First post of 2011

Where or where do I begin? Well Calleigh turned 2!  In February :) Just this month we took a trip to California to visit Ben's Grandma Mimi and while we were there we stopped in to say hello to Mickey Mouse and the gang at Disney Land.  We stayed at the Disney Land Hotel,  (I can't wait to go back) ate at the Rainforest Cafe, took Calleigh on some fun rides, and pretty much had a great time.  Then we headed to Santa Paula to see Mimi.  Calleigh had not had the chance to meet her Great Grandma so it was a really special visit for sure.  We went to the beach in Ventura and the Santa Barbara Zoo.  We drove to Carpinteria to visit Uncle Geoff and Uncle Mike, or as Calleigh likes to call them "those guys."  I just love their house!  It was an absolutely fun trip!  Calleigh is a seasoned traveler now.  She did a fantastic job at being the good little girl she is! 

So since turning 2 Calleigh has mastered the potty.  She is completely diaper/training pants free.  Even over night!  She rarely has an accident these days.  I can't believe how easy that was.  Yes I am braging.  Because when you have a 2 year old not everything is so easy!  She loves to talk and does it very well.  She says words that are beyond her years and she uses them correctly.  I love having full on conversations with her and knowing that she understands me.  And if she doesn't she will tell me.  She is also very literal.  Example:  I said "Calleigh can you give mommy a break please?"  She said "Mommy I don't have break to give you!" 

Calleigh loves playing outside.  Especially since she can peddle her bike and ride her scooter like a pro.  She is always in the garage because that is always where her daddy is!  She loves "fixing" things.  I almost got mad the other day when she came in the house with grease and dirt all over her.  Then I remembered that my favorite thing to do when I was little was to be in the garage with my dad "fixing" stuff.  My dad even wrote about it to me in one of his last letters.  So I didn't get mad.  I sent her back out to get dirtier!  They are just clothes after all.  And the time she gets to spend with her daddy is priceless.  For her...and me :) 

I know I am leaving a bunch of other cute things out but it is time to start dinner.  Below are some radom pictures of Ms. Calleigh and some from our trip.  Enjoy!

 Happy Birthday! 

 At Hubby's for her Birthday Dinner

 Just being my silly girl :)

 She finally got comfy on the plane.  Such a big girl!

 Waiting in line to meet a Princess

 Calleigh now calls her "My Princess"

 Fell asleep in the middle of  Disney Land

 Cousin "CC" and Calleigh with their ears

In Mimi's Rose Garden

 At Mimi's

Calleigh giving Mimi a big hug!

Road Trip

Calleigh is now 21 months old.  We will soon have a 2 year old.  I can't believe how fast it has gone.  But I look back at my past blogs and realize how much fun we have had with her.  It makes me so excited to see what new things she will learn in the next few months!  She has learned so much lately and everything she learns she teaches to her baby doll.  We have been keeping busy lately just keeping up with her.  Now that the weather is starting to get a bit colder we are inside a lot more.  But she keeps herself busy with coloring, cooking in her kitchen, and of course watching Dora.  I don't know what I would do without Dora :)  She is really into Toy Story too.  Her face lights up whenever she sees Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang.  I think I am a little hooked on those movies too! 

We took a trip up to Blaine to see my mom last weekend.  It is the first time Calleigh has ever been to my mom's house and the first time I have been there in about a 5 years.  It's a bit of a drive from the Tri-Cities.  It was a nice trip and I loved that Calleigh got to spend time with my mom.  She now understands who Grandma is :)  We stayed at my mom's until Sunday morning then stopped to have lunch with Carrie and the boys in Snohomish.  After that we headed to Wenantchee to see Auntie Jessica for the night.  Even though it was a fun, relaxing trip we were all so happy to be in our beds on Monday!

Next up we have Thanksgiving at the Riverhouse, Christmas Tree lighting in Leavenworth with Jessica and Juddy then Christmas will be here! 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

At the Country Merc

 She was done with me taking pictures I think

 Helping Dad

 I had to post a picture of the pups!  Aren't they just so dang cute?

 All ready to go

 My little monkey butt!

On her way to get some more candy

My pretty little baby

Checking out the goods

With mom @ Peace Arch

Calleigh with her Boys (Colten & Conner)

It was rainy but still a nice day for a walk

19 Months...oh wait... 20 Months!

OK I really have no idea where September went.  I also write in a journal for Calleigh.  My last entry was August 22nd!  Lets just sum it up by saying she is a big girl now.  She repeats EVERYTHING we say!  She does all sorts of big girl stuff like taking her plate to the sink, cleaning up her spills, getting dressed (sort of) and most importantly she give the best hugs and kisses without even asking for them!

