Holidays

This year was a special Christmas. We traveled out to see my parents, who are serving a mission in Adam-Ondi-Ahman. We figured if we didn't get back to Missouri now my parents wouldn't be able to see Addison till she was a year old. So we loaded up the car and set out on our adventure. We love road trips and Addison was such a great road tripper! We drove to Texas and stayed at my cousins place who "coincidentally"(I think not) lives half way between us and my parents. Then we traveled the rest of the way the next day. We picked my sister Angie up from the airport along our way and then arrived at my parent's around midnight. I can't even describe how excited we were to get there. When we arrived we knew we were at the right house. Dad had really gone to town with the Christmas lights on the outside of the house. Mom had waited up for us and it was so good to see her and give her a hug.

Then we got to introduce Addison to her Grandma Permann. There are few joys that compare to seeing your parents hold your own children. Then next day she got to meet Grandpa as well.

This is a Christmas we will never forget. We would wake up and look out our window and see everything sparkling from the frost that covered it. It's hard to explain what you feel when you are on the grounds. Mom and Dad told us that people will drive through Adam-Ondi-Ahman because they love the way it feels, not knowing what that feeling is.

There are a total of six couples that serve there during the winter and we love these missionaries as if they were family. We got to spend time with them during scripture study, firesides, church, Christmas parties, and more. They took Addison in and loved her as if she was their own grand daughter. We had the Christmas party at mom and dad's and everyone came over including Santa! Addison LOVED him. She sat on his lap just as content as could be and when it was time for him to leave...well her face says it all in these pictures

Christmas morning was so fun. Even though Addison is still to young to know what's going on Christmas is just special when you share it with children. Poor little thing was so tired she didn't even make it through all the presents.

The hardest part of this visit was when it was over. Addison just fell in love with Grandma and Grandpa right away. We had so much fun playing games, singing around the piano, and of course eating.

Halloween Fun

I love this time of year. When fall starts to set in. There is a coolness in the air...we get in the 70's and 80's. There is a smell in the air that makes me want to cuddle up in a blanket. Most especially, I love to curl up next to a fire when it gets cold. Along with this time of year comes great things like piles of leaves, football, holidays, good food. When Donny and I were dating we went to a place down here called Schnepf Farm's. Since then we have gone every fall. It is one of our most favorite things to do each year and this year it was so fun to take Addison. It's like a fair and carnival wrapped up in to one big family fun filled park. Around Halloween time if you dress up you get in for half price...and we will do anything to save a buck or two.

P.S. This good looking sight turned 30 on the 16th! I know, I know he is irresistible. He is the best husband and dad. There isn't a day that goes by that he doesn't make me laugh.

Some cute little pumpkin found their thumb


Addie first slide ride

Her first carnival ride

Here we are going through the corn maze, isn't she adorable (I'm talking about Addie)

Daddy showing her proper form.

After all the fun at Shnepf's we went trick or treating. Addie was a little lady bug.

She is doing her best bug face here.

This little princess was so tired by the end of the day.

What a great day!

Ward Camp Out

Our ward had a camp out and we LOVE to camp and thought Addie was ready to experience her first camp out. We went up to Camp Lo Mia, the girl's camp her in Arizona. It was really cold, especially for those of us that have been acclimated to the warm Arizona weather. We love our ward and had so much fun with everyone. We ate some yummy soup and then watched the different skits and performances. Donny was in one of these, the crowd favorite. He and two other men taped glow sticks to their clothes in the shape of stick figures and then they got jiggy with it. When I figure out how to upload a video on this darn blog I'll post it, Donny is so funny!

We got to sleep in little cabins that were filled with bunk beds. It got down to 30 degrees and that is really cold for us who grew up in the cold but have turned in to pansies...ok I've always been a pansy to cold. Addie did so good, we wrapped her up in three blankets so that she couldn't even wiggle her toes. She slept like a champ.

