Halloween Pics

Lyla Bear dressed as the fairest of them all- Snow White

A-boy as the cutest pumpkin.

Maia as Bedtime Bear- how ironic. Maia? Bedtime?

Pumpkin patch fun.

Trying to figure out our new camera...

Our pumpkins: Maia wanted a piggy with it's tongue sticking out and a puppy. Joe was patient and creative enough to do both for Maia. I drilled holes in mine to make a lantern. Way easier than using a knife.

Penny Carnival at Grandma's: All 10 grandkids: Pocahontas, Snow White, Pumpkin, Dorothy, Bedtime Bear, Dancer, Pirate, Tinker Bell, Sailor Santi, and Nike

Joe dressed up too this year. I was supposed to dress up and do my part but never quite made it. We were going to be Juno MacGuff and Paulie Bleeker. Joe was very convincing in his costume.

We love Halloween!

December Birthdays: Jesus and Santa

Maia and I were talking on Sunday night in the rocking chair because she wasn’t quite ready to go to sleep. We were talking about Thanksgiving and then Christmas. I was talking about the tree we’ll put up and how we’re going to pick out a special ornament and put it on our tree, etc. Then I talked about why we have Christmas.

E- We have Christmas because it’s Jesus’ birthday.

M- And we have a cake and some candles?

E- We can probably have a cake or a breakfast cake (cinnamon roll) for Jesus' birthday.

M- And we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.

E- Sure, we can sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.

(Maia starts whispering/singing Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Jesus, Happy Birthday to you.)

M- And after Jesus’ birthday it’s Santa’s birthday. Santa brings presents. And Jesus brings presents too!

It's time to talk about the TRUE meaning of Christmas now.

Halloween Party #1: Trunk-or-Treat (Wood Canyon Ward)

This year we attended 3 Halloween parties: 2 at church and 1 with all the cousins. Our first Halloween party started like this...

Maia and I were in the car on our way to the church and I was trying to prep her.


-"We're going to a Halloween party at the church!" I said excitedly.
-"No! No church! I want to go trick-or-treating with Lyla Bear!" Maia responded.
-"Lyla is going to be at the church. We're going to see daddy there too! The party is at the church."
-"No! No church!"
-"We're not going to nursery. We're going to a fun party."
-"No singing and praying?"


She was relieved when I told her that we wouldn't be singing or praying. You can tell how much she usually loves church.

Maia Update

Joe and I found out over a month ago that we are expecting another girl! We are so excited for another girl. I think Maia will like having a little sister even though she has no idea what's going on. We keep asking her what her baby sister's name is and she says, "Big Cow." Should I be worried?

Lately it has been raining here. Maia saw the dark clouds and the wet ground today and said, "Mom, the clouds are sad. They're crying."

On Sunday we were going home from church and Joe was strapping Maia into her car seat. Maia didn't like how Joe strapped her in and said, "Be soft, dad!" (Just an FYI, he was being gentle and didn't hurt her.)

Today I was checking my email and Maia saw a peppermint candy and she said, "I NEED this candy." I'm sure that's what she needs.

Today Maia was also drawing with some markers and lost the cap to the gray marker. She said, "Mom, where's the gray top?" I said, "I don't know." She said, "Maybe you have it?" I told her I didn't have it and she said, "Maybe it fall?" I told her that I didn't see it and she said, "Maybe it playing hide-and-seek."

Last Sunday I was brushing Maia's hair and I caught her hair in the brush and it pulled her hair. She screeched and said, "I want daddy do it!" I laughed and put some detangler in her hair and continued to do her hair. I was putting a ponytail in when she said, "It's a yucky ponytail, mom! It's yucky!" She wanted me to redo it so it looked better. Joe should have done her hair from the beginning. He does a great job with her hair. She definitely prefers daddy to do it than mommy.

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Maia has been so fun lately because she can express herself so much better. It's fun to hear her talk. She just goes on and on.

Maia is also an incredible little artist. I will have to take pictures of her artwork. She is so creative and loves any kind of art. She prefers to work with the markers. It's her favorite medium.

Maia also loves animals, especially her stuffed animals. She has to have the following in her crib when it's time to go to bed:

Snow Puppy, Snow Bear, Lamb, Moosey, Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, Pig, Baby, a sippy cup of water, a book, and her blanket. It's getting ridiculous. Time to clean out the crib. As a side note, Joe points out dogs to Maia and has also shown her a few chocolate labs. Since then, Maia often substitutes the word "brown" for "chocolate." A "brown marker" today may be a "chocolate marker" tomorrow. I don't oppose. I think everything sounds better in chocolate.

