White Elephant Christmas Party

When Niel and I were first married we hosted a white elephant Christmas party at our apartment in Orem, Utah. Since then we've wanted to have another one. Last night we hosted one and had twenty guests! We've had some pool parties and small get togethers at our house but never a party with this many people.

I usually go the easy route and buy almost everything pre-made when we host parties but this time I decided to do everything on my own. I underestimated how much work it would be. I spent all of Saturday preparing and baking (first time ever I've spent the whole day in the kitchen). We had sparkling cider, a hot cocoa bar, fixings for sandwiches, party platters, sugar cookies, rice crispy squares, and brownies.

I was so busy hosting that I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked but here are some.

Amanda & Rob

Tracy, Jared, & baby #2

Marleen & Spencer

Tate & Lindsey

Faith & Matt

Everyone brought a wrapped white elephant gift. We had some good laughs during the exchange. Some of my favorite gifts were the Breaking Dawn poster, the redbox dvd, and the 'Not Tonight' pillow.

So much work but lots of fun. I really do enjoy hosting parties and getting together with our friends. It was something I looked forward to doing once we had our own home. Not making any promises but maybe the Schurig White Elephant Christmas Party will turn into a yearly tradition.

Ragnar

Niel ran in his first relay race forever ago and did really well. Remember Niel is one of those people who is good at almost everything? He hasn't ever been a 'runner' but he started training for Ragnar several months ago.

Short description of Ragnar:

12 Runners

2 vans

Running 200 miles

day and night

Relay style

Each person runs 3 legs during a 24 hour period

Not my idea of fun. Running, no sleep, and riding in a sweaty van for 24 hours sounds awful but plenty of people love that stuff apparently.

Niel with two of his teammates, Gregg and Mollie. Their team name was Loose Seals.

Shortly after crossing the finish line.

Niel's Stats:

First Leg: 7.3 miles in 52 minutes. 23 Kills

Leg 2: 3.5 miles in 24 minutes. 14 Kills. No deaths.

Leg 3: Forgot to write it down. Wasn't as good though.

Afterwards Niel came home and slept. A lot.

Mom & Dad's Visit

My parents were in town last week visiting. I always look forward to their visit and getting to spend time with them. It is even more fun now that we have Kensie! I love showing them all the funny and cute new things she is learning and doing.

We did lots of fun things while they were here. My mom watched me at my Zumba and ballet tone class at the YMCA. We went shopping. Went to the park. Went on walks. Ate at Sonic. Went for a hike at Mt. Charleston.

About that hike... At first Kensie was really excited to be outside and strapped onto grandpa in the bjourn. She was smiling and laughing and soaking up the outdoors. Then about half way up the mountain she got hungry. No surprise mom, it was lunch time! For some reason I didn't take food. I didn't think we would be gone very long or do the whole hike. Kensie flipped a switch almost immediately and cried most the way down the mountain while I held her. Maybe next time we will remember to bring food and make it to the falls:)

After our hike we ate lunch at the lodge in Mt. Charleston.

They went to church with us.

We had a BBQ in our backyard.

Side note: A day or two after my parents arrived Kensie stopped taking good naps and not sleeping well at night. I think she thought Niel and I were going to leave because as soon as they left she started sleeping well. Little sleep translated into a very cranky Kensie.

We had dinner at Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Carl's. Grandma Davis was in town visiting so we had to get a four generation picture!

My aunts and uncle were also at dinner. They were having a sibling get together.

I loved having my parents in town and look forward to seeing them again hopefully soon.

Pony Rides and Pumpkins

While shopping I came across the most adorable pair of leggings with a black tutu attached in Kensie's size. I instantly fell in love and knew I had to get it. I exercised self control and didn't get the pumpkin top to go with it because she had a black shirt that would match. But then I ended up going back for the pumpkin onesie that went with the leggings because what the heck. I couldn't resist.

Which means...Kensie had two costumes. A pumpkin and a ladybug. It's fine. Most kids have two right?

Anyways, the Saturday before Halloween we got her dressed up in her pumpkin costume. My parents were in town so we took her to the park followed by lunch at the Olive Garden.

After that we went to The Farm! It's hard to believe there is an animal farm about ten minutes from our house in Las Vegas but there is.

First thing we did was take her on a pony ride. We had to wait in line for about thirty minutes but Kensie patiently watched the other kids take their turn. She seemed very fascinated. I was worried she would start crying when we put the helmet on her or when she got on the pony. I was wrong. When she got on the pony she acted like she knew just what to do. She sat up straight and put her hands on the saddle horn like a big girl.

