Elaina's New Princess Big Girl Bed!

Elaina has needed to upgrade to a big girl bed for awhile but we had been able to find one we liked well enough to buy for her. We looked and looked and still had been unable to find what we wanted. With William's expected arrival date around the first part of May we wanted to get her in her new bed no later than January so she wouldn't feel like she got booted out of her bed [which was the crib turned into a toddler bed] for the baby. Crazy enough, Manny stopped in a furniture store not 4 minutes away from our house and found what we wanted! After he showed me, I told him it looked really nice and exactly what I had in mind for her. He went back the next day and bought it, it should arrive in a week. About 30 minutes after he got home we got a call saying we probably wouldn't get the bed until January 10th since the bed may not be ready to go out in last shipment before the holidays and because the drivers take a week off the week of Christmas and New Years the didn't anticipate it coming in until January. They said, we had a 3% chance of it coming the 23rd of December but she didn't want us to get our hopes up and told us it'd be more of a surprise than something to expect to happen. We hoped for our own little "Christmas Miracle." Elaina's Christmas gifts from Mommy and Daddy was the bedding and such to go with her new bed so we wanted her to be able to have it by Christmas so we could put it together. We decided we'd go ahead and keep what we ordered because it was exactly what we wanted and if it got here early, GREAT, if not...sometimes waiting for exactly what you want is so worth it so either way it'd be fine just so long as it was here by January!

On Manny's birthday he was driving home from running a few errands and happened to see the delivery truck at the store and stopped in to see if her bed happened to be in the delivery. The lady who had helped him asked if he got the message and he said no, she asked why he was there and he said, "I was driving by and saw the delivery truck so I stopped in to see if it made it here." Much to our amazement it HAD come in and it was our "Christmas Miracle" LOL We were so excited it made it in time for Christmas for Elaina, only problem we had now was we had to go find mattresses since we were waiting to see if it came or not. Next day Manny and Uncle Dave went and picked it up. The 23rd happened to be the day of floods and Manny worked until way late helping out family so Dave took me with his truck to go ahead and get the mattresses. Uncle Jason was kind enough to take down her other bed so I could clean the room and get it ready so Manny could put it together when he got home. After a long day, I wasn't sure if he'd be up to it but he got home just before 11:00, ate a quick bite and got to work putting her bed together.

We let the kids open one gift on Christmas Eve but this year Elaina got to open one on Maca's birthday too [the 23rd]. I let her open her new sheets so I could wash them and have them ready to put on her bed that night so she could sleep in her new bed...the rest of the bedding and decor would have to wait until Christmas Day but with the sheets and her princess blanket she would be plenty warm for one night.

So excited for her sheets and new bed!

She hung out with Grandma and Papa while we got her room together and had fallen right to sleep. I went and got her and brought her in and she snuggled in to her bed and was out for the count! First night in a few weeks she slept all night without waking up [so did Mom and Dad!]

I love my little sleeping angel...love the little hands under her cheek.

Christmas morning I set her bed up and everything for her but didn't make time to take her picture until the Monday night after Christmas. She's wearing her new Christmas jammie's and in her new bed! SHE LOVES IT!!! I've told everyone it's worth it's weight in gold because she sleeps SO good now that she has room to move around [since she's a wild woman in her sleep]. It's nice to have her comfortable in her own bed again and resting well!

SO EXCITED about her new big girl bed!

Ready for 'Mimi's.'

DECORATING OUR FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE

As mentioned in an earlier post we decorate for Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving. We didn't have Marcus that weekend because it was his turn to celebrate Thanksgiving with his Mom this year so we missed having him around to enjoy all the fun at our house as we prepared for Christmas! Also, I've really been missing seeing our family decorations [what few I did accumulate our first Christmas]. I especially missed decorating our tree as it's become a collective story of our joined lives and journey as a couple. My parents tree is 30 plus years of Bogenrief history and memories and it's the most beautiful tree, not to mention it is so fun to come home and see it and relive the memories as we decorate and enjoy it throughout the season.

Continuing on that same tradition, to start our collection we have an ornament from the day Manny proposed at Snowbird on his birthday in 2006, our first year as a couple ornament, ornaments from each place we visited on family vacation, we have babies first Christmas ornaments for Elaina and Marcus, etc. Well missing all of that, I had a hair brained idea to take the kids the 1st of December and go and see if we couldn't find a nice, real Christmas tree we could decorate as a family when Marcus was home again. I was really tempted to go get my ornaments and star and other decorations we had on our artificial tree we bought which is in storage but decided not too. Instead, since I planned to buy a smaller tree we went and picked out a few new additions and added them to the ones we had left out here at Mom's [baby ornaments and vacation ornaments from the last few years.] The favorite ones this year were seeing Mickey Mouse [which we bought in Disneyland in May] and our Newport Starfish with a bikini and surfboard. It's pretty bare compared to what I'm accustomed too [esp since the candy canes keep disappearing] BUT every year it will get new additions and one year the REST of our collection will be so beautifully displayed with them.

