Swine Flu...

Zoey has the Swine Flu! Yep, that's right, she has the Swine Flu AND an ear infection (and the both tubes are still in place, I thought they weren't supposed to get ear infections while they had tubes?) Anyways, this explains why she was so grumpy and didn't sleep well while we were in Tulsa over Christmas. I'm still trying to figure out when and how she got sick but all I know right now is that she is sick! This is really putting a damper in my schedule this week and I was really hoping to get around to blogging some but I think this is all your going to get until our Internet is installed at our new apartment sometime next week. Yep, we're moving this week! Once the Internet is back up I'll tell you all about our amazing White Christmas and all the fun we've had the last few weeks. Until then,... I hope everyone stays Healthy and Happy and enjoys the New Year.

Day 11, 12, 13, and 14

I guess I didn't do as good this last week as I did the first week posting every day. Oh well, at lease I'm getting it done! Let's see...

Day 11 (Friday)
I had my work Christmas Party. It was at a restaurant called La Duni's. It was really yummy and a nice evening. I do have to say my favorite part though was the fact that my husband was able to go into work early that day and was able to join me at the party. It was also nice because my friend, who watched Zoey for us, kept her over night so we didn't have to worry about picking her up and had a very nice, quiet night!

Day 12 (Saturday)
This was a very busy day! It started with me waking up early and driving half way to Houston to meet my sister on the side of the road to pick up Nativity costumes for my Ward Christmas party this weekend. It was a nice trip because I didn't take Zoey with me! Amy and I met at Woody's in Centerville and got to spend a little time together before we had to head back home. She also brought some Christmas gifts from the family. I got to open her gift to me and it was amazing! She made me her very own 'Amy's What Not to Wear' book! I don't dress that well and we always loved watching the show together. It is so totally cute! I had a bunch of errands to run and went visiting teaching in the evening.

Day 13 (Sunday)
This was a very nice, relaxing day! The only thing on my to do list was make 4 dozen cookies for my cookie exchange at work the next day. My amazing and wonderful husband offer and actually made the cookies for me! It was amazing! I actually got in a nap and was able to go to bed at a decent hour while he stayed up and made 4 dozen cookies for me! They were very yummy too!!!

Day 14 (Today, Monday)
Today was the beginning of my extra crazy days at work but I survived!!! The fun part of work was we had a cookie exchange. Everyone loved it who participated! I came home with a ton of cookies and they were all so yummy! After work I went to the outlets and did some shopping I needed to. While I was at Lane Bryant to get me some jeans (my only pair got a hole in them) I was in the dressing room and my zipper pully thing fell off my pants, then BOTH of the buttons on my pants popped off!!! I knew my pants were getting worn but I had no idea it was that bad! Luckily I had found some pants that I was going to buy and the ladies were nice enough to let me wear them out of the store. I was SO embarrassed, but I got some new cute jeans now!! So, Zoey is in bed, I'm vegging on the couch and I'm about to crack open the cookies I brought home and eat them all!!!

Oh, we kept up with the books each day and Zoey is getting really good at unwrapping them. Tonight she opened Elmo's 12 days of Christmas and it reminded me of a song that I discovered this year that I like. Below is a youtube clip of 'The 12 days of Christmas' by a group called Straight No Chaser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8

Ok, so I can't figure out how to upload the video, maybe I'll have Clay do it for me when he has a chance. But click on the link to see the video.

Until next time, Enjoy -

Day 8, 9, 10

Let's see, it's much harder to remember what I've done over the last few days. I should be better about keeping track of this each day. So, what have I done the last few days... Day 8, Tuesday, I know I worked! Beth and I went to dinner and had some nice 'mommy time' without any children. It was a really nice evening! Wednesday, after work I sat around the house and worked on a few more Christmas Gifts I had to make. Tonight was really fun! My friend Danielle had a birthday party for her son Evan who turned 4. It was at Pump it Up and we had a blast!

