CuTiE PaToOtiE

I was very excited to get a new camera for Christmas, Thank You from the Heaven's above Mom and Dad! There have been quite a few posts about my retchid, possessed old camera, and my clever mom caught on that I HATED my camera. I read the whole information book (I am not taking any chances this time!) and tried it out this morning. It was fabulous! I love it. Alaynah rarely, well actually never smiles for the camera. It is just the way it is. I don't stress over this because there is no reason to, this is just the way it is. As I took this beautiful, teethy, cheezy picture, my brother Michael happen to be standing by and we got it! Alaynah actually does have teeth and can smile. I love it. The other picture is with my brother Justin, whom Alaynah adores. They love to wrestle and for some reason she flirts with him by kicking him in the head. Must get that from me :)

SnOw GiRl

I don't know why I always decide to record sideways, and then I can't figure out how to switch it. I am sorry. This video is just so cute. We played outside on Christmas and Justin would throw snow at Alaynah and she would laugh and then fall down. Silly girl!

ChRiStMaS

It was a wonderful, white Christmas. We woke a little after 7 to my brother Justin yelling down the heater vent to 'Wake Up!' Alaynah LOVED her car that Santa brought her. She sat in it and pushed the horn and then she kissed it. What a funny girl. After the car, she was perfectly happy. She didn't care about opening any more presents. Needless to say, she still had unopened presents at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. She thought the Christmas thing was just a blast. She loved the paper, candy and especially her car.

We went outside in the afternoon the get out and play in the snow. It was perfect snow for a snowman. Jill decided she would sleep ALL day. So. .. . this is why the snowman is dressed so beautifully. My dad eventually got embarrassed and took it down so we didn't look so 'white trash! !' Funny. Alaynah loves to eat the snow and be outside. Her boots are 5 sizes too big and really heavy, but she managed. It was a great day.

Christmas Eve

It is a tradition to go bowling on Christmas Eve Day every year. We started the excitement off with pizza (from Papa Johns, my fav, their garlic butter is to die for!) and pop. Aunt Marcie and Uncle Eric + the fam came over and it was really fun to chat. We left to bowl and the games began! We split up into 3 groups according to age to mix it up. Alaynah thought bowling was the coolest thing. She kept saying, "ball, ball." She would try to pick it up and was confused as to why she couldn't. She helped me roll the ball down the lane and even scored us a strike!

In the evening we opened our Christmas jammies, played games and finished some wrapping. It was an exciting, fun filled night.

BaKiNg BrEaD

The is what fun comes about when momma sleeps in and Grandma and Grandpa watch Alaynah. I, myself, have tried again and again to make homemade rolls and failed miserably. My mom makes the most AMAZING rolls in the world. Alaynah got the pleasure of helping (and eating) this morning. I don't let her eat dough due to the raw eggs (I eat it myself :)) I figure it's best if she is older to do this. Note that she is eating dough in this picture. I am sure she will survive and had a blast doing it. Thanks mom and dad!

I jUsT cAn'T hElP mYsElF

I am truly sorry (well not sorry enough to keep this beloved picture to myself) for this lovely display of my dear sister. I was browsing my mom's camera and found this beauty just staring at me, wanting to be posted. Jill and I have this silly game we like to play where we pull the funniest face we can think of and compare pictures. It sound extremely retarded, but we laugh until we cry. We somehow got Lisa in on the kick, just for 1 beautiful picture and it turned out fabulous. Though I am sure she will never agree to playing the game again, I think she is a winner! I love you Lisa!

Gingerbread Houses

Alaynah loved making gingerbread houses, but it was a struggle to actually make the house with Alaynah around. She was climbing on the table, wanting to destruct the house and eat everything in sight. This is to be expected. The house now sits on the table, and when Alaynah gets to it, there is a serious loss of decoration. She has such a sugar tooth, probably from her daddy.

25 ThInGs To LoVe AbOuT mE

Place an X by all the things you've done. Answer the 27 questions at the end. This is for your entire life!

