I'm in Love...

...with a robot. It's true! His name is Scooby. And we've only known each other for a week, but what a wonderful week it has been. I think Josh is quite smitten with him too. He vacuums, mops, and dries our kitchen floor all by himself. He doesn't even complain, well, unless he gets stuck somewhere. Then he lets out a beautiful little beep to let us know that he needs help. Here is a picture of Ava with our newest family member. He probably weighs more than she does :)


I decided to get the Scooba for Christmas this year. Since my husband is a kind hearted man, he let me open it a few weeks early. Knowing it would keep his ever growing pregnant wife happy. Thanks honey!

Sorry Santa

I think the picture pretty much speaks for itself.

Forgotten Photos

So I was downloading the pictures we took at our ward Christmas party and realized that I hadn't extracted our Thanksgiving photos from our little point and shoot. Some of the pics were just too cute to not post.

Ava discovered that is was just as fun to push the stroller as it was to get pushed in the stroller. Too bad Ava didn't have any of her older cousins around because the adults in the house can only handle pushing a stroller on your knees for so long.


Josh has been working nonstop and was beyond stoaked about Thanksgiving break...aka the week of Xbox. But sadly right before we left Mr. Xbox died. The only option was to mail it into Microsoft, pay a ludicris amount of money, and wait a few weeks for it to be fixed. Since that was absolutely out of the question, Josh ordered a little fix-it kit online and while we were up in WA decided to preform surgery...on the box.

After a lot of perspiration and prayers, Mr. Xbox pulled through for a full recovery. And just in time for Krysten and Jared's arrival. It was a Thanksgiving miracle!

Storytime with Grandpa.

Uncle Jared and his favorite niece! (I can honestly say that since it's his only niece)

Gobble Gobble

The holiday season is my favorite time of year. I love the family, food, and Josh hanging out all day! We're finally getting our lives back in order after our week long vacation up at my parent's house. So I have finally found the time to upload some pics of our family fun. Enjoy all the pics!

Boy or Girl?

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Am I suppose to laugh?

So my mom and I decided to join the throngs of teenage girls (and lets be honest, and a few boys) and see the Twilight movie. Disappointed? To be honest, I was quite entertained. It probably helped that I went in with such low expectations that it had no where to go but up. But for those who have seen the movie, didn't you think the special effects were....what's the word I'm looking for....silly? Over the top? I've got it, a total joke! So I wasn't entertained because the movie was good, but soley because I couldn't contain my laughter every time one of the vampire jumped, ran or showed off their skin in the sunlight. Did anyone else totally hate the meadow scene just as much as I did?! It was nothing like what I had imagined. All in all, I'm glad I saw it. But I plan on never watching it again. I am trying desperately to get the image of the movie Edward out of my head because I am rereading Twilight. There is no way the movie could ever compare with the book.

Oops

• Have husband come home 3 hours early to watch our little busy bee
• Wear dress, high heels and bring temple recommend
• Meet at church at 4:30 pm to go on Youth temple trip
• Make sure every youth is accounted for and has a ride to the temple
  
• Carpool with youth to temple
• Make sure all youth have had their temple recommend interview
• Make sure you have an up to date temple recommend

Oops...I kinda forgot to do that last bullet. In my defense it expired just last month! But seriously, we just had a lesson in YW's about being dependable and prepared. So yeah, it was a little embarrassing. Luckily we had enough women that I wasn't needed. Good thing we only live a half hour away from the temple, because my sweet husband kindly came and picked my expired temple butt up and took me home. So sad!

Who is this cutie pie?

Ava bug better enjoy it while it lasts, because come April 21st-ish she'll have a new sibling! Here is our little cutie pie making his/her blog debut!


You may all be wondering, "Hey, isn't this the ultrasound picture? Do they know if they're having a boy or a girl?" And the answer is no. We had the ultra sound lady (that's probably not her official title) write down the sex of the baby and place it in an envelope. Josh and I thought it would be super fun to open it on Thanksgiving when we're with my family. My mother did not think that would be "super fun". Both set of parents were very disappointed that they would have to wait an entire week and a half to find out, but we're sticking to our plan! I put a little poll in our sidebar, so feel free to vote. You have till Thanksgiving to make your guess!

Reflections of Christ

(Click here to view the video in HD)

I was on Desert Book's website and happened upon this video on their site. I had just taken a break from putting up my Christmas decorations, and what more can I say, but it was perfect timing to redirect my attention to the real meaning for the holidays. I was even more excited when I read that the photo exhibit was coming to Sacramento next week! So if you are in CA, check out the tour dates here.

