Christmastime

Christmas was just right. Endless amounts of family, music, great food, memories, and love. There truly is "no place like home for the holidays." The video is my of my sister Kathryn. She performed this song for all of us on Christmas Eve. This song is rather fitting. Nothing like wearing PJ's all day and being able to spend time with the people you love. 

Ugly Enough?

Here are the pictures from the Ugly Christmas Sweater party. 

Lovely aren't they? 

It was a wonderful time! 

able

Off to Salt Lake tomorrow! What a week it has been. Erik has now finished up his first semester of Grad school. He walked in yesterday after taking his last final and Darla and I started cheering!  Hooray! 

This past week has been full of many emotions. I've been excited, thrilled, anxious, worried, tired, frustrated, happy, grateful, humbled, humbled again, in love, amazed, curious, and prayerful. Last night as I was reading I came across these words, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." At that moment I felt able. Able to fulfill my calling. Able to tend to Darla in the night no matter how many times she wakes up.  Able to be forgiven. Able to become. 

"You better watch out. You better not cry. . ."

As soon as I set her on Santa's knee she let it all out. Even when I picked her back up she couldn't even look at him. It was classic. May be next year Santa. 

Just now. . .

I can't believe it. Last week she learns to stand, this week she's basically walking.

"feels like"

I forgot to mention that the other day we were checking the outside temperature and it said that is was 17 degrees but "feels like -1!"

Are you kidding me?

A lot Like Christmas

              

             

We've had snow this week, Christmas music playing non-stop (I'm not joking), and have now frosted sugar cookies shaped like candy-canes, Christmas trees, gingerbread men, and stars. The highlight of it all would be Darla standing all by her self. No steps yet, but she is "furniture cruising" as some may call it. She has discovered the delight of unloading our canned goods cupboard. Amazing what will keep her entertained. She was also able to play with Dallin and Paige (her favorites). Lastly her FAVORITE word is "Hi". She probably says it over 100 times a day. Where ever we go, no matter who she sees - she will say it to everyone and will keep saying it until they look at her and acknowledge her. I think she already knows how cute she is. 

Quite the week and it isn't over yet - I believe we are going to make up a little homemade Cafe Rio (yes Erik and I are counting down until we can eat the real thing!) for some people that are coming over tomorrow. Erik is studying hard trying to wrap up all of his papers and assignments. This semester has gone so quickly. He has done an incredible job. I cannot believe we are where we are. 4 months has disappeared. 

Ugly Christmas Sweaters

Isn't this the best picture! This is last years ugly Christmas sweater/gingerbread house party (Darla was born just a few weeks after). The Nelson's host this party each year and don't you worry we have our sweaters for this year and they are AMAZING. I probably shouldn't call them simply sweaters, but outfits. We picked them up at a Savers in a pretty frightening part of Minneapolis. We probably past about 10 liquor stores on our way there. Scary. This year the party takes place on December 20th, the day after we fly in. Erik is already growing his mustache out for the mustache growing contest. We are excited. . . to say the least. 

light

What a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday we have had! It was strange to not be with family, but on the other hand it gave us a whole new experience. We were able to share it with some of great friends out here  - and we lucked out with a fabulous meal and wonderful company. Now we are counting the days until we are on the plane to Utah. We are of course excited to be with family, but it will also be a relief knowing that Erik is all done with his first semester of Grad school! I love this time of year. The other night Erik and I were sitting in our living room and we had just the Christmas lights on. There is something about the light of Christmas lights - I love it! I think it has to be one of my favorite things. It reminds me of when I was little and we would sleep in by the Christmas tree. Even then I still remember thinking about how safe and warm the room seemed by the light of the tree. I can't wait to go to Temple Square to take in that light. What I especially love is that we are able to celebrate the birth of the Savior - the Light and Life of the world.

Got the Giggles

Moments like these are Erik's FAVORITE! 

He lives to make Darla laugh. Enjoy!

Why Thanksgiving?

A lady in my ward shared part of this today in her talk about Thanksgiving. When I was reading over it I thought - why don't the leaders of our nation speak like this any more? I'm grateful for Abraham Lincoln who set aside the day of Thanksgiving. Let us all direct our thanks to God, who makes this life what it is - beautifully possible.

Joan Curtis was inspired

Before:

After:

Ok. I am not posting pictures of my dirty dish pile to show everyone how behind I get at times, or to show how wonderful I am at keeping up on my dishes. In our apartment we don't have a dishwasher. Which is fine. I'm not complaining. The main thing I am wanting to point out are those pink rubber gloves hanging over the counters edge. When I was in Jr. High all the way through high school I would be at the Curtis home constantly. Joan Curtis is the mother of my dear friends Catherine and Jane. Every time she would do the dishes she would pull out her yellow rubber gloves and go to work. I would watch her and think, "That is such a good idea!" My own mother never used gloves. But there is nothing worse than dishwater hands after all the dishes are done. So, ever since Erik and I got married I ALWAYS wear my pink rubber gloves and go to work. I thank and write this in memory of beautiful Joan Curtis who truly inspired a young girl who now has piles of dishes to conquer every day. 

curls

          

          

I bought some small sponge curlers at the grocery store the other day because I wanted to see what Darla would look like with curly hair. I was laughing when I took them out because just the top layer of her hair is long - so it was just these tight ringlets. The underneath part is all too short to curl. But once the curls relaxed a little it actually looked pretty cute. This picture of her and Erik is one of my new favorites. 

