Thanksgiving Break

A little picnicing at town square with Jimmy Johns and beautiful St. George weather.
We didn't make it to Disneyland, but we did get to ride the new carousel at city center. Lucy loved it, until it started moving... maybe Disneyland wouldn't have been such a good idea.

Lucy didn't ever cry but she was very nervous once it started moving.

We visited the library while we were there. Notice there are no books on the bottom shelf. Smart. Except she can reach the other books just fine... so not helpful for us.

We tried to get our princess to kiss the frog prince but she wasn't having it.

We love Grandma Sullivan! Always good to be in her home.

James took Lucy out every morning with him, to shoot some hoops. She loved it! James loved wearing shorts again.

We spent as much time outside as possible. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. Unfortunately my camera ran out of battery half way through our trip so we don't have that half recorded in picture.

We got to be there for the lighting ceremony at the St. George temple. It was a nice short program. This was the last of our pictures, due to poor planning. But we went hiking up on the red hill. Lucy loved climbing around on top of the big red rock. We also had a good Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends. James and I stayed far away from the Turkey and stuffing. We ate ham instead. I wanted enchiladas. Maybe next year. We did put on a Mexican spread for my family on Saturday night. We played games with cousins, did a little shopping. Visited my Aunt's craft show that I look forward to each year, and I even ventured out on Black Friday to help my brother get in line for a couple of big buy items at Walmart. Our efforts were successful, and I don't know that I really ever need to do it again.

We are back in the swing of things and anxious for school and work to wind down so we can start our next Christmas Break. Until then, life is so so good. We are more blessed this Christmas season than we could ever imagine. James has applications in and we will be hearing back early next year from them. Lucy is growing up so fast and getting soo funny. She babbles a ton. And has learned lots of great tricks that she will never do on command. (Usually about 10 minutes after all the coaxing and prodding, when no one is looking, or so she thinks). We miss her when she goes to sleep, but we are so glad she is such a good sleeper. Makes for happy parents!

It's winter.. again!

That's my girl...

We aren't really prepared for the winter. This is all we could find to keep Lucy warm while we did some yard work the other day.

I can't even put in words how much fun Lucy is getting. We love her. We spend a lot of our free time just watching her and all the funny things she is doing. Recently she likes to throw her head back to look straight up or all the way back if you are holding her. We have been trying to teach her "all done" the sign and she has just figured it out. It is hillarious because she will move her wrists back in forth and watch as she does it, as if to say,... "wo, i just did that!" She is into EVERYTHING! I am just waiting for the day she figures out how to open cupboards and drawers. It is coming soon. Lucy is now banned from the bathroom with out supervision. You can guess why. We had a wonderful fun filled Halloween, but I do not have one picture to show for it. I will get some from my mom and post later. We are happy and healthy and excited for winter. Yes, I just said that... you know why??? IT'S MY LAST WINTER IN PROVO!! I will never be COLD again! I have pretty much threatened James that we will be living somewhere warm the rest of our life. Cold is not for me. We are enjoying our ward and living in a big home. We spend way more time cleaning and doing yardwork than we ever did before, but it is all worth it. We love the space and don't mind weekends indoors because we have so much space. James sent in his applications for grad school this week! We are excited to find out where we will be next fall. We don't have internet at home and Lucy is getting anxious so we better go, but I just wanted to check in and let you all know we are doing well and loving life.

Family Pictures 2011

Camie was so nice to shoot some family pictures for us. They turned out so great, and we haven't even seen all of them yet. If you want to check out the preview go to blinkpictures.blogspot.com. THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH CAMIE!!! We owe you!

Our backyard visitor

Yesterday, I got off work early and had decided I was going to devote all my time to Lucy. I was not going to try and accomplish anything. We had sooooo much fun. (and don't tell her, but in all our fun we accomplished a few things too). We went and visited a friend from our old ward and Lucy got to play with all of their toys, while we chatted. Then we took a trip to the grocery store. Lucy loves riding in the cart like a big girl, so shopping always makes for a fun outing. Then we came home and played in the backyard. It was so fun because an orange cat came and played with us. Lucy loved the kitty. She followed her everywhere, and the kitty was very friendly and would let Lucy tease and pull her tail. Lucy giggled whenever her furr brushed against her skin. I swore I would never ever be a pet owner of any kind. But this experience gave a glimmer of possiblity in the future. (I think we will stick to playing with other people's pets, and stray cats apparantly. The nice ones anyway.)
I love this little girl so much. I can't ever get enough of her. She is getting such a personality and learning so much so quickly. In the beginning, I remember trying to help her along with developmental milestones, but now I can't even keep up with her as fast as she is catching on to things that she figures out miraculously on her own with out any help from me. I love when she grabs my cheeks and puts her forhead against mine. (This is her favorite pooping position, but I pretend it is out of love). I do know she loves James and me. She gives us clues about that daily. We couldn't be happier and more blessed.

Remember when Lucy was small and immobile?

Remember when Lucy could stand up to that little ledge we have in our living room?? That was two minutes ago and now she can stand up to anything and get into anything that is with in her reach. Not to mention, she can climb the stairs... oh man are we in trouble.

Here she is mocking me.

We had no idea she could do this.

Pestering Dad, while he is trying to get some homework done.

Another Video Update: Lucy Talks.... a lot!

Lucy has always been pretty loud, but she started some really good babbling the other day with some excellent consonance sounds. It's pretty hilarious when she gets going.

Video Update Lucy Crawling

Lucy has been crawling for awhile now, but we caught it on camera. And yes, since the last post she has figured out how to climb up the ledge to the kitchen and on the stairs. We have to keep a much closer eye on her these days because down is a different story.