Wrapping up Christmas

We were lucky this year that both of our parents live in the same town.  After Christmas morning with Nana, we slid out to the acreage for a quick visit. Camilla opened a few more gifts and got to play with them for a few minutes while we visited.  We got a wheat grinder which will be put to good use! (My muscles were really getting tired of the hand grinder.) I'm looking forward to many more years of fresh, homemade bread!!

Checking out her new tunnel!

I don't know what was up with her tongue, but all morning we got this look!! I think she gets it from Grampa Hudkins and Daddy.

Playing peek from her tunnel while we were all visiting

22 Weeks and counting

We had a lot of fun in at Nana's. Camilla loved playing with the pets and visiting with Nana.  She sure loves her.  We made it out to my parents on Wednesday and will be here for the rest of our holidays, with trips in to visit Nana and the pets.  Camilla is still loving life.  We have big plans to take her out sledding behind the quad once it warms up a little bit. New years tomorrow!!

Blog About A Blog

Mr. Stannix has been looking forward to Christmas since August.  He's been very excited about the gift he got for me.  I loved the thrill and excitement of trying to think of what he got me for Christmas.  It made me feel very special that he had put so much thought into my gift.  I like gifts like that.  All Christmas morning I was waiting for my gift, and Mr. Stannix was very careful to leave it for almost the very last.  He grabbed the video camera and then let me finally open it.  It was a book, but not just any book, a very special book that he knew I would hold dear to my heart.  My whole life I have loved keeping a journal and recording memories.

I did really good until a few months after we were married, then I did okay at it.  When Camilla came along I was terrible at writing things down and keeping our memories safe.  I was really discouraged by this, because I felt that these memories were things that needed to be cherished and written down for our family.  I thought it was important for our kids to be able to look back and see pictures and read memories of when they were growing up.  Even the little things that seemed unimportant.  Finally, I started our blog, "Stuff From the Stannix's".  Ever since, I have enjoyed recording the sweet little moments that have happened in our family and then re-living them as I read through them again. I opened my present and saw a book with a sweet picture of our little girl on the cover titled "Stuff from the Stannix's 2010".  I was thrilled! I've enjoyed reading through it over these last few days.  What a special gift.  Now, every year, we will print our memories into a book for our kids to enjoy! So fun! This one blog I read has a quote that I like (I'm not sure who the quote is from) but it says "We write to taste life twice".  I am so excited to read through these with our kids later on! Thanks Mr. Stannix!

Christmas With Nana

Yesterday was Christmas eve! We spent a lot of time together.  On Christmas eve we opened one gift.  We all got some spiffy pj's.  We got some pictures around the tree, watched a movie and then went to bed.  Camilla only slept for a few hours.  She must have been too excited to sleep because from about 3:00am to 6:30 she was awake and giggly.  I brought her into the bed with us because she couldn't sleep and took off her pj bottoms because she was soo hot.  She kept rolling over and looking up at me with her giant little grin and twinkly eyes in the moonlit room.  She also kept smooshing her face against my cheek and smothering me in kisses.  Her giggles and laughs were priceless.  Mr. Stannix and I couldn't be mad at her for being awake if we tried because she was so stinkin' cute.  Eventually around 4:00am she wanted down off the bed.  She explored the room in the dark, then came back to the edge of the bed.  She then heard the bells from the cats collar as the cat peeked around the door, it startled her a bit, and then she went ballistic!! She was meowing and giggling and screeching at chasing after the cat like crazy.  Eventually Sam, the puppy, made it into our room.  Mr. Stannix called her up onto the bed in hopes that it might settle Camilla down.  I lifted up Camilla and she pet the dog quietly for a while, layed down beside the dog, and continued to giggle.  She would not go to bed for the life of her!! Even the dog moaned a "will she ever be quiet" kind of a moan.  I leaned over and whispered in Mr. Stannix's ear, "Even the dog is annoyed with her".  We both practically peed our pants laughing at her.  What a clown.  I really enjoyed sleeping with the dog at my feet all night. At 6:00am she finally settled and snuggle in next to me.  She eventually fell asleep until 9:00ish and then we got everyone up for gifts!! What a super fun morning.  Camilla was so spoiled, she got tired of opening her gifts.  It was funny to watch her!

