30 weeks

I'm not normally one for exposing my belly in public, but I really think the pregnant woman's body is a marvelous wonder. I've already been asked twice during the past week if I'm having twins again. Hmmm... I guess that's the polite way of saying "yikes, lady... you're HUGE." Yes, I have 10 more "official" weeks to go. No I'm not carrying twins... and yes, I'm sure about that. Daddy took some fun belly shots of me today, but hasn't processed them yet. So this is the unprocessed, real me pic. We didn't get any good side profile ones... but I'm hoping to get some cute ones of the girls kissing my belly later.

Grandma with the Red Hair

While Daddy was in Boston, Grandma with the Red Hair flew out from Portland to play with the girls. They had lots of fun putting fairy puzzles together, reading Fancy Nancy books, making gingerbread cookies and playing dress-up. Grandma is much better than Mommy is at creating princess hairdos. Mommy and Grandma got out one night to the city to see the Christmas lights and eat a scrumptious dinner at the Lion House. Thanks for all your help Grandma. We can't wait to see you in a couple weeks!

First Day of Real Snow

I think the first time we had any substantial-stick-to-the-ground snow was the first week of December, but it's taken me a little while to post the pics. It's been snowing lots since, and the girls still think it's beautiful, but they don't like to get cold.. so they watch from the window and then run and sit by the fireplace. Most of the shots I took have eyes closed because it was so bright. Gretters on the left, Bell in pink and Lady in purple (with her kitty rainboots.. yes, we've already managed to lose one of her snowboots).

Bell standing by her Snow Angel. I think she was already asking to go inside and get some hot cocoa at this point.

Lady was addicted to making snow angels. She made about 10 in a row. We had angels all over the sidewalk, driveway, and street.

Gretters is trying to figure out how that is an angel.

Aaahhh. At last, hot cocoa for Bell and and dry boots for Gretters.

Mullet be gone!

Baby curls are so cute. They are almost too cute to cut, but there comes the day when you realize that your darling is sporting a mullet. And of course, the curls can get straggly when they get too long, unless your child lets you put her hair in pigtails or some other cute fashion. My sweet angel will have no part of it. And so the day arrived that I had to cut those adorable, bouncy curls and create a better style for her.

Pulled out, her hair was actually getting pretty long, about three inches past her shoulders.

The first cut

Those adorable curls, which will now be encased in a plastic bag for all posterity to admire for centuries to come

Ah... the classic A-line bob...

Gretters held incredibly still for this event. She doesn't have those "still" moments very often (mostly when she's asleep)... so the hair-cut angels were obviously in attendance.

Back view

Front view, before I cut a few flyways and styled it with mousse. It really turned out cute on her, but Daddy misses her curls. She still has plenty, and her hair will grow. I'm just hoping that as it does, she'll be more receptive to the world of hair accessories.

Lovin Life

I love it when Daddy catches every day moments with the kids. Children find pure joy in the simple... like racing across the grass or collecting rocks.

Can you ever be too dressed up? I think not! Lady sure loves Cinderella.

And they're off...

November Update 2: Grand-dad's 70th

Grand-dad turned 70 this year and everyone in the family gathered together to celebrate and honor the patriarch of the family. The evening started off at his favorite Mexican restaurant for all the adults, where Grand-dad shared some heart felt words of the pride he had in his children and the parents/people they had become. This was followed by everyone meeting up for a musical program with all the grandkids and adults together. We really filled the room!

After we went around and shared 70 attributes or memories of Grand-dad that Karen and Marin had compiled from the group, we started our "program" with the Cardons singing a funny song about Pigs. I don't quite know what they said, but the harmony was incredible.

The girls looked on, as they played the part of the Princess Warriors. These girls don't need knights to defend them! They look sheek in fine purple satin AND know how to wield a sword.

Dave accompanied his two oldest girls as they sang a beautiful duet.

Greta was the groupy... she took turns sitting and watching, to dancing around and around and around. She even belted out a few notes of her own!

Daddy played a beautiful tuba solo, accompanies by Dana. A modern piece written by a female composer.

The song was so beautiful... if only everyone could hear how soft and emotional this instrument can be.

Jen recites Grand-dad's favorite poem

Daddy composed a new version of the traditional birthday song with four part harmony... it was so beautiful hearing everyone sing together.

Uncle Jason's special talent was eating dessert and taunting the nieces and nephews

Happy 70th!

November Update

We've been busy in November... to much doing, and not enough picture taking or blogging! We had Thanksgiving with almost all of Daddy's immediate family (34 people). The food was delicious and the weather was incredible (sunny and high 50's)
Here's our cute Lady, posing in front of the rolls she helped Mommy make for the feast.
Bell poses with her favorite pink flower in her hair.
Before Thanksgiving we celebrated Daddy's birthday with a yummy Mexican meal prepared by Grandma Bonnie and carrot cake for dessert.
When the weather turns cold, it's time to bake. The girls helped Mommy make Apple Cider cookies for FHE. We ate them with real apple cider and took some to friends. Mmmm!

Not pictured: Mommy and Daddy's anniversary. We forgot the camera, but we stayed in a B&B in the "library" room with a secret passage. Mommy loves a good mystery... the question is, was it Miss Scarlett in the library with the candlestick or Professor Plum in the library with the leadpipe?

