Our Very First Christmas

So it has been a long time. Let's just say a lot has been going on and my computer is dying the slowest death ever. It moves at the pace of dial-up internet or slower. It is nothing short of painful. 

On a brighter note we had our very first Christmas at our very own home. I was a little hesitant because I have never been away from my family for Christmas, but Rich only got Christmas day off so we really didn't have any other option. To start off the holidays we put up our decorations on Thanksgiving and had Henley open up some new Christmas jammies. She liked them okay, but preferred her old princess ones.

 

This year, the elf on the shelf was a huge deal in our house. Our elf is name Twinkles and Henley was obsessed. She understood the rules of not touching him, but was mostly concerned with where he was every morning. The funniest part about Twinkles is he brought her one single kernel of popcorn every day for her good behavior and she was pleased as punch with it. Not too hard to please.

My parents and little sister Niccole came to visit us in the middle of December, which deserves a post of its own but I'm behind. It made the holidays much more special with them being here for a few days.

 We went to a breakfast with Santa at our local conservatory. Henley really likes to talk about Santa and tell him all the things she wants, which this year was strictly candy. Nothing else, just candy. Should I be worried? When the time came to sit on his lap, she didn't cry, she didn't scream...she did nothing. She completely froze.

 ^^Her and Cosy at the breakfast. She was in a really big phase of screaming "Chhhheeeeessssse" for pictures.^^

For Christmas Eve I debated whether I should make a big, gourmet meal or not. I probably talked about it until I was blue in the face and Richard could no longer hear me talk about it. That's when he suggested we start a new tradition and get take out of our choice. I really liked the idea and went with it. Less work for me. Rich got Taco Bell and I got McDonald's. Next year I think I will go a little bigger and get Red Robin or something. 

 ^^Our Christmas Eve feast. We obviously only eat and dress in the classiest of attire for special occasions.^^

After dinner we did some puzzles and talked about the nativity. Henley just wanted to have the figures jumping and screaming the whole time. However we count it as a success since we at least attempted it.

 Putting out cookies for Santa was her favorite part. She kept talking about he was going to eat them and take Twinkles away. She also said over and over "1 day, 1 day, 1 day for presents."

The next day we woke up around 7:30 and tried to open a few presents. Henley was wayyy too distracted with the fact that Santa had come, left a bite of cookie and drank all the milk. All day she kept running back over to the plate saying "Santa came - yummy cookie." Once we could get her attention we opened a few gifts. Santa brought Henley a kitchen, which she seemed to like okay. She hardly played with it that day, but has liked it more and more with time. I somehow didn't capture a picture of her with her favorite toy, which was and still is a tiny plastic Cinderella that has a couple of dresses that snap on and off.  I got it for free at Kohl's and threw it in her stocking the last second...of course. Thank heavens cause she has played with that nonstop since Christmas.

 ^^My parents stocked her kitchen full. So much food and so many messes.^^

 ^^Crashing after too many gifts.^^

 ^^This little cash register has also been a big hit. The beeping from the scanner is enough to make you go crazy, but she absolutely loves it.^^

As the day was winding down we both tried on our new clothes and she asked Rich to "Ake a pic-cha pease!!" All in all, it was a fabulous day. Henley really picked up on the concept this year and loved every light, decoration and song. We are still singing Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls and talking about some of our tree ornaments. Until next year...

Mountain Biking - - Sorta

When I met Richard he was an avid mountain biker. He not only biked for fun and exercise, but he biked every where he went in Cache Valley. Work, school, activities -- you name it, he biked. I found this very endearing. So when I graduated from college, being engage to Richard, I thought it would be a good idea for my parents to get me a nice mountain bike for a gift. Unfortunately we only used it a couple of times before moving to mountainless Iowa and then to Illinois. Basically we have been on the hunt for some good trails to hit. Luckily, we found some pretty good trails here in Illinois. Come to find out, I'm no expert mountain biker especially with a toddler strapped to the back. Below is a great depiction of a lot of our adventure. I'm a wimp.

 

The picture above is completely staged. Rich never got a chance to ride with Henley. She is on this extreme Mother/Daughter kick. However, when we were riding this conversation happened.

Me: "Hen do you like the bumps?"

Hen: "More bumps, more bumps." x100

Hen: Suddenly gasps. "Ooooo. Stinky. Real stinky."

Me: "You're right. It does stink."

Hen: She proceeds to grab the waistband of the back of my pants like she is checking my diaper. "Mama, you poop?"

 

 ^^She insisted on climbing the tree after she saw several squirrels attempt and complete it successfully.^^

^^And here again is a mother/daughter moment where she demanded I do what Dad was doing. Complete weakling and failure.^^

Thanks again Rock Cut for the good quality time with nature.

