Buh-Bye Matt and April

Our good friends, Matt and April, are moving to Utah. She's having her babe in less than a month and then they are heading out. So sad for all of us. We wanted to get everyone together before they left so we hosted a very chill good-bye party {more like a gathering} this past weekend.

We played a little game to see how well we know {or don't know} Matt and April. You had to know them REALLY well to know some of these answers...

Cameron read us the questions

and everyone tried to remember every conversation they have ever had with Matt and April. At least we know where they bank now :)

I made these delicious little chocolate cakes. This recipe must be tried. But here's a tip... the small ones {in a mini muffin tin} came out a bit dry.

But the big ones were moist and delicious and fit perfectly in these darling favor boxes {to be given to the ladies I visit teach}. Oh yeah, skip the hershey kiss in the middle of the cake... its more trouble then it's worth.

Two Little Teeth

make for lots of tears, especially at night. Teething is oh so sad.

Best News Ever

Last nights order of events:

1. Drive down N. Livermore

2. See the word "Golden" out of the corner of my eye (in shopping center where DQ is)

3. Do a double take

4. See the words "Golden Spoon"

5. Freak out

6. Call Cameron to google immediately

7. Cameron confirms that Golden Spoon is coming soon to Livermore

8. Cameron freaks out for the first time

9. I freak out again

It's about time!! It's seriously our favorite ever!!

The Beginnings of Besties

Natalie was one of my first friends after I moved to California 8 years ago. My list of memories go on and on with her but my favorite took place in our singles ward. We were both a little weary of our new ward... seeing that everyone was about 20 years older than us. Very scary. We both knew absolutely no one {except each other} so we headed to an activity. And here's what we did: relay races. But this was just not any relay race... it involved chewing 5 saltines in your mouth, running down the lawn, blowing up a balloon with the saltines still in your mouth, and then sitting on the balloon and popping it. It was a level of humiliation you'll never understand until you try and pop a balloon with saltines and saliva dripping down your face.

Luckily we've moved onto better things {thank goodness}... our boys! Weston and Lucas are already besties and I'm so excited. {To Jake and Karen: beg your moms to move back here}.

And the most exciting toy of the play date: the mascara tube.

Lucas knows he found something good.

And the battle....

And the winner. Why are the best toys never toys?

Yarn Wreath

I've been eyeing this yarn wreath for several months now. I decided to take a twist on it and make a new Valentine's wreath for my front door. Tutorial here.

All Fours

Suddenly today Weston can balance on all four's and sway back and forth. This is not a good situation. Crawling sounds like a lot of work... for me and him.

Dad says "Try, try again."

I say, "Give me a kiss and let's stay immobile for a bit longer. "

I love how anything and everything {scraps of paper, wooden blocks, tupperware lids, etc.} can be the most interesting thing in the world to a baby. It cracks me up.

Felt Heart Wreath

When we go to AZ the SIL's always say, "Let's craft!!!" And then somehow we only shop and eat and never craft. But this time... it happened. It might have been a miracle.

Shannon (my SIL and I have the same exact name) and I loved how our felt heart wreaths turned out. The most difficult part about this wreath was finding the heart forms... I think we bought the last 2 in the entire state of Arizona. Tutorial found here.

New Years Resolutions 2010

Each year I make a neat little list of goals with every intention of checking them off one by one. Pretty sure each year I never make any progress and I spend the whole year staring at that neat piece of paper with no checks on it. Good intentions never really get me anywhere.

So 2010 is my year. I've made very realistic goals which I'm excited about... most of which encompass the idea of being prepared in many aspects of my life. Seeing and reading about Haiti after the earthquake has really motivated me. My heart is so sad thinking about the conditions over there. I cry whenever I see a baby without a mom or a dad.

I've also tried to embrace the idea of preserving my memories, thoughts, and ideas. I've been frantically uploading my photos to Smugmug. I've also been busy writing a blog for Weston to capture my personal thoughts and memories for him. I also just bought this journal; it's the sweetest little thing.

Here's to finally making and keeping a resolution. And most importantly, thoughts and prayers to the Haitians.

7 Months

(with his cute cousin Ellie)

Music Class

Today was our first day at music class through Music Together. I say "our" class because I'm the one doing all the singing and dancing. Yes, I'm definitely feeling out of my comfort zone!! Anne and her daughter Grace are in the class with us and I definitely tried to block them out of my mind as I danced with a scarf.

While I was getting over my insecurities; Weston was loving every second. He couldn't get enough of the kids and he tried to talk and smile to anyone who came near him. His favorite part was for sure the drums. Not playing the drum... but sucking on the germ infested drum stick. Awesome. The teacher was great though and I'm totally looking forward to the next class.

