Winter Party

Tonight was the Winter Party for the firm where Mr. Stannix works. We got an awesome babysitter, spiffed ourselves up and went out for a night on the town. These things are typically very formal with fancy dresses and crazy necklaces. I'm pretty simple.  I borrowed a little black dress from my cousin and wore the opals that I got from my parents for grad, they are my favorite, simple, yet elegant. 

We arrived and parked in the underground parking. I was glad for the pedways because baby, it was cold outside that night! We enjoyed good conversation, awesome jazzy dinner music, and a great four course meal complete with the fancy forks, drink glasses, and bread plates.

Sadly we forgot to get a nice picture of us all dressed up together, but we did manage to get these stellar shots in a photo booth that they had at the party. I could have done it a million times it was so much fun. Thankfully Mr. Stannix agreed to do it twice!

Treats at Wal-mart

Our day today started early. Camilla followed me down the stairs and we had a snuggle on the couch. Then she went to brush her teeth with Daddy in the bathroom. I woke up Hyrum just before we left to drive Daddy to work. He got a warm bottle in the car. Breakfast for the girl consisted of half of Daddy's cheese whiz and toast and some jelly beans from the 25 cent candy machine at Wal-mart. I made the mistake of showing her how one of those works once. She holds the quarter as we walk in and then munches her treats while we shop. I don't mind once in a while. On our way out of the store I asked at the lost and found for a brown baby sock and they saved it! Camilla had it on her dolls foot last time we were there and it had gotten lost in the store. We finished our shopping and were home shortly after 8:30 am. Camilla then had a big bowl of Cheerios. I'm sure she would eat those for every meal if she could!

Hyrum is moving around a lot more and it is fun to watch him. I adore that kid! He's growing into such a little boy now! He likes to roll and slither around on the floor and is finally interested in going places and getting things. He tries to pull himself up on furniture now, but can't quite get there. He's so stinkin' cute though!

Fire Station No. 1

Last year, Uncle Mike moved Fire Halls. Today we were lucky to be able to get a tour of Fire Station No. 1. Camilla was more into it this time than she was last time. We checked out the trucks and Uncle Mike showed Camilla the cool gadgets inside. First they looked through the thermal gun which showed them the hot and cold areas according to color.

Next they tried out the head sets.  Uncle Mike whispered to Camilla and she listened in the big head phones. She had a big grin on her face the entire time. And of course her baby had to come along for the tour.

Hyrum even got to check out the inside of the pump truck this time! The whole time he had a finger in his mouth and just looked around at everything. He didn't have much to say.

Next we went upstairs and peeked at the excersize room and the dorms. At the end of the tour we came to the fire poles. I was ready to take the kids back down the stairs but Uncle Mike offered to take Camilla down with him. It was all she could talk about after. 

Grampa went next with Hyrum. At the bottom Camilla excitedly told about her adventure sliding down the pole with Uncle Mike, who had climbed back up to bring his new puppy down. Camilla then looked up and said, "Oh! It's puppy's turn!" and down they came. It made her giggle. 

Then Uncle Mike suited Grampa up in his gear. He almost looked like a real fire fighter!!

Thanks, Uncle Mike!

Best Game Ever

Last night for Family Home Evening we played Hungry Hungry Hippos.  Even Hyrum got in on the action.  Camilla won almost every time, but we think it's because the house is old and the floor was slanted in her favor.  Or, she's just that good.  Either way it was a blast!

Today Camilla found a pair of scissors that I left lying around and she sliced open my favorite little blue pillow causing little Styrofoam beads to go everywhere. That pillow accompanied me on family vacations and to Costa Rica. It was also my favorite pillow to use when I was pregnant. Sad day, but I'm almost over it. 

Both the kiddos are napping, Camilla upstairs, and Hyrum in the blanket basket in the living room. I need to go finish the buns for dinner tonight!

Silly Faces

We got a webcam for Christmas. We kind of love it!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a game of Hungry Hungry Hippos to play!
We've got to get all practiced up before Daddy comes home. 

I've spent a lot of my morning playing, and it's super addicting and mindless.
I love it.

It also makes Hyrum laugh hysterically!

Lights Out

Tonight I am glad that my kitchen is a separate entity all of it's own.

After dinner I turned off the lights and left things as they were.

I listened to my children giggle as they splashed together in the bath.

Camilla would do something and then Hyrum would copy.

Then we snuggled in Camilla's bed with a heat bag and read stories.

Hyrum gooed Camilla's face with kisses before bed and there was more giggles to be had.

Then I snuggled my little man in a blanket while he drank his bottle.

He fell asleep in my arms, and it was the best.

Now Mr. Stannix and I have the evening to ourselves.
It's been a while since we've spent some good quality time together.

I think we're going to cozy up on the couch and watch a movie.

Or maybe play a board game and chat.
And maybe make up a hot drink.

Either way, I'm glad I have him all to myself tonight. 

And I'm glad that I don't have to look at my kitchen again until morning.