I am needing some suggestions of activities you can do with a 10 1/2 month old. Poor Darla, I feel like our apartment is getting smaller by the day because she has pretty much discovered every nook and cranny, and her toys just seem not so entertaining. This is one reason why I am VERY excited to go to Salt Lake - she has two Grandparents houses to explore. How lucky is she! We have gone to the library once and I hope to go this week (if you are still wanting to Rachel :) I guess I've just got to get more creative. 

just captured

picture perfect.

We woke up to snow again today, but it already looks like it isn't going to stick around. I went to Costco and printed off some pictures of Darla this week and when I picked them up the guy behind the counter said, "Wow, 44 pictures of the same little girl!" She must be a first child. It's true. We are always taking endless pictures of her DARLING face. 

Back to the weather though, snow always makes me feel like playing Christmas music and drinking hot chocolate. But, I have a rule that I can't decorate, or play Christmas music till after Thanksgiving (which isn't too far away). Not like I have many decorations - just my wonderful Charlie Brown Christmas tree (thanks to the Livingstons), and some lights. Darla's new red coat makes her look a decoration - don't you think?

2 teeth!

She got her two bottom teeth a little bit ago, but this is the first picture where you can actually see them. It has made her look more grown up to me. She is turning into a little girl instead of an infant. This week I have realized how much she really does likes music. She has always responded to singing etc, but we have been having mini dance parties to one of our favorite family summer CD's and just today she has starting pointing at the CD player and won't stop pointing and grunting towards it until I turn on her music. I love it! We had our first snow today. I LOVE waking up to falling snow. None of it really stuck though, but I guess our winter has begun. Erik always makes fun of how cold everyone thinks it is here. He mocks his classmates by still wearing shorts even though it is 33 degrees outside. Well, I probably should go shower while Darla is asleep. Any suggestions on where we go to dinner tonight?

November

 

The month is November and I cannot believe that it is. Once again time is surprising me with how quickly it moves the days along.  Luckily I have this cute face to share every day with. She is my joy (if you can't tell). 

BOO!

Well, we had a great time with Darla on her first Halloween. Yes, we did tote her around begging for candy and we actually got a pretty good stash! Thanks to the Starkie's for letting us tag along. Their girls (and little pumpkin man) were bursting with excitement. Erik was just about as excited about the candy as they were. I remember the last time I went trick-or-treating as a kid I was in 8th grade. We dressed up as 70's chicks and sprinted from house to house. I don't think I have been that tired. We ran for at least 4 hours straight. Oh the memories. I have to say as much fun as those days were - seeing little Darla be thrilled by holding one piece of candy in her fist, or just the smile she gets from being outside made this Halloween 10,000 times better than any of the others. Having her makes everyday seem like a holiday.

10 MONTHS!

I cannot believe that in two short months I will have a 1 year old. This has to be one of my favorite ages (I say that like I've been a mother of all ages - I haven't, but I have been around a lot of kids in my day). From when they are 6 months up until they turn 1 - it is incredible how much and how quickly they learn and change. Man, I continue to fall more and more in love with this little girl. We love you Darla Anne.

one little indian

Ward Halloween Party - our little indian (with her elephant friend Jane)

She is already posing for photos.

Baby Boom-Box

Cereal box prizes have really moved up in the world. This little boom box (actually it's a guitar hero amplifier) that she is playing with is the toy of the week found inside of Frosted Flakes. Every time it starts playing music she shakes it, as you see in the video. She often does that same hand movement with any music or song. Cute girl.

Refreshing

You know that sound you make after taking a long, cool drink of something. That release of air (no not a burp) that almost sounds like the opening of a coke can. Well the other day Erik taught Darla to make that sound after she drinks from her sippy cup. Now she does it just about every single time. And whenever Erik or I go to drink something she will make the sound as she watches us. We can't help but laugh.  This morning when I was nursing her, she stopped and looked up at me and made that perfect sound followed by the biggest smile I've ever seen, just waiting for me burst into laugher. Of course I started laughing and she just went right back to nursing with a little smile on her face because she knew how smart she was. That had to be the best way to start the day. I have a clever girl on my hands. 

Make a Wish

How hilarious is that! Erik and Darla play on the LoveSac with blankets and all until her hair is just like a dandelion. I love it! I'm so proud of Erik for catching it. 

Before & After

           
                   
                           
                                     

The first two pictures are a typical sight. She wakes up from her naps with hilarious hair. But then we like to create even more crazy hairdos in the tub. She LOVES the bath. Rocking her to sleep last night I was enjoying the aroma of Johnson-Johnson baby lotion. Delicious.