I can't believe how grown up and independent Zoey is becoming. After I went up and down the slide with her like, a million times, I was brave enough to let her try it by herself (I think I was more scared then she was!) She did really well at climbing and loved to slide down.
It was a pretty high slide but it didn't phase her!
After we spent 1 1/2 hours playing we went to the party room for pizza and cake. Normally I cut up her pizza for her but she didn't even give me a chance. She jumped right in and ate it just like all the other big kids around. She did spill her drink though, guess we need to practice some more with big kid cups! She loved the pizza and the cake was really yummy!
Here's a video of her on the slide. I can't even count how many times she went up and down!


I'm really happy with how well Zoey did at the party seeing how the party started when I usually put her to bed! She was up 2 hours past her bedtime and the only time she threw fits was when we changed rooms or activities.

Well, work has been crazy this week and I have tons going on the next few days so I think I'm going to get some things done and then call it an evening and get some sleep. Enjoy -

Thank You!!!

I just wanted to say a quick thank you to my friends that helped and voted for my friends daughter. She didn't win but because she was in such close place for second the photographer has decided to give them a print as well. I know I promised some of my amazing cards to those who helped so if you voted (and commented on my original post) then e-mail me at missyscraps at hotmail.com with your address so I can get your cards sent to you this week.

Day 5, 6 and 7

I'm never as good at blogging on the weekend because my schedule gets all turned upside down.

Zoey got a few more cute Christmas books we enjoyed reading the last few days. Saturday I ran a bunch of errands and we spent the evening at my friend Danielle's house. We go once a month and hang out and play games with her and her husband, David. We really enjoy going over there and the kids love playing together.

Sunday we went and spent the evening at Jay and Jenn's in Allen. Dallas turned 12 and was ordained to the Priesthood. Clay's parents and sister from Tulsa came in town for this event and we all had a wonderful dinner and birthday celebration.

Today, I missed work and slept almost all day. I haven't been feeling well for the last week or so and I just couldn't get out of bed this morning. I slept almost all day and now I have millions of things I should get done but I think I'm just going to go to bed early. I'm feeling a little better but I know I have tons to do and lots coming up so I think I just need one more good night of sleep so I can survive the next few weeks.

Hopefully I'll have a better post for you tomorrow. Enjoy -

Day 4

Today was a much better day then yesterday. I felt like I accomplished a lot at work and Zoey and I had a really nice evening. For my advent activity we went to the Nativity exhibits at The Colony bldg and the Carrollton bldg. When I was growing up my Family was in charge of the Nativity Exhibit down in Katy and so I really appreciate all the time and work that goes into putting the display together. We went to The Colony bldg and they had a nice display and they has a children's room that I really liked. I dressed Zoey up as good as I can and snapped a few pictures.

She started crawling on the floor. I guess she decided she wanted to be one of the stable animals!
They also had a little craft for the kids. It was a manger ornament. Of course, with Zoey, ours didn't turn out exactly right but it was fun because she loves to color.
Like my mom, I collect Nativities (I think I'm somewhere around 40 or so). This is like a Nativity I would love to own one day. It looks much brighter in this picture but the clothes are like real paper/cloth that are stiffened. I'm not sure how to really describe it but I really like them and want one like this one day.
I saw this and absolutely fell in love with it, "Are you part of the Inn crowd, or are you part of the Stable few." I'm so going to use that quote on something one day!
For Zoey's book for the night she unwrapped another Nativity one (as you can see, I really like anything Nativity). I got this one at Mardel's ( a Christian book store/Homeschool/Teacher supply store). It's got a pocket on the front that has little Nativity pieces that you can put on each page where they have a felt section. She really liked the book and played with it for quite awhile.
I'm also really excited because I'm going to put this book in my Sunday bag to keep her occupied during Sacrament.
Well, I'm going to work on some Christmas gifts tonight and go to bed early. Enjoy -

Day 3

First off, I just realized that my last post was my 100th post! Cool hu!