Christmas Eve pictures

Sneaking out in the middle of the night to play with the kitty

Checking out her gift from Great-Nana

She LOVED the animal puppets!

Her car from Mommy and Daddy

"WEEEE"

Feeding her new baby from Nana! Camilla cries and pats it everytime it cries.

Talking on her cell phone while driving...

I came out into the livingroom after all the gift opening and found Camilla sitting on the car with her seat up making her fabulous "peeing" sound.  I giggled because she was trying to use it as a potty because the seat is like her little potty at home.  Sooo funny.  She also jammed her dolly under the seat so she could take her for a ride.  What a nutt! She's so much fun! I couldn't imagine my life without her!

We had a fabulous Christmas morning with Nana and the Stannix clan! We had a fabulous "Brunch" of Nana's spicy scrambled eggs and toast.  YUM! Then Mr. Stannix, Camilla and I drove out to the acreage to give my family their gifts.  Sadly, I forgot my camera, but my sis got some sweet pictures on her brand new camera that I will post later! What a great day we had spending time with family. 

On a more spiritual note, this afternoon I got to have some quiet time while Camilla napped beside me on the couch.  I pulled out a set of scriptures and read through the Christmas story.  It was a really great experience and I enjoyed reminding myself of the real reason we even celebrate Christmas.  I read through a few different versions of it in the New Testament. I was really touched by the amazing woman Mary was.  So humble and willing.  I am grateful for the birth of our Savior and what his life means to me.  The atonement is truly an amazing thing.  I'm so glad to have the knowledge of the gospel in my life. I love my Savior and the sacrifice he made for me.  What a great way to spend Christmas, remembering Christ and enjoying time with Family. 

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Gingerbread Houses

We made it home safe and sound! It's been a very eventful last couple of days!! Last night we did the traditional gingerbread house making.  We had some awesome creations.  Mr. Stannix still thinks his office building from last year was his best, but I think he did a great job this year.  We had lots of gingerbread, lots of family, lots of candy, and lots of royal icing.  We spent a good two hours decorating and creating. My siblings teamed up and made a mini replica of our house at the acreage, flag and all.  Mike and I made a cabin thing with a deck and a hot tub!! My mum and dad made a super pretty house that was well organized.  Faith made a house loaded with candy! They all looked amazing! Camilla did really well for the most part.  She enjoyed licking a cherry candy cane (and getting it taken away because she bit it) and eating sprinkle covered cookies.  She's never had so much sugar in her entire life and loved every moment.  At about 10:30 PM she was stomping and running around the house all excited.  It was pretty hilarious to watch her.  We finally got to Nana's around 11:00PM.  Camilla was already in her Pj's. Nana tucked her on the bed with a teddy and she was so wiped that she just layed there quietly.  She was happy to go to bed a few minutes later. This morning she slept in until 10:00 am (which means we did too!!).  When I opened the door to our bedroom, a dog and two cats were waiting patiently outside in the hall.  Camilla was SO excited to hear them and woke the rest of the house with her squeels and giggles and "Meows".  She's super cute with the animals and just loves them all to death.  What a great holiday so far. So excited for Christmas!! I do think I'm going to join in on some Wii playing.

Happy Christmas Eve!!



FOUR More Sleeps!

Helping set up the tree at Gramma and Grampa's a few weeks ago...

FOUR more sleeps until Christmas!

THREE more days to wait!!

TWO more gifts to wrap.

ONE more sleep until we leave!!

I am very looking forward to it all! We are celebrating Christmas with Nana this year.  Everytime I talk about it, Camilla exclaims "NA-NA!". Then we talk about Sam, the dog, and how much fun it will be, and Camilla barks like a puppy and blows a kiss to the air affectionately.  I can't wait for Christmas morning!!

