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Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Wasn't Your Utah Trip Like Over A Month Ago?

So yeah, we've been back forever now, and I still haven't finished blogging our trip. And I am only doing so now for journaling purposes. I like things to feel complete. So here is the last of our trip. Lots of pictures with no real rhyme or reason to them. But hooray for me for getting it done!

The plane ride out was AWESOME! Eleanor decided to forgo her nap in exchange for a 4 hour game of "Hey, what's over there? Who's that? Let me down! Hey you, hey you! Why aren't you awake? Why aren't yo looking at me?" It was awesome, did I mention that? Ya, on the plane ride back we may have become friends with Benadryl.
Judge away internets.
Eleanor was delighted with grandpa and grandma Firth's new addition of chickens. The chickens are all named after old girlfriends of grandpa Firth. Sassy!We got the chance to see old friends, like sweet Emma. After Eleanor got over how fun her stroller was, they were totally happy to see each other.We also got to see our friend Matt and his family. Here are his daughters Ashley and Gracie with us at Cafe Rio. Oh, and we got to visit our friend Cafe Rio, we may have seen him more than our other friends.
It's hard eating ice by yourself.
We got to go lots of places with grandma Howell.And spend lots of time with grandpa Howell.We got to see aunt Cassie, visiting from Idaho.And Eleanor practiced the piano with dad.
She's a total prodigy, I can just feel it.
Eleanor took some fun walks with Jack and Abby.
Abby, who is now Lehi Middle School's newest cheerleader! Go Abby!As you saw in an earlier post, we enjoyed the annual Firth reunion up in Arbon Valley Idaho.Where Eleanor made stuff with clay.Rachel got to change her first diaper in something like 17 years. We went easy on her, no #2. The little kids stayed out of the way while...
...the big kids had a shooting competition, complete with 8 awesome shooting stations! Jeff outdid himself this year, and that is saying something.
It was so fun!
Bailey and I were on a team and we were, you guessed it, awesome!
Clayton was just horrible at it. Ok, kidding. I just wish I could beat him at something.
He and Kadin were terrific.
Later that night we had a really fun auction, with Clayton as the auctioneer. If you need a fun idea for a reunion or ward function, call me and I will tell you how it works. No money involved!He made sure to keep the bids going higher and higher. I kept chickening out on stuff, or wussing out as I didn't want to out-bid one of the little kids. Autumn lost her first tooth during the festivities.And the guys stood around and gossiped. Ok, talked, sheesh, whatev.
Back in Provo, Eleanor got to play dress up.Complete with grandma's "Sally-Jesse" glasses.
We went out to dinner with my brother Tom's family for his birthday.
Here are E and Tommy (junior) out front.Inside she had to show how cool she looks in shades. Pretty darn cool if you ask me.
Later Tom got to open presents. One of which was a clue leading him on a scavenger hunt. It's a tradition for them...
...which tends to put Tom in some awkward positions.Eleanor got to be one of the clues.The trip was so great, we easily could have stayed for a month and needed more time, alas, two weeks it was. We ate at all of our favorite food spots: JCW's, Cafe Rio, Smart Cookie, Costa Vida and best of all Chungas. It's a Taco place at about 650 North Freedom Blvd. It's in the same strip as Shirley's Bakery, which was also on our go-to list. If you want an awesome taco, possibly the best we've had, get the Taco Al Pastor at Chunga's. You will thank us.

We Miss everyone a bunch and hope to see them all again at Christmas time. Anyone and everyone are invited to visit us in Michigan! I'm looking at you, Allie.

I Can't Help Myself

Today my neighbor Lexie gave me a cd with the pictures she took of Eleanor for her 1 year photo shoot. (Which was actually closer to 14 months, but hey.) They are all so beautiful, Lexie does wonderful work. I love them, love them, love them! Here are some favorites of the favorites, it's nearly impossible to choose.

I don't know if you can tell, but she has on the most adorable little corduroy shoes that I got at a yard sale for 50¢! They match the dress perfectly, but were nearly too small, so I am glad I got them in print. Yes, that kind of crap matters to me.
The dress is yet another beautiful hand-me-down from her cousin Allie. We are sooo blessed.


While we are looking at photos of E here, what should I do with her bangs? Keep cutting them or let them grow out? They are at that difficult stage where they start in the middle of her head. Any thoughts? A lot of you have perfectly coiffed little girls, what did you do?


See, we started with a headband, but it didn't last long.
I love this one because of her perfect eyebrows. Which she can now say, by the way, "eye-boh". She says it as she slowly gouges your eye with her little pudgy fingers as they scrape their way up your eyelid until she is pushing your eyebrows with all her strength. It's adorable and painful. Thanks again Lexie! You are the best!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

The Rest of Reunion 2010!

