Resolutions

First to reflect on last year's resolution. Not so good. Actually, one of my worst years on record, in terms of meeting my resolution goals. Biscuit didn't help - I have a few holes, weird half eaten pots in the far corners of the yard and a few plants that look a bit eaten. :) Oh well. I learned something very important this year. I don't like yard work. Its not fun. It is hard, and I don't spend enough time enjoying it to make it worth it. So, enough of that. On to this year . . .

EXPLORE WASHINGTON 2010!

This is going to be fun! You know we love to travel and take trips around the country and explore new places. But right here at home we tend to overlook fun adventures and do the same ole' things. Not in 2010. We are going to be exploring fools. Trying new restaurants, parks, hikes, visiting new towns and places . . . Maybe we'll even camp!!???!!?? Well, we'll see about that. :)

So, if you have ideas for us, let me know. It can be a fun and crazy shop, a cool meadow to gaze at, or a festive holiday activity right here in wonderful Washington. And if you want to come along with us we'd love it!

Hope all of you are looking forward to a new year. Lots of new possibilities, isn't that a great thought?

A Hint . . .

I am almost ready to unveil my new years resolution . . . here are some hints for you to ponder.







Any guesses?

Addison

Sorry for the delay in posting an Addy update, I know I had promised folks a while ago . . . it seems like I sit down to do it and get distracted or called away.

Addison has embraced being 3 in many ways. She's always telling me she's ready to get a big girl bed, says she's ready to potty train and even says that she'll give up her binky at night. We'll see if these things come true in the next few months.

3 has also brought on Addison's attitude! Wow! Didn't know all that was hidden in that little body. She can throw a temper tantrum like no one else. She is a challenge and so fun at the same time.

Addison is OBSESSED with dresses. I am serious. Really. If I work really hard I can convince her to wear pants one day a week. She thinks she is only pretty if she is wearing a dress and tights. So she is the best dressed kid at school, at the grocery store, at the doctor . . . you get the idea.

Addy loves to dance. (See paragraph above) But you must have a dress on to dance, and so we struggle with the concept of dancing in pants or pj's. She is in ballet and is learning lots of very cute things. She's pointing her toes and can bow like a champ.

Scooby-Doo is still her favorite and she loves to play with her new mystery machine she got for Christmas (thanks Santa). But in the last few months Addy has really gotten into princesses, dolls and babies. Pretty much anything you can undress. That is the first question she asks when you give her something - can I take its clothes off. The answer better be yes!

Addy knows all. Or so she thinks. She is quick to tell you if you do something wrong, how you are supposed to do it and always reminds us that we better make good choices or we will have to go to time out. It is a amazing that she gets the concepts of discipline and dishes it out to us and her toys, but isn't so good at accepting it herself! :)

Addy is always thinking of her friends and family. She wants to visit everyone, invite everyone over and has a huge heart when it comes to being a friend. She always wants to call her family in Arizona and loves picking out things to give to her younger friends.

Addison can write her alphabet, write words if we spell them for her and can't go to bed at night without a disney story. (That is my girl.)

Addy saw her first movie theater movie today - Princess and the Frog. She did good - better then I hoped - but still struggled in the last half an hour to stay put. We are going to be picking out her new big girl bedding this weekend . . . its our first project of the new year. Big girl room for Addy! She is so excited . . . while my heart sqeezes a bit. She is getting so big!!

Addy loves to cook and help in the kitchen! She is good at cracking eggs, pouring things and can stir it up like a champ.

This new year promises to be filled with much to enjoy about our Little. And a resolution too . . .

Story Time

Addy and I got this book for Christmas. It is a very sweet book about a Marine and the dog that chooses him. It will make you cry and has a very happy ending.

If you are an animal lover - you will connect with this book.

Festivities

We started out with a festive dinner of fajitas on Christmas Eve. We opened stockings and a few presents from our AZ family. Toward the end of the night Addy was looking pretty tired and we realized she had a temperature. :(


At 2am on Christmas morning, I awoke to cries and came in to find that Addy had thrown up in her bed and was running a high temperature. This was Addy on Christmas morning. What a sad picture! The family were troopers and they came to us (we were supposed to go to them) and we did breakfast and opened only a couple of gifts. A bit of medicine helped Addy make it through and she got to open the present from Santa she had asked for . . . a mystery machine.



