Christmas Time

We have been pretty active in bringing in the Christmas season. We baked a lot, ate a lot, ice skated, vistited Santa way too many times, and attended many Christmas parties. We had a really good time!It snowed 11 inches

Ice Skating

Adalie helping me bake. I told her if she licked the spoon not to put it back in because the spoon would have germs--her reply "It's okay, I will lick the germs off"

We found time to play in the snow

We had a really good Christmas this year! Adalie was much more excited this year than the last. Hallie loved opening presents--although she didn't really care about what was in them, she just liked ripping the paper. On Christmas Eve we got up early to drive to Wyoming--30 minutes into our drive our front right tire started making a weird noise. We stopped at a tire store to find that we needed $600 in new brakes!! We waited there for about 2 hours. When it was done we headed to Wyoming for a really nice dinner at my Grandma's house. We decided early on that we wanted to come home that night so we could wake up in our beds on Christmas morning. Yes, it was a very quick trip, but well worth it. The next morning we woke up to see that Santa and his reindeer ate most of the carrots we left out. Adalie was not happy that he didn't eat them all. She was so excited to go to bed and while running there said "I will go all by myself". About 5 minutes later she ran out and said, "Did you hear that? Santa is on the roof" so I said, "Hurry get back in bed or he won't come inside." She was so excited and ran back into her room. It was so sweet!! The next day we opened presents and my Mom and Gary came down for breakfast. That evening we had dinner at Jake and Camille's house.This is so sad--I thought I took more pictures of our Christmas adventures. I really do love Hallie, I'm not sure why I don't have any pictures of her!!

MOTAB & David Archuleta!!

A week before Christmas Nate, Jake, Camille, and I had the chance to go see David Archuleta sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir! It was a LOT of fun! He has an amazing voice. I have always liked him but seeing him in person was so much better. I couldn't believe how crisp, clear and soothing his voice sounded. We also had near perfect seats--FRONT and CENTER!! We ended the night eating at the Lion House. It was a really great evening!

Sisters

Anyone who knows me, knows that I have always wanted a sister. I was so EXCITED when I found out Hallie was a girl because I knew Adalie would have a sister!! Today I came into the living room to find this: Almost sitting on top of each other...it was so sweet!

(just ignore the fact that they are sitting on the couch eating and watching TV ;) )

Costumes, Costumes, and More Costumes!

Last weekend was our ward Christmas party and Nate was supposed to go as one of the 3 Nephites and since we had left over fabric our girls went as Nephites too (however Adalie claims she was Pocahontas). They were so adorable!!

Today was Adalie's Christmas recital for ballet. She was so cute all dressed up and dancing, but she was very nervous through the entire thing.

A little snowman

An Angel with baby Jesus

Adalie playing peek-a-boo right before her Angel dance

An elf a.k.a. an "L"

Adalie and Miss. Amber who she LOVES!

After her performances Adalie got a rose from her daddy. Isn't he sweet?

Cracker Nuts

We have a mini collection of Nut Crackers and Adalie plays with them constantly. The other day Nate and I overheard Adalie say "Hi Mr. Cracker Nuts." Well the name stuck and we refer to our collection as Cracker Nuts.
Today we went to the Festival of Trees and it was packed! My little cousin Annie danced so we went to watch her and then to visit Santa. Nate's sister Sarah and brother Jake and his family all met us there. It was good to be with family for the occasion. We waited in a long long line for Santa so I think that will be our last for the year.

I love Hallie's reaction!

Thanksgiving

This year we spent our Thanksgiving with Nate's Grandma and Grandpa Hill and his sister Jenny and her family. It was a pretty small crowd compared to what we are used to--but very pleasant all at the same time. I guess when you try to throw in all the extended family it makes for a crazy holiday so it was a nice change! I sadly did not get any pictures of the event. Most people document holidays and for some reason that is the thing I document the least. After dinner we made our way to my Mom's house for some games and snacking. We also had the chance to go to Wyoming a few days later to visit my Dad and Londa. Nate was off for five days in a row so no complaints here!! We did hit up some black Friday shopping--Nate actually did the 4 am shopping which was nice for me!! I went out at about 8 am until 10 am--I had a very hard time finding what I wanted, but luckily at the very last store I went to I found everything I needed in seconds!!

