Friday, December 24, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Christmas fun
Us decorating our Christmas tree- As you can tell Claire is a great helper with putting the decorations up- so cute!
Jason got our lights up too! Claire loves the Christmas lights and is always saying 'cistmus lites', whenever we drive at night.
So we have taken her to some things to help her celebrate and let her know that we love celebrating Christmas, the birth of Jesus.
So to start our season off right with a nativity- done by Jason's parent's ward
So to start our season off right with a nativity- done by Jason's parent's ward
And more lights on a quick boat ride on the Provo River. And getting to meet Santa, although not too sure about this character :)
We are excited to teach Claire and hope she understands that we love Christmas because of all that the Savior has done for us!
Its a boy!
YAY! We are so excited! Due end of April/ beginning of May!
I just watched this video. Elder Bednar tells the story of an African women who recently became a member of the church, who lives in a part of Africa where they are lucky to get one meal a day. And the women was teaching other members of the church, that fasting (not eating food for 24 hours- done once a month) is only fasting when you have food and don't eat it. Wow! What amazing faith and obedience!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
mesa temple lights + driving home
This is becoming an annual tradition to go see the temple lights on the weekend after Thanksgiving. So last year we went to the temple lights with my fam in Salt Lake and this year we went to them in Mesa, AZ. I even saw my good friend, Ashley and her fam their too! It was great to see them again, since we were only in AZ for a short period of time.
Claire was pretty hyper (after over tired stage, she gets silly), and that is how we got this cute smile from her
As I said she was pretty tired and she fell asleep on the ride home at 8:30pm, she hasn't done that since staying up till 10pm on the 4th of July (but she isn't napping anymore, so I guess it makes sense)
A few fun stories from the trip:
-On Thanksgiving day, after an early dinner Claire was having quiet time in the pack 'n play, we were all sitting around the table after dinner just talking and all the sudden Claire runs out of the room and yells 'ta da'. At first I thought maybe Jason let her out, but he was in the front room. We realized that the pack 'n play was too close to the bed and she must have climbed out. It was pretty cute, though!
-Claire saw the bird shiver and ruffle up his feathers, something he does before he naps, and Claire says 'bird cold'
-As I was changing Claire's diaper, I told her 'I love you' and she smiles back and says ' I love you' (first time she has done that without anyone prompting her to). She must have seen the sheer happiness and pride in my face, because she looks up as if contemplating, and then smiles real big and says 'sucker' in the most endearing way. Yeah, she was milking me for treats, but it was too precious to not reward her!
This is how we survived the long snowy ride home! A big thanks to Uncle Nathan and Aunt Amy for letting us borrow the monitor and to Uncle Tim and Aunt Laura for letting us borrow so many kid shows, including Baby Einsteins which Claire loved. Oh yes, and to Jason for his ingenious and sturdy setup (shown below).
Here are some notes from our trip: Just got home from a 12 hour drive from AZ.It usually only takes 10 hours but we are so fortunate that it didn’t take longer!
-Claire was a great traveler home, she didn’t throw tantrums when going back in her car seat (like she did on the way there)
-our plan to have her wake up at 5am worked out pretty good and she woke up at 5:30am and wasn’t over exhausted on our drive home and was amazingly patient (we did no quiet time/nap the day before and put her to bed at 5:30pm- for which she promptly fell asleep)
- when we were barely moving forward (going 0-5 mph) for about an hour, Claire calmed down after I explained that the power inverter was beeping (meaning not enough power) and that meant no more show on the laptop (which is amazing since she was hysterical on the trip there when we paused a show to answer a phone call). We read books until we started moving faster which she really loved as well
- I had a productive trip editing pictures on the laptop while Claire was able to watch shows on the other monitor that Uncle Nathan let us borrow
-we got home safely with no accidents when we saw lots of cars which were bigger than us that went off the side of the road
- there was no mysterious crying (where Lauren finally realizes Claire is sitting on a pokey toy even though it just seems like she just wants out of her seat- like on the way there- don’t ask how I figured that out, lol)
- Claire slept from 6pm (night we got home) until 7:30am
- Jason accidentally left the Honda’s battery power key on the whole week (which means the battery usually gets drained by the cheap radio) but was amazingly able to drive it to work/ school – which is great because Lauren had a lot of errands to run that day
-found out later from neighbor that I-15 was shutdown both directions near Cedar City that same night we drove home because an oil tanker got into an accident and hotel rooms in Cedar City were going for $350 for one night (fortunately we had the foresight, and weather updates from grandpa vdH to leave early that morning!)
Claire was pretty hyper (after over tired stage, she gets silly), and that is how we got this cute smile from her
As I said she was pretty tired and she fell asleep on the ride home at 8:30pm, she hasn't done that since staying up till 10pm on the 4th of July (but she isn't napping anymore, so I guess it makes sense)
A few fun stories from the trip:
-On Thanksgiving day, after an early dinner Claire was having quiet time in the pack 'n play, we were all sitting around the table after dinner just talking and all the sudden Claire runs out of the room and yells 'ta da'. At first I thought maybe Jason let her out, but he was in the front room. We realized that the pack 'n play was too close to the bed and she must have climbed out. It was pretty cute, though!
