Big Girl Carseat

Savannah has ALMOST graduated to a big girl car seat! She has been in an infant carrier, but it has become quite inconvenient over the past few months. So, we bought her a big girl car seat this afternoon.

She wasn't sure what she thought of it, but she certainly wanted to check it out! She broke it in the first few minutes by spitting up down the front.

It was a pretty fun toy to have in the living room, that's for sure. Maybe we should forget about using it in the car and just keep it in the house as a new climbing toy??

OK, she caught on. Being strapped into the big girl car seat feels the same as being strapped into the baby carrier - not impressed!

Now if we can only figure out how to install the car seat, we will be all set, (we are going to the fire station tomorrow to make sure she is nice and secure)!

Vegas (with a) Baby!

Last weekend Matt, Savannah, and I drove up to Las Vegas for the weekend. My beautiful cousin Jessica was getting married to her wonderful fiance, Scott. We have been looking forward to this wedding for over a year. The wedding was in a gazebo at the Flamingo. The reception was at Maggiano's - also on the strip. It was a beautiful wedding and we were very excited to be a part of their special day.

We were planning on staying for the weekend, but when we were checking into the hotel on Friday night we were informed our reservations were for one night and they were booked for Saturday night. We were very disappointed. Our family had generously offered to let us stay in their room, but we started getting excited about being home all day Sunday and having a day to relax before the week started again. We left Las Vegas at 9PM, (Vegas time). Matty boy drove the whole way home and let me sleep - what a great husband, huh?? We didn't get home until 2AM!

Savannah dumped out her O's on the hotel floor before the wedding. It was more convenient to eat that way.

The handsome hubs and I at the ceremony

What a beautiful bride and a proud papa!

My cousin Trisha's son, Oden loved Savannah! Savannah was pretty smitten over him as well! Oden let Savannah rub her slobbery hands all over his face. When we were saying goodbye, Oden grabbed Sav's little head and gave her a kiss. It was quite possibly the cutest thing I had ever seen! What a sweet guy!

Savannah is giving her cousin a sweet goodbye love!

Savannah fell asleep in the cab on the way back to the hotel. She stayed asleep walking up to our room and slept on the bed while Matty and I finished packing. She probably would have stayed asleep going out to the car, but I had to change her into jammies. She fell asleep while we were still in the parking garage and barely made a peep for five hours until we got home. Unfortunately, she didn't sleep in nearly as long as we would have like on Sunday morning!

It was so fun to see Tucson family as well as some Oregon family!

Grandma Pictures!

I am way, way behind on posting pictures! When my mother-in-law, Anita comes to town - she leaves us with a TON of great pictures! I always love seeing her work because she is very talented! Unfortunately, the one with the camera rarely gets pictures taken of themselves. I did happen to catch a few - but the rest are a small sampling of the pictures Anita took while she was in town in October. I will have plenty more to post when she comes to town next week for Thanksgiving!

Sometimes Savannah needs to be sprayed down after meal time. She isn't a very clean eater.

Loving that Grandma!

Sometimes I let Savannah wear clothes - but as my mother used to say, "you gotta let that bottom breath!" So I fully support naked time, (for Savannah - not just anyone!)

Eating in the buff...

and playing in the buff!

Buying Their Love

She's tried playing with them, she's tried, "wooing them" with her good looks, she's tried bullying them - but nothing has seemed to work thus far...until now!

Look at how Savannah has become best friends with her dogs!

Neglectful Mother of the Day

I am humbly accepting the Neglectful Mother of the Day award!

Today I put Savannah in the living room with some toys while I grabbed a load of laundry to throw in the wash. Our washing machine is in the garage - just off the kitchen. I have felt comfortable in the past running in there for a few minutes while Savannah plays. She has two dogs to keep her company, (they are just like the Carl dog...you know, from the old books?)!

