The Thompsons in 2011

Family Hike

2012-02-07T11:05:00.001-08:00

We enjoyed a hike and picnic with Kyle's sibs. and all the kiddies and it was SO much fun! I can't wait to do it again! Audrey was a crazy climber / picture taker. It was a perfect day. We hiked along this stream and them off onto another trail.

Audrey wanted to climb and climb and climb.

Where's Aud ...

Pump it Up

2012-02-07T10:49:00.000-08:00

We had Audrey's Bday party at pump it up. It was REALLY FUN. Just as planned. Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate with us!

Bday with the Fam

2012-02-03T16:29:00.000-08:00

We had a little family party for Audrey's bday. We had a princess theme and served hot dogs to honor our bday girl. I love getting together with our families.

Easton makes a fat lip look good.

4

2012-01-26T09:27:00.000-08:00

6 months old

4 years old

My Audrey is four years old today.

Every morning Audrey opens up her door and welcomes me into her magical world. I treasure every day we spend together there. I hope I never forget this magical year with her. She always welcomes baby Liv as well. The new ideas and places we go are never ending. I can't imagine her ever running out of ideas. "Mom, I got an idea...you think that would be great?!" Audrey would rather play pretend than absolutely anything else.

Audrey has never really enjoyed coloring, she'd much rather create. Lately she's been making story books with pics. She invents her own stories and re-tells stories she's heard. She's also been making clothes and jewelry out of paper and art supplies. They are actually wearable and very inventive. She loves making these items for gifts. She uses at least two rolls of tape a week. I buy tape in bulk for her.

Audrey loves to cook in the kitchen. Her favorite dish is fruit salad. She makes fruit salads as often as I'll let her. It's a different recipe every time. She's always got a different idea for the "sauce" .

Audrey loves to pick flowers outside, she's loved this for years. She tells Heavenly Father she's grateful for flowers every night. She LOVES receiving flowers.

Audrey's fourth year was an absolute DREAM for me. Perfect.

Last night Audrey and I were watching the movie UP together. During the begining when it shows the wife growing old and sick Audrey says to me, "mom, when you get old like that Grandma I will take care of you, okay". I started crying immediately. Every time she sees me cry she always puts my head in her lap so that's what she did.

Trim

2012-01-20T15:06:00.000-08:00

Audrey got her first hair cut. We went to "aunt Rachie's hair shop". Audrey wore her hair belt and really enjoyed the whole experience.

Afterwards we rode the train and ate at zcafe. Best day.

Christmas Day

2012-01-18T12:21:00.000-08:00

Santa came. I took a video of Christmas morning so I don't have very many pics. It was so, so fun. Nothing like having children on Christmas morning. One of the many joys of being a parent. Audrey was determined that her sleeping bag was a rug and wouldn't let anyone tell her otherwise.

Poor Liv played with her toys in the box for a couple days, until someone took pity on her and properly opened them. She's such a trooper.

drool machine.

After we cleaned up Santa's surprises we went to my parent's ward for church. I know it's not convenient but it was really special to go to church on Christmas day.

After church my mom had her annual Christmas brunch. Everything was beautiful and so delicious! The cousins opened their presents together and had a good time playing with their new toys together. I wish I would have taken more pics of it.

Audrey brought an outfit change for the occasion.

Christmas night we went to Kyle's aunt Shelley's house. We enjoyed his extended family and had a super fun and big white elephant gift exchange. It is very lively every year.

Thanks aunt Shelley!

Christmas Eve

2012-01-17T12:00:00.000-08:00

Breakfast with ALL the cousins at Great-Grandma Joyce's house!

She reserved a clubhouse for it and it turned out awesome. Her pancakes and strawberry jam are famous. Everyone pigged out and had a great time.

Liv with aunt Kristi

Christmas Eve night...we had our families over to our house. I LOVE Christmas eve night b/c Santa is on his way. Later in the night we heard Santa on our roof and jingle bells outside Audrey's window. Audrey was SOLD. She left the party and went to bed, in a state of emergency. She was VERY worried b/c she was still awake and knew she should be sleeping. She wouldn't even let me come in and talk to her. She said, "mom stop talking!!!!" The girls also opened some presents from Grandma and Grandpa Thompson. I love opening gifts on Christmas eve that aren't from Santa b/c then gifts can be enjoyed more.

Liv and my Dad. Liv actually looks just like my dad. Their baby pictures are identical.

We could hardly calm Aud down for a decent pic.

Advent Day 20

2012-01-10T16:33:00.000-08:00

S'mores and hot chocolate at Grandma Bev's. Always a hit. Audrey brought her slippers in her purse b/c she always remembers them. Day and night. She's a diligent slipper girl.

Baby liv always wears her cat-hat...it was cold and on clearance at the gap from halloween. It's so funny on her.

Advent Fairy Day 20 & 21

2012-01-05T10:15:00.001-08:00

Day 20- Read Arthur's Christmas Cookies and make cookies. This is my childhood book and I love reading it with Audrey. We read this one all year long b/c it's a fav of mine.
Ok. Audrey has some SERIOUS elbow grease. She can stir any dough for any period of time. I had no idea how thick this dough was until I took a turn and I was seriously blown away that she'd been stirring it the whole time. I think it's determination.

We made Crinkles...soooo good. I've always wanted to try making them and advent fairy gave me a reason to. They were actually really easy and they turned out just how I love them...soft and chewy! YUM!
Day 21 - Gingerbread house with aunt Sarah. My sister Sarah scored a pretty sweet gingerbread house from her bakery. The real deal. It turned out super cute. Thanks again Aunt Sarah!

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T16:43:00.000-08:00

Audrey started off the New Year with her first Day of Primary as a Sunbeam. She's been anxiously awaiting this day and she was SO excited. Audrey is on the old side of her year for school and church so she's always super ready for new things and it sure makes life easy and fun for me. She's been counting down the weeks to say goodbye to "nursery with all the babies". She went right into sharing time and sat down with her class and then told me to leave. When I picked her up from her first day she told me, "Jesus loves me mom! He loves all the children and that's why he gave us moms!" LOVE.

We had FHE tonight instead of tomorrow. (FHE is now the easiest thing ever after doing the advent fairy/slave) We talked about the word "goal" and Audrey set some goals for the new year...and then painted them pink.

Advent Day 18 & 19

2012-01-01T16:15:00.000-08:00

Day 18- Read a Christmas book. LOVE LOVE this book.

Day 19- Pretend City with Dad!

The workers were all dressed up like elves.

They had the entire city decorated for Christmas. It was really cute. Audrey noticed as soon as we walked in. She appreciates good decor.

At the art studio with Ella.

Afterwards we pigged out at Red Robin. Yummy ending to a fun day.

Advent Day 17

2012-01-01T16:11:00.001-08:00

Donut making with cousins. Yummy and fun. Audrey pulled out the paper and the door bell rang right after. Perfect timing.

