Pre to Post Bod

I have had an acute awakening. Lately I have tried to take more time to just sit with the kids, read stories, play a game, watch a show. Usually I get so overwhelmed with the "housekeeping" aspect of my job that I put my kids underneath the less than enjoyful tasks of folding laundry or straightening the home. Super lame, I know. But that has changed and yesterday found me and the kids sitting on the couch watching "Scooby Doo Camp Scare."

The movie was....well, it was a Scooby Doo movie, but I think I have discovered how the Mystery Incorporated series came up with the physique for two of its most important characters: Daphne and Velma. These two women semi-define the pre and post marriage physique.

There was Daphne, long red hair flowing in the breeze, accessorized to the hilts and dressed for camp in short cutoffs, tying up her cap-sleeve shirt in a halter-like fashion. Cute outfit, cute little body (if you're into the halter top/short shorts kinda thing.)

And then Velma. No need for contacts anymore, hair cut off in a bob, longer sleeves, shorts to her knees and socks pulled high to her calf complete with brown bulky hiking boots on bottom. Modest? Of course. But it seems that we go from "young and hip" to "baggy and saggy." So Warner Bros., you got the body types right, except for one small, very important detail. Velma's boobs are much too perky.

Cam's work handed out a bunch of these at a game, so we took a few home, thinking that maybe the kids might like them. They LOVE them and are their pajamas of choice. No Joke. If they can't find their XL Jazz shirts in their drawers, they are quickly reminding me that I need to do the laundry.

My sister Lisa and I took the kids to Antelope Island for some exploring, playing, and hiking. I used my other camera, which again will not let me load the pictures onto the blog rotated correctly. I apologize in advance for the stiff neck.

Desert blossoms.

Beautiful, no?

Amelie's not too fond of having her picture taken.

Lisa took this one. I think Ella looks like a snow princess with those rosy cheeks and wild red hair.

Local grazing Bison.

Wasatch Mountains across the salty water.

Joshua

"When I grow up, I want to be a vegetarian."

Being a parent is tops. One of my favorite things is seeing the kids grow and develop, and viewing how they change over the years. Josh began playing organized sports about 3 years ago. At first he was pretty timid, running on the outskirts of the "soccer pack," and dodging the baseball when it was thrown his way. But now, he's an animal. He started basketball this month and is improving with each game. He's great at rebounding and putting up shots, and guards his opponent like his life depends on it (it drives the other guy crazy!) It's so fun to watch him play! Keep it up!

Cam, Josh and I were playing scrabble the other night and Josh, true to form, grabbed his letters and put the word "fusion" on the board. He even spelled it correctly. He's definitely his father's son.

We made some play dough the other day. Here is Josh's creation. It's Voldemort with wand in hand and Nagini draped across his shoulders.

Daxton

"Mom, I don't want to kill a cow. I want to just ride a bull."

Dax was playing with his friend Travis and this is what I overheard:

"No, no Travis. You can't touch that."

"What is it?"

"It's a pooper jammer."

"Why is it called a pooper jammer?"

"Because it poops, and it jams."

We took the kids skiing up at Wolf Mountain this month. I haven't been on the slopes in over a year (had a baby) so it was great to be able to spend some time with my Dax man on the slopes. Speaking of animals, you should see this little curly headed boy ski! I can barely keep up! He insisted on skiing in the terrain park and loved going up and down the hills.

Ella

"Mom, me and Amelie are having a very hard day in the bath tub."

And

"When I get scared, I make a pose." (and finishes the remark with pointed toes and jazz hands)

And

"Mom, when it's Mother's Day, we can go shopping with dad and you can stay home with Amelie and you can take a shower, watch t.v., shovel the driveway and eat."

My predictions were correct and this little she-devil kicks tail on the slopes. She really enjoyed her first time on the hills, and we enjoyed having her with us!

Here she is making Valentines.

This picture is the epitome of Ella. In a tutu with ski boots, striking a pose.

Cutting, twiriling, writing, drawing, dancing, and changing her clothes about fifty times a day. Is this normal? Truthfuly, we're talking at least 7 outfits a day. She generally refuses pants of any kind, and instead opts for dresses, skirts, tutus or her purple "princess" dress. Her new favorite thing is to put a "classical" cd in the player, turn up the volume and dance "ballet." In fact, she's doing that right now with outfit #2. She just told me she needed a prince to dance with and has returned with "Prince Panda," as she holds his little paws and twirls around the living room. Wow, I'm in trouble.

