Thursday, December 31, 2009

It's A Girl!

So, even though I posted the announcement on Facebook and sent it out in all our Christmas cards, I have received a few grumbles from friends and family that I had yet to announce on my blog that we are having a baby GIRL in April 2010!!! We are very very excited, and the boys are anxiously awaiting her arrival as well. From the moment we told Clark that I was going to have another baby, he said that it was a girl, and he was right. Once we confirmed to him that yes, he is going to have a sister, he has decided to call her a boy with a big fat cheesy smile every time he does it. She is in for it ... poor girl.

I have since received my first two baby girl gifts from two very good friends of mine (if you don't count the hand me down clothes my sister Trish has already given to me, which I think do count because they are awesome!). I just have to share them because I have lamented for a few years now about not being able to shop in the girls section of baby stores since they are so much cuter than the boys section. But I have always been conflicted because I was never a 'girly-girl' growing up, and I don't want to have a spoiled little priss for a daughter. I have said to my sisters and my mother before I was ever pregnant with a girl that if I had a girl I would want her to be a tomboy and that I would dress her in cute little 'track-suits'. Cue the looks of alarm and disgust on the faces of my mom and sisters! I have since changed my opinion because I have decided that JUST because I might dress my newborn daughter in very pink, ruffle butt, fairy and butterfly adorned clothes, does NOT mean she is going to be a spoiled priss. I just have to make sure Tanner doesn't give her whatever she wants whenever she wants as I hear quite a few dad's of daughters are wont to do. :-)

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Nintendo Thumb

So, if you are a child of the 80s, and you owned the original Nintendo, then you should know about the ailment affectionately termed "Nintendo Thumb." I think the last time I had Nintendo thumb was in 1990 just after Super Mario 3 came out on Nintendo and I got it for my birthday. I played hard to beat the game between July and August when we moved to England and we gave our cherished Nintendo away to our cousins. I think I had Nintendo thumb for a month solid.

19 years have passed, and I am happy to announce that it has returned! Thanks to this game
which I gave to Tanner for Christmas, but was really a gift for me (don't tell him). We have been playing almost every day together, and it is even more of a challenge because you can do 2 players at the same time! Tanner said to me the other night...

"After playing this together, now I know we could NEVER go on the Amazing Race together."

Let's just say we get a little bit annoyed at times when we kill each other accidentally or the other person isn't keeping up. But, it IS fun despite the minor trials it causes in our marriage ;-)

We beat the game without any cheating ... and then a new secret world opened up so I guess our playing gets to continue ... as well as my Nintendo thumb! Woohoo!!!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

U.S. Botanical Gardens






Our friends, the Hillis's are in town from Florida, and the boys and I decided to meet them in D.C. to play! Unfortunately it was bitter cold outside, so Clark decided he needed to complain every step of the way ... except of course when he saw the train exhibit inside the U.S. Botanical Gardens. It was decorated beautifully, and the boys loved seeing everything especially since it was very warm inside. I would like to go back there with my mom when it is a little bit warmer to look at some of the gardens outside and the herbs.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas!

Santa came!
Behold, the "Sticky Fat Hand!"
Even Andrew got in the action.





Love,
Tanner, Cherylyn, Clark, Andrew, and Baby Girl!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas Eve

Clark has really gotten into Santa this year. When we were at our ward church party, Santa came to visit. I asked Clark what he was going to ask Santa to bring him, and he said emphatically "A Sticky Fat Hand!" Clark was originally introduced to the "Sticky Fat Hand" when he received one at a Primary party and all the children got little take home gifts from Oriental Trading. One of those was what Clark termed a "Sticky Fat Hand", you know those small hands that you throw against the wall time and again until they inevitably get disgustingly gross or it falls apart? Yeah those. So that is apparently what Clark wanted more than anything else in this world for Christmas this year. I think Santa was definitely willing to accommodate that request.

We spent Christmas Eve at our friends the Beck's, and when we came home, we hurried and threw some cookies in the oven to leave for Santa. We made some hot chocolate, which Clark asked if he could have some of Santa's and we said we didn't think he would mind if he had a few sips, and we put some celery out on the plate for the reindeer. Clark wrote a letter to Santa and drew a picture with presents to say thank you for bringing them, and then it was time for bed! When we told Clark Santa would come down our chimney to leave the presents, he said "But Mom! Santa is too BIG!"

Smarty Pants.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

View From My Kitchen Window

I took these pictures this afternoon while I was listening to this song and washing my dishes....

It can't get any better than this at Christmas time.
I then thought of the awesome gift my mom gave me this year and she said "I got you this because it reminded me of your house and your deer." It is exactly the same!


Did you all know that I LOVE snow globes?? My mom has known for quite some time and usually gets me one every year and I love them. She always manages to find me classic looking ones that are NOT cheap or cheesy...they are beautiful. Did I mention I love them and the deer that prance around in my backyard?? It actually makes washing dishes enjoyable....

Monday, December 21, 2009

Let It Snow!

The D.C. area was blasted by a blizzard (how's that for my alliteration skills?) beginning Friday night. It lasted for more than 24 hours and left us with 2-3 feet of snow. There was so much snow, the boys didn't find it very fun walking outside to then seep down into the snow up to their waists and chins. They decided it was more fun to take turns opening the door, grabbing a handful of snow and slamming the door shut and then eating it together. Clark even made us snow pancakes...which were so yummy, especially since he would use his bare foot to flatten the snow into the perfect shape he desired.

Tanner, on the other hand, had the unfortunate job of trying to dig us and our neighbor who lives below us out of the snow. He spent a good couple of hours out there and I was worrying about his back. He had just had ANOTHER cortizone injection in his back for two NEW herniated discs he has received just in time for Christmas!!!!! Woohoo! I kept asking him if he wanted me to call someone from church to come help him, but he said no. When I asked him why? He said one word.

"Pride."

Well, at least he's honest. I guess we'll see if it was stupid too when he goes in for his follow-up MRI in a couple of weeks. Cue the inordinate amount of snow pics:

This was at about 10am Saturday morning. You can just barely see the curves of the top of our candy cane decorations....

3 hours later....no candy canes.


The snow finally stopped Saturday night. Sunday morning dawned bright and sunny, but still frigid cold. 11am Sunday...

Clark making his way back to the house....


After Tanner had carved a path out for us...