Advent Day 15 & 16

2012-01-01T16:01:00.000-08:00

Day 15 - Lesson about "the true meaning of Christmas". I talked for a loooong time and cried my eyes out. Audrey went and got one of her babies and showed us how she thought Mary took care of baby Jesus and how she held him. It was precious. If you ask Audrey what the true meaning of Christmas is she'll say...Santa. I'll try again next year.

After the lesson we made a nativity ornament. All pink.

Day 16 - Movie and cotton candy

I never let Audrey get cotton candy in a bucket or bag (it gives me the creeps) so she was really excited about it.

Liv'n at 9 months!

2011-12-30T21:56:00.000-08:00

Livie Lou is nine months old!

We DIE over her. She's got such a fun little personality and LOVES to joke and laugh.

She loves using those little fingers to figure everything out. She can open her own yogurts and figures out her little toys.

Liv loves to watch movies of herself and Audrey. She also loves to dance. She'll dance if you make any kind of noise with a beat.

She says mama and dada for Kyle and I when she wants us. And she says "HI!" when she sees someone and points and waves. Really cute to watch her communicating. And she gets a total kick out of it too. She points to herself and pats her chest when she's asking for something or thinks something is for her.

She's in the fiftieth percentile for height and weight (as usual). She weighs 18 lbs.

Dance Show (1st ever)

2011-12-30T21:34:00.000-08:00

This is also day 14 for Advent fairy.

Audrey REALLY enjoyed her first dance show. It was so much more fun than I thought it would be. Audrey was in three numbers with two costume changes and I was VERY skeptical going into it. But, it turned out to be super cute and most of all Audrey really enjoyed it. She kept saying, "it feels like my Birthday!"A huge thanks to our family and friends who came and sat through the whole show!

Grandpa Lon brought Audrey flowers and she was VERY excited about it. She's SUCH a sucker for flowers... and Grandpa Lon.

Advent Day 13

2011-12-30T21:25:00.000-08:00

Watch Charlie Brown's Christmas and make a Charlie Brown Christmas decoration.

Avent Day 13

2011-12-21T17:38:00.000-08:00

Go shopping for you own ornament.

This is a tradition I started when Audrey was born. I thought it'd be fun for her to select an ornament on her own every year. Then she'll have a collection for her own Christmas tree some day. It's fun b/c I make sure they have a date on them and then they always reflect what kind of a stage she's going through at the time.

Advent Day 12

2011-12-21T17:28:00.001-08:00

Letter to Santa. Very exciting.

(Matthew 1:20-21) But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Advent Day 11

2011-12-12T17:02:00.000-08:00

Go to see the lights at the temple.

Audrey packed these items in her purse. so sweet.

We got to go with Kyle's family. Made our night extra fun.

(Zechariah 9:9) Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Advent Day 10

2011-12-11T14:54:00.000-08:00

Go to a Special party at church to meet Santa! Very exciting news. After the party Audrey told me she had a good time but we should go back to our old church, the one with the bread and water. She wouldn't except it was the same one.

Liv won't let anybody hold her but she was completely happy with Santa. She was almost happy to see him. She kept staring at him and rubbing his beard.

Audrey asked Santa for a new princes Ariel...she's got like ten of them!!!!!! Am I supposd to get her another one?!

(Hosea 13:4) Yet I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.

Advent Day 9

2011-12-11T14:40:00.000-08:00

Barbie Christmas movie and surprise pj party with a few friends. This was pretty good last minute planning on my part (toot toot). Kyle was out of town and I was wishing Aud and I had some fun plans, so I made some last minute. I'd planned to give her this movie so I invited a couple of her friends to be there to surprise her. The advent fairy came and five minutes later the doorbell started ringing. It was fun. I picked up some funny headbands at the dollar tree for some Barbie hair and my sister Sarah (who is the manager at a bakery) dropped off some treats for the girls to enjoy. It was so fun and easy. I love this age b/c they are so easy to please.

(Ezekiel 37:27) My tabernacle also shall be with them yea, will be their God, and they sall be my people.

Advent Day 8

2011-12-11T14:26:00.000-08:00

Bake Christmas cookies. Audrey likes to be the chef and she calls me her "assisment" (assistant).

(Jeremiah 23:5) Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgement and justice in the earth.

Advent Day 7

2011-12-10T21:04:00.000-08:00

The Christmas fairy brought Audrey a little tree for her room with a bag of decorations. This turned out to be SO FUN. We all enjoyed decorating it together and she looooves having it in her room. She wants it by her bed so she can look at it when she's laying in bed. (thank you fresh n easy...$12.00!!!!)

(Isaiah 9:6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Cousellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Advent Day 6

2011-12-10T20:59:00.001-08:00

Fireworks and snow at Disneyland! It was a FREEZING but FUN night. I love Dland in December!

Advent Day 5

2011-12-10T20:28:00.000-08:00

The shelf elf reported to Santa that Audrey has been very good thus far so Santa sent a little gift with the Christmas fairy.

I love that Audrey is so easy to please. She just couldn't have been happier with her dollar tree surprise.

These little cameras are adorable, I thought it was such a find. It has a little flash and everything. Three cheers for the dollar tree!

(Psalm 89:26-27) He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.

Advent Day 4

2011-12-10T20:24:00.001-08:00

Dora's Christmas Carol and popcorn. Very relaxing, thank you Advent fairy!

(Numbers 24:17) I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

Christmas Lately

2011-12-07T21:05:00.000-08:00

So...I've been pooped due to my advent fairy duties and baby night-owl over here, so I haven't done hardly any decorating yet. Which means my tree. So, Audrey just keeps getting more and more ideas for what to do with it. She's now started making random stuff and taping it to the tree branches. I'm gonna have a hard time taking back my tree when I finally get the energy to.

Thank goodness I was able to return freaky the shelf elf for a less freaky shelf elf. Of course Audrey was very worried about the last shelf elf so I told her he got sick and this is our new one. She'd spent so much time sucking up to the last one she was worried about all her hard work going to waste. She's been making the new one all kinds of random items and sharing meals with him. She keeps shoving stuff into his little box.

(just to remember) Lately when Audrey is content or having a good time she says, "ahhhh this is the life!". Cracks me up. I asked her where she got it from and she said that Blue says it when he's drinking hot chocolate in Rio.

Advent Day 3

2011-12-05T16:05:00.000-08:00

Just for the record...audrey is wearing three pink shirts in this picture. She's been dressing herself five to ten times a day. She has to change her outfit for every new activity.

Anyway...we finally busted out the shelf elf. True to form Audrey is taking the whole elf situation very seriously. She's already fed him and she's been talking his ear off. She keeps asking me about different rules b/c she wants to be very careful not break one. Personally I'm a little scared of him...he really creeps me out.

(Deuteronomy 18:15) The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me: unto him ye shall hearken.

Advent Day 2

2011-12-05T15:56:00.000-08:00

The Advent fairy planned a super fun family movie night for us. She's so great. She sent us to see Arthur's Christmas, and it was adorable. I recommend it. I cried several times. It didn't help that the little girl in the movie asks Santa for a pink bike and Audrey is asking for a pink bike this year.

