Evie-isms

1) She has been going to a music class every Wednesday and has amazed me with what she has already learned.  Her teacher, Miss Jen, couldn't be cuter!!  She has learned new movements and songs that she loves to practice at home and I love to watch and listen to her.

2) Her favorite songs are: The Weather Dance, The Bumble Bee Song, and Old McDonald.  

3) She is such a girl.  The other day we were running and jumping with Aaron and McKesha.  Instead of jumping over McKesha as Aaaron had done she comes up, steps over, and then flings her arms to the side and says "tada".

4) She loves her carbs.  At dinner I have to barter with her to eat other items on her plate by promising her tortillas, rolls, bread etc.  

5) We have been having a lot of dance parties lately.  Her dance moves consist of jerking her arms up and down while jumping and tipping her head side to side :)  

6) She loves to have Josh throw her in the air.  She asks him to "go high".

7) She has been boycotting her naps lately.  Today she played in her room for 2 hours by herself...goof ball. 

8) She has loved to craft lately.  Josh and Evelyn purchased a wooden birdhouse and paint.  She was so meticulous in the placement of her paint on the house.  She is a little perfectionist.  

Apple Picking

This last Saturday we headed out to Apple Ridge Orchards for some picking.  Since moving to Rochester going to the orchard has been at the top of my bucket list.  I have always wanted to go apple picking and have that story book day of eating a picnic under the trees, picking apples, getting lost in a corn maze and creating lots of memories.  Evelyn was in heaven with all the apples around her.  There are probably quite a few apples on the ground that have little evelyn bits out of them.

Evie-isms

1) We have loved having the Speirs family come and stay with us.  Evelyn has had to learn some hard lessons in sharing and being kind.  It seems like every 2 seconds I hear her screaming because she wants something Aaron has, or Aaron wants something she has.  It does get better right?  I keep telling myself she is only 2, but sometimes I just want to scream.  The up side to the situation is that when they are sweet and kind to each other they are unbelievable cute.
2) She has hated going to sleep lately.  She is completely fine getting ready for bed, and getting in bed but the meltdown starts as soon as George turns off.  I think it has something to do with being in her big girl bed now.  She has the ability to get in and out, but other than that we have no idea.  I have started shutting her in her room to keep her from coming out time and time again.  It breaks my heart to listen to her cry.
3) She is starting to say more and more.  I can have conversations with her now and it is the best part of my day.
4) Usually when E goes to bed we sneak in and turn off her sound machine and night light. One evening she woke up and started crying, I rushed into her room and scooped her up.  I asked her what was wrong and she looked at me with big tears and said "too dark, too dark."  I couldn't help but kiss her and hold her tight.  What a sweet girl I have.  We now leave her night light on :)
5) Tonight McKeisha made the most delicious grilled chicken and veggies.  Evelyn has been unusually picky lately with her food choices and often goes to bed without eating.  Tonight I wanted her to eat something because we had brownies coming and I didn't want to have to tell her no.  After explaining this to her she got on my lap and reluctantly took a bite of zucchini (keep in mind it was grilled, and covered with cheese).  She fake gaged and then swallowed.  What a little actress.  Needless to say she got her brownie that night.
6) She has gone into nursery for 3 weeks in a row.  I can't believe how brave she is.  Today when I picked her up Sister Evans said that she was the happiest kid in the class.  Go Evelyn!!  Seriously never thought this day would come.
7) She loves to read books lately.  Her favorite books include: Shape by Shape, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, The Very Busy Spider and That's Not My Mom.  It is so fun to listen to her "read" that's not my mom.  She turns each page and says "no, no, no" then proceeds to make the animal sound associated with that page.  She likes me to read her a book then immediately after she reads it to herself.  At the end of each books she says "me-nd" aka the end.
8) One day she was having a hard time sharing with Aaron so I gave her some books and put her in the hallway to have quiet time.  It was fun to watch her "read" each book to herself.
9) She still loves being outside, especially if it is raining.
10) Josh was working on the patio this weekend.  Evelyn had been wanting to go outside all day, but Josh was using a cement saw so inside is where she stayed.  When he was finally done E went outside to "help" clean up.  Josh hosed down the machine and in the process made a huge puddle.  Once she saw it it was all over.  Evelyn was covered in mud head to toe and smiling from ear to ear.
11) To brush her teeth we tell her there are bugs in there that we have to get.
12) clean up is "mee nuck" bouncy ball is "b ball" rain is "wain" snack is "nack"

Evie-isms

Evelyn has changed so much since the last time I posted.  She is more vocal, has more opinions and is more fun than ever.  

