Love Monkeys

Some of my nieces got adorable Sock Monkeys for Christmas. A friend of my sister's made them. I thought they were so cute, so I googled how to make them. I've made 2 (almost 3) and I'm really happy with how they turned out. One is going to Maggie's little friend, it's her birthday tomorrow. Maggie and Chloe will be getting their 'Love Monkeys' for Valentine's Day.

Happy Valentine's Day to Me

I have a wonderful husband...I really do. He is always watching out for me and is constantly looking for ways to make my life easier and happier. He is an amazing Dad and it melts my heart to see him with his girls, they both adore him.

Today I got Flowers! Dave has always brought me flowers. I've gotten them on every Valentine's Day since we've been together, every Mother's Day since we've been married (even before kids), and many other special occasions. They mean so much to me. Dave is pretty careful when it comes to money. Since we are still in the 'poor student phase' of life we don't do a lot of 'extras'. Miraculously, we have stayed pretty well out of debt while he's been in grad school and it's totally because of him. It was a hard adjustment for me to say goodbye to my cell phone and cable TV. We hardly ever eat out and I don't remember the last time we went on a 'real date'....it was before Maggie was born. Our Christmas present to each other was gas to drive to Canada. We try and get by with the minimum. I think that's why the flowers mean so much. My husband, the guy who clips coupons, goes through fliers, gets free samples of shampoo and other toiletries sent to me in the mail, goes out and spends money on something so frivolous because he knows how much I love them.

I know we won't be this poor for much longer, hopefully Dave gets a good job after graduation in April. Even though the flowers won't be such a such a financial sacrifice in the future, I'm pretty sure I will still enjoy them just as much.

Morning Workout Video

Thank you Diego, thank you portable DVD player, thank you Kix cereal, for making my morning workout possible, I couldn't have done it without you.

Household Fun (and new vocabulary)

¿Why did Maggie go into hysterics? She was cowering in the corner next to the drain and howling.

¿Why did all of the toys in the tub get a bleach bath?

Both of these cases were coprogenic.





(Maggie had way too many raisins yesterday.)

Laura, The Lab Rat

I am currently involved in a BYU study on post-partum weight-loss. I am super excited about it. Last week I wore a 'body-bug' 24/7 (except for showers) so they can measure how active I am...hopefully it wasn't too pitiful. I had to get blood work done and a Doctor's approval to be involved. On Saturday I went in for the official 'base-line' tests. They measured everything. I sat in a thing called a 'Bod Pod' (like on The Biggest Loser) which measures fat percentages and muscle mass. I also had a DEXA, which measures bone density. I had to do Shoulder Presses, Leg Presses, and Crunches. I don't want to brag, but pretty much I kicked butt on the Leg Presses (250 lbs) and Crunches (70) , 4 days later and I'm still sore.

They are testing 60 women for the study, 30 of them were done last semester, so I am in the 2nd group. Each group was randomly divided up so half are doing resistance training and half are doing stretching. I was selected for the stretching. I was a little bummed, but last night I did my 1st stretching routine, and I love it. I felt so good after. Every Thursday night there is a Yoga type class that I get to go to, I'm really looking forward to it. I go back in 2 months to have another physical assessment, another one in 4 months, then the last one is in 10 months. I am determined to see the fat percentage number shrink every time. I am so lucky to be in this study. Not only is it great motivation, I will get a total of $100 for doing it...not too shabby.

America, next time you see me I will be one hot Momma!

Similarities

Maggie and Chloe are very different. They don't look very much alike and they have very different personalities. But, one thing they both have in common (besides cheeks) is the Jumperoo! Maggie absolutely loved it when she was Chloe's age and now Chloe is turning into a little Jumping Bean too.

Chloe at 6 months

Maggie at 6 months

Megacolossal Post - Canada, Christmas, New Year's & Payne Lake Lodge

We had a wonderful time during our holiday. Maggie and Chloe were good, they didn't get sick and they got to spend some great quality time with Grandma and Grandpa Evanson, Aunts and Uncles, and lots and lots of Cousins...what more could you want? I've posted many pictures, but as I've been going through them I realize that there are many more that should have been taken. I didn't get any pictures of Maggie playing with Jovi & Erica, or any of the girls with their Great-Grandparents. My Mom isn't in any of my pictures and I seem to be missing too. I guess I was either behind the camera or off nursing a baby. Oh well, there always next visit :).

Chloe and Daxon, sometimes I think she looks a little bit like him.

All bundled up. Chloe and Grandpa getting ready to walk over to see Grandma and Grandpa Tanner. Chloe was not impressed with the cold weather. She gasps the entire time she's outside.

All ready for the Christmas Eve party. I just think they're cute...maybe I am little biased.

Seriously....so cute

Acting out the Christmas Story. Chloe got to have a big role, playing Baby Jesus. She loved being in the little cradle. She was so content looking up at Joseph (Regan) and Mary (Maren).

Maggie, Tanner and Davin as the wisemen. She had to have a less prominent role since she had a really hard time staying in one place for more than 2 seconds. It's a miracle that we were even able to get this picture...she is one BUSY girl.

CHRISTMAS MORNING!!

Santa definitly found the girls. Maggie was excited about all her new toys.

Chloe and Grandpa playing with the Animal Train

Getting the hang of this present opening stuff.

Lots of new things to chew on.

She was very excited about 'Melmo'. He get lots of hugs and kisses.

They kind of like eachother.

And More Chewing....

Maggie's Favourite Activity

This girl LOVES water! Grandma and Grandpa's hot tub was a hit.
'...More swimming...more swim suit...more water....more swimming....'

Tubbing with some cousins and Daddy, Maggie's paradise.

Coco's Teeth

My sweet little baby.

NEW YEAR'S!!!! Bringing in the '010.

This is one of my favourite pictures of the trip. I just love this girl.

Maggie had a blast our New Year's Bash! My Mom and Dad got everyone flashing light sticks, hats and noisemakers. The kids had a dance and Maggie 'busted a move' until she was about ready to fall over. She was exhausted, check out her rosy cheeks, but she just kept going, it was so funny. She stayed up 'til midnight and enjoyed every minute of it.

Dancing Queen

HANGING OUT AT THE CABIN

Maggie, Emily, and Kwynci playing with the blocks. My Dad cut hundreds of blocks for us girls to do some craftin'. These 3 found a better use for them. They built quite the city.

Bonding.
-This picture makes me teary. I love my parents so much and I wish we lived closer.

Playing in the snow.

Maggie's first toboggan ride, she did well. (Check out Dave's shorts, he's crazy.)

Playing outside at the cabin.

HOLIDAY INJURIES

On Boxing Day, Jeff was playing in an Alumni Basketball tournament. He ruptured his Achilles Tendon and had to have Surgery. Poor guy has a long recovery ahead of him.

This is a picture of Ryan's wipe out. Ryan and RoxAnn didn't get to the cabin until New Year's Day. They hadn't even been there for 20 minutes before Ryan decided to go down the hill on my Nephew's toy snow board thing. Notice how Ryan's heel is in an unnatural position under his butt....

Yep, he broke his leg.

Back Home

It was hard to leave everyone. Maggie is missing her cousins. She asks for 'more Jovi, more Erica'...We've been a little lonely. Chloe has been such a Momma's girl and it was so good for her to spend time with other people. She was very happy with anyone holding or talking to her....big smiles for everyone, it was great. I finally feel like were getting things back to normal around here. I've got everything put away and I'm working on getting the girls back on some sort of sleep schedule. I'm already looking forward to our next trip....

Maggie is missing the Hot tub. She came out of her room wearing this. At least she knows to put on the swim diaper.