Well, today for Zoey's book she wasn't a very willing participant. I had to work a little late to get caught up at work and she didn't take a nap at the babysitters so by the time we got home she wasn't in the mood for much. We did open a book, it was a Nativity story one. I read the first two pages before she started grabbing and throwing it! Lets just say she was put to bed early tonight!


For my advent activity I did was I was supposed to do last night. Because I had a really long day at work and then a tough time with Zoey I wasn't in the mood for anything more then sitting on the couch and do nothing. So, I watched the Forgotten Carols by Micheal McLean. If you haven't read the book, heard the music, or watched the DVD I would highly recommend it! I remember when I was younger the first time my Dad read us the story. We were going to read a chapter a night (it's kind of a lengthy story) but we all got so into the book after the first chapter we made him keep reading. I can't remember if we actually finished it all in one night but I know we defiantly didn't stop at just one chapter each night!!! The music is amazing and the story is wonderful. Tonight was actually my first time to watch the DVD and I really enjoyed it (I personally love the book more, but that's just me, I like to read when I can). Anyways, I still feel like I'm coming down with something and I hope this cold or whatever it is goes away soon, I don't have the time, energy, or money to be sick.

To see what I've done, click below:
Day 1
Day 2

Day 2

Since I don't have my advent calendar actually made and displayed I'm allowed to change the activities for each day right?!!! I started feeling a little under the weather last night and I'm still not feeling well. My plan was to watch the Forgotten Carols tonight but I don't have the energy to stay up and watch it. So I'm going to count the Christmas tags/cards I'm going to make with a friend tonight to go on some blankets the Relief Society made at our last activity. We're going to deliver them this next week.

For our book today, Zoey unwrapped one that I got at the Dollar Tree! I haven't actually read all the books I wrapped but this one turned out pretty cute. Some of the rhymes were a little bit of a stretch but we enjoyed it. Since the book was called "A Letter for Santa" I had Zoey write Santa her first letter ever! Ok, so I wrote it and had her color on it.
Look at me! Two days in a row, I'm really on a roll! Hope to see you tomorrow.

To see my previous posts, click below...
Day 1

Do It For Me!

Ok, so my friend had her daughters pictures taken by this cool photographer and she's having a contest where you vote on your favorite picture for the month. If you please go to this website (http://squaresvillestudios.squarespace.com/) and vote for JOSIE (she's the first picture). If you come back and comment that you voted then I will send a mini Christmas card collection, I'll even send them off this next Monday so you'll have them in time for Christmas! This offer stands for each of my friends who helps me out! The contest is only until the 5th so hurry on up and go check it out.

Free cards from me!!! Just let me know by commenting here that you voted!

Isn't she just adorable!

Day 1

Before I start with my Advent activity for the day I wanted to share my Christmas decorations with you. I have an entire closet full of Christmas decorations, it's the only holiday I have decorations for! I own about 40 nativities, I have enough ornaments to fill 5 trees and I have an entire large storage box full of just Christmas crafts and ideas of things I want to do, one day! This year though, this is my only decoration...

I bought this tree at Wal-Mart after Christmas a few years ago for $2.50, it's a great tree though!
This is the only Nativity I put out this year. It's perfect because Zoey loves it and has already spent all day playing with it.
My favorite part of all Christmas decorations it the lighted tree with all the other lights out. I think it's just so pretty and peaceful. I put up so few decorations this year because we're moving the week after Christmas and I really don't have the time or energy to deal with more this year. (I know I'd be putting Christmas up at that time anyways but now I'll have that time to pack other boxes instead.)

