Sneaking bits of ham which were supposed to go into some pineapple fried rice. She knows the good stuff come out in the late afternoons when we start prepping for dinner.
Yes, we haven't even celebrated Thanksgiving yet, but I had a fun afternoon with one of my good friends making these rice filled snowmen. It was fun to pick out some cute buttons and plan a day to make more for homemade Christmas gifts. Thanks Nicole for the good idea and a fun time!
Don't really know where we are looking, the opposite side of where the camera window is apparently, but this was Cristian's first hockey game. I used to go to every game back in college, but after I met Cristian, for whatever reason I stopped going. Probably because we were too busy making out hahahah! Anywaaaaaay, this was the first one I had been to in about 4 years and it rekindled my love for the game. Its become a pretty regular thing, and when I say regular, we've gone to 3 games, in 3 consecutive weeks over the weekends. It's a plus Violet is pretty into the Zamboni. In fact, it's the highlight of the game for her and she has requested a pink toy Zamboni for Christmas. And get this- THEY EXIST. So thanks Playmobil (sp?) we will be purchasing an item from you soon for the Christmas holidays. She also told Cristian last night (USU vs BYU-we slayed by the way 12:3) she wants to be a hockey player when she grows up. So, there ya have it!
Her love of trucks has not dwindled in the slightest, to bad this one isn't the right size for you to ride in, right Vi? Doesn't stop her though, and I'm frequently woken in the morning to the sound of her pushing her truck all over the wood floors. Probably the most used toy she's ever been given, aside from a hockey puck which was given to her from some friends of Cristian and I about a week ago.
We celebrated my mom's birthday mid October. All of us girls got together to make Chicken Italian Pasta and then Victoria made these homemade donuts filled with different types of jam. They were really yummy, and as was so typical of my mom her favorite part of the whole thing was us working together in the kitchen to make a yummy meal. Love you mom!
These 4 have become a pack (and I just learned today my sister Victoria has just adopted a pitbull/german shepherd mix named Bastian, so the pack will grow a number in the coming weeks I'm sure). She can't get enough of these 3 and they are always so good and patient with her. Course I would be too if I was getting all the treats she secretly gives them. I love that she loves animals.
Speaking of animals, she declared she wanted to dress up as Piper for Halloween, my sister Talisa's puppy. (See orange dog in the photo above as a reference.). When her Halloween parade at school rolled around I, for some reason, thought were still in the beginning of October and had to whip of something quickly. It worked, and she was happy, and loved wearing face paint.
Pretty adorable if you ask me.
The last couple Halloweens I've raided Violet's dress up box. So, the bunny ears with a sparkly pink crown are curtesy of my daughter, and we shared the face paint. We trick-or-treated at Lee's with her grandparents (dressed up as hippies), cousin Steph (bandit, or burgler), and uncle Isaac (Mr. T) She even went through the spook alley this time, which she has refused to do ever previous time! Proud of my girl! We also went to her dad's work.
To anyone concerned about the stache, it's all part of a competition going on at his work for No Shave November. The last of that thing is being shaved off tonight and then the real game for beard bragging rights begins (except Cristian will win because OBVIOUSLY). Ugh. I love these guys.
Sand box and sunshine. Soaking it up, because the weather has turned much colder and darker the last couple of days. We'll take what we can get of this sporadic good weather and make it count while we can.
One of Violets (and I must admit, mine too) past times is watching Talisa feed her bearded dragon Rocky crickets! It's so fun watching him snatch them up, and its been fun to watch him grow bigger and bigger! The other night he was shedding the last of his skin and my mom, niece, myself and Violet were sitting around his tank just watching him running up and down his tree trying to scrape it off. Sounds gross, and it was, but also fascinating. Anyway, it's always a good time watching Rocky hunt.
These pictures are out of order, but I couldn't be bothered fixing it. Anyway, my people, my beautiful people. I am determined that next year we will pull off some kind of costuming as a family because that's a thing right? At least a couple's costume, because Violet can decide what she wants to be. Anyway, goals for next year!
Just goofing off, and Violet making a moustache out of string cheese.
We've been taking lots of strolls on over to the temple, this is the view we are graced with on the walk. This valley is beautiful, and this day was perfect!
The flowers were gorgeous, and so is she. We sat and sang some hymns and talked about Jesus and I love every minute of these little outings!
"Mom, I'm sick of you taking photos of me!"
Messing around, having some fun!
We also have been taking walks up the canyon. It's been beautiful up there.
If you've never been up there around October, go! You can see tons of Whoolly Bear caterpillars (that will turn into Tiger Moths) munching on leaves EVERYWHERE! So fun to walk around and spot them in the trees.
As far as everything else going on, we've (Cristian and I) have given ourselves an early Christmas present. Personal trainers and a 90 day transformation program which started on the 19th of October and will end on January 16th, right over the holidays, so we don't hunker down and hibernate with all the holiday pies, cookies, Christmas candy, gravy and potatoes and hot chocolate. It entails going to the gym 6 days a week for one on one training, and also group fitness classes (really fun!), a meal plan (this has been adapted because it's too expensive and our over all meals are not what is hurting us, just all the snacks in between and when Violet goes to bed), a calorie counting app (which has been useful, but the goal is to not have to count calories ever again because it is SO ANNOYING), and challenges against other participating members.
It's been really rough for me. I'm really competitive, and I will admit there have been times when it's been SO hard to see how well Cristian has been doing in comparison to myself. That being said-I AM SO PROUD OF MY HUSBAND. He is currently in 2nd place in the challenge
and if he keeps it up he could win some serious prizes. My fat is sluffing off much more slowly, but it's improving, and I feel stronger, less aching and tired, I can tell my flexibility and posture are improving (2 of my goals for this challenge), and I'm growing and learning to have a better head space about competition, especially when it involves my best friend.
We had our first challenge on Halloween, and while I didn't come in first, I also didn't come in last, and that I'm really proud of. Cristian could not participate because of work, but hopefully both of us can make it to the next one in 2 weeks! He would SLAY at those competitions.
Violet is still thoroughly enjoying preschool and also kids club which has been a lifesaver. It's so nice having a place where she is watched, and safe in the same facility we workout so we can get an hour or 2 in when it's convenient for us. She's a good sport, and while it's not ideal, it's been so helpful. It's also nice that I can get to a few classes while she's in preschool. Having a few more hours to myself during the day has been wonderful!
We made the decision to not move back into our current home after the 6 months we'll spend taking care of my parents house, which means we will be house hunting and job hunting. I'm nervous we don't have a secure plan yet for after those 6 months, but we'll take it day by day and do the best with what we have.
That was really long, but its what we've been up to the last little while. Hope all of your Halloween festivities were fun and everyone was safe! Cheers!
