The Girls

Passed out...

Playing with Sophie, Mitzi's dog
Messing around
gnawing on her jumper
the cheesiest smiles keep popping up when I try to take pics
gnawing on more stuff
pretty baby

trying to gnaw on the camera
she loves her tongue right now, and looks like she is tasting the air like a dog

bath time!

Halloween

We had fun this Halloween going to our ward party, where Adalei won one of the "best dressed" prizes! She looked so cute in her little witch costume, and Elia was adorable in her cat costume. Adie wasn't so sure about the massive cat in the neighbors yard...

Wanting to gnaw on the pumpkin...
Ellie fell asleep in Grayson's arms as we walked around one of our ward members neighborhood.

Adalei petting her black cat (my Dad said, "Every witch needs her familiar!")

Not the best pic, but Ellie cheeks looked way cute...

Decision

We finally decided to take the job with CVS here in Reno, NV! Grayson and I had been praying about it for a while and decided it was the best decision for us. He is contracted for 1 year, so we are here for at least that long. If Gray likes it, then we are going to look to buy a home this next summer and stay for a while. We really do love Reno, and there is so much to do! It is a desert, so not a lot of bugs (yeah!), our ward is great, the home market is really good right now and the casinos bring in lots to do without being in your face like Las Vegas. I am so excited!!! Yeah!!! A REAL job!!!!

Grandpa John O'Neill

I just found out that my Grandpa O'Neill has passed away. Even though we all knew it was coming it was still sad to hear that it had finally happened. I have great respect and gratitude for him since he, along with my grandma, were the first in the our family to join the church. If it wasn't for him I would not be LDS today and have the life perspective and testimony that guarantees me that I can be together again with my family.
At Jenae's baptism...
Our Christmas visit '08, Grandpa playing with Adalei (even though she was screaming...)



No one in our family could ever deny that Grandpa was Mr. Personality. He had the ability to talk to everyone and anyone! A salesman through and through. He never backed down from a good argument. Grandpa was like a scientist with his drinks. He mixed all sorts of different colas together and then, when my mom wasn't looking, would give us a sip. He also carried loads of Vellaments when I was growing up. That square mint? What ever happened to those? When he met Grayson, he gave him a lecture on the "proper" way to say goodbye. You shake their hand (or give them a hug), say "see you later" and get the crap out of there! This was especially funny to me since Grayson's family takes 3 hours to say goodbye. He was so proud of his Irish heritage and was often found singing some jig. And I think every cousin I know knows the "Arizona" state song because of him. Quite often when I was little he made Colleen and I duet "I am a Child of God" for him. He also loved his neck rubs. I don't think I ever escaped giving a rub down when I went to visit. I still love the story of Aunt Meg offering to scale his nose down with a laser and he said, "no way, it gives me character!" One of the last things he said to Gray and I is to never stop communicating with each other (and isn't that what all the psychology books say?) and to learn from our children. We love you and will miss you! And as Grandpa would say, "see you later!..."

Lately

Elia is the happiest baby- so unlike Adalei as a baby- lovely!




What we have been up to....
Giving Elia rice cereal for the first time....didn't love it...

Elia figuring out how to get toys in hand and to mouth....
so cute all wet...
what happens the second Daddy comes home...
What happens when I leave Adalei to her own devices...


"the fort in the rainforest"...


Loving Grandpa Schenk...
playing after the baby blessing. This is a favorite game in which Elia "chases" Adalei...

Adalei flying with Grandpa Schenk...He puts a towel under her arms and swings her around!
The blessing of Elia...
All the guys who were able to be there for the blessing...Adam, Grandpa, Uncle Zane, Loni

Eli's favorite position...facing out...
hanging out...

Photo Shoot

We finally got around to taking some pictures of the girls!
I had been dreading doing it since we decided to try to do it ourselves since we are still poor students and take them with Adalei was torture. They aren't on the best camera, but a little cropping and red eye reduction and I think they turned out fine! Besides, I think they are beautiful no matter what! Except when they are screaming...not sleeping...having diarrhea... :)

Friends

When I first married Grayson I had the gall to ask his sister what she did all day (she was home with my niece Kayla at the time). I really wasn't trying to be rude, I was honestly curious (although I am sure she wanted to put a knife in my back at the time- I love you Mitzi!). I came across this article by Carolyn Hax entitled, What do Friends With Kids Do all Day?, and wanted to send it out to all my friends with KIDS!! You won't ever get it unless you have some of your own. Period. End of Story.
Here is the link:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/22/AR2007052201554.html

And of course, a BIG sorry to all my friends who hang on and love me anyway when I only get around to talking to you every few months....or more...I still love you!!