Merry Christmas

"I Can't Put My Arms Down"

With all the recent snow, I just had to see what Michael would do with it. It was funny because I usually can't get the kid to hold still, but he just stood there frozen in position for the longest time. Eventually he got more adventurous and started walking down the driveway digging in the snowpiles left by the snowblower. And as always, he didn't want to come back inside the house.

Christmas Tag

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper because it is more fun to unwrap and then the presents are stackable... it is definitely the way to go. I do, however, write the to & from right on the paper with a sharpie. Tags and bows are too much work.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Real. We usually cut one down on our property in Wyoming, but since the baby we haven't been up to it.

3. When do you put up the tree? Right after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? January sometime when it dies. If we cut the tree down ourselves, they live a lot longer.

5. Do you like eggnog? Love it, but I have to dilute it with milk. I also have a weakness for the eggnog shake at shivers.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I always loved getting a new pair of jammies to sleep in every Christmas Eve.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My Dad. If he wants something he buys it for himself.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Michael.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes. Teresa just brought us a little one from Ecuador.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? An old fruit cake that got passed around at our office Christmas parties for years until my Grandma finally ate it. All I can say is YUCK!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story and The Grinch

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? early November

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Only White Elephant gifts like stale fruit cake.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Fondue, homemade carmels

16. Lights on the tree? White lights... I only used 6 strands this year instead of the 16 strands I had to use on my huge tree 2 years ago.

17. Favorite Christmas song? I can't pick just one. I LOVE Christmas music. I start listening to it before Thanksgiving and I annoys Johnn.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home. I am so glad that the majority of both our families live close by. But we do so much that I feel like I could use a vacation afterward.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both. Usually Christmas Eve with one family and Christmas morning with the other.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? There never seems to be enough time.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? My tree is red, silver, and white with stars, snowflakes, and bells.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Christmas Eve fondue... But then there is Christmas breakfast steak & eggs or sausage casserole & sweet rolls.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Our house to sell.

26. Who is most likely to respond to this? No clue.

Halloween

Mikey loved Halloween and trick-or-treating with all his Miles cousins. He was a cowboy because everyone told us that's what he should be. Even his pediatrition said that he should be a cowboy because of his bowlegs. Yes, that's my little guy, always looking like he just got off a horse. It's a good thing that we know it won't last. I think it is pretty cute for now.

I've Been Tagged

I've been tagged by Alli, so here are 7 random things about me.

1. I hum primary songs to myself when I am scared.

2. I have had more nicknames than I can count... Moes, Mo, Mon, Moni, Mono, Monique, Moniker, Mojo, Miller, and those are just the obvious ones. If we go back to elementary, then we get the really silly ones like Cheese, Cheesehead, Monty, Monteray Jack, etc.

3. I have a permanent dent in my quad from dropping a 75 lb weight bar on my leg in high school. The muscle never grew back.

4. I refuse to eat fish.

5. I physically cannot eat a banana. I like the taste, but the texture makes me gag. It has to be blended into a smoothie.

6. I always check in my shoes before I put them on to make sure that there is nothing inside that shouldn't be. It comes from the dead mouse in my slipper at the cabin. I think I am scarred for life from that one.

7. I can't snap with my thumb and middle finger like most people do. I have to use my fourth finger instead.

Well, that's it. I am not tagging anyone, but if you do this on your blog, let me know.

Look Who's ONE!!!

Michael loved his cakes. He got to do it twice, once with each family.

Stats
Height: 30 1/4 in (68th percentile)
Weight: 22 lbs 11 oz (49th percentile)
Head Circ: 48 1/2 cm (95th percentile) a.k.a. orange on a toothpick

Favorite Foods
grapes, strawberries, bananas, yogurt, goldfish, tomatoes,
whole milk, apple juice

Favorites
* Being outside- he loves running around the yard and down our driveway... which if you've seen our driveway, is really scary.
*Tubs- he has even climbed into the water by himself... clothes and all
* Making friends- he is so social.
*Climbing- he loves climbing on anything to make himself tall... couches, toys, people ( if you sit or lay on the floor you are fair game)
* Slides
*His blankies
*His Grandparent- he will reach for all of them when I drop him off
*Walking/running
*Being chased- he loves running away, I have a lot of pictures of his back lately :)
*Jumping in his crib
*Reading books
*Walking on Grandma's pool cover
*Getting into any and all drawers and cupboards


