Sunday, November 25, 2012

Thanksgiving 2012

Well, it happened! We were kid free this past week for 4 whole days! My parents took Addison down to Pittsburgh early for Thanksgiving to give Dave and I a "staycation". We wanted to do a whole lot of nothing and that we did! I had a minor melt down as they backed out of the driveway, but I pulled myself together and had a great weekend. We went out to dinner for some friends birthdays (and didn't have to pay a sitter or check my phone the whole time!) to a yummy Thai place. We were extremely late to church since we didn't have Addison to wake us up (and we forgot to set an alarm...oops!). Dave didn't know what to do with himself during Sunday School and I was able to run around like a mad woman in primary! We went to some new people in our ward for a really nice dinner so I didn't even have to cook. I got almost all of my Christmas shopping done and a whole bunch of other errands that are hard to do with the little lady. We skyped with Addison a few times and she didn't even seem to miss us. She called everyone "Mommy"and chased Harley around all weekend. Thank you Grammie and Papa Fajen!

Jenny and Paul hosted Thanksgiving at their house this year. I still have yet to cook a turkey and I am happy about that! Jenny had everything planned out really nicely. I was in charge of the pretzel jello salad that Dave likes to have. Addison didn't appreciate her thanksgiving meal and chose to throw it on the floor. Poor girl was cutting three molars at once! I made everyone play a little thankful game before we ate. Everyone had a box and you had to write something you were thankful about that person and put it in their box. It turned out to be a really nice thing that wasn't too painful for even Dave. We stayed up too late every night playing games, watching tv and doing a giant puzzle. My dad even enjoyed playing the games! Jenny got a babysitter for Addison on day and we went to the new James Bond movie and out to dinner. I was a little nervous, but Addison did just fine:) On the last day we went down to the strip district of downtown Pittsburgh. We rode an old wooden cable car and went in a bunch of fun little shops. I found an amazing spice store that I could of bought one of everything, but settled for some cinnamon.

As this time of year comes and goes I realize how grateful I am for so many things. I feel like I spend a lot of time wanting what I don't have and wishing for different outcomes. When I take a step back and ponder on my life I am truly blessed with an amazing family. I have a beautiful daughter who is so much like my personality it makes me want to cry. She is independent  determined, curious, happy, cranky, a good sleeper, hates veggies, loves fruit and loves her dad the most! Dave is an incredibly hard worker who tries so hard to make Addison and I happy. I often take him for granted, but he means the world to our little family. Being able to spend so much time with my family since we have moved to Buffalo is something that I will treasure. My parents have gotten to be a part of Addison's first year almost every month. This most likely won't ever happen again, but a girl can only hope! I have fun, loving and kind siblings who love me and have been so welcoming to Dave in our family. They each love Addison more than I ever could have hoped and know that she will always have people around her to lift her up. I am also grateful for Dave's family. It is hard to be an in-law sometimes, but they are all very thoughtful  and are great aunt and uncles to Addison as well. Lastly, I am grateful for my Savior. I have a testimony that he heals and hears my prayers and heart. These past few months have been challenging for our family. We continue to be tried with patience and I am thankful that is our only trial. We are so blessed! Happy Thanksgiving 2012!



Sunday, November 18, 2012

Santa Is Coming To Town

I got a hair brained idea last year that I wanted to make a play kitchen for Addison. Dave didn't think that I would ever get it done...Well I am proud to say that for Christmas this year Addison is getting a pretty light blue kitchen! I went to a ton of garage sales this Summer looking for a cheap, but sturdy nightstand. I found one in my neighborhood for $15. I spent a lot of nights sanding after Addison went down for bed. It took me a lot longer than I thought it would. It was solid oak and the stain was on there good! My dad took it home with him to cut out the hole for the sink and to add a back to it. He took his laboring job very seriously! He did an amazing job and added some fun touches. He put a touch light over the sink, a chalkboard on the side, a spice rack on the other side and a wire rack in the oven. We set up shop in the basement and started priming. We painted the next day and it was a lot harder to paint than I thought it was going to be! I bought an oil based primer which turned out to be a mistake. I will know for next time:) The best part was putting on all the finishing touches. I found a pig shaped kitchen timer with matching utensils. My dad is a saint and always comes to my crafting aid while Dave is busy. The hardest part will be waiting til Christmas to give it to Addison! 

Another Year Down...

