Call me a scrouge but I'm not huge on the sitting on Santa's lap thing. So last year, I didn't have LaNea do it. This year though, it was very convinent (meaning no line! no cost!) so we did. She didn't do as terrible as I expected. Santa was down at McDonalds in Spring, TX and didn't have candy canes but had cookies and happy meal toys. What a great idea! Eric loved the cookie and LaNea loved the toy.
As you can see, she really not sure what's going on and probably debating on whether she's allowed to touch his beard.
And here, she's given up completely! Next year I expect to be better.
(As a side note: Eric packed her clothes and I didn't fully explain that I wanted cute clothes or that just because they say 18month, doesn't mean they'll actually fit! Yeah, she looked like an orphan.)
Over the summer LaNea and I started attended our ward's Play Group on Tuesday mornings. It was during these days that LaNea discovered her love of water (just like her mommy!). I know these pictures are way out of order but I just received them from another mother in our ward.
This is a park near our home that has the water fountains. I hadn't realized it before but we live within 3 minutes of two of these types of parks. Yeah, we're pretty lucky!
I love how independant she is. She is so daring and will go off on her own to explore her surroundings!
If you look closely you'll see her face is scuffed up. She got run over by another little boy just moments before. But of course, my happy little girl can't stay mad for very long!
Once again, she didn't want to hold my hands in the pool. I couldn't stray too far from her side as her butt kept going up, causing her face to go down.
I love her happy smiles and her friendly personality!Most who know me, know that I keep a journal. My mother forced us to keep one since the age of eight and somehow that became a great outlet for all my thoughts. I've gone through many journals since and this last month I finished up, yet another, but haven't found the time to head to Deseret Book to get another. This morning I thought of something that I really want to write down to memory, so this will have to replace my journal for a moment.
I just wanted to remember how grateful I am for individuals who are willing to do more than is asked. A few different memories have come to mind that have caused this sudden appreciation and I'll just briefly mention them.
The first was a neighbor we had while living in St George, Utah. She was always kind to everyone, incredibly patient with my younger brother and just a very good person. These are attributes that could make her praiseworthy but this was who she was. What I loved most though, was that every Christmas, she invited all the neighbors to her home for breakfast. She would spend the whole morning cooking for everyone else and never complained or asked for help. The more I take on the role of mother and housewife, the more I realize how amazing that is. That was such a wonderful way to bring Christmas alive within her home as well as bring that feeling of love and family to a neighborhood.
The next is totally different but still just as important. After we were married, Eric and I spent several months up in Alaska. We arrived earlier than the majority of cruise workers. The small LDS chapel there only had maybe fifty members total during the winter months but that number would easily triple as all the young workers came up. That last meeting before they were expected to arrive, the bishop spoke to his ward members and reminded them that they needed to make sure they had their food storage up to date, BUT not only food for their family but that they were required to have enough for those who would be here for the summer and would be unable to bring a supply with them. As I still don't have an effective food storage, I was shocked that he would ask so much of his members. But there was a group who truly understood what it meant to be a ward family. They foresaw a need that could arise and provided for those that would be in their care.
Lastly, living in a college town has a lot of pros and cons. Its always good and bad that people are consistently moving in and out of our ward. Most don't live near family and are poor college students unable to travel to family during the holidays. Last week, a sister in my ward approached each member who she knew lived far from family and invited them to her home for Thanksgiving Dinner. Even though there were three families on our row, she asked each of us in turn, letting us know that she welcomed each family into her home.
I know most of us don't live in college towns where majority of wards are made up of students far from home or in far off locations where food only arrives once a week if the weather is good. But I LOVE how each of those involved took in their surroundings and saw something above what they were asked and chose to fix it. Someday, I hope I gain the courage to do as these others have done. With Thanksgiving not even a week away, I'm just feeling incredibly thankful for knowing such great examples of pure charity.
So I got to be very busy during the month of October by spending a couple weeks out in California. It was a lot of fun seeing friends and family.
Before we left, we had to have one farewell dinner. 
Along with one last lecture before we left...(I seemed to have a LOT of these pictures from my childhood.)
The night my parents left Kara, Steph and I decided we needed a girl's night. So we got some ice cream, Letters to Julieit and facial masks (thanks Missy) and enjoyed ourselves completely. 
LaNea did really well sleeping in her Pack 'n' Play most the time.
After Six months I FINALLY got to meet Gracie and she was just as darling as the pictures appear.
Eric started getting anxious to see pictures of LaNea and wanted to know what she was up to. So that day we spent a lot of time in the following situations....
And the Result....
Its never a finished trip unless I get to steal some of the kid's homework. Wow, I miss school work!
I had perfect timing in being able to attend Kara's 1st Band concert. Let's just say she was the best dressed band member in her whole group! (Even with her cast!)
Looking amazing playing her flute!
We also got to attend Aunt Joan's Trunk-Or-Treat! We didn't stay for the whole thing but it was fun letting everyone dress up and look adorable. Kara as the Candy Corn Witch with Lanie as a little 50's girl.
She was really tired by this point and didn't feel like smiling all the much! She was a good sport though and even went through the Spook Alley with Kara and I.