Words
Dad, Dada, Mom, Uh-oh, Huh?, Hi, Hot

My Favorites
*His heavy breathing
*His giggle/laugh
*His Peek-A-Boo
*His cute little body and bowlegs

Birthday at the Zoo

Miles'- Karen, Lisa, Mandy, and Angie

Kids on the train- Kylie, Michael, Sam, and Kenna

On the loose

First carousel ride with mom

Silver Lake

Family night up Millcreek Canyon

Our little family

Taylor, Kylie, Karen, and Kenna

For family night Monday the Miles clan all headed up Millcreek Canyon to see the leaves and the first snow, and eat some donuts. It was a little chilly, but beautiful.

Fun week with all my sisters

My sister Alli came in town from Arizona to spend a fun filled week with us. It was one adventure after another, and I think that I need a vacation now. We were having too much fun to rest. Here are a few of my favorites from this past week:
*the zoo
*Mikey and Claire playing peek-a-boo
*the Childrens Museum
*Olive Garden with Grammy
*Movie night with Iron Man and air pop popcorn
*Carcassone games
*beading
*shopping... and more shopping
*late night talks
*watching my nieces dance to the credit music after the movie
*Birthday parties
*Cousin pictures...how Claire was terrified of the duster

Peek-A-Boo

GNO at Gardner Village

We had a fun GNO at Gardner Village while the Miles boys were hunting. Mikey liked the pony ride, but was still not very interested in the other animals. We had fun seeing all the witches (they are out all month) and were glad to get there before the madness at witches night out. We also enjoyed a delicious dinner at Archibald's.

So You Think You Can Dance

Nancy, Natalie, Dave, and I went to the SYTYCD concert at the E Center. Yup, we're dorks! I was afraid that it was going to be a bunch of screaming little girls there, but I was surprised to see how many adults and even guys there were... it was only 3/4 screaming girls. Just kidding. Dave was a good sport to come with us girls. It was a fun night. I have posted my favorite solos by Gev and Courtney, and one of my favorite dances. They danced all of our favorites and I should have videoed more, but I kept forgetting. Thanks Nance for a fun night out, and thanks to Johnn for staying home to watch the little one... I know it broke your heart that you had to miss it :).

Wyoming Weekend with the Fishers

We had such a fun, beautiful weekend up at the cabin with Matt and Heather. It was great to finally get them up there with us again in time to enjoy the wonderful weather. I love hiking around the property this time of the year as the leaves are changing. We had a fun time relaxing, wheelin', hiking, and of course, playing Settlers. Michael loves being up there with so many fun, new places to explore. It's hard to believe that the last time we were there he was just barely taking his first steps. Now he is running all over the place. Thanks Fishers for making it such a fun trip.

Utah State Fair

the group

Anna, Kate, and Ellie on the balloon ride.

Tyler and Michael watching the tiger show

Bengal tiger

The goats kept licking Michael's fingers and at one point even his ear, but he was too busy trying to eat the wood chips up off the floor to even notice there were any goats. It was too funny.

Tiger Jump

They had a Bengal tiger exhibit at the fair. We hadn't planned on seeing the show, but it was so neat. The animals were beautiful and the adults were as entertained as the kids were. I was a little late getting my camera to record this, but you can get the idea. This tiger jumped over the top of his trainer from standing right in front of him (i missed the take off).

Meg's blessing

Andrea(the proud mom), Natalie, baby Meg, me, Nancy, Lisa, Nana

the sisters and Mikey (sorry Alli, wish you could have been there)

Name cookies :)
It has become a tradition with each new baby. I think they turned out pretty cute, a little busy, but I was in a random mood.

Sweet Baby Meg

Labor Day weekend at the cabin

walking to the lakes

Michael started taking his first steps at the cabin. He is walking all over the place now and absolutely loving it.

We enjoyed wonderful weather until the very last day when it started to snow. It got really muddy, but we were able to hurry and get down off our hill before it got too bad.