Cute Dancing Girl

Grace had her dance program last night. She did great and was super excited to be on the big stage. It was a long day though and after playing with friends, practice at 4 p.m., the program at 7 p.m., she wasn't in the mood for Santa when he arrived at 8:40 p.m. I think she had just been good for too long. The boys were excited to see Santa. It was super cute because Jaden was almost as excited as Grace was for this night. Grace has gone to swimming lessons, t-ball, wrestling and primary programs for Jaden so this was her night. I got to help her little class so you can see her looking at me in the front row. She concentrated so hard that she forgot to smile. Her hair also refused to curl. It usually curls really easy but 4 different curling irons, hot rollers and 3 different products could not make it stay! She was still cute. Grandma Linda helps with Grace's class and she says Grace is the "best dancer in the whole class"! She isn't biased though!! Showing off her cute costume! The boys with Santa! Grace says "ENOUGH"

Update

Apparently, if you want your baby to take a bottle-you just need to complain about it on a blog. That very same day at lunch time, I again tried the bottle. He gobbled it up in about 2 minutes. I was so excited I thought I'd cry. For a month or more now I've been working on it but he will now take bottles during the day time. So now can someone explain to me why I'm kinda sad about it. He is the first baby I've been able to only nurse. I should be relieved but I'm having mixed emotions. Maybe in a week when I can fit back in my shirts I'll be thrilled!

On a side note-I went to my recipe exchange group yesterday. We did brunch and a cookie exchange and it was so much fun. Grace met some new friends and I found an awesome new recipe for breakfast ciche(spelling?). I'm at my mom's today so I will try and post some pics and stuff when I get home. It is snowing like crazy and my kids are loving it. They look like little snow monsters! I miss the winters like they have here!

Help!!!!

Today Lane is 8 months old and I want to get him to take a bottle. I've tried every bottle, nipple, sippy cup. I've put flavors on the end of the nipples. I've put apple juice in the bottles. I've tried every day to get him to take the bottle. I've eliminated his noon feedings to get him to take a bottle. I was told to take one feeding away at a time, but I can't get him to even take the bottle. He pierces his lips and gets mad. I pumped and that didn't work. I've made him go hungry and that didn't work. I'm considering quitting cold turkey and seeing what happens but that scares me. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get a stubborn and spoiled child to take the bottle before his mom loses her mind?

Christmas Tag

Leslie tagged me and I thought this one was kinda cute.

1.Wrapping paper or gift bags? I hate wrapping presents. I think I wrapped too many with my grandma. She would wrap for hours with all sorts of curly ribbon! I would go the gift bag way but I do still wrap them because then it is funner to unwrap.

2. Real tree or Artificial? We have only used artifical for the last 2 years. Before that we would "poach" Christmas trees with mom and dad. I love real trees. Maybe soon we'll have to actually buy a tag or something.

3. When do you put up the tree? ASAP after Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down? New Years Day at the latest.

5. Do you like eggnog? It is ok

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I don't know-probably my barbie house that my dad made.

7. Hardest person to buy for? my sweet husband

8. Easiest person to buy for? Grace

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes-right now I have 4 up and one being made(so cute out of blocks so the kids can play with it). I also have the fisher price little people nativity and I love, love, love it. My kids play for hours

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? better not tell

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas or Miracle on 34th street

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? October

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Does using it as a white elephant gift count?

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Grandma's homemade chocolates-now I'm making them. I also love my friend RaeAnne's goodie packages.

16. Lights on the tree? white lights but I think its time for a change

17. Favorite Christmas song?What child is this. I also love the rusty chevrolet version of Jingle bells

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home(just depends on where you consider home, there is no place like mom's)

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Only if I sing

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I bought a star yesterday but I don't like it. I've had bows, angels...I just can't get it right.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Needless gift buying. I am really into memories this year and not so much buying of needless gifts. I would much rather spend time with my friends and family then buy a random present.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I have so many favorite ornaments. My kids laugh as I haul out my 6 tubs of Christmas(not counting the tree). I love my village, I love my Mr. and Mrs. Claus(just like mom's, Leslie's and aunt Ramonas), and I adore my life-size manger.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? anything

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I saw this cute shirt in Carter's that I almost bought for Lane. It said, "All mom wants for Christmas is a Silent Night!". That says it all.

I tag Erin, Alecia. Audrey, Kristen, Alisha, Becky, Nicole & Natalie(I know... I know..too many)

Santa

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Nothing fancy

I am sitting here at the computer, looking over my "to do" list and not wanting "to do" anything! I love this picture of Lane. He is such a smiley baby but when he is tired he has this blank stare on his face. Often times I feel the same way.

I've been reading everyone's blogs about things that they are thankful for. I've cried reading some and laughed at others but I can say that I feel grateful for much of the same things. This time of year is a great time to reflect and it is nice to stop and take the time to do that. I was thinking about the usual-husband, kids, house, groceries, health, etc. Not to discredit any of these wonderful blessings, I was also thinking about growing up and the wonderful blessings I had.

I will start with friends. After a few years without keeping up, I am so very grateful for the blogging world to let me reconnect. Each of them has touched me at a different time in my life. Each of them is strong and taught me so much. They have put up with me and loved me anyway. Hopefully they have forgiven me of my shortcomings and know that I have never stopped reminiscing about the fun we had and never stopped praying for their happiness.

I am grateful for my dad who honored his priesthood and his family. I don't think I would have searched for my great husband if it hadn't been for my dad. I'm grateful for my grandma (yes Les, I stole this from you). My grandma really is the best. My 3 wonderful brothers who I got to laugh, cry and grow up with. We aren't all that close but I do love them and miss them too. Of course my mom! I don't know what words to put for a mom. I don't think you fully appreciate them until you are one.

I am also grateful for my guardian angel. I have thought about this a lot since last January. I had a sister who passed on before I was born. I always wanted a sister and was jealous of the close bond I saw others have with theirs. I used to wish on a star for a sister(that is when Patrick came). Thanks to some personal experiences and some experiences Chad shared, I really believe my sister is watching over my family(old and new). I am also grateful for my learning experiences. I would say trials but I'm not sure that I've had those. I look at everyone around me and the things they deal with and think, "I couldn't do that". Then I feel guilty for not having to. There are so many wonderful people with so many challenges. The minor hiccups I've learned from have been hidden blessings and I'm grateful that I've been forced to grow.

Right now, I'm grateful for quiet time and nap time. How else could I update my blog!