(x) Skipped school
(x) Gone on a blind date
( ) Watched someone die
(x) Been to Canada
(x) Been to Mexico
( ) Been to Florida
(x) Been on a plane
(x) Been lost
( ) Used a GPS
(x) Been on the opposite side of the country
( ) Gone to Washington, DC
(x) Swam in the ocean
(x) Cried yourself to sleep
( ) Played cops and robber
(x) Recently colored with crayons:
(x) Sang Karaoke
(x) Paid for a meal with coins only
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
(x) Made prank phone calls
( ) Exercised today
( ) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue:
(x ) Danced in the rain
(x) Used a Palm Pilot
(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus
( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
( ) Shaken a movie stars hand
( ) Watched the sunrise with someone you care about
(x) Blown bubbles
(x ) Gone ice-skating
(x) Watched a sonogram
(x) Been skinny dipping outdoors
(x) Gone to the drive-in movies

1. Any nickname? ash, ma, wyoming wonder, tooter (yes, I actually wrote that Lisa!)

2. Sisters name? Lisa, Jill, sister in laws-Angel, Lindsay, Melissa, Wendi

3. Favorite drink? Cherry Coke (I am not gay and like water- how boring! from Sonic, pa-lease!)

4. Tattoo? No

5. Body Piercings: just my ears

6. How much do you love your job? I really do love it. It can be enjoyable scraping crap off of people's teeth :)

7. Birthplace: oh good 'ole Lovell, Wyoming

8. Favorite vacation spot? Cancun

9. Ever been to Africa? No

10. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? Weekly

11. Ever been on TV? nope

12. Ever steal any traffic signs? No, but my sister stole one named Clayton once! HE He

13. Ever been in a car accident? yes

14. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4 door

15. Favorite salad dressing? Hidden Valley Ranch

16. Favorite number? 13

17. Favorite movie? The Wedding Date

18. Favorite holiday? Christmas

19. Favorite dessert? Brownies from a box, how in the world are they just so good? I cannot stop eating them either!

20. Favorite day of the week? Saturday

21. Favorite brand of body wash? This is the strangest question. Ummm soap? Please, this is like asking my favorite way to shave my legs...

22. Favorite Toothpaste? Crest with Scope

23. Favorite smell? Your butt...well if I must be serious Alaynah after a bath

24. What do you do to relax? Take a hot soapy, bubbly bath with a book

25. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I feel inspired to not answer this question to save you all from a butt load of crap

Lisa my Girl

I have recently posted some "silly", to say the least, pictures of my dearest sister Lisa. We love to tease and make fun of each other. Well, I've decided that I would do a post that describes my kind sister Lisa. We had such fun growing up together, I think we had an upbringing that is very unique. We grew up on a farm, rarely watched TV and ran around the country side like wild Indians. It was so much fun. I was kind of a wanny, and Lisa was the wild cat bossing me around (even though I am older). I love hanging out with Lisa and watching our little girls play (ha, more like wrastle and harass one another!). I am so proud of her for being strong willed. She got married, had a baby, went to school and worked all at the same time! I am excited for her to become a dental hygienist and make some moolah $$$$!

I wish I could see you for Christmas Lis, but I know you are enjoying your break and staying home. Thank you for being such a great sister and always lending an ear to my problems and questions. I love you.

Oh WhAt FuN

Idaho is treating us well, and is VERY snowy and COLD. Alaynah loves Grandma's house and it is impressively baby proof (minus Grandma's beautiful Christ statue is mysteriously missing a hand- oh dear). She adores Uncle Justin and can't get enough of their 'wrestling/cuddling.' She gives him these wild kisses that I hope she never tries out on any boys :). She searches for every one's belly buttons and lifts up ladies dresses at church to see their knees (this is very strange and embarrassing for me). We are glad Jilly is here, but Alaynah usually despises her. We have no idea why, other than Jilly can be loud and in her face. When Jilly comes around Alaynah swats and hisses at her to get away quick! If Jilly persists, Alaynah will full on smack her in the face, or any other wild animal tactic to get her away. They mysteriously bonded last Friday when I had to go to work with my mom because one of the girls was snowed in. I guess she figured her mom was gone, so she might as well find another, and Jilly was the only girl home, and looks similar :). As soon as I got home, the swatting continued! HA AHAHAHA. Jilly hates it ;).

