If you know me at all, you know I have a love for reading. I don't always get a chance to read as much as I would like to, but I try to make it a priority. Here are the books I read in 2011 (at least the ones I can remember):
Can you keep a secret
Pillars of the earth
Forgotten garden
One for the money
Something borrowed
Something blue
Kite runner
Graceling
Fire
House rules
The red tent
The alchemist
The glass castle
Remember be
The last jihad
Sarah's key
Twenties girl
Half broke horses
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt
These are the books on my to-be-read-soon list. Please let me know if you loved or hated any of these:
Thirteenth tale
Bitter is the new black
Heaven is for real
Gods and kings
Maze runner
The grand sophy
Heart of the matter
Clockwork angel
Uglies series
The short second life of Bree Tanner
Radiance
Pope Joan
The kitchen house
Delirium
The guernsey literary and potato peel pie society
Women of courage
Three little words
Hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet
The story of Edgar Sawtelle
Little bee
Matched
Deception point
I know it's already a long list, but if you have any must-reads please let me know!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Pterodactyl
I frequently refer to Keller as my little pterodactyl. He is always making this squealing noise. I'm not sure exactly what a pterodactyl sounds like but I am pretty sure Keller makes the same sound. When he does it I'm not sure if he's going to cry or laugh or if he is just playing. It's nothing like any of the sounds Vance made. It cracks me up!
Keller has a few little quirks that I should probably write down so I don't forget. Here are a few more:
- He has the ugliest baby giggle ever. I'm his mom so I can it. It's true. It's not very cute at all. It's a mix between a cough and a choking sound. If we're really, REALLY funny we can get a normal baby giggle. It's a rare occurrence though. It's a good thing his smile is cute...it almost makes up for the weird sound.
- Keller always gets mad at toys. He has a love/hate relationship with them. On the one hand he likes to have some stimulation. The toys definitely peak his interest. On the other hand the toys make him mad. He shoves them into his mouth and starts to make the above-mentioned pterodactyl noise as loud as he can. I usually think it must be making him mad, but when I try to take the toy away he starts crying. I give it back to him and he just screams at it. I don't understand the boy.
- He has this little quirk with his hands. I don't know exactly how to describe it though. If I'm holding his pacifier he puts his hands on top of mine. If I'm nursing he holds on to me. It's almost like he is trying to keep me from moving. When he is sucking his thumb, he puts his other hand on top to secure his thumb-sucking hand. Do you get the picture? I'm not sure what to make of this little habit. Maybe he is worried about things getting out of his reach? Maybe he just needs a little extra reassurance? Maybe he is just really clingy? Maybe he is already a worrier? It will be interesting to see if the hand quirk correlates to any of the above behaviors as he gets older.
Keller you may be a little quirky, but I love you anyway!
Keller has a few little quirks that I should probably write down so I don't forget. Here are a few more:
- He has the ugliest baby giggle ever. I'm his mom so I can it. It's true. It's not very cute at all. It's a mix between a cough and a choking sound. If we're really, REALLY funny we can get a normal baby giggle. It's a rare occurrence though. It's a good thing his smile is cute...it almost makes up for the weird sound.
- Keller always gets mad at toys. He has a love/hate relationship with them. On the one hand he likes to have some stimulation. The toys definitely peak his interest. On the other hand the toys make him mad. He shoves them into his mouth and starts to make the above-mentioned pterodactyl noise as loud as he can. I usually think it must be making him mad, but when I try to take the toy away he starts crying. I give it back to him and he just screams at it. I don't understand the boy.
- He has this little quirk with his hands. I don't know exactly how to describe it though. If I'm holding his pacifier he puts his hands on top of mine. If I'm nursing he holds on to me. It's almost like he is trying to keep me from moving. When he is sucking his thumb, he puts his other hand on top to secure his thumb-sucking hand. Do you get the picture? I'm not sure what to make of this little habit. Maybe he is worried about things getting out of his reach? Maybe he just needs a little extra reassurance? Maybe he is just really clingy? Maybe he is already a worrier? It will be interesting to see if the hand quirk correlates to any of the above behaviors as he gets older.
