Christmas Retrospective in photos

I finally had a bit of time to post some pictures. If you skip this, at least go down a couple of pictures to see the first documentation of Mallory smiling.

Part of Mallory's "My first Christmas" outfit:

Andy, ready for work, reading The Grinch, as part of our tradition:
New Christmas jammies (bought in 4 separate places):
The smiling angel:
Just before seeing gifts Christmas morning:
Andy got home at 5:30am from work because his relief came in early. The kids were already awake (thanks to Marcus) so we opened presents earlier than expected. Luke was a big helper:
Mom opening her ornament from the Pfiesters:
Dad opening his gift from the Pfiesters:
Mallory's outfit from the Pfiesters, picked out by Nathanael:
Anneke has amazing power and she has gotten everyone to play her new game Pretty Pretty Princess:
Seriously, has Andy ever looked more handsome?
It was a wonderful day. I got the full set of Beatles CDs from Santa, and a book about their songs from my children. Marcus got a bunch of Harry Potter stuff, Anneke got Calico Critters and Disney stuff and Luke got a bunch of cars stuff. Andy got 3 belt buckles and DVD's. We are so blessed and happy. I hope everyone else had as fun a day.

A Merry Christmas

Remember when Luke was a baby and we did this:

Well, we decided to to it again. Here is the one closest to the way we did it last time:

Andy's favorite shot:

My favorite shot:

Which do you like best?

Merry Christmas.We love you.

"Danced, danced, danced...all night" Part 2

Anneke before her dance recital:

Part 2. I do not care for the song that much, but here is my daughter in her second dance that is actually a Christmas-ish song. Andy's comment was, "There are times when she is actually pretty good."

I Could Have Danced All Night Part 1

I have been trying to post this for days. I only got one of Anneke's dance videos loaded so I will probably add another one when I can. The one that loaded is to a Phineas and Ferb song and not even the Christmas one, sorry. She chose her own outfit because it is so Christmassy. She was so excited. (I will try to post a picture with the other video.) I also realize that this will probably only be enjoyed by family, but still it is less than 2 minutes. Anneke is the one in the black leotard, red skirt, striped tights and pig tails.

Dear Aunt Cari

Dear Aunt Cari.

We miss you! We can't believe it has been a week and a half since you left us. We miss playing on your phone, watching movies on your computer and listening to Conway Twitty and the Twitty-birds. Mallory misses your patience and being held by you:

We miss the fun surprises and excitement that you brought with you:

We miss your yummy cooking. (Thanks for sharing so many great recipes with us.) We loved that you let us help you in the kitchen so much:

We miss the calm and love that you shared no matter how we acted:

We miss the music and celebrating with you:

We miss the fun projects we did with you. The ornaments and stockings:

We love you so much and are grateful that Uncle Carl, Carlye, Nathanael and Noah shared you with us for a whole week:

Thanks for making us feel special and taking care of us. We love you and miss you.

Love,

Andy, Heidi, Marcus, Anneke, C. Luke and Mallory

I did it!

I completed one of my New Year's resolutions. Yea! It took longer than I thought because of a reading slump and admiring a beautiful new life. But, I completed it. If you have any questions about the many books I have read, feel free to ask. I am going to bold the ones I think others might enjoy as a whole, but not all those I enjoyed or thought specific others might enjoy.

P.S. I really am going to post about Aunt Carianne's stay. I just need a little extra time. It is longer than the brief ones I have posting.

South Pole Elf

This is an important message of which we all need to be aware.

Last night Anneke was supposed to clean her room. She did. When I went to investigate it was exactly the same. Anneke informed her dad that after all her hard work a South Pole elf came and put everything back and messed it up again. These elves are evil and the opposite of North Pole elves. Anneke's daddy went along with it and quickly checked her room the "second time" she cleaned. He scared away the bad elf before they could do mess it up again.

Beware of these elves. They are loose in our world.

Isn't it Ironic?

I find it terribly ironic that my sister came to help last week and while we had fun, I have been sick every day since. I got a stomach bug the night before she flew out. I have had it ever since. This morning I have a big black sparkly dot on my right side of vision that is gradually increasing in size. I am guessing I am getting my first migraine in over 10 years. (I shouldn't have told Carianne that I never get them.) It is Andy's long day at school. His last for the year 2010. So sometimes life is ironic. Don't ya think?

Say Cheese!

This was Mallory's first bath without her umbilical cord. Aunt Cari and Luke were big helpers.

Today I took Mallory for a one month check-up. She gained a pound in the last 2 weeks, making her 7 1/2 pounds. She is also 21 1/4 inches long. (A newborn in the waiting room weighed a pound more at birth.) To help you see this from my perspective: she still weighs less than Marcus and Luke did at birth and less than Anneke did at her 2 week appointment. Her length is the same as Luke's at birth. I keep wondering when she will hit her growth spurt, but love my wee one. I am trying to cherish my tiny one and I love the ooo's and ahh's we get when we go out. (She had quite the weekend to show off. Friday we took her to Andy's work, Saturday the ward party and Sunday was her first day at church.)

She smiled for the first time today. Fitting for her one month birthday. She smiles mostly with her eyes and moves her mouth only a bit. Morning is her most alert time. I will try and get a picture of it.

Snow Angel

Mallory went to church for the first time yesterday. She wore a beautiful new dress. Maybe it doesn't snow here, but she is still an angel. ;)

Getting upset:

Calm with her sister, our "Snow Angel".
Check out the shoes.

Happy St. Nick's Day. What did he bring you?

I am...

I am creative.

I am happy.

I am tired.

I am loved.

I am special.

I am a cook.

I am a baker.

I am a gift giver.

I am a friend.

I am a sister.

I am a mother.

I am a wife.

I am a disciple of Christ.

I am a daughter of God.

I am that I am.

In Relief Society we made a list of "I am" statements. This is what I came up with.