(Genesis 49:10) The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

Day 1

2011-12-05T14:57:00.000-08:00

(Genesis 22:8) And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

We've been enjoying the Advent/Christmas fairy this month. It's been a little hectic to keep up with but definitely paying off. We read a scripture each night, a prophesy of Christ's Birth to lead us up to Christmas. I have the scriptures printed onto tags and we hang the tag on a ribbon each night before we read our note. It reminds Audrey every day that Christmas is about Christ's birth and not just Santa.

Audrey's note said that she got to make a hot chocolate cart and serve it to a party of guests. The advent fairy left pink peppermint marshmallows with lots of hot choc. mix.

Oh Christmas Tree.

2011-12-03T21:41:00.000-08:00

Audrey's been hanging out under and behind the tree. It's her new "home in the forest". She's got her stuff all over it.

When we set up the tree, Audrey was so excited...she said, "I think it is so American!!!". So funny, I told her she was right.

Play Date Party

2011-12-03T21:24:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine moved this weekend and Audrey was more than happy to have her girls over for as long as possible so their mom could have some time to pack. We invited their cousin as well (it just wouldn't be the same without the whole gang) and decided to make it a good ole fashion party! Why not?! I'd been waiting to enjoy some crafts with friends so it was perfect timing.

I didn't tell Audrey until she walked in the door from school and discovered the set up all on her own. It was soooo funny...she thought santa had come. She said "ohhhh mom, you think santa did this for me, or somethin' (lately she ends everything she says with, 'or somethin') ?!!!! Bless her heart. I told her Santa was def gonna be better than some balloons and a table cloth but it's good to know she'd be happy with just that!

we made wands

wings

drinks

holy static

once it was dark we settled down for a movie.

it was a super fun day. i def gotta do this more often.

Giving Thanks

2011-12-01T11:32:00.000-08:00

We had a fun Thanksgiving this year. We had both of our families over and i even busted out the china. I was a little busy with all the china busting so I didn't take one stinkin' picture! ugh!!!

Audrey put on her best Dora dress for Thanksgiving. She cheered Kyle out the door for his annual turkey trot. KT was very late and not feeling camera ready in his little tankie top so I had a hard time getting his annual turkey trot pic.

These are Thanksging cupcakes...nobody wanted to eat one. I think they were a little too real looking. A turkey leg, a whole turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy and butter and a bowl of veggies.

Liv'n at 8 months!

2011-11-30T10:47:00.001-08:00

-OH BABY LIV!

Liv Loves,

pushing buttons
not crawling or laying on her stomach...ever.
standing at the trash can firstly, secondly anywhere else
jokes - she's always up for a laugh
playing the kissing game with her toys
fake coughing
demanding a bottle...says ba! ba!
demanding momma... ma! ma!
eating regular food (def her number one love)
being aggressive and scream grunting for whatever she wants. she turns the dinner table upside down every night.
being with mom all the times
pointing...her pointer finger is pointer ready at all times.
her left hand
kicking hard and fast and then crawling away on her back while getting her diaper changed

Oh Liv.

She is such a good girl, I can take her with me to get my hair done. She's always so good the whole time. So convenient for me! Plus, she gets to visit aunt rachie.
People are ALWAYS putting things on this poor baby's head...like five times a day, every day.

LOVES oranges...she goes crazy all over them. She eats them till her little cheeks start to burn.

This video should have gone with her october post. Liv sat with these guys the entire month of October. At first she'd do the cutest little dance and then she figured out how to push the buttons and then that's all she wanted to do wih them.

crafty

2011-11-21T23:06:00.000-08:00

At book club the girls made these cute chalkboard signs and I missed out (b/c i missed book club) so I made my own at home and I'm pretty proud of myself! Pretty cute, eh?

Halloween Night - 2011

2011-11-10T12:24:00.000-08:00

We had our annual Thompson Halloween Par-tay. A huge thanks to everyone who was able to get spooky with us!

My mom is a HUGE twi-fan so she dressed my dad as Edward. I died when he arrived. So hilarious.

We did some hallway trick-or-treating before the real thing.

Oh...these two knuckleheads.

We had at least thirty people trick or treating...so fun to treat with your pals.

My brother cruised along with us spooking people. He takes spooky to a whole new level.

Audie B flashback. 2yrs old.

Ward Party

2011-11-06T14:54:00.000-08:00

We had SUCH a great time at our ward Halloween party. I took a thousand pics so bear with me. I want to remember our fun little night. KT was super sick so I took the girls by myself and we made it a girls night.

Ariel

Liv was ready for a nap when it was time to leave so pics didn't go too well for her.

Ohhhhh Minnie.

Audrey spent most of her night with her friend Baylee Fernley. These two had a BLAST.

Oh Minnie!

cupcake walk. somebody brought frosted cupcakes.

lots of super cute games.

My friend Chelsea had the BEST costume!

People do such fun things for our trunk or treat. We are lucky to have so many awesome people in our ward.

These two kept losing each other so they came up with their own buddy/leash system.

Punkin Patch

2011-11-03T15:10:00.000-07:00

We went to the pumpkin patch twice this year. The first time we went with my sister Sarah and her boyfriend and my mom. Rachel was a tad jealous so we had to go a second time with "Matchella" (my sister Rachel and her boyfriend Matt). We went the first time about three weeks ago...Audrey is still "thankful for the punkin patch" every single night in her prayers. We'll see what will replace it eventually.

RANDOMLY...the workers started sliding with audrey down the slide. You can imagine how appropriate I thought that was so we had to leave the slide which was the main thing aud wanted to do.

what is happening here?

Audrey wanted to go in here...i told her it was waaaaay too crazy. Audrey told me, "I can take care of myself", I let her go in. She got WORKED and I had to climb in and drag her out screaming and crying.

Liv'n at 7 months!

2011-11-02T07:29:00.000-07:00

Oh my little angel is growing up way too fast! Here's a quick look at Liv's 7th month.

Minnie for Halloween.
Their new favorite trick

Loves the remote.

Still loves to smile. She's got two teeth now. I'm loving the two teeth grins.

This little gal has had a fun 7th month. Lots of Halloween madness.

Loves: Dancing, Waving Hi and when she's happy or excited, and BALLS. Liv's fav toy is a dancing skeleton. She sits with him and pushes his button all day long and dances with him. So cute and funny.

Liv has also become a great eater! Yay, I always wanted one of those!

Glittery Wood Pecker

2011-10-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

My sister Rachel recently got back from New Orleans and sent a mask over for Audrey.We are still going strong with whole treasure hunt madness so the "treasure" is getting more and more lame by the hunt. It's usually whatever random item is laying around. So it was extra fun to put a real surprise at the end of a hunt. Audrey had never seen one of these masks and it was funny to watch her make sense of it. I thought for sure she'd wear it for a second and be over it b/c it didn't look very comfortable. But, she wore it for hours and decided it must be a bird Halloween mask, specifically a wood pecker. She pecked around with it for such a long time. So funny. She figured Kyle would be just as excited as she was so she planned a treasure hunt for him to find it when he got home from work.

