Monday, December 19, 2011

Christmas Card Photo Shoot


Last year we didn’t do photo Christmas cards so this year I was determined to get them done.  I refused to pay a photographer because it’s so freaking expensive.  So I borrowed my sister-in-law’s camera and took my own photos.  I am by now means a photographer, and defiantly not an aspiring one but I was proud of the way they turned out.  I have to say my subject did most of the work. 

We spent a few hours at the park across the street from our house and I took picture while she played.  It was a really fun day and I happy we did it.  

 




She has to pet every doggy just like her dad

Stopped to eat lunch and costume change

Yelling at tree's is fun



I mean really... that face.  I LOVE the gap in her teeth

Stomping on leaves




Sunday, December 18, 2011

Lolita Rosita Conchita Sanchez Maxfield

Today my Mom's little doggie passed away. We are so sad she's gone but know she's in a better place. A few weeks ago she was diagnosed with Addison's Disease. She was on the mend but got sick again. We've loved her for ten years. She was given to me as a birthday gift when I was a senior in high school by my friends Ryan and Tyler. My mom was so mad because she didn't want a new dog. When I left for college I had to leave her at home. She became my moms best friend. They loved each other so much. Then when I moved to California Lita kept my mom company.  Whenever I came to visit she would get so excited. She never forgot who I was. We will never forget her.


 My friend Rosanna sent this to me and I thought it was so sweet. 


Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... 

Author unknown...


 We'll miss you our little grilled stuffed burrito. 
 RIP 1/01-12/11





Wednesday, December 7, 2011

quick look

Here is a quick look at what we've been doing and working on. So many little details had to go into getting the porch area built it is a shame to cover it all up. The Tyvek does make the house look more official. Too bad it is only across the front for now. We wanted to get the wrap up to close up the open framing to keep the cold/elements/bugs out. With the Temps in Lakewood getting down into the 30's the last few nights it is a good thing we did.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

I want to Dance



Baines has got the grove! Every time she hears music playing she stops to get down. Catching it on video is proving to be difficult. By the time we grab our phone or Flip camera to record it she stops before we can even turn it on. It's like she pretends to be camera shy, although we all know she is a Ham. Here are a few videos that we were able to get over the last week of her cutting the rug.


At the Belmont Shore Christmas Parade:


Cell Phones are the new boom boxes:


Short and sweet:

Monday, December 5, 2011

Mommy

Baines is on a huge “Mommy” kick.  Not that I mind… I love that she always wants me J.  Even late at night when she wakes up screaming Mommy because her teeth hurt (stupid Molars need to get out now!)   The other night we were playing on the bed and she came over to me, put her arms around my neck and said “Mommy, Lub you!”  It was the cutest thing I have EVER heard.   I just love her so much and now I know she Lub’s me too!


These pictures are a preview to our Christmas card Photo shoot.  Just wait till you see the cuteness!





Thursday, December 1, 2011

The end to November

Since the weather has been so beautiful the past few weeks we’ve spent a lot of time at the park.  As you can see its Baines second favorite thing to do (first is going for a bike ride)  








We had Thanksgiving early on the 19th with Nicholas’s mom’s family.  There are tons of grandchildren so it’s always a good time for the kids.  Nicholas’ cousin Austin and his girl friend surprised all the little kids with their balloon animal skills.    Baines got a crown and a corsage. 
  
   

Our Sister-in-law Andrea got a cold the other weekend so we took Dean for a few hours.  Baines enjoyed the company at the park




As I said the weather has been beautiful in fact last weekend it was 80 degrees.  This is one of the reasons we live in California   Baines and I were in shorts and t-shirts sitting outside watching the boys install the new door.  (We’ll post some pictures soon.  It’s amazing).  Our neighbor brought over tangerines from her tree and Baines was grubbing them up.  




Monday, November 21, 2011

Bolts!


The front wall of our house at the porch is SO OVERLY REINFORCED it is crazy. The wall is only 19 feet long with two windows and a door but the structural engineer felt it needed some beefing up. One of the things the plans call for is four 4x6 posts with HD hold down brackets attached to 7/8' bolts epoxied into the existing footings. Well the existing footing are a foot down so I had to borrow a hammer drill with a 3' drill bit. On Friday I spent most of my day off drilling the 4 holes and setting the bolts into the foundation. I've already got 4 days into this wall and still do not have the new windows or door installed.


Here is the length out.

And here I am with a finished hole.


Friday, November 11, 2011

Baines and Elmo

Ridding dirty with Elmo on the Harley.
she gets upset if I don't let her sit on the bike

Thursday, November 10, 2011

NO! NO! NO!


Baines telling the dogs they can't have her dinner.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Pumpkin Patch

We went to the Pumpkin Patch before Halloween and I meant to post these pictures. It's still Fall and pumpkins make a good decoration for Thanksgiving so it's still relevant right?

This Pumpkin Patch was awesome, not like the ones they have in Utah.  It was a full blown fair.  I had no idea since I'd never had a reason to go before having a child. We rode the Carousel, went to the petting zoo,  Nicholas took Baines in the haunted mirrors (that didn't go over too well), and Baines' favorite was the Pumpkin Bounce house.  We had to use 3 tickets because she didn't want to leave.  Aside from the few crazy carnies it was a good time.

My Pumpkins

That's overwhelmed with all this stuff face.


 


Crack for kids

Monday, November 7, 2011

15 Months


It’s been a long time since I had a chance to write an update on Baines and now that she’s 15 months old I thought I should get to it. Here is some info about the little Baines. 

• Her vocabulary is ever expanding. She staring to put words together. The other day when I dropped her  off at Nana’s she said “Bye Mom, See ya” It was so cute.

• Not all words come out right. My favorite things she says are mis pronounced like Meow is a cat, alloon is a Balloon. Neck and ear is Necklace and earrings. Banky her favorite blankets.

• The terrible two’s have already started. Girl knows how to throw a wicked temper tantrum.

• Baby Dolls are still her favorite. She carries them around feeding bottles. She also loves her purse and filling it with our remote controls.

• She’s also obsessed with jewelry. I don’t know where she would have picked that up….Oh right maybe me! She has to wear a Neck all the time. She also has a bunch of bracelets. Nicholas put them on her feet the other day and now she always wants you to put them on as anklets.

• Being outside is her favorite thing. When we put her shoes on she get so excited because she knows its time to go outside. Rocks and bugs are the best things to look for.

• When ever she wants something she points and says “this, this!” When you finally figure out what she’s pointing at she does a little jig with excitement.

• She loves to color but crayons aren’t as cool as a pen and paper. She likes to walk around making little notes. Nicholas calls her the building inspector.

 

Friday, November 4, 2011

Halloween



We had a really fun time with our baby owl on Halloween although she is still unsure about the holiday. The first house we went to she started crying when the guy said hi. It was really funny/ sad. Also her costume was too big and she wasn’t digging the limited mobility. Towards the end of the block she was having fun carrying her owl bucket and shaking her candy around. When we got back to Nicholas Brothers house we took off her costume and then she was enjoying herself. She didn’t really care for the candy but she was obsessed with the Carpi Sun drinks they had. We don’t give her juice yet so I think it was like liquid crack. We let her have a whole one and she carried it around all night even after it was gone. She was totally juice drunk!