Almost every day she asks to put on her make-up, but thankfully she understands that this stuff only goes on when we are not leaving the house that day, ha ha!
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Our Girly Girl
Hylie definitely loves dress-up, and princesses, and just recently: make-up! She kept talking about doing her own make-up, so we decided to make a trip to the dollar store where she picked out her lipstick, eye shadow, and blush. We got home and she immediately began her make-over. Then wanted to give MOM one too!
Almost every day she asks to put on her make-up, but thankfully she understands that this stuff only goes on when we are not leaving the house that day, ha ha!
Almost every day she asks to put on her make-up, but thankfully she understands that this stuff only goes on when we are not leaving the house that day, ha ha!
Hylie's ABC's
These past few weeks I've been tying up a few "loose ends" with Hylie's Preschool unit about the letters of the alphabet. She is getting more and more familiar with her letters and is excited about learning more about the sounds they all can make!
Here are all the letter crafts she made these past few months. I loved how she really wanted to take the initiative on a lot of these projects and assemble them all by herself and add 'details' as she likes to call it.
Here are all the letter crafts she made these past few months. I loved how she really wanted to take the initiative on a lot of these projects and assemble them all by herself and add 'details' as she likes to call it.
Thursday, January 21, 2016
A Few Fun Projects...
Just before Eliana became mobile, I basked in the easy-living of having a stationary baby and worked on a few projects.
I made a window treatment for the kitchen and hung a new (super cute) fruit basket:
Gave my spice jars a little bit of a face-lift by making new labels:
I've been wanting to do a square wreath for quite a while...I'm not crazy about the bow, so it may experience some revisions.
And I finally made the seat cushion for the mud room bench:
I made a window treatment for the kitchen and hung a new (super cute) fruit basket:
Gave my spice jars a little bit of a face-lift by making new labels:
I've been wanting to do a square wreath for quite a while...I'm not crazy about the bow, so it may experience some revisions.
And I finally made the seat cushion for the mud room bench:
Check out this super fun door knob hook I found!
All-in-all, I'm pleased with how everything turned out, especially since this was my first attempt at a cushion (and piping!). The funniest part was fitting the foam inside the cover--it seriously looked like I was trying to wrestle an alligator through the entire process, but it was worth it when I saw it actually fit!
Eliana Lately
Eliana's hit a few milestones lately and has been keeping us entertained with her cute little antics.
This little girl LOVES to eat! Sometimes she'll eat more than Hylie at dinner time! We still can't get her to eat any bananas, pears, or oranges, but when she likes what's on her tray, she can be pretty amusing to watch her self-feed:
Eliana also doesn't mind being spoon fed, especially when it's food from your plate. Sometimes she'll refuse food if she sees that what you're eating is different from her:
Even though I think her first official word was "Hi" (she would say it while waving) she hasn't been saying it lately, but she is super consistent with saying "more" while she does the sign language.
Every once in a while she'll humor us and echo some sounds like "mamamama" and "dadadadada", but only when she's in the mood and it's on her terms.
This cute kiddo LOVES bath time with her big sister. She will get SO excited and giggle and kick with delight when she hears the water running but will pitch a fit if we walk away from the bathroom instead of putting her in tub. However, when I take her in her room to get undressed for the bath, she realizes what is going on and will begin squealing again to show her approval.
She's still a little finger sucker. When we were in PA, my Dad noticed that when she had her right hand in her mouth, she would suck her first two fingers, but when her left hand was busy in her mouth, it was the middle two fingers. I looked back at pictures and the earliest ones I found showed this was even the case at 5 months old!
Eliana continues to be a die-hard mama's girl. She starts crying anytime someone comes into our home because she's worried I am going to leave. However, when it comes to toys, things are changing a bit. About a month ago, when she'd be playing with her toys and I'd walk towards her, she would fling aside whatever was in her hands and put her arms up to be held. (I won't lie, it melted my heart...) Now, if she doesn't want her playtime to be interrupted, she'll bat your hands away and cling very tightly to her toys. Ha!