We went to the museum here because they had a Christmas display and it was free. Can't get any better than that! They had hundreds of beautiful nativities from all over the world, amazing gingerbread houses and then their usual museum things, including some mounted animals. First we saw the wolf, which Alaynah described as a dog by patting her knee (signing dog). She loved the huge bear, growled at it and tried to touch it. There was also and Indian display that included a horse. We have worked on "what the horse says" as 'he he he he.' Well, when Alaynah saw the horse, she clicked with her tongue as if making the noise when the horses hoofs hit the ground. No one has ever taught her this. It was so funny that she just did it! I asked her this morning what the horse says and she did the same thing. It is hilarious!

Ssssssssss

Grandpa has been a saving angel and takes Alaynah is the morning so I can get some much needed Zzzzzzzz. She has a certain corner that she takes a book into (I am not kidding about the book) and does her business. Well one morning after he changed a really stinky one, he set the diaper next to her as he put a new one on. She was absolutely disgusted at what was inside that diaper. I usually roll it up really quick and she doesn't see the contents. She made a dirty face and said, "Sssssssssss." Now, every time I change her, she has to analyze the contents and judge as to how she thinks the diaper looks inside. Strange.

I cAn EaT wItH a SpOoN !

Alaynah refused eggs with ketchup to dip, and blueberry bread today. I pulled out the Rice Krispies and poured her a bowl of cereal. I realize this is VERY messy. I figure 1) she will learn and have fun doing it, 2) she cleans very easily and 3) she needs to eat. I gave her a spoon and wallah (this is my very own word), she uses it very well! I am so proud.

Soap Eater

Alaynah has always had an eye for finding soap and eating it. Strange? Yes, but very true. Ever since Alaynah was little, she has loved to eat soap. She will scope it out in the bathtub, touch it with her finger, lick and repeat. I once tried this, because I thought in my crazy mind, maybe it's really not that bad. Oh wow! It is absolutely awful. I always hide the soap and, heaven forbid, do not let her eat it. If there is a residue left from where the soap was sitting, she will find it and lick it aggressively. Thus, I must find the soap, hide it and wash away any evidence that it was there prior to Alaynah's bath.

This was taken to a whole new level just yesterday. I was doing laundry, and Alaynah likes to sit on the dryer and watch. As she was sitting there, I noticed her touching something with her finger and then licking it. Lo and behold! It was, yes, some liquid laundry soap that had spilled on the dryer! Oh wow! I told her 'no, no, yuck.' I threw in some more clothes, looked up and she was still doing it. I proceeded to grab her and she violently touched and licked as I picked her up. On the way to the bathroom to wash her hands, she licked and licked to get the rest of the delicious soap off her finger. This is madness. At least she's clean??? I know, it's a stretch.

On the First Day of Christmas . . . .

12 Days of Christmas from Grandma and Grandpa

Grandma and Grandpa give Alaynah the 12 days of Christmas presents to celebrate the coming of Christmas. This is super fun, my Nana did it for me when I was little. Alaynah gets to open 1 present a day for 12 days until Christmas Eve. My favorite is the darling Nativity. Alaynah tries to eat baby Jesus and destroys it (we call it 'the earthquake'), and has a blast. She has received books, candy canes, puzzles and much more. It is so fun for her to open a present in preparation for Christmas!

Jilly Poem

Hurray! Jilly is here,
lets give a loud cheer!
Jilly is loud,
and for this we are proud.
She has long hair,
and her skin is so fair.
We'll give her a hug,
and sit on the rug.
We'll give her a kiss,
and celebrate in bliss.
We love you Jilly,
we promise you, really.