These Kitty Boots Were Made for Walkin'

I love the fashion-forward thinking of small children.. I mean, how coordinated is this... Kitty PJ top, and Kitty Rain Boots, four sizes too big? The only thing that would make this outfit truly outstanding would be a pair of kitty big girl panties. Perhaps we'll find that in the Spring Collection.
Now coming to a runway near you.

The last of the leaves

It's been a blowin and a snowin and the last of the leaves are clinging on for dear life. Oh, how I will miss the brillant colors. Daddy got some fun shots of the girls raking leaves before the storms hit.
Bell... "I can wear a sundress if I wear a sweater." Ever the negotiator, my sweet Bell is always watching out for her younger sisters, and negotiating the best deals for them "Mom, we can have a piece of Halloween candy if we eat three bites of our dinner." She has a caring heart for those around her.

Bell helping to shake off a few loose leaves

Lady on rake duty

Classic Lady... just because it's November, doesn't mean you can't wear the ever fashionable yellow plastic lei. I love this girl's sense of humor and zest for life. She says the funniest things, and is every ready to help clean or cook.

Disney Princesses on Ice

On Thursday we went to see the Disney ice show, thanks to Grandma with the Red Hair. Apparently, they have several different Disney-themed ice shows going across the country. Lucky for us, the Princess show was playing in our town.

We had great tickets on the 18th row... Bell is in pink, Lady is in purple. Gretters stayed home with Aunt Marin. The girls LOVED the show, including the kettle corn and licorice we bought during intermission (and to think I never used to let them have sugar).

All the princesses were featured... Bell's favorite: Sleeping Beauty, of course!

Cinderella didn't show until after the intermission. Lady was QUITE upset when she didn't see her during the first half... as she is Lady's all time favorite princess. I think she was the stadium's favorite as well, because Cinderella got 10 times the applause that the other princesses did.

Mommy was most impressed with the large skating elephant that Aladdin rode on into the rink. It was amazing.

The finale had all the princesses (and their princes) dance in gold ballgowns and they waved goodbye from the large castle on one side of the rink. Both girls wanted to go into the castle and meet the princesses. I told them we couldn't. "Why not?" they asked. "We don't have ice skates," I explained. Bell resourcefully answered, "Maybe we could borrow some..." We didn't make it down to the castle, but we had a wonderful time watching all the princesses skate. Just enough to tie us over until the Princess Festival comes to town in June.

FHE: Sleeping Beauty & The Jungle Book

I don't have a photo from our adventure this past Monday, but I wanted to "journal" it so I wouldn't forget. We went to the Scera and watched two condensed plays (40 mins each). The girls LOVED it! We bought a big tub of popcorn and they went to town on it as they jumped up and down and danced and sang. Gretters loved singing "I know you," (and those are the only words she sings, over and over again) and kept yelling out "Sleepin Beauty!" It was so magical... and the tickets were FREE. It was one of those moments where I felt like I was being a good parent, not that I don't feel that when I prepare a lesson, treat, etc... but I always love it when I find a new activity that is above and beyond the normal FHE fare. Plus, I love sharing new things with my girls and opening the world to them. It's one of my greatest joys as a parent, second to my three greatest joys (soon to be four).

Blast from the Past

One of my best friends growing up, Katie, who I have known since Elementary School, and I reunited in Park City after a decade. Since we last saw each other we had both gone to grad school, got married, and had children. We had much to catch up on, and we did, but it felt as though we had just seen each other.

Make new friends, but keep the old... one is silver and the other is gold. And just think about what the price of gold is these days.

Gretters is a big girl!

I know that this is only something that a mother could clap and scream for joy about, but... my little Gretters, at 21 months of age, pooped in the potty! She asked to go potty, I put her on her little Elmo potty insert, she played with the toilet paper, as she is wont to do... and after a few minutes of only drops I said "are you finished?" "Noooooo!" she yelled back. She likes to just sit there and wipe, even if there is nothing to wipe. So I went back to doing dishes, lo and behold... she yelled "I'm done!" and she was.

I wish I could take some kind of credit for this behavior, but the glory is all hers. I just sit back in wonderment and awe.

It already feels like Christmas!

Halloween!

It was the perfect Halloween night-- a full moon, temps in the 50's, clear and sunny. The perfect night for three princesses and a couple of pirates to take on the night.

From an earlier post, you will see the girls wanted to be a blue fairy and a pink fair. However, come Halloween day, they both wanted to be princesses. Bell was Sleeping Beauty again (you'll remember she was Sleeping Beauty for a party last year and then for trick or treating decided last minute to be a ballerina) and Lady was Cinderella. Gretters played a perfect Snow White.

BlackBeard Daddy, the fierce Pirate, gave the Trick or Treat rundown... the girls had it down pat, and ran from door to door in a full sprint. Trick to do with full ball gowns, but they did it with grace. Gretters preferred the Graco Carriage... pushed by the pirate slave, Mommy.

Trick or Treat!

Aunt Marin as the Fairy Gothmother, and BlackBeard the fierce Pirate

Earlier in the day... Daddy carved the pumpkin, while the girls acted as the carving supervisors.

Here they are... posing their most fierce Jack-o-lantern look.

Gretters posing with Grandma, with a full set of hair.