The Reflections of Christ photography exhibit will be on display at Temple Hill located at 2100 California Circle, Rancho Cordova, California from Thursday, November 20, through Friday, November 28, 2008 from 4:00 – 9:00 p.m. each day (closed on Thanksgiving Day). The exhibit will be open to the public and is a unique witness of the Lord Jesus Christ through the stunning realism of photography.

Is it too early?

Every year we get Ava a special new ornament to put on the tree. This past week we went to the store, and to nobody's surprise, Ava picked the cell phone ornament. It is totally perfect for her!

Now that we have gotten Ava's new ornament, I think we'll break out the Christmas tree this weekend. I know you all want to do it too! You have to agree that putting up all the Christmas decorations is hard work. So I figure I want to enjoy my hard work as long as possible. And plus, my Thanksgiving decorations are pretty boring.

Which season is it?

I thought this was just too cute, that I had to take a picture. Who knew that Jamba would pour some of my Jamba Juice into a special itty bitty cup just for Ava? Now I don't have to fight Ava to let me have a sip!


After getting our own seperate drinks we strolled over to a near by fountain for some girl time. Notice Ava's not wearing a jacket? The weather was just beautiful today. I'm regretting packing away our shorts this past week! This CA weather is so confusing.


Temps in the mid to high 70's, green grass, flowers blooming, and people wearing shorts...are you sure Thanksgiving is in 2 weeks?


With Prop 8 protests, housing prices still WAY too high, and the Governator threatening to raise taxes even more, I guess the weather is one perk to living in CA.

Poor Baby

This cute little girl...

...isn't feel too cute today. She threw up 2 times last night. She's doing much better today. Just being a little stingy in the eating department. But I'll let it slide this time :) Is this what we get for sending Ava off to nursery?

My Baby's All Grown Up

Doesn't Ava look so much older in this pic? Well she should! She is a whole 18 months now. For those with kids, your first thought immediately goes to NURSERY! Ava is doing amazing, according to her teachers. She's only had a few spouts of crying here and there. They haven't had to bring her to me YET, so that must mean she's not having a total meltdown. I must admit, I have throughly enjoyed getting to attend Sunday School these past 2 weeks. I'm shocked to even say that, but our teachers are amazing.

In other news, I had some girl time this weekend. Josh watched Ava and a group of us girls went and saw High School Musical 3 (it was AMAZING. I'm soooo going to buy it!) and then had lunch at California Pizza Kitchen.

While I was gone, Josh took these pics of Ava. Do they have interventions for 18 month olds who are addicted to computers?

Trick or Treat!

WARD HALLOWEEN PARTY

The night before Halloween our church ward had a Halloween Party. For the first time since Josh and I have known each other, we...I mean, I decided I didn't want to dress us. But I sure did have fun dressing up our little sweetie. This year she was the cutest little bumble bee.


When we asked her what a bumble bee said, she responded with "bee, bee." She is just too cute for words. And the ward members agree because she won the award for best animal costume. Which I feel sorry for all the other kids in the category because one, Ava doesn't even know she won. And two, we didn't even let her eat her prize.


So yeah, this picture isn't going to happen! Here is our best attempt at trying to get an adorable picture of our two little bees. It's pretty hilarious actually.


Does every little kid have a thing for pushing strollers. That isn't even our stroller! I sure hope the baby isn't still in it!


I just get a kick out of this picture because you can totally tell it is bedtime for our little bee.


TRICK OR TREATING

This was the first year that we took Ava trick or treating. We invited some friends along and headed down to the outdoor shopping mall. Everyone was just oohing and aahing at how adorable the little bee and Little Red Riding Hood were.


Ava just loves it when we get to see Little Red...if you can't tell by the picture!


If you remember from above, Ava loves to push strollers. We have no idea where she even found this stroller! Oh wait, that's right, we brought it :) Ava was very determined to push her stroller the entire time.


One of the stores had a great idea of handing out balloons instead of candy. I know it's free publicity for them, but it was way better than candy for Ava.


After trick or treating at the mall, we took Ava by one of our friend's house. My friend took this super adorable picture of Ava modeling her witches hat.


Hope that was enough posts for you in one day!

Pumpkin Carving

Carving pumpkins is a pain! So Josh and I both decided we did not want to carve Ava's pumpkin too. And plus, I wanted her to be able to be a part of decorating her pumpkin. Since Ava loves to draw, I decided to get a package of permanent markers.

Ava was very particular about what color she used and exactly where she was going to use it on her pumpkin. One by one she would pick a different marker, twirl the pumpkin until she found the perfect sport, and then be inspired. Seriously, sometimes she would only do a small line and then ask for another color. She cracks us up.

Here we just asked Ava where her pumpkin was.

There it is!


Ava is so proud of her pumpkin. Everytime we go outside she runs over to her pumpkin and asks "What's that?" And then proceeds to give it a hug.


