Jolly Jolly

We've had a busy, yet wonderful holiday season.....and it ain't over yet!

Before I got too far behind I wanted to post some pictures of our Christmas/Birthday festivities.

A couple days before Christmas we went to Grandma and Grandpa Bahr's house to decorate gingerbread houses.  Paisley was the cutest gingerbread of them all!

She also enjoyed a nice ride in the dolly stroller from her cousin Syd.

Almost as much as she enjoyed giving Syd a ride....

Christmas this year was at the Transtrum house.

It was especially wonderful watching Paisley experience her first Christmas.

It's only going to get better as she gets more into it - but she enjoyed unwrapping the presents.

One of Paisley's favorite Christmas activities was being pulled around the house in the cardboard box with her giant stuffed dog.

It nearly lulled her right to sleep.

The day after, we hosted a "Fella's" Christmas Party.

We enjoyed soup and bread bowls, yummy treats, a fun white elephant gift exchange, and some mad Wii playing.

Of course the best part was the company.

The next day was my Golden Birthday!

Nick gave me the perfect birthday- lots of good food and relaxation!

I even got my favorite cake - Magleby's Chocolate Cake.

Paisley is a girl after my heart. As soon as she saw the cake she dug her fingers into the frosting and went to town!

Let's just say she was practicing for her real birthday cake!

The next day was our Anniversary.

I know - we are totally crazy to cram so many things into one week.

And sadly, I don't have a picture to show of us celebrating our big day.

Nick took me to Tepanyaki since I had never been to a place like that.

It was amazing!

Now we are resting so we put back on our party hats for the New Year.

I don't think I've stayed up past 10  since Paisley was born.

We might be ringing in the New Year a bit early!

FOUR.ever

Nick and I took the plunge and tied the knot four years ago today.

And luckily, we still have eternity to go.

Happy Anniversary, Nick

Je t'aime
Je t'adore

Paisley Jane - 11 Months

This last month/week has been non-stop party and fun for our little family.

However, I wanted to sneak in a little post about our little 11 month old so I can remember these things about her.

First and foremost - she now refuses to wear her pretty headbands. Sad day.

 As soon as she feels it on her head she pulls it down. 

 And then her next favorite thing to do is see how the elastic strethes and stretches...and then she lets go.

She always cries when it snaps her in the face....yet she continues to do it.
I just can't figure it out.

Other fun factoids:

-Loves to open and close doors (If I can't find her she has usually shut herself in her room).
-Loves to turn on and off light switches.
-Thinks keiki is pretty much the greatest thing on the planet. She can say "keiki" and will go around the house calling for her. She also LOVES to share all her food/snacks with her.
-Can stand all by herself for about 10 secs.
- Will take 2-3 steps at a time - but is just too nervous to go any farther.
-Can stand up from a sitting position
-Is a social butterfly.  Wherever we go she waves and smiles at people. Waving is her favorite.

I can't believe she will be one whole year in a few weeks!

I Love to See the Temple

-Especially the gorgeous Salt Lake temple where Nick and I were sealed.

-Especially around Christmas time when the lights are up and the Spirit is so beautiful.

We were able to go see the Lights at Temple Square this weekend with a few friends.

Although it was quite chilly - we felt the warmth of the Christmas season and the Love of our Heavenly Father as we walked around the Temple.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

you know there's TROUBLE in the house when...

it's quiet.

This is an entirely true statement at our house as of late.

Our little busy body is usually up to no good when I can't hear a sound.

Need an example?

There's nothing (except for maybe keiki's kisses or a lollipop) that makes PJ happier than some good quality naked time.  She loves it - and usually only gets to relish in her nakedness after her evening bath.

This morning I thought I would start her day off right by giving her a little extra naked time.

And then I went on with my morning...

I was sitting at the computer when I heard something....silence.

I looked down and saw Paisley happily entertaining herself with some putty.

I continued working on the computer.

Then I realized - we don't have putty.

I go to get a second look.

You guessed it.

Poo.

She was going to town- playing with her own poo. It was all over her hands and up and down her legs...I am just praying she didn't sneak in a taste while I wasn't looking. I wouldn't put it past her.

Lesson learned: ALWAYS supervise naked time.

I don't care what she does though - you can never get mad at this face:

Here's just a sneak peek of family pictures...more to come soon:

Walkity Walk Walker

Let me start off by saying I usually avoid Black Friday like the plague.

However, this year my mom really wanted me to go with her to a few stores.

And since I saw an ad for a baby walker I caved.

I am glad I did.

Seeing Paisley's face light up when we took it out of the box-

And hearing her sweet little chuckles as she cruised around the house with it-

totally made fighting the crowds of people worth it.

