Katelyn singing

Merry Christmas!

Christmas was a success this year! Thanks to Katelyn, it was a very Merry Christmas for me. It was so fun to stay up late on Christmas Eve building things for her and playing Santa. Christmas morning started bright and early at 6am! Katelyn tore through her presents and thought that EVERY present under the tree was hers! We had a hard time explaining that everyone got presents on Christmas! Then later in the afternoon family came over and there were more presents, but they weren't for Katelyn. She had a few meltdowns, but all in all she did great. It was so fun to watch her eyes light up as she opened them. Taylor was sick with a cold and was up all night, so her and I were VERY tired and she didn't feel well. Here are a few pics...I didn't take very many because I was manning the video camera. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas...another one down!

Here is the tree all set up and ready to go!

Of course Katelyn's favorite presents were the two from Grandma and Grandpa! She got a trampoline that she desperately needs to release pent up energy-she jumps on it all day long! And then she got a grocery stand that she LOVES! It has a working convayer (sp?) belt and she loves to pretend play with the money. She was spoiled this year!

My Family

We took family pictures today FINALLY, and here is the result! It turned out really good, except Katelyn isn't looking at the camera. But, hey everyone is happy and no children are crying! I would say we did pretty well! I have the best family in the world!

Come Rain or Shine!

On Thursday we went to Disneyland...AGAIN! It was a lot of fun, but we still haven't picked a day where it isn't really crowded. The weather forecast said scattered showers, but it hardly rained and was a wonderful day. I lost my cell phone and that was not fun, but that's ok...we got to see a parade this time and the kids loved it! Only 3 more days until Christmas and I think I am more excited than Katelyn because I can't wait to give her her presents!!!

My night out

Last night I went out without BOTH of the girls for 3 hours!!! WAHOO!! I am a Celine fan, and went to see her Vegas show on the big screen in Burbank and it was great! I wish I could have seen her live, but her show has come to an end. Fortunately, Marci and I ARE seeing her live next December for her tour! Something to look forward to! I am just grateful that I was able to get out of the house...Thank you mom!
Christmas is right around the corner and I think I am about ready. I can't wait for Christmas morning this year, because Katelyn gets the whole Santa thing. The other day when we were driving in the car Katelyn smiled a huge grin and said, "Mama, Santa's coming!" It was so cute! I have all her presents wrapped and ready to go.
The other day we took some more cute pics of the girls and here's one of them!

Belly Laugh

So tonight I got Taylor to do the biggest laugh-I had to do this fake laugh and it cracked her up! (sorry you have to hear my lame laugh, but hers is adorable!)

I already started Taylor on cereal this week! She was so intrigued with me eating, so I thought I would give it a try and she loved it! No learning curve for her-she gobbled it ALL up the first try!

Here are the girls with Santa at our ward Christmas party...St Nick wasn't so jolly and Katelyn was a little nervous, but she sat on his lap-Yea!

Gingerbread Houses

For playgroup on Thursday we made gingerbread houses with graham crackers. It was a success even though the houses kept falling down! The kids just enjoyed decorating the crackers and eating the candy! Katelyn just wanted to put icing on every cracker and everything!

I was watching Jordan today and had to take a picture of the three of them...I can just tell they are going to cause trouble together when they get older! And here is Katelyn in her red peacoat I bought her last year for $10! I am so glad it fits her this winter! She is obsessed with hats lately and when I put on her coat she immediately insisted that she wore a hat with it!
Today my brother and his wife brought home baby Kara Grace...what an amazing experience it was to meet her. Babies are just the pure definition of LOVE...straight from heaven. So, needless to say, today was a good day!

Oprah

As most of you know, I love Oprah! And the last couple of shows that I have watched have really touched me and caused me to reflect a lot. I usually just post about the girls and what's going on with them, but I wanted to record some of my feelings (more for my own records). There have been two books on her shows- One More Day and Eat, Pray Love. I have bought both of them and look forward to reading them. I am becoming quite the bookworm and can't get enough of these "life lesson" books. I have been spending a lot of time reflecting, asking myself what is important and what is the real meaning of life, and how can I live a better life. I want to love more, forgive more, be a better mother and a better person. I am surrounded by such wonderful people and examples and I am so grateful for that. Instead of focusing on my hardships and trials, I am choosing to focus on love and the things that I have been blessed with. I am learning that all I want is to love and be loved and to spend time with my family. I will have to let you know how these books are-there are always lessons to be learned.

Love

Today has been a good day. I have just felt an overwhelming amount of love today. One of those days where I can't believe how much I love my girls and wonderful they are to me. I have prayed for love and the Lord has blessed me with so much from my two girls! I am blessed. Every moment today just seemed to stand still in time for me and I didn't want to forget any of it.

Speaking of moments...Katelyn had a BIG one today! I can't tell you how many times I have put Katelyn on the toilet and she just sits there and then says "All done!" because she just liked to wipe...but she never went to the bathroom! Well, tonight before bath she said, "Potty in the toilet" I said ok, and put her on it again. She insisted that I close the door and give her privacy and then she said with a loud voice, "I did it! Mama I did it!" I opened the door and sure enough she went pee!!! Wahoo! I had to take a picture of how excited her little face was. So maybe now I will do the all day training thing and see how it goes. Yea Katelyn!!!

I am also overwhelmed with love for my brother and sister in law. They have FINALLY become parents after such a long wait and I couldn't be happier for them. They have welcomed Kara Grace to their family and I am so grateful to have her in our family. She was born on Friday and I get to meet her in a week. What a miracle she is...miracles happen every day, and I am grateful for that!

Video of Taylor!

I am SO excited that I figured out how to put a little video on my blog! I am even more excited that out of state family and friends get to see and hear Taylor laugh! It's not the best video, but hopefully it will bring a smile to your face! I am especially thinking of Gay (Grandma Olsen) who has never heard Taylor laugh-Gay this is for you!

Two Sickos

Both of the girls have had a cold the past two days, and so it has been fun:) Last night was the worst...It was just me and the two girls home and Katelyn kept waking up. I finally brought to bed with me and Taylor, hoping she would sleep. This was one of those nights I wanted Katelyn to sleep in my bed...but Katelyn has NEVER slept in my bed for a minute-she just won't. Anyway, after fighting with her for two hours, I finally put her back in her bed at 5am and she finally went back to sleep for two hours. Today we stayed home from church and had a low key day.
On a more fun note...I swear Katelyn turned into a little girl over night! She isn't my baby anymore! She is talking like crazy and I can actually reason with her now! It's magical! For example I talked her into taking medicine!!! She has NEVER taken medicine and always would spit it out. Well, I told her she could have a cookie after her meds and she gulped it right down-Ah, it's the small things in life!

When I put Katelyn to bed I lay Taylor down next to her for storytime. Katelyn LOVES to have Taylor next to her and Taylor LOVES Katelyn. Taylor rolls on her side facing Katelyn and just nuzzles her face next to Katelyn's and coos at her. It's adorable! And then when I read the stories Taylor just talks right along with me and smiles at me-she is a lovebug! Storytime has to be one of my favorite times of the day!

New Layout

Thank you Cami for making my blogspot look so amazing! You are awesome! Now you are going to have to teach me how to do it :)