Mitzi's Winter Wonderland

I love going to my parent's house during the Christmas Season. My mom and dad go to great lenths to light up their house and decorate to the max. It is just so magical. The girls loved it. Hailey just said 'wow' over and over and Addy just stared at all the lights on the tree. There is no need for regular lights at this time of year because of all the Christmas lights they have. In fact, this year, they won money in their association for having the best decorated house. I just thought I would share with you a little of what their house looks like. Mind you, this is only a portion. Their entire main floor is decorated for Christmas. Even the kitchen! and Bathrooms! it's crazy. My mom has over 35 storage bins in the garage reserved for Christmas.. and a shed in the backyard full of all the stuff that doesn't fit in the garage! :-) Its amazing.






I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

Christmas Angels

These are my Christmas Angels. Addy is just as sweet as can be. Hailey is precious and just loves her little sister to pieces. They looked so cute all dressed up for church on Christmas Sunday.

What a stinkin cutie. Hailey was cracking me up yesterday. She kept wanting to wear her light-up snow boots around the house, but was also refusing to get dressed. Then, kept playing with Addy's hat. So, of course I found yet another opportunity for pictures.

SHe is EXTREMELY happy about the snow and looks forward to looking out our window every morning to make sure it's still there. It's so fun to see things the way a child does again. This time of year is so magical.

Tagged For Christmas

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? A little of both.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. Real trees make me SO nervous. Plus, I get too cold going out to try and find one. Never been the type to enjoy that part.
3. When do you put up your tree? growing up, we've always put it up on Thanksgiving Day... but I get too excited. Sometimes it goes up sooner.
4. When do you take the tree down? Sometime after Christmas. It always makes me sad.
5. Do you like eggnog? in moderation
6. Favorite gift received as a child? A new mountain bike
7. Hardest person to buy for? Nate.. FOR SURE
8. Easiest person/people to buy for? Hailey and Addy.
9. Do you have a nativity set? a plethora. It's a tradition that my mom started that every year, she sends all the kids a nativity. Sometimes, it's a book, others its and actual nativity, other times it's a picture with a story... etc. So, we have quite the collection.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. There's just something so fun about sending out Christmas cards and receiving them.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? a boyfriend I had a long time ago gave me a high five.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I LOVE christmas movies. Most of them are SO cheesy, but I love them. I don't really have a favorite.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I usually have my shopping done by the time December rolls around. Not this year... and it's stressing me out.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? EVERYTHING. I love holiday food.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Oh Holy Night... by Celine Dion or Josh Groban or Mariah Carey. It's all good. Oh, and IL DIVO. They're good too.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We travel to Vegas every other year and stay here with Nate's family on the off years. Sometimes I wish we could just do Christmas at home.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? There's Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen...and RUDOLPH! (thanks Carmen, just copied and pasted)
20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Whatever is happening with presents is fine with me. Nate has BIG issues with opening presents any time earlier than Christmas morning.
21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? I'd rather keep that to myself. Other than that, I get irritated when i'm out shopping and people are just being rude and greedy.
22. Favorite ornament theme or color? I love it all. I don't have a favorite, but i'll post a pic of our tree.
23. What do you want for Christmas this year? usually I have something specific, but this year, I don't know.. clothes... a new lens... ??? I really don't know.

Now I tag... Megan, Kristi, Claire, Emily and Shantel

Hailey and Santa

We had our ward Christmas Party tonight and it was a blast. The best part about it was our Santa Clause. He is amazing. And even better than that.. Hailey sat on his lap!!!!!!!!!!! We couldn't believe it. She has been excited all day to see him, but usually, for her, seeing is quite enough. The picture I got makes me melt. There's just something about Santa being in a picture with your child that is just magical.

Addy, on the other hand was out cold. She couldn't handle all the excitement and just cashed out. Thanks to our good friends John and Claire for helping us take care of our kids. I'm getting to a point with Hailey's busy-ness that I feel like hiring a nanny for events like this. We were pretty much having to hold her on our laps like a straight jacket. She was all over the place. Just too excited about Christmas and Santa, I guess.

I was given the privelage of taking pictures of all the children with Santa and it was so fun. I can't wait to have them printed for everyone. they all turned out so cute.

Good News for Hailey!

We got a phone call from the specialist at Primary Children's and they said that we didn't have anything to worry about Hailey's head. Apparently, with the spot on her head, it's very easy to break that skin due to a bump or scratch. On the other end, it takes quite a bit longer to heal due to the sensitive skin/scar that is there. Thank Goodness! Now we just have to wait and see what comes of little Addy's issue. Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers.

Hailey and Addysen Update

Some of you already know, but just as an update, recently we found out that Addy has a heart murmur. Not sure how severe it is, however, serious enough that she needs to see a cardiologist. Her doctor was hoping it was just a flow murmur, which after listening before our LA trip AND soon after, he has determined that it may be much more serious than that. Flow murmurs are something that many people live with and it doesn't effect them.. it's very common. So, the fact they think she has a more serious type, obviously worries us. Her appointment has been set for January 26th at Primary Childrens Hospital. Thanks for all your prayers and fasting.

