More Resolutions

I am posting these so I can be more accountable.

-Be more organized, especially with my photos on my computer and certain areas in my home


-Finish projects I have started


-Cherish every moment with my family and loved ones


-Learn to be more frugal and pay off our debt

Happy New Year!

This year has been very crazy, fun, busy, exciting, changing, tough, and wonderful. We are looking forward to another new year but I wonder... Why do we wait until the first of January to start a new diet or new organizing plan? Why not start on September 12? April 22? Why do we wait until Anniversaries and Valentines to show our love for someone, or Birthdays to show how special they are? Why do we scrapbook Birthdays and Holidays, Vacations and Photo Shoots but have a hard time taking pictures of everyday stuff? Why do we wait until someone is gone (even if only for a week on a trip) to really appreciate them? Just some things I have been pondering. So, I guess one of my New Year's resolutions is to live life more fully, everyday not just the special occasions and appreciate what I've got. And I am starting it right now!

Cameron's new friend

The other day Cameron was eating in his highchair and I was upstairs doing something. I heard him talking to someone so I came down to see what was going on. He was looking out the back widow and talking. I looked for a bird or rodent or spider... nothing. I got him down and he ran right over and started talking to a fly on the inside of the window. He was playing with it! He'd talk and laugh and scold. The fly would buzz around at him and Cameron would run away screaming. That happened several times. Then he got his book and shared it with the fly. I sat there watching this thinking, " I have got to set up a play date for him!"

More Traditions!

Christmas Jammies
Green Pancakes and Red Syrup

Special toys and books brought out only at Christmas Time

Sunday Best!

Cameron's new Sunday outfit....

And, yes those are jeans, but never fear, Gramma D got him some chocolate brown corduroys for Christmas.

Tradition....... Tradition!

Okay I know you were thinking of the Fiddler on the Roof after reading that title! Unless you haven't seen it... then you have no idea what I'm talking about and think I am a crazy person! Anyway, Jenny inspired me to post our Christmas traditions. I grew up with a lot of traditions and some have been carried on in our home, along with new traditions.

Before Christmas we see Santa at a different location every year and try to go do a few fun outings. Last year we saw the Salt Lake Temple lights, Zoo Lights, a Suns Game, and saw Santa sitting in a sleigh outside a little boutique in Draper, Utah. This year we went on a Sleigh Ride, played in the snow, saw the Arizona Temple Lights one night while they were being installed (so it wasn't crowded) and saw Santa at Bass Pro Shops. Growing up we didn't have a ton of clothes but we always got fancy dresses for Christmas and Easter. Cameron gets a new Sunday outfit for those holidays too!

Christmas Eve

- Green Pancakes and Red Syrup

- Driving to see the lights around the neighborhood

- Christmas Program (I used to plan and coordinate one every year in my home but when I moved out I made a slideshow to music. It changes some years but has some songs about the true story of Christmas and a song or two with our Christmases through the years)

- Christmas Jammies (Not always Christmas themed)

- Reading The Night Before Christmas (This will be our first year doing this and I am totally stealing Jenny's idea of wrapping the Christmas books and opening one every day.)



Christmas Morning

- We each take turns opening presents

- Cameron gets a new ornament for his tree

It's begining to look like Christmas finally!

So this year, I was a little behind, but our decorations and lights are finally up. And the house is finally clean. With the cloudy, chilly, rainy weather I have gotten in the spirit and am excited. It has been a tough month for us with being sick and transitioning to me working part-time and having a miscarriage. But we are trying to focus on our little family and what we have. Each other, Cameron and his sweet spirit and cute little attitude, our beautiful home, wonderful and supportive family and friends, and even our jobs. Here are a few pictures of our home all decked out for Christmas.

Sleigh rides!

Obviously it was a carriage ride (with wheels), but they were advertised as complimentary sleigh rides. We stood in a long line, but it was a fun thing to do and Cameron seemed to enjoy looking at the lights. Afterwards we played in the "snow". Cameron liked that too, until he looked up and it got in his face.

