Sharing sharing everybody sharing

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As we have started to give Hayley solids we thought it would be fun for her to share a treat with her daddy. So the other day Eli shared a Popsicle with her. She LOVED IT! She couldn't keep her hands off of it, we finally had to hold them down. This girl is defiantly a girl after my own heart.
I love the melted blue Popsicle on her chin. This is something we will defiantly do again.

Clean up, clean up

A few years ago Aubree got this toy vacuum. She has played with it on and off but now anytime I vacuum she needs to vacuum. On the back of the toy it has a switch that turns on and off the voice that talks when you push it. When I turn on my vacuum she turns the switch on, when I turn my vacuum off she turns hers off. If I use my hose she uses hers. When we were finished I put my vacuum in the closet Aubree insisted hers go in there as well. Aubree finds new ways to make me smile every single day.

Introducing the one the only.....

Necia, Ok so not the one and only. This is one of Aubree's favorite little people. I am not sure what her "real" name was but Aubree re-named her Necia after my sister. She started to call her this all on her own. When Aubree can't find her she calls out, "Necia, where are you". This makes me miss my Necia everytime.

15 minutes a day

They say it will really help your child in development if you read out loud to them for at least 15 minutes a day. Eli has really taken this to heart ever since Aubree was about 6 months old. As part of the bedtime routine he takes Aubree and has now started to take Hayley upstairs for book time. We have most of our kids books upstairs but have a handful downstairs. These books downstairs never get to be apart of the bedtime routine and so consequently are read less, for this reason the other night Eli asked Aubree if we could read downstairs so we could read the books down stairs. Aubree decided that would be ok, but instead of Eli reading to her she would read to him. So cute.
She was very determined to read it to him the way he reads to her, with the pictures out. I was really impressed by how much of the book she actually could read ( well had memorized, lets not kid ourselves ) and the rest she just made up. She always is able to make us smile.

And her fist word is .........

MAMA! LOVE IT! I can't believe it. Aubree's first word like a lot of children was da da, but not my little Hayley she said mama. Eli and I have had the flu this week and we were laying bed with Hayley laying between us when she just came right out and said it. It was so sweet, the only problem now is that when Hayley isn't happy she says mama mama, which makes it so much harder to want her to work it out. This really pertains to tummy time. Eli defiantly got a daddy's girl in Aubs and I got my mama's girl in Hayley. What could be more fun?

And who will help me plant the seed

One of Aubree's new favorite stories for bedtime is the one about the Little Red Hen. You remember the story about the hen that finds the seed and no one will help her plant it, harvest it, take it to the mill, or bake it, but everyone wants to help eat the bread that is the end result of all the hard work. Well one of my favorite things about Christmas time is the little white flowers paper whites. So for FHE this week we learned about seeds and planting them. We talked about the importance of watering them and getting them some sun light. We read the story of the Walnut tree. That story is about President Gordon B. Hinkley and the making of the pulpit in the conference center.

When I went to buy the flowers I just bought kits this way if you just follow the instructions they should grow.
Step 1: soak disk in 4 cups of water, once all water is absorbed loosen dirt. Right this little disk of dirt is going to grow to be enough to fill the pot. whatever. We put the girls in the tub and after about 30 minutes it did, who knew.Step 2: place blubs in dirt nose up cover all but the tip. Am I supposed to peel it like an onion first? what do I do with all these layers. call papa and gran they will know.Step 3: place in non direct sunlight, water to dampen not soak. cross your fingers this works
It was a lot of fun, I will keep you undated on photos of the plants growth.

Hayley just loves her jumper and so that is what she did during the plant project.nice smiles, now we know for sure who she looks like.

Duets....

A couple of years ago Eli got me a karaoke machine for my birthday. On Friday night after Aubree went to sleep I decided that it was about time we got it back out. We each take turns picking our favorite sings to sing and then go back and forth trying to sing what ever song comes up. This is Hayley and her daddy singing a duet. Wouldn't it just be the way picture taking is that Hayley had the mic up to her mouth right up until I took the picture. Eventually I am going to get the exact pictures I am taking.

Taught her everything I know

I am very proud of the Aubree mothers. She is the bestest mother to baby doll Jenny. She is good about making sure her diaper is dry. She is good at making sure Jenny is fed, burped, that she has a good amount of lotion on and "clicked" in her car seat. As I was in awe watching her she didn't really want me taking pictures so after a few she asked me to stop. I will try and get more pictures next time.

