Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas. It was our first one at our own home. Thanks to Mom, Dad, Ginger and Jack for spending it with us.






Christmas Eve we spent at Ginger's home. We had a fantastic dinner - thank Grandma Fish for the tamales. After stuffing ourselves, we plopped down in Ginger/Melissa's couches and read the scriptures and sang Chrstimas songs togethers. After a while, we all reluctantly went to our own home traveling though lots of snow.

Chirstmas morning, everyone showed up to the Waldrons. We started with breakfast. Of course dad made his oyster stew, but we also kept a Waldron tradition - omlettes. I think I know which tradtion is going to survive. Dad's oysters were good though. I actually chewed mine instead of swallowing it whole.

I splurged this year and bought holiday dishes from Walmart. Love my new plates and cups! I have never used my silver chargers or my sterling silverware so it was awesome to break them out for their their debut on Christmas morning.

After breakfast was done, we began Christmas. Ellie loved her baby doll, the horsey and her bear. The rest of Santa's gifts remain unwrapped and are packed away downstairs for her birthday! Brent got his "red-ryder-bee-bee-gun" this year: an HMR 17. Becky got a Cricut machine (yeah - needed it for Primary, right?!)

After all the gifts, we played the Wii for awhile, listened to the MoTab sing "I Heard the Bells of Christmas Day" (thanks to Rexine and Con) and just enjoyed a lazy afternoon.

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful gifts for us and Ellie. We had a wonderful Christmas!

Here's Ellie with here baby doll a few days after Christmas. Notice the pat on the bum at the end!

Um, Pretty Sure She's Gonna Love Her Christmas Gifts

So I took Ellie downstairs with me to get some wrapping paper. I totally forgot that HER presents were down there in plain site. I guess I need more practice at the Santa thing.

Such Girly Noises

I'm not quite sure where she got these noises. Whenever she talks to Daddy on the phone, she growls. And whenever she sees a pumpkin, she growls. Such a feminine girl!

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was wonderful! Yes, we missed Melissa making all the great food, but there weren't any dishes to clean up.

After lunch, we went back to mom and dad's home. We played lots of games (of course, Brent was President the whole time) and then we helped mom take down her Fall decor and put up her Christmas Tree.

Mom and her Scooter

You guys would be totally amazed at how well mom gets around on her scooter. She is especially good on downhill slopes!
























The home made "muzzle" is to keep the pin that is sticking out of her toe from catching on anything. Eeeeek...makes my stomach turn just thinking about it!

Glad My Dad Taught Me How To Drive A Clutch

Since mom is in a cast and dad has troubles getting in and out of the car, they asked me to move the Porsche. I got to drive it from the Cedar Feeder to the Cherry House. As soon as I got in, the smell instantly took me back. I remembered being picked up at the Athletic Club by Melissa; I remember being packed in there on the way to the tennis courts in Louisiana (I think the laundry basket of balls were in the trunk - which was really the hood). Of course the best part of the Porsche was the hard top and the "eyes" that were the headlights.









Though it took a little bit of TLC at first, once it was warmed up, it drove great! Since mom and dad were following me in the Avalon, I only "punched it" once. But I did intentionally take a curve a little faster than normal. As a little girl I never understood what Kim meant when she said the Porsche just "hugs" the corners. Now I know.

First Hair Cut

Well, haircut might be an over-statement. She has always had these short little bangs, I just trimmed them. I think I cut 10 hairs, but it's the first time scissors have even been taken to her.

My Heart Belongs to Brent....My Neck Belongs to Edward!

Ginger and I had the best time last night! First we met with all the girls from my ward at Denny's for dinner. Jackie joined us. Those 2 single girls got a heavy dose of "girls night out - mommy style" but still had a good time. Then Ginger and I headed for the theaters. Holy smokes, I've never seen so many crazy women! Once we got in the theater, it was a total party. There were t-shirts, Twilight mugs, popcorn and soda for everyone. Then they started the raffle. After about 20 numbers had been read off, Ginger turned to me and said, "I'm feeling a vibe. I think they're going to call my seat.". 10 seconds later, her number was read! It was crazy! Ginger is psychic! Ginger got a Twilight bag. My friend in the seat ahead of us asked if Ginger could use her "powers" to get a prize too. 10 seconds later, Katie's number was read! It was simply nuts!!!!