She was really good the whole time at the airport and even slept for an hour on the second plane.
I also just had to post this last picture because LaNea has developed this love of necklaces. She will constantly put this on and take it off then put it back on. She gets it caught on just about everything but she doesn't seem to realize and keeps wearing it! Who would have thought my little girl would be a dress-up girl!
So LaNea has been thoroughly enjoying the better weather as it means mommy is more willing to venture to the park each day. Last week she even went with daddy who showed her a new trick! Sorry in advance that its not the best video but this girl is quick and Izzie hasn't taught her the meaning of the word "stay."
Also, sorry for the poorer quality but the better it is, the longer it takes and I'm still working on my patience!
Can you believe my little girl is already a year? Time really does go by way too quickly. Being the terrible mother I am, I did take LaNea to the dr today where she got 3 shots and some blood drawn. (Any ideas on why the blood was drawn, I kind of forgot to ask! :)) She was really mad about that part as she could see the needle and it wasn't quick like all the others.
She's definitely getting bigger though. As of today she weighed 20lbs10oz (sure that was with shoes but we're counting it!) which is in the 43%!! No more under 20%! She is 30 1/2 inches tall which was the 90% and her head has apparently grown and is 18.4 inches which is 85%.
Within the last little while, LaNea has started walking. She still takes her time about it and prefers to hold my hand but every now and then she'll choose to walk some place all on her own. She loves attention and will accept it from anyone. Loves forcing Izzie to cuddle. Still climbs on just about anything. The other day she started climbing into a kitchen chair. Then, in the time it took me to grab my phone for a quick picture, she was on the table. Pretty soon I expect to see her on the fridge!
Eric had to do cub scouts tonight so we aren't doing any big birthday things yet. On Saturday though we're throwing a small party for some family and a few friends which will hopefully be fun. Never realized how much actually goes into planning a child's party.
So since I normally write all about LaNea, I thought this time I could catch you up on what I've been up to.
For starters, a friend and I are starting a book club. We'll be meeting once a month to talk about the book we've read and begin reading a the next one. The only requirements on the books was that we must either own it or have at least 2 copies at the library. Most living here are very poor college students and we didn't want that to deter people from joining in. Our first meeting is tonight and I'm really excited since we'll be starting with the book I've chosen. I chose Summer's At Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn. (Thanks Als, for your endless demands that I read it, I now read it at least twice a year if not more!) I was actually nervous at first that some may not like it, which still may be the case, but as I've already had two people read it and both of them LOVED it...things are looking good.
Eric and I have also read the Hunger Games series. Now I've read it before but Eric and I like reading them together, normally. We had finished Catching Fire on Sunday evening and Eric was really excited that he'd only have to wait a couple days before the final book came out. I however, was planning on waiting till one of my many friends who had already pre-ordered the book, finished it and was willing to let us borrow. So I was able to resist having Eric buy it on Tuesday but by Wednesday, I lost my resolve and we bought it. So last night Eric and I began reading. I had a cold the night before so my voice was a little scratchy but I managed to read it outloud from 7 to 11. Around 10:00pm Eric started saying we should be done for the night but any who know me, knows this is not really an option. If I had it my way, I'd have stayed up and just finished it by myself. So our compromise was to let me read till 11. We are officially halfway and I won't beable to read tonight due to the meeting, we'll be finishing the book on Friday night. Addicted? Sure, but that's okay. Eric's keeping the book in the car so I don't get too tempted to jump ahead. 
Other than reading, my life is full of this little girl. She is so funy and I love watching her go through the different stages. Right now, I think she's just starting to realize what the word "No" means and that she doesn't like it. I just have to say the word and she'll look at me as if I was a terrible person and begin to cry. Fortunately she's still pretty easy to distract. We've started to go to some Play Groups on Tuesday. She loves this as she always gets to be the center of attention. Little kids love her and she just loves seeing people her own age. Its crazy to watch her try to become independant. She'll start by only going a couple feet from me before circling back, then a couple yards and then she's good and I have to follow her if I ever want to catch her.
Finally, I've been trying my hand at a few various crafts. I have completed my first Quiet Book all by myself and have my second one almost done. I've also started a FHE set-up. I got most my puppets made and now just need a place to organize them. And I've been practicing my cake decorating skills in hopes of making a delicious cake for LaNea's birthday. I've done two so far and have made them small versions just so I don't waste money or have too much cake around my home. The one pictured below was my first attempt at Fondant with Amber's guidance. I realized that 1. I am very weak and 2. I am very impatient. My second attempt was a little more lively as I realized to make the cake an actual color. But that one only lasted the evening before it became too tempting and had to be thrown out. So I'm not pro but it's actually been fun learning and trying new things.
So things haven't been too busy but they've been fun. Now I'll get back to posting more about Lanie!LaNea is still getting so big. She has learned to crawl up onto the couch and loves that I now have no where to hide from her. Her best friend is still Izzie and together they'll team up on Bella. She laughs so often especially with the animals.