If you don't remember, last year Josh carved Master Chief from the Halo video game. This year he stayed along the same lines and carved an Xbox controller. I am always so impressed with Josh's pumpkins because he draws up his own pattern.


On the other hand, I find a picture of a carved pumpkin online, and then ask Josh to draw it on for me. I would do it myself, but it takes him mere seconds. But I did carve it all by myself! I'm quite proud of the results.

Sugar Cookies

I don't know what it is about this time of year, but every time Halloween comes around I feel like making sugar cookies. Maybe it is because Thanksgiving and Christmas are insanely busy. This year I was so excited to have Ava bug give a hand in the kitchen. She helped tap the eggs and loved using the roller. She was a great little helper!


Sorry for all the videos lately, but I thought the grandparents would get a kick out of this one.

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Weeding and Rocking Out

Do you ever have those moments when you wish you were back in Freshmen year of college? Well I'm here weeding through over 200 pictures taken this past week. What can I say, but our little household had lots of Halloween fun! To help motivate me I decided to listen to some good ol' Jimmy Eat World. Me and my partner in crime, aka my roomie Kris, would listen to Jimmy nonstop Freshmen year. Jimmy got me through a lot of all nighters due to my poor homework ethic that year :) Ahhh, takes me back. Anyways, stay tuned for some super cute pics of Ava the bumble bee!

Pumpkin Patch

It seems like everyone and their cat and dog went to a pumpkin patch this weekend. If you're not already tired of seeing pictures of pumpkins, cute kids, and mazes, then you're in the right place! Here is a slideshow of our adventures.

I voted!

Glad to have that done! Josh and I mailed in our absentee ballots today. Now I can tune out all the Proposition commercials! CA has 12 different props on the ballot, so pretty much every other commercial deals with the election. Only one more week to go till election day. Remember to vote!

Bay Area Discovery Museum

Last week a friend of mine suggested taking the girls out to the Bay Area Discovery Museum. I've been holding off going until Ava was old enough to really enjoy it. Now that Ava has walking down pat, I was totally excited to go. I didn't even bring her stroller in with us. Scary right? But the little squirt loved getting to walk everywhere on her own. Way to go Ava! Here's a slideshow of our adventures.




Here's a cute little video with some of their adventures...

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And we're off

My dear sister had to catch an early morning flight. And not wanting to have to leave butt early in the morning to make my sister's flight, my mom suggested we drive up to Spokane a day early.


Here is a picture of downtown Spokane from our hotel room. The view was perfect.


While there we fit in a little shopping and went to dinner at Red Robin.


That Auntie Krysten, she is a tricky one.


But Ava isn't afraid to fight back! Gotta love Red Robin for the free balloons. That alone allowed me to finish my dinner in peace!


The following two pictures were taken right before my sister left for her flight :(


These girls sure look a fun bunch! Ava and I had such a fun time getting to spend a whole week with these two.


My mom and I were about to load our luggage onto the cart, when I turned around and found Ava had loaded herself. She was ready to get out of there!


Since we had some time to kill between our flight and my sister's flight, we drove out to my Aunt and Uncle's house for a little visit. Here is Ava and my Aunt Jewli. It pretty much took the whole time we were at their house for Ava to warm up to their two cats. I must admit though, the cats acted as a very convenient baby gate for Ava. She would not dare cross their paths.


Some of you may think I'm crazy, but I just had to take a picture of the gas prices. While we were visiting my Aunt and Uncle we noticed their gas was way cheaper than ours. My mom didn't even really need to fill up her car, but just couldn't pass up the good deal.


I am happy to announce that that will be the last post concerning our trip to WA. Whew, I'm tired, I think I'm going to bed now!

What every Californian yearns for

Mom, what is it? Tell me, I've got to know!


Okay, okay, all you fellow Californians will agree with me when I say every one of us yearns to have their own yard! On our last day visiting my parents, we took full advantage of a fenced backyard. We touched all the plants, threw the rocks, bird watched, and ran from one end to the other. All without having to worry about a little miss busy bee escaping the area and running into the parking lot. We will miss you yard, more than you will ever know.

There's a Stroller on the Loose!

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Monkey Soup

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This bucket makes the perfect hat. Hmmm...or better yet...


A bigger and better bowl for Monkey Soup!


You may be wondering why it's called Monkey Soup. Well, it's because Ava will only allow her blue, plastic monkeys to be mixed in the bowl. Krysten and I unsuccessfully tried adding a whole number of other objects to the bowl, but Ava would not stand for it.


Ava, can I have a taste? That looks so good!


Ava is at a really fun age right now. Her little, or should I say BIG personality is really starting to shine.