I have soooo not been in the mood to blog lately, and I am soooo behind! Sorry folks. Right now it is 12:44 AM and I am feeling guilty, so I thought I would just put up a little something. Here are the cuddling shots of reunion. Oh yes, there is a lot of cuddling.

There was cuddling with dogs, Natalie and Autumn.
Cuddling with uncles, Eleanor and Tyler.
Cuddling with great-uncles, Eleanor and Wayne.(And Phillip)
Cuddling with a first lost tooth, Autumn.
Cuddling with moms, me and Eleanor.
Cuddling with daughters, Monica and Natalie.
Cuddling with nieces, me with Autumn.
Cuddling with dogs, Sam and Bear.
NO CUDDLING!!! Sorry Jonah.
Cuddling in the morning with uncle Clint.
And finally, cuddling with grandpa. Rex and Eleanor.

Thursday, July 08, 2010

Baby Rodeo Rider! Well, Not Quite, But Still Super Awesome!

Here is a bit of her video on both horses. Real and almost real. This may only interest the grandparents and toddler-equestrian-enthusiasts. (I'm so going to go Google that right now.)






Horsies Go Plfbrplfbrbrplftfftt....

Would you believe I Googled how to spell that? No good answers, by the way.
Eleanor and horses. During our Utah trip little Allie received a loaner horse from her cousin Anna. It's name is Butterscotch and this thing is insane. It's an animatronic wonder that belongs in a Chucky Cheese. Eleanor would have nothing to do with it. It was kind of funny, really. And I couldn't blame her. For all she knows this thing is a live pony just hanging out at Tom & Jenni's house. It ninnies and neighs and snuffs and moves... it's a total creep-fest for a toddler. Fast forward to the weekend at the Firth reunion and Eleanor takes her first (well, technically second) big horse ride and she is sold. She LOVED the horses. They even had this giant Clydesdale that was big enough to eat the horse Eleanor was riding, and she was dying to ride him too. No dice there, but I am thrilled that she likes horses so much. Here are some shots of the big event.

Mounting up with Grandpa Rex.

Starting out. That is Clayton's cousin, Wes leading the way. Thanks Wes!

"Oh hi guys, ya- just out riding, like I do this everyday. No biggie."
Adorable.
Insanely cute. Ya- I'm running out of captions.
What a difference a year makes! This was last year at reunion when she was two months old.
P.S. Same horse!
Now, back to Butterscotch. The minute we got back to Tom & Jenni's she was all over her new friend. Love, love, love. Too funny.She even tried to feed him a carrot. Who taught her that horses eat carrots? Seriously, the things she picks up. I'll post some video of the horse riding as well so you can enjoy the whole shebang.
Giddy up!

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Our Clever, Naked Girl

Oh dear. I wonder how that title might disappoint some internet searches. Alas, not my problem, dirty birds.

Today I am just going to post a quick video of our darling E. This was taken before our Utah trip, so I have no qualms posting it now- instead of the half-dozen other Utah posts I am behind on. It's just a snippet of our clever girl showing off a few of her tricks. She is talking up a storm lately and knows things that I didn't realize that she knew. Her new favorite word is "mine", and she knows its meaning very well. I guess all kids learn that one soon enough.



Saturday, July 03, 2010

A Thank-You Blog For Allie

Allie, this little nugget...
...likes to give presents. Her mom says it is a phase she is going through. She is always wanting to give something to someone. So cute! Must be her love language, ha ha. Upon our arrival she showed me the sweet present that she had picked out for Eleanor. I helped her and her friends wrap it up and she soon gave it to little E, who was delighted. As you can see here.
The presenting happened a few times to get the most mileage out of it. Luckily one year olds think there is nothing wrong with that. Neither do photo-happy mothers.
That look on her face is pretty much sums it up. FOR ME? As I mentioned before, she already really likes Allie.
Allie and her friend helped her unwrap a new musical seahorse. It was a total hit. Here she is hugging it close, box and all.
It really has been wonderful. If you squeeze it, the tummy lights up and it gently starts playing pretty lullaby-type songs. If you want it to stop, you squeeze it again and it gently fades out. Perfect for bedtime. I love when I am in the kitchen at night and hear it start up from her room. Thanks Allie- you are the best!

Friday, July 02, 2010

Not So Good Idea

Is it a good idea to let a 14 month old have both a piece of black AND red licorice without supervision?
Eh. Worse things have happened.
Her happiness wins out every time. Unless I am out of wipes. Then I am a mean, responsible mom who would never give her child sugar.

Soooo many more posts to finish. Never a time when I want to do them. One of these days- I promise you, I will get caught up.

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