We did attend our first play group yesterday and it was so much fun. LaNea's eyes got huge as she looked at the large table full of toys and so many little kids her own age. I also enjoyed talking to other mom's in the ward and making new friends. 
This last weekend, we headed down to Seguin for the Texas Lineman Rodeo Competition. There were lineman from all over the state gathered together to see who could complete their regular jobs the quickest while still doing it properly. With every mistake they made they were given gigs. It started with all the apprentices having to take a written exam which would be huge in determining the winner. I don't know if Eric ever studied as hard for a test. 
Heading off for the test! (Yep, they had to wear a hard hat and gloves to the event!)
Getting ready to show off his rope tying skills!
Hurtman Rescue. Eric's last event of the day
Waiting to do his next event. His group had a hard schedule where they were stuck waiting for over an hour at a time.
The competition ended around three-thirty and we ran out and got lunch and showered. We came back for their dinner and award ceremony that evening. Eric didn't place but his co-worker Bobby got 3rd overall. It was a total shock for him which is always a great surprise. We'll find out where Eric placed in a couple weeks. Since 3rd was only 6 points above Eric, he'll definitely be in the top 10! Eric did get 100 on every event but he only scored an 80 on the test. Everyone said the test was harder than usual especially since the top score was only a 92. With everything, he was awesome!!! It was so much fun to watch him work and to learn so much more about what he does every day while I relax at home!
Also, they had some amazing grass by the pavillion where the dinner was held Saturday night. As this isn't very common in Texas, we let her crawl as much as she desired but she seemed to just enjoy making laps around me. She loved it though!
This is Eric's pole climb competition. He had to carry an egg up in a little bag. When he got to the top he had to hang the bag and put the egg in his mouth as he climbed back down. The fastest person made it in 20:14 seconds which is almost unheard of. Eric got 34:00 seconds which was still great.
With Adam and Karissa in town we were in search of some fun entertainment in our area. So we headed down to Brenham to visit the Blue Bell Ice Cream Tour. We don't get out much so we made sure to take enough pictures to guarantee that we did in fact go out!
As you can see, LaNea wasn't sure what she thought of this trip and her lack of a nap didn't help either.
Adam and Karissa were great troopers, waking up extra early to accompany us!
She's really not a big fan of hats but Eric just had to have her try it just once!
Pictures weren't allowed on the tour so this is at the end where we all got to try some of the different ice creams. We were going to let LaNea try just a bite or two of hers but she wouldn't let that happen. She wanted it all!
The tour was really interesting and we all learned way more than we expected about our favorite treat. I was amazed by how quickly the ice cream was made and how much they actually make in a single day. Blue Bell ice cream is known for being deliciously creamy and it definately didn't disappoint.
She is just getting so big, I could hardly believe it was already time for her 9 Month appointment. She is doing wonderfully though and that's always nice to hear. Her stats were still in the same line as they have always been. Weight was 17lbs (15%) and Height was 29 ins (86%).
She's a lot of fun to have around and her moods always make me laugh. She's be so so happy 90 % of the time and then you do one thing she doesn't like and life instantly becomes miserable till something goes right again. She also has learned the basics to what I'm saying but its a 50/50 chance as to whether she'll actually listen. 
Now at a first glance you might just look and see a mess but me, I see my daughter FINALLY getting herself into the sitting position and being okay with it.
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She finally has gotten some new toys to the relief of Izzie. She doesn't know how to work them all yet but she loves to push them all over the house. Its apparently my job however to get them out of the corners.
So LaNea has been getting bigger and a lot more daring. For starters she loves to climb and I'm having a hard time keeping her from hurting herself. She's not walking or even standing still yet but she has no problem walking along the furniture. She has gotten over her army crawl stage and now only does the regular one. She's quite fast at it and always keeps Eric and I on our feet. She is also starting to mimick our words and she's said both "Ok" and "yeah". She's still just as happy as anything and her best friend is definately Izzie. They spend a good portion of the day following each other around. Her favorite toy is the turtle in the picture below. She'll play with that all day long and just chew on his arms and legs. 
She just loves helping me out with the laundry. She climbed in there all by herself and has done it every time since.
She is becoming such a good eater. She's always loved to eat and hated drinking her bottle but its fun to watch her feed herself. She tends to eat two handfuls and then throw one on the floor. I wonder if she thinks its good luck or something. .JPG)
And I finally figured out how to add videos online! Yeah me! I might just post some older ones that I have too now even if they're from a few months back. :)This is Lanie playing in the pool. I tried to get it of her playing with Izzie but she likes watching the camera too much.
So while at the park today, we decided to show LaNea what its like to be buried in sand. Our park doesn't quite have sand though so we made due with the rocks. She wasn't really sure about it but totally humored us. :)
As a side note, only one rock was swallowed during this adventure. Not too bad considering all the rocks that were around us.
This last weekend we got to travel to Missouri to watch Josh graduate from High School. Can hardly believe he's old enough to be graduating.
First time Lanie got to meet Aunt Laura! Loved her right from the start.
Still trying to make out what is exactly going on with all these strangers.
Celebrating our new graduate
Watching everyone play in the water and hottub while getting nice and dry on Grandpa's lap.