Pretend City

2011-10-22T15:17:00.000-07:00

We looooove pretend city. We went twice this month. We went on our usual bogo Friday and then we went another day. I took a million pics of the day that was not bogo b/c it was a MAGICAL day. I can't believe how much better it was to go with WAY LESS people. We had every station to ourselves. It was soooo relaxing and fun to enjoy everything with just Audrey and I. Aud's FAVORITE thing to do is play pretend ... since she was two. So we did it all and stayed for hours.

This is a slice of life pic. Liv's getting a little pushy with Aud these days. They've got opposite personalities.

Pretend City has added a little watermelon patch. It's adorable.

And...the fall harvest is in. So cute.

The worker told me that they'd just gotten all of their garden stuff out of the dishwasher so I let Liv enjoy the garden as well. She LOVED it. The two of them sat there forever, Aud had a lot of gardening to do.

As if the day wasn't magical enough...they were making fairy wings and wands in the art studio!!! Hollaaaa! Our very fav! The craft was soooo cute and soooo easy. I can't wait to have a few of Aud's friends over to re-create the fun.

Audey wore those wings all day long. She fell asleep in them before I could get her into her pj's.

Stay-Cation

2011-10-20T14:31:00.000-07:00

We went to the Dland Hotel for a couple nights and I don't think I'll ever vacation anywhere else, until my kids are all older. Nothing can compare. Easiest, funnest and closest. You get into the parks an hour before they open and you get to eat tons of yummy food at downtown disney and everyone gets a nap! The hotel takes all the pain out of Disneyland. We went to the park for a few hours, hit the awesome pool, took a long nap and then went back to the parks, both days.

The back wall of the room. So cute. We slept under the stars. It all lights up and plays the Disney song.
Lots of bed jumping. none for me.

Audrey packed every tutu and princess dress she owns and some dress up jewelry too.

Baby Liv flapped her pants off at the clubhouse show.

Audrey's fav, the Rain forest cafe. She is in rare form every time we eat there. Funny.

The pool area is CRAWLING with lifeguards. It's impossible for anyone to even swallow a mouthful of water. They are all over everyone. There were so many LITTLE kids just roaming free b/c the lifeguards were basically babysitting. Of course we couldn't take advantage of that though b/c Audrey won't roam more than a foot from my side.

Kyle MADE me go down the water slide even though I was scared. I went like ten times in a row after my first try. so fun!

Pajama Party

2011-10-18T16:11:00.000-07:00

I was SO SO SO excited for the Mother-Daughter ward campout this year. Aud was even more excited than me. I got the flu, so we missed it. We were both heartbroken. Seriously. SO... we had our own. I let Audrey handle the theme, she settled on: "Mother-Daughter/Girls Only, Pink, Princess, Pajama Party".

We had all her friends from the campout over. A fun group of mothers and daughters whom we don't get enough fun hangouts with. We decorated crown sugar cookies. Enjoyed a super fun treasure hunt. And, ended our night with a pink-princess gift exchange so everyone left with a present. Seriously, the best party we've ever had. I think all the girls had SO much fun. I want to do another one asap! Unfortunately my sd card was not in my camera when I took a million pics of the whole party so I got some pics from my friend Carly who was able to take a few.

I didn't let the girls go outside because that was where the treasure hunt ended. I had (i mean kt had) the tent set up with white lights around and goody bags inside the tent.

Princess-Pajama FRENZY

At every clue station was a princess item for everyone to put on before we went to find the next clue. Seriously, these girls SCREAMED THEIR LITTLE GUTSIES OUT the entire time. It was so hilarious.

So glad we get to be in such a wonderful ward/stake with so many wonderful families and friends. Hopefully we'll make the real campout next year.

Lately

2011-10-06T14:26:00.000-07:00

here are some quick pics of us lately...

There are certain things about being a mom that I naturally LOVE, packing lunches (so far) is one of them. I LOOOVE cookie cutters, I only have a few but I've found a reason besides cookies to buy them! I love finding fun little surprises for Aud's lunch.

We were leaving for preschool this morning and Audrey said, "take a pic of me in my sunglasses for dad and send it to his phone".

She's been pretty good about the whole school thing, once in a while she'll say she doesn't want to go. When this happens I tell her she has to go to the Dr and she decides right away she really wants to go to school.

Liv started eating. She really likes eating, she chews really well but instead of swallowing once she's done chewing she shovels it all out with her tongue. So, she actually just eats whatever slides down accidentally.

We have a dog pecking order...Kyle is Audrey's dog (we ride our dogs...don't know why we don't just call them horses) and Audrey is Liv's dog. I'm too tired to be anybody's dog.

ps. I can't believe Kristen got voted off dwts last night! What the...

pss. We've also been getting a kick out of Up All Night. And I die laughing hysterically over The Middle. (some friendly suggestions)

straight

2011-10-03T22:55:00.000-07:00

Every so often my sister rachel hits audrey's fro with the flat iron. We had to tell her it was "the ariel hair-do" so she'd sit still. Now she always wants "the ariel hair-do". Rachel immediately could tell that i've been cutting tangles out...haha.

Liv'n at 6 months!

2011-09-30T21:17:00.000-07:00

All 16 pounds of my bathing beauty on her 6 month bday. Liv celebrated today with a jar of peas and a loooong bath.

i think it's affirmative that she's got my chin.

Liv loves...

the bath

her mommy

being silly

Audrey's stuff

Liv...

says dada

sits up really well

still won't lay on her belly

wakes up at least 3 times a night (the only naughty thing she does)

makes kissy noises

LOVES to spit and to be spit on. Audrey is always dying to spit on her (blow raspberries in her face) b/c she dies laughing every time.

Senior Citizen

2011-09-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Bday to my beautiful mom (pictured here with her mom). Can't wait to party with her today! So glad we get to keep each other forever.

Obsessed...

2011-09-25T22:38:00.000-07:00

with treasure hunts...blue's clues style. We have at least two a day, usually more. Wonder how long this latest obsession will last. Whatever gets us through the day!

First Day of School...EVER!

2011-09-07T15:23:00.000-07:00

We had a great first day of school. I think it helps that we are going to school with all our friends. Such a fun drop off and pick up for both of us. Of course Audrey had a long list of things she "needed" me to do while she was at preschool, including setting up a treasure hunt and the plastic pool for her. Just for the record, I went to fabric barn (glorious) and made my first tissue pom pom. We both had a great time.

Liv'n at 5 months!

2011-08-30T21:04:00.000-07:00

Liv is 5 months old today. Time has FLOWN by.

Loves: her feet, water bottles, watching people eat, outdoors, her big sister, to be included, to be silly, and everyone.

She is thoroughly entertained by Audrey. During a typical morning she has enjoyed a camp out, a tea party and a picnic all in the first hour of her day.

She rolls from side to side, playing with her toys but doesn't flip all the way over to her stomach. She HATES being on her stomach.

She's been congested since the day she was born (poor thing). The Dr says she's too young for any allergy meds.

She just recently quit sleeping through the night. I'm hoping she'll return to her old ways.

Her nicknames include (but are definitely not limited to): Livy, Livy-bird, Wiv, and Lovey liv

She's made us a happy little family of four!

