Christmas

When I was a little girl, this was my kitchen hutch. It was white. Before that it was yellow. I wrote my name in crayon on the bottom of the shelf. I stored all my babies food while I was playing house. I cooked soup on it while my sisters were grocery shopping, er, ditching me upstairs. I made homemade play dough and hid it from my cousins in the bottom cupboard. I loved it! It didn't go to storage until I was in 4th grade. Which, by the way, feels like yesterday. I made believe with this little hutch more times than I can count. Today, it belongs to Amelia. I couldn't be happier!

When I found out I was having a girl my very first thought was "Yes, I get the hutch!" This hutch belonged to my Grandma Beckstrom and her sister Pearl when they were little girls. It belonged to my Mom when she was a little girl. It belonged to Michelle, Lisa, Marla and myself when we were little girls. It had definitely seen its days! The windows were broken, the latch was gone, the paint was chipped, the shelf was broken. I took it over to Grandpa Brent and asked if he would be willing to restore the hutch. Of course, his crazy mad talents were quickly put to use, and 6 months later, Amelia got her first Christmas present!

I can't wait to see her play, create and imagine with this beautiful antique hutch. I LOVE IT!

Christmas was spent at my Mom's house in St.George.

Dinner was enjoyed with my Mom, Mike, Grandma, sisters and their families.

Pine Valley and the Nyberg Christmas Party. We enjoyed a (very) small amount of snow and laughed at a live version of "The 12 Days of Christmas". Four calling birds will always bring a smile to my face!

Amelia tore into her Christmas Eve pajamas.

The pajamas were a bit too big! I later found them at the foot of her bed and her diaper bottom at the top.

Santa brought her a music table, which she LOVES!

Grandma Shirley brought her an XXL doll. She seemed a bit confused, but likes her now.

Grandma Great gave her a "Baby Alive" doll. Yep, cries, pees, and poops. Yuck! We won't be activating those features. She also gave her a wooden baby cradle. When I was a little girl, Grandma gave me a wooden cradle also. She still knows the man that made my cradle so many years ago, and had him make one identical to mine for Miss Mills!

It was a very Merry Christmas!

Happy 1st Birthday Baby Love 12.19.09

We had Amelia's 1st birthday party at TumbleAmerica. A lot of family was in town so the large space worked out great. We had a very simple party. Pizza, presents and cake. Before the bash, Amelia and Dad headed to Magic Mountain with Grammy and Grandpa Hafen. Work kept me home, but I was able to sneak in some shopping and a pedicure. After all, I did give birth to this little babe...it's a day of celebration for me as well!

Nick and I gave Amelia a box full of snacks. She loves to munch, and I'm pretty certain it was her favorite gift!

Great Grandma B passed on a ceramic piggy bank named "Heddy". Great Great Grandma Amelia Klatt made and painted it long long ago!

An incredibly honored Mother and Father. We feel so lucky that this sweet girl has been entrusted to us. We are so crazy in love with her!

A first taste of cake.

Liking the sugar!

Amelia had a few more presents waiting for her in St.George.

Grandma Great. We love this lady!

1 year old pictures

These were the best I could get. You were being a turkey and I haven't tried for any more. Oh well, these will do.

1 year stats:

19 lbs. 14 oz.

29 inches tall

Santa Baby

We had a Christmas party for the students at TumbleAmerica. As you can see, we were able to get the real Santa Clause to visit the little ones. Amelia seemed to enjoy him as long as someone was holding her. When we tried to let her hold her own...well...you can see what happened!

She's truly a fish!

Amelia started swim lessons when she was 10 months old. She absolutely LOVES it! When she sees the pool each day at work, she kicks her legs and starts panting. She definitely knows it's time to swim when we put her suit on. Dad is so great and joins all the other Mommies in the pool. I'm in charge pictures, videos, and staying dry from the edge of the pool!

The big day is almost here!

It truely is the most wonderful time of the year!

I am so excited for Christmas this year! I've been trying to create that classic Christmas feeling in our home for the past few years...it's fun buying additional decorations and adding to the feeling each season. This year I bought a fresh wreath to hang. It smells amazing!

I also bought Amelia a new stocking (as well as others for our future children), on the stocking there is a pocket that says "Letter to Santa". Each year, I'll have the kids write their letter to Santa, stick it in the pocket, and sometime during the month, Santa's elves will stop by to pick it up, in its place they'll leave a special treat.

Family Pictures

{Consider this your Christmas card this year...I'm too busy with work}

Even though we had one MAD little girl, they ended up decent.

MY FAVORITE! {below}

San Joaquin Nature Conservatory

We went exploring today, and stumbled upon this fantastic place. Old barn, new barn, ranch house, pond, rabbits, owls, ducks, deer, vineyards, climbing trees, ivy covered walkways, walking trails, stone house, picnic benches, etc., My new favorite place? Yep.

There is nothing better

There is nothing better than holding, squeezing, hugging, kissing and cuddling you in my arms. You, Miss Mills, make my life incredible!

Happy Cows Live in California!

Halloween was fun. I'm happy it's over.

We had 3 parties at Tumble, 1 "trunk or treat", 6 trips to the store for dry ice, 6 failed cupcakes, 1 make shift decorated trunk for "trunk or treat", 3 sleepless nights...but 1 adorable cow!

Growing So Quickly

This won't be the last time I'm at a loss for words just thinking about how much

{I.LOVE.YOU}

. i love that you don't like headbands or bows.

.i love that you crawl to the window and cry when I leave from home.

.i love that you sleep through the night.

.i love that you crawl up the stairs at tumble and bounce on the trampoline all by yourself.

.i love that you follow me around the house and try to crawl up my legs and into my arms.

.i love that you'll give me your sweet open mouthed kisses.

.i love that you smile so big when you see me after being away a short time.

.i love your dimples.

.i love the feeling of you in my arms, there is nothing better.

.love your pointed toes!

note to self:: don't put Amelia down for a nap in just her diaper...she likes to take it off?!?