To sum it all up again (because for reals I have stuff to do really!)  There was a trip to the other side of the mountains, a parade and a fair somewhere in August.  September we went to Uncle Dave & Auntie Darci's Cabin for my first night away from Calleigh!  Ben came the next morning.  (I have left her overnight again since then and it is getting much easier each time)  And of course FOOTBALL!  GO HAWKS!  Calleigh loves loves loves football.  I am not kidding.  If you change Sports Center in the morning she gets a little upset.  This proves my little princess was born on Superbowl Sunday for a reason!   Again...GO HAWKS! 

The last picture in this blog is from our kitchen.  Well Calleigh has her kitchen in our kitchen.  She loves to "cook dinner" while mommy cooks dinner!  Our neighbor bought her that cute little apron and oven mit set!  She is all set to be a gourmet chef one day!

18 Months

Well here we are!  Calleigh is 18 months old!  She is so full of life, energy and words.  Everyday is something new.  She picks up everything we do so we are being extra careful in the swearing department :)  Me especially.  I never realized how much the "s word" comes out of my mouth!  LOL  For her 18 month "birthday" we bought her this little red tricycle.  She can almost peddle it!  It won't take her long.  She is enjoying the summer so much.  Even Grammy and Poppa's pool.  It took her a bit to go in but now she loves it!  She is going through a bit of a tantrum phase but she gets over them pretty quick.  She was biting me a lot but that seems to be almost over.  We are working on the potty still.  She likes to sit on it and read.  We did have an accident the other day but at least it was by the bathroom door!  Almost in the right spot. 

As everyone knows she is just a special little girl that we love so very much!  I think we are both enjoying her the most right now.  My little baby is growing up!

Hawaii

Well we made it to Hawaii (and then back again!)  We were a little nervous about a 6 hour flight with a 17 month old toddler.  But she did fabulous!  On the way there she only slept for 45 minutes so we (Ben & I) were a bit exhausted from entertaining her.  The way back she slept for 2 hours and was much more relaxed.  I think because Ben and I were also.  The staff at Hawaiian Airlines was so nice and helpful!  I am sure they are used to have kids on board.  TSA at SeaTac was horrible!  First time for us flying with a child and we felt rushed, they were rude and didn't help at all.  However TSA in Hawaii has a family lane for security, they helped us with everything and let us take our time.  Very nice people!  Thank you! 

We were on the Island of Oahu and staying in North Shore.  We shared a house with 6 other people but they were nice enough to give us the downstairs apartment since we had Calleigh.  It worked great!  We were able to put her to bed at night and still hang out upstairs with everyone else. 

The wedding was on Friday July 2nd and as you can see Calleigh made a very cute flower girl!  She had a hard time with the dress at first but she got used to it.  Jessica had to carry her for a bit down the aisle but it was a long way to go!  It was a very beautiful wedding and we are so thankful that Brett & Melanie asked us to be part of their special day.

While there we took Calleigh to the Honolulu Aquarium.  It is not a big aquarium but it does have some great fish tanks and that was the most important thing.  Calleigh loves fish!  Oh and the two sea lions were pretty cool too.  We also visited the Waimea Valley Botanical Gardens.  A 3/4 of a mile hike through beautiful gardens brings you to a waterfall.  We didn't know you could swim in it :(  Next time!   Calleigh didn't take to well to the ocean.  On the last day she finally was laughing when we put her in the sand and the waves came up.  She still wasn't going let us take her out any further though.  Other than all of that we really just spent a lot of time relaxing, eating, and enjoying the company!

We can't wait to plan another trip somewhere!

First day in Hawaii

Calleigh loves playing in the sand

Us

Mommy and Calleigh

It rained every morning but it was great weather for beach exploring

Auntie Jessica and Calleigh before the wedding

Practicing...she threw them down then picked them up

This is Calleigh's new smile!  LOL  I call her "cheeser"

Almost there!

Calleigh & her new friend Lila

Loving the fishies

She sees the Sea Lions

This sand is so hard to get off!

Us again (I love Calleigh's pretty smile)

At Waimea Falls

Climbing stairs at Waimea Valley Botanical Gardens

Just a little windy

Daddy trying to get Calleigh to take a swim (I like his little pink bucket)

Beautiful Sunset

Auntie Melanie bought Calleigh this dress.  She looks so beautiful and grown up!