Neidig Family Photos

While in Utah for Christmas we took some family photos taken by Sarah D Photography. One thing is for sure... I've become quite the wimp when it involves the white stuff. It does make for some awesome photos though!

I'm Procrastinating

uploading all my Christmas photos. Ugg. So instead I'll waste more time and document my new favorite thing... Weston holds his own bottle. Yeah for me, yeah for him.

Now I normally feed him 99.9% of the time (because let's be honest, I have a million shows I have to keep up with) but this independence thing really comes in handy.

6 Months

Christmas Eve '09

My family's Christmas Eve tradition for as long as I can remember involves fondue. Cheese and chocolate... how can you go wrong? All of my siblings were there this year so it was super fun to be with everyone.

Looks like the only picture I took was "pre-prayer" as my dad gave a little speech and Cameron was checking his email. Classic.

After we did the usual Christmas Eve stuff... hung out, opened our sibling gifts, and watched a movie. I BEGGED to watch "Muppet's Christmas Carol" but it gets vetoed every year. I'm still sad about it...

Emmers with Luke and Weston

after they reunited with a kiss. Hilarious.

Ornament Tradition

I love the idea of giving your child a box full of ornaments when they leave home (although I can't think about that... it's too sad and I think I'm tearing up).

Here's Weston's first ornament for his first Christmas. I ordered it from the Spirit Christmas Shop and I think they have some of the cutest personalized ornaments around!

Neighbor Gifts

I've had my neighbor gifts done for a couple of weeks but of course I have waited to the last possible second to deliver them. I guess it is very typical of me to jam shopping, wrapping, packing, and delivering gifts all into the day before we leave town.

I love the internet more and more because I get to copy everyone's fabulous ideas, recipes, and suggestions. And my neighbor gifts were no exception. I found this idea over at Design Mom and I was really happy how they turned out. I made the vanilla almonds, packaged them up in cute little bags, and stuck on a label. It was so easy and I made 5 batches in one night.

All the products I ordered, including the pdf for the label, are sourced here over at Design Mom.

Pear Crisp

We had some friends over last night and I tried and served this pear crisp. I really must buy Ree Drummond's cookbook. Can she ever go wrong?

(Image via The Pioneer Woman)

"I've Been Very Good This Year"

What's one more trip to see Santa?

Sunol Train Of Lights

It was like riding the Polar Express... in a sorta kinda way.

The Santa was a bit scary and there were no golden tickets... but the lights and chocolate chip cookies were fantastic. Weston loved the lights and we had a great time with the Zalewskis. {Note to self before next year: learn how to take better exposed, non-blurry photos while on moving train}.

This Santa was staring his holidays early... he looked drunk.

Ho, Ho, Ho

Putting Up the Lights

Last year we didn't want to go through the hassle of buying outside lights and putting them up. This year we won't be here for Christmas so we bagged the tree idea. We are scrooges on many levels apparently. BUT... we sprung for the outside lights this year and I love them.

But the best part of it all is that our ladder isn't very tall. Cameron lept, in a sense, up onto the roof. Coming down was a different story. He didn't dare leap down in hopes of catching the first rung of the ladder. It was seriously entertaining seeing him stuck up there on the roof. What was not funny was me going door to door looking for someone with a taller ladder. EMBARRASSING.

Waiting,

waiting,

waiting,
and more waiting.

He eventually got down after I tracked down a neighbor a street over. I REALLY wanted to take a picture of Cameron, the neighbor who rescued him, and the heroic ladder, but I held back. I figured I had already inconvenienced my newly met neighbor by having him drag his huge and heavy ladder around the neighborhood. Classic.

Acorn Squash Soup

I made this soup and it was delicious. I roasted my squash and amped up the seasoning a bit... but I'll for sure make it again.

(image via Martha Stewart)

He Sits

We've only had a few minor head bangs while Weston has been practicing his new trick... he sits!!

Pleasanton Parade and Tree Lighting

Last Friday Pleasanton had their annual tree lighting and parade... who knew?? We met up with the Zalewski's to enjoy the festivities while braving the cold {don't we live in California to avoid these type of temperatures?)

And about the parade... it's no Macy's Day parade. Basically it involves a lot of old cars, boy scouts, girl scouts, and Pleasanton folk. You really need to see it if you haven't.

See, all you need is an old car and a strand of lights to participate.

An old inner tube, mop, and Santa hat will get you in too.

My favorite was the scene from A Christmas Story. What you can't see is the leg lamp in the back of the truck. It seriously was spot on and hilarious!!

Weston loved the lights, music, and all the action.

And after 2 long hours on the cement ground Santa FINALLY showed his face. Merry Christmas!!