The Smiths

Nebraska's Little Gem

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:36:00 +0000

The kids and I decided to take a very quick trip to Scottsbluff, NE to visit Aunt Julie. When I say quick, I mean quick! We left town around 5:30 on Friday night and we made it back home by 9:30 Saturday night!

On our way to Nebraska, we stopped in Cheyenne to run off some energy. The mall in Cheyenne had the perfect little play area; it was just the ticket.

In Scottsbluff, we spent the morning on the bluffs. It was gorgeous! I always thought Nebraska was flat! Not here.

Because it was so cold, I didn't expect to see anyone else there besides us. So, I felt bad for the lone soul on the trails with us. I just about tackled him, begging for a picture of the four of us. He readily complied. (Perhaps he was worried we were going to throw him off the cliffs if he didn't.)

We spent the rest of the day just wandering around Julie's town and then spending time with her. It was SO much fun. We'll be back to annoy her many more times in the future.

We left around 6:30 on Saturday. I know the kids were worn out from their fun day, because by the time we got to the edge of town, they were both sound asleep. They slept the whole way home and then all night long after that.

Natalie's New Blankie

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:50:00 +0000

BUMP! I've bumped this post up because I found some pictures of the original snow suit. As some of you know, I'm a big fan of Babycenter. Well, I asked if someone had an original picture of my snowsuit (since I forgot to get a picture of it). Well, low and behold, someone responded. Ironically, of all people to respond, it was Susan; not only is she another April '08 mommy, but she is also another Colorado mommy and she just happens to have a blog that I follow (see side links). So, once again, THANKS Susan!

So, Natalie had yet to choose a lovey. I was wondering if she ever would. Just as I was losing hope, she started lugging around her old snow suit. It was her fluffy fleece snow suit from last winter.

Now, I've crocheted both of my kids a blanket. But do you think either one of them would like those blankies... NO!! And now my daughter wants to lug around a snowsuit! She even wanted to sleep with it!!!

There was only one solution for me. Tear the darn thing apart and see what I can do about making a blanket for my girl. One of two things was going to happen. I would be successful and Natalie would have an awesome quilted blanket. Or, I would destroy it and not only would no other baby get to wear this cute snowsuit, but Natalie wouldn't get to have her lovey anymore.

The nice thing about the snowsuit is that the lining made the perfect backing. The lining already had batting connected to it, so I didn't have to worry about that. All I had to do was buy material for the binding (the border of the quilt).

After a few days of work, the quilted snowsuit is a think of beauty!! Natalie LOVES it!

DD time

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:28:00 +0000

I caught Natalie and Daddy cuddling.

Groovin' Baby

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:09:00 +0000

Natalie and I had Mommy-Daughter time tonight. Daddy and Steven went to watch Montana play DU for basketball.

We decided to fire up good ol' Jojo's Circus CD and dance the night away. Natie's groove is adorable!! Be sure to watch the whole thing, even after she crams her mouth full of food and says, "Cheese!"

Two other cute Natalie stories:

Nate caught her digging in the trash can, eating popcorn kernels. When Nate said, "You're eating out of the trash!" Natalie promptly responded, "Mmmm!"

As I was getting Natalie ready for bed, she noticed something on the bookshelf. She kept pointing to it and saying the word. I didn't understand at first; I said, "Glasses?" She paused and very calmly and very matter-of-factly said, "I not said that." WHAT!!!! Your 18 months old, girl!!! You're not supposed to be talking in full sentences like that! (Incidentally, she was pointing to crackers.)

Another Message for Daddy

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:02:00 +0000

Love,
Natalie

Chatting Away

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:36:00 +0000

Natalie found my cell phone:

I love how she's crouched on the stool.

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:33:00 +0000

A Typical Monday Night

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:07:00 +0000

Mommy practices bells on Mondays. This leaves time for DL/DD. That is, down low (DL) for Daddy and Steven and daddy/daughter (DD) for Daddy and Natie. This usually involves games and fiascoes that mommy would never approve of, snuggling down on the sofa for Monday Night Football, jammie time, followed by movie night on mommy and daddy's bed.

Since Mommy was here last Monday (stupid cold), she was able to get a good picture of the MNF pile up. Sad to say, however, no dangerous games could ensue.

Steven acting goofy, Daddy not paying attention, Natalie smiling nicely

Steven and Natie glaring, Daddy smiling nicely

Finally, the money shot (even if Steven is giving the cheesy smile)

More Chained Hair

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:19:00 +0000

I got to Dellany again...