And for the final tidbit about Eliana, she's officially mobile and is pretty proud of that fact, too!
Happy 2016!
We rang in the New Year with some friends at a Chinese Restaurant and then went home, put the kids to bed, and quietly wished each other a Happy New Year at midnight.
So far my New Year's Resolutions include: to blog more consistently (umm, already broken), to send out our 2015 Christmas cards by Valentine's Day, and to not put any crazy expectations on myself. Ha ha! Seriously, we are grateful for the blessings that came and the lessons that were learned in 2015 and I am hopeful to live in more gratitude and be more observant in 2016...and eventually set some specific goals for myself.
So far my New Year's Resolutions include: to blog more consistently (umm, already broken), to send out our 2015 Christmas cards by Valentine's Day, and to not put any crazy expectations on myself. Ha ha! Seriously, we are grateful for the blessings that came and the lessons that were learned in 2015 and I am hopeful to live in more gratitude and be more observant in 2016...and eventually set some specific goals for myself.
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Christmas with the Nelsons
We were very fortunate to spend a few days with my parents and family this Christmas. On Christmas Eve, we gathered at Grandma and Pap Pap's home for a delicious dinner which included homemade chocolates for dessert--yum! Grandma also shared a touching devotional about how the angels rejoiced at the birth of Jesus Christ and that most of our Christmas hymns sing of their declarations.
On Christmas morning, Hylie and Eliana were excited to find that Santa did indeed swing by Grandma and Grandpa's house to drop off some gifts for them.
I giggled when Hylie didn't believe the kitchen set was for her! When she first came out, she walked right by it and said, "That's for someone else." It didn't take too much convincing that it truly was for her and she's been whipping up some fine feasts for us ever since!
When the entire family gathered for Christmas dinner, Dad shared a few words and we watched some videos about the birth of our Savior.
On Saturday, Geoff and I slipped away for a special date to watch the new Star Wars movie and Jared and Genevieve arrived (in amazing time!) and we were glad to spend time with them.
At the family gift exchange, we were spoiled silly and Eliana's favorite moment was finding the bag with all the wrapping paper.
Janna received the game "Pie Face!" and never complained once when the whipped cream landed on her nose.
Mom was an amazing sport and joined in on the fun!
A beautiful highlight of our trip was being present for Bridger's baby blessing. It was a precious blessing and so special to see four generations gathered in that circle.
And, of course, a Christmas trip wouldn't be complete without Mom's famous and oh-so-delicious dumplings and a quick project with Dad!
On Christmas morning, Hylie and Eliana were excited to find that Santa did indeed swing by Grandma and Grandpa's house to drop off some gifts for them.
I giggled when Hylie didn't believe the kitchen set was for her! When she first came out, she walked right by it and said, "That's for someone else." It didn't take too much convincing that it truly was for her and she's been whipping up some fine feasts for us ever since!
When the entire family gathered for Christmas dinner, Dad shared a few words and we watched some videos about the birth of our Savior.
On Saturday, Geoff and I slipped away for a special date to watch the new Star Wars movie and Jared and Genevieve arrived (in amazing time!) and we were glad to spend time with them.
At the family gift exchange, we were spoiled silly and Eliana's favorite moment was finding the bag with all the wrapping paper.
Janna received the game "Pie Face!" and never complained once when the whipped cream landed on her nose.
Mom was an amazing sport and joined in on the fun!
A beautiful highlight of our trip was being present for Bridger's baby blessing. It was a precious blessing and so special to see four generations gathered in that circle.
And, of course, a Christmas trip wouldn't be complete without Mom's famous and oh-so-delicious dumplings and a quick project with Dad!
Pap Pap showed off his mad skills on the harmonica. So very impressive!
Monday, December 21, 2015
Christmas Dinner
I know, it's not Christmas yet, but we jumped the gun and had a little Christmas evening with our family on Sunday.
