How has everyone's New Year been?

Ours has started out with a bang and it has been absolutely perfect (besides locking Olive in our apartment by herself...have to tell the story in person if you care to know :)

I just can't continue on in the lovely flow of this year without finishing off our time in Utah and 2011!

We had a priceless Christmas with many tender moments.  Gae was missed, but to be honest, we miss her more now being home.  Maybe it's all of the books that she wrote little notes in to the girls when she gifted them for birthdays, and special days, or it's that she's not there when we Skype to make silly faces at the girls, or maybe the bunny slippers that she made that I see on Caroline's feet each day make our hearts a little heavy, but happy at the same time.  We've never been more grateful for the temple to feel a closeness to her.

Everyday over the break was spent with family.   There were dinners, game nights, talent shows, lots of time playing the "bowl game" which is charades on steroids, birthday celebrations.  It was non-stop and our messy bedroom was proof that we were constantly on the go!

At our Winegar family Christmas party, my mom made these cute favors/ name cards.  To make them she opened the bottom of the can and emptied out the contents and washed it.  Then she filled them with everyone's favorite goodies, or cute little socks for the girls and hot glued them shut.

Then she put on the labels and the ribbon and we were the recipients of a fun little surprise!

It was such a fun idea that could be used for many occasions.

Spending time in the mountains was definitely a highlight.  We dusted off the snowshoes and were able to go a couple of times.  We also found some decent hills to go sledding on.  The girls were pretty pleased!  By the way, if you were wondering, you can carry snowshoes onto the airplane.  Yes, you can carry snowshoes with sharp metal spikes on the bottom, but you can't bring a small tube of toothpaste.  Crazy, right!?

They just laughed the entire time they went down the hill, 

even when their faces were splashed with snow.

A few times they even had a good amount of space between the sled and the hill.  I was shocked when Caroline went down all by herself.  She was so proud.

The second time we went we made it to a set destination, Doughnut Falls.  Adam's dad, sister, and our brother-in-law came and it was a perfect way to spend our New Year's Eve morning.

I don't usually blog about my own birthday, but I just loved this one.  There were no big plans, and it just turned out splendidly with some awesome surprises.  Lunch at Vinto did not disappoint with the margherita pizza that tasted so good to me at 14 weeks pregnant.  

While leaving the restaurant my sister, Erika, asked if I wanted my gift right then, or on Friday.  I said whatever was better for her.

Then bam, she reached in her pocket and there they were.  Two Neil Diamond tickets for July!

Yes, I am a fan, I mean he sings "Sweet Caroline", but that is not his only gem.  He's not getting any younger and this may be my last chance to ever see him perform a sweet concert.

And it doesn't stop there.  For Christmas she gave my parents tickets and my sister and brother-in-law as well.

It's going to be a party!!

I am not a big Facebooker at all, lame I guess, but I am just not that into it.  I will tell you though, Facebook really comes through for you on your birthday.  All of the birthday greetings are just so unexpected and nice.  It's like receiving little gifts throughout the day!

Caroline was also like a little alarm clock it seemed.  Every hour or even more often, she would sweetly say, "Happy Birthday Mommy" and then give me a kiss on the cheek.

That sweetness comes from her daddy.

These two little dolls have turned a corner.  They were buds before, but now they just hang out ALL day and let their imaginations take them all over to South Carolina, to the hair salon, and to their clubhouses that they build all over the apartment.  I find myself having all sorts of time and it feels very strange.  Olive copies everything Caroline does, she thinks she is the best thing around, and we hope that never changes.

They spent a lot of time in this closet at Grandpa B's house.  This was one of their "clubhouses" and my cute sister had just done their makeovers.  

I could just film them playing together all day.  I realize I take a lot of pictures, but I need to have the little sweet Olive voice and hand gestures, I need Caroline's voice comforting Olive and saying, "You are the best sister, Olive."  

Our heartstrings are sure pulled by these two.

{Home Sweet Home}

The definition of comfort is: a state of physical ease or to bring cheer to.

This is a perfect way to describe how I felt as soon as I walked into our living room apartment back in D.C.

Pure ease and cheer overcame me.  I smiled at how clean everything was and how everything had it's own place.  I almost shouted Hallelujah when I exclaimed to Adam that we only had to unpack 5 bags of things and not unpack-and-move-in to our place for the how many times would that be?

