1.23.2010

Letters and Stuff









I can't believe how long it's been since I have posted anything on our blog. The first photos are of some early valentine treats that we made for some friends who just brought their new adopted daughter home from Haiti. It was really very exciting to meet them at the airport as they brought their child home for the first time.
As you can see, Nora's been honing her fine motor skills. She is suddenly much more interested in letters and drawing. This is her latest chalkboard art display and one that I wanted to save. It's a portrait of Josh and me as we got ready to attend a holiday party together. Actually, Nora told me that it was a picture of us coming home at which time she was actually asleep so I'm not sure why she captured that particular moment. What a funny girl. Well, that's literally all we've been up to!

1.08.2010

Temple Square






















No trip to Utah (especially at Christmas time) would be complete without a visit to Temple Square, the block in the heart of Salt Lake City that houses the Salt Lake Temple, tabernacle and visitor centers. You could almost spend a whole day here, especially if you've never been before, just walking the grounds, enjoying the fountains and landscaping, and learning about the Mormon Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). The christmas lights that they put up are unbelievably good. Unfortunately, they end on New Years Eve and we missed seeing them this year, but they still had out the nativity scenes and a few other festive additions. The light was good for photography and we took advantage of the beauty of the surroundings. We probably would have stayed longer if it wasn't so COLD once the sun went down.

1.07.2010

Friends





Nora and Wells, you are both at such great ages, I never want these days to end! I love hanging out with the two of you and feel so grateful that I have been given the chance to spend every day learning and growing with you. I love to see how you have become friends. Wells, you adore your sister even when she is headbutting and tripping up your little feet. You call "OOAH!" ('NORA!') when she's in the other room and point at the stairs with a very concerned look on your face when she is crying in her room during time-out. Nora, you are always very considerate about giving Wells a toy to hold that is comparable to the one that you are playing with. You try to include him in your never ending imaginative games and even allow him to be your 'prince' sometimes. He is always thrilled when you are around. Thank you for seeing each other the way that I see you both.

1.04.2010

Potato Derby










Our New Years Day activity was bizarre- and so fun. My sister-in-law had the idea of using a pine-wood derby track and cars made from potatoes for a full family competition. Josh carved a car for himself and Wells and helped Nora with hers. Their names were funeral potato, tater tot, and Penelope (Nora's choice). Nora's performed well and ended up in the winners bracket. Josh took it all! I took pictures (which ended up getting deleted- arg!)

Family Photos

I'm starting this post by saying how BUMMED I am. My photo card that held the pictures from this entire trip was accidently deleted last night. I managed to steal a few pictures from the other families here, but it's just not the same. Here are some good ones from our family photo shoot. It's the first time the whole family has been together in seven years! I hope it's not seven more before it happens again. The only bad thing that came from this trip (besides my card being deleted) is all the sickness that went around from 20 people living in the same house. yikes!













1.03.2010

Christmas Jammies











These adorable Christmas jammies were gifts from my sister-in-law, Amy. She has been so hospitable and generous for the two weeks that we have been here. I love when my kids match and these are especially cute because they are the same but in pink and blue. It has gotten so hard to get Nora and Wells to cooperate for pictures lately, but I thought these turned out pretty cute. One of my new years resolutions for this year is to finally figure out how to really use my new camera- I guess it's not so new anymore, we bought it last Christmas!