Henner's Happy Birthday

Henley's Birthday...such a bitter sweet day. Here is another motherly confession - - I NEVER understood why mom's were so sad when their kids had a birthday. It is supposed to be a happy, joyful occasion and you should be celebrating the fact that with each year they are becoming more independent. I get it now and it is weird that I'm having all of these mushy feelings about it. 

Anyway, on with the birthday festivities. In the morning she woke up to this little banner and pile of presents. She was mostly intrigued with the banner and how she could get it down. We played and played whatever she wanted for as long as she wanted that morning.

  

^^Seriously check out that face.^^

In the afternoon we headed to the Discovery Center where they have a massive Light Bright and tons of toddler interactive activities. We had snacks and basically talked about water and pretty dresses the whole time.

When Rich got home from work we opened up a few of her gifts. Her Grandma Bell sent her a princess basket, chock full of clip on earrings, wands and other glittery accessories. She ate up all of the fanciness.

 ^^She aged about 100 years in the picture above with all of her garb.^^

 ^^We got her a tricycle, which she was completely unimpressed with and still is. However, the grape chapstick that my mom sent her was all the rage.^^

When we went to the store to pick up cake stuff I had in mind what I wanted to get.  White on white. Henley had something different in mind. She saw all of the frosting colors and said "Oooooo pitty." So as my heart melted I asked her which color she would like. Of course she responded extremely enthusiastically "Peeenk!!" and shortly after "Purrr-ple." I then explained to her that she could choose only one. After sitting in the cart, not wanting to give one up she had come up with a plan "Henee, peeenk. Mama, purrrple." Seriously, how can you say no to that? Also, why I was denying the poor girl a frosting container that cost $1.25, I will never know.

 ^^Sneaking a little taste before the big song began.^^

About a week before her birthday we explained that her big day was coming up. She has started to understand birthdays a little bit better and we practiced and practiced the song and how we were going to blow the candles out. When the time came she was totally prepared and nailed it like a boss...sorta. She always puts her lower lip on her upper lip when she blows, thus all of the air goes directly into her hair. Let's just say it took a few extra blows for those two mighty big candles to get blown out.

 ^^Yep, that's spit. Nice.^^

 ^^And then we did the song and candles three more times that night just because she freakin loved it and we loved watching it.^^

^^Get it gyrl.^^

Soaking Up Summer

We realize that most everyone else is back in school, which means summer has come to a close. However, we are still available all day, every day so we are taking in all of the outdoor activities we possibly can before the bitter cold comes.

 ^^There has been a ton of horsing around with the hose.^^

On Labor Day we headed to a nearby lake and tried our hand at paddle boarding with some friends. It was a lot of fun, but I have to be honest...I thought the actual paddle boarding would be more fun. Once we got to the middle of the lake it was like "Now what?" Anyone else experience this?

We invested in a bike seat for Henley and it was one of our wiser kid purchases. She loves getting strapped in the back and telling me everything she sees along the way. She also loves pulling at the back of my pants cause she thinks it is funny. Me, not so much.

 

This is completely out of order, but this summer she has loved saying "cold, cold, cold, cold" when getting out of the shower and is notorious for staying wrapped up like this for up to 45 minutes.

Between the sidewalk chalk that we scored for free and these wings found in the dollar section at Target, she has been in imagination heaven.

Fall, I think we are ready for you to come, but winter please stay away for forever.

Wait, It's Not July 4th?!

So with all of the moving and getting settled we have been doing, I have fallen behind in the blogging world. Let's just pretend this weekend was July 4th, so I can feel better about myself. We had the Bliss' over for some grub and fireworks that night. We are so thankful they are here in Rockford. Henley and Cosy have become quite good little friends.

^^Henley was unsure of the fireworks all night, but didn't mind screaming and running away from them.^^

 ^^This picture is pathetic. Could I be showing more of my gums?! Sadly, it was the best one we got.^^

The next day we headed out to Rock Cut National Park and rented ourselves a family canoe. Best decision ever! Paddling across the still water, surrounded by mounds and mounds of trees was just what we needed. To be honest, Rich paddled most of the time by himself because I was on Henley duty. Below is our trusty paddler himself.

^^She wanted to be touching the water the ENTIRE time. I think I almost dropped her in the water about 100 times after my hands got too sweaty from holding her like this.^^

 ^^Best buds.^^

^^A toddler in a life jacket is a priceless picture. Also, her Sunday shoes with socks are the perfect canoeing footwear.^^

 ^^And then there was tons of this and tons of my heart almost stopping from fear.^^

^^And as always I wish I would have gotten a little more of this. Funny side note: Her and Richard sleep like that - - with their hand either on their cheek or under their chin. Genetics?^^