Amelie

Can this baby get any cuter? With those chubby thighs, curly hair, dimples and baby jibberish. Makes my heart melt. Really, I can't get enough of her (except those 4 am give me another bottle sessions. I'm kinda tired of that one.) However, aside from those early awakenings, she's pretty much a dream. I'm pretty sure that this baby girl has had enough of my kisses.

Cameron

Me, "Cameron, the baby is getting into the garbage."
Cam, "Yeah, but at least it's edible garbage."

Cam spoke in Church last week. His topic was enduring to the end (which, being married to me, he's having a lot of practice with...) He did great and touched on a topic that I think comes very natural to him: Having a Positive Attitude. It gave me a chance to reflect a little on Cameron and the things I like about him. Cam is never one to sulk. He doesn't get offended, and has never held a grudge. If something bad happens to him, he gets over it (quickly too.) It's really a great quality and I need to remind myself of that when I am seeking sympathy from him, only to have the tissue box hurled in my direction (no, not really. But his reaction is very similar to the Geico commercial with the Army Therapist.)

Cindy

Maybe it's the winter blues or lack of Vitamin D, but I feel tired. Maybe it's the fact that two different people on two different occasions asked if I was my sister's mom (seriously?! Do I really look mid 50's?!) I keep getting overwhelmed and depressed, and I'm kinda over it, ya know? I see those women who are constantly happy and upbeat and I wonder how they do it. It seems like I am a constant roller coaster of emotion. Up, down, loop-d-loop..... I see my many blessings and my beautiful, healthy children and realize that I should be bouncing up and down with excitement and joy, but my physical nature tends to compete and win out over my spiritual nature. Guess it's time to get those hormones in check. More Vitamin B? Maybe what I need is a nap......

Ella's four!

I failed to mention that our little Ella turned 4 on December 3rd. It was her first year having a friend party. She wanted a "Princess Tea Party," so we had some hot chocolate and treats, danced to classical music, painted nails, and decorated princess hats and wands. I even pulled out my old prom dress to dress up for the occasion (and yes, I probably enjoyed it more than the little girls did.....) Ella's eyes got all big when she saw me walking down the stairs in my "princess dress." It was pretty great. Happy Birthday Bella!

Merry in my P.J.'s

Christmas Morning
Anyone else's counter look like this on Christmas? We all had a bit of something.
Christmas Nativity at the Thredgold's.

Yes, this was the best shot. Thredgold's grandkids in their Christmas Jammies.

Let's pause for a moment, shall we, and ponder some of our most memorable Christmas times past.

I remember the Christmas I received my cabbage patch kid. Truth be told, I was saddened that it was a boy doll, and not a girl. But it was a cabbage patch doll and he smelled like baby powder! Though I have forgotten his name, I distinctly remember his blue corduroy overalls and brown, curly hair.

Another Christmas I gingerly walked down the stairs and saw that Santa had come and left gifts for us by the fireplace. Mine was the smallest of the 4, and I was a bit miffed until I opened the small parcel and discovered a hand written note to me, from Santa himself! He instructed me to walk to the basement, and my gift was awaiting me there. Creeping down the steps, I turned the corner to find the prettiest purple Huffy I had ever before seen, complete with pink tires (that, might I add, left pink skid marks on the sidewalk.)

And now the Chrismtas of 2010. By far, one of the greatest days of my life. The excitement of the kids, the spirit and joy in the air, and being able to spend one entire day playing in pajamas! Does it get much better than that? (I call it lazy joy) Christmas morning lasted a whopping 2 1/2 hours, and not because we had oodles to open. We took our time. Opened our stockings, then each child openend Santa's gift. We put those together, or set them up, and they played with them while I made some German pancakes. We sat around the table and ate, smiled and laughed. Then opened a few more gifts, put those together, set them up, and played with them. It was so wonderful to have an entire day to do nothing aside from playing with my kids and enjoying my little family! I remember looking at the clock, and realizing that it was only 3:30. We still had hours of fun ahead of us! What a great day. I hope yours was equally as wonderful!

