National Zoo

We love the National Zoo in DC. Its free for one which is awesome but it's huge as well. Lots of good animals to see. For the first time in months it was a great day yesterday for going out. Still freezing but at least not snowing or raining and the roads were clear. So we had to go out. Kids loved it. Matt and I loved it. Must do it again.

Luke was so excited when this small tortoise started walking. Pretty cool to see.

Giant tortoises. In the words of Lyd, "WHOA!"

My favorite pic.

This momma gorilla was awesome. She has a little baby in her lap. By the time I pulled out the camera the baby ducked back down. Its amazing how much they look like humans.

The orangatangs were my favorite. They have such freakishly long arms and were swinging everywhere. So fun.

Every kid should have his own anteater statue....

I just love this one. Luke didn't want to smile for the camera or take a pic with me so I tickled him. I love being a mom.

Lydia's Birthday

Okay so its been over a month since Lydia's 1st birthday....I'm getting there, I'm getting there. I made her a yummy, yet ugly looking cake. Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. I didn't make it until late in the day so we didn't have it until 9pm. haha. Regardless it was a hit. A few things about our little sissy.

- She loves music and lets you know it as she shakes her hips and waves her hand. A little story: We were at church 2 weeks ago and Matt had to take a cranky Lyd out of Sacrament mtg. When he came back with a sleeping Lydia the special musical number was just starting. As soon as the 2 violins began Lydia's arm went bezerk, waving all around (the sign for music in ASL is a hand wave back and forth). Yes, she was still asleep. At least for the first minute. Funny girl.
- She loves juice and will go crazy every time she sees me pull out a juice box.
- She loves torturing her big brother by following him around and stealing his toys. Luke then runs to me crying saying Lyd took something from him. ;)
- She claps her hands and does the Indian chant.
- She flirts with anyone and everyone by squinting her face and cheesing.
- She does the most intense army crawl you have ever seen! She doesn't want to give it up because it gets her places FAST. So she doesn't walk yet, or even stand by herself. In time.
- She's the BIGGEST cuddler you have ever seen. Anyone who picks her up she'll immediately put her head down on their shoulder and cuddle. LOVE IT! Both my kids were cuddlers.
- She loves crawling up the stairs...had a few falls too but she still does it. And when I tell her to get down she just cheeses at me. haha.
- Can entertain herself with anything. Luke could never do this so I'm loving it.
- Has now begun to love looking at books. Although, she's a book ripper. Darn it.

So that's our little girl. We love her to death! Happy belated Birthday baby girl!

She dug into it a little prematurely. Can you see the little finger marks in the frosting at the top.

New Diaper Bag

I made this x/lg diaper bag for my sister-in-law who will be having her 3rd baby hopefully within the week. I absolutely love the uneven pleat in it. What do you think?

My sweet hubby.

We've had lots of time with Matt this past week and we've loved every minute of it. Yesterday was a holiday so he had last Friday off as well. Starting Friday Matt decided to make me a tool board for my craft/business room. He wanted to make it "perfect" so he spent a lot of time and work on it. And boy was it worth it because I LOVE IT! Don't you? Totally making my life easier already. Thank you honey.

Because we were out of town and sick during my birthday at the end of December Matt had yet to get me a gift. Finally he decided to paint me a picture of Yosemite falls (we went there 2 yrs ago when Luke was 10 months). Isn't it B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L????? I absolutely love it. Now just have to get it in an equally beautiful frame.

Yesterday Matt finished up my board and then went outside with Luke to play in the snow. They ended up building an IGLOO! How freakin' awesome is that? We have our own life size igloo in our backyard. Luke loved it! And sis enjoyed it from the comforts of our kitchen. ;)

In anticipation

Matt and Luke are at the hardware store picking up stuff to make me a tool rack for my craft/business room. Matt thought of it yesterday and ever since he asked me if I wanted one I've been extremely excited. He's even painting it. Supposedly he says it will be done today. Keeping my fingers crossed. ;)

UGH.....

I HATE taxes. Mostly because it makes me realize what a terrible record keeper I am. Especially now with a business I am in total heck because I did not keep good records......UGGGG AHHHHH AAHHHHH!!!! Ok now that I've cyber screamed I'm good and will now get back to figuring it all out.

Random

So there's ANOTHER big blizzard here in good ol' MD. Very strange compared to last year. We only had one major snow storm that accumulated 12 inches tops and that was in March. We've already had 3 major ones this year with the first accumulating 18 inches! The second was last Saturday and it got 12 inches. Church was canceled because of it. Between yesterday and today they forecast between 20-28 inches! However it seems more like 12 so far. Wonder if they will cancel church tomorrow. I really hope not. People here are crazy when it comes to snow. They all rush to the stores to stock up on random stuff and leave work early (or get a hotel) just to not have to drive in what I think is very mild snow weather. Although, I do think it is smart to avoid driving in the snow but canceling school 3 days this last week even when it WASN'T snowing at the time but just because it had snowed or was going to snow. Puh-lease people. Okay, really its not a big deal I just think its funny after living in snow town Provo.

Anyways, here's another thing to complain about: A couple months ago my tooth starting hurting. One that had a root canal already done and a permanent filling put in (but not a crown yet). I went in and found out it needed to be re-treated for that root canal. Lame. Luckily I had it done in cheaper UT during Christmas vacation. However, it was still $320 my part. Ouch. Then I went in to get a crown 2 days ago. I thought oh the most for this would be $350 maybe $380......Nope a grand total of $501.50!!!! Yes, my part. That's even with insurance paying 50%. Man, that just SUCKS! ***Note, I've VERY VERY VERY grateful that we have insurance to pay at least half or life would really really suck. And I'm glad for my overall health. BUT just to warn you all who are thinking of getting your dentist to do your root canal (if he does do them), DON'T!!! I've had 3. 2 were done by an Endodontist (root canal specialist) and one was done by my general dentist....Guess who's it was that needed the re-treatment (aka lots more money for me to spend fixing his bang up job)???? Yep, the dentists. Now I will only go to a specialist, even if it is a little extra.

On a happier note, Matt brought me breakfast in bed. Yumm. Sweet man. Now he's outside with Lukas making an awesome snow man. Lukas is in heaven and so am I. ;) Hope you all are warm and happy on this good Saturday!

New Boy Shoes and Girl Boots...FINALLY!

So after much goof off time I finally got around to designing boy shoes and girl boots. I'm pretty much in love, especially with those stinkin' cute boots on my little girl! ;) (Oh and no, the idea for the boots is not all my own. Took the idea from a cute, however really expensive, shop called Gracious May). After I make them a little more my uniquely my own then I'll be posting them to my website soon. Oh my web address is now www.LuckyButtonDesigns.com. Yay.