Christmas Cuteness and Isaac's favorite activity

Grandma Hess bought the kids their Christmas fancy outfits this year.  The girls LOVE their new pretty dresses.  Isaac didn't care much about his new outfit but was pumped to have some new black shoes to wear.  

Caught in the act playing with his favorite toy.

Isaac's "pretending innocence" look

 

Isaac being charming for the camera and feeling no remorse for the multiple ornaments on the ground.

Isaac's first hair cut

From the slightly sloppy look with a tuft poking up here and there...

 

To a very short buzz cut--no combing or hairspray required.

 Plus a bottle for some comfort...

He's looking more and more like a little boy and less like a baby!

Esther the Rich

We were leaving a store yesterday when we passed a lady ringing a bell outside to collect money as they often do at this time of year.  Esther asked why we didn't give her money and I just said that we were just in a hurry and maybe next time we could.  Then as we were driving away she said, "I'm pretty rich so maybe I should give them some money."  I replied, "Oh really?"  Then she said, "Yes!!!  Haven't you seen how much money is in my piggy bank???"
I'm glad Esther has such a generous heart and I'm glad she thinks she is rich so much that she wants to share her "abundance" with others. 

Lucy's Cold

Last week Lucy woke up with a little cold congestion.  We were hanging out in bed and she told me, "Mom I have snot in my mouth but I PROMISE I didn't put it there."  I laughed and told her that I believed her.  Colds are the worst!

Oh, Christmas tree (sigh)

Some day I will have a fabulous Christmas tree.  I've decided that just isn't going to happen for a while.  We only had our tree up 24 hours before Isaac broke one of the ornaments and threw all the lower half ornament balls on the ground (they're balls right?) and snapped the tops off of them.  The girls think it's fun to take the big red snowflake ornaments and put them on their heads while they waltz around to Christmas music.  It's going to be a long month with that poor disheveled tree.

Lucy and the Little Drummer Boy

 We have been listening to a lot of Christmas music already and the Little Drummer Boy came on the other day.  Lucy told me she did NOT like this song.  I asked her why and she told me because it has a potty word... "bum."  She thought the song went, "Pa rum bum bum bum..."  I laughed and told her it was actually "pum."  The next time we heard the song there was no exclamation of displeasure--only a little Lucy voice from the back of the car singing "Pa rum pum pum pum."  She is adorable. 

This is the outfit she likes to wear every day.  She wore it yesterday and tried to wear it again today.  She thought she could get away with telling me it had already been washed.  Hello..  I do the wash!!!  I promptly made her change.  Then there were couple more changes we had to go through (like a navy flowered dress with black sparkle tights) before I just gave up and let her wear her purple jeggings with a purple shirt.  Choose your battles, right?

November Catch-up

I often suddenly find myself way behind on my blog.  I think I'll blame Isaac and the lack of sleep I've had for the past month.  I think he got up every night this month except for two.  Last night was not one of those two.  It's been the molars, then a cold, then who knows what. 

Important events of the month:

-Visit from the Lehikoinens-our friends from California.  It was SO GREAT to see them and we had so much fun hanging out and catching up.  We even played a couple games just like the old days!  We sure wish they lived closer.  Maybe some day...

We were sad to see them go. 

-Thanksgiving, of course.  Sadly, no pictures of our feast and festivities.  Let's just say there was an abundance of great food including three Pioneer Woman pies.  Yum.  We also mastered one huge 1000 piece puzzle and drew our thankful pictures that my mom has had us do every year since we were little.  Esther drew a picture of herself and we decided we were just glad she has a good self-image even though it was slightly narcissistic.  Lucy was grateful for bunnies.  What would the world be without bunnies?  John and I both drew a picture of our house.  We are so blessed!

-Black Friday shopping with my team--yes we have a team.  I don't think I could or would ever brave the crowds and lines by myself.  I am definitely not a crowd or a line person, but with my friends we are amazingly efficient.  We got some good deals and had a good time in the freezing cold and densely populated stores.  Breakfast at Mimi's was great too! 