Santa

We went to see Santa tonight at Bass Pro Shops. He was really great! He told us that Cameron is very handsome and that he is so tall he looked 3 instead of almost 2. He didn't make Cameron sit on his lap, because he didn't want Cameron to have a bad experience. Cameron told him he wanted a trike for Christmas. They had this whole wonderland set up, trains and reindeer, and shooting galleries... you know, just like the north pole.

Cameron is talking!

Okay, not a lot. But he is getting better just about everyday. It's been really fun as he is learning so much. Momma, Daddy, Hi, Bye-bye, Nigh-night, Go, Uh-oh, and 1,2,3 Go, All done/All gone (which vary from day to day and mean both when he is done and when he wants you to be done with something he wants), up? (to get picked up) fishies, What is it?, What's that?, Who is it?, have all been around for awhile.

Now he calls for me Momma? or when I walk into the room and he is excited to see me then it's Ma! He folds his hands for prayers and has recently started saying Amen afterwards. Once in a while he will put his finger to his lips and say shhhhhh... Shoes is fairly new and oooOOOOoooo has mostly been replaced with Wow! Book? (with a slightly silent k) and Ball. (with slightly silent ll's) are also new and sometimes sound very similar. Here go, as he hands something to you. Now he asks Where'd go? then says There it is! He also says Oh Man! which sometimes sounds more like Oh Ma. Tadaa! is one of my very faves. My sister-in-law Jenny said he said more? to ask for more popcorn, while my friend Jade(who has been watching him while I go to work) said that he barely talks to her but she was trying to get him to say all done after lunch and finally he looked down and whispered it. We are working on please but are still only getting mmmmm? but are happy with a nice sound instead of crying or screaming. We are also learning on/off as he has learned to switch the light switch and open/shut.

He also knows a lot of words meaning but doesn't say them. If we say "Do you want to go?" he grabs his shoes and tried to put them on or if they are already on he will go to the door. He understands bath and several other day to day directions like snack, food, movie, nigh-night, kisses, peek-a-boo, book. If we say 1,2,3 he shouts Go! If we say put your arms in he will do that to get dressed. If we ask where is your nose, he points to it. If we say "Where is Cameron?", he hides and knock, knock, gets him to knock on the door. Depending on the day and current mood he "forgets" what no means and just ignores me until I come over to him, then he runs away and laughs like it's a game...I do not like that. Jade says that when she tells him no, he shuts he eyes like then she can't see him.

He is also becoming a big helper... most days anyway. Handing me clothes when I'm doing the laundry, closing the dishwasher for me, picking up things I point to and ask for, putting Daddy's shoes in the shoe basket, closing doors that are supposed to be kept closed, and helping put his toys away.

On a side note I put a Santa Potato Head on Cameron's Radio Flyer Retro Rocket toy and when he saw it there he walked over to it pointed at it while telling him off in baby talk and smacked it right off then got on the rocket and (I think purposefully) ran over the Potato Head! He has also told off some kids at a mall play area and Jade's 4 month old baby Indiana (who just laughs at him).

Hello!

So, I've been told I haven't been very good at posting. Sorry, we all got sick for about 2 and a half weeks right after the zoo and were in urgent care ... it was bad. Then we got better and it was Thanksgiving weekend, getting ready for the holidays, starting a new job. Well it's actually the old job at EVIT. I am there part time helping the students again. I really enjoy working there. Anyway there is a lot going on this month of course but I will try to post more soon!

The zoo

Yesterday, Jenny and I took our kiddos to the zoo. We had such a great time. depending on which side of the double stroller Cameron and I were walking on, either Cameron and Olivia would have a toddler-talk conversation or Owen and Cameron would just laugh at each other. Olivia is such a good, sweet little girl and Owen is a riot. He makes himself laugh all the time. Jenny and I got some fun Mommy talk in as well. Cameron enjoyed himself and we bought a little toy monkey.

