Autumn Leaves and Dreams

This is my favorite time of year. I love, love the month of October for so many reasons, and I have especially loved this month with my little one. It makes me think of so many good times in my life, the excitement for the holidays, and especially good food and great smells!

We were so fortunate to be able to take a vacation for my week long fall break. Even though we didn't end up going with our dear friends (we missed you Hollands), we still had so much fun! We did Palm Springs again, this time with Nixsen, and Disneyland again, this time even more fun than before!

I am constantly amazed at what a little grown up girl Nixsen is becoming. I know why she was my first, and why I am so lucky to be called her mother.

Thanks to my awesome parenting--my child is VERY familiar with Disney television and movies. She loves Mickey and the gang, Little Einsteins, all Disney Princesses and Tinkerbell. Somehow Cinderella has become her favorite...I can't even count how many times she has watched the movie.

Scott and I both decided that we could have flown us all out there for just this one moment and it would have been worth it.

Back to the Grind...(I love my job...right?)

Nixsen attending Roma's B-day Safari Extravaganza...I always expect amazing and then I am still blown away!!!


Out first time curling Nix's entire head with a curling iron...such a big girl!

Bees game this summer

Roma and Nixsen attending their first movie together "Winnie the Pooh"--Nixsen loves the movies...I don't know if that is a good thing...


Attending my 10 year High School Reunion...so good to be in OK!

Life has been crazier than usual at the Jones House. School and Daycare have started, sleeping- less has started, we have potty-trained (yea!), training for a half marathon continues (so many hours) and even though we just were out of town, Scott and I desperately need another vacation to get through our crazy fall season. Meanwhile, I keep wishing for more hours in the day...how on Earth do I keep up on everything there is to do?

List of things to be better at starting today:

Sleep more

Wake up earlier

Organize those places we don't look at often

Keep better in touch with friends

Talk to and visit family more

Survive on less sleep

Pay attention to my poor dog
Figure out a way to NOT do laundry everyday

Catch up on Couponing

Catch up on documenting Family Memories

Sleep more

The list goes on and on...I just need more hours...

Oh, What Do You Do in the Summertime?

Playing BB with Daddy in the Pool!

Summer baths with her hero Elsie

Going down the "fog" slide

Fireworks!

Swinging at the Cabin

Summer LOVE

Roasting Marshmellows...she was obsessed with the fire

Indian Wells...such a beautiful vacation spot

My one summer chance to lay out

Fishing with Daddy

Playing in the "Wadee" at the museum

We have had a fabulous and fun-filled summer thus far! It is going by way too fast! Here are some of our activities that we've enjoyed with our precious girl!

Nixsen's "Party for 2"

My sweet little girl is 2 going on 5! (literally) If you ask her how old she is, she will reply "2 (pause) and 5!" We had a fun little party for her with lots of friends...I ca't believe my little one is old enough to have friends. It was a blast. I can't believe how old she is now. She can talk so well and moves a million miles an hour-24 hours a day! Her most recent trick is knowing and singing the words to at least 8 different songs. She loves cookies, milk, snacks (fruit snacks), all things princess, and of course us!

Our Family Pics...

And finally... some family pics from this winter!

The Rest of Spring Break

Petting the lamb in "pincess" attire

Holding a bird at the petting extravaganza in Logan

First ice cream cone at lunch with Grandma

At dinner with her new life long best friends...she just doesn't know it yet

Playing "mom" one morning

Checking the wallet after some serious shopping at Fashion Place

At lunch with Daddy..."oh no"

At Discovery Gateway with cousin Crew

Starting Monday, we kept our Spring Break crazy and busy....We did a variety of activities. Not pictured is: swimming twice, another lunch date with Daddy, some trips to Grandma J's house, an outing to Aunt Maura's house and playing with her friend Elsie!

Because of such miserable weather across the country, the rest of our Spring Break was spent in Utah. However, we are leaving next week for Cali so I will still get my much needed dose of Sunshine!

Spring Break Day 1

My Spring Break is finally here! I plan on taking full advantage of the time with Nix. This week is all about her (and getting my butt to the gym). Today started out with sleeping in (thank you, thank you), dancing in our underwear (pics NOT included), a trip to the Aquarium, a very restless nap, swimming in approx. one hour at the rec center and probably watching Tangled as a family for the third time in three days. What do the remaining four days hold? The possibilities are endless and hopefully include a trip away from this depressing weather!

Disney on Ice

I have been so excited to introduce my child to Disney-the most magical thing on earth. From the young age of 4 months (young I know), Nixsen has loved Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and now she is friends with Tinkerbell, the princesses and other Disney characters. Scott, being Father of the Year, bought us fabulous tickets to Disney on Ice. Nixsen loved every minute. She followed all the characters, named them everytime they came out and danced with the music. Based on this successful experience, I have finally convinced Scott that a trip to Disneyland is now age appropriate and a must for our family in the next couple of months. Yea!

Dreams Do Come True!

Jump, jump, jump

In Nixsen's world, "jump" is actually "jump, jump, jump". I don't think she knows that Jump is actually a word by itself. I have had so much fun watching her jump and dance the last couple of months. She has so much energy and I am so grateful for places that recognize working moms need an outlet for this energy too!

Here are her latest escapades at "gymnastics" which we call going "jump, jump, jump".

Check out Nixsen's Dance Moves!

Giggles and Squeals

I am always amazed at the view I get of the world through my daughter's eyes. Things I do not get excited about are the newest and greatest thing for her. We recently went to the Gateway in the dead of winter. Don't worry, the water was still on and Nix loved it!!!

Heart Day!

I couldn't even mind that she brought me her new Tinkerbell movie at 5 am!

For the Princess!

Enjoying his treat...they were red lips that squeak!

She actually posed and said "cheez" for this one!

Thanks to my mom, I have always loved Valentine's Day. Whether I had a boyfriend, was married, had just broken up with someone or what, I have ALWAYS loved the day. My mom always made it about loving EVERYONE around you and making it a fabulous day.

My sweet husband took me to dinner at Grand America where we had our V-Day date five years ago and is taking me on a much needed shopping spree/trip to Vegas this weekend.

I had a blast with Nixsen too. We took valentines to daycare and of course she received fun gifts from the Valentine Fairy and her dad. Ty also received a present-not to be left out. Scott is taking her to see Disney on Ice 4th row in a couple of weeks!!! He did it on his own...I know he's the best!

I love this Day!

Nixsen and BFF Roma

Nixsen and Roma are BFFs by default...because it's the only girl Nixsen plays with right now. One night they were soooo cute together and we got it on film!(Don't mind Scott's singing...)

The New House

The Office

Living Space

From Front Door

Downstairs Bath

Kitchen

Great Room

Guest Bedroom

Guest Bath

Nixsen's Bedroom

Nixsen's Bed-Her great-great Grandmother slept in this!

Master Bath

Master Bedroom

Thanks to my super husband and some very expensive movers, my house was done and ready in a record 2 days...it has just taken me forever to document...there are still some final touches but this is it!