Can you believe she is starting to walk?!

Lynlee blew us all away yesterday as she showed how confident she is getting with her balance and moving around.  I showed Dane that she would take a few steps to get something that she wanted early in the morning and by the afternoon she had moved to several steps at a time.  She was doing it so much that we got a little on video!  I think she was a little tired by the time we got to it, so she looks a little less stable than she had been all day, but steps are steps.  And we are so proud!

10 Months Old

I know, it's no news that Lynlee is over 10 months old. But for the sake of trying to be consistent, better late than never, right?

Some new things for Lynlee this last month are:

• the fist pump seen here
• getting really good at clapping on cue and has also added waving to one of her many talents
• She will start bouncing up and down when we play music, so I am guessing this is dancing!
• Standing pretty well on her own--yep, not holding onto anything!
• She is also starting to climb.  This is way scarier to me than pulling herself up to standing, now she is braving climbing onto things--most recently her carseat that was just sitting on the floor.  She found out how unstable that was pretty quickly.
• And just this morning, she was standing and couldn't reach what she wanted and I actually saw her take a STEP before she plopped onto her bottom and crawled to it.  Yikes.  
• Oh yeah!  She has a set of blocks that are all different sizes that fit into each other and stack.  She has been figuring out how to take them out of each other and put them back in.  So fun!

She still loves other babies and kids, is the happiest, most social, wonderful little girl in the world. (Well at least, we think so.) 

As you can see, it's a little difficult to get her to hold still for pictures these days...

a few more pictures

A few of my close friends have had new babies in the last several weeks and it is so crazy to me to think that Lynlee was ever that small.  I know she was small, but again it's hard to remember her any different than she is now.  But as I looked through old pictures I found the proof.

We posted about this before  because she was growing, but now, see how much bigger?  It might be time for a new hoody-towel soon.

Just took this picture a few nights ago after bath time:

Here she was in the same towel at about 3 months:

Compare that to this picture I took when Lynlee was only 2-3 weeks old...

Remember when Lynlee used to sleep in her swing?  She has definitely grown out of it now :)

Another point of reference:  wearing the same socks in both pictures :)  Don't worry, we got some that fit her a little better :)

Thanksgiving Dinner, J Dawgs Style

Every year JDawgs has a Thanksgiving feast for their employees.  It is amazing.  The food is great, the company is fun and we always have a great time.  One of the best parts?  They always have a desert contest for the employees.  Last year we made this, remember?  And we won first place in the "most creative" category.

This year, we were bound and determined to win not only most creative, but best over all (also includes best taste and sex appeal.)  So, if you can imagine, I was on a mission.

This is what we came up with.  Again, this year was also inspired by "Hello, Cupcake!".

First step, collect and wash lots of small, fresh maple leaves.

Next step, melt chocolate and paint the backs of all the leaves.  Let them harden and carefully peal the leaves off of the chocolate leaves.

Also pictured below:  caramel acorns.  To make these, take the little square caramels and heat 4-5 at a time in the microwave for 8-10 sec to soften.  Then roll into desired shape and dip one end in melted chocolate and roll in chocolate sprinkles.

Next step, make the best tasting chocolate bunt cake possible, frost generously with chocolate, cream cheese frosting.  Insert chocolate leaves all leaning in the same direction and place acorns randomly throughout.  And there you have it!  The most beautiful fall wreath I have ever made (or tasted)!

 

 So in the end, how did it all end up?!  We blew them away and swept all the categories taking first place over all!!  I would be lying if I didn't say that I was totally stoked.

And for our prize, we happily made our way home as the new proud owners of this:

Looks like it's time to make some pazzookies!

Lynlee and the tiger

highchair cover

For my birthday this year, my mom gave me a sewing machine!  I can't even begin to tell you how trilled I am and how many ideas have been running through my head non-stop.

The first project I did was pretty simple, Lynlee's Halloween costume.  Actually, the only thing that I used the machine for was her hat.  It was super easy.

My next project that I just finished today was a lot bigger of an ordeal.  I would be lying if I didn't say that it was a huge challenge, and that there are plenty of spots that are pretty funny looking if you get too close. But I do have to admit that I am pretty proud of myself (and my mother who helped a TON) for figuring it out.

I made a new pad-seat-cover thingy for our recently acquired highchair.  The highchair was a steal on craig'slist, but it came with a gross, mildew-filled pad.  And because it seems to be a pretty old model, I couldn't find replacement pads online, so my natural thought process is, "I can make one!"  I really had no idea how, but knew that I could figure it out somehow.  :)

All in all, I learned a lot about how to use my machine, how I would have done it completely different next time, AND to make cording. :)

So, here is the finished product!

all finished, ready to see if it fits

Whooo!  Perfect fit!  Notice how I got fancy and even have slits for the straps to come through!

Other fancy feature:  this little pocket on the back that secures the seat cover to the chair

I don't think Lynlee will ever be as excited about this as I am right now :)

9 months

I can hardly believe that a whole 9 months has gone by since our little Lynlee joined our family.  It feels like it has gone by so fast, but at the same time, it feels like she has always been with us.  Hard to explain.  We love her so much and are grateful for every day she is in our life....so wanna know what has been happening with her lately?  So much!

