Smiley Simon

So our boy Simon is a really happy, low key kind of baby.  He is so good natured and pleasant.  Yes he has been teething lately but he just gets more attention from his mama and sister.  Here's Simon grinning away.

Who me?

Eating Food

A few weeks back Simon was getting especially crabby after eating, like he was still hungry.  I decided one day to try a little rice cereal.  He had a little bit but I realized after that day that he wasn't hungry, he was teething.  We haven't given him anymore cereal since then but his little gums are sore and that's why he was crying.  No teeth yet but he's drooling like crazy.  Regardless, here are photos of his first real "meal."

Love that face.  All in all, I would say that he liked the cereal alright.

It's Time for Primary

Piper started Primary in January (yes she is getting to be so big).  On her first Sunday in Primary they asked us to help her prepare a talk for the following week.  Unbeknownst to her, Piper mentioned on the car ride home that she had wanted a turn at the microphone.  I told her that she would be giving a talk and she was very excited. 

We worked together to write her talk and practiced all week.  She recited the First Article of Faith by heart and then told the story of the First Vision accompanied by pictures she drew herself.  I will share those pictures once I get them scanned.  She did an excellent job and we were so proud.  These are pictures of the special girl before her debut.  Please note the blow-dried hairdo.

Snow and such

Here are some more pictures from our trip and after.  Let me know when you get bored; these are only some of the ones I took.

Getting ready for the snow

We took so long getting everyone bundled up to go out in the snow that Simon fell asleep.  We took him outside anyway but quickly put him to bed after this picture was taken.  Poor sweetie.  I call him a big blue marshmallow in this snowsuit.  I took the faux fur trim off of the hood for his sake.

She so looks like my cousin Natalee here.  It's the expression on her face, with the snowflake on her upper lip.

My two boys looking spiffy.  You'll have to excuse the huge scratches on Simon's face.  He looks like he's gotten into a fight with a cat but really he's just discovered his hands and I can't keep his nails short enough.

See my new haircut.

Cutie pie

So sweet

Enjoying lunch at Arby's

Christmas Day

You'd never know we were in a recession based on the number and quality of gifts we received for Christmas this year.  It was insane.  As far as big gifts go we got a Wii from my parents, a BluRay player and cash from Rick's parents, and Rick got me Wii Fit Plus and this little beauty.  When I saw the cardboard box wrapped up, I already knew what it was.  Awesome. 

                                          

Ann cooked a great prime rib dinner later for the whole extended family.  It was excellent, especially since she'd never made one before. 

Christmas 2009 was memorable.  Here's the photo download.

Our beautiful stockings are the four on the far left.  My mother made them and I love them so much.  Rick's brother Jeff thought that they weren't finished seeing as they don't have the same theme going as the other stockings featured here.

Ann's hat was so funny.  It actually lit up, flopped back and forth and played music.  What a hoot!

The Bacchanalia

Proof that I was there

Here's Piper enjoying her big gifts.  She got the watering can set with gloves from Santa and the princess dress from Mom and Dad.

Simon got a play gym which he loves.  It has all sorts of moveable mobiles, music, and a mirror.  (Say that three times fast.)

Piper wasn't interested in posing for a picture with Simon until Andre decided to.  Thanks Andre!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we had two separate "programs" - one for the kiddies and one for the grown-ups.  Piper was Mary, of course.  Andre was Joseph.  Harper was a shepherd for about two minutes.  Piper was very happy to play her part.  She had even told me before that that she wanted to be Mary for Halloween. 

Jeff listening to the story

Piper is using Ann's Hedda GetBedda doll from when she was little.

I can't remember whether Ryan was pretending to be sleeping or what he was doing.

Santa paid us a visit after we opened our Christmas jammies.  Andre asked for a baby, which was a surprise.  Piper asked for a watering can, which Santa delivered.

Christmas Eve Morning

We had breakfast on Christmas Eve at Uncle Jerry and Aunt Mary's house.  Mary is a great cook and we had a wonderful breakfast. 

Jesse, Karen, and Piper

Simon with Grandma Ann

Masha and Karen just chatting

Simon and Grandpa Rich

Visiting Friends

We went to Salt Lake for a few days before heading to Idaho for Christmas.  We were able to see quite a few friends and some family. 

We had lunch with my friend Silvia and her husband Antonio.  It had been too long since we had seen them. 

We also visited my Aunt Marci and her family.  We met my cousins new baby and Piper watched "The Wizard of Oz" for the first time.

Crazily enough we were able to arrange dinner with my old roommate Kristin and her family.  I hadn't seen her in over seven years and hadn't met her family.  It was fun visiting with her again. 

And we got to see our friend Lofi from our old ward in Sydney.  She's serving a mission at Temple Square.  We tried to find her on Friday afternoon but she wasn't there.  I left my phone number and she called us that evening.  We got to see her the next day and she looked great.  It was so fun seeing her and hearing her little Aussie accent again.

Piper at Kristin's house

Simon's at Kristin's house

Kristin and me.  Please ignore my fatness - horizontal stripes were not a good choice.

Piper at Temple Square

The family with Lofi.  Simon was in the car seat.