Christmas Activity Advent - Day #22

Daddy is home for Christmas break and so excited to play with you in the snow!

...but since there is no snow...a bike ride on this sunny, blue sky, winter day will have to do.

2011 Christmas letter, sent to family and friends

Dear Friends and Family, 


We know, we know…we’ve been a little naughty the last couple years and neglected to send out any
Christmas cards or holiday updates. What can I say, since being married, while we’ve had wonderful
holidays, I’ve been either recovering from a miscarriage, sleep deprived with a new born, or sick and
pregnant. This is the first year that I feel totally on top of my game...and I couldn’t be happier. 


Reese is definitely a full fledged toddler. At 3 years old she is feisty, stubborn, strong willed, determined,
sassy, funny and super sweet… when she wants to be. She gives us a run for our money some days, but I
wouldn’t change a thing about her. She’s just like her mommy, and while that scares me a little…it gives
me great reassurance that she is going to be one strong little lady; as long as we do our job right as
parents. 


We were thrilled to welcome little Anniston Sophia (Anni) to our family this last March. She has really
completed our family. She is such a good baby. She has a sweet temperament, she sleeps well, and puts
up with a lot of abuse…I mean aggressive love from her big sister. Since she will most likely be our last,
I’m trying to keep her my baby for as long as possible. But I know my efforts are in vain. She is growing
and changing so fast. I’m just trying to savor every minute. 


Arnold is still working at the Utah Valley Convention and Visitor Bureau as the Marketing Manager. He
really enjoys his job and he amazes me with his knowledge of Marketing and Communications. His
specialty is in Social Media and Websites, but he really knows so much in all aspects of marketing.
Recently he’s been invited by several outside companies and city government agencies to train their
employees with some of his expertise. At home he’s an awesome daddy and wonderful husband. There
really are no words to express how grateful I am to have such a helpful, supportive, and loving husband
and father to our girls. I know the estrogen around here can run wild sometimes and Arnold deals with it
like a champ. 


As for me…I am absolutely in love with this full time mom gig! Having spent almost 15 years in the
career world I can say with out a doubt that for me there has been nothing more fulfilling or rewarding
than spending each day with my two little munchkins. Along with Arnold, they are the greatest blessing I
have ever received. I’m trying my best to soak up every minute of the time I have with them. That’s one
of the reasons I haven’t really kept up on my food blog, or done very many appearances on Studio 5 this
year. I know there are only a few precious years that these girls will both need me and want me, and
there will be many years in the future in which I will be able to do all the other things life has to offer.


As we reflect over the last couple years, we know our little family has experienced several challenges.
But we also know that every challenge has brought us closer, not only to each other, but to our Savior.
We are so grateful for the knowledge and comfort the gospel brings to our lives. This Christmas season
we hope and pray that each of you are happy and doing well. We are grateful to have you in our lives.
We are also grateful this time of year to celebrate the life and atonement of our Savior. We wish you a
joyful holiday season and a happy new year.

Love,
Arnold, Mindi, Reese and Anniston Thiebaud

9 Months

Today Anni is 9 months old. Stats:

Weight - 18.5 lbs 40%
Height - 29.5 in. 95%
Head - 17.2 in 38%



A few things to note about 9 months...

• Anni is fully mobile and all over the place! She has started climbing the stairs a little but doesn't venture past the third or fourth step. She also pulls herself up to things, but isn't quite sure how to get down without just plopping backwards. Sometimes this works and sometimes in ends with a bonk on the head. Shockingly she doesn't bother the Christmas tree too much. She likes to crawl to it then play with the extra lights at the bottom but that's about it. I've been so surprised how little both my girls have cared about the tree as babies. I always stress about it, but Reese never bothered it either. This is actually the first year that Reese has even payed attention to the tree. I have more problems with her moving around the ornaments then Anni.
• Anni is our calm laid back child...right now. We are amazed at how well she puts up with Reese's "aggressive" love and attention. She's also not as "into everything" as Reese was at her age. Even though Anni can now get anywhere and everywhere, she just doesn't get into things. She plays with toys and wanders around looking and touching things but she doesn't pull stuff off shelves or destroy anything. I've wondered if that has something to do with Reese. Usually Reese is playing with her or she's following Reese around. Who knows. Let's just hope it stays that way. I'm not holding my breathe though. If there's one thing I've learned about kids...it's that they can change in the blink of an eye. 
• Anni has started babbling and talking quite a bit. Her first word "mama"; not surprising for anyone that knows her. She is a mama's girl if there ever was one!!
• She can also click her tongue and razzz.
• Anni can give kisses. They're full on, open mouth, slobbery kisses...but kisses none the less.
• Anni has graduated from her baby bath tub and now has free rein of the tub...that she shares with Reese. I'm not sure who's been more excited about this change...Reese or Anni. They have so much fun together in the bath tub.
• Anni no longer thinks it's necessary for me, or anyone, to feed her. She is definitely an independent eater. Meal times are frustrating for mommy.
• Anni is still our little thumb sucker. But she usually only suck it at bed time or when she gets hungry. And sometimes not even then. So I'm encouraged that it may not be a long term habit. We shall see.
• If there's one trait that Anni shares with her big sister, it's their high pitch squeal or scream. My girls have the Nordfelt lungs...and they use them.
• Anni has started singing with me. I usually sing her a couple songs each night before I put her to bed. She now joins in, and it's the cutest thing ever!!