When the pony started walking she looked down and made this cute little smile.

Taking the pony ride very seriously. Concentrating. Working on her form.

The helmet was big on her.

Watching her ride the pony was seriously one of the cutest things I have ever seen her do.

Afterwards we looked at the animals and got some pictures at the pumpkin patch.

See? That tutu is too cute to pass up right? Right.

Then Grandpa paid for Kensie to go on a train ride.

Halloween

Niel and I weren't planning on dressing up for our ward trunk or treat until I abruptly decided at 4:30 p.m. that we needed to. I called about four different stores to see if they had any ladybug costumes. No luck. So I had to resort to our trusty costume drawer. I somehow managed to squeeeeeze into my cheer leading outfit from high school. It wouldn't zip all the way and I almost popped the top button off the skirt. Not to mention I was short of breath after eating dinner. But that is besides the point. The point is, I was able to squeeze into my old cheer leading outfit. And Kensie thought it was pretty amusing. She wouldn't stop staring at me.

Niel was a nerd. The nerd and the cheerleader.

I couldn't stop laughing at Niel when he first put on his costume. The high water pants were the icing on the cake.

and Kensie was the Cutest.Ladybug.Ever.

I handed out candy while Niel took Kensie trunk or treating. She didn't want to put her candy in the trick or treat bag or hand it to us. Instead she held each piece with a death grip. I took Kensie to a few homes in our neighborhood after the trunk or treat.

Halloween was so much fun this year with Kensie. I decided that Halloween is about five times more fun with a little kid. I loved dressing her up. Plus, she scored us some free candy.

Pigtails

Kensie's hair is long enough for pigtails and I can't get enough of them! The first day I put her hair in pigtails she looked so much older to me. She looked like a little girl and not as much like a baby.

We have a new morning routine on the days she gets pigtails. After breakfast, I put her in the bumbo seat on the bathroom counter in front of the mirror. Then I comb her hair and she usually smiles real big when I tell her, "all done" and she sees her hairdo in the mirror.

Totally rockin' her new boots.

Look at those teeth! She's got eight chompers now.

She will usually pull at least one pigtail out by the end of the day though. Oh well, they are cute while they last.

Lion King

Niel's mom and sister came to visit in October! When we get visitors it's a good excuse for us to do something tourist-y. Since Lion King tickets were 50% off for locals, we decided to go see it. I'd been wanting to see it since we moved to Vegas. We went to dinner at Max Brenner beforehand and enjoyed some delicious chocolate desserts. Max Brenner is known for their amazing chocolate dessert menu. Just my style.

When our friends found out we were going to Lion King they wanted to join in on the fun also. It turned out to be a party with Pam, Jason, Sonja, Mollie, Gregg, Courtney, Cameron, and us!

Courtney and Cameron are moving in a few weeks to New York. We are really sad to see them go as they are one of our closest friends in Las Vegas:(

For some reason we didn't get a picture of us and Niel's family at Lion King so I snapped a picture before they headed out. During their weekend visit we BBQ'd, hot-tubbed, visited, and played in the pool. Come back soon!

13 Months

The past month she has been mimicking us a lot. I love watching her learn and do things she sees us do. It makes her seem more like a 'little person' and less like a baby.

My favorite things she has done to mimic me...

At the grocery store she insisted on holding my pen and grocery list. Then she continued to check items off the list like mom.

She got into my facial wipes and started wiping the cupboard and floor with them. Cleaning like mom.

She puts her hand on the shampoo pump and then rubs it on her tummy and body pretending to wash herself. She will also grab the washcloth and rub it on her body.

Holds the phone up to her face and 'talks'

Anything that has a strap becomes a purse and is carried around on her shoulder.

Besides lots of mimicking here are some other things about Kensie at 13 months...

• Started saying Thank you. Cutest thing ever. Sounds like 'tay-doo'.
• She babbles and jabbers all the time with very meaningful looks and facial expressions.
• Stands alone for a few seconds.
• Finally says Mom consistently!
• Total daddy's girl. She usually prefers her dad unless she is tired or sick.
• Points and makes an 'Oooo' sound when she wants something.
• She slides down the stairs on her tummy at an incredible rate.
• Has eight teeth. Got her one year molars.
• She gets into the fridge, pantry, and dishwasher at any opportunity.
• She will stay in the swing at the park for 30 minutes if I will let her.
• Has been more clingy. Leaving her with a babysitter or taking her to the gym daycare is usually somewhat traumatizing for all parties involved.
• Her favorite things to do: Swing at the park, read books, get into cupboards, push her walker around, take baths, makes messes, push buttons, and play with dad.