Andrus Family: 2009

Monday, December 28, 2009

Christmas Day

I loved Christmas. Loved it. Chloe actually got it this year. It was great. As usual, the girls woke up right about 7am. Chloe ran down stairs and I called down to her "to get back up here!" I had to take pictures!! Growing up, my parents would let us "open" our stockings in the morning while we waited for everyone else to wake up. Then we would all come down the stairs together. This tradtion must be passed on. Santa left a few goodies in the stockings, including some goodies-- Charlie's main and only focus.
It was so fun to watch the girls open their presents and start playing with their new toys. After a little play time we all got showered and dressed to have breakfast with my parents and spend the day with my side of the family. All the girls got new outfits they got to wear. So darn cute!

Christmas Eve

This year we spent Christmas Eve with the Andrus clan. We spent most of the morning cleaning the house to prepare for Santa to come. Santa doesn't come to dirty houses. :)

We went over to Don and Karen's in the afternoon and mostly just hung out and relaxed. That night we had prime rib followed by a frenzy of presents and wrapping paper. The night ended perfectly- Charlie going potty on the toilet! She wouldn't let me put on her diaper until she sat on the toilet and took care of business. My little girl is growing up!

Fashionistas

I'm not sure who was in charge of wardrobe this day - Kevin or Chloe. Either way, these are some FAB outfits.

Friday, December 18, 2009

My Little Cow Girl

How can you not smile when you see this picture?

Decorating the Tree

The week after we got back from Tahoe we got a tree-- Thanks Costco. While it is a great looking tree, it doesn't smell at all. I am more than disappointed with the lack of pine in our house now. Why have a tree if it doesn't smell? Anyway, half the lights from last year didn't work so I sent Kevin to Walmart while I ran some errands. When I came home, not only was the tree set up with lights, but so was half the front yard. When I told Kevin to buy three boxes, I assumed he would buy the same kind, same count. WRONG-O! He bought about 6x more lights than we needed for the tree. O well, at least the front looks great! The next morning the girls and I finished decorating the tree. It looks great and I love it!

Chloe and Charlie didn't quite get the concept of spreading the ornaments around..he hehe

I love the glow of the tree at night with all the lights off and the tree lit. It's magical.

Deacon Dave's

Every year there is a man in Livermore - Deacon Dave - that creates a Christmas village at his house. It is massive and the glow of the lights can be seen for blocks. This year we took a little walk with Peter and his boys (Kevin's brother) to Deacon Dave's house.

I think Peter was a little excited for the photo, what do you think?

Ella is the newest Andrus and looks EXACTLY like Peter!

It really is quite impressive and very pretty.

little ice rink with "skaters skating"

The reason for the season

Total light count - CRAZY!

This is a shot... from about two blocks away. Talk about BRIGHT!

My Big Girls

Chloe is getting so big. Actually, all my girls are getting big. Time just seems to be flying by. One Sunday I decided to round brush and straighten Chloe's hair to see how long her hair really is. It is long! She looked so much older with her hair straight! I don't think Charlie's hair will have much curl, but maybe Chantelle's. Such Cuties! I can't help myself!!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Lake Tahoe

This year we went up for the full week. Unfortunately, we were sick or tending to sick kids for the first half of the trip. So, by Wednesday, the real fun began. We were lucky to get a little snow this year and I was SOO happy. I remember playing in the snow almost every year when I was a kid. That is what made Thanksgiving- the snow. To me, snow is very magical and provides endless opportunities to recall happy memories and cherished times. I love snow. I love Tahoe.

Charlie is getting more and more gentle with Chantelle. They are going to be great friends.

The beloved Bunny suit... the best little warmer EVER!

Every year when I was young we went bowling at Incline Bowl without fail. The last few years we have been on a little break with all the little ones. This year we decided to take the girls (and the place is FINALLY a non-smoking establishment so I was okay with taking them) and attempt bowling. Super fun. Chloe loved it.Thank goodness for the bumpers.

Hangin out and having fun! She was SOO good the whole night chillin in her seat.

Charlie was worn out by the 4th frame... a long night for her.

I would bowl a frame and Chloe would finish the turn. We were quite the team. She cleared the rest of my pins at least 3 times. I see a tradition continuing on...

One day we ended up taking a little walk by the stream and through the woods. Talk about reminiscing. I loved it more than them. Chloe and Nolan play so well together.

Another trip that seems is now a tradition- a trip to Truckee. Truckee's little down town is full of little shops that range from old fashion toy stores to clothing boutiques. It is great.

This is seriously one of my FAVORITE expressions of Charlie's. So cute!

Gpa got some candy and passed it around. Nothing like being spoiled by the Gparents!

Yet again... Chantelle is the best little baby in whatever circumstance we put her in. She loves to shop!

Eatin' jelly bellies outside while it snows/rains!

Every year we have a picture in Tahoe... not the best pic, but at least no one is crying.

Worn out. She was asleep before we started the car!