This morning Aud was "reading" to Liv out of the scriptures...lots of dragons and fights were going on.

Summertime...

2011-08-21T21:32:00.000-07:00

please don't go.

KT is 30!

2011-08-13T00:20:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Kyle's 30th a few weeks ago with family and friends. Kyle's main birthday celebration was a "man trip" including golfing, surfing and camping with his manly friends. I would like to thank all the wives who let their husbands attend his extravaganza! I know it's a huge sacrifice to give up your hubby for a couple days!

Easton wore his special sponge bob onesie...it was adorably funny.

Gone Campin'

2011-08-13T00:05:00.000-07:00

We discovered the BEST way to camp...backyard style, preferably at the Fernley's who have the most fun backyard. Friends, bbq, tents, donuts, poolside-movies, s'mores and tons of other fun goodies. I can't wait to do it again!

BUSY BODIES

2011-08-10T00:32:00.000-07:00

These two have been very busy building and painting a new bed for audrey. It's taken days. We bought the bed from ikea which means we bought pre-cut wood with some nails to go with it. They've been working on it little by little in the evenings together. Aud looks forward to it all day. We'll see how it turns out.

Audie Lately

2011-08-02T00:50:00.000-07:00

Audrey's homemade fishing pole. Lots of pink. For some reason she never can catch a fish with that great pink ribbon, but she loves to try. And KT just mobs around the beach with that thing letting her "fish" off the pier and where ever else. He had to drag her away from people's real fishing equipment last time they went.

Where's the ketchup? In Audrey's backpack... every time. Why? I have NO idea.

4 month liv

2011-07-30T22:50:00.000-07:00

14lbs of pure love.

- Smiles at anyone and everything

-Giggles all the time

-Loves to be roughed up...it makes her laugh

-Starting to discover her feet

-Hasn't cut a tooth yet but is constantly SOAKED

-Audrey's number one fan and vice versa

-She's our little sweetheart.

friends flashback...

2011-07-24T22:38:00.000-07:00

these gals have gotten so big so quick. where has the time gone?!

4th Fun

2011-07-13T17:34:00.000-07:00

Big thanks to everyone who took miss liberty and her dad in all day on the 4th. I was sick in bed and missed out on all the fun parties and fireworks. Therefore...only post-party pics were taken. Audrey had a blast. I'm so sad I didn't get to party with everyone. All day I waited for my one party moment...the bachelorette. It was a rerun due to the holiday, waaaa. Glad the rest of my fam had fun though.

Soccer Girl

2011-07-09T10:08:00.000-07:00

First day of soccer (parent participation required...that means Kyle). We'll see how it goes.

Kyle had the women's soccer tournament playing for Audrey this morning while she ate her breakfast. It's really the first soccer game I've sat and watched. I am now having second thoughts about Audrey playing soccer. These girls are basically kicking and slamming the crap out of each other. Violent sport!!!! I think we'll do tennis or golf next for her.

Sea World

2011-07-07T12:11:00.000-07:00

We went to Sea World a couple weeks ago and spent the night in San Diego. It was SO much fun and I can't wait to do it again. Not crowded, no lines, kids get to see and touch everything and the BEST SHOWS EVER. It was like the ocean combined with Disneyland. Loved it.

Holy Whale!

Holy Teeth.

feeding the sea lions.

The dolphin, flying birds, whale and crazy diver show was AMAZING!

Can't wait to see you again Shamu!

3 Months

2011-07-03T23:21:00.000-07:00

Oh Liv, how we love you so.

She's been with us for 3 months now but we feel like we've always had her. She is our forever newborn, she looks so small no matter how much bigger she gets. She has come to us with an entirely different bag of tricks than Audrey did. So fun.

Liv loves her family. She is definitely partial to her immediate family over anyone else, especially her mommy (my girls love me). She rolls onto her side while getting her diaper changed (that's about the only time she lays on her back flat). She still loves to suck on her hands and drools everywhere. She gets very excited when I help her to hold a toy, it's really cute. She giggles when I change her clothes b/c she's VERY ticklish. I can not believe she still wears size 0-3 comfortably! She loves the bath, bubbles pour out of her mouth when she's taking a bath. She still sleeps in her bouncy chair in her room by herself.

Audrey doesn't have one ounce of jealousy. She is so patient and loving with Liv always. Even when I'm harassing her for giving Liv too much love or when I can't help her b/c I'm busy with Liv. Any time Liv is getting special attention Audrey wants to join in the noise making or the toy holding. Audrey calls Liv "girly-girl" or "pretty". So funny.

Liv had her first sleepover at her buddy Zane's house. The hardest part of our spendie was the packing.

Our Daddy

2011-06-19T10:24:00.000-07:00

I asked Audrey what she likes to do with Kyle the most and she said, swimming and flying.

I asked Audrey if she would let me record her telling Kyle, "Happy Fathers Day". She immediately decided she'd have to wear a princess dress and sing a princess song and started calling it her "show". I had put her in an outfit I'd wanted her to wear and had it all set up the way I wanted it. The Audrey show was all she'd give me...she's a stubborn little ham. But I took what I could get.

Daddy Day

2011-06-17T23:05:00.000-07:00

KT took the day off of work to take his gals to dland. It was SO hot and SO crowded when we got there, we hit a couple fav's and then blew that popsicle stand and headed to downtown disney instead. It was fun to do something different and air-conditioned!

This is how I roll...I'm such a sucker!
So...it turns out KT has been holding out on us. He knew of a place at downtown disney that sells beignets!!! Holy cow...they made us scream! I can never go to dland without getting these ever again!!!

Audrey is so crazy...she loves the bug show which is so freakin scary. I swear, she's a thrill seeker. She'll watch any movie and go on any ride.

Little mermaid is my new fav ride...i can't help it.

We hit the rainforest cafe, which audrey hasn't been to since she was too little. She could not get over it. She talked nonstop the entire time. She just couldn't believe she was eating in a jungle.

Baby Liv even sat through a movie...she's such a sweetheart.

haha...

2011-06-17T23:02:00.000-07:00

i love surprise pics on my camera! and...i love aunt kristi!

Fun w Friends

2011-06-05T15:54:00.000-07:00

I loooove pics of Audrey with her friends. I used to love looking at pics with my friends when I was young so I try to take as many as I can for her. We've been having lots of fun with friends lately, thank goodness. I love fun with friends...it's my favorite pass-time!

Around the House

2011-06-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

Audrey's Fro ... it's quite a process to maintain! Can you handle this BIG girl and her salon style shampoo?! And there MUST be a snack involved.

This is what the comb looks like after we've detangled...

You'd never know how long this gal's hair really is.

And...we're done! phew.

Audrey is constantly awaiting "true love's first kiss". We find her asleep and waiting all the time and in the most RANDOM places.

Good thing we've got a prince around.

Bathing with daddy, interesting...every night.

Memorial Day weekend

2011-06-05T13:36:00.000-07:00

We partied hard with Kyle's fam at the park on Saturday. They are wild and crazy park-style so it was extra fun.

Audrey was killing me swinging so high on the big girl swing.