Christmas Activity Advent - Day #21

Dress extra cute today...we get to go to the mall and get your picture taken with Santa.

Unfortunately the dumb girl running the camera did not know what she was doing and the pictures were terrible...so I did not pay the money to buy them. Hopefully Reese and Anni will not be scarred in future years because they don't have a picture with Santa for 2011.

On the upside, we got to meet up with Cindy and go to CPK for lunch; just like old times, except with me trying to juggle and feed two children.

Cindy was so sweet to buy the girls cute new pj's. Sorry Cindy, Reese ripped the present open as soon as she walked in the door. She loves loves loves the Princess pj's!

Christmas Activity Advent - Day #20

Today is a very important day...Christmas is days away and Santa will be arriving soon with new toys for both you and Anni. Today we need to clean and organize your play room and bed room so we have a place to put the new toys. You can also help mommy clean the house to get ready for Christmas.

When I read this to Reese her response was, "Awww man!" But she actually loves to help me clean. However, she does not enjoy sorting and organizing her toys. Oh it got done though :)

Christmas Activity Advent - Day #19

Watch a very special video for FHE and then do a surprise craft activity. 
The surprise craft...home made snow globes. They turned out so cute.





Please know that I don't dress my children in tank tops, in the middle of winter. She spilled water down her shirt...so we were down to her undershirt.

Christmas Activity Advent - Day #18

Read the book "Snow Angels" and then be Snow Angels ourselves with some small acts of sevice.

Kissy face...

I seriously love this little face so much. I have a hard time not just kissing it all day long!



Anni loves to play with the extra lights from the Christmas tree. She just waves them around and squeals with delight!  Seriously love this little bananni!

I know I'm bias...

...but bias aside I think I have the most beautiful neices and most handsome nephew in the whole world :)

Christmas Activity Advent - Day #17

Go see the lights and the reindeer at Thanksgiving point.
I'm pretty sure this is one of Reese's favorite things to do...and I'm also pretty sure that has more to do with daddy letting her drive than it does with seeing the lights.


This was Anni's first year seeing the lights and I'm pretty sure she loved it as well...also more to do with getting out of her car seat in the car, than actually seeing the lights.


I couldn't resist this picture...I love that shocked little face.








We caught a funny little picture of Santa's reindeer...doing his business.

Christmas Activity Advent - Day # 16

It's play group day! Have fun with all your friends!

Unfortunately 2 of her friends were sick, one had a school program with her sister, and another was out of town...so we only had 4 girls for playgroup this week. It was super fun though...and way easier on mom.

We made Christmas wreath tree ornaments with beads, buttons, and bells. We also made fun bead bracelets, ate the yummy cupcakes, and then we played dolls.





Brooklynn Wood


Brynn Tate


Brea Wild


We made little "we missed you" packages for the friends that couldn't make it.

Christmas Activity Advent - Day #15

Make pink candy cane cupcakes for play group tomorrow!
Then...of course...test them and make sure they taste as delicious as they look.

Christmas Activity Advent - Day #14

Have a beauty day with mom...pedicure and manicures.

Christmas Activity Advent - Day #13

With mom's help, make gifts for all our neighbors and friends! 
We had so much fun making cinnamon ornaments for all our neighbors and friends...and the house smelled sooo good all day!

I was so impressed with how much Reese was able to do. She helped roll out the dough, cut out the ornaments, string the ornaments with ribbon, and put all the ornaments into bags. She was such a great help. I can't believe how big she is getting. She is growing up way too fast!

When all was said and done...we had over 50 ornaments for all our neighbors and friends.

Christmas Activity Advent - Day #12

Have a Christmas music dance party for family home evening!
...we had a great time. Reese has some smooth moves.

Christmas Activity Advent - Day #11

Play a fun Christmas game as a family. Talk about giving service to others.

Christmas Activity Advent - Day #10

Go see the lights at Riverwoods and ride the carousel at Provo Beach Resort!




This was our favorite tree...


Anni...so cute bundled in her stroller. Look at her poor chapped cheeks. She's cutting a couple more teeth and all that slobber combined with the cold weather has caused some sore little cheeks.


This little crazy girl had the time of her life running from lights to lights.





Anni thought she was in heaven riding the carousel. She bounced and squealed the entire time...and surprisingly held onto the bar like a pro.

Christmas Activity Advent - Day #9

Go on a fun daddy-daughter date tonight. Daddy will let you choose anywhere you want to go.
They went to McDonalds, then to Target to pick out a present for me...and look at the toys.

Colored up!

Yesterday as we were leaving the neighborhood to run some errands, we were stopped in front of the Gardner's house waiting to turn....

Reese: Look mom Tyler Gavin all colored up!
Me: What??
Reese: Tyler Gavin's house all colored up!
Me: (looking at where she's pointing) You mean they have Christmas lights up?
Reese: Ya mom. They got all colored up. Clair Lucy all colored up, Tyler Gavin all colored up. We got to get colored up too mom. We gotta do it!
Me: (trying very hard not to laugh)...I guess you better tell your dad...we gotta get our color on.


Having a conversation with her dad...

Arnold: You know what I think Reese?
Reese: That I'm a genius!

Arnold and I couldn't stop laughing.

Christmas Activity Advent - Day #8

Make a fun Christmas craft with mom...Popsicle stick snowflakes.