Daddy helping Elaina hang up some ornaments.

"Yay me! I did it!"

My cheesers! Love you two!

Elaina with our bare little tree but it smells beautiful and looks pretty regardless.

Marcus pointing at one of his 'babies first Christmas' ornaments.

We ran into a few snags while decorating [one of them was loosing our ornament hangers I bought and paid for-yes,they were on my receipt so I know I did and am not THAT crazy (yet).] We looked for an hour and couldn't find them. Which begs the question, why can't a soul buy a box of ornaments that have the hangers with them??? One of life's mysteries eh? More frustrating because we had so much to do that day and ran our butts off so we'd have time to decorate and do our fun family activity and have a nice dinner and then that happened. I didn't get dinner on earlier and happened to run into my Mom in Wal Marts parking lot and she gave me some steaks she had just bought. I had threw in potatoes to bake and we were running out of time and I needed Manny's muscles to help with the tree so Jason was kind enough to grill the steaks so Manny could help me get things set up so we could decorate. We weren't able to find them before Marcus had to leave [ended up going and buying more] so he was only able to help with the family ornaments we had so I wasn't able to get a picture of him with Elaina and the tree as I had planned. I took one of him tonight before he left so I had one with him but that's why it's late and why I don't have more pictures of him [stressing about trying to get everything done (decorating, dinner, cleaning, making sure everything was perfect, memorable and fun like Mom's do) before he left I didn't pull out my camera until after I stopped running around like a chicken with my head cut off.] Regardless that it wasn't the day I envisioned once again when I had this GREAT night planned for us...it was more like the Montes' version of 'Griswald's' decorating esp when after going to buy a second box of hangers, I got home went to pull the bag off my purse to decorate and they were GONE again! Um, yes. Burst of anger this time, hahaha! Luckily this time we did find them in the car. LOL, we STILL had a great time with you and Lainey despite the chaos, memories were made, just not the ones I was planning on! ;)

We sure do love you kiddo's!

It's Beginning To Look A lot Like Christmas...

Growing up it was tradition to put our Christmas Tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving. We were taught to enjoy the season of Thanksgiving before all the hussel and bussel of Christmas. Growing up like that, I LOVE the Christmas season but have never liked to do anything Christmas-ee until after we celebrate Thanksgiving. I'm even crazy about listening to Christmas music as well. The cd's/music on the radio don't get played by ME until Pie Day which is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving where all the girls go to Mom's to make the pies for Thanksgiving.

I missed the exciting part with Elaina last year as the tree went up because I had worked the previous night so I was excited I was able to be there and watch her help and see things this year and help her decorate where she could. Amy, Jessie and Justin came to help since it's such a big job so Elaina had a blast with Justin and Aunts and Uncle Dave and Uncle Jason [when he got there after hunting.] Here's a few snap shots of our fun day of decorating!

In the morning I did some cleaning and laundry downstairs while we waited for Dave to bring in the tree and get the decorations down from the attic to start decorating. I ended up just showering and getting ready real quick and when I came upstairs I found Elaina right in the middle of all the decorating! Mom, Dad, Jessie, Amy, Dave and Elaina were in a circle around the tree shaping the bottom piece of the tree. She was so cute helping and having a blast being a big girl.

Elaina hanging up some candy canes. She loved this part!

LOL, I love Justin's face, I wonder what he's thinking.

Working together, having fun.

So cute doing their thing.

They both wanted to be where the other one was hanging the candy canes...

Elaina checking out her work and admiring the ornaments.

They were so eager to help. We thought it was funny how they hung 3 right together and 2 on top of each other...

This was a result of them wanting to hang their candy cane on the same branch at the same time...awesome that they made a heart in doing so. :)

We had a really fun day. Manny got off work and we went to Cafe Rio for dinner [haven't been there in a long time so it tasted really good!] Then we went to a few craft stores and bought a few Christmas decorations to add to our small collection! It was fun to buy something fun for a change instead of throwing it at bills-even if it was just a few little nic-knacks. :)

Going to the Candy Shop!

November 24th Marcus' preschool got to go on a fieldtrip to Sweets Candy Factory. It fell on a Wednesday which is Manny's day off so him and Elaina went. Only a limited number of people could go so I didn't plan on going to allow room for other parents/siblings to attend but Manny and the kids had a blast!

Elaina all dressed and ready to go meet Marcus at preschool! They could bring a dollar to buy some candy at the end of the tour so I let Elaina choose which purse she wanted to take and put her $1.25 in it to buy her candy by herself. She was so excited to go with Marcus and Megs and Daddy and take her "monies."

Anxiously awaiting to go! I can't believe how big my baby is getting!

So big!

Marcus with his classmates waiting for the tour to begin.

Everyone got to wear a fancy hair net. So cute Lainey.

Typical Marcus! :)

Elaina and Megs

Nice picture Manny, but the girls are still cute!

Proud big brother with his little sis. So cute kiddo's. Glad you had so much fun!

Halloween Sneak Peak!

