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