Slippery Sidewalks

I was stirred awake last night by the sound of rain hitting my window instead of the silent snow falls that usually accompany cold January nights. I layed in the dark listening to the rain pound against our big old upstairs windows while the tree branches danced on our roof top. Soon my thoughts were broken up by the sound of a hungry baby over in the next room and I made my way down the stairs to warm a bottle. As the kettle warmed the water, the cries got louder and louder. The stairs creaked as I rushed up to the rescue, shaking the bottle of warm milk. Hyrum sucked that bottle back in like 30 seconds and then went back to sleep. I fell back to sleep to the lovely sound of rain, in January.

Camilla begged me all morning to go to the park. After Hyrum woke from his not-so-long morning nap we all bundled up and went out for a walk to the park. The sidewalks were literally like skating rinks and I was afraid for my life as I carried my boy on my hip, followed closely by Camilla. The rain had melted the snow covered sidewalks and then turned to slippery ice. It was quite the adventure. Every few feet Camilla would slip and fall on her bum and then we would laugh together. 

At the park some kids were sledding down the little hill. Camilla was fascinated by them. As I watched I realized they weren't using sleds at all. The rain had made an ultimate sledding hill and they were sliding down in just their ski pants. AMAZING! I suddenly wished I had a pair of ski pants on at that moment. It reminded me of when my siblings and I used to super slide down the hill on the driveway, until we got into trouble for making it too icy. 

The children both played in the swings for a little while. I smiled at their cute rosy cheeks and they would throw their heads back and giggle. Camilla also enjoyed the slide, but I bet she would have enjoyed that slippery hill just as much!

The walk home was slow, Camilla would hold my hand and "skate" sans skates. It's hard to drag a toddler with a baby on hip. She giggled away as her feet slid and twisted underneath. We sang a song (that I made up) that goes to the tune of "slippery fish". 

Slippery feet, slippery feet, slipping on the sidewalk. 

Slippery feet, slippery feet,

Slip,

Slide,

Whoooooooaa!

It made Camilla laugh, and she's been singing it ever since.

Lowering of the Crib

Hyrum has recently been "on the move". His favorite move is to steam roll around the living room. If he's on the hardwood or in the kitchen he will show off his bum scoot. I'm not even gonna lie, I love that kid to pieces. When he's on the floor playing with toys he likes to hold things up and then drop them. If they make an especially loud sound he likes to do it again, and again, and again. His favorites are Camilla's glass cups and plates from her tea set. I also adore the triumphant look I get when he accomplishes something amazing like pulling himself up to a standing position or sitting up. He can no longer be left on beds unattended or plunked in an empty laundry basket to keep him busy.

I thought my house was pretty kid proof, but it's looking like I need to rework a few things. It's funny how much you can forget in just a short year or two. Just little things really, like how interesting electrical/USB/any kind of cords are to curious babies. Or how nothing phases them (not even hitting their head on the floor) when they are on a mission to grab something. One thing I have also noticed is that little boys are curious creatures. Hyrum loves to touch things, move things, play with wheels, and figure out how everything works the way it does. He is so curious about everything. Just the other day I had a glimps of how crazy life is going to be when he starts motoring around, which has caused me to thing about this whole baby proofing thing, which got me on this whole topic in the first place.

This morning I had to lower his crib down to the next setting. Where is time going? I am excited for him to explore his little world at a new level in the not so distant future as he learns to move around on all fours. For now, he can stick to the bum scoot and army crawl. As long as he continues to give me snuggles and nestle his face into my shoulder when he's sleepy, I'll be a happy momma.

New Year, New Nail Polish

This morning Camilla woke up and told me the best story ever.

Her little feet came down the stairs and then her sleepy eyes peeked into the office where I was busy at the computer.

"Teddy just woke up Mum."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah. There was a shadow on my door, just twooooo monsters."

"Whoa! Two monsters?"

"Yeah.... I was shy. Then I just came down stairs."

The shy part made me giggle. I scooped her up for her morning snuggle and she continued to tell me more fun stories.

We sat down to some rolled oats for breakfast. Hyrum had baby cereal and fruit. His little tummy is like an endless pit. Last night for dinner he had a whole bowl of cereal, a handful of peas and a bowl of mashed potatoes. By dessert he was still going and enjoyed some peaches and a baby cookie. And because I'm already off topic, the car stunk real bad of rotten eggs the whole way home thanks to the little man's farts. We cracked a window and laughed all the way home.

I put the children's clothes in the wash and then scrubbed the floors. When I went to transfer the clothes to the dryer I found a toonie in the bottom of the wash! My kids are rich! I tucked it away in my pocket for laundry duty payment. I hated this rule when I was a kid, but it definitely pays off when you're the laundry lady.

Then while I was chatting on the phone with my Mamma I noticed all was too quiet in the office. I peeked in on her carefully painting each of her fingernails with a blue marker. Oh the joys. I'm taking a more "light hearted" approach this year. Instead of being angry I shrugged and grabbed the camera. This allowed me a few minutes to cool off and then we had a little chat about markers and paper. Here's hoping it washes off! What a loon!

Farewell 2011

This year definitely went by way too fast! So much has happened in our little family.

Here's the Tally:

We moved once
We were blessed with one healthy baby boy
Camilla turned two
We had one fabulous family vacation camping in the mountains
Mr. Stannix completed four years (that's a lot) of University and will now be working full time

Can't wait to see what 2012 will bring!