She just cracks me up!!

This is a frequent occurrence around our house. Anytime Savanna sees the fridge open, she'll get "in" it & "hide". She will then call out until we act as though we can't find her & she'll emerge from her ingenious spot. I was happy that in this particular video I was able to capture this & her one-man dance party with Farmer Tad.

Wowzer!

I CANNOT believe the amount of time that has gone by since my last post, but even more unfathomable is what we've been doing. (well, Savanna & I, Chris was left behind because of work)

Let's see it all started last week...I was lucky enough to escape for the night on Friday for a little IKEA shopping trip & Girls Night with my favorite B-town babes! It was a BLAST! (and very much needed) We ate, or rather dipped, a plethora of chocolate fondue (I like to call it FUN-du). I can't believe that I forgot to get out the camera until after the p-a-r-t-y was winding down & we (okay, everyone but Liz) were about to clean-up. Luckily I was able to capture a quick pic of the food & ourselves:

pictured: Liz, myself, Jenni, & Jamie (the hostess)

not pictured: Sara, Meredith, Cherisa, Hilary, Kristen

We all claimed to have been laughing during the photo-op, but I just think we were drunk with happiness. I am hoping this event will become a regular occurrence--ummmm, we've said that before & the last time it happened was May when we bit farewell to Amber (soooo, sad!!) Since then I can only blame the kids & husbands. After the eventful night with the girls I went to meet my "Pa" & crash at his hotel, but I lost points because I didn't take mini-me. I must say that I enjoyed my little road trip. The only thing that would have made it better is having a friend along for the ride to sing duets with & share the snacks, okay, NOT the snacks but maybe some good "girl kind" of conversation.
Saturday: I got home, changed clothes & left for Relief Society. We had a little auction of sorts...you got points for your duties of service & obedience. Needless to say, I was outbid on almost EVERYTHING, but did manage to hang on to a home cooked meal & some cookies...YUM! Sunday: I showcased my chorister skills for the first time EVER & I must admit that I didn't do to bad...my singing could use some help, but so could the kids :) I have a bit of work ahead to get us all ready for the program, but I have faith that it'll all work out & if not, it's all in the way you look at it. I personally LOVE the primary program. It always makes me laugh & I usually get choked up too! Monday: what a glorious Autumn day! It was absolutely beautiful! For FHE we took Savanna to a park down the road & we all had a G-R-E-A-T time. She LoVeD the swings & people watching.

Tuesday: yet, another day to take advantage of. I went to the primary presidency meeting & after took a leisurely walk with Melanie & the boys. The kids rotated bikes, stroller time & tantrums, but equally found the ducks (quack, quack) fascinating! Gotta love the great outdoors.

Wednesday: Savanna & I took a little road trip to see "Pa" in Lowell, MA. We arrived a little before he got off from work, so we strolled the mall...police car style. I tell ya' if they sold those strollers I'd snatch one up no matter the price-she stays IN it! Which for her is HUGE! When grandpa did arrive she was in all her glory milking grandpa for all he was worth. They played with toys, read books, & played peek-a-boo in the blankets. Thursday: we toured some museums & ate lunch with "Pa" before heading back to the room for a much needed nap. Savanna & I headed home to CT soon after in order to beat the rush-hour traffic & succeeded. Fortunately while we were away Chris was able to track down & eliminate the stench that has been festering in our house the past week...since then we have decided against using poison & instead are resorting to traps to catch mice. I guess the same strategy we use to put Savanna to bed will be used in rodent disposal & clean-up: paper, rock, scissors. :)

Typical, but not boring

Today I took Savanna for a "ride" to get her to sleep, but it wasn't working out like I'd hoped so I decided to hit the local mall in search of some cold weather clothes. Daring I know...but I was surprised at what a good little companion she was. I didn't take the stroller since this was a spur of the moment trip, so I opted to rent one of the "police" cars the mall had to offer. I must say that the $$ was well worth the entertainment. Savanna was thrilled to ride & only whined when we stopped off at the dressing room, but her friend in the mirror helped that along with the delicious gold fish crackers I keep handy. I had to laugh when we first picked it up because I put her in and told her to help me "drive" us to the store. She grabbed the wheel & made the appropriate vroom sound.
I cannot believe it, but at Old Navy I had to buy her 3T pants!!! Hello! She's only 18 months. I swear their clothes have slowly been shrieking as the years have passed...I've personally never been able to wear their pants & finding out what size I would currently wear could be detrimental to my ego :) After a bite to eat & a nap I found it impossible to get anything around the house done because Savanna kept coming into the kitchen & running away yelling when I would turn around...I sensed she wanted me to chase her, but I had a better idea. I called for reinforcements. I met Kayla & girls at a local park & let the little busy body get her wiggles out. I can't believe that these are the last of the nice weather days & we're back to the L-O-N-G New England winter weather--seriously, it's been some pretty chilly mornings around here--hence the need to break out the ever adorable moose slippers :) (wait til' you see her run in them with the heads bobbling all around...I think I enjoy it as much as her)



