Where did January go?

So it's been awhile since I've posted. It's not that I haven't had anything to write about, it just seems like time has been flying by. We've been working on preparing a place for our garden and we've spent some time freeze branding the cattle. T has been traveling for work, we've attended some Aggie basketball games, and I have been putting in some extra workout time in order to train for a 1/2 marathon. Aside from all the activities going on, I am also realizing that with a more mobile baby I cannot just sit down and post when I want to.

This week she pulled herself up to a standing position all by herself. It is so fun to watch her work SO hard at this. It's also interesting to see her try out different things around the house to pull-up on. I think all of her moving around has made her a little more tired. When this girl wants to sleep, she sleeps and sleeps hard! Here is a picture of her standing up.




We've also been enjoying her laughs. She loves to laugh and I love to hear it. She enjoys riding in the shopping cart at the grocery store and will give a smile to anyone who will look her way. Yesterday while we were at Kroger I was bumping her feet with my legs as we were walking through the store. It must have tickled because she just giggled and giggled. The sound of baby laughter is so sweet. I am so thankful for our little bundle of joy!

My Little Helper

Monday's are laundry and cleaning day at our house and today I had lots of help. As Sunshine has become more mobile I have learned that if I want to actually complete something I have to contain her in some fashion. This allows me to dust, sort laundry, scrub the floor, etc. without stopping 10 times to keep her from doing the things babies do. She has shown interest in the laundry basket, so today we sat on the floor together while I folded clothes. She had a great time swinging a sock around, putting it down, and then grabbing another one and doing it all over again. She even kept the socks out of her mouth so I didn't have to rewash them. We had such a fun time together. I love to interact with her!

Speaking of mobility, today when I walked in her room to get her out of her crib she was doing this.


She looked so cute so I had to take a picture. Anyway, she isn't standing yet, but she has started pulling herself up on her knees. So tonight T lowered her crib mattress to avoid any spillage over the side. Tonight when we put her down she was very aware that her mattress was lower, but she went right to sleep. Oh time seems to be flying by. As I was getting her dressed for bed tonight she just kept giggling and smiling at me and I told her that I wish I could just stop time or at least bottle up her laughs.

For Grandpa and Grandma

I have been wanting to share some of Sunshine's everyday activities with my family. The first clip is of her eating her sweet potatoes and peas. As you can see she is not shy about eating and she usually has her mouth open for the next bite before I can get the food to her mouth.

In this second clip she is sitting on Daddy's lap playing with her new sock monkey.

Texas Snow

Let it snow, let is snow, let it snow! Above are some pictures T took as he left work today. This is the most snow we've seen since we moved to Texas and we are enjoying it! It's supposed to snow a few more hours tonight, yeah!

O Christmas Tree!

This weekend we had a GREAT time picking out and cutting down our Christmas tree. In the past we've always purchased a pre-cut tree, but this year we decided to try out a local Christmas tree farm. It was so fun, I wish we would have gone to a farm in the past. However, we have decided to make it a tradition to go to the Christmas tree farm from now on.


We arrived to find rows and rows of trees to choose from. We enjoyed just walking through them and looking. After we found our perfect tree, we sawed it down and then hopped on the trailer that came by to pick us up. The family that operates the Christmas tree farm then shook out all the old needles, wrapped it up, and sent us on our way. Below are some pictures from our outing.

....I want to touch it!

" I'm not going to look at the camera, I'm going to grab the tree!"

"Maybe if I get close enough I can put it in my mouth."

Riding on the trailer.

My "Go-To" Salad

I've had several people ask me for this recipe so I thought I would post it here. I cannot claim it as my own, but I love making it! Around our house we call it "Evan's Salad" after a friend who gave us the recipe. I think the actual name of it is "Crunchy Romaine Toss". Whatever the name, it's a very easy salad to make and always goes over very well.

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons soy sauce
salt and pepper to taste
1 (3 oz) package of ramen noodles, broken
2 TB butter
1 and 1/2 cups chopped broccoli
1 head romaine lettuce, chopped (I usually use 2 and it works fine)
4 green onions (sometimes I use more if I have them)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

In a jar with a tight fitting lid, combine the sugar, oil, vinegar, soy sauce, salt, and pepper; shake well. Discard seasoning packet from noodles. In a skillet , saute noodles in butter until golden. In a large bowl, combine noodles, broccoli, romaine, and onions. Just before serving toss with dressing and walnuts. Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Trip

We spent Thanksgiving 2008 in Kansas with my family this year. It was so good to see all of them and meet my newest niece! We had great food and most of all great conversation. I was sad to leave, but I felt so full from our time with them. I've always enjoyed time with my family, but this time it seemed extra special. I loved watching each of them interact with Sunshine in their own special way. On Saturday we drove to Lincoln to visit T's family. It was a beautiful snowy drive, I wish I had taken some pictures. It was so good to see family in Nebraska that we had not seem for some time. Below are just a few of the pictures that we took.

Sunshine with my parents

Sunshine and her youngest Aunt

Sunshine and her Great Grandma

Sunshine and her Great Grandma

Sunshine, her cousin, and her Great Grandpa