Kitchen Helper

Just a cute picture of the Frog helping out in the kitchen:

Snowboarding 2010

We finally were able to go snowboarding again, after taking off 2 years a.k.a. pregnant and then breastfeeding. Our fun neighbors, Ann and Brian, went with us too.





So I didn't get the greatest pictures, but I need to document fun things we do in our life if I ever decide to make this blog into a book. Proof that we are still fun.
We did pretty well considering we hadn't been in a couple years and, even so, we've only snowboarded 3-4 times total. We never left the bunny hill/mountain...seriously people outside of UT, skiing/boarding anywhere else and our bunny hill is a black diamond, or at least a blue. Anyway, only a few good bruises and separated ribs. Poor Kevin. At least he didn't break them again. He is getting so old.

Swimsuit shopping

I know it seems a little early, but my family is headed to Hawaii at the end of March (I am so excited I could jump out of my skin!). However, I am having a hard time finding a swimsuit. There are a lot stores that have swimsuits already, but I can't find one that works for me! I am looking for a tankini (easier to go the bathroom) but I want it tight around my stomach so it doesn't fly up when I swim. Seems easy enough, right? No! I think the style for tankinis is generally fly-away type thing which just doesn't work for me. I bought a swimsuit from Shade last year, and I loved it until I went swimming. It flies up and no one wants to see that. I do think that Shade might have some other styles that would work, but there is a big chance their suits won't be in stores on time. So any suggestions of things that worked for you and where to find a suit? I'm also thinking a swim shirt, but don't you have to wear something under it?

I "know" creative people

So I really get all my ideas from other people--not even people I know but blogs I read online. You know those sensory tubs? Reed has a bean tub which he loves, so I decided to try out this "arctic type tub." I colored some ice and gave him some frogs (I didn't have any real arctic animals). He loved playing in the water! He liked just holding the ice and dropping it back in.


The water got nasty pretty quick from the food coloring, so I dumped it out and just added "lily pads" (peas). He mostly just ate the peas. Somebody feed this kid! Jeesh.


So I do try to feed this kid, but the last week or so he has decided that he doesn't really like to eat anymore. He is getting 4 molars right now so that could be the problem or maybe he's just entered that super picky toddler phase. It stresses me out big time! Have you heard of Muffin Tin Monday? See my sidebar to check it out. It's just a creative way to feed your child a meal once a week. They usually have a theme--I thought about doing the letter A as a theme but didn't really have a lot of "A" foods. I really think he liked it! He definitely liked sitting on the floor, and I do think he tried a variety of foods that he wouldn't have otherwise. Nope, he didn't like the avocados though.


My first Muffin Tin: apples, applesauce, avocados, cheese, pretzels, and peas. They always have cutesie muffin tins for Muffin Tin Monday, but you can obviously just use what you have. I recommend giving it a try...to do something different nonetheless.


I threw this together in like 30 min. during Reed's nap (my own idea even!). He loves to take the pegs out of my FHE board, so I thought this would be a good alternative: matching colors! He has enjoyed it so far and I think it will be good to us on Sunday as well! :)

I love to see....

...the temple.
We talked about temples in FHE tonight. Reed has just started recognizing temples and pointing them out. He calls them "bop-bos." Very cute.


We thought it was necessary to take him on temple grounds after he pointed at this and said "bop-bo." Close.


We kept tradition and followed our "temple trip" with ice cream.

Snowshoeing

Half frozen Bridal Veil Falls

CHRISTMAS

Christmas with Mom
We had wonderful Christmas celebrations. We celebrated with my mom the weekend before--she still thinks that coming down to UT a week before will make the drive more safe--we had Christmas with my dad on Xmas Eve, and then spent the night at Kevin's parents' house to wake up for Xmas morning there. Here are pictures from the festivities:




Reed played with his lego blocks for like an hour! He never has that long of attention span!


Colton in his cute Christmas PJs. I don't know why I didn't get any for Reed. I also forgot to take him to see Santa. What kind of elf am I?!


All the nephews checking out Kevin's present.

Christmas Eve

This is the only time you will see Reed sharing with Colton. Every other time he was screaming at him and bawling his eyeballs out.


Opening more presents.


Fun toy.


Possibly his favorite toy now.


Check this out. Reed loved his push toy so much that he would hoarde it from Colton. He would hide it and then play with something else. Who is this kid?

Christmas morning

"Opening" his stocking...which he could care less about, because he just wanted to play with Oma's toys.


Breakfast break


The Stack Master


Things started to get a little stressful when we wanted Reed to open the last presents.


Thanks Walsh cousins!


This made Kevin very happy....gosh, this kid got WAY too many toys! For real, I came home and packed up some of his old toys. I don't know why we even bother getting him things for Christmas when everyone else takes care of it. Thank you everyone for a wonderful Christmas(es)!!!