I can hardly contain my excitement about the upcoming primetime TV season...I know, I know it's sad, but I am OBSESSED with multiple tv shows! Tonight I hit the power button & on popped Survivor. WOW! I couldn't believe that we almost missed it. Now, before I met Chris I NEVER would have been caught dead watching reality TV, but he got me hook, line & sinker. We/I watch them ALL! Having realized Survivor has started, I'm just giddy with happiness at the evidence of my "night-time" tv coming back full force. Just a forewarning to all who value your life...Thursdays will definitely be off limits for phone calls, blogging, or any socializing whatsoever. Okay, so I might let the blogging slip once in a while, but as Chris can attest, I'm not one for chitchat DURING my 1st choice of watching "McDreamy".

Cooking up a MESS!!

This past Sunday while I was being entertained watching my husband mix & bake a cake, Savanna was more interested in the "design" aspect of the whole production. To help keep her out of the way, I decided too see how she'd react if I let her lick the beaters & she dove in like a pro :). Her favorite was to play peek-a-boo through the beater (that's what she's doing in the picture).

Entertaining our guests...

Savanna was the perfect hostess in training while my parents were here...early morning wake-up calls, exciting "discovery tours" in EVERY aspect of daily life, and a true believer in the buddy system (but only with Pa). In my family we have a L-O-N-G running history of scenic Sunday drives. Living where we do there are plenty of random roads & small towns to see, so we indulged ourselves while Chris slept. Too bad for him we happened upon a little festival of sorts and Savanna took part in playing with the kids & the old time toys :) I just enjoyed the scenery & my parents enjoyed the little booths. It was a nice little tour or the backwoods & antique towns, but best of all, Savanna was on her BEST behavior I was able to enjoy the moment.

New dramas, new projects & new callings!!

Needless to say--it's been busy around these parts. With the arrival of our first guests to our humble home (my parents), we greeted a few stragglers inside of Savanna's mouth (her molars), and a mysterious bite ailing Chris's leg. I will refrain myself from posting pictures of this ghastly site for just thinking about it makes me nauseous.

The emergency room drama began before my parents arrived but did not cease until they left. We still are not sure of the type of creature that caused such an uproar, but we did discover Chris's first known allergy to be that of sulfa made drugs. He had such a reaction that his current job training has been postponed until November & my fun-filled, girls only days are no longer...although I do have a girls night up and coming with my very missed Boston Babes! :)

Having my parents here was frantic, but FUN! I loved showing my mom around town and bossing my dad around with various home improvements--thanks again Dad! Savanna LOVED having her "Na" & "Pa" here & they'll be glad to note that all trips in the car are much, much calmer, but end on a shout of "Na, Pa" where ever the arrival may be. Savanna has graduated from eating in her confining high chair to throwing a fit until she's included at the table with us...thanks mom! Luckily I got a bargain on a GREAT booster...Yeah to TAG SALES! As for tag sales, my mom and I took TWO trips to the same estate sale & enjoyed our search for treasures that we surely DID find! (pictures to come later)

Best Friends

This fall we are hoping to finish our basement with the help of many friends & a loyal grandpa who will soon be visiting & hopefully sleeping on our newest arrival...the long awaited couch w/ it's comfy, cozy hide-a-bed! ( I tested it & prefer it over our current mattress)

The biggest and best news is that I've been called as our wards Primary Chorister--not joking. I can't carry a tune, but I'll have the best games, visuals, & props to make it seem like I'm a pro. I am actually relieved because I feared I would be called to be the Primary President since our current one, a dear friend, may be moving soon. Sad, but at least I'm not getting her job :) I know it will be an adjustment, but I find myself getting excited about the challenge because of the joy I'll get in singing my favorite songs EVERY week! Tune in later to see where Chris ends up--I sense a calling here soon....

Joys of Motherhood

independence of a toddler

seeing her imagination develope

discovering it all over again through her eyes

praying i steer her determination in the right direction

seeing the innocence in her eyes

being grateful for her strong spirit

finding joy in just watching & enjoying the moment