1) We went to a birthday party for one of her little friends, Annie.  Upon leaving Evelyn, through the car window, said "bye Annie."  Josh and I were so surprised.  It usually takes her along time to learn names.  We were so proud and made her say it all that night.  Since then she has started saying more and more names, upon our request :)

2) She loves to have snacks "nacks."  She knows where I put them and is frequently asking for one or bringing one to me.  

3) She loves to have noodles with cheese.  Basically, anything with cheese is her favorite food these days.  

4) At Annie's birthday party she helped to break a piñata.  It took her awhile to figure out that she could gather the candy.  She was so proud of what she collected that she went around and showed all her friends and then everyone we Facetimed with the next day.  

5) Josh had an interview in Minneapolis this week and so Evelyn and I tagged along.  When Josh was in the interview Evelyn and I drove to a historic neighborhood to walk around.  The homes were absolutely amazing, but the most amazing part was just walking through a beautiful neighborhood with my cute little girl and the sticks she collected along the way.  

6)  At Ikea Josh took Evelyn to the bulk candy wall and let her pick out different pieces.  When she came to show me what she had collected her eyes were beaming and her face was elated.  The best part was watching the sugar coma that ensued after she ate the entire bag of candy in the car ride home.  I love that she makes these great memories with her dad.

7)  Evelyn ripped a page out of a library book.  I could have died.  I had to make the walk of shame back to he library, drag myself to the counter and hand them their destroyed book.  Then the lady said, in a hushed tone, that I had to pay for the book, which I'm sure was to keep from embarrassing me.  It was horrible, but luckily we get to keep the book to constantly remind me of this event in my life.  The treasures of being a mom.  

8) I bought Evelyn Play-doh this week and then after giving it to her wondered why I waited so long to buy it.  She loves it.  Her favorite is for me to make her a snack and a baby nest.  

9)  She has officially started singing in the car.  I was driving on the freeway this Wednesday, we were jamming to Frozen...again when she burst out signing.  Tears may have filled my eyes.  It was so sweet to listen to her little voice try and pronounce the word and sing the tune.

10) Still no luck in nursery :(

Daddy Date

Most of the time I try to be a patient, loving and kind mom but there are some days where I need a bit of a break.  That's when my awesome husband takes Evelyn out for a date.  I can't tell you how much Evelyn and I love this time.  I get some "me" time and she gets to go do something fun with dad. This particular trip the two of them headed to the SLC Capital then to Harmons for a treat.  Surprisingly evelyn wanted an Apple.  Im not going to complain that my kiddo wants apples instead of candy, but who picks an apple instead of candy?!

  

"Hi daddy"

In tow was her Belle doll.  

One of the positives about daddy daughter dates is how tired she is when she gets home.  Not only does she go to bed easily, but its a sure sign of how much fun she had.  

The apple!  She starts from one end and eats all the way through, core and all!

Evie-isms

1) She has started to repeat after characters on the TV.  My favorite to watch is the ending to Little Einsteins.  She pats, claps gives a bow and yells blast off .  I just love it.
2) Her singing consists of just screaming and holding the words.
3) She loves to read books now.  We frequently have to take books in the car.  Her favorite this week is Peekaboo Sofie and a book about Easter Eggs.
4) She has developed a love for the swings.  When we go to the park that is all she wants to do.
5) She has the best mom in the entire world. Her mom is the most kind, loving, and nurturing woman on earth. In addition, her mother is super hot.
6) When describing her time at the park to Josh she puts her hands in the air and says wee.
7) When anyone calls on FaceTime she has to show them all her toys, and what she has been coloring lately.
8) She likes to be wrapped up like a baby.
9) We went to Foster Arend Beach with some friends. Evelyn had a blast playing in the water and building sand castles.  Unfortunately she likes to build and destroy.  Her friends didn't think the destroying of their castles was fun.
10) She doesn't like the bath.  5 weeks ago she would take forever in the tub.  I can't figure out what has changed, but I hope it reverts back.
11) She loves to play in the sand in the backyard. She will sit for up to 45 minutes in the same spot playing.
12) She LOVES peanut butter
13) She has learned that if mom says no, dad will probably say yes
14) She has started a piggy bank. She was so excited to see the coins go in, but upset when she couldn't get them out.
15) She has finally started calling our house in Minnesota "home".
16) She loves having her window down in the car.
17) She calls flies "bees" and is deathly afraid of them.

Rain

Evelyn has a strong love for the rain.  Primarily because she loves water, and puddles but I think the real reason behind her love is the fact she gets to use an umbrella.  Anytime it rains in any amount from a  sprinkle to a down poor she immediately screams and says "mom rain...ella" meaning she needs her umbrella.  This particular day we went to Wheeler Farm so that I could take pictures.  It was a steady rain, which was not great for pictures but fantastic for chasing ducks, splashing in puddles and getting soaked head to toe.  Evelyn rain all around the park and chased many ducks.  She would find a duck run after it and when the duck inevitable started running away she would scream "duck please, duck please"  pleading for it to come and play with her.  I hope her love of rain doesn't ever change.