Dad's with babes.

Don't get me started on the obstacle course competition. I think this park was actually built for teenagers b/c it was def. adult friendly.

Just for the record, JJ (just finished "insanity") won. He was prepared.

Aud's first seesaw experience.

Friday night we did the free-bee at the aquarium. Shark night. It was WAY more fun than I thought it'd be. It wasn't crowded at all and there was lots of cool stuff to look at and touch. There was also a fun band...several over weight men singing lady gaga and other current songs. It was really funny.

We tried the bubbles...they were WAY harder than expected. Fun though.

2 months!

2011-06-01T22:53:00.000-07:00

Time flies when you're having fun! I can't believe our lil livie bird is already 2 months old. Here are some pics from her newborn photo session.

This little gal loves to smile and chit chat. She's loved to be talked to since she was born. She's started drooling and sucking on her fist. She prefers her fist to her pacifiar but I am fighting the good fight. She takes at least one formula bottle a day. She sleeps for six hours every night and then three more after eating. Today she went to Disneyland for the first time and I think she loved it. She loves being a part of what ever Audrey is doing. She loves to make noises when being spoken to.

My heart could just burst when I think about how fun and how much I love these girls of mine!

Today...

2011-05-28T22:39:00.001-07:00

Tonight Baby Liv said her first prayer...via Audrey praying in a very high voice.

-new rule...no impersonating during prayer.

Today at 7-11 (Audrey and I were redbox hopping) Audrey picked out a bag of pretzels to give to Heavenly Father. Bless her heart...I told her they'd be too hard to deliver.

ps. you know you need a new car when the only reason you lock it, is because you have a redbox movie in it.

Audrey Today

2011-05-26T13:29:00.000-07:00

This morning I woke up to Liv's cry (my new alarm clock), and heard someone comforting her. I figured it must be Kyle since he wasn't in bed next to me. Then Audrey came into my room, I figured the screaming woke her up like it usually does. Audrey said to me, "I gave baby Liv her pacifier and she went back to sleep, can we snuggle till she wakes up again?". Audrey has seriously turned ten since Liv was born, she has changed so much in just the last couple months.

Audrey is at Liv's side, at all times. She's my little mommy, just like I knew she would be. I can always count on Audrey to be gentle and good which is very comforting when I need to leave the room. I'm so grateful Audrey has the biggest desire to really do what she thinks is right. It really makes my life so much easier.

However...I did catch Audrey bent over Liv's bouncy chair trying to nurse her the other day. Just a one-time lil incident though!

Liv's Blessing

2011-05-20T20:00:00.000-07:00

We blessed Liv this month, it was a perfect day. We are so grateful to our family for coming to share this day with us. Liv didn't make a peep during her blessing. Kyle gave her a beautiful blessing that felt so complete to me.

The kiddie pool was too much for the kiddies to resist!

Our Moms

2011-05-07T11:45:00.000-07:00

Happy, happy Mother's Day to our WONDERFUL and PERFECT mothers. We are SO blessed to both have such amazing mothers. They never stop showering us and our children with so much love and service.

Dream Come True

2011-04-30T20:02:00.000-07:00

Today KT made Audrey's dreams come true. Audrey prays for three things EVERY night..."bless me to go fishing, bless me to go to the candy store and bless me to get a water pool". SO...today KT took Audrey to Kmart and answered her prayers. Audrey has been in the pool all day and all night. She can't wait to have her own white-trash pool bash. Thirteen dollars well spent.

1 Month

2011-04-30T19:42:00.000-07:00

My Lovely-Liv is a whole month old today!!! I can NOT believe it! Every day I die over what a total sweetheart she is.

Some fun facts about Liv...

She's got the sweeeeetest lil smile. It's always open-mouthed.

She is a scrambler...she runs those little sticks up my chest like no other. It's so funny. She reminds me of a baby monkey. She would kick like crazy in my belly so I'm not surprised she likes to use her legs.

She holds her head up really well and does a little push up and looks all around. I loooove watching her and talking to her when she's awake. She tries so hard to keep up with everyone. And she has the funniest little expressions.

She makes the cuuutest noises...I wish so badly I could get some noises on video. She talks and smiles with Audrey the best.

When Liv was just born they couldn't keep her crying if I was talking so I had to be quiet while they got all the fluid out of her lungs. She loooooves to be talked to and I love to talk to her. We have special conversations at 3 in the morning.

Audrey is in love with her baby sister and loves her with all her little heart. She always asks Liv, "What you thinkin' 'bout?".

Happy Easter -2011

2011-04-25T21:14:00.000-07:00

We had the Happiest Easter with our TWO girls! I was so excited for family, fun and of course matchy outfits for my gals!

The Easter Bunny left an adorable spread...if I do say so myself! I'm always looking for a way to use a plastic table cloth (it's the ghetto in me)! Audrey was most excited about her pumpkin seed tutu (thanks megan!).

Liv exploded out of her outfit before sacrament was even over and I had to toss her little tights.

We partied with both my family and Kyle's family. It was such a treat. Natalie cooked a wonderful dinner and the decor was adorable.

Lately

2011-04-15T15:39:00.000-07:00

This week my mom came over a couple times and watched Liv so I could get out with Audrey and have some fun, even though I can barely walk. We enjoyed the water over at the town center today. This hot weather is getting me excited for summer!

I also took Audrey to her dance class this week and it was extra fun b/c we haven't been together in a while.

Baby Liv has been hitting up the trampoline with the rest of the crew.

Liv'n Lately

2011-04-04T10:53:00.000-07:00

I would just like to say how very grateful I am to our families for the TONS of help they have given us. We are SO blessed with such wonderful mothers and Grandma Joyce in our lives. Without them I would be one broke down momma! I can't even begin to say how grateful I am to Kyle for all his full-time help and patience for days straight. He such a good hubby and daddy, we Thompson girls are so lucky to have him. He is our "Prince Eric". Liv has been a dream so far, she sleeps most of the day and gets up a couple times at night. She has been so good to me, I just love her to bits already. I LOVE looking at her face and watching her expressions b/c she doesn't look like Audrey, she's a totally new little person. Audrey has been a dream big sister, like I knew she would be. She washes her little hands all on her own before she touches Liv's face. She is so proud of her little sister. If we can't talk her into doing something we say that Liv will come and then she jumps right up to do it. I still feel broken and useless but I know I'll heal eventually. These nursing contractions are epidural-worthy! I was in the same pain when I cried for epidural in the hospital. And, somebody left a hard, painful basketball in my stomach. Again, I don't know what I'd do without our moms. I'm just so grateful for all the help from friends and family and I'm so, so grateful for this new little dream-gal in my life.

Kyle took pics of Audrey having her first tea party with Liv. Audrey "took a-lax" (Audrey is always "taking a lax"...it's her way of saying that she needs to relax for a minute) with Liv after the party.

We've been enjoying lemonade service in the evenings, Audrey loves to put on a show in her random get-ups and then serve lemonade afterwards. Last night she was so upset she didn't have gloves like the princesses so Kyle took her to find some and she showed up with leg warmers on her arms, so funny.

