Turkey.

Our little family are now considered the black sheep of our larger, extended family. We didn't go the Thanksgiving with the rest of my family. My entire family drove to Idaho to spend the holiday with Becka and Eric and we just couldn't make the trip (Chris has been and continues to travel and we need some time at home). From the photos and the food it seems we missed out--however we had a lovely little dinner and a relaxing, no driving couple of days alone.

I cooked my first turkey which had I not smelled while it was raw I could have eaten--from all reports (Chris, Presley, Paul, Ali, and Roxy) it was moist and delicious. Everything else was easy and besides Ali's sweet potatoes Chris probably liked the last minute cranberry sauce I cooked up.

IT.

So, I have been "it" for a few weeks now (I was 'tagged' by a friend of mine). I suppose "it" means I need to share a few facts about myself--and not being a terribly creative person I am going to keep my list short (and the fact this h as taken me sooooo long).

1. I am a biologist. I have a degree in Conservation Biology and I love the outdoors--playing in it, camping, simply looking at it and enjoying the beauty that is this place we call Earth. I went in to studying this field simply because I was good at it but have since grown to realize that I have a simple love for the science and that was what really interested me.
2. There is this part of my brain (and I wish it were small) that likes to remember things--and not important things but just things. If you turn the radio to an Oldies station I will be able to sing to you about 95% of the songs that play. I suppose I picked them up from listening to the radio as a child while my mom was driving us around. I also can remember nearly any commercial jingle or slogan that I see on TV--this I know comes from a love of watching TV that I need to cut back on (and with my TiVo it has been easier to skip those commercials--good and bad).
3. I am an oldest child--ask any of my siblings and they will confirm the bossy, controlling, sometimes mean older sister that I am. I would like to hope as I age those tendencies are disappearing but I fear they aren't.
4. Some little known facts about me . . . I was a cheerleader, marching band member, swimmer, and yearbook editor in high school. I loved high school but the sad thing is I have barely kept in touch with one friend from my childhood (which consists of a yearly letter at most and an occasional visit every few years). If there was one thing I could change it would be that I was a better friend and could keep in touch with old friends and new friends better.
5. I used to be an avid reader--and this summer I was once again! I had never read any of the Harry Potter books and I had always said once they were all published I would sit down and read them all. Well, I did it in a week! They were great and I loved every page--it just meant a week of not much sleep and a messy house while I spent every moment Presley was asleep engrossed in the series.
6. And lastly, I never knew I would love being a mom so much! I remember thinking I wouldn't have minded being a 'working' mom but now thankfully my situation allows me to stay at home and I probably couldn't have any other way. We have too much fun together as a family and I love everyday.

Just to let you know, I am not going to "tag" anyone but I will tell you that Presley joined me in being "it" for the last several weeks. She has learned the word "it" means and adds it to nearly everything she says. Her list includes:

1. Like it
2. Have it
3. Touch it
4. Open it
5. Close it
6. Eat it
7. Play it
8. Love it
9. and my favorite, Stab it (referring to the food she is trying to spear with a fork)

Things we are into . . .

Presley is really into 'playing' and lately it has been with the tent (when daddy will set it up) or a laundry basket which we pretend is a boat. She will sit in the basket and pile all of her dolls (the baby, monkey, and bunny) in with her and sail around. Presley will even get out and push the basket around while making a motor-like sound.

When we get a chance to go outside Presley has been into chasing the leaves as they blow around and picking what berries and leaves are left on the trees off. Too bad Roxy hasn't been into the same thing--yesterday when we were outside she found a dead, dried-up mouse and proceeded to roll around in it. We had to rush her in and give her a thorough scrubbing in the tub. Gross!

Lastly, Presley has really been into this macaroni necklace and bracelet she made last Sunday in church. She constantly wants to wear them everywhere we go. It is no surprise that her first 4 syllable word is "macaroni" and she can actually say it very well.

The fridge.

We have the kind of refrigerator that has in-door water and ice and until now it hasn't been an issue--in fact we never really use it. But the other morning while I was folding laundry Presley found it an attraction she could not resist playing with. When I walked into the 'too quiet' kitchen where I knew she was playing I found a wet mess! The floor, the fridge, and Presley were all covered in water--and not just a little bit!

We quickly cleaned up together and talked about why it was naughty to play with the water. Now ever time we are in the kitchen Presley walks up to the fridge and points to the water dispenser and says "naughty fridge" .

Little did I know you can lock the water and ice with the simple push of a button--Chris pointed this out to me just a little too late.

Fabulous weather.