Hanging with Grandma Janet and Sugar Coma

For Christmas our families gave Josh and I a session with a videographer.  After 4 months of balancing schedules we finally found a morning where we could do it.  I wanted to give Evelyn a treat during the video that was both cute and exciting for her.  I found a giant sucker and it was perfect.  She was so thrilled.  It made for some great footage.  On our way home she slipped into a sugar coma.  Josh and I were laughing so hard at our sugar addicts face.  

Before the sugar kicked in. 

After our session we headed to St. George for some grandma time.  As soon as we pulled into grandma Janets house Evelyn asked for the pool and her swimming suit.  This pictures is of her trying to pick up the ants.  

On of our favorite places to eat.  This pizza is seriously amazing.  It is one of my addictions. 

When we are grandmas Evelyn insists on sleeping with her.  Poor Janet is extremely sleep deprived by the time we leave.  It is heartwarming to stand outside the door and listen to the two of them laughing, talking and watching who knows how many episodes of Curious George.  

Disneyland

While we lived in Utah so tantalizingly close to Disney we couldnt help but go.  My mom, Evelyn and I packed up the car and headed to the happiest place on earth.  I have always been in love with Disney and have a soft spot in my heart for Disneyland.  It was alway my favorite vacation and when I knew I was pregnant, planning my child's first trip was on the forefront of my mind.  There is something about california that makes me so happy.

This cute munchkin eating her banana before the big day :)

Waiting to get into the park.  

We showed up an hour early thinking they would let us walk up and down main street, we were wrong.  I wanted to be able to take our time in the morning, find a souvenir, show Evelyn all the cute ins and outs of main street but that was not the case.  I remember always being able to get in early to walk main street.  Times have changed. 

Evelyn loved everything about this day except the large cartoon characters.  While she likes watching them on tv, seeing them in person was truly terrifying.  

They had Mickey's face designed in the flowers below the train station.  Evelyn was so excited to see the "mouse" made of flowers.

We met Julie, Jennie and Jazella early at the front gates of Disney.  I am so happy they came down.  Evelyn loved playing with Jazella.  Another reason I was happy was that E tends to be a follower.  If she sees someone else try something that she is a littler nervous about, then she will usually try it too.

The carousel.  I couldn't really get both girls looking at the same time. 

The poor pregnant woman on the smallest horse.  You are such a good sport Jennie.

So we are in line for the Storybook ride when the girls wander off in the ropes.  After I asked the girls o come back they just turned, smiled, then started dancing infant of us.  It is like they were teasing us.  

They thought it was so fun to run from us. 

I have known this sweet girl all my life.  I can't believe we have families of our own.  

The cutest Grandmas.  

Poor sleeping Jazella

Dumbo!

Had to get a picture in front of the castle.  

Waiting for the Frozen puppet show to start.

She squirmed her way to the front and center.  I was nervous that the show would scare her and that I would have to try and reach her, but she did great.  She was so excited when the show started that she jumped up (again she is front and center) and screamed "mommy"  with arms in the air.  She absolutely loved the show, probably her favorite part of the day. 

It's a Small World After All!

The only ride we did twice was the Jungle Cruise.  Im not surprised! Her love for animals runs deep.  Grandpa Gil was proud, this is his favorite ride too.  

Tired after lunch, so this is where she chooses to lay down.  About 20 minutes later while on the Pirates of the Carribean ride she fell asleep.  I couldn't believe it, but she was out cold right in the middle of a ride.  

Still asleep through the Winnie the Pooh ride

Still asleep wating of the Frozen sing a long.  

We finally had to wake her up before the show started.  

Waiting for the parade. 

She didn't like the Pixar parade in California Adventure.  As soon as she saw the characters she latched onto grandma and screamed.  She didn't like any of the cartoon characters.  

Since Disney food is so expensive we headed out to dinner outside the park.  It was a late night, our feet hurt and all we wanted was a frisco burger :)  Evelyn was given money from Grandma Janet to get a souvenir and this Belle doll is what she picked.  She LOVES her.  

Belle even came to bed with us.  

The next day we headed to Balboa island to see the waves.  For some reason they are so big this year.    Evelyn who loves the water was terrified of the spray and the crashing noise.  I couldn't bribe her with anything to get down and play in the sand.  

On the ferry.

No trip is complete without a stop at the Kendra Scott store for some new earrings.  

On our way out of town we stopped by my moms old stomping grounds for a little tour of her neighborhood and to eat at the Northwoods Inn.  I love going to see where my parents grew up.  There is something special about seeing where your family comes from.  

The house my mom grew up in.  The flowers boxes in front are the boxes my grandfather built.  Still there after all these years.