We are all heading out to the acreage on the night of the 23rd for the traditional gingerbread house making. It should be a lot of fun to get everyone together and construct masterpieces!! I love traditions. This will definitely be one that we take from my family and do with our kidlets.

Mr. Stannix writes his last exam of the semester tomorrow! It'll be nice when he's finished!

Can't wait! Can't wait!!

Quiet Time

Mommy ordered quiet time for part of the afternoon.  Our little girl is TOO crazy!

She lined up all her teddy's and watched a show. She also read a book or two.

It was a great few minutes without crying/complaining/tantrum's,
just my happy little girl chatting it up with her Teddy's.

I really hope these teeth come in soon!!

FIVE more sleeps 'till Christmas!

On Santa's Knee

You better watch out, you better not cry......

...Too bad Camilla Did!

Mr. Stannix made me a bet that she would cry, and he won. I totally thought she would be okay. Although, the only real Santa she's ever seen was at the church Christmas party last year and she was too little to be scared.  The poor kid wasn't too traumatized this time after Santa gave her some crayons and a little book.  She even smiled and said "Ho-oh-oh" and "buh-bye" as we left (with big tear drops still lingering under her eyes).  Poor Santa. I wonder if he counts how many kids cry on his lap per day.  We lucked out and hit it right at the end so we got a free picture!! I love free!! And because it was free, I don't mind that she was crying... It was epic. Better luck next year maybe...big maybe. Two will make it twice as funny!!

  

Can't wait for this day next week!

While Mommy Bakes....

Camilla has been a really good sport over the last few days.  I've been super busy baking up a storm for cookie exchanges, Christmas presents, just plain eating, or out of necessity (bread).  While I've been running around the kitchen, and pulling cookies out of the oven, Camilla has been not far away.

Yesterday she had fun playing with old formula scoops in a bowl of water.  She would sip water out of them like they were tea-cups or something.  Super funny.  I loved hearing her giggle and squeal while I pulled pans of cookies out of the oven.  It's so nice being with her all day.  I'm surprised she went to bed last night.  At the Relief Society dinner she definitely had her fair share of desserts.  Just when I said that I thought she had had enough, she grabbed half a chocolate off my plate and stuffed it in her mouth and THEN proceeded to stab a hunk of cheese cake and put it in immediately after that.  Me and my friend beside me couldn't help but laugh really, really hard as she stared up at us.  I watched her thoughts go through her head.  Her mouth was too full to chew really, she couldn't swallow, and she was wondering why we were laughing at her (don't worry, she wasn't choking, I checked!!)....It was priceless. Then all the sudden she shoved the food into her little cheeks and began chewing.  It didn't take her long.... When we came home from the church our landlord was out snow blowing for us!! I think we have the best landlords in the world!  I had shoveled the back walk just so we could get to our car in the 2ft of snow we got.  It was nice not to have to worry about shoveling out the parking pad though. We're so lucky!

Anyways, Christmas presents are made for friends, cookies are almost baked for the cookie exchange tonight, and I think after I clean up the house I am going to wrap presents!! Ours are all in up-high places at the moment because miss Camilla Jean can't help but touch and shake them all!! I can't wait for Christmas! Just over a week to go!

Patiently Waiting

This is what Camilla does while she waits for Daddy to finish studying for his exams.  She waited outside his door for a while for him to come play with her.  She was thrilled when he tickled her fingers under the door and finally opened the door for some cuddles and tickles.  It was cute.  She gets excited when she sees him and always exclaims "DA-DA!!!" in her high pitched voice.  Mr. Stannix has 2 more exams this week and then one more next week.  We are very excited for Christmas break! 