This is the same "chained" hairstyle I did on Natalie, only with D-Rae's thicker, longer locks. This time I finished the style with a four-stranded weave. It looked really cool. And it lasted surprisingly long for an active 2 year old!

More from Mack

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:04:00 +0000

Remember when I said I wasn't sure if Mack wouldn't just go right on into the house?

. . .

And as if that weren't brazen enough, she decided she needed to dance with death on this one. . .

Leaves!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:00:00 +0000

I love raking leaves (crazy, I know) just so the kids can jump in them and I can grab the camera. I've done this twice this year; once just before our massive snow storm (with just my kids) and last Friday (with my kids and Dellany and Eliana). This was so much fun!! Look at the kids' faces in the one with all the kids. This was truly a time of unadulterated happiness. Easiest pictures I've ever had to take. As a result, I couldn't choose which pics to use, so here's the heads up for a picture fiesta. . .

I Like Paints

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:45:00 +0000

We used paints the for table time on Friday. It was so much fun!

Can you tell how Natalie prefers to use her paints (again)? Yummmm! Pink paint!!

Steven showing off his masterpiece

Eliana

Dellany

Feeding My Pony

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:38:00 +0000

Natalie decided she should feed her My Little Pony at lunch last Wednesday.

Naturally, what Natie does, so must Steve.

New Stats Posted

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:02:00 +0000

For what it's worth (since I might be the only person interested in this), I've gone back and updated the kids' stats throughout the years. It's a little misleading because I've changed the dates to match the timeline, so it looks like I started my blog in 2006 with random stats posts for Steven,. Oh well, it's for integrity.

For a quick reference, you can click on my labels list (Stats -- Steven or Stats -- Natalie) or, for now, you can click here:

Steven
Natalie

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:02:00 +0000

Push Ups

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:51:00 +0000

Daddy taught the kids how to do push ups. This video is totally hilarious and worth the view.

Halloween Title 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 02:39:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:26:00 +0000

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Halloween was SO exciting this year. Steven was totally in to it and Natalie fed of Steven's enthusiasm.

Steven, the Dragon

Natalie the Lion

Natalie, Eliana (who came to visit), and Steven

We went trick-or-treating with our neighbors. This is as good as a picture gets with six kids.

Natalie's First Blizzard

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:47:00 +0000

We've had snowstorms since Natalie's been born. We've even had some good ones, but she's never seen a good foot plus of snow with wind blown snow drifts before. We bundled up and went out side.

Natie LOVES snow.

Or she did until she face planted!

Steven LOVES the snow, too! He liked to "dog paddle" in the snow.

He also helped daddy shovel our neighbors walk. (They went out of town during the worst snow of the season thus far. Convenient, huh?)

And, for good measure, Steven's first blizzard. He was just six months old. This occurred December 22 or 23

Love my shoes

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:22:00 +0000

Natie loves her shoes. She loves dress up shoes

or any shoe she can get a hold of. Even Gennessee's ginormous boots!

Natalie - 18 Month Stats

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:59:00 +0000

Height: 2 ft 10" -- 97.02 percentile
Weight: 26 lb 7 oz -- 78.90 percentile

Snake Eyes

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:17:00 +0000

Steven has seen the Snake Eyes Halloween costume in stores. Snake Eyes is the ninja from the GI Joe movie. Since he doesn't quite understand what a ninja is (I don't know how to explain it) and he thinks the costume is pretty cool, he has dubbed his sunglasses as Snake Eyes. On the way home from grandma and grandpa's house, Steven fell asleep in his car seat with his snake eyes on.

Snuggled in with Daddy

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:22:00 +0000

Evidently, my children are really cute sleepers this week. This is the fourth sleeping post this week!

During Sunday's football games, Steven snuggled in with daddy and drifted off. He still needs naps, but ever since he ditched the bink, he doesn't nap.

Natalie saw the camera and hammed it up real big, yelling, "CHEESE!!!"

Natalie's Turn for the Zebra

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:12:00 +0000

Natalie LOVES the zebra, just like Steven did. I need to get video of the wild cowgirl, but for now, some quick pictures. I think it's worth mentioning that Natalie was riding her zebra at 9:30 PM, well past her bedtime.

Chained Hair

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:06:00 +0000

At last, I am showing you one of the cute styles I do on Natalie's hair. This was accomplished because Natalie seems to like Dora and playing in the water I use for her hair.