When were helping were happy

With all the effort into Prop 8 somethings were kind of neglected...the housework. So Eli and I decided that it would be a good idea to spend most of this weekend cleaning the house. So Friday morning when I was dreading the weekend because we were just going to clean, the girls and I decided that it would be a lot more fun to clean while daddy was at work and play when he was at home. We started with the bathroom downstairs. And as it turns out Aubs can clean a mean mirror. Hayley is in the bumbo on the floor being very content and adding words or rather coos of encouragement. The girls were able to really clean the house from top to bottom before daddy got home that night. It made for a much more eventful weekend.

Miss Independent

I know when you read the title your instincts told you that it was about Aubree, but your wrong. The other night we were trying to put Hayley to sleep and she was very upset that Eli would try to feed her a bottle. She was crying and arching her back when she started to eye the bottle on Eli's knee. He went to try and give it to her again when she decided that SHE was going to hold it, not dad. Hayley feed herself the whole bottle and half of another one. It must be that red hair that gives them the need for independence. LOVE IT!

Tiny Bubbles

The hour between putting Aubree to sleep and putting Hayley to sleep is one of the hardest of the day. Eli and I try very hard to keep her happy and awake. The other night Eli had an idea that turned out to be golden. He started blowing bubbles above her and she was laughing and trying to grab them. It was so cute. I need to learn to grab the video camera and tape it. Oh well next time.

Like father like daughter

It all started when Eli was little, he loved horses. Now the tradition continues while in Utah this summer Aubree got to ride a real horse and loved it. Here Eli placed Hayley on this horse and she didn't want to let go of it.

She did it!

Aubree has filled up her cotton ball jar. I have to say this has been pretty successful, we have only had to take a few cotton balls away. She was so excited to go to TOYSRUS to pick out her toy. Eli and I had decided on a price range and whatever Aubree picked out within it we were going to get. There were a few toys we played with just for fun. Aubree ended up getting a baby doll that have different clothes that click on and off. She has bigger dolls of the same idea and loves them so we knew she would feel the same way about this baby. As a fun ending to the adventure we stopped to get an icecream and Aubree insisted on getting her own. So here she is with her toy and trying to eat the ice cream before it melts.
We are already starting to fill the jar again. Who knew this would work so well?

I like to move it move it, you like to.... move it

Madagascar 2 came out yesterday. Madagascar as many of you know it one of Aubree's favorite movies, especially the move it song (which she dances to while singing it). So we decided it would be fun to take her to the movie on the BIG SCREAM (as she calls it). We went along with Eli's mom and local brothers. It was really cute and really funny. Aubree did as good as a 2 1/2 years old should at the movies. Hayley watched about 15 minutes of the movie before she ate. Eli then took her and stood up and rocked her for about 20 minutes and then she slept for the rest of the movie. LOVE IT. We would definatly suggest seeing it.

If I am than you are too

Well its finally starting to feel like fall. Don't get me wrong we are still wearing shorts and sandles most days but a couple of times this week we have needed long sleeves. On most days when Aubree wakes up we go straight down stairs, dressed in pajamas. However before too long Aubree decides to take off her pj's. She does this for many reasons to put on princess shoes, to play dress up, or to just feel free. This particular day Aubree after taking off her pj's decided that it was too cold so we quickly got her dressed in sweats. But after getting dressed she was still cold so she insisted on having her blanket. Hayley laying down on the ground to play was having a good time with a toy. When all of the sudden Aubree jumps up, runs over the the stairs, grabs another blanket and puts it on Hayley. Aubree then sits back down and puts on her blanket. When I asked Aubree why she did it, she said and I quote, " I am cold, and Hayley is cold too". I swear when she said this it was like hearing my mom say it. When I was younger my mom would tell us to put socks on because she was cold. Looks like Aubree has a little more Gran in her than we originally suspected.

Solids

We did it. We started solids with Hayley. Granted the "solids" are very very runny but still it's the concept that counts. Eli feed her first with Aubree's help. Aubree feels like its her sisterly right of passage to be right next to Hayley while eating. I have to say that Hayley did better than I thought she would. Now that we have been doing it a couple of days I think she is starting to get the hand of it. I think that when Aubree was a baby that we both like to sleep so much that getting her to start eating solids felt like a chore, but now with Aubree's help I am really enjoying it. I love that Aubree wants to help, she truly cares about her sister.

Dessert Anyone

To let us know that they are proud of us on all the hard work we did on Prop 8 my parents send us some Dots cupcakes. Something not many people know about Eli is he loves expensive, large cupcakes. To make it even sweeter Eli got to go to the bakery and choose exactly which flavors he would like. Tuesday morning Eli had to take Hayley to a well baby check so on the way home he stopped by to pick up the cupcakes. By the time he got home he was so excited that we sat on the floor in the kitchen to eat one. (we were still babysitting for Prop 8) So these are the cupcakes he choose, without two I wonder what happened to them ? After Aubree woke up from her naps she choose the chocolate chocolate cupcake all because of the flower on top. Let's just say Aubree really enjoyed her cupcake. We have only tried a few but we'll let you know how the rest taste.

