Addison's new love

When we first brought this in, Addison was too small for it. Or so we thought. She was bored just laying on the floor not being able to see everyone, especially the girls running around. So we tried her in it and she loved it.

So she was a little short for it at first. But she's tall enough now and she loves it still.

The girls thought it was cute to put her hood on. I'm sure she thinks of it as torture.

Motorcycle Riding

Over Christmas vacation we took the girls motorcycle riding with my family. The last time I was on a motorcycle was 10 years ago when Dave and I were engaged and he came out with us. Oh, I wish I had pictures of the bike he was riding back then. Anyway, around the time Dave and I started looking for bikes for us (before kids) my dad had a really bad motorcycle accident, with a broken neck and back and was in a halo for 3 months. So that ended the search and really the thought of getting back into motorcycle riding again. Riding for the few hours reminded us both how much fun we had and that we really want to get back into it. And the girls had a great time too riding with their aunts, uncles and grandpa.

Kelsey was up first on the quad since Katelyn and I opted to stay in the truck with Addison where it was still nice and warm.

They started her out following grandpa around. Watch out, she came a little close a couple of times and took out a few bushes in the process. But once she got the hang of it, there was no stopping her.Then she wanted to try out the motorcycle. This is the same one we all learned on as kids.

No bushes were harmed in the riding of this motorcycle.

While Kelsey was on the motorcycle, I got Katelyn excited about riding the quad, which she very affectionately donned the "monster truck."

I love this look on her face because you can see both the fear and excitement in her eyes. The sock on her hand was to keep a blister clean. It never hindered her driving.

It didn't take her long at all to warm up to it at all. She was smiling and saying, "Whee" the whole time. If you notice, I am only steering she is pushing the throttle. She offered rides to everyone and didn't want to go anywhere near the trailer because she knew if she went back she would have to share the monster truck with Kelsey, which she clearly didn't want to do. Way too much fun.

Aunt Jessica was up next for a ride from Katelyn.

Jesse was next in line (whether he wanted to be or not). After a few laps around, Katelyn said her hand was tired so Jesse asked, "Do you wanna go back to the trailer?" she said, "No, now you do it." And he did it. She has got her two uncles wrapped around her finger.

See what I mean? The whole time we were in California she had one of them holding her all the time. She didn't have to walk anywhere.

While Kelsey and Katelyn were busy on the quad and Jessica had Addison, it was time for Dave and I to head for a little ride. That was a bad idea because we had such a fun time and didn't wanna come back to reality.

It fits me, right?

It took so major coaxing, but we eventually got Katelyn off the quad and got her to try out the motorcycle. It wasn't her favorite because she couldn't do it herself. Maybe next time.

We've got ourselves some little riders for sure.

And here's proof that Addison actually got out of the truck, at least for a few minutes before she was too frozen and had to go back in.
Kelsey was so proud of what she learned how to do and can't wait to go again.

Katelyn and grandpa (being held again)

The girls sure love all their aunts.

Addison's giggles

While I have tried to capture Addison's giggles on video, she sees the camera and turns shy. So this will just have to do, but keep in mind it doesn't do her justice. And Katelyn is in the background squealing at her to make her laugh. Addison loves her sisters so much and smiles and laughs for them the moment she wakes up until she goes to bed.

Addison's 4 months stats

With both Kelsey and Katelyn it seemed that I couldn't wait for them to reach the 4 month mark. As if it was some milestone or something. But with Addison, I can't believe she's now almost 5 months old. Here's her stats from her 4 month appointment. She weighed 13 lbs 2 oz and 22" long. She can also:

• roll over


• almost sit completely without help


• reach and grab for things


• slowly scooch across the room to get what she wants


• eats rice cereal, fruits and veggies 3x a day

Oh yes, she has started moving. Dave is so proud of this because he taught her how to push up on her knees and now when I lay her on her stomach she immediately pushes up to get going. I'm not thrilled with this fact since she is my watch most of the time. The first time he loses her in the house I will be sure to remind him of this fact. She has also started eating rice cereal. I was really hoping to get some pictures like this

or this, but she has just been waiting for real food since she was about 3 1/2 months. It killed me to wait even that long when she would so intently watch us put bite after bite in our mouths. So needless to say we have no gagging, choking, spewing, pictures. She has loved it and gets so excited when we put her in her chair to eat. And within 3 days she was eating it 3 times a day and never looked back. She. Loves. Food. For 2 weeks now she's slept from 9 to 6:30 or 7. That's my girl. I love it when they get some solid food in them.

We have a reader

Kelsey has been learning to read since last summer so this post has been a long time coming. I figured I should document it before it's so outdated that it doesn't even matter. She finished the program and has been reading in school and writing in her journal but the clincher was listening to her read a verse in the scriptures the other night. Scriptures are hard enough to read as it is when you can read, but when she hasn't seen the words at all and is reading the without any problem, watch out. Nothing is safe anymore!!

Family Pictures

What would a trip to California be without taking some family pictures. The last time we took family pictures was when Katelyn was 2 months old. So they needed some updating to say the least. We've always had them taken in the studio so this time we opted for some outdoor ones instead. Here's a few of the favorites. (Compliments to Alyson for capturing some great shots, as always!!) :)
Kelsey
Katelyn
Addison was not cooperating but I love that Alyson was able to capture at least a little bit of Addison's smile?
Our family. Poor Dave is so outnumbered.
Just had to throw this one in for Jess.
The whole gang.
Rob & Jess
Jesse & Alyson
Micaela
Mom & Dad

Christmas 2009

This year for Christmas we decided to head back to California since we were the only ones who weren't planning to be there in my family. Rob & Jess usually come for Thanksgiving but they switched and decided to come for Christmas instead. We haven't packed up Christmas and taken it with us since Kelsey was 1 and Rob was in a halo so we changed our plans and packed up two days early to help Jess with him. Back then it wasn't such a big deal with only 1 kid, but when you have to pack it all for 3, it's a little more tricky. Fortunately Kaylene was going down too and offered to take whatever we needed so they wouldn't find anything they weren't supposed to.

We headed down Wednesday afternoon so we would have the long weekend to spend with everyone. We decided to spend Christmas Eve with Dave's family and all the cousins and Christmas Day with my family. It was the first time my mom was able to have Christmas at her house since my grandpa had been in and out of the hospital after his heart surgery. Saturday night Kaylene watched all the girls so we could all go out to dinner with my parents and brothers and sister. It was great time had by all and a nice change of pace to be out without any kids tagging along or kids menus to deal with. Our original plan was to come home Monday morning before the migration of people to Las Vegas for New Years Eve, but we changed our plans.
We packed up to leave, but took a detour to Mojave for a few hours to take the girls motorcycle riding with my family instead. Dave and my dad spent a few hours over the weekend getting a little motorcycle ready for Kelsey to ride and a quad for Katelyn to ride. I think that was the highlight of the trip.

Taking inventory of all the loot Santa left for them.

Stocking Time

This is a great picture of the two of them. He's such a proud uncle.

Bring on the Presents

Katelyn looks so excited about the Snow White puzzle she got.

I just love the look on her face. Pure excitement.

Addison's 1st Christmas

Look at those tired eyes

But she had to play with it for a few minutes before going down for a nap.

Katelyn just loves Tinkerbell. She was so excited about this and The Lost Treasure movie.

This might have been the most asked for present in this girl's life. Ever. All she wanted was a microphone. Good thing the Big Guy in Red came through.

Katelyn's big present. I wonder what it could be?

She couldn't wait to try out her new "big girl" bike. Wouldn't even wait for shoes.