So there I am, hanging out in the garage. I'm quickly trying to throw a load in so I can make sure Savannah isn't in the dog dish - again. I go to open the door to go back inside and what do I find? The door won't open. The door going inside the house was locked!!! So I open the garage, (at this point I am thanking God that I am actually dressed! - who doesn't do laundry in the buff every now and again?) I run around to the front door to see if Matt happened to leave it unlocked when he left that morning. No luck. I look in the window and what do I see? Savannah with fists full of dog food she is cramming into her mouth. She looks up at me in the window and just laughs an evil little laugh. She is taking full advantage of the situation. In fact, a thought enters my mind, "could she have locked me out so she could eat all the dog food to her little heart's content?" No. I hope not. I think, "I really should get a picture of this!" But, alas; my camera is locked in the house - with my BABY!

I run to the neighbors house across the street. Most of me was focusing on the situation at hand and worrying about my child. But I would be lying if I didn't also say that I reserved a small part in my mind to feeling a bit embarrassed of how I must look. I am in basketball shorts, one of Matt's big T-shirts, no shoes, and of course no bra - at 10 AM! I'm sure I was quite a sight to be seen. Lucky for me and Savannah, and actually, probably lucky for the dogs as well, (Savannah really can be a bully) my wonderful neighbor, Penny was home and gave me a spare key to my house. I ran in and had to tear Savannah away from the dog dish. I was just so thankful she didn't choke on the massive amounts that she had already eaten!

So you must be thinking, "yes Kate, locking yourself out of the house and your daughter in the house is QUITE neglectful." I will admit, it might be. But the award goes to me not because of locking Savannah in the house - but because I allowed her to finish up the dog food she had in her hand. After that accidental trauma, (mainly felt by me) I wasn't in the state of mind to have her crying over the dog food being taken away - and THAT is why I am so neglectful!

Free Standing!

Savannah stood for the first time by herself today! I was so shocked when it happened. I had put her down and she was holding on to my shirt for support. When I looked down at her I realized she had let go and was just standing there with a big grin on her face. I was able to catch it on video the 3rd time she did it. Wow, she is so big!!!

Don't mind my squealing in the background, I was just so excited!

Sneak Peak

A couple of weeks ago we had the fabulous Rachel Janssen take Savannah's 9 month pictures. We just received them back this evening. Savannah was a cranky girl the day we got these pictures done, so we are very please with the results - to say the least!

There are many more to come, but here are a few of the first favorites.

Thank you Rachel!

One Smart Cookie

Savannah Joy is one smart girl. She likes to point to my mouth and nose - although sometime she doesn't like to do her tricks on command. But, when she is pointing, "to" my mouth, she sticks her whole hand down my throat - OUCH! And sometimes when she is pointing, "to" my nose, she grabs it pinches me - OWW! But, her new tricks are so cute I can let it slide :)

Video of Slide Rock

We took video of all of the girls and Matty boy going down slide rock. Notice three things:

1. How FREEZING cold they all look

2. Matt's face as he is going down with Alexee

3. How Gillian gets turned around going down the rocks

Maybe if we come back in the summer everyone would enjoy this a little bit better. Although, I thoroughly enjoyed myself from the side lines!

Sedona "Camping Trip"

While my mom and sisters were in town, we decided to take a trip to Sedona. Actually, we had planned a long time ago to take a weekend camping trip to Sedona - but that didn't exactly pan out the way we had originally planned.

Instead, we drove up Friday morning and hung out at Slide Rock. It was 50 degrees in the water - but Matt and the girls still went in, (it did take some coaxing on our part - but they other than their frost bite, they didn't regret it!)!

Gilly Bean was trying to warm up ofter her fridged dip in the river

We were so proud of them for finally getting in the water - they looked like they had so much fun I almost wish I would have brought my swim suite, (not really).

Savannah and Grandma Sara watched from the side lines. Savannah was a little worried for her daddy and started crying as soon as he got in the water.

Naomee, Matt, Gillian, and Alexee went to scope out the water before they decided to take a dip.

Savannah's grandma was giving her a banana to calm down after her pops had jumped into the cold water!

How cute are those girls?

This is when we first arrived at Slide Rock. The girls weren't nearly as impressed by the surroundings as they should have been.

We stopped to enjoy the scenery and get a snack a roo before we headed to the park

The boys got to come along for the ride - mistake. If there was a place they could have run around, it would have been a good idea. But, they had to stay on their leashes and they were a little impatient with us.

Good thing Lex was there to keep the boys in line!