2011 was a year that was packed with some pretty intense things.  Things that I am grateful I had Adam by my side for, and that I could be at his.  Last week we celebrated our 6th Wedding Anniversary.  It was quiet and simple and just what we needed.  Time to slowly sip ginger ale at dinner to calm our little growing baby, time to flirt and laugh and not know what is going on around us in the crowd.

I am so glad that I spied Adam down the hall in the Operating Room when we worked there together.

I have no shame in "by chance" being country dancing the same night he was, when I hadn't been in a year.

I love Park City and all of the romance that budded there.

I adore that Adam, only Adam, calls me Annie.

I feel indebted to him for the past year of him taking care of me during the first trimester...two times.

My heart melts when our girls are with their daddy, and it brings me ineffable joy.

In our six years of marriage we have moved way more than 6 times, one or both of us has been in school during our entire marriage (but the school part is quickly coming to a close!), we have been pregnant 6 times, we have had two priceless little girls that have won our hearts over time and time again, we have had 6 jobs on and off between us, and we flew across the country 6 times this past year.

Through all of the wild, uncertainty of this year, Adam (and our girls) was my constant.  

I look forward with more of that soothing comfort that he will always be next to me.

I love you babe!

Making Days Merry and Bright

A couple of things that I was so excited about this season were being able to frolic in tons of snow with our little girls, and to feel an overwhelming Christmas spirit, where you are so excited you can't stop your toes from wiggling.

Utah has kind of let us down in the snow department.  It has not been a very beautiful December, unless you love a sky covered in smog so thick you can chew on it and dead, yellow grass everywhere that snow should be.  I was getting used to all of that and had accepted it, but then we were able to escape for a day.

Adam, my sister Erika, and I went up into the mountains and enjoyed a day of skiing. 

Just to be above the smog was incredible and I felt like I could finally breath.  That would have been enough.  We were not expecting a lot regarding the skiing because we thought the snow would be terrible.

We were pleasantly surprised by a perfect fresh layer of snow from the night before, and mountains of powder near the top of Snowbird.  It was like we were floating on a sea a Cool Whip.

It was a cloudy in the morning, and then the sun broke through.

The sky was bright blue the rest of the day, it was glorious.  There was no one on the mountain, we had no lines and no obstacle course of people to maneuver through.  We didn't want to go back to the shadowlands, but it did have to end at some point, but we are glad we found a bit of snow.

The thing that topped my Christmas spirit chart this year was going caroling.  It was the most touching thing that our little family did.  My cute sister-in-law and brother set it up and we went to a little home that cared for not only elderly people, but for many with disabilities. 

We were a small group, but it didn't matter.  As we sang Jingle Bells, Away in a Manger and other festive songs, the residents chimed in loudly with their cheery voices. 

I couldn't think of a place better to spread some holiday cheer than right there with those sweet folks who see the same walls day in and day out.

Buddy the Elf was right when he said, "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear."

When we walked outside after, real magic had happened too.  It was snowing and Caroline and Olive were thrilled!  Olive is not in the picture because she was trying to catch snowflakes.

She had to have caught a few because she was definitely providing plenty of surface area for the flakes to land.

We snagged her for this picture, but she did not give up.  She wanted to enjoy the snow while it was coming. 

Another little Sparkler

A few months ago, I picked Adam up from the metro and this greeted him in his seat:

Not only did I find out that lovely day that we were expecting, but the due date was estimated for Independence Day, my favorite holiday!

So, we were giddy about the news, and then the next week I had some spotting.  I had a mix of strange emotion and feelings.  I was of course sad again at the thought of what was possibly happening, but I thought, well if it's going to happen, now is better than at 3 months along.

I called some dear friends who took the girls because I was advised to go to the ER.  I wsa 5 weeks and 5 days at this point. 

Adam and I had actually a good time during all the waiting in the ER.  Have you looked at Vogue magazine lately?  It was hilarious seeing all of the people they say are models, we just didn't get it.

Blood work, ultrasound, more waiting later, they thought that things looked fine due to a healthy yolk sac. It was too early to see a heartbeat.  They also found a small cyst that had ruptured and thought that was part of the bleeding, as well as residual from the summer D&C. 

The next step was follow up in two days.  I went to this new doctor who was kind of difficult to understand.  He didn't think that drawing an HCG level was of any help (but this is what can help you know early on if things are progressing or have stopped).  It should have doubled in 48 hours. 

After he saw the desperation in my face, he said to draw the lab.  Then the nurse said she already had included it with the bloodwork.  This guy was killing me!

