Birthday Girl

Even though the birthday celebrations occurred this weekend, Daddy surprised his little girl with a birthday cake today. It is so hard to imagine that exactly one year ago today I was in the hospital delivering my second little miracle. What a blessing she has been. Needless to say she did not pass on the cake but indeed had seconds. I have no idea why she isn't registering on the growth curve. She ate more cake than Dave and I combined.

Piggy Bank

For special occasions, the girls will receive a dollar or two stuffed in a card from certain family members. Today a card came from Grandma with a few dollars in it. Since Paloma was sleeping, Mattea assumed responsibility of the money and immediately ran to her piggy bank. She loves getting money and stuffing it in. She told me today that she was helping Paloma out. Let's just hope she can keep this habit up.

Me and My Baby

Happy Birthday Paloma

Although it won't be official until New Years Eve, my little Polly Rae is turning One! I can't believe how fast the year has flown by. As I look at her now and of pictures past, I am reminded how much she has changed over the last 12 months. Although she is looking and acting more like a little girl, she will always be my baby. She is truly a blessing and we feel so honored to have her a part of our family. The entire family dressed up and welcomed Paloma to our tea party after her afternoon nap. I think she had a good times despite the fact that her sister kept trying to thieve her presents. Happy Birthday Paloma!

Happy Birthday Sister

Mattea wishes her sister a very Happy Birthday!!

Anything For His Baby

I don't think there is anything Dave won't do for his little girls.

Mattea's New Bike

The only thing that Mattea asked for this year was a "purple bike." She got what she asked for - and she couldn't be happier. The smile on her face when she walked down the stairs and saw her new bike was priceless. Merry Christmas Mattea!

Merry Christmas

Diva in Training

Mattea modeling her new outfit from Grandma and Grandpa Trulson.

Ba Humbug

Poor Paloma. She didn't really get into the holiday festivities this year. I guess there is always next year!

Happy Birthday Jesus

Paying tribute to the One who really matters - Happy Birthday Jesus!!

Winter Wonderland

After receiving about an inch of snow, the girls were able to get out and enjoy the fun. For Paloma this was her first experience - for Mattea she has played in the snow before but was too young to remember. They both had a blast. Good bye Albuquerque weather. Hello Boise.

O' Christmas Tree

Paloma loves our Christmas tree - she loves touching it, smelling it, and of course playing with it. She loves the ornaments and playing with them as well. It has been a challenge this year keeping her away from it.

Polly Rae

Say Cheese!

Mattea has recently taken to photography. She has an old camera that she walks around with snapping pictures of just about anyone and anything. She photographs her dogs, her mommy & daddy, her sister, the neighbors... We recently began letting her take some pictures with the digital camera - eventually we'll post them on her own blog post. She does fairly well for an almost three year old. Throughout the day we hear her say "smile mama" or "say cheese!"

Is It Christmas Yet?

Yesterday, the girls received a package from Aunt Kim containing some Christmas gifts. Mattea thought it was very exciting to take those gifts and place them under our tree. This morning she couldn't wait to show Paloma all the gifts they received. She placed several in her Elmo Christmas bag and was carrying them around asking when she could open them. She was pretty good about putting them back after realizing she wouldn't be opening them anytime soon. Thanks a bunch Aunt Kim - they look great!

Tissue Please

Both girls currently have bad colds and so I am constantly found with a box of tissue. Apparently this morning I didn't get Paloma's fast enough because she simply helped herself.

Gingerbread House

Our new family project this last weekend was to create our very first gingerbread house. I believe that Mattea ate more than she applied - so going to bed that night was a bit challenging. I guess I didn't quite get across the concept that frosting was for decorating and not for eating. Nonetheless, I think it is a beautiful gingerbread house.

Dinner Time

I can always use some extra hands in the kitchen at dinner time.

Dress Up

Mattea loves playing dress up. I had pulled some old bins of clothes out to sort and wash for Paloma. Mattea wanted to help me - instead she spent most of the afternoon looking through them and trying them on. Of course they did not fit her but she kept saying, "Mama I look so pretty." I had to agree.

Smiley

What a smile! Even though she has only 4 teeth, I still think she looks fantastic.

Daddy's Home

This is what happens when daddy comes home.....

Christmas Picture

Our neighbor was gracious enough to come over last weekend to help take our family Christmas photo. There is too much going on this year to schedule an appointment with a photographer. So this is a preview of what's to come. I don't think it turned out too bad.... Paloma is still getting the hang of posing - not Mattea. I told her before starting that if she smiled BIG, she would get a sucker - she delivered!

Baby Moses

Last night before bed, Mattea and I read the story of Baby Moses. She has a great Bedtime Bible Story Book that is simple and easy to understand. She liked the story and wanted to read it again before her nap today. After she was tucked in and the door was closed, I heard her repeating "Baaaaby Moses, Baaaaby Moses." I opened the door to find her reading the book to herself. Apparently all she took away from the story was "Baby Moses." I guess we have some review to do.

A Trip to the North Pole

Today we traveled to Horshoe Bend to ride the Thundermountain Line to the 'North Pole.' Mattea was so excited because it meant getting to ride another train (she loves trains). It was a nice ride - we enjoyed Christmas carols, cookies & milk, Santa Clause. Who could ask for more? This was the first encounter of Santa Clause for either girl. Mattea talked to him but refused to sit on his lap - Paloma just sat back in amazement. She didn't really know what to think. I'm sure Dave and I will have some explaining to do tomorrow - since Santa doesn't come to our house. Besides being a bit cold, it was a wonderful Saturday afternoon.

30 on the 30th

Well, it is official. I have left my 20's and entered my 30's. As many of you know, this was a hard birthday for me - so I think that is why my husband threw me the birthday bash of the century. I arrived home after picking up "cowboy food" to find my children and husband decked out in Wild West gear. My birthday was as country as they get. There was even Tim McGraw's song 'The Next 30 Years' playing in the background. Mattea had fun and I believe Paloma did too although she did not enjoy her cowboy hat as much as I did. I am so not a country girl by any means, but it was fun. I told Dave that there will be paybacks in February when he turns 35!