She looks like a little elf

Update on the Cuteness

I just wanted to share some pictures of this cute little girl...who really isn't little anymore. At her one month doctor's appointment she weighed 11 lbs 4 ounces! We are happy to report she is healthy and growing well. She is such a good baby. She is starting to interact with us, smiling and trying to talk. When she is done with her nap she just gives these little cries that sound like "Hey, come get me." One night Donny and I were talking about what she really is saying is something like, "Hey I know you're out there, it's dark in here and I think these animals in my crib are moving, you better come get me, Hey!"

Our little family at the Mesa temple.

This was after an early morning. She is so fun to cuddle with.

Donny is such a good dad, he can always make her smile and is so excited to hold her when he comes home from work and school.

Tuckered out after an exhausting day of being mauled at church.

Addie: "When are you guys going to do something with this hair"

Getting ready for bed.

Somebody was sad to get out of the bathtub...she loves taking baths.

This is what she looks like when we put her to sleep, but this little fighter always manages to wiggle loose. We will hear her grunting as she fights to break free.

(Don't you just want to rub that fuzzy hair)

All I can say is CUTE

She fell asleep sitting up on the couch next to dad while he was doing his homework, law isn't her favorite subject.

Our Sweet Little Addie

On Saturday August 14th we went to the hospital at 7:30 am. We began the induction process shortly there after. We went through different induction procedures but my body didn't quite know what to do. It was a slow process but a very special one. I look back on the experience and can't help but smile I really loved every moment of it all. That doesn't mean I was in pain for most of it, but it is something that I am so excited to experience again. I loved the connection I felt with my Father in Heaven as I worked with Him to bring one of His most precious children in to this world for us to care for. Donny was there by my side every step of the way and was the support I needed at every moment. I was so grateful my sister Angie was able to be there for support as well. She and I have shared a lot of things throughout our lives and I loved sharing this moment with her and having her strength there. In the end I don't know who was more tired the two of them or me. On August 15th at 6:10 this precious little angel finally joined us. She weighed 8.1 lbs and was 20 3/4 inches long. As you can see she has a lot of cute blond hair that likes to stand straight up in the back. It is amazing how you can love someone instantly. The other day Donny said, "I feel like I've known her forever." She is as about as perfect as they come. When anyone came in to test her or prick her foot she would just grunt and take it but never cried. That is how she has continued to be. When she is hungry she grunts and lets us know she wants to be fed. We hardly get anything done anymore because we just love to sit and stare at our little Addie that we love so much!

Before the Munchkin Came

Weeks before our due date we moved in to a two bedroom apartment. Well we got moved in and got the nursery all set up (pictures below) and I finally felt settled and prepared for our little girl to come. Before I was so worried that she might come before we moved because every pregnant woman I knew was having their baby at least four weeks early and I thought our little girl might come early...boy was I wrong! My sisters, two of which are pregnant, came down the day after my due date. They were worried they might miss it, ha. Here are the three of us in order of due date, not necessarily largeness, ok I am the biggest and shortest. When they got here I hadn't progressed very much at all. So they were determined to put me in to labor. We tried everything possible, I walked every waking moment we had, I did stairs, I treaded water, jumped on a trampoline, swung on a swing, walked one foot on the curb and the other one off, and even took castor oil (that was when we hit the point of desperation). One of the methods I didn't mind one bit. There are pressure points that are supposed to put you in to labor if they are rubbed. Here you will see me busy at work trying to go in to labor.

When we had given up hope on all the "traditional" ways of making someone go in to labor we tried a different method...relaxation. It was quite the site to see three pregnant ladies and one cute not pregnant lady basking in the sun. We enjoyed a lot of pool time, watched some chick flicks (D0nny's suggested it), ate ice cream and oreos, shopping at H&M, and naps.

Donny was so good to put up with four girls and be the only man in the house. I think he enjoyed it with all the meals and entertainment. He got some pool time too.

Well after a week had gone by and I still was at the same state that I was a week earlier Niki and Tenille had to get back to their families and lives. What was supposed to be a week of delivering a baby and then adjusting at home with the baby turned in to a sisters week long vacation!