Sunday, December 27, 2009

What a Difference a Year Can Make!

We just got the official photo in the mail! Let's compare 2008 and 2009...
In 2008 Maizey was little and laid-back, Santa was Asian and quiet. In 2009 Maizey was big (comparatively) and *spirited*, and as adorable as ever. Santa was white and opinionated. We missed Asian Santa--even if he never "ho ho ho'd!"

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Holiday Fun

Hello friends and family! I know. I know. I've been bad. I used to be so good. What can I say? Does the fact that my camera passed away make up for any of it? Well, anyway, here I am to update you. I wanted to start with Thanksgiving, but I'm just going to bypass it and start off fresh. Yes, Ryan is home, safe and sound. It's great to have him back, but definitely having the house to myself for 2 months means that there are some adjustments. Also, there is just that adjustment period. You know, where you're kind of on each other's nerves a lot? But I'd rather have him here than in Dubai--even if he's a little annoying (especially when his dirty socks are left exactly 2 feet beside the laundry hamper--seriously, couldn't he have just put them in the hamper??). Aww, I love my Nis.

So tonight we celebrated Christmas with my family. We had dinner and hot buttered rum and some amazing moussey thing from Bakery Nouveau. Then we opened gifts, I have the cutest Lulu Lemon hoodie and some cool earrings to show for it. Maizey doesn't participate in the exchange, she just gets an insane amount of loot. She's got a new kitchen, a big area rug for her bedroom, a Little People barn, a tea set, college money, new See Kai Run Mary Janes, I could go on and on. The girl is set. We had a great time. It was really nice to have my family over. Maizey LOVES to have company.

Thursday night we had the 2nd annual Downtown Santa Extravaganza. It was SOSO fun! My whole family (sans Jim) and Ryan's meet downtown. We wait in line to see the Nordstrom Santa and drink apple cider and eat sugar cookies while we wait. Then we take a Maizey and Santa picture and then a huge Maizey and entourage photo. 11 adults to one baby. Both times we've been told that Maizey had the largest entourage of any kid. How lucky is she? But, she's so loved 'cause she's so great. We're really the lucky ones. After Santa we went and rode the carousel, where Maizey obsessed over her first candy cane and enjoyed the horsies. Then we headed to dinner. All 12 of us. It was a great night and I feel so lucky to have our family close by and all so healthy. My mom rolled in a wheelchair because of a recent partial knee replacement, but mostly she just did it for the attention (just kidding mama).

The second set of photos are of our attempt at a family Christmas card photo. Um, not easy. It's so funny because Maizey was so great for the Santa photos, but we didn't get a single photo of her looking at the camera during this photo session. When you see our Christmas card you'll see what we mean. This was the best photo we could get. Ry and I look okay in it, but mostly we chose it because it was one of the few where she wasn't screaming. Photo sessions are a type of torture for toddlers. Anyway, enjoy them, the whole thing is funny--in retrospect. Wasn't so funny at the time. Photo sessions are also a type of torture for Ryan. Not easy for me to manage a situation where not only is Ryan annoyed but Maizey is nuts-o. After the session I lost my keys and then I lost my mind. I went home and drank wine. I NEVER drink, but I HAD to drink. I guess you know it's the holidays when you have to hit the bottle to find some peace. Also, if you didn't get a Christmas card and you want one, let me know. I ordered 75 and only sent 39. Otherwise, what will I do with 36 cards?

Here are the photos...

Sorry about the wacky order. Blogspot photo formatting is my enemy.

Here's Maizey waiting in line. She's only entertained by high-priced, cutting-edge technology.








Meeting Santa for, as far as she can remember, the first time.

Primping for Santa.


Look at the gorgeous girl. She was so great for Santa. Although, I don't think she moved a muscle or even blinked the whole time she was on his lap!Rollin' in style with grammy!

Auntie Mistilyn and Uncle Brion.

Carousel and candy cane=pure Christmas joy!
Our group shot.Brion and Mistilyn ran in and just made it. Unfortunately, the first picture is better of everyone. Which to frame???
Here's last years photo to compare. Last year we lucked out and got "Diversity Santa" this year we just got plain, old, white Santa.


The photo session. See my sad sad baby----------->



















Aww, I LOVE my handsome hubby.




And, my girl who was sweet for this picture with her mama.





