-Zollinger basketball game.  When my mom's family is in town the competition is on.  If I'm being honest, I would rather watch then participate but with two family members out on missions I was obligated to join the Hess team.  We did pretty well though I didn't contribute much.  I was too scared for my life to even go for a rebound--let's just say there are a lot of tall, strong, athletic, aggresive boys in the Zollinger family.  I still had a good time and it was fun to see everyone and do some running around. 

We did a few other things over the weekend like watch my cousin's basketball game at Weber state and watch BYU crash and burn to Utah.  John is still recovering from that but I think he'll be okay.  I just loved the holidays--the family, food, friends, and lots of fun. 

Next up, December.

Molar Hell

Isaac's molars are coming in right now which is why I have time to do my blog at this early hour of 4 AM!!!  Just the other day I was wondering if he was ever going to get more than his 4 teeth he's had for the past seven months.  Now I am wishing he could to back to being a gummy mouth for the rest of his life.  Motrin doesn't even seem to cut it--he just screams bloody murder if we try to put him to sleep.  He is currently enjoying a cup of ice chips but the parents need some sleep!!!  Hopefully this doesn't last too long and those puppies come in SOON!

A rainy trick or treat

It was raining so hard when we went trick or treating (its not like we could just NOT go) that I only got some "before" pics. I didn't even remember to do the "after" pics until the morning. My brain is seriously going...  The girls also got to do a trunk-or-treat with the ward the night before so we maximized our candy intake.  Isaac was the turtle from Finding Nemo and the girls were fairies minus the wings--those proved to be awkward, especially under coats.  They got fancy new wands which was their favorite party of the costume.  Isaac hated his costume as you can see in the picture of him trying to rip off the hood.  Esther is already talking about what she will be next year--of course it's always in the realm of princess or fairy. 

 

Despite the rain, we still got MORE than enough candy. 

Pumpkin Carvin' Night

We carved pumpkins last night for family night.   I usually dread this night because of the mess and the dangers of trying to cut into hard thick pumpkins with knives and coming out with awkward looking pumpkins.  Not this time.  I read somewhere to try using a keyhole saw so I stopped at Home Depot and picked one up.  It didn't look like much and I was skeptical as to whether it would make any difference.  I was so wrong!  A keyhole saw made carving pumpkins easy and enjoyable!!!  You want a toothy smile--no problem!  The girls loved the process although they mostly sat and watched--they were a bit repulsed at the thought of putting their hands into the pumpkins to pull out the "guts".  Lucy, especially, does NOT like getting her hands dirty.  The girls designed their own pumpkins--or I should say Esther picked hers and Lucy wanted the same but I talked her into some star eyes to switch things up.  John decided to carve a declaration of his love.  Such a romantic...  We actually got that big pumpkin from my parents' garden!  Isaac just ran laps around the kitchen while we all worked on the pumpkins--he can't stop moving for a second!  At least it wore him out, until 1:40 am or so when he woke up for two hours!!!  We're not sure what to do with that kid.  Good thing he is so cute. 

Lastly, a test-run picture of our jack-o-lanterns ready for Halloween!

We got grass!!!

On Saturday we finally put some sod down--we had a great crew and it went really fast.  The difference it makes is amazing--to look out and see green instead of brown clumps and dust can't help but put a smile on the face.  The kids are excited to except for the part where they can't walk on it for two weeks.  That is going to be a challenge...

  

Here is Isaac already needing to be restrained from getting to the grass.

ps. I realize that "We got grass" is not grammatically appropriate.  I just thought it sounded more enthusiastic. 

Thieving Fairy

A few days ago the girls woke up in the morning and came downstairs with very somber faces.  Esther told me plain face, "Last night the tooth fairy stole Lucy's bracelets.  She put them under her pillow and now they are gone."  Lucy is right by Esther wiping at her eyes at this point.  I tried to hold back the chuckles but couldn't.  I told them I was SURE the tooth fairy did not take the bracelets (John brought them some new ones from Colombia).  I found out they put them under their pillows to hide them from Isaac who is notorious for braking necklaces and bracelets.  We later found them somewhere in the bedding and the Tooth Fairy was relieved from all suspicion.  Phew. 