Updated on Children--I am Pregnant!! Okay just kidding...

Adalie:
She is getting better and better with her ABC's, in addition, today she spelled out her name to me--no credit to me, she is taking a computer class twice a week since September and at the very beginning of each class the program helps the children to spell their name.

Her new favorite thing is to have me sit and watch her do silly things. Most of the time it consists of her doing things such as "falling" into the couch or rolling on the ground. I always come back with "WOW Adalie that was so great" and then she thinks she has conquered the world and is so proud--which only leads to more amazing tricks. Yesterday I was watching TV and she told me not to watch the TV anymore because she was the TV--lots of fun ;)!

Hallie:
The last few days she has become so much more nice! She loves to be funny and the center of attention. Yesterday she was in the kitchen and fell and hurt her hand, she knew it didn't hurt that bad, but she wanted sympathy so while trying not to laugh and smile she walked over to me and held her hand out and fake cried. I held in my laughter and much as I could and kissed her hand then she smiled so big and laughed.

Hallie is starting to say (or attempt) so many words. I am so amazed at how much she understands us and how much more we can understand here. I give her simple directions and she is able to follow them with no problem--that is if she is willing to do it. What makes me laugh is that her first attempt at a word is almost perfect and then I can never get her to say it that good a second time. For instance today I was sitting at the computer and she came up to me and said Peanut Butter--it actually sounded like "pee-na budda" then I couldn't get her to say it again.

She still has her shoot fetish going on and refuses all shoes except for her pink Crocs. Lately she insists on sleeping in them!

Merry Christmas

Please notice the shoes and that there are no ornaments on the lower half of the tree thanks to Hallie ripping them all off and Adalie being a sweetheart and putting them up higher.

Attitude!

Hallie seems to have a lot of attitude lately--more than normal that is. Well tonight we were getting out of the car and Nate was telling Adalie that she was his princess and of course Adalie was eating it up. Nate did not want to leave Hallie out so he asked her if she was his princess too. Hallie's response was a little different. She got mad and yelled DON'T! We laughed and decided we needed to go inside and film her doing it again.

Also this morning while getting ready for church Hallie was not happy so I was holding her in the kitchen while she finished her breakfast. When Nate would come in the room she would get mad and hold onto me as though she thought Nate was going to take me away. We are amazed at all of the attitude--I guess that's all we can expect when she is made from our genes!

Remember when you are out problem solving, don't forget you UmiZoomi goggles!

Up the Canyon

About a week ago we decided to go up the Canyon to enjoy some fresh air. Basically we walked up to the waterfall for the girls to throw rocks in the river and then we walked back.

Does this picture look a little chaotic? Well it was....and it makes us laugh because this explains our family!

Yes that is a tape measure tied around Adalie's head...she is trying to copy my headband

I threw this one in because I thought we all looked cute dressed up!

We Have A Walker!!

Finally!!! Hallie has walked a tid bit here and there for the last six weeks or so and today she decided she was done with crawling!! We are so happy....she was always SO dirty from crawling all over! This morning I guess she just decided it was time to walk. Everywhere she went she was on her feet and she was so proud of herself. She was pretty steady most of the time, but is still trying to get it down.

Halloween

We had fun this year! We went to Nate's family's Halloween party earlier in October.....we were VERY cheap this year and probably spent a total of $5 between the four of us--that also included Nate, Adalie, and I having two costumes each. At the Halloween party I went as Nate and he was supposed to go as me--however, Nate's costume clearly states that, that is not me!!

Everyone had GREAT costumes!

Cinderella and Lady Bug--this is how Hallie says "cheese"

Halloween night Nate went as Woody, Adalie a pirate, Hallie was still the lady bug and I was Wednesday Adams (Thanks Becky for the idea). That night we went to our ward's Trunk or Treat...then to the mall for more trick or treating since it was raining ;(

We went out to eat that night and ran into Buzz Light Year!!

We ate at Carrabbas--very good food! Sarah works there and was dressed as Velma and her co-worker was Shaggy. Weren't they perfect?

More Happenings

Well as if I don't post enough about my girls lately! I guess that's what you get when they are my life 24/7! Well I have skipped a few items that happened in between posts that I would like to record. A few weeks ago we went to Corbellys with Nate's siblings and Dad (who was in town for a week). Our kids were older this year and enjoyed it much more than last year so I would consider the night a success.