Keller you may be a little quirky, but I love you anyway!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Christmas Eve & Day
We did Christmas Eve with my family. My mom always puts so much effort into this night and it always pays off.
We started with some appetizers that I made. I made spinach and artichoke dip and stuffed mushrooms (thank you pinterest for the recipes). They were both SO yummy if I do say so myself.
Then we had our Christmas Eve program. Every family shares a talent, story, game, etc. Vance started it out with singing Jingle Bells.
Leslie played a fun game where you pass around a present wrapped up a lot. If the music went off when you were holding it you got to unwrap a layer.
Amy and I played a four-handed piano arrangement of "My Heavenly Father Loves Me." It was a surprise for my mom. It's her favorite primary song. We have been practicing in secret so she had no idea. It was beautiful to pat myself on my back :) We did end with 5 people crying and I gave myself goosebumps.
Aspen and Grandma did a shadow box thing with the nativity story. It's a cool way to read the Christmas story.
To wrap up the program we all danced to Justin Beiber's "Little Drummer Boy." We had some mad dancing skills including the worm, robot, break dancing, and booty shaking. It was hilarious and if it didn't take so long to upload a video I would.
This is the first time Joseph held baby Keller.
Next we ate dinner. My mom and dad made a delicious dinner with a salad by Leslie, potatoes by Amy, and rolls by Grandma Great. I think we all ate way too much!
After dinner we visited and then did the White Elephant. My mom and dad got Colton and Vance these pretty awesome remote control cars.
I eneded up with a jewelry organizer (which I love) and Chad got an iTunes giftcard and shooting targets.
After everyone went home we started preparing for Santa to come. We left him some homemade chocolate bundt cake and a mug full of milk. We sprinkled some reindoor food on our front lawn and gave our elf, Jack, a hug goodbye.
Then we opened up our Christmas jammies. Aren't we cute in our coordinating jammies?!
I am worse than a little kid when it comes to Christmas morning. I woke up at 4:10 I was so excited. I laid there staring at the clock until Keller woke up to eat at 5:30. After that Chad and I were both awake and went and sat in Vance's room just looking at our two sleeping boys. My dad woke up and started laughing when he saw us just staring at our sleeping kids.
We let Keller sleep while the rest of us went to see what Santa brought. Vance got a bike and ramps.
The present he was most excited to unwrap was a Transformer firehouse that my mom and dad gave him. Chad and I bought him lots of transformers and the people that go with him. He has been playing with it between bike rides.
We were all spoiled this year for Christmas. I didn't take pictures of our gifts but here are the highlights -
We watched Vance ride his bike for quite awhile that morning. He is already doing tricks and going on his ramps. He has toppled off twice but gets right back on. That's my boy!
This smile makes everything worth it!
We hurried and got ready and went to my Aunt Laurie's for breakfast. Sometimes I can't believe how big my nieces are getting!
Vance took over his remote control car. It was hilarious to watch him play with it. Every time he tried to go and pick it up he forgot to take his hand off the remote. He ended up chasing and chasing it!
The guys talking and cooking outside.
Aunt Tammy and Amy -
Then we went to church with the Terrys and hung out at home. Everyone came over Christmas night to play games and I made our traditional Christmas crepes (a tradition Chad and I started with our little family). I love homemade crepes with nutella and raspberry jam.
We had a fun-filled two days and have been doing our best to relax at home the last couple of days. I am kind of sad Christmas is over. Now it's time to start making New Year's Resolutions and looking at what 2012 has in store.
We started with some appetizers that I made. I made spinach and artichoke dip and stuffed mushrooms (thank you pinterest for the recipes). They were both SO yummy if I do say so myself.
Then we had our Christmas Eve program. Every family shares a talent, story, game, etc. Vance started it out with singing Jingle Bells.
Leslie played a fun game where you pass around a present wrapped up a lot. If the music went off when you were holding it you got to unwrap a layer.