Chicken is chicken

I was making chicken noodle soup last week and as I was stripping chicken off the carcass Esther was, of course, hounding me with questions.  This very serious topic came up:  "So is that chicken really from a chicken?"  I said yes and showed her some of the bones.  She repsonded, "That. is. disgusting."  But she kept eating the chicken so I guess she wasn't TOO grossed out.  Then there were another twenty other questions about the chicken and its bones--which bones were what, where the stomach was, was this how the chicken leg walked, etc...  I found I was quite deficient on my chicken anatomy... but the soup was amazing!

Conference Weekend with visitors!

As always I'm a bit behind on my blogging.  Last weekend was General Conference--every six months I just LOVE this weekend.  This time we got to have John's Aunt Esther and her daughter Lizzy (sp?) with us.  It was so fun to get to know them more and hang out during conference.  They also brought the girls gifts (barbies) and the they couldn't stop playing with them all weekend.  Esther couldn't even put them down for the picture.  It's especially fun for Esther to get to know her Auntie Esther.  Such a great name!  Thanks for the visit and we really hope Lizzy comes to BYU so we can see her more! 

And I loved conference, there is something amazing and beautiful to hear the prophet speak about gratitude as opposed to a myriad of other topics. I loved that simple but vitally important message.  All the talks were great--I need this six month reminder to keep trying to do better and be better.   

Isaac's new skills

We've been trying to teach Isaac some baby signs.  He doesn't really do any of the signs we've really worked on but he has picked up some other things on his own. 

-Isaac can fold his arms--he's an arm folding whiz when prayer time comes

-Isaac can hold up his hands and say "all done"--didn't try to teach him that but he just started doing it.

-Isaac can wave goodbye--it's a pretty frantic out-of-control wave but we love it.

A few more skills: 

-Isaac can FINALLY go down the stairs--slowly and cautiously, thankfully.

-Isaac can clean the floor--yesterday the girls and I were mopping the floor with rags and he wanted "in".  We gave him a small rag and he got right down to business wiping the floor.

-Isaac can DANCE.  He can bop up and down and shake his little arms(it kind of looks like his wave).  He LOVES dance parties with his sisters.

One skill he is STILL STILL STILL lacking:  sleeping through the night.

The things Esther says to me EVERY night at bedtime

-Can we sing "I love to see the temple"?  (Her favorite--we sing it EVERY night)
-Can you tuck me in?
-Will you tell Daddy to come kiss me and hug me when he comes upstairs?
-Can you turn the fan on low?
-Turn on the hall light!
-I love you, good night!!
-I love you mom, good night!!
-I love you, good night!!

Oh and Lucy, the copier is repeating right after Esther so I actually hear all the "I love you's" double." 

And then every time she hears me come upstairs she repeats, "I love you, good night!" louder and louder until I respond, or until she hears me respond, "Love you too, now GO TO SLEEP!!!  By this time I'm usually yelling because it's the end of the night and my patience is thin and because if I don't the fan drowns me out.  That is the main reason I try to stay downstairs until my sweet girl is fast asleep, so we can stick to a hopeful three minimum "good nights". 

A new pronoun

Lucy, all on her own, has come up with a new pronoun.  I'm sure you've heard of somebody and nobody, but have you heard of "whobody"?

"Whobody" is Lucy's favorite pronoun.  Some examples of usage:

"Whobody took my cracker???"

"Whobody is that guy--is he a stranger?"

"Whobody is going to take me to my dance-ballet (that's what she calls it) class?"

I love it too much to correct it. 

