Best Christmas Ever

This year for Christmas I was given the best gift ever. My siblings and I rotate names for gift exchange. This makes it so much easier than getting everyone something and I love it, usually. Well it has been a very hard year for John and I and that is one of the reasons we decided to move to AZ. But I didn't count on not being able to find a job in a field that is ALWAYS hiring. Needless to say, we couldn't afford to have John come out here for Christmas. Then Trisha tells me that everyone in the family has decided not to do gifts. This was a huge relief and I was really looking forward to a relaxing day with all of them. It was great. Even with Addison and her tantrums. I was able to bake in the morning, something that always makes me feel wonderful, and spend the afternoon with siblings. What I didn't expect is what walked in the door at 8pm as we were all singing on John's voice mail. John himself. My brothers and sisters had decided it was more important for me to see my husband and bought him a plane ticket. This is the only picture of Christmas I took. Addison would not let go of John for the entire day on Saturday. She just wanted him near her. I can defiantly understand the way she felt.

I am shocked and amazed at the generosity and love my family on both sides have shown me over the last few months. I don't know who did what, but I am grateful for and to all my family. I am also grateful that families are eternal because I don't want to loose a single member. Thank you all for a wonderful weekend.

For Uncle Kris

I just thought he would be proud of Addison's choice of play the other day. I especially love that she is in a dress. She loves everything a boy would love.

Cat Adventures

So the other night I woke up and realized that Popo, our cat, was not there with me. He always sleeps with me and I can't brake him of this. That meant the only reason he wasn't there is he got out side and I didn't realize it. So I thought he had spent the night outside, but when I opened the door to let him in, he wasn't there. Now, he is not an outside cat, but he has been getting a little more daring and running out when I'm trying to wrangle Addison. It worried me just a bit that he didn't show up. I figured He was sick of my rationing his food and he ran away, or he froze to death. About noon I finally figured our where he was. I had gone to the basement storage room to get something, had the door open for like 20 seconds and went back upstairs. He had gone in the storage room and was stuck there, out of ear shot for 24 hours. Stupid cat. The good thing is he is really particular and will only go in his litter box so I had no mess to clean up.

Ok, so not much has been going on lately. I still haven't found a job, but am trying to do some baking on the side. If there is anyone you know who needs a wedding cake or some gift baskets, I'd be happy to help. In AZ, not KS. That would be an expensive delivery charge. I really just have some pictures to share.

Addison is always sticking her tongue out when she is doing something

Just being cute

Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving Addison and I went with my sister Trisha to her in-laws house. I just have to tell you how much I love the Riggs'. Their house was built on the family farm, along with others in the family, and still has much of the rural atmosphere on the edge of suburban Chandler (Phoenix area). They have citrus trees, flowers and cows. Oh how Addison loved the cows. With so many relatives so close to them, all the Riggs parties kind of get mixed in with each other. I really love that laid back, come and go, one big family kind of life style (as long as everyone behaves themselves).
John was very well taken care of by a few people in our Manhattan ward (Thank you). I think he had at least 2 dinners, and stopped by 2 other homes. He also was able to hang out with his parents.
For black Friday, which I hate the concept of, but was not willing to pass up on this year, I got a web cam. So Marry Christmas to the Grandparents, this is your gift this year.

Lemon Tasting

She didn't like it

Birthday Card

Grandma and Grandpa T sent Addison a birthday card the other day. When I showed it to her she loved it. She kept taking it with her around the house. We even took it into Albertson's. I just love the cheesy smile.

Her she is trying to get the camera from me.

Halloween

Here are some pictures from Halloween. I went through mom's old costumes and found this. I am pretty sure I wore it as a child, but it was that or a cheerleader.

They were eating yogurt and I thought it was too cute.

I was trying to make cookies, but Addison just wanted to play in the water. She ended up taking a bath in the sink.

Colder Days

For one more day at least. I am really afraid of having a super high electric bill while living here and have only turned on the AC once for a few hours when I just couldn't take it any more. The thermostat has read above 80 for the past few weeks, but I have survived. To day I woke up and it was down to 70. I was so over joyed.
It's funny though, the Midwest has defiantly changed me. I have become more comfortable with the cold and today I had proof. I am still wearing t-shirts when everyone else is in sweaters and jackets. I heard on the radio about someone turning on their heat. I saw a lady running in a jogging suit. I mean come on, it got up to 62 today. It was beautiful.
It is supposed to be back in the 80's by Saturday. But that's fine, at least I don't have to worry about getting my winter clothes that I left in Kansas here any time soon.

Lemon Tree

Today I decided to trim my parents Lemon tree so that I could walk to the garden without having to duck or get attacked by branches.  I had forgotten how good the fresh wood of a citris tree smells.  I think  Iam going to add it to by list of favorites.  Anyway, there are a ton of little green lemons on it right now and my mouth is just watering for a month or 2 when they will be ready. 

Whenever I eat a lemon I think of Rachel and the huge tree that is in her parent's front yard.  We used to pick them and then eat them with salt.  It was always a great snack.  I still eat them that way.  So now I'm getting my salt shacker ready.  Any takers?

