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!

Savannah Loves her Joo-Joo

After my mom, dad, Naomee, and Alexee left Phoenix, Gillian was able to stay another 10 days. We had such a great time hanging out with her. She helped with Savannah a lot! Savannah loves to laugh at her aunty!

Gillian was a punk cheerleader for Halloween - I was a runner.

Gillian bought Savannah's love by feeding her coco puffs in the morning. Gillian didn't realize this made me cringe - not because of the sugar, but because of the stained clothes. Sorry Johonna!!!

Look at how happy Gillian made Savannah! We miss you already little sis!

Church Day

Savannah and her pops were all ready to go to church

My SCARY Monster, (and Sweet Little Kitty)

Savannah celebrated her first Halloween this year. She had a great time dressing up, hanging out with friends, and trick or treating.

During the day we went to an outside mall, (Desert Ridge) and walked around. Radio Disney was there and all of the stores were handing out candy. Savannah was there more for show than for the candy - she typically doesn't eat too much candy yet :)

OK, well she is chowing down on a churro here...

Thanks to our friend Addie, Savannah wore her Kitty Cat dress around the mall. It was in the 90's, so her other costume would have been way too hot!!!!

That night we sat around in the garage and handed out candy to our trick or treaters. It was a lot of fun!

Savannah wouldn't agree to wear the hat most of the night so we compromised on her wearing the rest of the outfit and chomping down on candy, (wrapped candy).

Yes, she was crawling around on our garage floor - and yes, her little chompers were able to bite right through that wrapper

Our little monster!

Pumpkin Patch

A few weekends ago we decided to take Savannah to the pumpkin patch. Seeing as it is fall - well, according to the calendar, not the weather! We packed our kiddo up and hauled her down to the Tolmachoff farm. It was a 100 degree day in the middle of October. We still had a great time despite the heat. Savannah got a chance to see a bunch of farm animals and do a corn maze.

Savannah's pumpkin! It was just her size.

Fun family picture at the farm!

Visiting Wilbur the pig

The pumpkin is almost the same size as our little pumpkin!

Savannah in the corn maze with her pops.

Savannah didn't LOVE the birds. She liked to look at it from the distance.

Ayden and Savannah posed for a few pictures, but were more interested in eating the hay...which probably isn't that sanitary.

Look at how hot she is! Poor Savannah was sweating like the little piggies we saw on the farm!

She had more fun in the shade.