Camilla has been walking around the house saying "Ho-Oh-Oh".  She loves looking at pictures of Santa and enjoying the Christmas lights on our tree at night.  I can't wait to see her this Christmas! She's going to be so cute and excited.  She's been talking up a storm lately and can almost imitate everything we say.  She said "Towel" yesterday.  She loves to point at things and say their names.  When she says knees it's my favorite because it sounds like "Neesh". Or when she grabs her arm and says "awm" (we'll work on the R's later).  Whenever I ask her to find her mittens she says "Num-Nums" and opens and closes her hands.  Her latest favorite has been "ungy" (Hungry).  The first thing she says when she wakes up is "ungy....UNGY!!" and all day long, every 10 minutes, that's all I hear.  I think she's hit a growth spurt.  This morning, she ate a whole waffle for breakfast after her Bubba!! And she still claims to be "ungy".  Today brings baking, lots of baking!! We have bread on the go now, some cookies this afternoon, and some caramel corn later on.  No going outside today!! I had a Doctors appointment yesterday and let's just say, I wouldn't have left the house yesterday if I didn't have to.  It was cold and snowy and blowy.  There was whiteouts everywhere and the snow was blowing across the road.  Not fun to drive OR walk in!! Camilla wasn't too happy with the snow flakes blowing in her face.  Today we will stay warm and cozy.

New Chompers

Yesterday, as we finished our shopping, I tried to put the girly in her car seat and a fit erupted!! It was the first time in a while that I've had a real good look inside her mouth.  What did I find? A huge molar that was 3/4's of the way through with some blood from the poking (ouchy). Another edge of a molar on the other side, and two little molar pokes on the bottom.  Maybe I was wrong about the terrible two's, this kid is just in pain!! I felt so bad for her.  For the most part, she's good, but when she can't take the pain of her new chompers, she busts out into a fit.  This explains the trouble sleeping, fits, and not wanting to eat.  Who would want to eat with sore gums? Poor kid.  She was sure in good humor on Sunday though. She's been experimenting with her clothes and where they go. That skirt makes a pretty awesome hat!!

In other news, we got our Christmas present yesterday.  We cashed in our Visa points for it, so it was FREE! I love free things.  We can't wait to set it up and play!! Probably not until Mr. Stannix is done his exams, or he'll never get any studying done!

Danish Pastry

Yesterday was a very interesting day.  I don't think we've realized how lucky we are to have such a happy, well behaved child....until yesterday.  I do believe that the terrible two's are approaching complete with flailing limbs, throwing her body around, and head-butts.  Bath time was a disaster for the first time ever! How do you explain that she's going to get soap in her eyes if she doesn't let mommy finish rinsing? I've never seen her throw a fit like that.  My patience was definitely tried, and I came very close to tears as I tried to put her Jammies on.  Needless to say, bedtime was very early yesterday for the little Misses! After she went to bed, I took out my frustrations on some Danish Pastry dough.  The beating and all the kneading and rolling was very therapeutic! (HaHa) I left the dough in the fridge over night, and finished them up this morning.  It was worth every minute to taste the gooey, steamy, apple-cheese danish covered in glaze!

Today is looking like a better day, only one episode of a Camilla flailing herself around in anger.  Time to learn how to channel all her independence and spunk!! Terrible two's....Here we come!!!!!!

The Tradition Continues

This is my very sleepy girl first thing in the morning. She is doing what her mother, and mother's mother before her used to do.  When the heat vent came on at Gramma's early Friday morning Camilla enjoyed all the hot air she could!! It's the best first thing in the morning when the house is still a little chilly.  I showed her that a blanket helps trap the heat in, and she sat there the whole time in a tired daze.  It was so cute to watch and caused some flash backs.  My mum taught me to do this when I was a little girl too! The best was on a Sunday after church because my dress trapped most of the heat when I stood over the heat vent. My siblings and I used to run to the nearest one as soon as the furnace turned on, with blankets over our shoulders.  Now, Miss Camilla carries on the tradition.  I'm sure she's going to miss it now that we're home because our only heat vents are on our ceiling... But she will enjoy them once again when we head out to Gramma and Grampa's over the holidays.   When Mr. Stannix finished classes for the semester, we took off to the acreage for a few days to relax (and study) and celebrate Grampa's birthday! It was a fun few days.  Today we enjoyed spending time with friends and celebrating the first birthday of one of Camilla's dear friends (she kissed him today, ON THE LIPS!!).  It was a very fun afternoon and nice to visit with everyone!! Camilla was a lucky girl and has had cake twice this week!! Mr. Stannix is gearing up for four final exams and three essays to write before Friday.  He will be a very happy man come Saturday when he only has one exam left to write!!  The baby has had more awake time in the belly lately and I've been feeling lots of movement! I'm half way there and loving every moment.  