She was having fun right before the photos really got started.


Then I tried to make her happy with some dancing.

But, then we had to restrain to even get her in the frame.

We were at a loss...

Seriously Maizey?

At a certain point you just have to laugh...

And try to make the best of it. But, is this frameable? Not really.

She had her own agenda. Which was mostly just watching dogs walk by.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Something Cute

For you to look at while I'm being a lazy blogger. Ryan gets home tomorrow (praise Jesus), so I should be able to update you then.
Here is a cute photos of some Festive Peeps (they were excited at how well Maizey matched their get-ups) we met while we were shopping at The Bravern. Very fancy.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

I can't come up with a clever title. Sorry peeps.

You all know the truth. I'm blogged out, but I'm pushing onward. I'm losing my ability to think up catchy titles. The truth is that I should be doing homework. The blog steals away my school time and in a matter of weeks, it will no longer be an option. That's not to say I won't try.

Anyhoo, here are some photos...
Modeling some new clothes...
New coat from auntie ErikaNew sweater and jeans.Kitty loveJust being adorable on the bathroom floor--where else?So, Georgia and I both bought stuff at BP and got tickets to see an early showing of New Moon the night before it came out. Georgia bought enough stuff to merit 3 (almost 4) tickets and I bought enough to get the extra 1. We got to see in the night before it came out at 9pm. We went to Pacific Place and almost the whole movie theater was devoted to this. I think there are like 10 theaters and ours sat 600 if that gives you an idea of how crazy it was! It was SOSOSO fun! The energy was so great and everyone who was there was a HUGE fan. There was lots of screaming during the movie: when it started, when you first saw Edward, when Jacob took his shirt off, when Edward took his shirt off--you get the idea. I felt like I was among my people. The best part was that the movie was SOSOSSOSOSSO good! I LOVED it! I'm almost afraid to tell people that because I'm afraid they'll think I'm crazy, but I really enjoyed it. We had some time to kill before the movie started so we went and had a great dinner at Mexico. Unfortunately, it's probably the last time I'll ever have their amazing curry burrito (because it's coming off the men), but we still had a blast. We met a great group of women who sat behind us in the theater. One lady (Michele) flew from Virginia to be a part of this with her Seattle friends (whom she met in Forks). She is the biggest Twi-Hard I've ever met. Below is a photo of her showing me her photo of Robert Pattinson that she took when she flew to the LA Premiere last Monday. I'm so jealous. I fell in love with her and we're going to be Facebook friends! Anyway, enjoy!

This weekend I went to spend a couple of nights at my parents' house. We went to Rainforest Cafe in Tukwila and Maizey LOVED. Well, she half loved it and half had a miserable time, as is the case these days. She's pretty opinionated and fussy now when she wants her way--which is almost all the time.

Giving Grandpa the tour.

Shark!

The only photo I got with her where she looks remotely happy. I happened to be pushing my hair behind my ear, but still cute-ish.

The rest of the photos we took looked more like these two...

Ah, you gotta love toddlers...

Monday, November 16, 2009

DubRyan

Do you like my clever title? It was between that and "Ry in Dubai" but DubRyan was more fun, like Bennifer or Brangelina. I wanted to post some of the photos that he's been sending me from Dubai--which is just a few despite my constant nagging and pleading for more. We have just over 2 more weeks until he's home. I am hoping that time flies by. It should, between New Moon, Thanksgiving, and the end of the quarter, I have a lot on my plate--plenty to keep me busy!


Here are some of the photos that Ry has emailed:


Ry says that most of the food is like Indian food (curries and rice), but there is still a Pizza Hut for those days that you're missing home and its abundance of sodium.


Being very dramatic. Singing opera, perhaps? In his teeny hotel room.



Just outside his hotel room. I guess a group of guys play cricket here every morning. Ryan says Dubai is a lot of smoke and mirrors. He's staying in one of the many not-so-nice areas to be closer to the airport (where he works everyday).

"Flying" a helicopter. I heart him!


There was an aerospace trade show in Dubai this week. Ryan went today and happened to see that a plane that he recently worked on was there. Ryan was the lead on this project and designed the interiors. He was treated like a VIP when he went to see it and they reserved a time for him to walk through this plane privately.
I am a proud wife.