I can't remember when we last had a fall that was quite so nice! Chris is still out golfing and riding his bike and Presley and I are out playing in the yard with hardly a light jacket. Though the mornings have been very chilly we love the warm afternoons and all the bright sunshine.

Days like these lead to car washes and playing on the deck. Presley loved "driving" the car while Chris washed--she told me she was going to Grandpa's. She also couldn't stop waving at us as she climbed all around the cab of the truck.

This orange mess is from Presley's first Cheetos--and she loved them! They were a left over from the night of trick-or-treating that really didn't happen for us this year (hopefully next year everyone will be healthy and up for a party). With no morning naps we are willing to try anything to keep P occupied and busy during the day--even the occasional over processed food.

Milestones.

There is just so much that I have failed to keep track of on our little blog--here is an update on some of the things little P is doing:

• Saying nearly any word we ask her to (we are still working on pronunciation)
• Putting 2 and 3 words together to say short sentences, "I love you" is our favorite combo
• Loves to explore the rock walls in our yard and climb them
• The occasional words still come out "naughty"
• Climbs the stairs walking upright with a hand on the wall for support
• Likes sleeping with a pink, fuzzy monkey
• Calls the new baby in my belly Lady (we have no idea if it is a boy or girl yet)
• Learned how to throw a tantrum when she is upset

She is a joy and everyday gets better and better (even the hard ones).

Trick or Treat!

So, I didn't know how I was going to top the PINK OCTOPUS that Presley was last year for Halloween. And with the new baby on the way I just hadn't been up to putting in the time to look for something cute. When I stumbled across the $9.99 (on sale) COW from Gap it was meant to be--Presley loves making animal sounds and she has a great "moo" .

Presley had a bit of a fever today so we had to skip the neighborhood trick-or-treat, which was to bad because I was really looking forward to seeing her get all excited about saying "tick-n-peet" in exchange for candy (which unfortunately is another word she knows). We did manage to see Grandma and Grandpa and one set of neighbors--though she didn't feel well, Presley loved being a cow for Halloween.

Late last week aunt Krista took Halloween pictures of Presley and a few of her friends. You can see the rest of them here under "Halloween 2007". Of course all the kids are adorable and I can't wait to dress up two little ones next year!

Without Further Delay . . .

It is true, I am expecting our second child in mid-May 2008! Chris has been busy telling the world today and we are all thoroughly excited to be adding another little one to our home. So far things have been very different with this pregnancy--I have been continually nauseous for the last 3 weeks (let's hope it subsides in a few more weeks). Chris has been a super dad helping out with P--I don't know what I would do without him.

We took Presley with us to the doctor so she could "see" the baby--she did well in a waiting room full of people and even better in the exam room once daddy took her blood pressure and taught her how to "talk" into a stethoscope while listening at the same time.

The Farm, Round 2.

On Wednesday we visited the Farm at Thanksgiving Point again. The first time was back in April--it was cold, Presley couldn't walk--and I was excited to try again. This time Presley was walking all over the Farm! She loves to make animal noises and is very good at identifying them too. The goats and sheep were fun because they would come right up to the fence to get a peek (and nibble) at you. Presley would jump back as soon as they got close. The horses and cows were a little big and scary for P but feeding the ducks was something she has had practice with here at home.

Presley's favorite had to be either the baby chick or the pumpkins. She still gets excited when we sit at the computer and look at all the pictures. The playhouse and jail was another fun stop--this time she was hanging out with all the other kids, climbing in and out, and screaming with delight.

Krista came with us and tried to get a few shots of Presley with all the pumpkins--hopefully with her professional camera and endless patience they turned out better than mine.

May I suggest a trip to Cabela's if you are in the neighborhood. Presley loved all the deer, moose, bear, and other stuffed animals (maybe more than the live ones at the farm) and the fish were great too--so big and entertaining. Presley couldn't get enough of the animals this week! (Except for the pony ride which terrified her to tears).

Loss.

Last Thursday my last living grandparent (my mom's dad) passed away. He was 86 and has been very sick with Parkinson's Disease (especially the last few months). The funeral was nice--it was a quick trip to Colorado to visit with family and remember my grandpa. I like to remember last summer when we threw a surprise 85th birthday party for grandpa. My sisters and I drove out together (with a new baby in tow) and spent a few days with him. Grandpa really lit up with Presley around--this and one other time at Christmas were the only times they would ever get to meet.

At the funeral I didn't get up to say anything but I kept remembering a photo from our family album when we were kids. Grandpa is in the middle with all of us kids gathered around proudly showing off the hairstyle we had given his comb-over (braided, bows, and standing straight up).