Santas

We went to the annual Evan's Christmas party. Jaxon was not to excited to sit on Santa's lap. He wasn't to see him and told me what he wanted but when it came time for him to sit on his lap he started to cry. Stella stepped up and helped him warm up. I was surprised we even got a smile on his face. Tradition for Grandpa Bob to sit on his lap as well.

Annual Sonntag Party. It is always so much fun to see all of them and how much the kids are growing up. This is definately the best Santa their is

Christmas Card 2009

Cake Pops

I attempted and succeeded. Now let's see how everyone likes them. I think they turned out very cute.

Best of Buds

Best of buds entertaining themselves while I do laundry> 

Jaxon showing Aliya Juel how to play the Iphone

Happy Holidays

Sugar Free Gingerbread House

We decorated a Gingerbread House made of foam. It was so nice with little clean up and no sugar. We all had a great time. Pics to come...

Jaxon and slowing down my life

Jaxon wrote his name last night all by himself, without any help. It wasn't perfect, but it was fantastic for a three year old.
I have reflected on my personal and family life a on a day to day basis. I was reminded by a little girl (while shopping at Target) the other day to slow down in life. Some days I feel rushed and feel like I need to do so much. I feel like some days I tell Jaxon no and stop too much, I am continually cleaning and maybe some days spend a little too long on the computer working or just browsing. I have decided to slow down. A few things I want to change in my personal life as well as my family:
* Let my house get dirty (this is going to be hard)
* Sit and play WITH my kids more everyday
* Let Jaxon be a kid (ie play and get dirty/wet)
* Slow down Jaxon from growing up too fast, this is a hard thing to balance in letting him be a kid while not discouraging him from what he wants to do.
* Shorten my list of things to do while my kids are with me
* Enjoy alone time with each child everyday, even if it is for just a brief period.
I am looking forward to this change. I think it will make me less stressed with trying to keep things clean and in order. This is something I have been thinking about for a while now and finally was faced with a situation in which Jaxon commented on how a mother was treating her daughter and couldn't believe it because the little girl "was just a kiddo like me".

Jaxon's Weekly sayings...

Jaxon seems to have a weekly saying every week. Some of the past sayings...
That's Awesome!
OHHHH, Okay
That's weird
Never, ever, ever
Baby girl, you're my best buddy.

This week it is.
That is kind of Freakin' me out Mama.

He will pick a phrase and say it TONS for a week or so then it turns into something new. All of them make me smile.

Aliya Scooted

Since this is my journal/scrapbook I thought I would document. Aliya scooted a little bit today. She is not too close to crawling, but this is a milestone.

Happy 1/2 Birthday to Miss Aliya Juel

Aliya Juel at her 6 month check up...
Weight 12 lbs. 10 oz 2% (it doesn't go below this)
Height 25 3/4 in. 47%
Head 16.5 in. 31%

Jaxon at 6 months...
Weight 14 lbs 6 oz 5%
Height 25 1/2 in 5%
Head 44.5 cm 50%

And we thought Jaxon was little. Aliya is doing great and at least she is continually gaining weight. So we are not worried at all. She is just getting really good use out of her 0-3 month  clothes :)

I can not believe that my baby girl is already 6 months old. She is such a joy to have in our family. Some things she has been up to...

She is sitting on her own

She is eating baby food

She giggles

She sleeps through the night... most of the time

She giggles when Ruby and Jaxon jump in front of her

She loves observing

Everything goes into her mouth

Her hair is starting to grow back

Aliya loves to cuddle

She loves grabbing your cheeks and pulling you close to suck on your face

Her toes look so cute painted

Aliya has a little bald spot on the back of her head

She LOVES watching Jaxon do anything and everything

She gets excited when her dad gets home from work

She lights up our home

Family photos November 2009

Sitting up

Aliya has been trying to sit up for quite some time but hasn't quite committed to it yet. Today she decided was the day. She has been sitting for a few minutes at a time. I love this milestone. It makes play time so much easier. She is so stinkin' cute. I have found the she is ticklish under her arms and loves to giggle when you touch nose-to-nose with her. She is such a fun baby.

Leftovers turned baby food

I had a ton of leftover veggies because they weren't done until half way into the meal after everyone was full. I took this as an opportunity to stock up on baby food. The morning after Thanksgiving while Jax was eating breakfast I seperated the veggies and made lots of baby food. Aliya Juel will be enjoying Thanksgiving for weeks to come.

I pureed...

Turnips,

Parsnips

Sweet Potatoes

Green Beans

Carrots

Potatoes

Aliya loves all her veggies!

I can't get enough of this little guy!