Snow Day 4

If you haven't heard--we got lots of snow. (That comment was sarcastic, by the way.) =) All 3 of us spent the day inside, warm and cozy while we watched the blizzard outside. Gotta admit...I want to be on the beach. We're getting cabin fever. Spring, come quickly! Since we're stuck with nothing to do--okay, lots to do (like organizing the storage closet) but who wants to actually do that?--I've been dreaming of a Florida Keys vacation. You have no idea how badly I want to be on that vacation right now! It probably won't happen for sometime. Like our 7th anniversary. We always said maybe we'd do something grand on our 5th. WELL, 5 years is only 1 year away. Not sure it's going to happen then. Wow, time flies. Anyway....I am dreaming of a convertible car driving through the keys with big sunglasses, cute sundresses, salty sea air and pina-coladas. *Sigh* Someday. :) 

What did we do on our snow day? We played Wii and some Super Nintendo (my personal fav). Lucy likes playing too. But sometimes she gets the controller confused with a cell phone. She randomly holds it to her ear and says, "Hello." Which sounds more like, "Ha-woah." Here are pics of some Daddy/Daughter Nintendo time. 

She was playing Star Wars. Actually killed some bad guys.

"Hello!"

We got some movies from the Library and watched a couple while Lucy was napping. We also did a little reading. Lots of reading to Miss Lu. It's her favorite activity these days. She'll bring you a "boo" (book) and sit right in your lap and look up at you with those big brown eyes. How can you say no?? We got some grown up reading in too. I have decided not to read the book previously posted: I'll Never Be Young Again by Daphne du Maurier. I really enjoyed other books she has written like: Jamaica Inn, The Scapegoat, Frenchman's Creek, and Rebecca. I got about 6 chapters in to I'll Never Be Young Again and decided it wasn't worth my time. It's not worth yours either....trust me. Unlike her other books, there was no mystery and intrigue. It was actually pretty boring and the story line was odd (and not in a good way). Good thing I discovered this in plenty of time to still get a book in for February! I am re-reading Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. It has been about 8 years since I've read it and I know I'll enjoy it more now. Definitely a book worth reading (and re-reading!). And my comments on Humility by C.J. Mahaney are coming. Just have a few chapters left! 

ANYway, we were able to venture out today for a while. Hooray! So thankful for our 4x4. We had lunch with my Daddy for his birthday! After Lucy wakes up from her much needed nap we are going to spend some time at the gym. We finally have gotten back into the habit of going and we're loving it. I get some "me" time while Lucy plays in the kiddo area. Carey is loving it too. I am attempting Zumba classes in the near future. Ha!! Will definitely have to post about that. I am going to look ridiculous I just know it. But I've heard it's tons of fun. SO, I'm going to give it a try.

That's what we've been up to lately. Happy Wednesday.

Here's another snow day pic. Love this kiddo! She's pretty much irresistible. 

Carrying on a conversation with Mommy. :)

Another Snow Day!

We got about 7 inches of snow yesterday. What does that mean? Carey took my 4WD 4Runner to work and I'm basically stuck. Again. :) I might venture out later to go to Hobby Lobby (only 1 mi. away), but I want to be safe. I have hair bows on the brain. Our niece, Baby K., will be arriving any day. So I need to finish her collection! :) Plus, Miss Lucy needs some new bows. I'm a little tired of the ones she has. I also want to get into making THESE. So cute! Ok, maybe we will go out later. :)

Anyway, in other news. I made the most amazing Tortilla Soup last night. Oh my. Thanks to Pioneer Woman for her amazing recipe! Carey LOVED it and of course I did too. There is not much left over. Tonight I am making THIS. Oh yes. If we die of heart attacks tomorrow, you will know why. =) I don't cook stuff like this a lot. But it's snowy and everyone needs some comfort food once and a while. Plus, I am going to use ground turkey. And oven fries are not that bad for you. I am using olive oil.... (can you see me justifying this meal!?)

I've been practicing with my new camera over the last few days. All of this aperture and ISO stuff confuses me. But I found some tutorials and I'm working on getting better. Here are some pics I've taken of Lucy while "practicing." She mostly just ignores me these days. I think someone has had enough picture taking. =)

Playing with saturation while editing.....

Another picture?

She's asking if she can take her bow off. I said no.

I cannot resist the faces she makes sometimes. :)

Playing with aperture.....

She's singing along to the ABC's on Baby Einstein. The kiddo cracks me up!

So that's what we've been up to. Tomorrow, I think a grilled cheese and tomato soup date at Nordstrom Cafe' is in order for me and my girlie. Our favorite place to lunch. Then some shopping--of course!! We're going to spend a gift card Lucy has to the Children's Place. I cannot believe how big she's getting! She's growing out of most of her 12 month clothes. (Ok, I know. It makes sense since she's 13 months.) I just can't believe we're in 18 month clothes now. Time flies! 

P.S. --Like the new blog look? I am trying to make it a little more chic. I'm making little changes every few days. =)

 

Snow Day #2

Today was day #2 of being stuck at home! One of our cars is in need of a new battery AND tire. Getting it back in shape is first on the list for this weekend! 