Friday night before we left is snowed-- a LOT. I loved it. We planned on stopping on a pull out to play in the snow, but we were affraid of getting stuck! We ended up stoping at a rest stop at Donner Pass. There was the perfect area to play in the snow and have some fun. The girls LOVED it. I can't wait to go and play some more!

Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving. Not only is it a great holiday to remember all that I am grateful for, but I also get to run away to Tahoe for a week and relax. I love Tahoe.

In recognition of this holiday that is all but swallowed up by Christmas, I want to share a few things that I am truly grateful for:

1) Kevin: I don't know what I would do without him. He lets me sleep in on the weekends. He will get up with the girls in the night. He gives me foot rubs. He lets me spend money even though I don't let him. He makes me laugh. He is the GREATEST dad I could have ever hoped for my children. Truly, he is a wonderful person and I am so glad he is stuck with me for eternity.

2) My girls: I.love.my.girls. More often than not my home is a complete disaster. My head is often pounding from exhaustion and I just want a break, but whenever I think about not having my little angels I tear up and have to think happy thoughts. These girls are such a blessing and I love each one of them so much it hurts. I am so lucky they are mine.

3) My parents: My parents, my mom especially, are so wonderful. They have helped us out countless times in so many ways. We would be lost without them. I would be a wreck without their stalwart example and faith in my times of trial. I love them so much.

4) My job: I have a love-hate relationship with my job. I love it, but I hate it. I am so grateful I have a great job that allows me to work at the office, at home, early in the morning, and late into the night. Without this job, we would have been up a creek this past year. I love that I can escape into an "adult" world with business relationships and feel like I am using my education and brain (not that I don't use it at home, it's just different). I hate that I have to work, though and can't be a full-time mom. Even if I could be a full-time mom, I don't know if I would be very good at it. My job is a great outlet for me.

5) Friends: I love my friends. I am grateful for all my friends that have leant an ear and shoulder. I am grateful for walking buddies. I am grateful for my golden friends that have known me for years- that knew me back when I was "Becky Thomas"- back when I was a loud and spastic person that didn't have a care in the world. I am grateful Becky Thomas is able to come out and visit when I am around you. I hope one day that Becky Thomas and Becky Andrus will become one and I can be a little more wild and crazy like I used to be. It is you that makes me want to move to places I would never consider (Utah) just so I can be around you more often. I truly am grateful for old and new friends.

6) My cell phone: Granted, I have put it through the wash twice now and have lost it more times than I care to admit, but I love my phone. I love that I can call up anyone anytime and be able to chat it up. I love that I can visit with family and friends and have it feel like no time has passed since we were last together. I am grateful for friends that call me and let me know that I mean as much to them as they do to me.

7) Sleep: Maybe this should be higher on the list??? I don't get a lot of sleep and when I do it isn't the best. I am a completely different (and happier) person when I get sleep. So, when I get it, I am truly thankful. Bless Kevin for all the times he has let me sleep and has taken the girls in the middle of the night and first thing in the morning.

8) Food: This might be a very general blessing, but I have to say that I love food. I am grateful that I have never been without it. I am grateful that I know how to cook and how to make delicious meals that are healthy. I am thankful for chocolate and ice cream- my solaces for the last year that will be with me until I can get my butt in gear and drop this baby weight. Until then-- I will continue to love and consume you.

9) Hot Showers: There is nothing that sours my day more than a cold shower. There is nothing that relaxes me more than a hot one. I love escaping to the bathroom for a nice long HOT shower to rinse away my frustrations, stress, and often tired aches and pains.

10) Books: I love to read. I really do. I wish I had more time and money to spend on reading, but to everything a season. I do enjoy a good book in my PJs on a cold night. I wish I had an endlist pile of books by my bed that I could continually read from. I am grateful for good clean books, too. There is too much smut on TV, I don't want to read it, too.

I could go on and on. I'll save some for next year. :)

Halloween

I am finally updating the blog. I have to admit that I had such a good time in Utah that I was depressed coming home. Thanks for the good times Meg and Jodi. I have never come so close to actually wanting to move to Utah! That is for my next post....

Because we were up in UT for Gma Grace's funeral we missed the stake trunk or treat- my now favorite activity to celebrate Halloween. Our stake throws a massive and very impressive carnival for the kids. It is fantastic and I was sad we missed it. So, I had no choice but to dress the girls and take them to my office for Halloween. Several employees bring their kids in to go trick or treating around the cubicles. This is the first year I took them. They were so darn cute and loved to see Grandpa and aunt Shannon. Though we didn't go trick or treating to the cubicles, we did make a visit down the isles. I was grateful I did not bring their candy bags. We got way too much candy the next night when we went trick or treating around our neighborhood. Although we only hit our court and a few more houses, the girls had quite the little booty to show for it. I think adults give the little ones more candy than the older kids. Why is that? After about a half hour Chloe said, "I have enough candy. I want to go home." And so we did! I wonder how many years, if any, she will say that again.

Happy Birthday Aunt Shannon!