52% is good enough for me

Last night we finally got the closure we needed to sigh a sigh of relief at least for now. With 52% of the voters voting in favor of Prop 8, I wonder how many times are we going to have to prove that it is important that marriage is between a man and a woman. As we look back on these past few months I am so pleased by those that choose to stand for truth and righteousness and do the things that the Lord has asked of us. I truly feel like we did everything we could and it paid off. The sad part of all this is as I am writing this people that were against prop 8 are protesting at the LA Temple grounds. It takes a little of the joy out of passing prop 8. Now they are making it hard to worship how we choose and isn't that right already in the United States Constitution. It makes me feel ill to think that there are people that are choosing to hate members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints just because of a political belief. The fight might be over to win the votes, but the fight is just beginning.

Sprint to the end

" Hello my name is Nicole. I am calling on behalf on the YES on PROP 8 campaign and was wondering if you have had a chance to get out and vote." Verbatim.
That is how Eli and I finished our Marathon for PROP 8. Like earlier post we babysat in the morning of NOV.4th and then late afternoon until the polls closed at 8 we called people to make sure they were able to go vote. I have to say it was a very spiritual experience for me. Aubree was at a friends house and Hayley came with us. Both girls have been troopers through this whole ordeal. In the end this will really effect them more than it will us. A man in our stake owns a company that is housed in a warehouse so that is where the call center was. We sat at tables set up in buffet style, were handed lists of phone numbers and names and just started calling. It was so neat to see so many familiar faces. It was incredible to see when the Prophet of the Lord speaks how many people listened.
As of right now we are up 52% to 48% with 96% of the ballots counted, so keep your fingers crossed.

Do as I'm doing

Yesterday as part of our sprint to the finish for PROP 8 we babysat some of the kids from our ward, so their parents could go and be apart of the call center (more on that to come). One of the kids we watched was one of Aubree's best friends, Julie. When Julie arrived Aubree's hair wasn't done, so when I asked her if I could do it she said yes as long as it looked like Julies. After getting it up in the pony tail she ran upstairs to get a white bow, just like Julie's. It's funny how your never too young to want to be just like your friends.

Girls just want to have fun

The girls really enjoy playing at Grandma and Grandpa's house. I usually get a few cute pictures a week so I thought I would just do one post. Hayley loves to stand up, so Grandpa got out the jumper and she loved it. Hayley is ready to do solids which we are starting tonight so pictures to come, but when ever we eat dinner she watches you take the food from the plate to your mouth so this is Grandpa giving her a little water which she also loved. As we are walking out to the car to go home one of Aubree's favorite thing is to be put in the tree. She will even ask for it if Grandpa forgets. She really is a monkey.

Signage

Saturday we went out with the YES on 8 coalition and hung door hangers to remind people to vote. It was by far the easiest thing we have done so far and we have to say it was a lot of fun. We ran our of signs at the farmers market so we weren't able to put on up. However we were given a few more to place around in public places. There is a NO sign out in front of our place so we decided to place a Yes sign out there a couple of planters away. Well the NO sign has been there for a month and no one has touched it, we put our sign up at 9 at night and the next morning

It hadn't even been up 12 hours. What the little thieves didn't know is I have about 30 plastic covers so they can take them all they want and I will just keep replacing it. The right will prevail. By Eli's parents house there are three houses in a row that have signs, its a great sight.

PS when I was looking up tickets on Fandango at the bottom there was a Yes on 8 sign. LOVE IT

Finally the real deal

Halloween Season has been quite the party, but this is the real thing. So to start off the night we had some yummy Chinese food and got then ready. Aubree's butterfly wings had been bothering her so she decided no the wear them, so here she is: We decided to take the double stoller so when Aubs got too tired she could climb on in. We started out just the 4 of us but quickly found some friends to go with to make the night more fun. As we were walking around this cat pretty much followed us the whole time, it was a neat kind of eerie. We all had a fun time and got way too much candy. Total Aubree did sometime of trick-or-treating 5 times.

All Hallows Eve Party

Aubree and I decided that it would be fun to have some of her little friends over for a party on Halloween. As I was getting ready for the party Hayley was wonderful, she just sat in her bumbo and helped out what she could. Here she is helping with icing the cupcakes. The party was really fun. The kids came dressed up, we had a small lunch, made a candy corn craft, had a cupcake, and took some pictures. It was pretty easy to put together so all in all I would say that I would do it again. Here is the "table escape" Making the craft The cupcakes I made