Monday, August 29, 2011

Whoa.

Sorry world. After vowing to do better I leave you all hanging for 7 months. I do apologize. I'd like to make excuses like, this kid Anna is destroying my house, or this hurricane named Anna likes to play in the kitchen cupboards, empty my purse, go through my wallet, dump out her toys, and walk around screaming or squealing. Ok, so she's doing all of these wonderful, amazing things like exploring and developing her motor skills. We've been working on real words which can help us communicate more efficiently beyond the yells, screams, grins and pointing of fingers. Some days it seems like we've made monumental break through (potty training back in April), then times when we've moved on or aren't quite there (potty training sporadically in August).

She is working on using utensils, some meals are a lot better than others, but I'm just excited she's trying. Anna has such a fascination with all things that I do, I feel bad for the day she's going to wake up and think it lame. The computer and keyboard are by far her favorite items to play with, my cell phone is a close tie. She's already learning to dial numbers, call people from my phone book, and retrieve voice messages is amazing, though baffling why she won't play with her own toys.

We just had a visit with Mom and Aunt Jo last weekend here in Charleston. Oh yeah, we've moved from Colorado Springs, to Evans, CO to Charleston, SC in this lapse of communicado. Sorry. The visit was great.

Ben Upward's wedding is coming up in October, and Anna and I will be attending. Very excited to go back to Wisconsin in the fall. Hoping to see some amazing colors. The holidays aren't far off, so while I'd like to say I will do better, I'll be honest in saying I have no idea when I will get back here. Hopefully it's not so long again!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Decemeber

Anna, I'm so sorry I haven't kept up with this as well as I've intended to. Truth is, December came and went by so fast this year we were living in survivor mode by the end of it. Here is a play-by-play of December and I will try to do better in 2011.
Wildwood Marketing is taking off. I have found myself very busy with work and trying to complete my projects before our big mountain getaway. The first weekend of December we put up a tree. You Dad drove to a nearby grocery store, paid $15, shoved the tree into our white car and drove home with it. It was set up while you were taking a nap and I was showering. I had no idea he was even doing it until I came out and saw a tree in our living room. Your expression was priceless! You kept looking at the tree then at me as to ask,"Mama, why is there a TREE inside?!" You enjoyed touching the tree and trying to pull of needles to eat them.

Later that day, again while you were napping, we put up the lights and ornaments. You woke up and now the tree was lit up! The wonder and amazement in your eyes was precious.

The next weekend your Grandma and Grandpa Sanderfoot came out to visit and watch you while your Dad and I went to his company Christmas party. They spoiled you like crazy, but you loved every one of the toys they gave you. There was a play table with four different stations that sing, make music, talk to you, and speak Spanish! Another toy was a green and purple dinosaur you can ride on or walk with. Yes, he sings too. They had such a good time with you, I could tell it was hard for them to leave. Your Grandma and I made Christmas cookies and candies while they were here too. It was a family tradition on your Grandma's side of the family that I've missed for many years. We didn't make everything, but I'm glad we spent the time to make what we did.

The following weekend Julia babysat you while your Dad and I went to the Medlyn's Christmas party. It wasn't as fun as the year before, but we went and tried to enjoy our time out. Two days later we had the Red Rock Realty Christmas party at Motif and again Julia came over to babysit you. That was a lot of fun for me. There was a live jazz band, great food, and good drinks. The conversations were great.

Three days later, Thursday, your Aunt Liz flew in to Colorado Springs. She made it fine, her luggage took a couple of extra days to get here. Friday we loaded up and drove to Glenwood Springs. Remember that house we stayed at in August? We went there again, only this time we had the whole thing to ourselves and your Grandma Susan, Uncle Ben, Aunt Linnea, and Aunt Liz were there too!

We had yummy fondue (you had a few nibbles before going to bed), a delicious beef tenderloin your Uncle Ben cooked up, crab pasta, spaghetti, beef barley soup, beer cheese soup, French toast, even a Turkey! The food was incredible. Your Dad and I were able to get out snowshoeing a few times, but we didn't bring you along. Sorry. We didn't have enough room for the hiking backpack, plus this initial hill we had to climb was tough enough without 30 extra pounds strapped to either one of us. It was very cold and snowy there. Just beautiful.

We celebrated New Year's Eve out by a bon fire your Daddy made. You had woked up when you heard my snowpants, so I bundled you up too and took you out. You were very crabby and it was incredibly cold out so you weren't out there more than 10 minutes, but you were there getting kisses of luck for the new year.