At first I thought maybe I'd save it for a Christmas present,

But the girl is SO close to walking that I thought it would be pointless by that point.

Anyway, I deemed it a successful buy.

First she needed someone to show her how it's done.

That's what a mom's for.

This was Paisley's first attempt at the walker - let's just say she's much smoother now :)
She'll be walking for reals before we know it!

Double Digits!

It's true - our little girl is now in the double digits (month wise at least).

Being 10 months she is as busy as ever - but also as cute as ever.

She gave me a run for my money getting a decent picture - this is what we got:

I love her eyes - full of wonder......and mischievousness!

Later that evening I headed over to Nick's parents to get a few shots of the 3 newest grandkids together.

It would have worked out great - but Paisley just wouldn't have it.

 *sigh*.... we'll try again tomorrow after she has some tryptophan in her system :)

But for good 'ol memories sake....

Had enough yet?

I didn't think so....

 Have I mentioned this little girl LOVES music?

And she's got some serious talent...just look at the music shes' playing ;)

We're excited to watch Paisley go turkey wild tomorrow over Thanksgiving dinner.

Hope you all enjoy the day with your family and friends.

Don't forget to eat lots of turkey, stuffing, and pie - and afterwards.....

...Relax on the couch and let it all hang out.

An Apple A Day....

Keeps the Doctor away.

And our busy little munchkin happily entertained for at least ten minutes.

(I had to pry it from her sticky little fingers once it started turning brown and soggy)

But in all seriousness, we had to take our little girl to the doctor a few weeks ago due to an ear infection.

We love our Doc and all, but we will happily chomp on as many apples as we have to in order to not have to go back.

Every Dog Deserves to Feel Beautiful...

I made this bow especially for Keiki for family pics today.

She is a cute little model if I do say so myself!

Let's hope we can get some genuine smiles in between the rain/snow today!!!

Bear Attack

It has been a little while since my last post.

I guess we haven't had anything too exciting happen at our house lately.

Leave it to my sister and her husband, Ben, to help us out in the excitement department.

This week Ben went elk hunting in the Kalispell Montana area.

He heard some rustling in the bushes and thought he had spooked an elk when he turned around to see an angry 325 lb grizzly bear charging towards him.

Without hesitating, Ben fired a shot  at the bear - which was enough for her to turn the other direction and leave him alone.  

Ben then realized there were two other grizzlies coming at him from the other direction.

He fired a few more shots, hoping to scare them and then booked it back to his camp.

Once he took his camp down he called the Fish and Game to tell them what happened.

The next day they went back up and found the dead grizzly.

Ben said it was "the worst thing I've had to do in my life.

"As it was running away I could hear that bear bellowing and bawling.

It's going to haunt me 'til the day I die."

The other two grizzlies that were after Ben were the sow's 2 year old cubs.

Fortunately, they should be just fine without their mama.

Ben, on the other hand, is very lucky to be alive.

Several people have not made it out of bear attacks alive - even after firing a shot at them.

Today as I ponder the many things I am grateful for, my family is at the top of the list.

It is so easy to take for granted the fragility of life, and also unfortunate that a near-death-experience has to act as a wake up call.

So here's my Friday challenge to you:

Go out and tell the people you care about that you love them.

Paisley the Peacock

PJ didn't dissapoint in her cute lil costume.

She hated putting it on (she was literally terrified of it) - but she totally rocked it.

She's got this new obsession with laying her head on the floor and sticking her butt in the air.

(Perhaps its the peacock in her showing off her tail feathers??)

I occasionally find her asleep like that in her crib. It's pretty cute.

Nick had to work so we didn't dress up as a family.

Paisley and I crashed her cousin's trunk or treat though - so I made a bird mask to stick with the "bird" theme.

It was a great Halloween!

Oh, if any of you see Mr. Time, could you please tell him to SLOW IT DOWN a little??

Nick's sister had her baby and we went and met baby Ellie at the hospital.

Holding a tiny newborn made Paisley seem ginormous. When did Paisley get so big?

I love watching her grow but am not ready for her to grow up.

Comes with the territory I guess.

20-Something Year Olds in a Pumpkin...

I just couldn't resist.

After Paisley's oh-so-cute photo shoot the other day it was all I could think about.

I just had to buy a big giant pumpkin.

And stick my husband in it.

Dang good thing he is such an awesome sport. 

I tell ya, I married "up."

At first glance the pumpkin looked ginormous.

And we thought it would be a piece of cake to get in there.

But let me tell you...it sure wasn't an easy feat:

But once he figured it out - he sure did look cute..... I mean, hot :)

But then we ran into another problem. 

How the heck do we get him out of the giant pumpkin?