The Van Allen Family Weekend of Fun!

As a surprise for Pete I planned a Van Allen Family Weekend of Fun for our little family. It was October 10-12. It started with Zach's baseball game with Wes, Jill, and Josh on Friday night. The weather was beautiful, just starting to cool down, breezy. Saturday we got up and ate at Brunchies one of our fave breakfast places. Then we headed to mother Natures Farm.
We picked out a free pumpkin for Cameron, watched the pigs eat smashed pumpkins, went through the hay bale maze, which Cameron was pretty good at. Then we fed the goats,sheep and a cow and went through the pumpkin patch and took some pictures. we went home took naps and had lunch. My friend Jade watched Cameron that night while we went the the state fair and saw Larry the Cable Guy! I think he's kinda crude, but Pete likes him and we got free tickets to any one of the fair shows (including entrance and parking passes)! I gotta say he was pretty funny (as long as you don't dwell on the cringe worthy jokes)!
Sunday we had David and Jenny and their sweet children over for dinner!

slideshow

Halloween Fun

Cameron's Pumpkin this year! I don't like pumpkin guts, so I didn't mind that he could care less about carving one!
Creepcakes! Left to Right: Ghosts, Jack O'Lanterns, Vampires, Monsters, Mummies

Halloween

Van Allens by day.... Super Heroes by night! Saving the world is just your average Friday!
At least on Halloween!
We were the young Incredible family this year, newly married and just getting started on our family (not the middle aged family with three children depicted in the movie). Pete was Mr. Incredible, I was Elastigirl, and Cameron was "baby" Dash. Check us out!

P.S. Props to my mom for helping me with these costumes! Cameron already had the jammies, I found the tees for 5 bucks at Old Navy, and Mom ironed the emblem on, then painted the black center!

Adventure Update

Okay not to jinks myself, but so far Cameron hasn't figured out how to get out of his crib again (or it scared the pants off him and he is afraid to try again) He has also stopped climbing on the kitchen table and swinging the pendant light, the nursery leaders know to keep a better eye on the door and Peter has remembered to lock the outside doors.
However he is teething and boy did I think it was bad when he was a baby but as a toddler it's so much worse. He has this shriek that sounds a little like one of the wraiths from Lord of the Rings only much more piercing... and longer lasting. He also has quite the temper, I have had more than a few toys chucked in my direction and several head butts. We sure do love him but we cannot wait until he grows out of this stage. Anyone want to rent a toddler boy for a couple weeks?

Update: Today was so much better. He took a proper nap and hardly threw any fits (or toys). I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the worse (of teething, not terrible twos) is over.

Camping

We had such a fun time camping at the end of September! The weather was beautiful... the campsite was great... the family was fun... Cameron loved rolling in the dirt just to tick mom off!

Cameron loved being a big boy though. Walking around, playing in the dirt, riding quads and helping the guys. When Grampa and Daddy were building the fire, Cameron would pick up smaller sticks and throw them into the fire pit too! Just like the guys.

He definitely liked the freedom... but it came with a price. Lots and lots of bonks, bruises and cuts, plus a ton of dirt under the fingernails.

Building the fire with the boys. If you look closely, you can see bubbas on the left.

Cameron loved going on quad rides with whoever would take him!

"Now how did they get this thing started?"

"Oh good. Momma and Daddy will take me."

"and Grampa, Gramma, and Aunt Mo too!"

At the end of the trip we went on a long ride in quads and cars and found this gorgeous view. Then we ate our picnic lunch.

Buh-Bye!

Cameron's Might Adventures Part 3

Okay here we go with another.

This morning I heard Cameron calling me and I got up and started making the bed. Then I heard a shriek and a cry... I ran in to get him in a slight morning fog (those of you who know me at all know that I do NOT get up well in the mornings) and there he was opening the door of his own bedroom!
I don't know how he got out of his crib, or how he didn't get hurt in the process, or if he'll do it again, or what he was running out of his room to go do (get into something he wasn't supposed to... roll down the stairs... or just visit momma). But I hope he doesn't do it again. I better stop posting these stories... I'm sounding more and more like a completely incompetent mother!