With Hailey, when she was born, had a small leison on her scalp. After looking at it closely, the doc sent her to see a dermitologist specialist who then confirmed that it was something called Cutis Aplasia. Nothing serious, and if we wanted it removed, it would simply be cosmetic, nothing more. Well, recently, we have noticed that the spot has re-opened, looking like a small scab on her head. Her doc asked me to take pictures of it, and if it hasn't improved by tuesday of this week, they want to take her back in as well. So, I just looked at it and it hasn't improved, or gone away. So, back to the specialist we go. Hopefully it's nothing, but wish us luck anyways. :-)

Just another poop story...

Picture this: McDonalds Playland, Saturday afternoon, extremely packed.

I'm sitting at a table with my cousin, Jessica talking while our kids played and babies sat in their car seats. At one point, I hear Hailey say "Mommy, Look!"

I turn around and witness my two year old standing totally naked from the waste down with poop all over her butt.

Yep.... she sure did... she stripped down in the middle of McDonalds after pooping in her diaper.

ABSOLUTELY mortified, I grab her, pull her to our table before noticing the NASTY diaper she left sitting on the floor next to .... wait for it.. wait for it... YEP.. a nasty PILE of poop! ... ON THE FLOOR! I grab up what I can with the diaper, head back to our table, meanwhile, people are trying to eat, with a sick stench now permeating the room.

It takes almost a whole thing of wipes practically to clean her up. In a panic, i'm not sure I should pick her up (carefully, mind you.. there IS poop everywhere) and take her to the OPPOSITE end of McDonalds to the bathroom and let EVERYONE get a nice whiff of her bum.. OR clean her up right there at our table...

So, I just hurry and get her cleaned up, explain to her ALL the reasons that is SO wrong, all the while she's looking at me like "would you please hurry up so I can go play????"

Meanwhile, my cousin is just laughing and in an attempt to console me says "at least she did it down here and not up there where she then would slide down a slide with a poopy bum! Thank goodness for that!

Needless to say, we left in a hurry after that.

I feel bad for trying to hold her off from being potty trained, but since we have a VERY long trip coming up this week, it isn't the best timing. UGH!

Signing off,
Mortified Mom

Cheeks!!!

One thing I absolutely love about our babies is they have amazingly kissable cheeks. I think you would agree...

And.. I just had to share this one of the two of them. Hailey loves to just go lay down by Addy and talk to her. I'm sure they are figuring out a way to solve life's challenges.

TV for Sale!!!

So this might be a tacky thing to blog about, but I figured if anyone was interested, this would be the best way to find out...

We have a 23" Panasonic Flat Screen LCD TV we are selling. It's HD ready and it's in great condition! So, if anyone is interested, we are asking $175.00 for it. The model number is TC-23LX50 if you want to look it up! Happy Shopping!

Those Blasted Stairs!!!!!!!!

So, a week ago, I fell down the stairs. Let me paint you the picture. I had gone into the office to get Addy up from her crib and finish getting her ready for church. I start down the stairs... one step at a time. I was wearing a knee length black skirt, black high heels and determination to get to church on time.

I scale the first small flight of stairs with grace. I turn to head down the second LONG flight of stairs, somehow lose my grip and down I go... Addy in arms. So, here's me, one leg in front of the other, surfing down our stairs trying to keep myself from flipping over forward... all the while keeping Addy in front of me so she doesn't whack her legs on the railing. After what seems like the LONGEST 10 seconds or less, I end up at the bottom of my stairs with my skirt up around my waist, my legs pretty much feeling like they are numb and unable to function and Hailey standing over me saying "you alright mommy?".

Nate just stood there with this blank look on his face.. when really I knew what was going on in his head. It is as follows: 'that was the funniest thing I have ever seen, however, if I laugh, Tiff will burst into tears and ruin her makeup for church, so instead, i'm going to bite my tongue and make sure she's ok'.

I'm sure it was something like that. So, I handed Addy to him after making sure she didn't have any war wounds and then slowly got up myself. It's a good thing we didn't have any visitors. That would have been akward. I continue to walk around limping and getting the diaper bag ready for church when Nate BURSTS into laughter. "I couldn't hold it in anymore!" he says. "That was the funniest thing EVER!" At which point, I admit to laughing as well and off to church we go.

This wound is the reason that every time I had to kneel down to change diapers this past week, I wanted to cry. It doesn't look like much, however, it is in the exact same place that I have had a scar from when I was 10 and scraped my ankle on the gravel. So sad...

Happy Birthday Hailey!!!