Well, we ended up using our noggins and cut a hole out of back - we just wish we would have thought of it before!

It sure made it easier for me to slide right in:

Hope you all have a Happy Halloween - 

Love,

The Pumpkin Patch Family

Love Him

birthday boy!

Yesterday my amazing husband had a birthday.

I am so lucky to be married to such an awesome man - I know it's cliche to say. But really, I AM!

He turned 27 and I could easily list 27 reasons why I love him so much - but I'll spare you all the mushy details and just share with you a few pictures.

A few days we go we went for a picnic WAY up Provo canyon to a little spot where Nick proposed to my 4 years ago. 

I love these pictures because they portray Nick exactly as he is as a father - AMAZING!

As you can see, Paisley absolutely adores him!

There never were two luckier gals then me and Pais to have such a talented, selfless, and fun man in our lives.

Happy Birthday Nick, We love you!!!

9 Month Old in a Pumpkin

Step 1:  Go to "Grants Plants" or other local Garden Center and pick out the shiniest, roundest, juiciest looking pumpkin you can find. (oh, and make sure you have your doll):

Step 2:  Enjoy a nice little wagon ride, courtesy of daddy, while admiring the said shiniest, roundest, juiciest looking pumpkin:

...never-mind that dirt.

Step 3: Take pumpkin home and clean off that dirt.  Admire it some more.

Make sure it's just the right size...

Step 4: Help daddy gut the pumpkin by staying away from the sharp objects.

Make sure pumpkin is as yummy as it looks:

Step 5: Strip down to just your diaper and sit inside the yummiest, shiniest, roundest, juiciest looking pumpkin:

Step 6: Smile BIG for the camera!!!

We sure love our little 9 month old!

We can't believe how fast she is growing and how much she is learning - such a little smartie!

Here are a few things about Paisley Jane at 9 months old:

- LOVES to wave at people

-Has learned the actions to Patty Cake - and will do them on command (clap hands, roll it, and toss away high)

- Is a great little traveler. Took her first airplane ride to Michigan and did wonderfully.

-Loves to be on the move. In Michigan she even climbed up a mat onto the couch!

-Still no sign of any teeth

-Loves to try new foods. Today she enjoyed chomping on a cucumber.

-Has learned to "dance" - and has a great appreciation for music.

-Enjoys bath time and gets really excited when I turn on the bath water.

-Keeps us on our toes!

Just when I think I couldn't love a little person any more she goes and does this:

Happy 9 months our little pumpkin eater!

Michigan Shenanigans

30 some odd years ago my mother served an LDS Mission to Michigan.

She has kept in touch over the years with a man she taught while she was there.

He has been trying to get her to come back and visit ever since.

Well, she finally caved in. And she was generous enough to let me and Paisley tag along.

We had a fabulous time and Paisley enjoyed tolerated her first few airplane rides. (She did amazing!)

I enjoyed sight seeing and also getting to know the Fegel Family.

The only thing I didn't enjoy was being away from Nick all week.
Next time we go he is coming with us and trying out the waves on Lake Michigan!

Grand Haven - Lake Michigan

 

I loved going to one of the Great Lakes - it was like going to the Ocean.

I sure wasn't prepared for the bone biting cold that we encountered though.

 

We got there just in time to see the sun go down. It was gorgeous.

  

Random Sites around Lowell/Grand Rapids

I thought the covered bridges looked like they came straight from a fairytale. Very pretty.

Caboodles of apple orchards in Michigan!
We stopped at a Cider House to warm up our bones with some tasty warm cider.

 A showboat on the river in Lowell.
Here is my mom with Brother Fegel - the man she taught the gospel to 30 some odd years ago.

Meijer Garden and Sculptures

 

 Mad Mom Statue

 

 Huge Horse Statue
It's a replica of Davinci's statue in Milan

 Neuron Statue

This isn't a sculpture. It's my cute little girl.



Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park

Our last day in Michigan we drove North to Sleeping Bear Dune National Park.
It was gorgeous. My pictures don't do it justice.
I loved the quaint little towns, all the colors of the leaves, and running up Sleeping Bear Dune....barefoot.

 

To say it was a bit chilly would be an understatement.

 

 Brother and Sister Fegel

This is Sleeping Bear Dune.
I was told to take my boots off and run up it barefoot so I could feel the sand between my toes.
So I did.
At first it felt nice, but by the end my feet were red and numb....probably should have kept my boots on.



Historic Fishtown

Up by Leland, MI is an old Fishtown that has been very well preserved.

My mom's favorite part was watching the Salmon try to jump up the dam.

 Quite Entertaining.

Hopefully we will get to go back again soon (with Husband in tote).
Is was such a nice vacation - enjoyed by all!