Yep I'm a Thrifter

This was my Christmas dress this year.  During the summer Mom, Kelly and I hit up Value Village in Calgary.  We found quite a few good finds but this one was extraordinary.  Mom gets the credit for finding it!  Once I tried it on, it fit perfectly and I loved the way it looked.  I added a little cover thing I had previous. 

(Our Cat just managed to sneak into this one.  Ok well her tail did!!)

This is the best part of all!  It still had the original tag on it for $215.00.  The Value Village price was $89.99.  But it doesn't stop there, it gets even better.  We went on a day they had back to school specials so everything was 50% off.  So it was $44.99!  I thought I did good!

Christmas in March

So here are the long awaited pictures from Christmas.  I know I am SUPER late adding these on here!

These are from our own family gift opening.  Ok, well Natalie's gift opening!!

Her quiet book

Her I Spy Bottle

All tired out.  This NEVER happens.

This is also a rarity.  A good long cuddle. 

It's just Dylan and I, I know but I thought it was a good picture

I made Christmas stockings for EVERYONE in my family.  It was a surprise for them and the first year of a new tradition.

Carathy opening her super awesome gift from Natalie.

Natalie in her new chair from Arinn.  It looks like she is just checking to make sure Dora wasn't actually going to get her!

I thought this was funny!  I look so surprised for her 'Little People' farm set.  I think I was mostly surprised that she was getting the hang of opening gifts.  

Dylan posing 

The grandchildren were eager to show Grandma and Grandpa all of their new gifts.

Bowling with the family! My beautiful sister.

Caleb

Mom and Jen

Katelyn

My super strong baby!

Carathy and Arinn

Bits and Pieces

Wow, once again it's been a long time.  I figured I would post some of these pictures before they got to old!  Natalie has been learning so much.  Her signing abilities are incredible and she continuously amazes us with how much she learns just from watching for listening.  She is starting to say some words but they are not really understandable.  She is only 16 months so what can you expect!!  Her greatest love right now is for the great outdoors.  You can see how she just craves to be out there.  Every trip to Grandma and Grandpas ends up with either a walk or drive out to see the cows and it usually always ends in tears when we leave.  However she really does not like to be close when cows moo.  Spencer is a bit to hyperactive to be around her still so we really have to watch.  I am not worried that he is going to hurt her purposefully but he gets so excited to see her that he gets right up in her face and tries to play.  Tess is also another constant for of entertainment.  Natalie is learning how to deal with her and how to get rid of her as well!  She is really starting to play with 'Little People'.  I love just watching her and seeing how she puts things together in her mind.

Watching the cookies baking.  Looks like she is counting them.

Shock and awe over how they are 'growing'.

At least that is what I imagine she is thinking!!

Reading books

More books!

She loves wearing this bucket as a hat.  It is pretty adorable and fits her head just right!

This is how she puts it on.

Just being silly!  She has her daddy's dimples! 

Cutest Kid Ever!!!

I couldn't wait to post these pictures so I decided to add them before I put on the Christmas pictures.  I wanted some pictures of Natalie with snow.  The problem was....where to find it.  Luckily our front ditch was full still so we took her out there.  Another problem though, she refused to touch it or walk on it.  So we placed her in spot and took a bunch.  I am SO happy with the way they turned out!!  I hope you enjoy these few!!

Update

It's been a while since I have posted anything so I thought I would just write up a quick update!

I still havn't put any Christmas pictures onto the computer but when I do, there are some good ones for you all to see!  

Natalie has been learning so much.  One of her favourite things is to sit on everything.  It is hilarious to watch her back in and get settled!  I find her sitting on everything.  Her stuffed animals, the bongos, the cat, shoes, me, pretty much anything!  Also, she LOVES wearing a bucket as a hat.  It fits her head perfectly and she has figured out how to put it on by herself!  All of a sudden she will come walking up with it on, a big grin on her face and she is being careful to walk steady!  It ALWAYS brings a smile to my face.  She has also learned more sign language.  Her newest one is help.  This is good but yet.... means I have to go help her.  Yesterday she came up to me signing help.  So I asked 'What do you need help with?'.  She proceeded to point and lead me to the laundry room (also where we lock Tess up).  Tess was meowing and Natalie had decided it was time to let her out of her time out!  So as much as Natalie tells on Tess, she still wants her out to play with!  Natalie got her own chair for Christmas.  It is one of those little soft ones.  It is a constant fight between Natalie and the cat for the rights to sit in the chair.  Trust me, Natalie gets down right mad when the cat is in there!  She also really loves to push things.  No matter what she will try to push it around.  I'm pretty sure this is a typical toddler thing though!  She tries to push the full water jugs around.  Needless to say, unsuccessfully!  

As for Dylan and myself, we are just chugging along going with the flow of life.  Busy, busy, busy.  

That's it for now I suppose.  I don't have much else to say!

Family

We had a really good Christmas this year.  It was short but very good!!  We always enjoy the time we get to spend with family.  We took another family picture this year and it was crazy to see how people have changed.  I think Natalie had the biggest change but that is to be expected.  She was only a month old in the last picture.  So this is what we came up with!!

 Here is all of us sisters with mom and dad.  This is a very special picture to me.  We don't get to do this often so it has a lot of meaning. 

I haven't put any other Christmas pictures onto the computer yet but when I do I will post some on here!  Hopefully!!!

Christmas Gifts

This year for Christmas I decided to make most of the gifts.  I absolutely love crafting so I thought it would be easy.  As I started, more things kept getting added to the list.  Some of them I can't list until after  Christmas but the ones I can, I will start adding to my 'Creativity' page.  You or your child may be on the receiving end of this gifts so please act surprised if you do all of a sudden get one!

Now this has nothing to do with Christmas gifts but it is totally awesome!  We found this soother in the Bass Pro Shop and couldn't resist.  It is good for a laugh!