My Sweet Hailey,

I can't believe you are already 2! I have been thinking a lot over the past week about your life. You have been such a blessing to me. I thank God every day of my life for sending you to us. Although you have been such a great sleeper, I have spent many sleepless nights worrying about you and getting up multiple times in the night to check on you and make sure you are ok. Every time I see you in those quiet moments in the dark, it's so sureal to me that I have been lucky enough to have you in my life. You are an Angel.
Tonight, after singing you your favorite songs and giving hugs and kisses, I still can't believe you're 2.

Sleep tight, my little monkey, it won't be too long till you aren't so little anymore.

Love,
Mommy

Some moments from Hailey's birthday party. We missed those of you who couldn't make it. You missed out on some Pizza and yummy food! :-)



In case you can't tell, it's a caterpillar! :-)



This was Hailey's present from Nate and I. Although, it's really a present for me. This will allow lots of energy to be used up during the winter months for a busy bee like Hailey. She had so much fun jumping around with her little friend Kaylee.


Presents and Cupcakes. Hailey is OBSESSED with Dinosaurs and Tractors. She is our little tom-boy, that's for sure. Give her a doll, she wants nothing to do with it.. give her a tractor and she is busy for quite some time. The cupcake however was NOT a good idea. She wasn't feeling all to well the rest of the night. A little too much sugar for our sugar free monkey.



Some of Hailey's favorite snacks!

Thanks to everyone for bringing her such sweet gifts and showing your love to our sweet girl.

Marty

First of all, today is Hailey's birthday. I can't believe she is 2!! Even more so, I can't believe she is two and my baby is 4 months! Man, i'm getting old! :-)

My Uncle Marty and my Cousin Rachel are in town visiting. Well, last night when my uncle called me to make plans to meet up sometime, I answered like I usually do and said "Hey Marty!"

Well, later, Hailey asked me if Marty was coming over. I told her he was and she immediately replied, "and Alex too!" I looked at her confused and said, "no, Rachel."

It finally clicked! Marty and Alex are on Madagascar! I feel bad that she will experience a little dissapointment when Marty and Rachel show up instead of a Lion and a Zebra.

Movie Quoting

Nate and I have MANY movies memorized, and therefor, quote them often. However, usually, in mixed company, it's quite annoying to be watching movies and have people quoting them or talking during. (Yes, we are OBSESSED with movies, so we like to completely enjoy them.) Well, recently, this has been a ongoing thing in our home.

Our little Hailey has the most amazing memory ever. She has been really into singing songs before she goes to bed. She heard Nate sing Jingle Bells once the other day and a few hours later, sang it all by herself. Almost word for word.

Well, back to my movie quoting. So, i'm driving the other day and Hailey was watching The Lion King in the car. Her favorite part is Hakuna Matata. To my amazement... she starts quoting the WHOLE ENTIRE PART of the movie, including the song itself. Now, this can mean two things: either she has seen it WAY too many times, or her memory is incredible. I'm banking on the latter! :-)

Last night, I was getting ready to sing her songs before bed and I was laying in her bed with her when she asked for the Mulan song (reflections). So, I started to sing it and she sang the whole thing with me. I couldn't help but laugh because I was so amazed. I told Nate to come in her room and asked her to sing it again. And she did. We both couldn't believe it, then after we said our 'goodnights' we left the room laughing in amazement.

What a smart little sweet girl we have. Now, I don't mind the movie quoting so much.. especially when it's little Hailey.

Halloween!!!

Halloween this year was a little interesting. Hailey was VERY intrigued by all the crazy stuff at the stores, however, not very excited on Halloween night. We went to Nate's parents house and there was a witch at the front door that didn't sit well with her. It took us a good 5 minutes to get her past it. THEN... she looked up only to see Grandma and Grandpa looking like this...

Once she heard Grandpa's voice though, she was somewhat ok. It still took her all night to want to be close to him. GEEEZ.. it took ME all night to want to be close to him... he was FREAKY! :-) Nice work on the makeup Grandma!
Jordan and Melissa were looking quite um... well.... I have no words...


Hailey was ADORABLE in her cute little bumble bee costume. But, I ALWAYS think she's cute. :-)



Then there was Carmen...

The hottest nerd i've ever seen! :-)
Little Addy was such a sweet little pumpkin girl. She didn't like Grandma's face too much. The funny thing is.. she didn't mind Grandpa's.


Needless to say, it's a good thing Nate and I didn't dress up. (ALthough, he decided on the way to the party that I was a professional photographer and he was a professional athelete.) I think Hailey would have REALLY had a hard time if we looked crazy like everyone else. It was a blast.

Johnson Family Pics

We recently had some family pictures taken. Our friend Darla took our wedding pictures and now, 4 1/2 years later, took some family pictures for us. She is amazing. You can see more of her work here. Although Hailey did NOT want her picture taken, Darla was able to capture some PERFECT personality shots of her. Addy was completely content in that little bowl and probably would have stayed there all night if we let her. As for Nate and I.. well, we are just two giddy kids in love.. what more can I say!! :-) I had a hard time narrowing it down to just a few, so, enjoy the plethora of pics!