Presents: a child's favorite gift

We are finally getting around to posting Adella's first Christmas.  For never before opening presents, Adella did exceptionally well- she only stopped because she was already so interested in her new toys.  She was deffinately blessed this year to recieve so much!  It's been fun to see her play with her interactive toys, pick out a specific and favorite book, and wear her new clothes.  Santa was kind in bringing Adella her own piano so that she isn't as interested in her mommy's.  When everything was unwarpped, Adella even had fun checking out what her mom and daddy got.  But perhaps the best gift she got (for mom) was her very first tooth.  And even though Christmas was under a week ago, she already has her second!  Woohoo for chewing food! 

Christmas Eve Placements

 

 

 

Vacation: A trip where- if one doesn't tavel by air- the majority of time is spend driving.

Thanksgiving this year was a real experience.  We took Delli out to see her great grandmother Anne, a 16 hour drive (yes, of course we know we're crazy).  This trip has been in the works for a very long time, and anticipation was not the friendliest of daily companions.  But finally we made it.

Tuesday morning started out early, with a planned 9 hour drive to Reno.  But, due to the weather, we were about an hour behind schedule and a bit more up-tight about safety.  What a blessing it was to find our way through such snowy weather.

Wednesday didn't start out with the looming weather.  Instead we hopped into the cars for the remaining 6 hours of the journey knowing it'd be more enjoyable.  The weather was gorgeous- but the mountain roads were quite nasty, slowing us down a bit again.  Wednesday was also the day Zane was looking forward to the most.  He has quite a fetish and fascination with Sasquatch and was looking forward to the museum near Grandma's house.  Unfortunately, it closed for the winter in October.  He did, however, get a picture with his beast friend.



When we finally got to grandma's, Adella did something she had never done before... she wouldn't go to her.  She acted shy and clung to me... this is not a very reassuring sign.  But Adella quickly warmed up to Sammie, the dog. 

Thanksgiving day started with Uncle Scott taking some people crabbing.  Zane was lucky enough to get to go and was only slightly seasick.  Thanksgiving was also the first time, that I can remember anyway, my dad's entire family getting together.  It was really great to see my dad's brothers and their families.  We were even able to eat some of the crabs Scott had pulled up.  And of course, since this was quite an event, we got a family picture.

The rest of the trip was great too!  I was able to show Zane a bit of the area.  We went to Big Tree, Fern Canyon, and the beach.  Each spot is fun to visit because Northern California is so unique.  The redwoods are amazing, the area is lush, and the beach freezing.  Of course this trip was special for Delli also because it was her first time to the beach. 

Big Tree




At the Beach



Tracie, my cousin, also brought her little girl Claire to Grandma's house so that the three great granddaughters could play together.  We also made sure to get Christmas dresses and snap a picture of them together. 



Adella, Claire, & Anna



Four Generations
Olivia, Grandma Anne, Kevin (Dad), & Delli

The ride home was also enjoyable, but we were all grateful to get home so we could have some space.  Delli did great on all four days of the ride.  She also learned three new things: clapping her hands, clicking her tongue, and playing peek-a-boo with her blanket.

 Olivia

Doors: a gateway between the inner and outer worlds

It's been a long and exhausting journey for my father, but an everlasting wait for us.  When we moved into our current house, we were assured to have a door leading directly to the basement put in.  This would allow for Zane and I to only have six downward steps instead of the ten up and approximately thirteen down to travel.  But the wait is finally over!  We've had the stairs and door for a little while now, but the railing is the newest instalment.  It has been a blessing and we can't express how grateful we are to have such a little way to get Adella and groceries into the house!  Thanks dad!



Of course no I have to make a curtain



... and clean the stairs...


Olivia

Growing: Adella's only job

Adella is now 6 months old! 

For being alive for only half of a year, it seems like she has always been here!  As we reach this milestone it's fun to see how far Delli has already come.  She has:

learned to army crawl

sit up on her own

eat baby food and puffs

drink from a regular cup

get her hands on everything she shouldn't

talk and use her voice

say mom (even if it only comes out when she is mad and upset)

It is also fun to see how she responds to certain people.  She absolutely loves her daddy!  When she hears him she will look around the room until she finds him or the phone if he is on speakerphone.  She finds other little people so much fun to scream and talk to.  She adores Anna and babies in our ward are all becoming her friends. 

All in all - 6 months of baby have been great!  We love you Adella!

Birthday: Breading ground of illnesses

My birthday was celebrated on Sunday this year.  My family thought it would be fun to have a BBQ, so we did!  Zane made a delicious one of a kind cake: cream cheese, yellow cake, and strawberry gram-cracker icing!  Fabulous! 

The only downside to this whole thing, the flu ran rampant through the entire family the following week.

Boxes: cheap suitcases to live out of

This week, Adella and I, stayed at my parents' house to help mom go through some old boxes in preparation for a yard sale (maybe).  Just like everyone else, my family has accumulated a lot of junk and memorabilia.  It was fun finding things that have been put away for years.  Rifling through some of my mom's old craft stuff, we found my old ballet shoes.  I never took ballet... but did take dancing lessons and used these worn slippers for that.  I was also excited to find my wood chess set.  It was one of the few things I have been trying to find.  The other is a box of Barbies.  I haven't seen my Barbies in years and suspect someone might have disposed of them.  I wanted to have them for my kids, and now that I have a girl, they would be nice to have on hand.  Oh well...  instead of bringing back Barbies, however, I brought back four boxes of fabric.  I look forward to making things for Delli! 

Water Fight: What happens when two people want the same water.

Speaking of Adella's favorite sneak attacks, here is another:

Zane