Santa Monica

After 2 days at Disneyland, we decided to head into Los Angeles - mostly for the food. Jake and I believe that vacations are for eating, and we really try to eat at local restaurants when we travel. So our first stop was lunch at the Farmers Market in L.A. It was quite delicious.

We then took a leisurely drive down Mulholland Drive while Sophie napped, and eventually ended up at the Santa Monica pier, just in time for the sunset.

Sophie Dancing on the Pier

She really loved these rides,
despite the look of terror on her face.

Em-Eye-See-Kay-Eee-Why

Last week, we took a quick vacation to the Happiest Place on Earth. How great is it that you can be in a location filled with thousands of people, and just leave your stroller and belongings on the side of the road for a half an hour while you ride a blue elephant? And you come back to it worry-free cause there are 35 other strollers waiting there too.

We spent all day Thursday and Friday at both Disneyland and California Adventure. It was a great time to go - we hardly waited in lines at all the entire time.

Sophie was a champ too. Of course, this trip had nothing to do with her happiness - this trip was for us. But it was still nice to know that she enjoyed it somewhat.

Highlights:

Grandpa & Sophie

Riding Dumbo

Carousel

The Family

Playing Goofy's piano

Goofy's Playhouse (the best part of the park)

We hate Mickey's house

Some personal attention from Pluto

Driving the Fire Boat

Bugs bugging Grandpa

Stay tuned for pics from Santa Monica . . .

Journal Jar #22: Pride (+ a bonus picture)

When were my parents most proud of me?

The first thing that comes to mind is the day I got my acceptance letter to BYU, complete with a full scholarship offer. I remember being in the kitchen and opening the letter after I got home from work. I was totally shocked, and I'm guessing my parents were too.






And now may I present:

SOPHIE VS. THE COFFEE TABLE

Coffee Table: 1 / Sophie: 0

It swelled up the first day, and has gone down since, but is now more purple than before. No worries. She recovered quickly.

Outside

Sophie: Lover of the Outdoors

and wearer of candy-cane striped socks

Hot Chocolate

One of the best things about winter is its need for hot chocolate. Here is how I make my (almost) daily cup.

You will need:

• 12oz mug
• Hot Chocolate Packet (w/ mini marshmallows)
• NesQuik
• Spoon
• Water
• Milk

Directions:

Fill mug about 2/3 full of water. Add milk to about 10oz. Microwave for 1:26. Add Hot Chocolate packet & a spoonful of NesQuik. Stir til mixed and marshmallows are almost melted. Enjoy!

A Good Find

Savers, you were good to me tonight.

Vintage Yellow Gingham Jacket & Matching Hat: $3.99

Other finds of the night (all for Sophie):

• Board Book
• Christmas T-Shirt
• Mittens
• Teddy Bear
  

Squirt Alert

Jake decided to give Sophie a bath this morning, so while he got the tub ready, I nakified the baby.

When she came toddling into the bathroom, Jake said, "Hey squirt!" to her. She came closer, so he exclaimed, "Squirt Alert!", and as if on cue, a puddle formed on the bathroom floor in between Sophie's legs.

Squirt Alert!

Ducks Mascot

Jake, Grandpa, and Sophie went to the Arizona/Oregon game on Thursday. Being huge DUCKS fans, it was only fitting that they dressed Sophie appropriately for the occasion. After extensive internet searches for a baby Oregon cheerleader outfit (which we learned were recently discontinued), Jake decided to dress our daughter up as a duck.



Lucky for us, the game was only a couple weeks after Halloween, so we scored this outfit at Target for 75% off.

Needless to say, Sophie was a hit. Jake had 4 different people stop him to take her picture - once by a UofA fan! She absolutely loves the costume, and even liked wearing the hoodie. (sorry-camera phone photos only)

GO DUCKS!

Tomorrow is Stella's BIRTH Day!

Tomorrow, Sophie will get a brand new cousin - courtesy of Mike and Stephanie. We're so excited to meet Baby Stella. Here's what we have to look forward to:

Mabel


Oliver

Are we lucky or what?


*photos stolen from Mike

Update on the Watched Pots

Okay, so they started to grow,
but not enough for Young Women in Excellence tomorrow night.

On to PLAN B

Bangs

Dollar Bin Fashion

Thanks to the Target Dollar Bins, Sophie has been able to keep a seasonal wardrobe. How fashion forward is she?

Summer: Cherries (with cherry socks)
Fall: Halloween Ghost
Winter: Snowflakes (with candy cane striped socks)

note if you buy one for yourself: sizes run big. Sophie is still wearing a 6-9mo in these shirts

A Watched Pot

I know a watched pot never boils.

But what about 10 watched pots?
Will they ever bloom?


Cause if I don't have grass grown in the next week,
I'm in trouble.

Reviews By Sophie - Part II: Unconventional Toys

Part II: Unconventional Toys

Real Phone: 10

Shoes: 10

Desk Drawer: 10
(Check out those tip toes!)

Under the Desk: 10

Flowers: 10

Dishwasher (& fridge): 10

Piano: 10

Obviously, since Sophie picked all of these toys out by herself, she likes them all A LOT.

Reviews By Sophie - Part I: Traditional Toys

Welcome to Sophie's Reviews. Sophie rates things for you on an unbiased scale of 1-10. This review will come in handy if you ever have a Sophie of your own. If you have any other baby, though, the results will probably be different.

Part I: Traditional Toys

Phone: 10
You've seen this toy in action before. It's a classic, and obviously retains its charm in this digital age.






Pop-Up Toy: 7
Sophie loves this. Positive feature: Sings when animals pop up. Negative: Sophie can cheat and pry doors open without twisting the knobs. And the animals do not sing for cheaters




Standing Toy: 11
On a scale of 1-10, this toy is an 11. One more. This toy wins the extra award of longevity. It has withstood the test of time (which is only a couple of months, but in baby time, it's like 1/2 of Sophie's life). A definite favorite in our house.






Singing Dog: 7
Sophie rocks out to all the songs, but gets bored if he is just talking or rhyming.









Rocking Horse: 5
Bonus Award: Fastest rising on the charts. When Sophie first got this horse, she was terrified of it. Now she loves to pat it (but only at an arms reach). She also likes when it "nay"s, but flinches every time it first starts to make a noise.




Lego Door: 8
Stolen from Nana's house, this toy is great for taking in the car, opening and closing its door, and playing peek-a-boo with.






Ball Thing: 1
This toy is never fun.








Mini Piano: 8
Awesome.









Walking Helper Toy: 2
The only reason this toy didn't get a 1 is because Sophie likes to play with the toys attached to the front. But as far as using it to walk - negative. Hopefully she'll like it more when she can use it as a ride-on. Bonus for me: I got it used for $4.






Frozen Teething Ring: 6
Bonus Award: Cry Stopper. The frozen teething ring helps sooth bumped faces and just generally sad babies.







Baby Laptop: 8
Provides only minutes of fun at a time, but can be used DAILY.






Wooden Park: 7
Bonus Award: Surprise Top Toy. I was surprised that Sophie likes this as much as she does. She plays with it daily.