Until then, Lucy and I are totally stuck. I'm not a fan of being completely stuck and I may have gone crazy if Timmy hadn't come to play with Lucy while I reminded myself that yes, there is an outside world. I went and played in Target. :) Well, if you consider buying bananas, peanut butter and baby food "playing." It was just good to get out. 

Lucy loves Uncle Timmy. 

He has pretty sweet stuff on his phone. 

And he makes a good pillow. 

The rest of the day was spent doing the same ol' stuff. 

Like the always popular bath time.... 

And telling Lucy "I Love You" 7000 times.....

And Lucy climbing the stairs when I'm not looking......

And letting my child play with items that are not toys....

(Oh wait, was that me?)  =)

Tomorrow....I need a PROJECT! Operation: "Clean Out the Storage Closet" will begin at nap time. Good thing, cause Lucy might go crazy if I take ANOTHER picture of her. :) 

Snow Day

There's lots of fluffy white stuff out there! 

What does that mean for me and Lucy? 

Snow Day!

Usually I teach all day on Mondays, but not today! :) 

I declared it a jammie day. 

Lucy and I have been hanging out together,

cozy and warm, watching the beautiful snow fall. 

Nope, we didn't go outside and play in it. 

We had lots of fun in the snow while we were in AZ. 

Today we enjoyed it from the coziness of our jammies. =)

What did we do to pass the time?

We watched Baby Einstein.....

I left her on her own for a few minutes and this is how I found her.
Totally chilled. Ha!

Played in the bathtub.....

Entertained ourselves.....

Had tickle wars.....

Watched the "no" fall....

(That's how Lu says snow. 

Just add one of these [~] to the "n" and you've got it!)

Napped, ate snacks, read "boos" (books), 

practiced animal noises.....

This is Lucy mid- MOO. She's great at the cow noise. :)

And pondered being mischievous.....

It was a good day!

Maybe we'll do it again tomorrow. :)

Arizona Vacation

We spent a week over Christmas in Arizona visiting Carey's family. 

We had a wonderful time. 

Lucy loved getting to know her
Grandmother and Granddaddy better

.....and they loved her!

Merry Christmas!

Who wouldn't love this cutie!?

Reading together.

 After a long plane ride with a very squirmy baby we made it to AZ. Carey and I were placed in different rows on the plane. Not fun. Lucy wanted to walk up and down the aisle and crawl under everyone's seat. She didn't want to be cooped up on Mommy's lap reading books. That lasted about 15 minutes. The flight was 3 hrs. She definitely did not want to sleep---even though she was exhausted and it was 3 hrs. past her bedtime. But somehow I survived and she wasn't fussy. Just very squirmy. Next time we're taking a dvd player and watching Baby Einstein the entire flight. I have learned my lesson.

Full of energy!

 Anyway, once we made it to Mom and Dad's we spent most of our time relaxing. :) I read an entire book (amazing!). I don't think I've read an entire book since Lucy has been born. Ok, I take it back. I've read ONE. Needless to say, it was quite enjoyable. So I've made reading more books one of my New Year's resolutions.

Christmas morning was lots of fun. I loved watching Lucy open her presents. She LOVES all of her new toys! One of Lucy's favorite toys is her Tea Pot, cups, and petite fours. Let me tell ya, we're having lots of tea parties! :) Here are some pics from Christmas.

 We loved spending time with Randall and Hollie. Lucy loves her Uncle Randall and Aunt Hollie! She's even a pro at saying Hollie's name. It sounds like: Ha-la-ie.  :)

We took a hike and enjoyed beautiful views. The Wilson's live on the Grandview Camp site. The camp isn't quite built, but we enjoyed seeing all of the progress! It's going to be such a wonderful place for campers in the future!

The last couple of days we enjoyed tons of snow! We got about 16 inches. All of the snow called for some SLEDDING! Lucy experienced her first sled ride. Yes, it was fun! Lucy also LOVED playing in the snow. She ate a ton of it. But almost 2 feet of snow and crawling don't mix well. Her face planted a few times and after that life was not as fun. Lucy had to make a quick trip back to the warm car. And poor baby, her cheeks were red for 2 days! But overall it was a good experience. =) 

We had planned to spend our last day at the Phoenix Zoo, but all of the snow made for a LONG trip back to Phoenix. What should have taken us 4 hrs. took us 7. So, no zoo for us. :( It was actually quite cold in Phx. that day anyway. 49 degrees is very chilly for them! We might have been a little cold at the zoo. We did go eat at Claim Jumpers though. Yum! They totally won me over when they brought out a FREE snack plate for Lucy within 5 mins. of sitting down. Those people know kids.
I bet a Mom came up with that idea. :)

The flight home was much better. Carey and I sat together--hallelujah! And no one else was in our row. AND we sat in the first seats on the plane. That meant Lucy had extra room to walk around and play at our feet. I was very thankful for this. I'm not quite sure I could have handled another plane ride like the first. :)
Sweet Lucy even fell asleep the last 20 mins. of the flight.
Happy me.

Thankful for a wonderful time in Arizona!