Amy and I played a four-handed piano arrangement of "My Heavenly Father Loves Me." It was a surprise for my mom. It's her favorite primary song. We have been practicing in secret so she had no idea. It was beautiful to pat myself on my back :) We did end with 5 people crying and I gave myself goosebumps.
Aspen and Grandma did a shadow box thing with the nativity story. It's a cool way to read the Christmas story.
To wrap up the program we all danced to Justin Beiber's "Little Drummer Boy." We had some mad dancing skills including the worm, robot, break dancing, and booty shaking. It was hilarious and if it didn't take so long to upload a video I would.
This is the first time Joseph held baby Keller.
Next we ate dinner. My mom and dad made a delicious dinner with a salad by Leslie, potatoes by Amy, and rolls by Grandma Great. I think we all ate way too much!
After dinner we visited and then did the White Elephant. My mom and dad got Colton and Vance these pretty awesome remote control cars. 
I eneded up with a jewelry organizer (which I love) and Chad got an iTunes giftcard and shooting targets.
After everyone went home we started preparing for Santa to come. We left him some homemade chocolate bundt cake and a mug full of milk. We sprinkled some reindoor food on our front lawn and gave our elf, Jack, a hug goodbye.
Then we opened up our Christmas jammies. Aren't we cute in our coordinating jammies?!
I am worse than a little kid when it comes to Christmas morning. I woke up at 4:10 I was so excited. I laid there staring at the clock until Keller woke up to eat at 5:30. After that Chad and I were both awake and went and sat in Vance's room just looking at our two sleeping boys. My dad woke up and started laughing when he saw us just staring at our sleeping kids.
We let Keller sleep while the rest of us went to see what Santa brought. Vance got a bike and ramps. 
The present he was most excited to unwrap was a Transformer firehouse that my mom and dad gave him. Chad and I bought him lots of transformers and the people that go with him. He has been playing with it between bike rides.
We were all spoiled this year for Christmas. I didn't take pictures of our gifts but here are the highlights -Chad: propane cooker, hunting knives, clay pigeon thrower, clothes, handheld GPS, accessories for his guns, LOTS of camping stuff, DVD player for the car
Alli: season tickets to the Broadway series at the Smith Center (SO excited for this), money for new skinny clothes, an iPad docking station, nail polish, Brighton, stuff for my photography
Vance: bike with ramps, remote control cars, monster trucks, motorcycles, board games, Transformer building with accessories, body pillow, Cars launcher
Keller: jumper, dinosaur toy, laugh and learn activity table, Fisher Price tool table, infant toys, Little People nativity set, monster trucks, motorcycles, oil diffuser
We watched Vance ride his bike for quite awhile that morning. He is already doing tricks and going on his ramps. He has toppled off twice but gets right back on. That's my boy!
This smile makes everything worth it!
We hurried and got ready and went to my Aunt Laurie's for breakfast. Sometimes I can't believe how big my nieces are getting! Vance took over his remote control car. It was hilarious to watch him play with it. Every time he tried to go and pick it up he forgot to take his hand off the remote. He ended up chasing and chasing it!
The guys talking and cooking outside.
Aunt Tammy and Amy -
Then we went to church with the Terrys and hung out at home. Everyone came over Christmas night to play games and I made our traditional Christmas crepes (a tradition Chad and I started with our little family). I love homemade crepes with nutella and raspberry jam.
We had a fun-filled two days and have been doing our best to relax at home the last couple of days. I am kind of sad Christmas is over. Now it's time to start making New Year's Resolutions and looking at what 2012 has in store.Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Christmas with the Waldrons
We had lots of fun with both sides of the family. I feel like I need a vacation after such a busy holiday season. Our celebration started on the 23rd with the Waldrons. Chad and his brothers are all so hilarious when we get together.
The cutest little Santa baby ever -
We acted out the nativity with vintage costumes. Georganne made them and has kept them for about 25 years we think. Vance was a shepherd with Daddy as a lamb.