So onto our activity for the day: I didn't put out any of my nice ornaments because this is really Zoey's first year with a tree and though she did well today I'm still not sure how well it's going to turn out. I also thought it would be cute for Zoey to decorate some ornaments! I love all the foam activities you can find at the craft stores so I got these cute wreaths and Zoey had fun putting the foam stickers on a few of them (we only got 6 made)
I've also decided this year to start a tradition where Zoey gets to unwrap a new Christmas book each day leading up to Christmas. Today, of course, was out first book. She did a great job unwrapping it and she loved sitting and reading it oh, 5 times or more!
The book was about Humphrey the Camel who lost his beloved blanket. Throughout the book he does everything he can to get a new blanket and at the end he wraps baby Jesus in his new blanket. So, to make the book come alive I showed Zoey how to wrap Cookie Monster in her blanket. It was so much fun to spend the afternoon playing with Zoey. The best part was she didn't ask for Dora once while we were doing our activities!
Well, my goal is to do this every night with what I've done, we'll see how well I do! Good Night -

Yeah, I know

So, it's been too long since I've blogged. I have a ton of stuff I want to catch up on and I might still so if you see park pictures in the middle of the cold winter you'll know it's just me catching up! Anyways, instead of getting overwhelmed with all I should have done I'm just going to start now with where I'm at and be satisfied with that! I'm SOOO excited for Christmas, it's probably my favorite holiday. I have bought all the gifts I need and only have a few more that I need to finish making. I wanted to make an advent calendar for myself but I haven't gotten around to it. I do have a list of what I wanted to put in each day so I'm still going to go ahead with all my plans even if I don't have a cute way to display it on my wall. So, that's what I'm going to post about everyday this month (hopefully). This of course will be in between work and taking care of Zoey and all the other things I have going on. December will be by far the busiest month I've had in a while, work is CRAZY busy and I have tons of Holiday things going on and we're moving at the end of the month (just to a smaller unit) and I'm so totally excited! Anyways, on to my Advent activity blog... (see above)

Zoey's New Obsession

Yep, Zoey has found Dora. We're not sure how this happens because we don't watch Dora much at our house and neither does the babysitter but somehow, Zoey has fallen in love with Dora.

She has Dora shoes that we got at a clothing swap that are her new favorite now. I caved and bought her a Dora book while we were shopping the other day. When I'm home she asks to watch Dora all the time. When an episode ends she throws a huge fuss and wants more. I have to distract her with her Dora book!!! We went shopping this afternoon and we were walking down the isles when all of a sudden she started pointing and saying "Dora, Dora" at first I couldn't figure out what she was pointing to but she saw a Dora bike helmet, you could hardly tell it was Dora on the helmet from where we were but she saw it and she wanted it! Luckily we got out today without anything Dora! Don't worry, we don't let her sit and watch Dora all day, we limit her Dora intake, but I still think it's cute that this is one of the first thing she has loved and attached too (I think she loves Dora even more then she ever did Jack's Big Music Show which has been her favorite since she was 9 months old).

Updates...and Christmas

Am I the only one already planning out my Christmas? I feel like I'm jumping over all the holidays but I can't wait for Christmas! I'm already almost done with my shopping and have a weekend coming up where I get to do all my craft projects for Christmas. I'm so excited!!!! Anyways, I know I should have been updating more but it's better late then never right? So here's a few pics of what we've been up to...


This is Zoey in the beanie hat Wade got Zoey from Brazil. She's really good at putting it on herself. We taught her how to say "Waz Up" when she puts it on. It's totally cute!



The weekend before General Conference I went down to Houston to visit family. While I was there I got to set up a few play dates for Zoey. We played with Cami and her daughter on day and then my Mia Maid YW leader Caroline and her son another day. This is the only picture I really got! We had a blast except when Zoey started to get rough with the other kids.

Daddy's getting even better with Zoey's hair. Here's one of our favorite styles, pig tails! Her hair's even long enough now to go in a pony tail, it's so totally cute!

I made homemade Oreo cookies last week. Zoey LOVES cookies and is always asking for one. She really enjoyed these cookie!

Zoey likes to color. When we were in Houston she found one of those boards that you color on and then it erases when you swipe the thingie at the bottom (I totally can't remember what they're called right now). Anyways, she carried it with her everywhere she went the whole weekend, so of course I had to go out and buy her one. It's one of her favorite toys right now! She goes around the house saying "color".
One of her favorite things to do while coloring is to trace her hand (or ours if she's in a good mood).

