Christmas 2008

I'm a little late in posting about Christmas, but there's a long story about me forgetting to take my camera to Idaho, having to use my mom's camera, trying to get pictures from my mom's camera to put on my blog, pictures too big to email, blah blah blah. Oh well, here we go.

We headed to Idaho on the 23rd and had a great time just hanging around for several days. We only took a couple gifts for Payton because we didn't want to have to pack up everything. Christmas morning was kind of low-key, but that's how we like it. Payton really wasn't too interested in opening presents. She really had to be coaxed along.

Here are two of her favorite things. First, stepping up on anything. I guess she doesn't realize that she's already pretty tall. She always wants to step up on things. And second, being asked, "How big is Payton?" SO BIG!!

Cuddling with her new bear from grandma and grandpa.

Evidence that Payton didn't completely shun Rylee for the entire weekend. Almost though. Ry is just the best and kids always just love her cause she's so much fun. Not Payton. She was pretty scared of Ry all weekend. I thought it was pretty cute to watch though because it really threw Rylee off her game. She was trying really hard to get on Payton's good side. We just need to spend more time with each other and then all that shyness will melt right away. Payton was kind of sick for a few days and not really herself, so we've got to give it another shot, Ry! I know she'll love you!

Man, who knew karaoke was so fun? Riz, that's who. We really needed to be able to play this more and go through more songs. Maybe we've started a new family tradition. I'm already trying to see if there is a karaoke game to go along with Craig's XBOX so I can own one too.

Payton even wanted in on the fun.
Then when we went back to Utah, Payton had a few more things waiting for her. Here's her huge pink puppy that she likes to lay on and try to pull around the house.
Her new princess car. It took all of about one minute before she was attempting her favorite trick.
She had fun playing with this toy at Craig's cousin's house, so we got her one for Christmas. So far she continues to yell and do a little dance each time she turns it on, so hopefully the excitement continues.

Christmas was just awesome. We're blessed to have a little girl that definitely brought the Christmas excitement into our home.

Temple Square

I just love going to see the lights at Temple Square each year. Last year we didn't go because Payton was just too young to brave the cold. This year we decided to go for it.
Miss Payton all bundled up. I don't even know what to say about this picture. Too dang cute for words.
Our freezing little family.

These tall, skinny trees were always my favorite. They were right outside the window of where I used to work in SLC. Well, the building I used to work in is no longer there, but at least the trees are.

Just one more happy holiday moment. I hope everyone is having a fabulous holiday season!

Christmas stuff

Christmas activities this year have been so much fun with Payton. She's just so aware and curious and into everything. It's fun to have all that excitement in our home. It helps bring a whole new energy into Christmas.

Of course she had to be involved in Christmas decorating this year. She just loved watching each box get opened and her eyes got bigger with each box we got into. I think she has the best facial expressions and she was just thrilled to be helping.

I must say that Payton has been really good about the Christmas tree. Especially considering how young she is. I'm amazed that the tree hasn't been tipped over two or three times. She's fascinated with it, and she really, really, REALLY wants to touch and grab everything on it, but she doesn't. She's demonstrating such self-control.

The cutest part about her and the Christmas tree so far was the first week that we put it up. Everytime she saw the tree, it was like the first time she saw it. Over and over again. About ten times a day she would run into the front room where the Christmas tree is. Then she'd point and scream and smile and get excited. Every time. It was like she was surprised that it was still there. Like she thought it was going to be gone or something. So she just kept checking back on it. And screaming and pointing each time. I loved it every time she did it and it makes me smile just thinking about it now.

I didn't put any presents under the tree for a couple weeks because I thought that just might push her over the edge. Too much temptation. But today I put some presents under the tree while she was napping. After her nap, it took all of about 2 minutes for me to hear some commotion in the front room.

Luckily, it was just the bows. So far anyway. She can't keep her hands off the bows and won't stop pulling them off the presents. Oh well. I guess if that's the worse I have to deal with, then we're doing pretty good.

I feel so lucky to get to experience Christmas with this fun, spunky little girl in our house.

Mealtime

Mealtime is definitely messy time at our house. It actually makes me feel kinda crazy most of the time. I'm trying to be patient with Payton learning how to feed herself and food being thrown all over the place, but it makes me want to pull my hair out. I don't know why. Believe me, I've had to let go of lots of my "neat freak" tendencies with a toddler around the house, but this one is hard for me.

