snow days

When will it end? Winter hasn't officially started yet (not til December 21) and already I'm DONE! I've had too many white-knuckled, skidding, anti-lock brakes engaged, praying and yet somehow saying bad words in the same breath moments for winter to still be 7 days away. Aubrey at least is enjoying it. The other day she brought all sorts of clothing to me to get bundled up to go outside (see below). I knew she wanted to go outside because she was trying to put her socks on her hands (again see below). She thinks they're mittens.

wishful thinking Aubrey, wishful thinking. Those sunglasses are about as useful in a Pittsburgh winter as a screen door on a submarine.

The Utah Trip Post

I must say, our time in Utah was very relaxing. I love the area that Zach grew up in. One of the highlights of the week was that my little sister Lindsey came and stayed with us and Zach's family. She is just so helpful and she loves Aubrey! She and Zach's parents were so helpful with Aubrey, maybe that's why I felt so relaxed after the week.

We went with Zach's family on the Heber Creeper's Polar Express. Zach said he'd never heard of the book the Polar Express which I was horrified by. It's the best christmas story ever! I mean, besides the one in the Bible of course :) So, does the bell still ring for you?

As you can see, Aubrey was an angel as always!

Lindsey had never been to see the Temple Square lights, and I was more then happy to visit there again. The last time I saw the lights, it was on a date, with Zach's roommate :) Unfortunately the story isn't as juicy as it sounds!

(I think Aubrey's learned to anticipate the flash when we put a camera in her face)

Zach and I were lucky to be able to visit his family and spend some time in beautiful Utah.

pictures

Just some pictures I've taken over the past couple months. My favorite is the last one!

A little gross but a lotta cute

This is Aubrey's favorite thing to do lately. She'll stay in there for a long time and make a little nest. Last night she had 2 blankets, 4 containers of toddler meals, and my cell phone. Oddly, those would all be really helpful items if you were going to lock yourself in a cage and go to sleep. If she'd brought in a US magazine I might have been tempted to join her. When Zach tried to get her out, she braced her little arms on the side of the cage door and could not be budged. So we set a trap. We put a blanket on the floor just in her line of sight. Aubrey can't resist a good blanket. When she scampered out to retrieve the blanket for her nest, Zach snatched her and off to bed she went. Take that Aubrey - who says 2 adults can't outsmart a 17 month old?

Tis the season....

Tis the season...I've been hearing that a lot lately, but it really is the season - for holiday festivities, stomach bugs, and post after post of trip pictures. So I'll start off the season with a girls trip I took to New York City 2 weeks ago. But be prepared for Utah and Tennessee trip posts too!

Here is our fun group, Elise, Brooke, Jana and myself. Our hotel is just barely out of the picture frame. Staying in Manhattan is definitely the way to go if you only have a few days in NYC. Going with girls and no kids is also the way to go (no offense Zach). We had some good laughs, good girl talks, and fun memories of course.

Our friend Kim who moved away last year joined us for a day. With Kim, we had the same group that we went to NYC with a couple years ago, with the welcome addition of Elise! Seeing Kim gave me hope that maybe paths will cross with all of these wonderful girls as we all go our separate ways! Kim - I'm so glad you took the time and long train ride to see us!

We went to 3 shows in the 3 days we had there - In the Heights which was so fun and amazing. And the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and White Christmas - don't you love the christmas season? We got our tickets to White Christmas for $26 by winning a lottery - normally $120 for the cheaper seats, and we were in the very first row. I have to say that was a highlight! I think I had to stop myself from doing some sort of football-like celebration dance.

I love the hustle and bustle of the city. It's a fun place to visit, I can't imagine living there with young children! This was my 3rd trip to NYC in the past 2 years and I'm thinking I probably won't be going back for a long time. But I'm already planning a trip in my head for when Aubrey is older and I can do a girl's trip with her - we will definitely be going to the American Girl Doll store!

So, goodbye NYC for now, see you in 6 years?

So instead of taking the time to put together my own post, I'm going to link 2 recent posts by friends of mine that I would like to think I would have done if I was more of a creative writer and not so lazy.....

Coincidence? I think not
From my friend Brooke's blog. She is a fun and quirky writer. I used to think she had a really funny life but then I realized she is talented enough in her writing to show the humor in any situation. This post is near and dear because it features my little girl.

My Pittsburgh
From my friend Tiffany's blog. Tiffany is full of life and energy. This post is all about Pittsburgh. There is so much to explore and appreciate about this place if you just LOOK for it! She highlights many of the things that I also love about this place.

The past weekend I helped host a baby shower for my good friend Amy. I didn't have a chance to take any people pictures on my camera but I did get some of the decorations before the shower. I think everything went well and I had a lot of fun - especially putting together the decor! Congrats to Amy and thanks to everyone who helped out so much!

baby pics

My beautiful friend Carlee and her cute baby boy! I've spent too much time with the dental student crowd because I can't stop looking at her gorgeous pearly whites! The poor baby was very aware of the uncomfortable situations we were putting him through, so all things considered, I thing we managed to get a few cute shots.

Okay, this was the hardest picture - you've got to get the cute feet pictures when the baby is brand new and asleep! Which was not the case here - but we tried. At least he's modest!

Have you missed seeing picture after picture after picture of this cutie? Oh stop, I meant Aubrey, but thanks ;) Have I mentioned I love this girl?

Aubrey's personal chair - she loves it and sits in it every day.

She also loves laying in piles of her blankets. She'll spend all afternoon moving the piles around the house and cuddling in them.

She also loves her dad. Something she doesn't love? Being dressed up for Halloween!

christmas card pics

Some friends of mine needed pictures for their Christmas card and were patient enough to let me have a go at it. I appreciate all the practice I can get and hopefully they'll get something usable out of it. Here are a few of the ones I liked.

You're probably thinking that the last two pictures were the best ones. That's because Zach took them. He's kind of a frustrating person to have around. He doesn't really have the interest or desire that I do when it comes to photography, but he's just one of those people who are smart and good at everything. Which I generally don't mind (especially when it might benefit me financially!!!) but in this case....