Well, that's what we've been up to besides work and more work! I have a lot of fun things planned for the next few weeks and hopefully I'll get some good pictures and actually blog them! Until later - Enjoy -

Zoey is 18 Months

I can't believe Zoey is 18 months already. On Sunday we tried to have a mini photo shoot with Zoey. She doesn't sit still very long so at one point we put the camera on action shot just get a few pictures! Anyways, here are some of my favorites and some of the things Zoey's doing.

We've been teaching her how to say 'cheese' when we take her picture. She's getting pretty good at it!
Zoey loves books. I have some from when I was growing up. One has a little mouse on each page and without me ever showing her she figured it out and points it out every time we read.
We also have this fish puzzle where you match colors and Zoey can put each one in the right color! She'll put it in the wrong one and then look and move it to the right one. Now if I can just get her to say the right colors!!!
I had to switch out her clothes because she's been growing so much. She's in 24 mo and 2T's. She's wearing a size 6 shoe already too!!!
She's saying a lot of words now too. She is so much more a little girl now then a baby. It makes me sad some days but I'm loving the stages she's going through.
Yes, we had to bribe her with marshmallows to stay on the chair while we took pictures! Hey, gotta do what works right! She loves giving and getting kisses. She likes to be tickled too. She has the cutest laugh ever!
We live on the second floor and I haven't had to carry her up or down the stairs in a while now. She's getting much better at the steps. She isn't very careful when I'm holding her hand to go down, she thinks she can jump and be silly. But if I don't hold her hand then she's really careful to hold the edge and go down one step at a time!
She had her 18 mo check up last Wed. She's 34 1/4 inches tall (she's off the charts!!!), and 25 lbs. She has 12 teeth and is a picky eater most of the time.

The other crazy thing with her being 18 mo is she started Nursery at church. She's been in two weeks now and is doing pretty well they say. I guess she has a little issue with hitting but she's doing better! I can't believe my baby is growing up so fast. It's not always easy having a toddler in the house but I wouldn't change it for the world (even with her trouble going to sleep the last few days).

Well, I'm off to play with my little angel. Enjoy -

Playing at the Park

Zoey loves to play outside. When it's nice weather (not like it's been the last week or so), we try and go to the park. I've found one by the house that we like. We went the other day with Daddy and, since we'd just lost our pictures, we made sure to take the camera.

Zoey loves the slide. I like the one at this park because I can go down next to her.


This park doesn't have the baby swings but Zoey doesn't care! Once we figured out fun and, somewhat, safe ways for her to swing, I've enjoyed it too...Don't you just love the pig tails!!!

This last time I was even brave enough to let Zoey try and sit up to swing. I didn't push her high at all and kept my hands on the chains at all times cause I kept thinking she might fall!! But she did great and loved every minute of it. I can't wait till the rain eases up and we can go back.

I can't remember if I blogged about the first time we went to the duck park as we call it. We thought it would be fun so we took bread to feed the ducks. When we got there these geese came up to us and surrounded us! Then all the other ducks came over and lets just say, we were scared!! These ducks have no fear and will get really close. The hardest part is Zoey kept trying to run right up to them and pet them. She didn't understand 'no' that day. This time was a little better, they didn't surround us but they still got close and Zoey tried to run to them a lot more, she has NO fear!

Zoeys Hair and Table

So, we got the computer back. Luckly I had some pictures still on the camera so I'm going to try and catch up on some of my blogging. Because of my recent picture loss experience, I might have a few more pictures on some posts and some might be silly posts. But, this blog is all about the highlights of my life...

Zoey's hair is really growing. It's pretty crazy in the mornings after she's slept on it...


But daddy's getting really good at putting it up each day!

Zoey loves her bath times. I can't believe how she's grow though. I just thought she looked too cute all wrapped up in the towel.