Jee Lee

I have a SLIGHT little nudge that Lisa got some Hideous pictures from my dear, sweet Jilly to make fun of me on her blog. Tisk, Tisk. Thus, my sweat Jill is now involved and it because a 3 way circle! Muahahahah! I love you Jilly, and quite frankly, found it difficult to find stupid pictures of you as they are all sweet and nice and pretty (not so easily said for Lisa!!!). I have no idea what you are doing in the strange jumping on in the garage???? Tali ho!

a TrIbUtE tO mY lItTlE SiStErS

I have always enjoyed having 2 little sisters. We played together, I think more than most sisters do. We rode horses, made pioneer trails and pulled each other around in a wagon for days, played barbies for hours and many, many other fun/retarded things. Lisa is the stubborn, strong headed, but still loving one. Jill is the tender hearted, kind and giving one. So, girls! Here it is, a tribute to my SISTERS! Enjoy!

Bailar Senorita

I am sorry this video is sideways. I have no idea why I recorded it this way, and cannot figure out how to fix it. Alaynah was pushing buttons on the radio and I turned it on FM, low and behold it was hispanic music! She loved it! She danced in circles and stomped and was hilarious. What a cute little dancer.

I HATE MOLARS ! !

Alaynah has been getting all her 1st baby molars in all at the same time. Life is not fabulous to put it kindly. Luckily she is only getting up 1 time in the night, and freaks out for about 20-30 minutes. I never thought I could hate teeth as much as I do right now (especially being a dental hygienist and all), but this is dreadful. Alaynah whines at me quite constantly throughout the day and wants to be held a lot. Her poor little gums are sore and the cusps of the molars are just sticking up, oh heaven help me. There is still another set of molars to go and canines! Not to mention her permanent teeth! Oh dear me!

Trim the Tree

Monday December 8, we hung the oM
IU
bv v c v 0rnaments on Grandma and Grandpa's tree. Alaynah thought this was great fun. ju n. I have a very grouchy helper, so I will edit this post later. :)

Cookin' with Mama

Alaynah helped me cook some bread sticks yesterday, and boy was she a helper! She insists on sitting on the counter and participating fully in the process. I gave her a spoon and she would randomly help stir and get some dough. She loved eating the dough. When uncle Michael got too close, she whopped him with the spoon! This is a serious baker! Amazingly enough, the bread sticks turned out great and we were thrilled. I am not a good cook, by any means, but I do try.

Oh Lisa, Lisa. You have Aroused the Beast!

Oh my dear sister. What a beautiful sister you have been. I must say, we all have our moments growing up ;) Muahahhaha! For all those tuning in for this lovely blog on my dearest sister, the HUGE glasses are not an error in the old photo, and yes, they are purple. She picked them out her very self. Oh Lisa, how you have bloomed in the years that have past. Thanks for being a GrEaT sister and getting rid of those dang old glasses! I love you. ..

Sugar Baby

Wednesday morning I was baking muffins for breakfast. I feel like Alaynah needs variety in her eating and decided to try this out. While I was baking (and yes, they were from scratch - I am so proud!) someone got into the sugar, threw handfuls onto the floor and then proceeded to lick it straight off the floor. It was hilarious, so here it is!

