Sunday, December 28, 2008

The Merriest!

WARNING..Extra Long Post to Follow...

We have had a great couple of days celebrating Christmas with our families! It was so fun to have Addison around this Christmas, and to watch her play with, and enjoy her new gifts (and the wrapping paper they came in). It was so fun for me to be the 'MOM' this year! I started a few new traditions, and really enjoyed getting everything together for a fun celebration. Having kids makes the holidays so much more fun! I can't wait for the excitement and joy to continue to increase in our home each year!

Christmas Eve
We (our own little family), celebrated our Christmas on Christmas Eve Day. Travis had to work on Christmas Day in the evening, and needed to get his sleep on Christmas Day, and we had plans with Trav's family on Christmas Eve, so it just worked out that we celebrated our own Christmas a bit early. It was fun to be together as a family. We started out with a Christmas brunch. I made cinnamon pull-aparts (a new tradition), with sliced oranges, and chocolate milk.

Next, we opened our stockings, and the few gifts that were for Addison. Our own Christmas was a bit small this year because I took Travis on our trip to San Francisco in October to see the 49ers, and we knew that Addison would be spoiled by the grandparents (which of course she was). So we just had a few things for her to open.
Travis had my gift shipped to his parents house, so we headed over there next. All this time Travis had been telling me that our budget was tight, and that he didn't get me much..(which was fine with me). He also said that he was getting something that both of us would enjoy..which ususally means it's something that he really wants, but tries to pass off as something that I might like too. So, needless to say, I wasn't too excited about what I was getting. However, he out-did himself! He got me the new camera that I have been dreaming of. My old camera was so slow that I always had blurry pictures of Addison. Now, I can take pictures like a pro! Thanks, Trav!!

Next, we headed to Grandma Gines house. It's always fun to go there and celebrate with Trav's extended family. We have food, and play the white elephant game that goes on forever, and have a visit from the Santa too! By this time I had my new camera, so there are lots of pictures to follow.












After a late night a Grandma Gines, we headed over to Jo Jo and Poppy's house. Addison got lots of fun toys, and cute outfits. Thanks, Jo Jo!
Mykelle, and Gage got lots of fun gifts too!
It was really fun to watch Katie, and Jo open their gifts, because they were both brought to tears!

Katie got a Wii that she had been wanting FOREVER!


















Jo got a steam mop, a book from the family cruise in 2007, and the tear-jerking photo session with the family.













The rest of us got lots of cool stuff, too!

















My favorite gift was a recipe book with all of the Gines Family Favorites, and a REALLY cute apron that Jo made for all of the girls.



















Christmas Day

On Christmas Day, Addi and I headed up to my Dad's house. We had the BEST Christmas breakfast, and enjoyed goofing around, and spending time with one another!






Ethan and Addison got lots of fun toys.

















The most entertaining gift was a set of cheap plastic tubes that were a stocking stuffer for Addison!




Dad and Marty loved the customized family portrait calendar that we gave them.



Ususally we get cash from Dad and Marty, which is an awesome gift. But, this year we got something that we think is pretty awesome too...a snowblower! They have made our lives so much easier, and we are grateful!


As you can see, we have had a great Christmas! We are excited for my Mom to get back from Alaska on Friday so that we can celebrate with her. She has been up there with my sister Alyssa, for the birth of my new nephew Lincoln, and also to celebrate Christmas. Although we missed her, we were glad that she got the chance to be with Alyssa and her cute boys!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Poppy Claus..

Addison has a pretty cool 'Poppy'. During the Christmas season, Trav's Dad has a second job. We lovingly call him "Frank" while he's working. I think he may enjoy his holiday gig more than his real job! We think he does a really good job, and we love him a lot!

Addison didn't quite understand what was going on while she was sitting on Santa's lap. She didn't cry, just stared.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Crawling!

Yesterday, Addison learned to crawl! Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me when she did it for the first time. But, here is a video of the early attempts yesterday morning.


Here is a video of her crawling this morning. It's amazing the progress she made in one afternoon. Life was a lot easier when she stayed where I put her, but it wasn't nearly as much fun either! She's getting so big so fast!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Funny to Me..

My sister Madi, showed me this video, and we laughed so hard. I thought I would share it. I showed it to my Dad, and he didn't think it was funny. He said that we shouldn't laugh at other's misfortunes. I should work on following his example of kindness. Until then, I'll be laughing!

Click here to view the video.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Christmas Baby

Addison next to the Walmart tree. When we moved, Travis (bless his heart), threw away our old Christmas tree. I guess he thought to himself, "We only use this once a year. We can throw it away." So, needless to say, we have a cheap tree, but I'm grateful to have some Christmas spirit in my house..even if it is a little Charlie Brownish!
Check out that tongue. She really is a Gines after all!!
Sweet baby girl!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Thanksgiving #3..A Little Late!


On Saturday, we had our third Thanksgiving feast. My Mom had the flu the Saturday after Thanksgiving (when we usually do it), and so it ended up being a sort of holiday get together. It is always fun to see my Mom's family, although we were missing quite a few this year. Joey is in Brazil on a mission, Nick is up at USU, Nicole and Scott were sick, Tara and Jon live in Minnesota, Lys and Nate are in Alaska, and Travis was home in bed. Yes, that's right..home in bed. At least he was able to come a little later to eat his favorite, pecan pie. Travis has a crazy schedule, and I love when he is able to be with us..thanks for making an effort, Trav!Aunt Wendy spoiled Addison and gave her a taste of mashed potatoes, and a marshmellow. She loved it!Berta and TimEthan and CameronAddi and Uncle John

We had a good time. Thanks to everyone who was there, and lots of love to those that couldn't be with us!!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Ocho...

My sweet Addison is eight months old today. She is getting such a funny little personality. She knows how to play her momma, and I fall for it every time!

She is definitely a Mommy's girl, and while I love that she loves me, it can get a little old sometimes. She cries almost every time I put her down, or leave the room. It sure makes it hard to get things done!



She is working on crawling, and my prediction is that she'll be going within the next week or so.

She still loves to eat. Her absolute favorite is bananas, a girl after her daddy's heart.


Addison hates to be on her back, unless she's sleeping, which makes diaper changes a little difficult. She's always on the go, and constantly moving. Church is a challenge already. It seems the only thing that she'll sit still for is books...but it doesn't last long.
Addison loves her jumper, and as long as I am in the room, she'll jump for a long time, giggling and smiling the whole while.




She's grabbing and picking up everything, and always wants exactly what she can't have. Whatever she gets goes directly into her mouth. Although she chews on everything, and is a little drool bug, there are still no signs of any teeth yet.

Addison is still a great sleeper. I put her down around 9 or 9:30 PM, and she wakes up at around 7:45 AM everyday. The best part is, if I go in and feed her, she'll sleep again until about 9:30 AM! She's a pretty good napper too. She usually takes two, hour or longer naps, and a few cat naps here and there. It's like clockwork everyday, and I'm lucky!

Eight months has gone by so quickly and I have loved every minute of it! I'm so glad to be Addison's mom! I'm lucky to be able to spend every day with her, and I wouldn't trade my time with her for a minute. I love you, Addison!