Cameron's Mighty Adventures Part 2

If you haven't read it read the first adventure before you read this.

Okay so after he opened the door to go outside during the week, we dropped him off this Sunday for the first time to nursery by himself. He turned 18 months one of the first Sundays we moved in, but between Danielle's wedding, our trip to Disneyland and camping, and Conference we haven't been there much and I have just been trying to get him used to it before leaving him there. Anyway we dropped him off and I get to go to the big kids classes for the first time in a long while. After class I go to nursery to pick him up. As I come around the corner to his classroom I see him running. I thought "oh I guess Pete beat me to it and already got him. Then I see his nursery leader running, diving, catching my little squirt while he squeals and giggles and trys to get away. So now I have to worry about that door too! This kid is trying to give me gray hair early I know it!

Cameron's Mighty Adventures

The other day Pete was working on the gate to the side yard and Cameron and I went out to visit with him and see how the project was going. We went back inside through the open garage and I had to put in another load of laundry upstairs so I ran up there to do that and I heard a funny sound, like a door closing... I went down to check if he had just hidden in the closet under the stairs but he wasn't there. I looked in the bathroom to see what toy he must be drowning in the toilet but he wasn't there either. I checked the playroom, nope. I started acting like I was gonna get him, hoping he would squeal or giggle or something so I could locate him... nothing. I opened the garage door and called his name... nothing. Now I'm racing around the house like a crazy person, checking every little corner that little monster might be hiding. Nada. I then fling myself outside screaming Cameron!, turn the corner, and there he is talking to Pete looking up at me all innocent.

Why wasn't the garage door locked? you might ask. It usually is, but Pete never brings his house keys out when he is working out there so I can't lock it. Cameron has only ever peeks out the door and says "hi" all cute and sweet, cause he knows he is doing something he's not supposed to but he wants to see our reaction. Not this time. Having been introduced to the side yard in my arms he thought he'd go on out for another gander.

Pete didn't understand why I was so upset... at him. Let's see... he was the one who didn't bring out his keys, no matter how many times I have told him to do just that. He didn't come in and say "Honey, Cameron is fine he's with me". He didn't hear me frantically calling for Cameron the first time. He didn't think it was such a big deal. UM HELLO! yes Cameron was fine... this time. Let's just say from now on all doors to the outside WILL BE locked.

hi dad! and Ga-Guhn

To start off setting the record straight, Cameron's very first word was momma. I just wanted everyone to know that first. However soon after that, he started says Hi Dad! First, he was repeating me when Daddy came home, that was what I would say. Then he said all the time to Pete, when he came home, walked into the room, etc. Then he said it all the time.. to everyone. The cashier at Fry's, the nice lady in the aisle at Target, Gramma on the phone, the play phone, anything that resembled the shape of a phone. He just thought that was how to greet everyone.
Fast-Forward several months and he has finally figured out that it's just Hi. (Though I must admit I miss hearing him say it the other way) Now he is struggling with Bye. He used to just hold his hand out. Then he waved. Then he added some baby mumbo-jumbo. Then it turned into Ga-Guhn. At first I didn't realize that was him trying to say bye-bye (it's the same sound for Nigh-Night too) Pete and I are the only people who can understand it as that. It's weird because he can make the b sound just not for bye-bye. It still love to hear it. When I lay him down for bed he raises his hand and says Ga-Guhn. I say Nigh-Night. Then he says it again as I close the door and I say Nigh-Night, then says to me all the way back down the stairs.

Long time, No post

Okay, so I'm not as good at blogging as I thought I would be. Maybe I should change the name to Little Moments... Once every month or so.