We had a wonderful time singing and talking about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
And exchanged family gifts. I love how excited Hylie gets when presents are being opened, it doesn't matter who is opening it--she just loves the thrill of finding out what's inside!
I also decorated our Star Christmas Cookie Tree for our center piece (and dessert). Technically, I was supposed to cut out twice as many cookies as I had done, but that would take a TON of cookie dough, so I thought I could put pieces of bread in between each cookie to give it a little bit of 'lift' so it didn't look so short and stumpy.
By the end of dinner, this is how our dessert was faring. I think next year I will just make more cookie dough...ha ha!
We are so grateful for the Christmas Season and the opportunity it brings to reflect on the gift of our Savior. As I was reading the scriptural accounts of His birth, I decided to focus on what we can learn from individuals involved in bringing this precious Baby to earth. I was touched to see Mary's example of willingly (and without hesitation even though she did not understand all thimgs) accepting a call. Joseph taught us how we can love and sustain one who has been called of God, he did not dismiss Mary when learning and believing her sacred responsibility. When Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem and were not able to stay at an inn, they went away from all the hustle and bustle and chaos that was found in the city to a quiet spot. I need to allow myself to step away from the busyness of my life and turn to a quiet place where I can recognize how Heavenly Father can guide my path. The shepherds demonstrated leaving what they were doing (which was quite important) to give time to the Savior (which was more important.) And finally, the wise men. They devoted years of their life to find the Christ child--years of study and of travel. Their path was most likely not easy. Yes, they had the star to guide them, but I'm sure there were cloudy days during their travels. Because of the knowledge they had gained, they were able to keep progressing on their journey even when the light from the star was not visible. I know I don't know and understand all things about Heavenly Father's Plan and our Savior's atonement, but I'm grateful for the things that I do understand. This understanding continues to guide me, enables me to learn more, and helps me come closer to Christ. May we all feel of His love and light this Christmas Season.
We had a wonderful time singing and talking about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Had some yummy dinner.
Geoff's 'artistic' shots of dinner
And exchanged family gifts. I love how excited Hylie gets when presents are being opened, it doesn't matter who is opening it--she just loves the thrill of finding out what's inside!
I also decorated our Star Christmas Cookie Tree for our center piece (and dessert). Technically, I was supposed to cut out twice as many cookies as I had done, but that would take a TON of cookie dough, so I thought I could put pieces of bread in between each cookie to give it a little bit of 'lift' so it didn't look so short and stumpy.
By the end of dinner, this is how our dessert was faring. I think next year I will just make more cookie dough...ha ha!
We are so grateful for the Christmas Season and the opportunity it brings to reflect on the gift of our Savior. As I was reading the scriptural accounts of His birth, I decided to focus on what we can learn from individuals involved in bringing this precious Baby to earth. I was touched to see Mary's example of willingly (and without hesitation even though she did not understand all thimgs) accepting a call. Joseph taught us how we can love and sustain one who has been called of God, he did not dismiss Mary when learning and believing her sacred responsibility. When Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem and were not able to stay at an inn, they went away from all the hustle and bustle and chaos that was found in the city to a quiet spot. I need to allow myself to step away from the busyness of my life and turn to a quiet place where I can recognize how Heavenly Father can guide my path. The shepherds demonstrated leaving what they were doing (which was quite important) to give time to the Savior (which was more important.) And finally, the wise men. They devoted years of their life to find the Christ child--years of study and of travel. Their path was most likely not easy. Yes, they had the star to guide them, but I'm sure there were cloudy days during their travels. Because of the knowledge they had gained, they were able to keep progressing on their journey even when the light from the star was not visible. I know I don't know and understand all things about Heavenly Father's Plan and our Savior's atonement, but I'm grateful for the things that I do understand. This understanding continues to guide me, enables me to learn more, and helps me come closer to Christ. May we all feel of His love and light this Christmas Season.
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