Winter Weather

We're now in Utah for Christmas; Josh finished his rotation and we came up the weekend before Christmas. We drove up on the day it snowed in Las Vegas. The first picture is from the gorge between St. George and Mesquite - who would have thought the snow would come all the way down to the road? It was very pretty to see the red rock covered in clean white snow. This year it's the 'away' year for both of our families meaning that Tienna is the only grandchild on either side and is consequently getting very spoiled with lots of loves and fun with grandmas and grandpas. We knew to expect the cold but I forget how cold it really gets!

Before we came up to UT we had our traditional night of making gingerbread houses. Here's a few of the finished masterpieces.

(Thanks again for everyone coming!)

In the last little bit Tienna's turned into quite the little chatterbox. It's been fun to have her be able to express herself a bit and tell us what she wants. I'll try to get a video for those not here to see soon. We love you all and hope you have a great Christmas!

Success!

Today we tried out nursery for the first time and it was a SUCCESS! I talked to our ward nursery leader last week to see if it would be ok to bring Tienna (technically she's still a couple weeks away from 18 months), and she said that would be just fine. So, today as I was dropping Tienna off I put her over the little doorway gate, she ran to one of the leaders, climbed up on the little chairs and sat there waiting for everyone. Tienna didn't even look back once. Hopefully next week will go just as well!

A couple pics just for fun...

The other day Tienna was being an absolute pill on errands but there were a couple more I had to get done still. What to do? I didn't want to buy her a treat (for fear the sugar would only make matters worse) so I got her a balloon instead. I must say the 79 cents I spent on that balloon were well worth it. The balloon lasted for 7 days before dying and it kept working as a distraction the entire week.

This is what I get when I tell Tienna to smile sometimes. Isn't she adorable?

The other morning I was finishing up dishes and it got very quiet. I started looking for Tienna and this is what I found. Yep, she's holding an entire roll of toilet paper sitting in front of the Christmas tree.

Such a little ham!

Family Pictures

We had family pictures taken a couple of weeks ago (before Josh started his Internal Medicine rotation). The picture quality isn't the best but this is for the grandma's to enjoy. We can't wait to see you in a couple of weeks!

So Much to be Thankful For

This year for Thanksgiving we stayed in AZ due to Josh's rotation schedule. On the bright side, we weren't the only students to stick around and Josh ended up actually having all of Thanksgiving day off! After a Turkey Bowl in the morning that was quite chilly by Arizona standards we had a fantastic dinner at the Henderson's. They were kind enough to have a bunch of us over to their house, let all the little munchkins run wild and introduce us to Rock Band. Dinner was great (even better because no one person had to make the entire meal) and Tienna absolutely loved playing with some older kids. Thanks again Sean and Siri for having us over!

I don't know if I could call it a tradition but I think it's enevitable during the holidays to have a moment where you realize how blessed you are. Just to name a very few of mine:

- I'm greatful for Josh, that he's willing to work hard and put in long hours so that I can stay at home and be a mom. I'm also greatful that no matter how crazy his life is he continues to be interested in and supportive of my goals.

- I'm greatful for Tienna and the joy and amazing perspective she brings to my life. It's amazing how you realize what is truly important when you have a child.

- I'm greatful for my healthy body. There's nothing better than enjoying the outdoors in AZ this time of year!

- I'm greatful for our families. I'm so fortunate to not only have a wonderful family and home I was raised in but also to have loving in-laws too.

- I'm greatful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and that we have living prophets to follow today.

- I'm greatful for the scriptures and the precious words they contain.

- I'm greatful that we happened to land in such a great ward here in AZ. It truly feels like home here and I will be very sad when we have to leave!

- I'm greatful for good friends.

- I'm greatful for music and the way it can brighten your day in an instant.

- I'm greatful that Tienna is old enough to get excited by the holidays with all the lights and bright colors. I have a feeling it's going to be a very magical Christmas!

Shoes and Beads

Tienna has become quite fascinated with shoes lately - both her own and her parent's. She's even managed to get her crocs on the right feet by herself a couple of times. ("Shoes" happened to be one of the first words she said that I could understand on a regular basis.) Tienna's also loving beads and necklaces of any kind. I never thought I would have such a girly girl!

What we've been up to .....

We've had a couple of fun weeks and have been able to really enjoy the fabulous AZ weather. My brother McKay and his friend Brooke came down for the weekend to get out of the UT cold. We went to the zoo, shopping and relaxed.