Hide and Seek

I mentioned before that we love to play hide and seek together. Before our camping trip I felt bad for neglecting Cameron while I packed for the trip so all of the sudden I dropped to my knees and growled. He immediately caught on and ran squealing into the closet and around the corner. Usually he curls up into a ball and I find him and tickle him but this time, he slowly came around the corner with his hands covering his eyes, peeking out between his fingers. I broke character and just started laughing. It was so darned cute, I wish I had gotten a picture of it. He hasn't done it since but I will remember it for a long time. I love seeing his mind come up with new things all the time.

The Stroller!

Okay here is the story of the stroller. This is the last picture we have of our beautiful chicco stroller.

Friday morning Morgan (Mo), Gramma, Cameron and I all took off to Disneyland. Pete stayed back and slept in almost everyday then met us later. (Personally I think it was just to get out of helping get Cameron ready in the morning) We went on the Peter Pan Ride, Tea Cups, and Pirates of the Caribbean and others that Pete doesn't really like. At each ride you have to park the stroller. I was going to call Pete and see when he was coming over but thought I would be nice and let him sleep. So I left the phone in a compartment in the top of the stroller, parked it, got Cameron out and went on the ride. We got out of Pirates and were shopping in pirate themed shops while still holding Cameron. He was getting heavy so my mom offered to take him to get the stroller and come back. Morgan and I kept shopping and then I saw mom carrying Cameron back towards the shop with a frazzled look on her face. I said "Mom are you okay?" "No," she replied, "Your stroller is gone!" "What?!" I shrieked. "What do you mean?" "It's not there, someone stole it!" We run back so I can see that it is definitely not there. It's not! I'm panicking now. What am I gonna do? Where could it be? What's Pete gonna say? How could this happen at the happiest place on earth? All the while I'm searching the crowd for any glimpse of MY stroller so I can tackle whoever stole it. (angels were blessing the poor souls who happened to have the same stroller as me by keeping them away from that area of the park at that time) Mom's trying to keep me calm and make a game plan, I can vaguely hear, "you go to the guest services and report the missing stroller, while I......" Then I see him... Pete with a big goofy grin on his face. What am I gonna tell him? Wait a minute... what does he have... that looks like.... OUR STROLLER!!!!!!! I start bawling. Pete says "Wait, this was supposed to be funny." Somehow he had found where we were in the park and took the stroller and hid while my mom came out and search for it while he was chuckling away. Then he waited until I came out and started freaking out until he came sauntering up with the "missing" stroller. So Mom slugs him. I can't even be mad at him because I'm just so happy the stroller isn't gone, with my phone and various other things stored in the basket. And we still have the stroller, it's safely tucked away in our garage.

More Disneyland!

The Happiest Place on Earth!

Okay so we went to Disneyland and we had a blast. Cameron was so excited, pointing to everything and saying "ooooooOOOOoooooooo". (His lips make the cutest shape when he makes this sound! They poke out really far in the shape of an O) Of course he is just as excite about our much cheaper fish tank at home, or the garage door opener, or the channel changer, or a set of keys, or a cell phone... But we still had a lot of fun. Besides the trip wasn't just for him... I wanted to go! Our favorite ride there HAD to be Toy Story Mania! If you haven't been on this ride, drop everything you are doing and book a trip to Disneyland RIGHT NOW! I mean it! It has changed the face of rides everywhere... Disneyland will NEVER be the same... The WORLD will never be the same... did I mention in the about me section that I can be a little dramatic? Other favorite rides include but are not limited too...

• Toy Story Mania- did I mention this one already? Well it's awesome! You get to shoot at all of these targets and rack up points but certain targets are special, like the water balloons spray water and some blow wind in your face.


• Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters- Not as cool as Toy Story Mania but certainly paved the way for it with it's laser guns you shoot at moving targets. No, they are not real lasers just lightbulbs. (A little Toy Story humor for you ;)


• Nemo Submarine Voyage- I was worried when I heard they were redoing this classic, but it was awesome, even better than before. You would have to see it to believe it, so you should really go to Disneyland. Cameron sat there with his head perch on his little hands in the porthole and watched the whole thing.


