Christmas 2010

This year we decided to put up our Christmas tree a few weeks before Thanksgiving since we were going to be gone for 3 weeks. Alex talked me into putting the tree up so we would actually get to see it before we left for Meridian. This year was exciting because we got to put up our big tree that I found a few years ago on clearance for 20 dollars. I love bargains :)

Madison thought this new addition to our house was pretty interesting. She was just learning to scoot around and scooted herself all the way under the tree.

We spent Christmas day with my familiy and Christmas Eve with Alex's. Christmas morning Sydney, Alex and I were all awake at 6:30, but Madison decided to sleep in until 8:00, so we played Wii until everyone else got up.

Every year I always come up with some funny weird present for Sydney. This year I filled a box with paper shreds, and put a piece of gum in the box, with paper shreds wrapped around it. It took her a long time to find it because it had gotten down to the bottom of the box. It was pretty funny to watch her because she really didn't believe anything was in the box. We all got lots of really fun presents this year. I got a shredder attatchment for my kitchen aid... which I love so much!!! Thanks mom and dad. Alex got a jacket and a thing that tells us how cold it is outside and inside. Madison of course got spoiled to death. She got a lot of books and toys from grandma. We got her a toy piano that she loves to pound on and a ball.

Overall it was a great Christmas and I am so glad we were able to spend it with our families. They mean so much to us and we are so thankful for all that they do for us.

Long Overdue

 It has been way too long since I've updated everyone on here. This past semester has been so busy for me, but also so much fun. I had an Interior Design class, Family History, Home Decor Sewing, Pattern Making, and a Clothing Construction class. I would advise all of you out there not to try to take on three sewing based classes at the same time... it is a lot of work! Here's a look at what I've been up to.

 An about twin size quilt, made up of strips of fabric. 

 Complete with free motion machine quilting. Which by the way is very fun and very cute, but quite difficult doing it on a huge blanket.

 An appliance cover for my Kitchen Aid Mixer, which also is machine quilted.

 Super cute little pink curtains for Madison's room.

 A nice flowy skirt for myself.

 Pajama pants, complete with pockets.

 A button up collared shirt... which doesn't fit, so it needs altering now.

 Hundreds of patterns and designs made by hand.

And two half scale dresses for my pattern making class. I had to create the patten from our basic patter slopers and sew it up. The first is my midterm design, and the second my final design.

And that doesn't include the Book of Remembrance I created about my life (along with a good 30-40 pages of written information about myself), a design board of a room I created, doing family history work, and sewing portfolios. It was such a crazy semester, but definatly one of my most favorite and memorable.

Alex quit his job at Premier Powder Coating in October, so he was able to stay home with Madison and keep her busy for me while I did my homework. It was nice for both of them to get to spend more time together.

Madison has been growing like crazy. She can now say mom and dada, picked up sucking her thumb again, learned to crawl, sleeps on her tummy, pulls her self up, and got her first tooth. She loves to be right in the middle of everything and is always following me around the house.

Grandma Speirs Would Be So Proud

I recently decided that I should probably work on getting Madison used to brushing her teeth after she eats so we don't have to fight over it when she does have teeth. I got her a toothbrush way back when I was still pregnant from the dentist office my mom works at. I thought it would take awhile to get Madison to even let me put it in her mouth but it wasn't a problem at all. She loved having her gums and tounge tickled. Now it's hard to get the toothbrush away from her at all if she gets ahold of it. Hopefully she will still be this excited about brushing her teeth when she gets some little teeth.  

Madison's First Car

 Madison got this fun car from Aunt Mackenzie at her baby shower, and now she's finally big enough to play with it! She likes being pushed up and down the hall on it, and it will be a great day when she can do that on her own.... it's not easier being the motor. She is really good at playing with the different parts and likes the noises they make. Thanks Aunt Mackenzie for my first car!



Happy Halloween

Grandma Murri found this really cute puppy dog costume and was nice enough to send it to us for Madison to wear for Halloween. Madison thought it was pretty funny when Alex and I were barking at her and pretending to be puppies too.

Pumpkin Carving

I was just dying to carve a pumpkin this year for Madison's first Halloween. I know she won't remember it or have any idea why we were doing it, but it was pretty fun. She really liked to touch the pumpkin and pat it with her hands. She also tried to use it to help her stand up.

 And of course she liked playing with the huge spoon. She tried to get the whole thing in her mouth. I think she was hoping their would be some food on it.

 Madison wasn't too sure about touching the pumpkin guts. She did end up eating some off the spoon I was using though.

She didn't last through the whole process so we took a break and got cleaned up. Madison is sporting a Grandpa Speirs hair-do. 



The Candy Thief

It has been so long since I've had time to post anything on here. School has been really busy and now that midterms are over I have a few extra minutes. Madison is now almost 8 months old and has been working on learning to crawl. I put her on the floor the other day and this is what I caught her doing...

 Just peeking into the candy bowl