All of the kids on the Jumping Pillows

Jenny, Camille, and I trying to jump...it was hard...especially to get a good shot of us in the air together.

Camille and I were in sync...Sarah on the other hand...haha...

Tricycle races!!

Little trains--we literally squeeze into them!

Hallie and Adalie on the swing

I found my prince!

Last Saturday we went to visit Jake and Camille and took a ride up the tram at Snowbird with the kids in tow!
Hallie and Maggie (only two months apart--they will be best friends I just know it) just before we left

Adalie, Marcus, and Carter on the way up

At the top where it was snowing

Keeping up with good ol' Halloween Traditions ...

Yes this is Adalie in a swim suit while it is freezing outside.....does it look small? Well it is because it was Hallie's suit last year!! She has this weird thing going on right now--she insists on wearing Hallie's clothes (long story short) and at times will wear them in public because I don't have the strength to tell/make her otherwise--oh and she is sporting her famous juice mustache--100% Adalie right there!

We made Halloween cookies for Nate and his employees (thanks for the idea Bobbi).

Hallie with her own bowl of frosting and cookie to decorate

Hallie is close to 15 months and over the past week I have noticed some changes in her. I don't think anyone else but Nate and I would notice--however they are big to us. She is so close to walking!! It seems like something has clicked in her brain because she is understanding more and realizing that she can communicate with sign language and words. Its fun to see this change and be more interacting with her. I put together a few clips of her from today and last week.

Big Girls Getting Bigger

I feel like my girls are growing so fast and that I can't keep up! I wanted to share some more things that we would like to remember down the road.


Adalie:
-Nate was bringing Adalie home from my Mom's house one day and he thought this was so funny that he is still talking about it.....she was sitting in the back seat saying, "Dad I'm pooping my brains out!"

-In our fridge we have some pink Tampico juice and I refer to it as 'nasty crap sugar juice'. For lunch one day Adalie asked, "Mom, can I have some nasty crap sugar juice?" She said it so innocently.

-Often Adalie will nag me over and over about the same thing so I decided to give her a taste of her own medicine. I was laying on the couch and she was in her room and Nate was on the computer. I yelled for her and asked her to give me some "loves" (hugs and kisses). I was as annoying as I could be about it (she was in her room working on something very important to her).
Me: Adalie I need loves
Adalie: Okay hold on
Me: No, I need it now...ppplleeaassseeeeeee....hurry...I need it now!
Adalie: OKAY! HOLD ON!
Me: Adalie I need loves right now hurry hurry!
Adalie: ahhhh....Dad will you go give Mom loves!?
We laughed so hard because it was so cute.....she was clearly annoyed!

Another thing I love when I get my way with Adalie is that after the battle she will say, "Okay, okay, I will do it". She says it with such annoyance and for some reason it is so funny to me.


Hallie:
Hallie is starting to become a little girl and growing out of the baby stage. I can't believe it! If she was walking I think she would be a little girl even more.

-She has a shoe fetish much like Adalie did and still does for that matter. She loves to put shoes on. I have recently learned that she has a certain pair she likes to wear. She has a pair of black dress shoes and when all of her shoes are laid in front of her she goes for those ones. She gets her point across with pointing and "talking" that she wants them on her feet. We will play the game where we put on all kinds of shoes and she will usually end up wanting to keep the black ones on. The other day she wanted to wear Adalie's Dora shoes and we were leaving so I would not let her and she threw herself down on the floor and had a major tantrum. She has also learned to say the word shoe...next to Dadda, Mamma, and stop/no.

-Within the last 4 days Hallie has picked up something new and cute. The girls and I were sitting in the rocking chair just before bed time and I said it was time to say a prayer and both girls folded their arms and then all of a sudden Hallie started shushing us with her finger up to her mouth. So now she will fold her arms, start babbling, then shush us in between.

-When I am sitting on the ground she loves to stand behind me with her hands on my shoulders and then bend around me until she is right in my face and will start screaming and then laugh because she thinks she is so funny.

*Disclaimer I hope when people read my blog they don't think I have this perfect life with my perfect children and husband. I am writing about the happy things in our lives, the things we want to remember. Spend a day with us and you will see that we are far from perfect. We have everyday struggles just like everyone else!