Sleep Deprivation = Strange Behavior

Saturday Night. After staying up late making hair things and having a blast, I just couldn't get enough of this 'late night' fun stuff. My mom's best friend lives across the street with her husband and 2 boys. She is really fun! My Mom also has this scary mask (as pictured above) that Caydance hates and Alaynah really doesn't mind. I decided about 10:00 pm that we should scare Tiffany. There was only 1 mask, so I opted for the classic 'nylon on the head' look. If none of you have ever robbed a bank this way, it is very uncomfortable. My eyelashes were smashed down and my nose was totally squished. Anyway, after scaring Michael and his girlfriend outside with our getup we headed over the Tiffany's with Justin. We snuck though the back gate to her back glass door. Sitting right on the couch was her husband, just cozying in to read a book. Where was Tiffany? FYI, Tiff's husband is an ex-marine and very muscular guy. I, at this point, feared for my life that he would attack me. Think about it, I am wearing a nylon on my head and look as if I am ready to rob the place. We took off to the front bedroom. We scratched the window, but found no Tiffany. We headed back to the innocent Jeff. We stood and stared at him forever. Finally, I scratched the window and tapped. He turned, and just stared at us. No reaction. So. . well. . .we ran off laughing and cackling. It was totally retarded, but super fun. Jeff came over later and we all laughed and he admitted that he, "Was scared deep down inside." Thanks for being nice Jeff!

A Night of Craftiness

Lisa is going to kill me for this, and even worse, for surely get me back on her blog. We had the best time last Friday night making hair accessories for Caydance. I figured out how to do this on YouTube and Lisa wanted to learn. We stayed up SO late, and late for me is 12:30 am (extremely pathetic, I know). We pulled out all my Mom's old fabric, buttons and even some of Grandma Jo's old stuff. She really had some fabulous stuff! It took us probably 3 hours to make like 12 bows. After we were all done, and obviously I was Ravid from sleep deprivation, I decided we should have a photo shoot of our work. Oh dear me! I started setting up props and backgrounds as Lisa looked on in confusion and empathy. I can truly be crazy. We had a great time shooting pictures of 'our work' and my camera (I hate it) decided that that night was not the night to focus. So, I am sorry for the blurriness, I tried! What a great time! I am thankful to have that night that was spent with my sister whom I don't get to see often and have a good time with. I love you Lisa!
P.S We are taking orders for homeade bows. . . . um I am totally kidding! HA HA! Especially in the fact that we are complete amateurs and we love our sad work so much that we keep it all! Muahahhaha!

Grandma Darlene and Grandpa Dan

Nothing beats spending time with your Grandma, and believe me, Alaynah loves her Grandma Darlene. BUT, there is some special connection between Alaynah and Grandpa Dan, she absolutely adores him. Grandpa Dan pulls Alaynah in his special wagon again and again. He pushes her in the swing, gives her special treats, plays and plays and plays with her. She will go to him just as easily as she will come to me. I am so thankful that my dad is such a special Grandpa to Alaynah. I could not be happier than when I see them together and the special sparkle in Alaynah's eye that says, "I love my Grandpa." Thanks Dad, you are the best Grandpa I could ever hope for Alaynah.

I love Caydance . . . . sometimes

It's a love/hate relationship between Alaynah and Caydance at this stage. Alaynah was thrilled to have a playmate and someone her own size. The downfall is that they are still both learning to share and learn friendly manners. Caydance knows that Alaynah is smaller than her and is in the pushing stage. I don't have a problem with this, this is just the way things go. At first, Caydance would push Alaynah and Alaynah would just look at her and eventually just come running to base = me. After about a day of this, Alaynah would shoo her away with her hand when she came close and give her a dirty look with a screeching sound. By the 3rd day together, Alaynah would fight back. If Caydance wanted a toy she had, Alaynah would fight to the death. It really was quite funny, and thankfully Lisa thought it was great that Alaynah stood up for herself. We really had a great time and I am so thankful Alaynah could spend some time with her only girl cousin.

Beautiful Sunday, Beautiful Girl

Sunday November 23 we decided to take some pictures before church because Alaynah just looked adorable (as usual :). It was a good day, we didn't make it to church on time. Alaynah's nap is right before and goes into the beginning of Sacrament meeting, thus we end up being late to let her sleep. Church is at 11:00 and we usually make it by 11:30. 4 months until nursery! I have an inkling that by the time Alaynah is 18 months she won't want to go to nursery, isn't that how it goes?
PS. I am an idiot and don't know how the first photo got in here and don't have the patience to try and remove it. There is a story that goes with the picture of the bows. . .stay tuned.