Dancing in the Belly

Here's a sneak peak at the newest addition to the Stannix Family! The baby was very active throughout the whole ultrasound and dancing around.  We got to see it's feet and watch it suck on it's hands.  It was a lot more entertaining than Camilla's ultrasound was!

Our smiling babe with legs just a kicking!

Sucking on the fingers!!

Suckling in the womb, the heart, and the spine.

It was a great experience to be able to go together and watch the baby dance and move. We can't wait to meet him/her!!

A Cling-on

I seem to have a bit of a cling-on today!! Camilla has been hanging off my legs all morning while I've been cleaning up the house and getting some things ready for Christmas.  She pops through my legs and giggles. Sometimes, I tickle under her chin and she scrunches up her face and laughs really hard.  She's such a goof ball! I love her to bits!  I can't believe how grown up she is already.  She changes every day! Last night at the Christmas devotional, she stood up and looked at the row behind us and this one guy was sleeping (sort of, he had his eyes closed), and so Camilla looked at the people beside him, put her finger to her mouth and said "shhhhhhh". 

The back row got a giggle out of it, and I think the guy woke up!!

Mr. Stannix surprised me by coming home just after lunch for the day! I didn't expect him home until dinner.  He still has to study, but it's nice to have him here for the day!! This afternoon Camilla and I are working on a Christmas craft and maybe some wrapping of presents!

Then, later on, I think we'll take off to Wal-mart for some formula and odds and ends.  Should be a productive afternoon!

In the Christmas Spirit

The Stannix's are in the Christmas spirit! Last night we had our ward Christmas party.  I was privileged to be able to play the piano for a Nativity play put on by the primary children and some youth. I really was able to feel the spirit and it brought tears to my eyes.  It was fabulously done! After that, I was feeling pretty excited for Christmas.  Tonight we had the opportunity to watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. The talks and music were fabulous as always! The tradition we have started in our home is that we set up the tree after the devotional.  So, tonight after we got home, we got out the tree, the chocolates and nativity and set everything up.  It was a wonderful way to get in the Christmas spirit.  Camilla loved helping, twirling in her dress and looking at the pretty lights on the tree.  She was almost giddy she was so excited! Just giggling away. Our decorations on the tree are kind of sparse and Camilla keeps pulling the ones off the bottom, so we mostly decorated the top half! The lights really make a difference though!! Christmas has officially begun in the Stannix Home.

Mr. Stannix and his girl (who's saying cheese)

A family picture

Camilla posing for the camera and twirling for her daddy

I made this nativity when I was 4 years old (with a lot of help of course).  My mum held onto it that long and when I moved out, I inherited it (gladly)! It's made of toilet paper rolls.

Some chocolates to munch while setting everything up!

Mr. Stannix got this when he was on his mission from a family who had adopted two russian girls. 

It reminds him that the language of the spirit is universal.  The translator that translated the lessons for the girls was not a member of our church and had no understanding of our beliefs, yet the spirit was able to touch everyone present regardless of the language they spoke. 

I had to get a picture of the tiny bump I have! We are a week shy of being half way there and can't wait to meet him or her!  We finished the night with our advent calendars.  Camilla likes picking out her little chocolate.  Then we gathered for scriptures and prayers and the munchkin went to sleep.

Mr. Stannix and I are about to enjoy watching "The Polar Express" and drinking some hot chocolate.

Our home is officially full of Christmas!