-Claire saw the bird shiver and ruffle up his feathers, something he does before he naps, and Claire says 'bird cold'
-As I was changing Claire's diaper, I told her 'I love you' and she smiles back and says ' I love you' (first time she has done that without anyone prompting her to). She must have seen the sheer happiness and pride in my face, because she looks up as if contemplating, and then smiles real big and says 'sucker' in the most endearing way. Yeah, she was milking me for treats, but it was too precious to not reward her!
This is how we survived the long snowy ride home! A big thanks to Uncle Nathan and Aunt Amy for letting us borrow the monitor and to Uncle Tim and Aunt Laura for letting us borrow so many kid shows, including Baby Einsteins which Claire loved. Oh yes, and to Jason for his ingenious and sturdy setup (shown below).
Here are some notes from our trip:
-Claire was a great traveler home, she didn’t throw tantrums when going back in her car seat (like she did on the way there)
-our plan to have her wake up at 5am worked out pretty good and she woke up at 5:30am and wasn’t over exhausted on our drive home and was amazingly patient (we did no quiet time/nap the day before and put her to bed at 5:30pm- for which she promptly fell asleep)
- when we were barely moving forward (going 0-5 mph) for about an hour, Claire calmed down after I explained that the power inverter was beeping (meaning not enough power) and that meant no more show on the laptop (which is amazing since she was hysterical on the trip there when we paused a show to answer a phone call). We read books until we started moving faster which she really loved as well
- I had a productive trip editing pictures on the laptop while Claire was able to watch shows on the other monitor that Uncle Nathan let us borrow
-we got home safely with no accidents when we saw lots of cars which were bigger than us that went off the side of the road
- there was no mysterious crying (where Lauren finally realizes Claire is sitting on a pokey toy even though it just seems like she just wants out of her seat- like on the way there- don’t ask how I figured that out, lol)
- Claire slept from 6pm (night we got home) until 7:30am
- Jason accidentally left the Honda’s battery power key on the whole week (which means the battery usually gets drained by the cheap radio) but was amazingly able to drive it to work/ school – which is great because Lauren had a lot of errands to run that day
-found out later from neighbor that I-15 was shutdown both directions near Cedar City that same night we drove home because an oil tanker got into an accident and hotel rooms in Cedar City were going for $350 for one night (fortunately we had the foresight, and weather updates from grandpa vdH to leave early that morning!)
Az fun
YAY! We made to AZ for Thanksgiving! We loved being able to spend time outside and wearing short sleeve shirts!
Of course, Claire was the smart one and spent every second possible outside. I was looking at family pictures for a personal history book and Jason was busy scanning them. But yay I got copies of my favorite family pics from growing up! Thank goodness for Grandpa, Grandma and Uncle Eric for playing with her and taking her outside.
(left) Smelling the roses with grandpa (right) borrowing Uncle Spencer's hat to go outside
In July, 18 months old, Claire was kinda afraid of Olson, the dog, but this time- she warmed up real quick(funny because she loved Olson when she was 1)! And she met and loved playing with Moe their mohawed cockatiel, who just passed away yesterday- 14 years old. And she is now really good at rocking herself on the rocking horse (enough to make grandpa, who made it, a little worried)
We did try to be good parents and took her to the park a few times
At first she was afraid to go down the tube slide (unlike last time in May), but warmed up after dad put buddy (her cabbage patch doll) down first and they would go down together to get him. Dad is always so good at helping her not be afraid to try new things (or things not done in a while)!
We went out to eat to celebrate my mom & dad's birthday. Claire would hide behind her hands and then say, 'ta da' (as shown in pic below)... (right- I didn't crop Claire out- the waitress doesn't know about the 18 mm feature of the camera and how you can zoom out)
Here is Claire- ready for the Thanksgiving feast, while everyone else is busy helping in the kitchen- too cute!
Claire is still a little shy around her handsome Uncle Spencer, but I am sure Spence is used to that with other girls
And yay a group shot with the whole fam!
Here is Claire singing everyone Happy birthday
Of course, Claire was the smart one and spent every second possible outside. I was looking at family pictures for a personal history book and Jason was busy scanning them. But yay I got copies of my favorite family pics from growing up! Thank goodness for Grandpa, Grandma and Uncle Eric for playing with her and taking her outside.