So, yes. There is other news. In case you aren't on Facebook, I found out yesterday that I was accepted into the nursing program!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This fact deserves many exclamation points. It's been a long 3 years of pre-reqs, I got pregnant and had a baby along the way, but I finally made it. I feel very proud, I just wish my hubby was here to celebrate with me. Or, as a close second, I was hoping that my hubby would tell me to take myself shopping in celebration, but that didn't happen either. Poo. Oh well, I'm still totally psyched. This is a big deal for me. I want to shout out to my mom and my mother-in-law for their unending support of me and my family through this process. I couldn't have done it without them. And of course to my dear husband. He made me believe that I could do anything I wanted. That my capabilities were endless. I never used to believe him, but he never stopped and finally I did believe him. Now, the real hard work starts. Two years of no blogging, no hanging out, and very little fun. Don't feel bad if you don't hear from me for a couple of years. Seriously, they told me to plan for 70-90hours a week of school, clinicals, and homework. Oh crap. Here we go...


I don't really have any new photos. Here are 2 of Maizey thinking she is really awesome (we were probably listening to The Spinners Rubberband Man and when that song is on it's done. Maizey's cool level goes from 10/10 to 100/10--or so she thinks) and playing with her rock-and-rolla sunglasses. Also a couple of little videos from Little Gym last week.



Monday, November 9, 2009

So Blogged Out

Add ImageI'm sorry dear friends. I'm so over blogging. I just am. With Ryan gone, it's hard to find the time that is required to post a bunch of photos--Blogger needs to make it easier, write a bunch, and then try to organize it all. If you are a blogger using Blogspot then you know what I mean.

So I will cut right to the chase. Today I had my nursing school interview. It went really great and I'm so excited to find out if I get in--which will probably be sometime in the next few weeks, but up to a month. Ugh. Anyway, I found out that I will have even less time to blog if I do get into the program. Apparently all but the very most important functions of life get lost in the shuffle. Sorry to my soon-to-be-neglected friends.

I went to the cabin last weekend with Georgia, Jessica, and Jill. We had a nice relaxing weekend and I'm ready to do it all again. Actually, what I'm really ready for is on 11/19 when all four of us head to see New Moon at Pacific Place the night before it actually releases! I can't wait!! Team Edward. How could you ever be anything else?

So, I will tell the rest with photos...

Here is my new huge frame that it took me forever to put together. Maizey walks up to this and stares at it forever--until she sees the picture of her with her pacifier in, then she just starts crying to me for her paci. I'm so over that damn soothie!

I can't remember what I put up from our trip to Reminger Farms. So here you go. We had a great time. More photos can be seen at my efficient blogger of a cousin's blogspot:
http://zarling.blogspot.com/2009/10/remlinger-farms.html

She loves the swine.

On our scary hike into the woods during the girls weekend. It was so beautiful, even if we were being stalked by wildlife.
Our fearless leader--she was not afraid of being the first one to stumble upon a giant spider or a dead body.

Aww...
Waiting to make the climb up the tree.
We had to cross Dry Creek (not dry this time of year) to get to where we were going!
She wasn't super psyched, but did a very good job!The weather was gorgeous on Friday afternoon. A perfect snuggly cabin kind of day.

So while I waited for the girls I lit a fire and snuggled up. I eventually turned off the tv and just listened to the sound of the fire and the waves. Seriously, heaven.
We went to Jump Planet during drop-in time with Ashley and Ava last week. Maizey loves Ava and we all had a blast!!
Maizey on the baby jump house.

After a fun slide down!
Can you tell she loves Ava? Who doesn't? That is one smart, sassy, silly 4 year old!

Checking out a turtle at the zoo a couple of weekends ago.

She's a primatologist wannabe just like her mama.
Kisses from the goat.Halloween 2009. My little pumpkin.
Taking to the streets of West Seattle. Meeting up with Emilie.OMG! It was "spuhbub!!!"My girls.Eventually she got the trick or treating thing down, she'd even go by herself!!Sugar break. Only on Halloween. It was a little nuts.She was feeling all sugar-rushed at this point and in a very good mood. She wanted to share her candy with everyone.Winding down the day playing with Cash.Handing out candy to the trick or treaters at Gma's house.Trying to convince me to give her just one more piece of candy. No way baby. She's a chocoholic.Here is a funny video after a busy afternoon of shopping. Maizey is in love with her new shiny flats. So cute.