.  Not a big deal, I just wiped it up and threw the rug in the wash.  Then, because I'm trying to be more service oriented, I was going to quickly take some homemade soup over to a gal in my ward's house, since she is sick and her husband is always out of town.  As I'm trying to hurry out the door so we aren't late for story time at the library, I'm looking for a ziplock bag to put the soup in I find a $20 bill in the drawer with the ziplock. Say what?  Where did that come from?  So I pull the drawer out more to look and find another 20 and another!  So I found $60 in the ziplock drawer! Sweet!  NOT an omen of things to come.  Dropping the soup off went well, we made it early to story time (that never happens) and I met a couple new people at the library.  The day was going pretty well.  I did have to go home to grab the Oreo Truffles I made for Evan's buddies since it was Evan's birthday.  The library is really close to the hospital, but whatever no big deal.  Then as we are waiting for Evan we are chatting with one of the ladies at the clinic.  She asks Autumn, "Are you going to sing Happy Birthday" to your dad?".  Autumn replies in the affirmative.  Then when Evan arrives Autumn proudly exclaims to daddy, "HAPPY".  Cutest thing ever.  Once we got home the trouble started.  I was doing the morning dishes and I sliced my thumb on the blender blade. Bad.  As in It took two band-Aids to stop the bleeding.  Autumn threw the biggest tantrum of her life!  Autumn wanted all her bears, Barbie, the monkey, and all her dolls in the front room for story time.  I told her no.  She laid down on the ground arms and legs spread out and cried.  Then I told her since she was throwing a fit no more stories.  Holy cow.  She started doing the ugly cry with lack of breathing and wailing.  I laid down in her bed with her and tried to calm her down.  Once I thought she was asleep I tried rolling her off my chest and into her bed.  But then the wailing started all over again.  Then as I was calming her down I fell asleep, luckily she did too.  I woke up a few minutes later and snuck out of the room.  Since I had been asleep for 5 minutes I thought I'd fold a load of laundry before I took a nap.  After all those tantrums that I can't adequately describe I was pooped.  Autumn woke up before I could take a nap.  She probably only slept for 45 minutes.  Then she proceeded to cry and cry once she woke up.  As if it was my fault she wasn't still asleep!  Then once she calmed down we colored until she got bored and then I started making dinner.  It was of course Evan's birthday and I was making a copycat Cafe Rio dressing and sweet pork.  The dressing took me an hour to make.  Autumn was "helping" at first, but then she wanted to play in the kitchen sink.  "Perfect" I think to myself, this usually occupies her for quite a while and I can finish making dinner.  As I'm testing the dressing, Autumn starts whining.  "Do you want to try some too?" I ask.  Then she holds out her hand.  "Is that poop?"  I ask.  Oh yes, yes it was. Now let me explain a little bit about how nasty a sink full of poop is.  Unlike when a baby poops in a bath tub, a sink is much much smaller, thus making the water all the more murkier.  As in I could not see the drain to unplug it.  I attempted to use a set of salad tongs to grab the drain stopper.  No luck.  I contemplated waiting for Evan to get home and making him clean up the mess.  I thought Evan should be home in 90ish minutes the whole house wouldn't stink by then I think I could wait...Then I remembered it was his birthday and thought I better do it myself.  It was so nasty, I almost added my vomit to the mess.  Then I gave Autumn a real bath in the tub and scrubbed my kitchen sink.  So that is why it took me an hour to make the dressing for the salad, at which I had used up all the lettuce for a couple days before.  Whoops.  Finally Evan got home and took Autumn next door and played with her while I finished making dinner and setting up for Evan's party.  Lucky for me my mother-in-law came by to see if I needed help.  We made a red carpet and lined it with white lights.  We also hung up gold stars, set the table and I started the slide show of pictures of Evan.

 Oh yeah, I also forgot to make Evan's birthday brownies in the midst of making dinner and picking up messes.  Alas they were made and Autumn enjoyed the batter.

 Helping daddy open presents with having a facetime chat with Evan's sister.

 Autumn on the cat walk.

 working it

 He has no shame

 

 Did I mention she picked out her own outfit after she refused to get dressed after her multiple baths.

Yay!  For Evan being born.

The Weirdest Christmas Ever

I had the weirdest Christmas ever this year, since we celebrated three days late.  I didn't think it would be that weird, but it was.  I did learn a few things though.  It really isn't about the presents.  We celebrated real Christmas with Evan's family and even though I only opened one present if felt like Christmas and I was satisfied with that one gift.  I mean we always say Christmas is not about presents, but who do you know that doesn't give/get presents for Christmas.  One of the other things I've learned is that holidays just aren't the same without family.  I really missed Evan while he was working all day Christmas.

Fake Christmas Eve I had Evan's family over for a ham, mashed potato, store-bought rolls, veggie dinner.  With no dessert.  You don't always need dessert, plus I had a gillion cookies Autumn and I had made to deliver to people that never got delivered.  Then ALL of us put Autumn to bed and got things ready for the morning.

Autumn has decided again that she doesn't want to sleep in a crib, so I put her mattress out on the floor and kept the crib up to instill a little fear that I would make her sleep in the crib again.  Autumn loves all the attentions she gets all the time from everyone...here she is jumping on her bed in her new Christmas jammies.

Evan wrapped my presents next door while I finished wrapping Autumn's and a gift I bought for myself and set up Autumn toys.

Christmas morning came and Evan and I were both up before Autumn.  Neither one of us slept very well.  Autumn didn't even notice her new toys under the tree she was just concerned about getting her cereal.  We had her find her hidden stocking.  One great tradition Evan brought to our family, hiding the stockings.  It makes Christmas morning last a little longer and adds some free fun to the day.

Autumn, "mommy", "baby" and pink bear, and Evan.

Me looking for my stocking.

So disappointed in this picture, not sure what setting I had my camera on....also you can't see how crazy my hair looked.  Since everyone looks bleck on Christmas morning we decided to intentionally make our hair crazy.  I braided both of our hair, and put curlers in mine, on Christmas Eve while we watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

After cereal we opened our stockings.  Also one good thing about celebrating Christmas 3 days late, I bought a lot our (yes our, Evan didn't shop for mine and since that is my favorite part of Christmas I bought stuff for myself) stocking stuffer stuff on Christmas clearance. Score!  Then the neighbors came over for present time.

This picture does not do justice to my crazy hair.

Evan's new belt.  Which we had to You Tube to figure out how to take it off.  

My mom made this awesome quilt for Autumn's dolls that matches the quilt she had made for Autumn when she was a newborn.  (This is the back of the quilt and isn't nearly as impressive as the front)

Autumn feeding her new doll some M&Ms.

Autumn LOVED opening up Grandma and Grandpa's presents on real Christmas, but once fake Christmas came she was more interested in what was in her packages opposed to opening more.  Evan and I only got two things for Autumn and only one thing was wrapped, but I wrapped up some stuff I was going to put in her stocking so she could have more to open since she liked to open them up so much the other day.  BUT she ended up not opening up all her gifts on Christmas so the picture above and below are her opening more gifts the day after fake Christmas.

And as promised the awesome latch board Patrick made for Autumn.  Those knobs actually open up the door.  So rad.  Overall we had a great Christmas, but I'm glad it's over.  I even took down the Christmas stuff today even though it isn't Evan's birthday yet.  But I did leave the tree up so his birthday presents can go under the tree.  And yes we have a real tree.  It just barely started to die, and now it finally smell like a Christmas tree.  We had the best tree ever this year.