Mylee starts taking Dance Lessons

I signed Mylee up for a Ballet, Tap and Jazz class on Monday mornings. Today was her first day and she LOVED it!! It was so fun to see such a sparkle in her eye and to see her try to manipulate her body the way the teacher was telling her to. Nothing against Mylee, but I was way impressed at what she could do!! I was a little worried if she would participate at all, but she did. That girl surprises me sometimes. At the end of class her teacher Ashley put sparkles on each of their hands. Mylee thought that was the GREATEST thing ever!! She held her hands out forever after class was over because she didn't want the sparkles to come off.

Dr. Clifton Visits the Kindergartners!

Today Blake came to Kelsey's school for College/Career Week to talk about his job. He had gathered together enough masks and hats for every Kindergartner to take one home. He also gathered up some bones and brought them to show the children. He was a big hit! When he arrived at the school, Mrs. Spradley had Kelsey introduce him. With her face all red and while looking slightly down she spoke in a real clear and loud voice and said, "This is my Dad, Blake." Mrs. Spradley quickly corrected her and said, "Dr. Clifton". Blake then told the kids what he did for work. He taught them what the major bones in their arms and legs were called then showed the kids what surgeons where before they operate by dressing up Kelsey in all the gear. She was so patient and was so proud to have her daddy come visit. A while back Kelsey had come home from school and told us she told her friends at lunch time that her daddy cuts people open, but in a good way. Blake and I laughed when she told us.

When Blake finished his presentation, he asked the kids if they had any questions. Most were not questions--more like stories of when they or someone else got hurt. Some had legitimate questions though. One boy asked why Dr.'s call their tools instruments--Blake said it sounded better, more professional I guess. They also asked what kinds of things he fixes. One of the teachers asked how long Blake had been in school to get where he was. We had figured out that when he is all done with his training he will have been in schooling with some training for 26 years! When Blake asked how long they had been in school one boy yelled out, "FOREVER!"

Trampoline Set to Go!!

We finished setting up the trampoline today!! It's a huge hit!! I'm excited for the girls to have another activity to do outside!

Happy 1st Birthday Lanaea!

Has it really been a year!! Sweet Lanaea you have been the MOST wonderful thing that has happened to us in 2010. In a year of many trials, you have brought us hope, joy, peace, and comfort. You're a sweet mell0w-tempered child with an excitement for life. Your sisters love you!! To your dismay, Mylee can't get enough of you at times. Thank you for making our lives that much brighter and wonderful. Dad and I LOVE you! May you always remember how special you are and that you are a Daughter of a loving Heavenly Father.
At one year old you can say "Mamma", "Dadda", "Uh-o", "Hi" and you point to everything and say, "huh?" When you point or wave hi you fully extend your arm and stick out your pointer finger and your thumb. You are a GREAT eater!! You'll try anything I present to you. When you don't like something you'll just spit it out. You've been sleeping through the night since you were 4 months old and you still comfort yourself in your bed by sucking your thumb. You're close to walking by you aren't quite there yet. You can stand alone on your two feet though and get to that position by yourself. You love to go through all my tubberware lids and throw them all over my kitchen floor. You love to play peek-a-boo and will often start the game yourself with a blanket. You also do a really cool trick by standing on your head and pointing your bottom up into the air. You're a healthy and beautiful baby!

Lanaea throughout her first year:

Christmas with the Astorga's 2010

After visiting my dad's side of the family on Monday night and Tuesday we headed over to my Mom's side of the family to spend a couple of days with them and celebrate Christmas. Celebrating Christmas was one of the first things we did when we arrived at her house on Wednesday. Kelsey again exclaimed, "Too many presents!" We loved our gifts, but I was especially excited to give my mom and step-dad the new dishes me, my sister, and grandma went in together to get them. They LOVED them, especially my mom!! My mom is always good at giving good reactions!

I felt spoiled by my mom's good cooking and by not having to cook it!! My sister Megan, Abby and I went on a shopping outing one afternoon. I wanted to go check out Down East Clothing, but wasn't able to find anything really--bummer. We had a great time together as sisters though. That same afternoon my step-dad Roland and Brother-in-law Aaron showed Blake how to play the Wii. It was funny to see Blake be bad at something. He's never been one to play video games. My favorite part of staying at my mom's house was playing games at night with my sister Meg's, her husband Aaron and my 2 younger sisters Abby and Lizzy and my younger brother Spencer. Megan and Aaron have some great games. We played late into the night and had a wonderful time.

I must not have had my camera accessible while at my mom's house because I don't have any pics. I must have been having too much fun!! After we left my mom's house we stopped by the Clifton's house to pick up our things and pack our car for our trip back home. The morning we left, Blake's dad took our family out to eat at I-Hop!! That was a big treat for us! We had a safe drive home and stayed again at my Grandma and Grandpa's house in Farmington, NM on the way home to split our drive up into two days. We were glad to be home!