Then as I was leaving he said, "If you want things to be good with this pregnancy, then just think good thoughts, it will be ok."  My first thought was, "Are you friekin' kidding me!?"  I might be having another miscarriage and that is your advice!? 

Later though, I actually found comfort in his simple statement.  I kept trying to think good thoughts.

Well, the spotting stopped, then we ended up leaving for Utah a week earlier than planned.  The nurse called that Friday and said the HCG had doubled!  I was so grateful.
At the airport though, more spotting came and it seemed like it was a more serious problem. 

All I could do was get back on the plane in Chicago and continue to Utah and think good thoughts.

At this point, the good thoughts were really sparse.

Time went on and luckily my sister works on Labor and Delivery. I knew I could go check what was going on in a couple of weeks.  I waited because I wanted to have a for sure yes or no of how things were.  It is really tricky to hear a heartbeat on my babies early on.  I had felt sick, but Olive had been ill and I thought I just had an adult mild case of what she had.

At 9.5 weeks I went up to visit my sister.  I had not let my hopes soar high, I was trying to be realistic and had almost talked myself into things not being good.

Then my sister says, "There it is, there is the heartbeat!"  I looked and could not believe it, I was so surprised and beyond excited.

She grabbed one of the doctors who measured the baby and the little peanut was growing right on schedule.

Immediately I felt so connected with this little one, and we have had another ultrasound and I was 12 weeks and the happy little one was bouncing around in my tummy.  I also think there was a wave to Adam with the little arm. 

Ice cream sounds good, sometimes egg sandwiches, I am blowin' up here people.  Bring it on and bring on the sickness because we are thrilled to be having a baby!  It has been the best Christmas gift to us.  It has also been a strong feeling with Adam and I that his dear mom is helping our little ones not give any more false starts!  The timing has been so tender.

Hooray for 13 weeks!!

Date Night Times 2

I so look forward to date nights with Adam.  I love the anticipation of just knowing we get to go out and do something besides just be at home.  It's so nice to make the effort to go and be together, even if it's just on a run.

We discovered this month how special date nights with our little girls are as well.  We took each one out individually and it was fun to be with just one of their adorable little personalities on each date.

Caroline had wished (on the turkey wishbone) that she could go see the Nutcracker.  She loves the music and is always dancing to it.  Well, Adam surprised us and got the three of us tickets.  Santa left them on the doorstep as an early Christmas gift.  Caroline was jumping up and down when she picked them up from outside.

On the way to the show a couple of weeks later, Caroline said, "We should call Santa and thank him for the Nutcracker tickets."  We adore her grateful little heart.

During the show she couldn't wait to see the Mouse King and Mother Buffoon.  She kept trying to whisper, in her one volume voice, "Is that the Mouse King?" anytime a mouse came out dancing.

She was so into it and clapped whenever people did, it was the most energetic little clap!

When the Sugar Plum Fairy came out she said in awe, "Wow!" and just gazed at her.  The dancing truly did give me the chills, they make it look effortless.

I told her that I tried out for the Nutcracker twice and never made it, but that it was ok.  She said, "That is ok mom, you just need to keep practicing!"  I hope that she remembers her own wise words when things don't go her way, and also that even with more practicing, it sometimes just doesn't work out.

Tonight she said that for her birthday she wants toe shoes, I hope she can be really patient because that won't be for a while.  She lasted for almost the entire show.  At the end, she was leaning over her seat to hold her Mike & Ike's up to the light to see what color they were before she ate them.

We had such a fun time with our little (growing up at lightning speed) care bear.

Olive got to hit the town with mom and dad and head to Zoo Lights.  Caroline had already gone another night with my family when I was home hugging the toilet with the flu.

We went with Adam's family and we loved letting Olive just walk all over looking like the kid from "A Christmas Story" all bundled up. 

She really wanted to talk to this gingerbread girl, but she just kept staring at her and wasn't responding to Olive.

We rode the carousel and she chose to ride on the zebra.  She is way into playing with model animals right now.  She especially loves the horses and the zebras.  Whenever she plays with them she makes them gallop and says, "Ride horsey ride!"  She didn't disappoint that night as the carousel moved around she said, "Ride horsey ride!"

It was FREEZING, but she was so happy and walked most of the time.  She basically thinks she is ready to move out on her own and always says, "I do it myself."  She adores any independence that she feels she has!

This picture I love because she is laughing at herself here and saying, "haha Olive is funny!" and then chuckles more.

