Happy New Year

What a rarity, a post on my blog. I only know of one person that still checks this (Hi Mark) and he already know what is up in my life so I'll skip the update and go straight for the good stuff.

New Years Day 2013-See how far they have come!

Getting our Christmas tree. Vera insisted on this one. 

Temple Square- Vera loved the lights but I had to force her into this picture. I think she thought I was going to throw her into the pool.

Saw Santa at the Museum of Idaho- Afterward had dinner as a family and found out a new neice or nephew is on the way in June, Hurray. 

Dancing to "Princess Song" (i.e. any song that has a princess displayed as the cover are by pandora) is a new favorite pass-time.  Her nightgown says Dancing With Daddy and when she wears it she has to dance before she'll go to bed.

I had visions of opening jammies, hot chocolate, cuddling, and reading Luke 2 as a family on christmas eve.  We got so far as opening jammies but the late night previous and lack of nap caught up and both girls melted down.

Look how much happier we are after a good night sleep. 

 Christmas Morning 2013! (note, vera often points with that finger and means nothing by it)

 Superhero or potty-trainee wanna be?

 New Years Eve. Had a great evening with our favorite materal side girl cousin:)

Maybe I'll post again in 2014.. maybe.

Update for Sarah

Easter

 Sarah, This update is for you. It's easier to blog it than to send multiple emails to get all the pictures in. Hope you enjoy.

I went to the Louvre for the first time.

I also went to Normandy and was sure to touch the English Channel

Brett traded in his old truck and bought a new one. I don't have a picture of the new one though

Vera is mommy's little helper... even when the help is a little less than helpful

It was a hot, hot summer here (especially for pregnant me) but I think we've now survived the worst of the heat

Brett went to a lot of work and put in a really nice garden for us this year. This picture was before it was put in. We've enjoyed the lettuce, spinach, peas, beans, tomatoes, herbs strawberries, carrots, radishes. Brett has also been diligent about harvesting the plums from our plum tree. We've made a few batches of freezer jams and even tried our hand at canning...

Vera is a voracious eater.

We had a happy 4th of july.

Everyone came over to our house for Mom and dad's birthday

At the Marshall campout we did a hike. I didn't think I was going to make it but I did... and was pretty sore the next day. Although, that could have been more from sleeping on an air mattress with a hole with a wiggly, and NOT sleeping Vera

I swear in this picture I'm pregnant not just fat!!!

Vera loves, loves loves the 4-wheelers. she would sit on them for hours if we let her.

Here is the kilt you bought for her last September in Scotland. It really is quite variable in size... I think it will fit her at least another year. She hasn't yet worn the disney PJ's you sent to her. It is still a bit warm at night for the long sleeves and pants but another month or so and they should be perfect.

Again Vera is mom's big helper.

Of course a lot more has happened but I'm not very diligent with pictures. At the beginning of the month I went the the International Youth Nuclear Conference in Charlotte NC. I took like 4 pictures of food (we ate at one of Emril's restaurants) but they are still on the camera. I also got upgraded to first class on the way from Charlotte to SLC.

This week and last week Vera and I have been doing mommy and me swimming along w. Kim and Romney. Vera's interest in the water seemed to have peaked and is now waning. 

Today I am 37 wks pregnant and officially full term. Next monday I defend my thesis for my masters!! It would be a bit more exciting if I didn't have to still finish up some class work for an independent study class.

Hope all is well with you,
Love Margaret

I have now seen...

I have now seen the original of this painting.


And this painting. (It is actually pretty small in real life)


And for the last two days, while working, I can see this out the window. (from farther away and the opposite direction though).

I'd blog more if..

I could tear myself away from pinterest...

Lacking Will power

At about 3 or 4 months old Vera would go to sleep on her own. Once she showed signs of tiredness put her in her crib and she'd play quietly and go to sleep. Now as I listen to her cry in the other room I miss those days. ... shhhh I think she's given up and is going to sleep now.

These days were so much easier when it came to naps.