• Splash Mountain- a family fave... as long as it isn't cold outside.


• Tower of Terror- okay so this isn't Pete's fave at all, he's only been on it ONCE three years ago, but it's mine so it counts!


• The Maliboomer- also not Pete's choice.


• California Screamin'- One that Pete likes, yay!

Our least favorite ride was the drive to ER at 3am the first night with a baby with croup. But he was a trooper and the Doctor said we could take him to Disneyland as long as we were up for it. So we slept in the next day and only went for a few hours after a trip to the beach. The second night was great and he was fine the rest of the trip. the fireworks were more awesome than ever especially due to our kick-butt seats... thanks Chad. The Pixar Play Parade was another must see and this is coming from a girl who is all about rides and never about parades.*

Are we having fun yet? Um... no.

Our little beach bum

Cool thing was that gramma (AKA my mom) got to come along too! Morgan flew in Thursday night (we were there Tuesday until Saturday) and Chad met us on Friday to watch the fireworks!

Now that the trip is over we are glad to be home. And I am really getting excited for the holidays in our new home!

*just so you know I am not paid by or affiliated with Disney in anyway. This is not an advertising stunt I just like it... a lot... Okay, I'm obsessed with it! It's kind of a sickness.

Home Sweet Home!

New Home! Almost Finished.

The Kitchen.

The Great Room.

Master Bathroom.

Just Moved In!

Alright, here are some pictures of our brand new home before we moved in and messed it up! Just kidding, but Cameron sure seems to be trying to. I feel like all I do is follow him around with a little cleaning kit that includes a mop, broom, rag cloth, Windex, Kleenex, garbage can, toy box... I love hearing him play, but I cringe every time I hear a car being "driven" on our newly painted walls. Or something loud smacking the tile. Or Cameron beating the sliding glass window with a toy. Or hearing a door in some distant room slam. Or worse than all of these... Silence. Which every new mom soon attributes to Trouble. For all those brand new mom's out there silence equals trouble. Never think oh they're playing so nice and cute and quiet right now. As soon as you detect silence in you house hunt down those little boogers and find out what they are REALLY doing.

Just the other day, we were playing peek-a-boo (he was in my closet and I was doing my makeup) when he didn't open the door for a awhile as soon as I noticed I popped my head in there and discovered hime squatting over my travel case playing with my razor! Thank goodness it didn't have any blades in it! Then we were playing hide and seek in the closet under the stairs, I hid, and then I heard silence... a giggle... a strange sound (like knocking, but above my head) he was climbing the stairs! The best was when I was upstairs packing for the trip and had put on a movie for Cameron. He was being pretty quiet so I snuck downstairs to see what he was up to. I found him in the bathroom trying to lift the toilet seat but here's the kicker he wasn't dressed. He just had a diaper on and nothing else, which I almost never let him do. Plus I have never seen him take his clothes off without help. Now, I knew I had dressed him that morning so I started looking around for his clothes. I looked in the toilet and bathroom, under the pillows on the couch, in the playroom, in the closet under the stairs, all over the kitchen, in cabinets. Finally I pulled out the cabinet that rolls out the garbage can and there they were, his shorts and t-shirt had been taken off and thrown away!

He is also a master at getting out of trouble. Pete went into the garage last night and Cameron (who is not allowed in the garage due to scorpions) opened the door, stood in the doorway, smiled his innocent smile and said "hi" in the sweetest, highpitched, sing-song, little voice. My favorite is when I find him with something naughty and after seeing me he looks down in shock at the maughty item, "oh", I didn't realize THIS was what I've been playing with, here you go. And he hands it to me. Once I found him into something messy and I can't remember what it was but I yelled "Cameron!" He jumped, looked at me and started sobbing. I felt so bad i just cleaned up whatever it was and comforted him. Pretty soon he was fine and playing, leaving me to realize how i was just worked over by a toddler.