• She has 6 teeth (4 on top)!  I tried to get her to show them off for a smile, but I guess her teeth were camera shy today :)
• She is getting really fast at crawling
• Climbing on everything and walking herself around furniture--Not as many bruises these days
• Nap time is becoming a little bit of a challenge because she has figured out how to stand up in her crib, hold onto the edge and jump up and down causing her to completely forget that she was tired in the first place :)
• If you look at her and say, "Yay!"  She will clap her hands!  Or if there is something in one of her hands, she will use the free one to bang on whatever object is within reach
• She is mastering solid foods and moved on to more than just the mushy stuff.  She loves beans, bread, crackers and quinoa!

 We love you, little bug!

Fall Happenings

Fall is my most favorite time of the year, and I can tell that Lynlee is already loving it too.  Here are some of the highlights!

If you come to visit us, you may just see Lynlee climb up to the window and wave!

We have had a lot of leaves to rake...is Lynlee helping or playing?

She loves leaves!!

Halloween!  Here are the two little chicks, Lynlee and Zoey, all dressed up and ready to go the the Granite Ward Halloween Party.  They didn't love the feathers, but humored Emily and me for a little while in their costumes.

I made the costumes from an idea I found online.  So easy, and so much fun!

This little chick is getting pretty good at crawling :)

The Tour de St. George

A few weeks ago we drove down to St George for Dane to complete his second century bike race--His first one was this same ride last year. This year, he rode alone, and got leg cramps for pretty much the last 60 miles, but still managed to shave almost 30 minutes off his previous riding time. We are so proud of him!

Dane with the support crew before the race

Can you see him in the middle sucking down his gu?

And they're off!

After a mid-race break

He made it! Bushed!

So proud if you!

so a few days ago...Lynlee turned 8 months!

Some of the updates and milestones reached this month incluede:

• crawling!
• climbing and pulling herself up (not completely stable yet though, with some bruises on her forehead to prove it.)
• we have moved her crib down to the lowest level...see above
• New teeth!  She has had one on top come through and 3 more on top waiting to pop out
• I think she is starting to learn her name  and will respond when someone calls it out

looks like it's time to baby proof the house :)

little drummer girl, game day

Dane has been practicing the drums and all his moves with Lynlee.  So much fun.  This is what they like to do to get ready for football games. 

Go BYU!  Beat Utah!

a new hang-out for Lynlee

Once upon a time, we went to Denver

This post is way over due.  Almost 2 1/2 months to be exact.  But I still wanted to make sure that we got it up here.

Remember when Dane and I won tickets on the first commercial flight out of the Provo Airport?  Well, that day, we had no idea that we would be one of only a few "regular people" on the flight.  Regular means we weren't important dignitaries somehow related to something significant in Utah or Utah County.  The 99 seat flight was full of people like the governor, the mayor, Cecil Samuelson, reps from Frontier Airlines, editors of travel magazines in Utah County...peeps like that. 

Grandma Smith was in town and offered to watch Lynlee for us all day so we could spend the day together.

Aside from the fact that we felt a little out of place (and a little under dressed) it was a wonderful day.  We were greeted at the airport with a complementary breakfast and a press conference, boarded the plane and all applauded when the captain successfully took off out of Provo.  It was a beautiful flight over the mountains (so I hear...I fell asleep) and landed in Denver a little over an hour later. 

Our day in Denver started off with a tour guide telling us all about the city on our bus ride into town.  First stop was at the Denver Aquarium were we had a fancy lunch followed by a presentation between the Mayor of Provo and Denver...the governors of Utah and Colorado were even there.  They talked about the great future the two cities would be having together and honestly it felt a little like they were signing a "sister-cities" agreement.  Good news is though that they let us tour around the aquarium when it was all done.  Very cool. 

Next, they bussed us over to Coors Field, home of the MLB team, the Rockies.  We had a behind-the-scenes-tour of all of the facilities from the dugout to the press boxes and even got to see the amenities they have for players of visiting teams.  Pretty impressive.  Did you know that the only people allowed on the grass are players and the one, yes one, guy who takes care of it.  They mow it every day and during the season, twice a day.  How would you like that job?

After Coors Field, our bus dropped us off in the center of town where we had about an hour and a half of free time to catch dinner and see whatever else we wanted to.  We walked to the REI with Carl and Ashley (the other winners of the Mayor's contest) and then had dinner at Wahoo's Fish Tacos, via recommendation of Sara--my sister who lived in Denver while her hubby attended law school.  Yumm.

Then it was back to the bus, and the airport.  Back to Provo and home by about 10:00.

All in all, I would have to say that flying in and out of Provo was a wonderful experience!  To be home 20 min after we got off the plane was unreal.  I am pretty sure that you would never have a back up in line for security, either.  So nice.  I am not sure if I can ever go back to Salt Lake!

So, here are the pics.

Press conference

just before boarding the plane

lunch at the aquarium

right before the mermaid show!

Our friends, Ashley and Carl

This is a river running through the city that is right next to REI.  You can rent canoes and kayaks to paddle around, but we didn't have enough time.

If you are ever in Denver, we highly recommend this place.  So yummy!

Waiting to board our flight with the mayor and our friends.  Don't we look so official with our name badges?  We were all grateful to be winners of his tickets.  It was a very fun day.