Versus

Which is better? I don't know, they're both pretty darn good.

This angel slept for 6 hours last night. I'm hopeful that this is the start of many nights to come with more sleep but realistic that it could have been a fluke.

Either way it was the longest stretch of sleep I've had in over 4 months.

OR

When I did get up at 4:30 am to feed the babe I walked into the kitchen/family room and took a look around to see that my hubby had cleaned EVERYTHING and it looked fabulous especially considering I went to bed to an absolute mess.

Super, super Sunday for me!

Highs and Lows

I'll start with the lows since it leads into the highs.

Thursday morning I woke up to see our beloved twirly tree down for the count.

I knew it was coming. I mean how long could you stand up if all your weight was only on your front half? Regardless, it was painful to see him go. I will miss giving you your "haircut" every year twirly tree. May you rest in peace and the greenwaste.

Next I went to bed Thursday night feeling a possible cold coming on. I woke up Friday morning to the cold welcoming committee. "I don't need this" I protestest, "go away!"

I remembered Jon's aunt swearing by ZICAM. So I thought it was worth a shot. I picked some up Friday afternoon and started taking them - every three hours just like it says. I woke up Saturday morning and am now a believer myself.
(Can you see the low turning into a high???)

Now I was nervous about the cold on Friday because I was heading to the Carl Bloch exhibit at BYU and didn't want to miss it. I'm grateful I was able to see the beautiful work from this artist. You may recognize some of his work, such as...

If you haven't gone to this exhibit yet get there soon it leaves in May. Enjoy and be uplifted and inspired!

And last but not least...

CUPCAKES!!!
Alli brought me these delicious morsels. They tasted as good as they looked. Yummy! And the visit was even better.

Girl Fun

My bad mother moment is admitting that I don't enjoy playing Barbies or with these little princesses. However, this is not to be confused with playing with my daughter - that I do love! It's inevitable that as soon as Garrett leaves for school Ry wants to play with one or the other and I dread it...I would rather do ANYTHING else...but I bow to her pleadings and will play for awhile. This last week I decided to make it more enjoyable for me, selfish, I know. We had made play dough the previous day and I thought, "hey, we can make furniture for your princesses" and Rylee loved the idea. We made this living room complete with couch, chair, pillow, tables, lamp and a bowl of cherries. We also made a bad, bathtub and I couldn't help but make a toilet. This kind of "play" I can do.

Too fast...

he's growing much too fast. I can't believe my little buddy is 8 weeks old and that just a few short weeks ago he actually fit into these pj's...

Make it stop!

We love you Austin James!

2010 In Review

My mom always kept a list of things we accomplished or cool things we were able to do during the year and I loved pulling out the lists as I got older. I'm sad I haven't started it earlier but better late than never.

Garrett

In 2010 you...
Graduated from Mrs. Jerman's Busy Bee's Preschool
Made new friends with Sydney Yancey and Cayden Evans
Learned to ride a two wheeler - HOORAY!
Got to be a Parasaurolophus at the Museum of Natural History
1st Tee-Ball experience - very unsure of at first but came to love it!
Grandpa Smith took you, Dad and Thomas fishing on his boat at Deer Creek
Fishing on Labor Day and Dad & Rylee and caught tons of fish
More fishing with Dad and the Clavere's
Started Kindergarten with Mrs. Jarman and LOVES it
Learned to read and is already reading beyond your level - WAY TO GO!
Greatly improved writing, drawing and coloring skills
Celebrated your 6th birthday with an Animal Planet party and bowling
Started memorizing the Articles of Faith

Your Favorites...
Food - spaghetti and meatballs & pepperoni pizza
Color - blue and brown
Treat - candy necklaces (really...you've had one??)
Place to go - Dinosaur Museum
TV Show - Sponge Bob
Friends - Mommy (ahh, sweet)
Game -
Song -
Restaurant - Burger King
Toy - dinosaurs, Playmobil African Safari
Animal - All of them
What do you want to be when you grow up - "An animal scientist or a paleontologist or a marine biologist"

Rylee

In 2010 you...
Potty trained yourself in January
Celebrated your 3rd birthday with a Princess party and bowling
Insisted on picking out your own fabrics for skirts
Made your bed by yourself for the first time
Learned to use scissors
Made first non-family friend - Hannah Christensen
Started (and ended) dance classes at The Dance Conservatory
Independence is bursting...picking out clothing, hairstyles, food, etc.
Cut your own hair at Nana's...luckily you look sweet with bangs
Loves dress-ups

Your Favorites
Food - jam sandwiches
Color - pink & purple
Treat - chocolate
Place to go - Carl's Jr. to play
TV Show - Max & Ruby, Sponge Bob
Friends - Kaisa and Hannah
Song - "Teach Me About the Temple"
Restaurant - Taco Amigo
Toy - Barbies, Ponies
Animals - Lions
What do you want to be when you grow up - "A mommy like you"

Austin

In 2010 you...
were born
survived your first week at home with your brother and sister

Your Favorites
Milk