(left) Smelling the roses with grandpa (right) borrowing Uncle Spencer's hat to go outside
In July, 18 months old, Claire was kinda afraid of Olson, the dog, but this time- she warmed up real quick(funny because she loved Olson when she was 1)! And she met and loved playing with Moe their mohawed cockatiel, who just passed away yesterday- 14 years old. And she is now really good at rocking herself on the rocking horse (enough to make grandpa, who made it, a little worried)
We did try to be good parents and took her to the park a few times
At first she was afraid to go down the tube slide (unlike last time in May), but warmed up after dad put buddy (her cabbage patch doll) down first and they would go down together to get him. Dad is always so good at helping her not be afraid to try new things (or things not done in a while)!
We went out to eat to celebrate my mom & dad's birthday. Claire would hide behind her hands and then say, 'ta da' (as shown in pic below)... (right- I didn't crop Claire out- the waitress doesn't know about the 18 mm feature of the camera and how you can zoom out)
Here is Claire- ready for the Thanksgiving feast, while everyone else is busy helping in the kitchen- too cute!
Claire is still a little shy around her handsome Uncle Spencer, but I am sure Spence is used to that with other girls
And yay a group shot with the whole fam!
Here is Claire singing everyone Happy birthday
dress + Christmas concert plug
Had to show off this adorable handmade dress and shrug from grandma vdH.
And I have two more upcoming Christmas concerts (my last concerts for awhile, since I will be having a baby around the time of their next concert)...so come!
The first one is at Spanish Fork High School
Friday Dec 10, 7:30pm
We are performing with the Nebo Chorale
or
Tuesday, Dec 14, 7:30pm
at the High Chaparral at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds
475 South Main Street, Spanish Fork, UT
(Its the white building on the east side of the parking lot)
This concert will just have the orchestra playing at it and some fun songs to sing along to. They will also have treats after the performance!
They are both free and about an hour long. If you are trying to decide... come on Tuesday, that is the one Jason and Claire are coming to.
And I have two more upcoming Christmas concerts (my last concerts for awhile, since I will be having a baby around the time of their next concert)...so come!
The first one is at Spanish Fork High School
Friday Dec 10, 7:30pm
We are performing with the Nebo Chorale
or
Tuesday, Dec 14, 7:30pm
at the High Chaparral at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds
475 South Main Street, Spanish Fork, UT
(Its the white building on the east side of the parking lot)
This concert will just have the orchestra playing at it and some fun songs to sing along to. They will also have treats after the performance!
They are both free and about an hour long. If you are trying to decide... come on Tuesday, that is the one Jason and Claire are coming to.
cutie Claire
Motherly Claire giving all her friends a yummy snack- and giving them all bibs
We got some Christmas stuffed animals out and she later found these items still in the box and came to show them off for me- so cute! (right - those are our Christmas stockings- lol)
More mommy instincts!
We got some Christmas stuffed animals out and she later found these items still in the box and came to show them off for me- so cute! (right - those are our Christmas stockings- lol)
More mommy instincts!
birthday at home
My parents are dying to see some of the Thanksgiving pictures- since we got to go visit them for the long weekend! So I better finish off her birthday!
Here she is eating pannekoeken or as Claire says 'cookin' (think crepes) for her birthday breakfast. She loves to eat hers with raspberry jelly- so does mom! And her toys are too awesome to not play with even while she eats. Fortunately for me, she is a very clean eater and usually asks me to clean her hands whenever she gets stuff on them.
Tea party with dad, tiger, buddy and bear with a hat- Here she is watching daddy's example...
and trying it out herself... gotta add some milk
Now showing off for mama- Dad helped her setup this hot chocolate party :) but since she has setup more parties on her own- so cute!
Something about the end of the song, with all the pressure, makes it difficult to blow out the candle, but the middle of the song- no prob :)
From mom and dad she mainly got some winter clothes, and we tried not to spoil her too much, but she did get this cool toy... here she is after dad set it all up, giving her potato head dog and cat a ride in the back
Claire's growth
newborn- 1 year
2 years
Its crazy how fast they grow, and how smart they get! We are so blessed to have Claire and are excited to find out on Friday if she will have a baby sister or brother!
Here she is eating pannekoeken or as Claire says 'cookin' (think crepes) for her birthday breakfast. She loves to eat hers with raspberry jelly- so does mom! And her toys are too awesome to not play with even while she eats. Fortunately for me, she is a very clean eater and usually asks me to clean her hands whenever she gets stuff on them.
Tea party with dad, tiger, buddy and bear with a hat- Here she is watching daddy's example...
and trying it out herself... gotta add some milk
Now showing off for mama- Dad helped her setup this hot chocolate party :) but since she has setup more parties on her own- so cute!
Something about the end of the song, with all the pressure, makes it difficult to blow out the candle, but the middle of the song- no prob :)
From mom and dad she mainly got some winter clothes, and we tried not to spoil her too much, but she did get this cool toy... here she is after dad set it all up, giving her potato head dog and cat a ride in the back
Claire's growth
newborn- 1 year
2 years
Its crazy how fast they grow, and how smart they get! We are so blessed to have Claire and are excited to find out on Friday if she will have a baby sister or brother!
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