Baby Liv

2011-03-31T23:42:00.000-07:00

These are just a whole bunch of random pics in random order!

Special Day

2011-03-28T23:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning when Audrey woke up I told her it was her "special day" bc it was our last day together just the two of us and she is becoming a big sister. The first thing she asked was if she was playing with friends. Jodee totally had Audrey's special day in mind when I called her at the last second and invited her to join us. We went to pretend city and the girls had a great time. Here's a whole bunch of pics with nobody looking at the camera. Thanks to Jodee and her girls for the funnest "last day". Last night when Audrey said her prayer before bed it was mostly about pretend city and Brighton. The cutest part was, after her prayer she said "mommy, was I good to Brighton today?" I told her she was a very good friend and Brighton was too. It's so sweet the way the two of them work at their friendship!

Audrey's fav game at home is playing "summer". She makes lemonade and we go outside with our sunglasses on and she talks about how hot it is even though it's freezing. She can't wait for summer to come. As soon as we got to the fake beach she was soooo excited to play summer.

Audrey could have spent the entire day in the garden area. It was adorable.

Brighton was killing me her random detergent needs at the grocery store...

Lately

2011-03-28T23:17:00.001-07:00

We started ballet (again). This time Audrey became a ballerina (constantly pretending to be a ballerina) before we started ballet class so things went very well. I tried to put her in ballet a little while ago but I should have known that you have to be a ballerina in order to attend class (we quit after two classes). Audrey just started her ballet obsession out of blue and when I took her to payless she transformed in front of everyone in the store, when she put her special ballet shoes on, for the first time. I will seriously never forget it, she was so excited and just couldn't stop the ballet moves from flowing. During class Audrey constantly leaves the group to give me quick kisses, it's so random but sweet. Kyle is going to take her on Thurs since I'll be in the hospital and I know he is gonna absolutely melt, especially if he gets the kiss treatment that I get. (thank you Megan for the cutest leg warmers...they warm my heart every week)

Audrey got her first pet at the grocery store the other night. She treats it like a pet and says she is ready for another one. We might have to go back for a dog since the cat has worked out so well. She is very good about feeding and taking care of him. He's the best animal I've ever heard of.

Audrey has had a HUGE gardening obsession, so we planted a little window garden a few weeks ago. She waters her garden every day and it's been really fun for both of us. She is always getting me to try new things...I'm def not the gardening type, that's why we do indoor gardening.

Lately

2011-02-26T23:13:00.000-08:00

Audrey:"Mommy, I'm gonna put your tooth brush in the trash....Ok?!"

Me: "No, why?"

Audrey: "Because, it's really dirty!"

Me: "It's not dirty, why are you saying it's dirty?"

Audrey: "Because I put it in the toilet...just for a little bit."

Me: "What do you think Baby Liv (the new baby) is gonna look like?"

Audrey: "Like a princess"

Broken

2011-02-26T22:46:00.000-08:00

...Audrey's toe, that is. She pulled a huge glass table-top off of a table and onto her foot while climbing on top of it. My sister Sarah and I took her to the Dr the very next day where she completely FLIPPED OUT and would not even let anybody look at it. So...there was a LOT of screaming and holding and crying. Audrey kicked the Dr in the chest and face several times...she was wild.
After that crazy apt we were referred onto an Ortho Dr.

We let the patient decide where she wanted to get a treat and she said she wanted to go to See's for a heart. I thought I deserved a whole bag of See's.

There was another incident at the Ortho Dr...as was expected. KT did his best to be fun and inappropriate but Aud wasn't buying it. She kicked another Dr (who was really rude about it) and screamed her guts out until we taped and boot-ed her.

Here she is with her new boot. She hates it.

They said, usually a toe isn't that big of a deal but she broke it right on her "growth plate" which is a bad spot so that is why we have to treat it like a broken bone.

Big Bear 2011

2011-02-19T08:12:00.000-08:00

We spent the weekend in Big Bear a couple weeks ago with Kyle's sisters and their families. Everything was just perfect, I wouldn't have changed a thing (except for Kellie's "accident"). Good company, good food and so much fun! Audrey had so much fun too. I'm so glad we did this before our new babe is here.

We stayed in a great cabin with lots of space for everyone...made everything so easy and relaxing.

Audrey's first snow ball...

We all took turns cooking and everyone made the most delicious meals. YUMMMMM.

Ohhhh Eastie...all the kids had such a good time!

Audrey's snow man...it was a giant frozen lump that she and kyle threw a piece of ice on.

Bullard family

Kyle took Audrey sledding and she LOVED it.

This place was awesome...it had an escalator.

Dinner out

Vday Festivities

2011-02-16T05:01:00.000-08:00

We had such a fun Valentines day! Hope all of you did too! I was a little sad I didn't plan a Vday party for Audrey but we had a fun day just the two of us anyway.

We started our morning baking some goodies to take to KT at work. I am going to share this recipe with you all in another post it is SO GOOD!

Audrey has a very special relationship with brown sugar...she LOVES it. Here she is giving the bag a huge hug and then begging not to let go.

Audrey was in charge of the utensil basket and she took her job VERY seriously. She wouldn't let it out of her sight. (she's been a tad obsessive lately)

We took our Valentine out to lunch. I was cracking up when I saw KT in his pink shirt on Vday. He claimed he hadn't worn it on purpose.

We came home to a flower delivery. Audrey is beyond obsessed with flowers lately so it was a really big deal for her. She sang like a princess for the rest of the afternoon and is still dragging those flowers all over the house. She bathed with one of them tonight (i'm not joking).

Audrey loves her cousin Ella as much as she loves Ariel (the princess), so when she got a special Ella delivery on this day of love she was overjoyed.

Can you see the joy?

Cuuuutest cake balls

And CUTEST lil birdie clip

KT and I got a babysitter (who brought more adorable treats) to go party at the exclusive, and oh-so-posh...

EL BURRITO JR!!!! Don't be jealous ladies, some day your man will take you there too!!!!

Such an adorable day...I love holidays with my fav gal, it's so much more fun!

Doesn't every girl sing like a princess when they get flowers?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTasKrTxVLY

Love Day

2011-02-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

Instead of gushing about the many, many reasons KT is my sweetheart I will sum up our relationship with one typical Kyle and Amy moment...

Kyle: Enters living room with a huge bowl of ice cream.

Amy: "Mmmm...will you make me one?"

Kyle: "Sure, take this one and I'll make myself another one."

Amy: "Awe, thanks!" (begins to inhale ice cream)

Kyle: Comes back into the room with a piece of candy instead of a bowl of ice cream.

Amy: "I feel bad, did you not want to hassle making another bowl of ice cream?"

Kyle: "No, I didn't really want ice cream anyway. I'd rather eat candy instead."

Amy: Finds the empty ice cream container in the trash before going to bed. It was the last of the ice cream.

*AND...the poor guy eats soy ice cream b/c that's all I can eat.

In every situation KT gives me the last of the ice cream. He is the sweetest Valentine I could ever ask for. I don't know how I got so lucky but I feel guilty all of the time!!!!

