Holiday Decor

Framed Christmas cards are one of my favorite decorations.

Here is my Christmas tea set.

Yes, Libby is part of the decor :) The shelves on either side of the fireplace house my collection of Christmas stars, candles, and cute gift bags. The cards above the mantle and the stockings are key parts of my snowman theme this year. I have snowflake lights across the top of the front window. The theme was inspired by the number of snowmen ornaments I had that would be fine if Libby got to them. I also made paper snowflakes for the tree which I don't mind if she ruins.

I am quite proud of this...I cut some stars off a light strand that no longer worked and used them and some of my cornhusk angels from Europe to make this wall hanging since I didn't dare use the angels on my tree this year. Libby would love to eat them.

Of course, the nativity, the centerpiece of the season!

I am full of posts today! I am quite thankful that Derek was home this weekend to help entertain the girls so I could do my holiday decorating. It is so fun to be decorating my own home!

Thanksgiving Blessings

It is not hard to figure out who is who in this set of pictures from about the same age. Looking at these pictures makes me thankful that Libby pulled through her reflux and not eating. It also makes me thankful that Sarah is eating and growing and that we aren't spending time in the hospital to help her learn to eat. Both my girls are so wonderful! This morning I caught Libby counting 8, 9, 10...I couldn't get her to do it again, but I guess all those episodes of Sesame Street she is demanding are paying off (more than just allowing me to get a few things done).

Happy Thanksgiving

In the Norton family Thanksgiving is a dressy-ish affair. Derek wore khakis with his flip flops and polo. But the girls went all out :) Libby even kept the hat on for a little while she was so distracted by her cousins and aunts and uncles.

Whoops!

One interesting thing about moving into a new place is that you learn new things as the seasons change. We learned right after we bought our van that as it gets colder, the squirrells around here like to crawl up into warm engines and steal wires. Would have been an expensive ($230) fix, but Lynnwood Honda felt sorry for us (since we had only had the van 3 days before the animals got to it) and picked up the tab.

Another thing I learned a very hard way this morning. Our front steps get SERIOUSLY icy. Picture me (you have to use your imagination since sadly don't have video of this) hurrying out to the car with Sarah in car seat over one arm and two bags over my body (oh wait, only one bag over body. had to turn around 1/2 way to the gym and go back and get the other bag that should have been over my body). I step one foot onto the steps and FLY! I land in a heap at the bottom of the stairs with my ankle twisted under me. Sarah's carseat landed right side up, luckily about 2 feet away from my body. I am so glad I wasn't carrying Libby too! Anyway, don't worry, I slowly got up and went to the gym where I taught a BodyPump class (my 2nd in less than 24 hours).

Needless to say, I have been pretty tired today. I did ice my ankle and wear a brace today. I think it will be okay by tomorrow when I am going to help with the Thanksgiving extravaganza class at the gym.

I hope Sarah goes to bed before 12:30 am tonight.

The Amazing Libby

Libby continues to amaze me. Today I went to cut her toenails. To distract her I said, this little piggy went to market and she immediately responded "wee wee wee wee". So funny.

On the not funny amazing side, today I turned around and she was standing on the table. I found out yesterday that she was capable of this feat. She pulls the chairs out from the table, climbs on the chair, then climbs onto the table. I cannot really watch her 24/7, so I decided to watch and let her play today to see what would happen. She can actually get up and down quite proficiently. But, of course, I started mopping the floor and she decided to put her weight onto the chair back and the chair tipped over. I was hoping that if she did fall, it would help her realize that she shouldn't play on the table. Unfortunately, she cried for a minute, shook it off, and after dinner tonight went back to climbing on the table. Hmmm....What to do? I am considering becoming japanese for awhile, ditching the table altogether and getting some pillows? But she has to learn?

Sarah is also amazing. Much lower maintenance than Libby these days.

Finally

Okay, I finally created a facebook, and it is a bit addicting and fun looking for friends.

Sarah's Blessing

Libby the Count

Libby is currently obsessed with Sesame Street. I didn't know I could create a TV addict so easily. The Count is her favorite character. She knows that if I say one, she should say two. She holds up one finger though, not two. Then she does the Count laugh. I love it. (Plus I love that I can finish my emails while she is entertained by the TV, as horrible as that is). My brother Brian captured this on video for your viewing enjoyment.

Sisters?

Another pop quiz. Which is which?

Sarah's First Video

Here she is, starting to play with the toys on the bouncy seat. I am not sure if it was totally on purpose, but it seemed like it.

Where's Libby?

I guess I should be posting more Sarah pictures...and I promise I will. But Libby is so funny right now. This is her newest favorite game.

Discovery Bay

Over the long weekend we went to Discovery Bay with the Norton family. Travelling with kids is such an adventure. I was so stressed out about making the trip. (It is only about an hour away.) I had a breakdown the first evening there, but after that is was great. Only trouble is that I took no pictures. I was too busy playing rumikube (sp?) with Maren and Paige when I wasn't keeping Libby from eating the fake apples, falling down the stairs, playing in the toilet, etc. I also managed to get in a game of Settlers. Fun times.

Sunday Best Sarah

Here is Sarah all ready for Church on Sunday.

She kept the ballet slippers on longer than Libby ever did. Sarah looks skinny in this picture, but there are fat rolls forming on those legs and arms :)

Our New Toy

This week we finally broke down and became true grown ups with a family. We bought a mini-van. We got the Honda Odyssey. Of course, since Derek and I are such savvy shoppers, we bought the first one we looked at. It is the Touring Sport Odyssey. I think Peyton Manning would almost approve ;) It is super sweet. Seat warmers, navigation system, DVD player, reverse camera, backing sensors, folding back seats, leather interior...wow. I am so excited to be able to get places more easily and with all the stuff required for my kids!

Phat and Fat Baby!

Not only is baby Sarah cool (phat!) but she is getting fat! She weighed in today at 8 lbs. 5 oz. That is more than an ounce a day since her last weigh in! It is such a huge relief to have a baby who is eating and growing.

Happy Halloween Grandmas!

Sarah with each of her Grandmothers in her costume. Sarah obviously finds Halloween VERY interesting!

Husky Cheer

Well there hasn't been much cheer for the Huskies this season...but these cheerleaders sure are cute! Libby was super excited to hold Sarah. She wanted to do a cheerleader toss with her I think, but mom was right there to prevent that :)