Trip Pictures

Ok, so my computer is magically working right at the moment and I thought I would take the opportunity to put up some pictures. We had a very easy, relatively speaking, trip. It was me, Addison and the cat who hates being in the car. There were a few melt downs around hours 8 and 12 in the car each day, but we all survived. Addison thought it was so much fun to have the cat in the car. He hid for most of it. My favorite part of the trip, besides being done with it, was not having to pull over to change a dirty diaper or get out the litter box. Just about every square inch was packed with stuff.

Cade and Addison have been getting along pretty well. they just both like to get their way. But one thing they have in common is the love of going pantsless. Cade tends to take off his underwear though, and the past few days Addison has started taking off her diaper. Just one of the many things he is bound to teach her.

Here is a potty picture. She has shown a lot of interest in it lately, but I wasn't ready to start until we got here.

Things I Am Thankful For

This weekend we bad the super long trip to AZ. It went really well. Here are a few of the things I was greatful for.



Sunglasses

No messy diapers

DVD player

Naps

Book on CD

Friends who think more of me than I do myself

Family to welcomes me with open arms and cinnamon rolls

First Driving lesson

Today Addison and I were taking a walk down our street and then we see John's car coming. Addison got all kinds of excited, she hadn't seen him yet today. Then she climbed into the car, on his lap and they took off. It was so cute, but the real lessons can wait a few more years.

I think Addison is officially over the binki, now we just need her to fall asleep on her own. We changed the crib into a toddler bed and she loves it. I sometimes find her just lying on it in the middle of the day. I hope she enjoys it, because in a wee she will be in a real bed.

I can't believe I'm moving next Saturday. I am starting to have mixed emotions about it have have to remind myself why we are doing it. It is also going to be hard to be away from John for so long. We have done it before, but never with kids. We are just praying the house sells really fast and he can get out to AZ with us.

A few things I am going to Miss

As I get ready to leave more and more thing come up that I realize I am going to miss.

~Fall. I won't be able to see it this year. I'm leaving a month too early.

~I love how even the weeds are pretty

~Walking down my street and seeing all the green

~Having an on call babysitter every Friday night

~Friends, of course, but more than any is Cammon. I have seen her almost every day for like a year and really hope they end up at ASU. She makes me want to cry like every day when she picks up Kelsie and says how much she is going to miss me.

~Seeing this kind of stuff in my yard at random time in the year

A little bit of Peace

Got this at a garage sale for Addison, Popo thinks its his

The best of friends share everything, even a cardboard box

A big tub of oatmeal, a couple of bowls and measuring cups = hours of entertainment

Day 2 and 3

No naps, Tylenol and lots of active play. That has been the last 2 days. Addison is actually taking it very well. She struggles for a little bit when we go to put her to bed, but I think she realizes that she would rather have me hold her then cry herself to sleep. During the day she really doesn't notice.

On moving, we are going to Casa Grande. Addison and I are leaving on Oct. 4th. John is going to stay until the house is sold and then come on out. Its going to be weird, but hopefully he will be able to get a lot more done on the house.

Bye Bye Binky

So yesterday we through away the binky. I decided to do this before the move (by the way, we are moving to AZ) and I don't have any kids to watch this week. I through them away one by one while Addison was watching, and crying for them, and said bye to each. I kept her super busy yesterday and she had no nap. By 7pm she was super tired, but we struggled until 10pm to get her to sleep. She has just been so attached to that thing. This morning she woke up at 6:45. So another day begins. I'll keep you posted.

Pictures

Trying to get cookie dough

First cookie paddle
reading with Kelsie

eating, again

Christmas in July

I just got !my huge Little Tikes order that I have been looking forward to for 4 months. Now I have to go set it all up

Here are some other fun things I have been getting the past couple of weeks

Addison did this to herself.

Addison Enjoys. . .

Many things really, but here are a few that I have caught on camera.

Coloring with her markers. She does this left handed because when she pulls the cap off the marker is in her left hand.

Wearing dad's shoes, why ?

Getting into my draws and pulling out all of my hose.

Every day is an adventure

Fouth of July

This year we had an extra long weekend. We started celebrating on Friday at a ward member's home. They know how to through the best parties. It really reminds me of like a Riggs/Tomkinson Party. It was Big, Loud, Had lots of food and Great fireworks!! Sorry, no pictures from that, but we had a great time and Addison enjoyed the fireworks this year.

The next day we took a couple of young men to the drag races in Topeka. They were only semi-pro, but a ton of fun to watch. John got all excited when we saw the junior division. He started talking about how Addison is going to do that someday.

Junior division

The leaders

We then went over to John's parent's and did some of our own fireworks. Of course this is mostly for the boys.

Overall it was a fun weekend, but I'm glad to have Addison back on her regular sleep schedule.

For Amy

The other day I turned on some music while watching the kids and it turned into a fun little dance session. Yesterday while at Home Depot looking for paint, a Madonna song came on. Addison started dancing, making several people laugh. I thought of you both times Amy.

Finally

Ok, so we finally got a new card reader and here are some long over due pictures for everyone.

Best Friends

Totally reminds me of Amy pictures
Before Haircut Before

After Haircut

(it wasn't that much, just out of the face)
Mummy Kelsie

Easter egg hunting inside the house due to rain

The three girls

Feeding the baby

Downward Dog Addison

Our massive yard

The Fence