I am now officially tipping the scale toward 30. I had a great birthday this year. The older you get the less exciting they become:) I was feeling sort of sorry for myself that Dave would be going to Syracuse on my special day. I begged my parents to also feel sorry for me and come up for my birthday. It was a great week and I feel so lucky to have them close by. My favorite thing ever is a Jersey Mike's sandwich. We never live by one so anytime we are close by one I make Dave take me. My parents surprised me and brought one up to kick off my birthday! After got here Dave and I scooted away for a birthday dinner out. Dave took me to a hibachi grill restaurant. I LOVE these places. Dave has never been to one and I think he was surprised that he ended up liking it. It could have been the fact that we drank sake(rice alcohol)!!! We had seen people around us getting squirted in the mouth with a clear liquid. I thought it was water...Our waiter found out it was my birthday and got the bottle and started squirting in my mouth. My mouth started burning and then the waiter went to Dave. Our mouths were dripping with this crap and we spit it out in our napkin! It was pretty funny, but I felt sick the whole night. For my birthday my friends had a little brunch for me. It was very fun to have a few hours to myself with my girl friends. I convinced my parents and Dave that I wanted to go bowling for my birthday. I don't think that my parents had been in 20+ years and I don't think they want to go again for a while either! I started off with a strike and thought I was going to beat everyone. I ended up tying for last with my dad. Addison ran around trying to pick up balls and cheering up and down every time someone threw the ball. We ended the celebration with a rib dinner topped off with pina colada. I love my dad's ribs and he slaved all day to make them for me. I was spoiled by gifts and Dave even remembered to get me a carrot cake. I guess birthday's aren't so bad after all:) Happy 26th!


Sunday, November 11, 2012

When Dad's in Charge

Family night around here gets pretty wild. Addison ran around with no diaper stealing apples and toting around a giant box of cheerios. I think this is payback for the many disruptive years I gave my parents. We made leaf garland and wrote what we were thankful on them. Addison got a hold of a marker and her Dad took it away. They went into the kitchen and came back with a new facial feature. Dave drew a blue mustache on my baby!! She thought it was great because we were all laughing at her. I of course go to be the bad guy and give the bath to remove the art work. Hopefully Addison doesn't sprout a blue mustache anytime soon!

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Weekend Happenings

This was the last weekend before Dave ships off to Syracuse until mid December. I have been trying to mentally prepare myself a little bit at a time. This Summer was really difficult and I am trying to relax more knowing he will be back on Friday's every weekend. Friday I went to a baby shower celebration for a friend at Olive Garden. Dave stayed home and bonded with Addison. She is currently obsessed with the vacuum. Since Dave secretly enjoys this chore it is a good fit for them. They spent the night vacumming away. Addison likes to turn it on and off and then do a little tap dance and scream. It is really cute to watch. I guess she isn't afraid of it anymore! I had been looking forward to Saturday all week! We got a babysitter and it was much needed. We went out to dinner and Dave picked a little place out all on his own! We ended the night by going to the adult session of stake conference. It was a great session full of prayerful speakers. Dave will kill me if he reads this, but since he hardly ever does I will risk it. Dave claimed that a eyelash got caught in both his eyes at the same time. It sort of makes my heart melt that he got a little teary eyed. I don't think that there was a dry eye in the room. We had a great babysitter who even did my dishes! I made some freezer meals for Dave to take with him. It is a pain during the process, but I know he will be happy to have a good meal. We had some friends over for games and desserts tonight to end the weekend. We didn't end up playing games, but instead they helped us put in our new microwave. Ours went out and we were forced by our landlord to by our own. Dave found a good deal on craigslist and it is newer than our old one! Now I can eat my bagel bites:) Addison likes to help drag the garbage bag out to the garage can. Dave stuck her in the empty can and she sat down and tried to close the lid. I was slightly dying inside at how gross the inside of the can was! We think this might be a great "time out" spot!


Halloween and Friends

It seems like we have had a never ending coronation leading up to Halloween. Addison went to two playgroup parties, the mall and our neighborhood. Needless to say I am enjoying the snickers and reese cups! Hurricane Sandy left Halloween night without a problem so we bundled up and went out. Addison has run away every time I even bring her costume out. Next year we won't go so fluffy. We got her loaded up in the wagon and met our neighbors the Quinn's around the corner. I was teasing their oldest, Teo that he wouldn't be aloud to come back to our house unless he got me an airhead. He took the job seriously and got me one at almost the last house. Addison loved carrying her bag even though it weighed more than her towards the end. She kept pulling the candy out and trying to bite through the wrappers. She managed to eat about ten pieces of twizzlers before the night was over. We went to about half our neighborhood before Addison's nose was bright red. The night ended with her little BFF Will coming trick or treating to our door. She had a great Halloween and we look forward to next year!   

We had the Quinn's over while their parent's went out for their 10th wedding anniversary! Addison had a blast with the girls. I set up a picnic and they ate their lunch and then later some popcorn on a blanket in the family room. They watched a little show and as you can see they were glued to the tv! We are lucky to have such good neighbor's!