Some of Maia's favorite activities are:

Jumping on the trampoline, riding her tricycle, playing "Number 2" which is really "Connect 4," playing other games, singing songs, reading books, going to the library, watching Cars, Monsters Inc., Carebears, or Little Rascals, drawing, painting, going to "preschool" (when her cousin Andi comes over to play, sing songs, play games and do a craft), playing in the sand at the beach, playing with cousins, playing blocks with daddy, taking care of her baby, and getting into any creams, lotions, water, soaps, or paints- anything that squishes and creates a mess.

Maia is a good helper. She helps me load and unload the dishwasher and loves to "wash" the dishes (play in the water) with grandma. She likes to help me put clothes in the washer and dryer, and likes to cook with me. She has to drag a chair across the kitchen so she can see what I'm making. She loves to help with whatever she can.

Maia loves her daddy. This morning she woke up early and I was rocking her in the rocking chair to see if we could both fall back asleep for a little longer. At one point she looked up at me and said, "Daddy here?" I said, "You know what? Daddy had to go to work early this morning." She broke down in tears and said, "no! I want my dad!" I tried to explain to her that he had to go to work early to get some stuff done and that he was also going to try to get off of work early to see her. She didn't like anything I had to say and said, "I want my daddy." Later that morning I was singing, "If you're happy and you know it" and after my verse was over, Maia started singing, "If you want your daddy, clap your hands..." I texted Joe and told him what Maia was singing and how much she missed her dad this morning. Joe thought it was kind of funny but sad at the same time. His heart just melted. I love the relationship they have. It's so cute and endearing to see.

We love our little Maia-moos.

Walk Like a Penguin

Last week Amy and I took Maia to the Montage beach in Laguna Beach to enjoy the last couple weeks of summer. There were a bunch of birds there. I took Maia down to the water to feel how cold it was. When we came back to our place on the sand, she started talking to the birds saying, “It’s cold birdies. It’s really cold.” After repeating herself several times and not getting the response from the birds that she was hoping for, Maia said, “Mom, the birdies not listening. The birdies need a daddy.”

One of my favorite things that Maia does is walk like a penguin:

Love this little girl.

Dogs

Both Maia and Andi love dogs! Neither of us will probably own dogs unless we are old and alone. But, we still want our girls to experience the joys of puppies that aren't ours. So we took them to the mall and let them see the puppies. This is what their reaction was to the dogs behind the glass...

We thought that the girls had so much fun with the dogs behind the glass that we decided to let them play with one in a little room. Andi loved throwing the ball at the dog and petting it. Maia was a little scared and had no interest in playing or touching the dog. She likes dogs at a distance. (She's just like me in that regard... thank goodness.) All in all, it was a fun and good experience.

No Creams, Lotions, Powders or Soaps!

The only rule we try to drill into Maia's head is: "No creams, lotions, powders, or soaps!" (We've had to reinforce this rule many times after seeing toys and books covered in such substances.) A couple weeks ago I had removed all such substances from her room but I forgot about the brand new 16 oz. jar of Butt Paste left in her changing table drawer. Later that week I found the whole pound of cream on her legs and on the floor. I was furious!!! I decided to take a picture anyway because I thought I'd laugh later. I'm still wondering when I'm sincerely going to laugh.

Maia thought this was another cute photo moment.

Then she heard me talk.

Then I think it registered. She was very bummed that we had to throw her piggie shirt away. Today she reminded me that she only has piggie pants because the "piggie shirt is ruineded."

Note: Butt Paste does not come off with water. It's extremely oily. Paper towels are your best option to clean off children, bathtubs, carpets, etc.

O.C. Fair 2010

Back in August, we took a trip to the O.C. fair to see all the animals- and most important, to see the pig races. Maia started getting a fever before the races started but she didn't want to go home until she saw those piggies race. Here are a few pics of our trip to the fair.

Maia likes sheep and goats.

It was a quick trip to the fair but a fun memory.

Wyoming 2010

Last week we were in Alpine, Wyoming for a family reunion. We spent one week with just us siblings and dad. On Saturday, dad's brothers and sisters came out to the house for a big reunion. We had a good time being together. We did some fun things including swimming, boating, four-wheeling, alpine slides, feeding horses, going to the Bar J for dinner and a show, playing on the playground, wagon rides, and playing in and around the house. It was so beautiful to be in the mountains and away from the city (and a lot of other things). We enjoyed the break. Here are just a few pics of stuff we did:

Swings are always a hit with Maia.

Swimming in the pool.

So cute.

Taking a break from the boat and eating lunch in the forest with cousin Andi.

Boating. (We just went along for the ride while everyone else did some wake boarding, skiing, and tubing) Maia liked it because she got to have some "spicy" (a.k.a. soda).

Chris taught me how to drive the four-wheeler. Maia fell asleep in Chris's arms.

Before Maia fell asleep.

