After dinner conversation

Me: "Maddison, let's get your face cleaned up."
Maddison: "No, I'll just lick."

Another beautiful sunset.

Blowing Kisses on Valentine's Day!

Discovery

Sage discovered today that she can crawl up and over this thing under the table. It helps if her pacifier is on the other side.

1981

peek-a-boo pro

the master of excuses

Mom: “Okay, Maddison it is time for bed.”
Maddison: “I need you to carry me.”
Mom: “No, you can walk.”
Maddison: “No I can’t. My feet are too skinny.”

Morning Glory

Bad hair morning.

 And then there is this one.

If only we all could wake up this adorable. 

Family

For Family Home Evening we had a lesson on families and then made our family out of play dough. Maddison was in charge of making me.

The Great Escape

Those pillows were meant to keep Sage contained and away from the stairs since she has started to scoot around. Somehow she found a way over them today. And by the look on her face she seems to be pretty proud of herself. I guess I better come up with a new strategy quick.

Tuesday

Resolutions part 2

After reading my last post, Steve said, "I know what your favorite book was this year - How do Snowmen Celebrate?" This is one of Maddison's books. Over the past year we have read hundreds of books to Maddison. In the end, this is more important than any books I read for myself. Thanks for the reminder Steve.

Resolutions

A New Year’s survey I was looking at last week asked, “What was your favorite book in 2014?” I had to stop and think. Did I read a single book in 2014? I read part of a book I started in 2013 called Alaska by  James A.Michener. I managed to complete a good chunk of its 1000 small print pages this past year but I haven’t picked it up since Sage was born.  I enjoy reading but got out of the habit with the help of two tiny and cute distractions.  

So, for 2015 one of my New Year’s Resolutions is to read a book. More specifically, to dedicate 1 hour each Wednesday to reading after the kids have gone to bed. Perhaps I will even read more than one book this year. Some of you might be thinking, “One hour? That’s just my morning warm up,” but I assure you, it will be a tiny miracle manifested each week if completed. Trying to read during the day is pretty much impossible. Anything I do that looks like I’m not paying attention to Maddison is quickly squelched by Maddison. I can usually feign full attention by helping her color something in between loads of laundry or paying a bill in between turns at a game but reading a book is obvious neglect and Maddison will have none of that.

Last Wednesday was our first attempt. With the kids in bed, Steve and I cozied up on the couch, each with a book of our choosing. Steve: A World Without Bees, pilfered from my Dad’s library, and I: Cadillac Dessert - The American West and Its Disappearing Water, a recommendation from Steve.  With our tiny miracle within grasp, we began to read. It wasn’t long before we heard the pitter patter of little feet bringing our noses out of our books to see Maddison’s brown eyes staring back at us. Defeat. At least I made it half way through the introduction. We will try again next week and hopefully in 2016 I will have an answer to the question “What was your favorite book in 2015.”

Other resolutions this year include: Learn to make pizza crust dough, plant a fruit tree and learn to applique on my new sewing machine.

Cuppy-cakes

Grandpa and Grandma Pfost gave a "Babycakes" mini cupcake maker to Maddison and I for Christmas. Maddison was pretty excited to try it out. Me too.

It is hard to wait the 3-4 minutes until your cupcakes are done. 

Decorating is pretty fun.

But eating is better. Thanks Grandma and pa. 

New Year's

The temple square lights were amazing as always even if it was a freezing cold night. We didn't spend too much time outside. 

 We got to spend the night in the Kimball Hotel thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Pope. The view was pretty great and just a half a block from the lights.

Snacking in our room. 

We spent New Year's Eve with Grandpa and Grandma Pope.  

Newspapers make fun toys. 

Making a mess playing with cousin Olivia.