After that we called it a day and rested the rest of Christmas. It was very quiet and relaxing. Addy was feeling a bit better on Saturday morning and so we headed over to my parents for Christmas morning and lunch! Addy still did some resting, but she was able to open her gifts and get some playing done.

Her new stick pony!

My $15 garage sale find:

One of our Christmas traditions from year's past, pepper stew:

I think this was one of my favorite gifts - matching aprons:

Trying out her legos:


Helping Grandpa with his gifts:

Modeling the gifts:
Everyone enjoying the new track set:


Addy was so happy on Saturday when she got to wear her Christmas dress!

We kind of got a stretched out Christmas, which was very fun! But Addy getting sick certainly was a reminder of the important things - not gifts or events - but our family! Hopefully everyone had a fun Christmas!

Start thinking of your resolutions - New Years is right around the corner . . .

Holiday Cheer

We've been busy with all our Christmas activities. Baking, wrapping, eating, being merry . . . all the traditional holiday fun!

Addy's Christmas apron:

Lickin' the beaters:

Christmas time with the Pelton's:

Sissy painted Addy's toes for Christmas:

There was a lack of holiday spirit this week at our house. When I walked by the first time Biscuit was on the big dog bed. Five minutes later when I walked back by this is what I found! Poor Biscuit. Kicked off the bed by 10 pound Cinnamon and so embarassed she had to hide her head.

There was NO lack of holiday spirit at work. Yesterday was crazy Christmas sweater (clothes) day!

Tommy, the model:

Wow! Dazzling!

Yup. Those are fake birds in his pockets, Jennifer made this for Tam!

All the festively dressed staff. I think we missed the boat not taking this earlier and using it as Christmas cards for all our customers. (Yes, Sarah is wearing a tree skirt as a skirt - priceless.)


Addy's present for Mommy and Daddy!


Wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas! May you have a joyous holiday!

Its a Wonderful Life!

We're back from our adventure in Disney World. Once again we were blessed to head south and enjoy ourselves in the happiest place on earth! And at Christmas time no less, talk about a wonderful time of year to visit! It snows at night, Santa visits and all the parks are decked out in holiday splendor.

I am still sorting pictures and memories, we have so many to enjoy. We were lucky to have my parents and Scott's parents along with us, so we had quite the family adventure!

Here are a few shots from our trip.

Opening the Magic Kingdom - Addy's waving at Mickey as he opens the park.

The first view of the castle coming into the park on our first morning! Oh, the joy.

Addy's choice for first ride - Small World with Grandma and Grandpa. Perfect!

Loved our resort, here is Addy and Scott taking a stroll.

Taking in the sights on the Disney train with Grammy.

Addy was so into the characters this trip. Last year she was afraid of the them, this year she was all about waiting in line to give them hugs.

Lucky girl - both Grammy and Grandma to keep her company at Animal Kingdom!

Thank goodness for Daddy and Plumbly - Addy got to do the teacups two times in a row.

One of Addy's favorites - the Nemo ride.

We did some mini-golfing while there - there are 4 Disney courses to choose from. Scott got the low score of the day. (Ask me who got the high scores on Buzz Lightyear and Toy Story Mania!)



Addy was all about riding the train by herself.

One morning we went out to Celebration - a town dreamed about by Walt Disney. It became a true town in the 1990's. It is an amazing and beautiful town to visit.

In recent months Addy has developed a love of all things Disney princess. She was so excited to meet Ariel and Snow White. She even got to wear her Ariel costume one day and Ariel was pretty impressed with it.

Have I mentioned I heart my iphone? Oh, let me show you one reason: (Yup, that is Addy watching Scooby Doo while waiting in line.)

My favorite - Goofy and Pluto!

Dumbo - we had just introduced Addy to the story before we left, so she was so excited to ride.

Probably the best reason to go to Walt Disney World at Christmas time - the Osborne Spectacle of Lights. 5 million+ lights, Christmas music, and snow. It is pure magic!

Every 10 minutes they have the lights do a "dance" to a great song, and here is Addy dancing in the streets, along with everyone else.

On my must do list - a parade!

Seeing a few more friends!

The family at Animal Kingdom.

What happens when you give a 3 year old one of those giant lollipops?

Even a couple of rainy days didn't stop us.



Addy and Plumbly playing the washboard at Nancy and Frank's 41st wedding anniversary dinner show.


Sigh of pleasure - the Magic Kingdom at Christmas!


Now it is back home, enjoying getting ready for the holidays and catching up on laundry!