Zach was a good sport and played the donkey. Macie was Mary and Ty was Joseph.
Josh was the wise men (Chad and Zach joined him later) and made quite an entrance.
My favorite though was sweet little Emmy Jade as an angel. This girl is SUCH a ham and brings a smile to everyone's face!
The 24th we got together in the morning to play games at the stake center. We started with volleyball. I was a little rusty (especially in the serving department), but I finally found my groove.
The kids had fun playing with all the nursery toys and just running around the gym.
Almost all of the Waldrons played volleyball growing up so we actually had quite a few good rallies.
Amy gave Vance a Hot-Potato-Rudolph so we played a couple rounds of that too.
Vance gave his presents to Rand and Georganne.
We played dodgeball too. I didn't participate because Keller needed a little attention but things got pretty heated.
Keller looks happy here but it was a brief moment. The boy was backed up and we had to give a suppository that morning. He was having issues!
Grandma and Grandpa Lebaron came to hang out too. We don't always see them much, but it's always fun when we do. Chad reminds me SO MUCH of Grandpa Lebaron in so many ways.
The kids put on a show for all of us on the stage. Shocking that Macie was the director. If you know her at all you know why that is funny.
Brent played best uncle and got Keller to sleep finally. We love Uncle Brent!
The 26th we met the Waldrons at the Bellagio to see the atrium and water show. As always it was beautiful.
The Bellagio never disappoints. It is the one thing on the strip that I never get sick of seeing.
Vance spent most the night on someone's shoulders.
I tried messing around with the settings on my camera. I got this one a little bright but look at the difference of the Christmas tree in the picture above and this one.
We caught two water shows.
Keller snuggled up in Dad's jacket because we forgot a blanket.
I held Miss Emmy and kissed on her big cheeks the whole time.
Chad also went shooting with his family, but I stayed home with the kids so we don't have any pictures to document. He said he had a blast though!
The cutest little Santa baby ever -
We acted out the nativity with vintage costumes. Georganne made them and has kept them for about 25 years we think. Vance was a shepherd with Daddy as a lamb.
Zach was a good sport and played the donkey. Macie was Mary and Ty was Joseph.
Josh was the wise men (Chad and Zach joined him later) and made quite an entrance.
My favorite though was sweet little Emmy Jade as an angel. This girl is SUCH a ham and brings a smile to everyone's face!
The 24th we got together in the morning to play games at the stake center. We started with volleyball. I was a little rusty (especially in the serving department), but I finally found my groove.
The kids had fun playing with all the nursery toys and just running around the gym.
Almost all of the Waldrons played volleyball growing up so we actually had quite a few good rallies.
Amy gave Vance a Hot-Potato-Rudolph so we played a couple rounds of that too.
Vance gave his presents to Rand and Georganne.
We played dodgeball too. I didn't participate because Keller needed a little attention but things got pretty heated.
Keller looks happy here but it was a brief moment. The boy was backed up and we had to give a suppository that morning. He was having issues!
Grandma and Grandpa Lebaron came to hang out too. We don't always see them much, but it's always fun when we do. Chad reminds me SO MUCH of Grandpa Lebaron in so many ways.
The kids put on a show for all of us on the stage. Shocking that Macie was the director. If you know her at all you know why that is funny.
Brent played best uncle and got Keller to sleep finally. We love Uncle Brent!
The 26th we met the Waldrons at the Bellagio to see the atrium and water show. As always it was beautiful.
The Bellagio never disappoints. It is the one thing on the strip that I never get sick of seeing.
Vance spent most the night on someone's shoulders.
I tried messing around with the settings on my camera. I got this one a little bright but look at the difference of the Christmas tree in the picture above and this one.
We caught two water shows.
Keller snuggled up in Dad's jacket because we forgot a blanket.
I held Miss Emmy and kissed on her big cheeks the whole time.
Chad also went shooting with his family, but I stayed home with the kids so we don't have any pictures to document. He said he had a blast though!Thanks Waldrons for making our holiday so fun!
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