I've actually not been a fan of each new phase of eating. Every time we get into something new, I think, "Man, I really liked how it used to be." When she started eating cereal, I realized how nice it was when she just had bottles. When she started eating big people food, I wished that we could go back to baby food. And now it's the same thing. Now she wants to try and feed herself and I wish I could go back to when she would just let me put anything and everything in her mouth. Obviously I'm exaggerating just a little bit, but gosh....it's just so dang messy.

This is just a little video clip of lunchtime with Payton. I think she's just trying to prove that we don't really need utensils. And maybe she's right. Other cultures each with their hands. Maybe we can adopt that same practice. If you're not sure how to do this, just watch and learn from my Payton.



On a totally separate note, I just love Payton's face in this next picture. This face she does is one of my favorites. This is her really happy face and she squints her eyes and wrinkles up her nose a little bit and shows off about every tooth in her mouth. Cutest dang thing I've ever seen.

If she keeps smiling at me like this after she throws food all over the kitchen, I guess I can find a way to forgive her.

Holiday spirit

On Sunday, some family got together at Craig's mom's house to help everyone get in the holiday mood. We sung Christmas songs and played Christmas songs on the chimes.

Side story: When we were growing up, my mom had a set of chimes that we got out at Christmas to play Christmas songs on. I've never met anyone else who did that or owned chimes. Then when I was dating Craig, his mom had everyone over at Christmas and she brought out the chimes to play Christmas songs on and I was like, "You have chimes, too?" It was then that I knew it was meant to be. :-)

Anyway, I think Payton was overcome with the holiday spirit because she spent most of the night in the center of the room, dancing and singing. Too much excitement for one little girl.

Saturday with Santa

XanGo had a "Saturday with Santa" activity this past Saturday. We thought it would be a good way to get Payton's picture with Santa without having to fights the crowds at the mall.

Well, she didn't smile. But at least she didn't scream either. We'll take it.

We tried to give her a little gingerbread tattoo on her face, but she wasn't having it.

Bring on the holidays!

Office Pranks Part 2

I have to give credit for my latest prank to my cousin Spencer and his wife Amanda. If you know anyone who needs to get tickets to the Las Vegas Bowl, I heard Jeremy is selling two of them for cheap. I decided to post on KSl that Jeremy is trying to get rid off two Las Vegas Bowl tickets ASAP. Go Cougars!!!

Office pranks

Craig and his co-worker, Jeremy, have an ongoing competition of office pranks on each other and are constantly trying to come up with the next best thing. Sometimes it's just changing the background pictures on each other's computers, and other times (when keys are left out), cars have been moved to the other side of the building so someone can't find their car.

A week or so ago, Craig used vinyl lettering to put a "FOR SALE" sign on Jeremy's car windows. He put it for sale for $300 and it's a really nice SUV. I don't think Jeremy actually got any calls on it.

So I guess Jeremy thought it was payback time. On Friday, Craig pulled into the garage and this is what I saw.
He doesn't really HATE BYU....he just kind of prefers Utah.

This is my favorite. Honk 4 Hannah. Classic. I forgot to ask Craig if anyone actually honked. I'm sure Craig is already formulating his next move.

Little munchkin

Just cause I haven't updated my blog forever, I thought I'd put some random pics of all the things that my little munchkin likes to get into. She keeps me busy and entertained, that's for sure.

Yum, rocks.

Pretty little princess.

One of these days I'll get child locks for the cupboards and drawers in my house.

Helping herself to a little snack.

She carries random things and circles around and around the island in the kitchen.

Her hair is getting long enough, so I thought it was time for her to start learning how to use a curling iron.

She found the stash of candy that was for our primary class.

At Thanksgiving dinner, there was a cucumber sitting on the counter that someone had been cutting up to put on a vegetable tray. Payton started doing her little "I want it" sound to the cucumber. I gave it to her because I thought for sure that she would take one bite and spit it out. Wrong. She loved it! She probably ate a couple inches of the cucumber.

Like mother, like daughter. She pretty much loves all fruits and vegetables.
Her lastest independent streak is going to get the best of me. At mealtime, she doesn't want me to feed her. She puts her arms in front of her face to block me. But she doesn't really know how to use a fork or spoon yet by herself. This results in some frustrating mealtimes. For me and her.

Here's another independent moment of hers. She has to hold everything. I can't do it for her. So when I was giving her Cheerios for a snack one morning, she really wanted to hold the box herself. I don't exactly know how this happened because I was right there monitoring her holding of the box, but someone Cheerios ended up all over the floor.

And just for fun, one last cute picture. I took this to show Riz how cute Payton looks in the dress that Riz got her for her birthday. I just love when she's dressed up for church. I think she looks so stinkin' cute.

What can I say? I just can't get enough of her!