Mondays with Maelie: My 1st Christmas!

That's right...It happened. We have officially been parents on Christmas morning and it was magical. Maelie does not understand it at all yet, but she loves her new toys, I love her new clothes and she couldn't get enough of the wrapping and tissue paper! I'm already excited for next year!

We got to be in Utah with the Dominguez family this year! Maelie's grandpa Mercedes drove up from California to spend the holiday with his family and we can't wait until he doesn't have to drive from California anymore! He is retiring and moving up to Utah for good at the end of January!

Maelie pretty much got a whole new wardrobe and her toy collection at least doubled!

We also got to talk to our favorite missionary uncle Kanon on Christmas morning. :)

Foto Friday: 12/12-12/18

Lots of teething---lots of pointing---lots of Ledger loves---lots of playing with aunts, uncles and cousins---lots of SnapChatting

Throwback Thursday: The Good Ol' Days

Throwback to turtle-necks, poofy bangs, overalls, white-washed jean jackets, and over-sized sweatshirts. I'm going to say this was taken Fall 1994...that's a guess, someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Whatever Wednesday: Worlds Largest Nativity

This video is beautifully done. I not only love the music by the Piano Guys and David Archuleta, but the tender moments of the child actors that transferred directly over to the adult actors, with concourses of angels in the distance. I think this video really captures the simplicity, yet profound meaning and impact the Savior's birth had and still has on the Earth.

Things I Love Tuesday: Spencer--Pyper, Education, Dance, Friends, Facebook Stickers, Temples

Spencer is my first little sister. She is a senior in college and is way cooler than me. She's smart, funny, confident, and really good looking. We got to be in Rexburg for a few years together and that was awesome. She loves on my little Maelie hard and that makes me happy.

1. Pyper is my one and only little sister and she exceeds all expectations just like she does with everything else. She is talented, smart, beautiful and funny. She has the whole package. She is someone who I love to spend time with and love to go support through her diverse endeavors like dance team, volleyball and orchestra. Here is a video of her singing Les Mis to me on a family vacation. Enjoy!

2. Education is something I always took for granted. Through High School I never enjoyed going to school and wasn't too excited about college... Well now that I am much older and wiser I have realized how big of a blessing it is to have the opportunity to gain an education. There are so many people in the world that would love to gain an education that don't have the means to. Not only am I grateful for my education, but for BYU-I itself. It is truly an amazing place that has taught me so much about myself, life and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

3. Dance. Dance is my life and has been since I was about 3 or 4ish. Through dance I have learned many life skills from personal responsibility and respect, to taking care of my body. I am a dance major at BYU-I and I can't imagine going a day without it. My teachers here on campus play a huge roll in the gratitude I have developed for it and I am grateful for them as well.

4 My friends!! I think these pictures sum it all up! These girls are literally the most amazing friends I have ever had. We share the same passions and goals in life.They are friends who are honest even when its hard, but I trust them because of it. There is never a dull moment with them. They keep me in line while reminding me it is O.K. to let loose sometimes. Love them dearly!

5. Facebook stickers. I'm not sure how many of you know what these are, but for me they are little surprises of happiness. On Facebook messenger there are cute little stickers you can send to people. they aren't the normal emoticons these are special. There are so many different stickers, one for every occasion. My friends and I can have a whole conversation using just those stickers. Getting those stickers makes me happy and some encourage me to!

5. Last, but not least, I love the Temple. The Temple is truly a piece of heaven on Earth. I love the comfort and peace I feel when on its grounds or in it. There is a special Spirit that I can feel every time I go. It is the house of the Lord. It is a gift given to us to use to make covenants with Heavenly Father so that we can make our way back to Him. It is a safe house for me when I need to get away from the world. 

Mondays with Maelie: 11 Months Old!

Maelie is going to be 11 months old on Thursday! All last week I kept thinking about what I looked and felt like last year at this time. I was huge and definitely ready to have a baby, as I finished my last week of teaching first graders (such a good work out)!

Here are some stats for our almost-one-year-old Maelie:

-estimated weight= 22 lbs
-estimated height= 29.5 in.
-estimated head size= HUGE
-scoots around everywhere
-eats anything in her sight (even if it isn't edible)
-loves her Aunt Pyper--a lot (and the other aunts, she just favors Pyper)
-loves to stand and walk along furniture
-still hates wearing socks and shoes
-sometimes gives, very open mouth, slobbery kisses
-waves to everything
-knows what a dog says (most of the time)
-has 4 teeth (three on bottom, one on top)
-eating more and more big kid food and loving it
-still naps twice a day and every once in awhile we get three in
-sleeps 11-12 hours a night
-has stranger danger mostly when she's sleepy
-met Santa for the first time and didn't even cry (probably because he didn't hold her)
-loves her stuffed lamb and puppy and of course her fuzzy blankets to sleep with
-still doesn't like to have her feet covered in bed, the blankets get kicked off almost immediately
-loves to point at all things

-started dancing last week (so much cuteness!)
-and much more!

We love our little girl and and cannot believe she's almost a year old!

Birthday!

6 Months

11 Months

Foto Friday: 12/5-12/11

 

Highlights from this week:

--playing with cousin
--Rachel's wedding
--catching up with old friends
--lots of reading 
--exploring Grammi and Poppy's house