Tired girl

Melia is bad sleeper, and it is most likely our fault. She can't just climb into bed, hear a night time story, say her prayers and go to bed. Nope, not her, she was spoiled as a baby because we always held her to sleep, rocked her to sleep, watched tv with her to sleep...ugh. A mistake we are not making with Sophie. Well she is always falling asleep in random places, often an hour past the time she should have gone to bed.

But hey, good news! She is doing a lot better now that she doesn't nap during the day. Now she usually goes to bed between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Hooray! It is still in pathetic places, as pictured above, but at least the time is an improvement! I guess we'll have to keep working on the night time routine though!

Sophie starts solids

Sophie-Pie is 5 months old now and feels very eager to eat some real food. She loved her first two experiences with rice cereal, but has not enjoyed the last three. I can't say that I blame her. But I will keep working on it. Melia tried it (mostly because she was jealous Sophie and I were having such a good time without her) and thought it was so gross she actually puked it up all over the counter (along with her breakfast she had just finished). It was so disgusting, so I thought I should tell you about it!

halloween princess

Melia takes a look in the mirror to check herself out...

She goes wild with approval and excitement...

and she heads off for the princess promenade of her life!

(Sorry no pictures of Sophie--she was sick. I did put her in Mara's cuddly old leopard costume and she looked exactly like Melia looked in it two years ago! My girl's looks are very similar!).

a trip to lattin farms

On Nevada Day we went with a couple of Melia's little friends and their mom's (who happen to be my friends as well) to Lattin Farms for picking pumpkins and petting farm animals.

Here is her friend, Finley. He lives five doors down the street. His mother's name is Nellie.

This is Jacey and Kiera. They live across the highway. Danny and I are good friends with their mom and dad, Candy and Ryan Wilson.

This is right before Melia's tantrum, which concluded our trip...
and we had to leave without buying any pumpkins!

Melia is having 1-2 screaming tantrums a day. Any advice?

flowers from beth

Thanks, Beth! They lasted for two weeks!

bob's new porsche

This is my dear old dad. (psst, Dad--I am not saying you are old!). He looks pretty handsome next to his new ride, doesn't he?

a picture of my family

In order left to right: Audrey, Heather, Me, Shannon, Beth, Joyce

I wanted to post this picture because it is the last and only girls outing we had before my mom passed away.
Female relationships are so important!
We have to set aside time away from kids and every day responsibilities to enjoy our sisters, mothers, friends, etc! I am coming to appreciate this simple truth as I grow more mature and become a fuller person.
I love my family and Danny's family so much!

4 choices at McDonald's

This is in Guangzhou China... You may have to watch this a few times to get the full effect. I will just tell you that this McDonald's was gi-normous. I think I counted 36 cash registers, we had four choices of meals and each one came with a six piece chicken nugget....AWESOME. This video is shot before the big lunch rush so... imagine the chaos... it was pretty funny.

a passport for sophie

Well it looked like Sophie and I would be accompanying Danny on his second trip to China...but things just didn't work out! So we stayed home instead.
I just wanted to post this sweet little picture we were going to use for her passport.

our girls at christie and cameron's sealing in august

It has been over 2 months since this happy event, but I love these pictures of my Melia. She is such a sweet, quiet and serious little girl in public. Just like these pictures!

Later on at the Hyde's house I took this picture of Sophie...little did I know that this grin was the result of a full (exploded) diaper! You may not see it in this picture, but it is all up her back, on her dress, the blanket and me! Dear Aunt Roxy helped me to get us all ship shape again!