Lion King

I am way behind on my blog but a couple weeks ago we got to go to Lion King, thanks to my parents.  They had an extra ticket and we knew no one would appreciate it like Esther so she got to come too.  It was AMAZING.  The music, the costumes, the voices...  John did have to miss half of a BYU game but think by the end of the show he was okay with it.  Esther LOVED it and we continue to listen to some of the music and she continues to ask me fifty questions about each song--what's going on, who's singing, why are they singing, to whom are they singing, what part of the story, etc... Love that girl.  Love those broadway musicals.  Les Miserables is coming next year!!!  I can't wait!!! 

We're going to miss Auntie Ju

Yesterday my sister went to the M.T.C. (Missionary Training Center) to start her mission to Peru.  It was an emotional past few days spending our last moments with her for a while and saying goodbye.  She will be a great missionary but we are sure going to miss her.  The next year and half will be quite bleak without my sister AND my brother Lige but I am proud of them for their faith, service, and sacrifice.   

Good luck Hermana Hess

Esther and the Tooth Fairy's first visit

Nobody could be as excited as Esther was about losing her first tooth.  She's been wanting to lose a tooth since she first saw her cousin Walker start to lose his teeth.  She has asked so many times "When am I going to lose a tooth?" that I think I have lost count.  It finally happened on the second day of school--which meant she was the first girl in her class to lose a tooth and she got a special sticker.  Not to mention she got two dollars from the tooth fairy.  Two dollars you ask?  Well, John opened his mouth and mentioned that the tooth fairy could bring ten cents or two dollars--nobody knows.  So Esther, of course, hoped for the highest amount and even included it in her evening prayers tuesday night.  So in order to promote faith and fulfill dreams the tooth fairy left a whopping two dollars.  She was ecstatic.  She couldn't even wait for me to walk through the door when I got back from running in the morning--she opened the door to the garage and immediately started yelling out to me.  I did tell Esther that most likely the tooth fairy just left such a large amount because it was her FIRST tooth and the first tooth is SPECIAL.  Hopefully she got the hint. 

Esther's first REAL day of school

Esther officiall started school today.  She had an orientation and testing last week but this week is the real deal.  I've been a little sad that the no schedule phase of my life is ending but Esther is ready and excited for school.  Of course, she has loved the new school clothes too!  I didn't think I would get emotional today but I had to hold in some tears when the moment came and she walked inside to her classroom.  Sniff, sniff...

Esther's Kindergarten orientation day

I had to get Lucy a new school outfit too just to make things more just for the younger sister that usually wears the hand-me downs. 

Here she is all backpacked up, and ready to go with Lucy WISHING so hard that she was going to kindergarten too!  I tried to make two years not sound like too long before she would go too. 

Isaac's 1st Birthday!!

It's hard to believe that one year ago I gave birth to a big baby boy.  Now he is almost triple the size and triple the fun (and sometimes the work).  Isaac has been doing a little better at sleeping (thank goodness) and is generally a happy guy.  Yesterday he was a bit of a crank but we decided to not give him too hard of a time since it was his birthday--but it did make church a bit exhausting.  We had a combined birthday/graduation party for Isaac, my mom, and my brother Dan.  We now have a few more boy toys in our house so Isaac isn't limited to dolls, strollers, and pink things.  He is becoming a good walker--although we know he still isn't great when Esther includes him in his prayers praying that "he won't fall so much now that he's one."  Isaac loves to point now (we're not sure at what or why) and he will even wave on occasion if he feels like it.  He's usually always up for giving big sloppy kisses.  He LOVES water--baths, showers, beaches, faucets--he's happy.  The girls love mothering him and smothering him.  Happy 1st Isaac!

He thoroughly enjoyed his cake--and even enjoyed trying to put some in Auntie Ju's mouth.  By the time he was done we had to do major clothing removal.  I think it was probably his favorite part of the whole day!  (it definitely wasn't the three hours of church--did I already mention how horrible he was at church yesterday??)

We still love him. 

The Goon

We went to Lagoon (Lucy calls it "The Goon") on Monday with John's cousins.  I'm so glad they were there because going on my own would have been difficult.  The girls were in heaven, except for the five minutes when they went on an adult ride (the Tilt-a-Whirl) that made Esther pronounce, "That was RIDICULOUS!" and Lucy just bawled her little eyes out.  Lucy was even nervous on most of the kiddie rides so I was shocked when she said she wanted to go on a big ride.    Isaac was a little sick when we were there which made him a little more content to just sit in the stroller.  That was nice.  Lucy's favorite ride was the merry-go-round and Esther's was the swings. 