Marcus and Megan
Our little beautiful fairy and cowboy after their Halloween costume party at preschool. I should have gotten one with the two of them and Ms. Hilary but I wasn't thinking, she was a cute clown. They were both SO excited for Halloween and to wear their costumes 3 days in row! They had a preschool party on Friday, trick-or-treating on Saturday and then on Sunday [actual date of Halloween this year, we had Justin's costume birthday party which was super fun!] It was sure a cold one this year but we had a great time regardless. :)

Fall Preschool Fun

Marcus is really enjoying preschool. We are so blessed to have such a great teacher for him, one who keeps him excited about learning! Below are a few snap shots of some fun things they've been up too.

Pajama Day!

CrAzY hair Day!

Their class went on a field trip to the pumpkin patch in Sandy! They had lots of fun and got to buy a small pumpkin to take home.

My niece Megan who is also in his class. So pretty Megs!

Listening to the ol' pirates tall tails...Arrr Maty.

Having a little snack.

Making their way through the maze.

With Dracula!

Marcus and his buddy Owen.

What a fun pumpkin patch!

So handsome slic!

Having fun with his classmates.

Elaina's 2nd Birthday!

The Birthday Girl. She was SO excited!

Mommy and Elle with her cake

Marcus wanted one with little sis too. :)

Elaina LOVES Minnie Mouse! She was fun to watch as her cake was getting made and she recognized that it was Minnie! She loved it which made all the prep work SO worth it for the Mama!

Popi and Elaina before her party. Love this picture of you two. xoxoxo

Oh darn. I got this one in the wrong place but here's her with all her gifts, minus her new wheels! So spoiled [loved] Elaina. I hope more than the nice gifts you received, you remember you have a family who loves and supports you in all you do! That is more valuable than ANY thing anyone of us could have bought you [even though all the nice cute clothes and other gifts and necessities were nice and VERY much appreciated. You are very blessed to have a family that loves and adores you! Don't ever forget that.]

I didn't really think this gift through, once all the kids saw, they SWARMED the car! Cute Megs ran for it, pushing Justin out of the way and hopped right in next to her! LOL I wasn't able to get my reaction picture due to the utter chaos following the exact moment they all saw it but it was fun to watch them esp. the birthday girl.

I love this picture! All the kids went CRAZY when they saw it! They couldn't wait for a turn!

You wouldn't know by their faces, but they were lovin' it! I think Justin just got to get back in for another turn and then they went down the steep drive way and he wasn't too sure about it.

2 years old and already a pro at walkin' in Mommy's 4 inch heels.

Mommy and Elaina on her birthday at Chili's! She got to share some of my DP...another generation started. ;) Not the best picture of her but she's getting hopped up on DP and it's her birthday so the Mama let her!

Our handsome boys at Elaina's birthday dinner. Owe owe.

Elaina and her best buddy and friend, on her birthday. She LOVES her Papa!

I cannot believe you are already 2 young lady. You have taken us on more adventures and thrills than I could have ever hoped for and it's been 2 short years. Popi and I have loved watching you grow and develop. It's been esp. fun lately to watch as you learn to talk and is always amazing and a surprise when you just repeat a word we didn't know you knew. You have developed quite the attitude and personality. You are THE sweetest, most thoughtful, caring little thing but you also have a a saucy, sassy side too, kind of like your Mama. ;) You love purses, shoes [you love wearing Mommy's shoes around plus you always show off your shoes to ANYONE who will look], cell phones, Minnie Mouse is your FAVORITE but you also like the Princesses and TinkerBell. You love Cafe Rio (and their mints) and whenever we drive by a Rio, you shout, "Mommy, Daddy...Rio!" and throw your arms up in excitement. You love going for drives and special trips in the car esp with Popi and "Maca" -your word you CREATED for Grandma. You crack me up when you turn your cell phone backwards and say, "Cheese." If that's the worst thing I teach you, I can definitely live with that. ;) You have a very kind and tender heart, you get HEARTBROKEN if Daddy or Papa tell you no or scold you! It's the end of your world and looking at your face I can feel the pieces of your little heart just breaking. You love your Papa and Daddy, you've had both of them wrapped around your little finger since the day you were born. You take such good care of your Papa. One example is if you see his oxygen has come apart, you immediately pick it up and say all frustrated/worried, "Papa." and run it straight to him-I know you've watched "Maca" and I do this over and over and it kills me how cute you are every time I see you do it. Your buddies include: Papa, Maca, Marcus, Justin, Megs, Josh, Emmy, and Jaxon. [Besides Justin, I think you and Papa and Maca get into the most mischief together.] You love ALL your cousins, Aunts and Uncles and frequently call them on your phone to talk and say hi. You LOVE spicey foods including chips and SALSA which you have been known to drink on more than one occasion!

For these reasons and SO MANY others, you have forever captured my heart and I will love and cherish you for eternity as I know your Popi does too. Thanks for being our ray of sunshine when things go wrong or get hard. You are truly a blessing to all who are lucky to be a part of your life.

My Love Forever, Mommy xoxo