2016 Recap.

Babies

Lots and lots of babies!
32 babies (14 boys, 18 girls)

Boys

Ayden
Conner
Ryder
Reed
Hollister
Noah
Avery
Traison
Owen
Leo
Wesley
Nathanial
Canyon

Stellan

Girls
Aubrey
Zenley
Athena
Reagan
Leona
Lia
Eloise
Lucy
Mackenzie
Kinlee
Amelia
Londyn
Estelle
Charli
Lyric
Kaia
Harper
Brooklynn

Books

I found the wonderful world of audio books and was able to "read" significantly more books than last year and I found out I love the world of audio books.  It makes my commute so much more enjoyable.  Mr. Frederiches continued to read his books since he has such a short commute which is also why he wasn't able to read very many.  I learned the narrator can make all the difference for audio books and I now have a favorite, Rebecca Lowman. She is great. If you have any desire to listen to audio books find one she narrates. You won't be disappointed. In total, we read 20 books.

Some of my favorites were:
Fangirl - Rainbow Rowell - Rebecca Lowman (narrator)
Eleanor and Park- Rainbow Rowell
As You Wish Inconceivable Tales From the Making of The Princess Bride - Cary Ellwis
An Invisible Thread- Laura Schroff

Some of Mr. Frederiches favorites were:
The Rosie Project - Graeme Simsion
The Rosie Effect - Graeme Simsion
The Last Wish - Andrzej Sapkowski

Cooking

We've cooked more at home than in years past and we even tried the new Blue Apron service. Everything comes neatly packaged and there is just enough for the meal.  Our first meal was delicious.

I found a pumpkin baked oatmeal that I love to eat for breakfast and Chicken Fajita pasta was a favorite dish this year.

Crafting

Not much crafting happens these days, but I did manage to help my BFF decorate her girl's bedroom.       

Baby Gs Milestones and Memories

1st pictures of 2016

 

Last pictures of 2016 (What a difference a year makes!)

• She grew about 4" and gained almost 7 pounds
• Learned to walk and now runs everywhere she goes
• Went on her first and second plane ride to see our BFFs in Salt Lake City

 

• Attended her first birthday party for a friend at the train park.
• Enjoyed Thanksgiving, Christmas and her first birthday with family
• Learned to tolerate her car seat, although she still doesn't like to be in it for very long
• She loves meatballs and guacamole.  The video is of her eating and loving guacamole.  It is definitely one of my favorite videos.

• Loves all her stuffed animals including Bun Bun, Nana's Teddy Bear, Darth Vader and Violet.
• Still doesn't like to sleep, there is just too much to see and do
• Rarely sucks her thumb but every once in awhile she will when she is tired or stressed
• Loves to play ring around the rosie and the hokey pokey
• She can howl like a coyote, quack like a duck and make monkey sounds.  
• She loves to eat popcorn with Grandpa at the hockey games
• She loves to wear her daddy's shoes and sometimes momma's too.
• She loves to slide and can climb onto chairs and stools by herself.

Favorite Little Things

• Thanksgiving. We managed another Thanksgiving at The Hotel.  It is a tradition I truly enjoy.  
• Christmas lights. This is on the list every year, but it never gets old.
• We watched Lady Sophie for a couple weeks. She was so good with GG and Annie learned to like GG a little more after her visit.
• GGs birthday party where she showed everyone she did indeed know how to walk.  This sappy Momma shed a couple tears watching her walk.  
• Watching GG howl like a coyote or make monkey sounds.
• A couple trips to Salt Lake City.
• GG will put her clothes in the laundry and put her wrappers in the trash.  It is the sweetest thing watching her march to the pantry open the door lift the trash lid and throw her wrapper in. How did she learn that?
• My Mom who spends her Saturdays with GG playing.  GG loves going to Nana's house to play.  She spoils us.  She also cooks us dinner and bakes us cookies!  
• Friday night takeout from our favorite Mexican food place.
• Mr. Frederiches who helps with dinner and house chores and GG.  He is an amazing daddy and husband.  
• Mr. Frederiches and I went to lots of open houses.  Oh how we enjoy looking at houses.  We hope to buy a bigger hotel one day, but nothing has been quite right.
• Miss Patty and all the love she gives to GG.  We are incredibly grateful for her and her patience.  She is such a blessing.
• GG's laugh.  She doesn't laugh easily, but when she does it is the best sound there is.

Thank you for sharing the little things with me.  Lots of love.

Hokey Pokey.

Some new pajamas and the hokey pokey to end the week.  Have I mentioned Nana taught GG how to do the hokey pokey?  It's adorable.

Ashes, Ashes.

Thank you for the stool Nana!  Now I can climb and reach even higher in the refrigerator.

One of GG's friends organized several rounds of one of GG's favorite games, ring around the rosie or as GG calls it, Ashes, Ashes.

Oh Deer.

 GG loves to be surrounded by all her stuffed animals, especially Nana's teddy bear.

GG got this new sweater for Christmas.  Isn't it sweet with her deer pants?  Love her little outfits. Happy Wednesday!

Happy Girl.

 GG started the morning off with a pony ride.  She took Nana's teddy bear along for the ride.

 One more Christmas present arrived from Poppa.  She loved it and it only took her a short time before she could climb the stairs and go down the slide by herself.

Mr. Frederiches is teaching GG to go down the slide and dunk the basketball.  Stay tuned.

Bath Time Fun.

New toys make bath time so much more fun!

Merry Christmas.

 Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

Christmas wonder.

Merry Christmas Eve.

 The cousins.  GG adores her cousins!

 A whole lot of love.

 Christmas pajama tradition!

A little game of Christmas Yahtzee.  My dad barely beat me.  So close.  He started the game off with a Yahtzee so I played catch-up the entire time.

Even at Christmas she loves someone else's shoes.  She found her Aunties converse.

Hockey Christmas.

 Tonight started the Holiday festivities. We went to a Coyotes game with Don's dad.  I love the simple little lights on our house.  Our cul-de-sac does a good job of decorating.  I love coming home to all the lights.

 Snacks at a hockey game are a must.

GG barely sat still through the entire game and we didn't win, but it was still a lot of fun!

On and Off.

 GG is a pro at taking off her socks and shoes, but she has also been practicing put them back on.

It won't be long before she mastered these skills as well.

Hoo! Hoo!

 GG got to open her first gift of the holiday season.

 She got a new stuffed owl and she already loves it.

Look at that smile.  It's love at first sight.  She also got a book and some really cute clothes.  I can't wait to show you the cuteness that was in this bag.  The next 4 days will be busy with festivities. May your holidays be filled with all of your favorite things.  

Daddy Pictures.

GG was playing with Momma's shoes this morning.  This girls is 100% in love with shoes!

 GG was sad to see Mr. Frederiches go this morning.  It broke Dada's heart to leave.  She is a daddy's girl already.

GG loves shoes morning and night.  Even in her pjs she is still trying to put on shoes.  Thank you to Mr. Frederiches for the great photos today!

Breakfast with Dada.

Is there any better way to start the week than breakfast out with Dada?  As a side note GG has learned how to take her socks and shoes off.  When did she get so clever?