Lagoon isn't my favorite place but I went for the girls.  My favorite part of Lagoon was watching Esther look out for Lucy--making sure she made it in line with her, helping her get on and off of rides, and then if she was scared during the ride Esther would talk to her or lower the ride if she had control of the spaceship or plane.  She was so sweet and that made it all worth it. 

"Beautiful, Gorgeous, Sooooo Pretty" Yellowstone

Last weekend we drove six hours to Yellowstone for a weekend camping trip with some of John's family.  I'll be honest and admit I wasn't thrilled to be going camping with my almost 1 year-old.  His sleeping isn't great even when he is home so I was dreading that aspect of camping the most.  But, it turned out all right and the girls had so much fun.  The first night was not great--Isaac woke up in the middle of the night and I ended sleeping in the car with him for half the night using beach towels for blankets.  Then my sweet mother and father in-law were so worried they made some arrangements to stay in hotel so we could be in their trailer with our family.  It made a huge difference and the next couple nights were much better.  I went to Yellowstone a long time ago as a child but I don't think I really appreciated the geysers, waterfalls, canyons, and hot rivers.  Esther soaked it all in and while driving at one point she gushed, "Beautiful! Gorgeous!  Sooooooo Pretty!!!" 

Here are some picture highlights of the trip. 

One part of camping I'm not sure I can get used to is all the dirt.  Lucy felt the opposite and could NOT keep her hands out of the dirt.  This is her the first night after only a few hours at the campsite.  I'm not sure why she has a crazy face going but I love it.  

Esther and Lucy with their cousins before going into the Boiling River.  I couldn't believe how HOT it was!  It was so hot in some spots the girls would start in with the screams and we would have to rush away to a colder part.  It felt so WEIRD to be in a warm river. 

My dad, of course, called us the day before we left to tell us about the recent bear attack in Yellowstone and advised us to take precautions.  Fortunately, the closest we got to even seeing a bear was at the hotels or gift shops.  Before we came to Yellowstone we had told the girls that bears were only in the forests, not where we were going to be.  Our second campsite was a bit in the "forest" and the girls were quite nervous going to sleep that night. 

The girls got their junior ranger badges while up in Yellowstone.  Esther LOVED every second of it and could not stop working on it and finishing her papers, even if it was on the ground at a the head of a trail to a waterfall.  Lucy, on the other hand, was so indifferent that really her mommy is the only reason she has a junior ranger badge.  Esther was skeptical as to whether she should get one at all because she picked some wildflowers which goes against every ranger code. 

Kathleen and John--in our matching Yellowstone shirts.  John's mom and dad wanted us to all have Yellowstone shirts so we could all sport them together on the same day.  Pretty sharp looking!  Thank you for the shirts!

The Yellowstone experience was so much easier thanks to this handy carrier.  Isaac loved being in there as long as who ever carried him kept moving.  Grandpa Bob was nice enough to take a turn with the heavy adorable chunk.

Our second bear sighting...  perfect size for a Lucy ride.  She WISHES this was her souvenir from Yellostone. 

Mommy and Lucy at the Fountain Paint Pots.  These were AMAZING.  Bubbling and spewing pots of water and/or clay--such a weird phenomenon.

Lastly, Old Faithful, BEFORE

and AFTER!!!

When we got home Esther asked if we couldn't take our house and build it IN Yellowstone.  Esther and Lucy had so much fun--especially playing with their cousins and seeing Nana and Grandpa.  Isaac was restrained a lot so he didn't have as much fun but it was all for his safety!  I'm sure he won't remember the constant restraining or the cool geysers so we are fine either way.  Even though camping isn't my ideal vacation I am glad for the experience.  We had so much fun being there with John's family--thank you for planning it!