Tunnel vision

I know I edited these two different ways, but some just looked better to me one way than the others did. It was fun having a little photo shoot today while Morgan played in her tunnel. She is no longer a baby. She is such an independent, silly, kind, polite, cuddly little girl and we love her so much!

Zoo Day

This week we went with our friends to the San Diego zoo. I was really excited to take Morgan because she hasn't been to the zoo since she was itty bitty and I knew she would like it. I was right. Although, we did have issues with her just running off in the crowd.  I had to leave the stroller with my friend and take off after her. I wasn't very happy about that, but luckily everyone seemed to be very understanding. One woman saw Morgan run by  her and then saw me running towards her and shouted ahead for someone to stop her. That was appreciated :).

Our first stop was the Gorillas. They are always one of my favorite and one Kevin's least favorite for the exact same reason, because they are so close to humans!

I couldn't get Morgan to cooperate when I tried to get a picture of her by herself, but when I put her with her friend, Joe she did just fine.

Here is Emily with her two boys. This picture makes me laugh. I couldn't get a great one...it was obvious that her boys just wanted to run around.

We had to see those adorable pandas of course and take a picture next to the giraffes which is my other favorite and the same as Morgan's "buddy" that she takes everywhere.

Thanks again, Emily! We had a great time and Morgan loved spending so much time with Joe :)

The last few of 2011

To finish off 2011 I thought I would just post the last few pictures I have taken this month. Of course they are of Morgan, but no one really wants to see me anyways :)

She loves playing on the computer now. My sister sent over a little people farm game that Morgan refers to as "barn" and basically she can hit any key and it will do something.

I took Morgan to the duck pond to feed the ducks and when we came home, I stopped and talked to Kevin for a little bit. Then I noticed it was really quiet. When I went looking for Morgan I found this...

For some reason Morgan really likes wearing her snow hat and sunglasses and sometimes she likes wearing them at the same time. Kevin said she insisted on wearing them both when he took her shopping with him.

Unfortunately, for this past week, Morgan has had a bad stomach bug. She had a really high fever and was throwing up. It threw our whole schedule off. One night she requested some oatmeal so I made it and set her in her chair. I sat down and then look over my shoulder a few minutes later and saw this...

Poor little girl :(. Thankfully, she is doing much better now. I look forward to being able to play outside again!

Christmas break

I really didn't take many pictures this Christmas. Really, I haven't taken many pictures at all lately which I hope to change. I really need to get back into it. This Christmas like every Christmas since we have been married, we got a real Christmas tree. Morgan really paid more attention to it this year and we let her help us decorate the tree. Luckily most of our ornaments are homemade ones and aren't too breakable.

On Christmas Eve we went over to Kevin's sister's house. We played Christmas carols on chimes (very cool) and joined them in their family tradition of going out to Chinese food for Christmas eve. It was nice and good until Morgan spilled her apple juice all over her and my bag. Thank goodness I thought ahead and had another change of clothes for her. After dinner we we back to their house, relaxed for a bit (washed my bag and Morgan's clothes) and then we filled up on some hot chocolate and went to look at Christmas lights. We had a really nice time.

Everyone was really generous. Morgan received a lot of great gifts!

We got our nephews a big blow up ball that you can get inside of. I don't know about you, when I was a kid I would have loved this! Apparently, they did too, which turned out great :).

I don't know why, but this year I was really missing my family. I got a little emotional over being so far away from everyone, but I have to say that I have really felt the love from those family and friends I have here and across the country. I have really felt blessed by my heavenly father. I know he is watching over us and that he truly loves us.

We hope you all had a Merry Christmas and here is to a Happy New Year!!

A great Poem

 This time of year can make us really miss the people that have passed on. Whether is is a friend, a sibling, parent, child, aunt or uncle, we really get sad thinking of them and wishing we could be with them. I was looking up good Christmas stories and I came across this poem and I thought it was too sweet not to share.

My First Christmas In Heaven

I see the countless Christmas trees
around the world below
With tiny lights, like Heaven's stars,
reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular,
please wipe away the tear
For I am spending Christmas with
Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs
that people hold so dear
But the sounds of music can't compare
with the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you,
the joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description,
to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me,
I see the pain inside your heart.
But I am not so far away,
We really aren't apart.

So be happy for me, dear ones,
You know I hold you dear.
And be glad I'm spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year.

I sent you each a special gift,
from my heavenly home above.
I sent you each a memory
of my undying love.

After all, love is a gift more precious
than pure gold.
It was always most important
in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other,
as my Father said to do.
For I can't count the blessing or love
he has for each of you.

So have a Merry Christmas and
wipe away that tear.
Remember, I am spending Christmas with
Jesus Christ this year.

This poem was written by a 13 year old boy who died of a brain tumor that he had battled for four years. He died on December 14, 1997. He gave this to his Mom before he died. His name was Ben.

Once there was a snowman

As I was shopping with Morgan one day last week, I came across a fun decoration from Hallmark. It is a snowman that you stick on the wall and let the kids pick different eyes, clothes, etc... Think Mr. Potato head in sticker form. Well I decided to get it and it was a HUGE success. The only problem is, is that she can be a little rough taking pieces off of the wall and she has ripped a few things in half, but I don't really care. After Christmas is will end up in the trash anyway.

Morgan's 2nd

We were planning on being in Florida to celebrate Morgan's second birthday, but it just didn't work out. We are finding out how difficult it is going to be to have a child with a birthday in December.  Everyone is super busy planning for Christmas and Kevin had some work events he had to cover so having a party for her is kind of tricky.  Instead of having a big party, we had a couple to little celebrations to make it up to her.

The first one was with her grandparents. They weren't going to be around on her actual birthday so they came down and we went out for dinner. When the waiter came by with a little cookie for her she got really shy.  It kind of reminded me of myself. I'm not one to be the center of attention.

But she can be pretty silly too!

On Morgan's actual birthday, Kevin took work off and we went to the Paradise Pier hotel by the Disneyland theme park. Morgan LOVES Mickey Mouse as well as most of the Disney characters, but we are not ready to take her to the park just yet. At this hotel they have a character breakfast where the kids get to meet a handful of the characters and dance and play with them. She LOVED it! Kevin and I both got a little teary eyed seeing her smiling so big and just having so much fun.

The day after her birthday was a Friday and that was pretty much the only time we could have any sort of a party. With most of Kevin's family being out of town, we just had a couple of friends over for some pizza, cake, and ice cream. Morgan had a blast. Thanks again, Sabrina, Frank, and Tasha for bringing your kiddos over and celebrating with us. :)