Here we are on our way to Ogden. I love this photo. This is what I see through my rear view mirror each time I drive.

And now, Ogden's Christmas Village. Would you like to meet the most pathetic Santa on the planet? Well, there he is. No jolliness or ho ho ho-iness about him. Just a "What do you want?" followed by their response, and his reply, "okay" and then hands them a candy cane. Shoot, give me a beard and suit and I could do a better job than this guy.

His beard's not even white.

He needs to put on a little Santa weight.

Wow, doesn't he look jolly?

Okay, perhaps I am being too harsh. At least they got the suit right.

Sipping hot cocoa. Doesn't this shot look Tim-Burton-ish?

Looking in the display windows.

Sledding up at the Page Cabin in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Collin's friend, Erica, is from Brazil and it was her first sledding experience! Tons of fun!

Cam surprised the kids with a new snowmobile. Here we all are snowmobiling and sledding at Shera's new home in Mt. Green.

Pulling the kids along behind the snowmobile. Kenny and Ella sledding down the "home-made" sled (laundry basket on skis.)

Joshua

Josh's reflections song won the next level up in the district and he was thrilled to discover that he would receive yet another trophy. Great work!

Josh playing "Carol of the Bells" at Nana's house.

Singing in the school choir at the Festival of Trees

Joshua's Christmas highlight was being able to talk to his Uncle Cam on the phone. Cam, aka Elder Thredgold is currently serving in the Lisbon, Portugal mission. I was the first to talk to Cam, but had to cut it short as the kids looked at me with pleading eyes, waiting patiently (and eagerly) for their turn to talk. As soon as Josh said, "Hi Uncle Cam," he began tearing up and ran to the other room, with phone in hand, so we wouldn't see him crying. He really loves and misses his uncle.

Daxton

He calls it his "Yeti" hat. Perhaps because it looks abominable?


Like father, like son.

Ever since the snow started falling this boy has been patiently wearing his ski boots, awaiting an excursion to the mountain tops. Cam was able to take the boys skiing at their favorite spot, Wolf Mountain, and Dax was loving every second of it. He is edgy-wedgy free, and skis with poles now too! I'm thinking that in a few years, Cam might have some stiff competition.

Ella
Ella and her cousin Jack-a-moe

Temple Square Lights.
Apparently Santa thought Ella had been good enough to get her what she requested, a video entitled "Angelina Ballerina," about a mouse-ballerina who attends a dancing school called Camembert Academy (yes, like the cheese.) If only I would have known a little about this video beforehand, I may have politely asked Santa to reconsider. For now Ella's every movement must be graceful, as she floats and leaps around the house. "Mom, can you please turn on some classical music so I can dance ballet?" She keeps asking me to teach her ballet, but aside from a few positions and pirouettes, I'm clueless. I definitely see dance in this girl's future.

Amelie
Wow, this girl brings us so much joy! Even though she is into EVERYTHING, I still can't seem to get enough of her. The contents of my cupboards are constantly strewn all over the place, but the thought of baby-proofing the entire house seems a bit too much for me. We'll just keep the doors closed, watch her closely, cross our fingers and hope for the best (great parenting, no?)

For example, Amelie found some blue chalk.... Our bundle of blue:

Baby's first Christmas!

In addition to her bottom two, her top four teeth have emerged. Little fingers, beware. (also beware shoulders, arms, and anywhere else that she finds the need to sink her teeth into.)

Cameron
Things continue to change at work. Cam was able to receive accounts from a co-worker who left to work for a competitor. So now Cam has several accounts in Montana that will keep him busy with travel again. He will be gone 4 days next week, but absence makes the heart grow fonder, right? Or does absence make the heart resentful? I can't remember.....

Truthfully we are both very grateful for the new opportunities he has been given at work. What a blessing it is to be employed!

Some more pics at Temple Square.

Cam was able to ski a few times in December, back country and up at Park City. Still a big ZAG fan.

Cindy


My heart is full and my cup runneth over. Ever since returning from our little out-of-the-country excursion, there hasn't a day gone by that I don't hug my kids and thank God for them. Being a mom is truly the greatest thing in the world. And yes, my kids are screaming right now and one of them is crying, but yes, it's still the greatest