Abram, Lyla and Maia going for one of many wagon rides.

Feeding the neighbor's horses.

This is a soap pump in the upstairs bathroom. I was helping Maia wash her hands when she saw the soap pump and said, "The bear is reading the scriptures!"

YOU STAY CLASSY, WYOMING!

Summer?

This "summer" hasn't really felt like summer. We have had over 30 days of temperatures under 80-degrees. I'm really hoping that fall/winter ends up feeling like summer. This past weekend was in the 80s- I think.

We went to my cousin Jeanette's wedding celebration and took a picture of just us two. We haven't had a picture of just us in a long time. It was about time and we were all dressed up.

Maia getting ready for the wedding party.

Yesterday afternoon was gorgeous. It was so fun to be outside. Mom was planting some flowers and Maia decided to help her. She had a blast in the dirt. Mom was very patient and Maia was in heaven.

This is our exciting summer.

This coming weekend we are heading off to Wyoming for a week for a summer vacation. The weather in Wyoming just might be prettier than it is here.

Maia's 2nd Birthday

I was thinking about some events that have occurred lately. I could have sworn there were some big events. I forgot to post some great things!

Maia's 2nd birthday was on May 20th! We went to Disneyland again for her birthday and then we celebrated with family on the weekend. Maia loved the festivities including hitting the pinata with a stick but did NOT want to blow out the candles on her cupcake. I think it was too scary for her. Big cousin Abram had to show her that it was okay. She still didn't take her chances.

Maia also had her 2-year check up. Her stats are:

Weight: 28 lbs. 4 oz. (75%)

Height: 35.5 inches (90%)

Head circumference: 19 inches (75%)

She's a healthy and happy baby. We are very grateful for Maia and her health.

Thrifty's ice cream for everyone!

Maia loved her birthday cake pinata.

Maia and her buddy Abram

Maia asked for brownies for her birthday.

Daddy was quick enough to get the pink elephant.

Mother's Day was in May and I had to talk in church about mothers. I was happy that my mom was there to hear it because it was mostly about her. Joe got up with my nieces that were visiting to make breakfast for all the moms in the house. After the outside oven glass broke on Joe, he changed breakfast plans and still created a nice meal for us. What a champ! And my gift? A day at the spa and a massage!!! LOVE!!!

Father's Day was in June! Let's recap the past 3 Father's Days for Joe:

Father's Day 2008 Maia was a colicky newborn screaming and crying all day long!

Father's Day 2009 Maia was in the hospital for her phytophotodermatitis thing.

Father's Day 2010 I was nauseous and my dad had to leave an Alaskan fishing trip with his son to settle some lawsuit against his company in Mexico. It was the first Father's Day in 10 years that my dad had been home for. Joe was sweet enough to share his day with my dad. Joe cooked some pretty rockin' barbecued chicken for all of us.

Cousins Camp started this year. The four oldest cousins (Marin, Santi, Autumn, and Sadie) all gathered at Grandma's house for the first cousins camp. Amy pretty much ran everything. Maia loved having cousins around all the time. Joe, Maia, and I got to spend Saturday with the girls at Wild Rivers! I hadn't been to Wild Rivers since I was maybe 12! It was just as I remembered it with a few new rides. It was WILD!

That was May, June, and part of July. I'm catching up...

Baby #2

Joe and I are expecting our 2nd baby on January 25th which puts me at only 10 weeks pregnant and nauseous. We had the first ultrasound and saw the heart beat which was very comforting. Joe was comforted when he found out that there was only one baby in there.

Joe and I are very excited and Maia has no clue. We will probably find out if it's a boy or girl in September.

That's the latest and greatest here. :)

Family Pictures

Laura took our family pictures at Soka University. We loved the campus and our pictures.

This was one of our last pictures. A student was kind enough to get out of his car and tell us that there were lots of snakes in the grass where we were taking our pictures. I wondered what creatures lived in the holes that I was sitting on. YIKES!

Hot Joe

Maia and her "Snow Puppy" - it wouldn't be a family picture without Snow Puppy.

Auntie Marla's Wedding

Marla Morin and Jared Marelli tied the knot on May 1st in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple in Utah. We were so thrilled to be able to celebrate their big day!

All the Morin cousins and Auntie Mar-Mar

This almost had me in tears. I will be showing this picture at Maia's wedding one day.

Holding the bride's bouquet.

Maia couldn't be happier riding the carousel at Pirate Island.

The video showing the Morin's mad dancing skills will have to posted at a later time due to Blogger video upload failure.

Strawberry Fields Forever

Last weekend we took a trip out to Carlsbad to go strawberry picking. It was so fun to be together as a family and to do something a little different. I hope we can do this every year.

I loved how Maia counted while picking strawberries. 1,2,3!