She is such a lovable, animated doll. 



{Shoe Party}

Usually a shoe party is given to some 40-something-year-old fashionista who has countless pairs of shoes.

Well, for our dear Olive, it was the only way to go this year for her birthday party!

Between wearing her own shoes, Caroline's shoes, and mommy's shoes, she has an overwhelming

amount that she feels need to be worn. 

When we are at home she changes her shoes at least 8-10 times a day, sometimes mismatched, and she finds so much joy in doing it.

Adam and I made the invite before we left D.C. so the colors totally don't match the party, but I thought I was going to go with some bright colors.

Those who know me though will not be surprised that I ended up using red as one of the main colors.

I am trying to branch out, but it's hard!

Usually I get so stressed out planning parties and getting all of the finishing touches together.  I don't know why, but this time I was totally relaxed and had just as much fun preparing as we did during the party. 

Caroline and Olive were so thrilled to help decorate and arrange things, we had a lovely time.

She was bursting with happiness all day, she knew something was up, and that it was all about her.

The decor was simple with accents of red, silver, and black.  Besides the sweet treats of cake, ice cream, and Peppermint Joe-Joe's (that I brought boxes of in my suitcase from D.C.), we had the strawberry topiary.

At the base of the topiary there was a dip of sour cream, sprinkled with brown sugar.

I am sure most of you have tried that delicious and simple delicacy, but it is an old family favorite of mine!

I found a pattern for paper shoes online and modified my favorite pom-poms to add a little

glitz to the toes.

"Olive" brand shoes were the cake topper, and they were made out of gumpaste. 

Luckily I watched a tutorial about a month in advance so I knew I needed at least 10 days to get the shoes made so they could dry.  The shoebox is just marshmallow fondant which I have loved working with since my first experience for Caroline's tea party.  It's super cheap to make and tastes way better than regular fondant.

Our girls have 9 boy cousins ranging in age from 1 to 13, so I decided to make two different age appropriate party favors.  For the older nephews, I just put some candy in a shoe.  Now, the shoe they didn't really care about, but they liked the candy.  I think little girls would die for a tiny paper shoe.

And for the younger ones, I just got some Melissa and Doug lace and trace animals because they came with a "shoe" lace.

Olive knew just what to do when the singing began.  Adam came in with the cake and she grabbed the cake tray and got ready to blow out the candles.  She has been carrying around fake candles for weeks and singing "Happy Birthday" to all of the family members.

She was showered with love and it was so nice being with everyone during such a magical season.  After opening each present she would give out a cute little gasp and slowly say, "Oh my mommy!"  She melted everyone's heart.

Besides being into shoes, she adores Mickey and Minnie Mouse.  She often wakes up and just sings, her favorite song being "The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock" with actions.  She is a little parrot and copies anything you say and do, especially what Caroline does. 

Her dance moves are originals and I don't know if anyone has cuter little hip shakes.  When we say goodnight and are shutting the door she always says, "Sleep well mommy" and it makes everyday worth all the work and any tantrum seem minute.  She adores dogs, nail polish, Cheerios, and leggings.

And darling Olive, we adore you sweet baby girl!

Building some holiday cheer

A couple of years ago when we lived in New Hampshire, there was not a whole lot to do right in Concord during the winter with Caroline and a brand new baby.  We discovered a wonderful gem at Lowe's, a kids craft that they let the kids build every other Saturday morning.

We were regulars and Caroline constructed all sorts of wooden projects like a transformer, mini basketball hoop, jewelry holder, and more.

Home Depot also does the kids craft, but they only do it the first Saturday of every month.

We have not been for quite a while, but we went here in Utah and it was a hit!

Every child gets an apron (at Lowe's or Home Depot) that they wear during the project.  (At Lowe's they also got work goggles that looked adorable on little 2-year-old Caroline's face.)

After each project they do, they get a pin or a patch that you can put on the apron to represent each project.

You get a kit with all of the wooden pieces, the small nails or screws, and often stickers.

Then the kids get to work putting it all together.

This project was a snowman napkin holder.

At Home Depot they provide paint to finish your project.  We used to just take them home and have a fun painting project for later!

It is kind of nice to keep the mess at the store though :)  The girls were quite excited about their pink snowmen.

Santa happened to be visiting last time and Caroline let him know that she and Olive would like some Tinker toys and a Barbie.

Hopefully little Olive and Caroline can continue to be little dolls and their wishes will come true!