Awhile ago I bought a little table at Ikea for Zoey. What I didn't realize till I got home was that the wood edges of the tables were unfinished. So, we decided to paint the trim of the table this bright red. It took us a few weeks to complete the whole project but I think it turned out great. Zoey loves her table! (She especially loves climbing on it and standing on the chairs!!!) One of the things I really like about the table is if she marks all over the top while she coloring it wipes right off!
Enjoy -

Welcome Home Wade!!!

A few weeks ago we went up to Tulsa to welcome Wade home from his mission. He just spent two years in Brazil teaching others the gospel. We are so happy to have him home but are so proud of all the work he did. Clay made this great sign at work and so we had to get a picture of everyone in front of it. Wade was only home for a few days in between his mission and heading off to BYU for school. He left for the airport on Sunday before we even packed up and left!

Wade did bring gifts home for everyone. Zoey got a beanie hat that she looks really cute in. Clay and I got a lacquered piranha. Yeah, it's a real piranha turned statue!!! We like it though, we'll always remember Wade by it!
Just to finish it off here's a great picture of Zoey on the way home. She didn't sleep AT ALL on the way home. I'm really not exited for any long car trip with Zoey any time soon!

They're Officially Gone...

Well, Apple said the hard drive was shot so they are going to install a new one but we wanted to see if we could take it somewhere to save the pictures. We took it to a data recovery place and they are 99.9% sure they can save all of our pictures, but it will cost us $1,800.00!!! I know pictures are priceless but there is no way we can come up with that kind of money any time soon. So, unfortunately, our pictures for the last 6 months are gone :( ... A Moment of Silence for the lost pictures... I'm glad I blogged during that time so that all my memories aren't lost. Now I just need to be better about blogging and scrap booking so that all my pictures aren't only on the computer. Anyways, I do have a few posts to do, but I need to figure out how to either hook up my camera here at work or wait till the new hard drive comes in for Clay's computer at home. We'll see how it goes...Until next time.

* I guess I should have mentioned that we have 3 back up hard drives that are all full of pictures and videos. We take WAY too many pictures! We just haven't had the money for another hard drive yet (Clay has to get a certain kind to be happy), we had it in the budget to get the end of this month though!! Timing really is everything! Don't worry, now we're going to get two hard drives, one for him and one for me so I can keep them in two additional places!

Oh No....

Clay's computer won't turn on. This is a big deal becasue that's where all the pictures are, and the cute videos of Zoey doing the itsy bitsy spider and other adorable things! He's taking it in today to have it looked at. I really hope we haven't lost everything, I'd be so sad. I won't be posting for a little bit because I can't without a computer (right now I'm at work). So, wish us luck and hope that he can atleast save what's on the hard drive!

I Cooked!!!

Ok for those of you who really know me know that I can't cook. I don't really know how, I don't have the time always and I just don't really like it. My mother-in-law gave us this "Magic Pan" awhile ago and I've yet to use it. I had no idea where to even start! My mom came down a few weeks ago and I wanted her to teach me how to make a roast. So we pulled out the Magic pan and I made a roast. It was SOOOO yummy!! We forgot to take after pictures (we were so hungry and it smelled so good we couldn't wait).



So, because my blog posts are always about Zoey I have to add her in here! And, since we're talking about food, here's a few pictures of Zoey feeding herself. She is getting so good at it!


But then she gets board being good and resorts back to using her hands. Oh, and she hasn't gotten over the "I'm done eating so lets throw all my food and plates and everything on the floor" phase, hopefully that won't last too much longer!

Max's Birthday

Zoey's cousin, Max, turned 3 a few weeks ago. We went over and had cake and ice cream with them to celebrate. We had a wonderful evening just relaxing and letting the kids play.

Zoey has a ton of fun with all their toys. She loves going over to Max and Kylee's house to visit. She's such a strong kid. She loves to try and pick up heavy things and carry them around!

What's a Birthday Party without Cake!! Max loves cars so what better then a car cake!



I know Zoey sure enjoyed her cake and ice cream!!! We're glad you invited us to celebrate your birthday Max!