Riding around the zoo in style - Tienna loved having all of McKay and Brooke's attention.

Dad's shoulders were a close second.

Tienna loved the zoo - now that it's cooling down I'm sure we'll return soon.

In the past week Tienna's woken up from her nap a couple of times like this:

After she's always more than willing to hand over her diaper so we can get her dressed. Always so helpful!

The other day Tienna had fun at a friend's birthday party at the park. I think the balloons were a highlight.

She's getting really good at climbing up the stairs on the playgound and going down the slide all by herself. She thinks she's such a big girl!

The other morning after getting Tienna up (while I was getting her something for breakfast) she found Josh's computer. After a minute or so of her being quiet I decided to see what she was doing and this is what was so interesting.

Fall!

Today it's finally feeling like fall. I could actually leave all the windows open ALL DAY LONG! There's nothing better than a cool autumn breeze! On our way to get the mail today Tienna discovered sprinklers and ... big surprise ... loved them. She kept running through them and ended up completely soaked.

Tienna's also been playing out on our patio all day. After playing with toys for a bit she'll watch the cars like this:

It's amazing how this little girl never ceases to amaze me!

Halloween Fun Part 2

We went to a Halloween gathering at the park yesterday - Tienna wore her little duck costume which she loved! Before the park we had to stop by the store all dressed up. Inevitably several older people would stop, wave and say hi to Tienna. Her response was always a quack. I guess the animal noises we've been working on are really starting to sink in!

Later Tienna kept giving our pumpkin at home hugs. For those of you not here in AZ let me explain Tienna's hugs at the moment. First, she'll look at you, or the pumpkin, or whatever she's going to hug. Next she comes running at you with both arms outstretched. Finally (when she gets a hold of whatever she's wanting to hug) she makes an "awwwww" sound. So, imagine her hugging the pumpkin saying awwww and then by the time I grab the camera this is what we get. (Pardon the partial nakedness.)

Midwestern is great at having events around holidays for the student's families and kids. We took Tienna trick-or-treating last year but it was so much better this one! Tienna and I tagged along with the Bramwell's since Josh was working late and the girls had a blast running and playing on the stairs.

A bunch of the different groups at the school sponsored little games for the kids. Instead of throwing the beanbags Tienna liked to eat them.

Any time there is sand of any sort Tienna's got to go check it out. At least she's not the only one!

As we were walking home I looked down at Tienna in the stroller and this is what I saw - I think she was just a little tuckered out. Happy Halloween!

Halloween Fun Part 1

Last night was our ward's annual trunk-or-treat event. We decided to dress Tienna up as an angel again and she loved it! I was nervous that she wouldn't be a fan of all the adults dressing up but she loved it (except for one person). This picture is from before we left - once we got there I fogot to get the camera out of the car. Isn't she such a sweet little angel?

(more Halloween pictures to come grandma's, promise!)

The other day we went to a nearby airport (just a small one) to watch the planes. I figured Tienna would love it since every time she hears a plane she stops whatever she's doing, points to the airplane as it crosses the sky and then waves bye bye as it passes us by.

This was the only picture she'd let me hold her for and actually look at the camera instead of the planes.

Plugging her ears as the planes came pretty close to park.

Toward the end she got a little nervous for some reason, but kept watching!

Tienna kept trying to give Easton hugs - he was a good sport to put up with it!

Pumpkin Patch Fun

Yesterday we went took Tienna to her first pumpkin patch to enjoy the last few days Josh has off and my mom visiting. Tienna absolutely loved it!

There was a bunch of animals for Tienna to pet - she quite liked the goats again and wasn't too sure about the turkey.

Going through the actual pumpkin patch. Tienna kept bending down and giving the pumpkins hugs.

Tienna did surprisingly well with the corn maze. Josh led the way and she would just run after him. She made it through the entire 6 acre maze with only one real fall, which was a total face plant (eating dirt and everything)! Even after her mishap she kept on running after Josh happy to be free!

They also had these grownup version of big wheels we could ride. Josh had so much fun I'll have to remember this one for Christmas or something someday. Tienna loved sitting on Josh's lap and going up and down while he pedaled.

As always, Tienna loved the slide.

Josh was a really good sport about this one - thanks honey!

One of the many things we're doing that Tienna won't ever remember but if you ask me it's still worth doing all these fun things for her reaction. Happy Halloween!