Birthday Par-tay Girl

2011-02-12T16:36:00.000-08:00

Audrey celebrated her third Birthday with a "pink princess party", where all things were pink and princess. A huge thanks to all of her friends for coming and our family too! We had such a great time celebrating with all of you.

Audrey wouldn't take a single picture during her party so Aunt Kellie was nice enough to take her for a walk after the party and get some good shots of her on her actual Birthday. Thank you so much Kellie!

Let the party begin...

Audrey's chair folded up and fell down with her in it during the pinata so we couldn't get any happy pinata pics with her. Ella broke open the pinata for everyone. All of our prince and princess guests were so polite when it came time to scramble for prizes and candy. Everyone kept commenting how cute and quiet all the kids were while politely gathering goodies.

We got two pics of Audrey actually letting us take her picture and both of them are with her cousins. This one is with Ella and the other one is with Katie in the bouncer. She refused a single picture but was so compliant when they were taken with some of her favorite people.

My sister Sarah brought the cake...it was beyond adorable and of course Audrey LOVED it. Sarah took Audrey to the bakery where she works and let Audrey pick it out ahead of time.

Once we passed out cake to everyone Audrey insisted she keep the castle with the princesses placed, just right, on top. She was beyond heartbroken when the leftover castle disappeared the next day.

My sister Sarah did her best to take a picture of every guest for Audrey to look back on. Thanks Sarah !!!

These two had SUCH a good time in the bouncer with Kyle after the party was over. Katie is a professional model and it made me so happy when Audrey tried her best to imitate her b/c it was Audrey's second official pic of the whole day. Thanks Katie!

We just LOVE our little 3 year old princess-loving-lady so much! Happy 3rd Bday Audrey!!!

Daddy-Daughter

2011-02-12T15:47:00.000-08:00

Audrey has been enjoying lots of daddy time lately. Every time they get back from an outing I always crack up over their random experiences. It's always an adventure with daddy. Kyle has been taking her to do something every Saturday since it's his day off and I need a day off. A few Saturdays ago Kyle emailed me this cute pic of Aud at the beach. Kyle had planned to take Audrey rollerskating (with her huge plastic rollerskates) on the beach. As soon as they got there she just wanted to go in the water and play in the sand of course. So, Kyle and Audrey went in the water and built sand castles with no towels or tools. Then he let Audrey play at the play ground in her underwear and if that isn't random enough he then let her hit the bike trail with her rollerskates on... in her underwear. He figured it was the exact same thing as a bathing suit and couldn't figure out why I thought it was so funny. Oh well... that's a typical daddy adventure!

They've also been venturing to Dland together and Kyle took her on the toon town roller coaster for the first time (i never take her to toon town b/c it's too far to walk for me) and she LOVED it. She wanted to ride it three times in a row and she kept practicing her scream in line.

Christmas Day pics

2011-01-02T10:53:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Day we opened our gifts from Santa then went to Grandma and Grandpa Thompson's house to play with cousins and open more gifts. I got a super fun drink dispenser that I can't wait to use.

Next we went to Grandma and Grandpa Williford's house for our annual Christmas breakfast where Santa shows up every year. Audrey appreciated him most this year.

Santa presented her with the pink roller skates she had asked him for at the mall.

My Dad thought it'd be funny to leave in his Santa Claus butt-pad and see if anyone noticed his extra large booty.

Christmas Eve

2010-12-26T23:18:00.000-08:00

I LOVE Christmas Eve. When my kids are grown I really, really hope Christmas Eve is my night to spend with them and their kids. I love all the anticipation and nobody is worn out from Christmas Day yet...everyone is ready to party! And, party is what we did at the Williford house. My mom decided to do a full-blown Thanksgiving dinner because it's our favorite meal.

Sarah was in charge of dessert and she did chocolate, raspberry boats (i think that's the name)...they were insane. Here is Diddy all ready for dessert.

This crowd cracked me up when it was game-time. Hoooooly craziness. We played Christmas Bingo and "The Thankful Game". People were demanding re-matches and it went on and on. Maybe it was due to the most amazing prizes brought my myself. The peanut butter cups from Trader Joe's, brought on the frenzy.

Even after re-matches were called...Rachel remained the winner of "the thankful game". She knows everyone the best.

Sarah won bingo in less than thirty seconds.

Audrey is always in the kitchen at my mom's house. She LOVES to cook with anyone who will let her. She doesn't even wait for assistance...she drags in a chair from another room on her hands and knees all by herself. Somehow she has realized she can push big chairs better from the bottom. Here she is buttering rolls with aunt Rachie.

This guy was asleep before the party even started...

Party people

When Audrey wasn't in the kitchen she was wrapping and handing out gifts. She LOVES to wrap and give gifts. She has thoroughly enjoyed wrapping at my mom's gift-wrap station the entire month.

KT...my other Christmas Bell.

My Christmas Bell

2010-12-24T13:28:00.000-08:00

My little Christmas Bell has been oozing Christmas spirit all month long. She is SO excited for Christmas to come, she is just a little unsure of what she is waiting for. She keeps asking if it'll be Halloween that day b/c I think that's been her best day yet. I'm sure Christmas will top the fav holiday list for her once she realizes she gets a basketful of toys instead of a basketful candy.

Audrey has been killing us with her very consistent yet RANDOM Christmas wish list. It's always the same and has been all month long...pink roller skates (like Minnie wears) and "camycanes". I think it's so sweet that she assumes she gets one item and that's all she's asked for. I'll never forget last month when she and I went to Costco and she saw decorated Christmas trees (basically for the first time) and gasped and begged for one to bring home. She just wanted to keep going back to the Christmas trees and we had leave with her crying for a Christmas tree. The idea of a decorated tree...in your house, was pure awesomeness to her.

We decorated a gingerbread train with daddy. Of course it was a big hit...what kid doesn't love candy-building?!

She was very excited...in fact she peed her pants with excitement and that is why she is pant-less.

We went to the mall randomly one evening to let her run around. If Audrey has a late nap we have to take her for a run/walk somewhere and when it's freezing outside we usually let her loose at the mall for an hour or so. All she wanted to do was see Santa, to ask for those roller skates and I did not want this to be her big Santa moment b/c we were not dressed for our official Santa picture. I begged her to go on the train or the merry go round but she ONLY wanted to see Santa. He was the sweetest Santa ever and when I told them I didn't want a pic they let her visit with him for free. There was nobody else in line so he sat and read her a whole Christmas book and took her order. It was really adorable. I got dirty looks from the staff when I snuck in my own picture. Santa offered her a handshake but she asked for a hug. So funny. I'm just glad she didn't try to give him a kiss on the lips b/c that's usually how she rolls.

My visiting teacher dropped off this little advent Calendar from Trader Joe's at the beginning of the month and we have enjoyed it every single evening since. Every night when KT gets home she runs to get her "cowender" so she can open up a window and eat a piece of chocolate. Next year we'll have to do the real advent calendar for sure.

I want to celebrate Christmas with Aud at this age, forever. This has by far been KT and I's favorite Christmas yet.