The movie was fantastic. I'm with Ginger. Jacob is HOT! The action, the wolves, the scary Volturi...it was all great.

Looking back...

So as I was looking through some of my old pics, I found these from 2006. Look how little these babes are!!!!

Kinda makes me miss those Tuesday lunch days with my utah sisters :(

Happy Halloween

We had such a great Halloween! Ellie dressed up as a unicorn and she had a lot of fun going house to house with her bucket.




















Well, she was actually more interested in taking the candy out of the bucket, than putting it in.


These are our pumpinks. The big one I bought at the store, but the 3 little ones are from our garden. Kinda pathectic, huh! The second one on the left is actually more of a square than a circle. It grew between the fence and the planter box and by the time we realized it, it was wedged in there pretty good so we let it grow there.

Halloween Costume

Even though its a couple of days before Halloween, we decided to try on Ellie's costume. I think she likes it...kinda.

Cutest Baby Ever

OK, I know she's not the cutest baby in the world. But when it comes to the cutest baby in the ward, hands down; city of Eagle Mountain, in the bag; state of Utah, need I ask?

Last of the Roses

Some of the best roses of the year came last week. I wish you could smell these! One week after this picture was taken, temperatures dropped below freezing and now, all the roses are gone. Guess I have to wait until spring for the next cutting.

Luv the Aunties!

Who Needs Toys?

Why do we spend money on toys? All she wants is the kitchen towel.

First REAL Steps

If I knew that these were going to be her first REAL steps, I would have made sure my child wasn't dressed so bad and her hair was done! But at least the camera was rolling!

Girls Day Out

Even though it was one of the worst football games of all time, we sure had fun! And the blue finger nails were AWESOME!

My 1st Boise State T-shirt

Do you think her Daddy's a Boise fan? Look what he bought for Ellie: her 1st Boise State T-shirt...the shirt says so.

Nana taught Ellie "touch-down". Now we're working on, "That's another Boise State FIRST DOWN!".

First Steps???

Well, I don't know if it counts as first steps, but she sure is close. She likes to stand up on her own and does it on cue. Boy, are we in trouble or what!!

Baby Signing Time

Our friend in the ward loaned us a DVD called "Baby Signing Time". It teaches simple sign language and is specially designed for babies 10-24 months. After just watching it 3 times, Ellie picked up on a new sign. The sign for baby. Makes sense seeing how that was her first real word too! What a smart cookie!

"Baby"

Ellie is a big jabber-box. But we decided that her official first word is "baby". As in: "I really want the camera so that I can see myself - the baby".

More Milk

We've been having fun teaching Ellie a few signs. So far she knows "milk" and "more". Actually, I think she thinks "more" means "food" but really, what's the difference! We've been doing the signs for months and she's never really responded until last week. All of a sudden, she asked for milk. So much fun to see her learning!!

Pics of Ellie

Ellie with her friend Calli














Ellie having fun in the pool















Spaghetti Dinner















Washing the spaghetti dinner out















Wearing Mom's super-big sunglasses















Discovering her own skin






















What a funny baby!

Gardner Family Reunion

We had a great family reunion down in Pine Valley. Food was great, Boccie Ball kept the boys busy (as did the fish-less reservoir) and all the girls got their hair french braided.

Happy Birthday!!!

Ellie celebrated her 1st birthday today! We can't believe it! Nana, Papa and Ginger came over to share the fun day with our family. To Brent and me, the best part of the day was when everyone first showed up. Ellie started screaming (in the good way) and was so excited to see Nana, Papa and Ginger. I think she is starting to realize who they are! After opening her gifts, we sang happy birthday and let her go after her cake. She put her hand in it and decided it was to messy and wanted nothing to do with. Which makes no sense because she has NO problem making a mess at her highchair! It was a very fun night with Mom sharing her memories of "this time one year ago".