January Blues

Or maybe not so much. We have been packing in the fun since Christmas, trying to make up for December! It's basically been non-stop partying, so this is going to be a beast of a post.

First things first, Christmas 2.0 with the Brunson's! Presents are partying New Year's Eve and Day!

This blanket. Best. Gift. Ever.

 Fancy dollies for the girls. Thanks, Mumsy!

Also, please notice Daryn's tiny Frozen slippers. She loves them.

 Ringing in 2015!

 It was a very, very cold night, so we watched Lance do most of the fireworks from the back of the car. It didn't really help keep us warm.

The day after New Year's, Daryn started walking again! 8 days out of her cast. Pretty impressive, if you ask me. Within a couple days of this, she was basically back to normal. In fact, when her physical therapist came out the first week of January, they said we no longer needed their services because Daryn was at or above her ago level in every category!

 

One very happy, very blessed family. 

 We had the best time hanging out with the Brunson clan and Reagan even got an impromptu sleep-over at Grace's house!

 Earlier in the evening, before we went home, they played fairy princesses. Gorgeous.

 On a side note, Daryn's absolute favorite thing to do now is play dress up with her sister in her room and dance to music. It is to-die-for cute. She runs in there, grabs a skirt, and says "dress, dress!" until I put it on her. Then she runs to the cd player and presses buttons until I come over and make the music start, then she just spins and shakes it. Kills me every time!

Oh I forgot. This actually happened before New Year's. A whole day of fun! We left right after breakfast and didn't get home until 8 pm (my first time venturing out with both girls since Daryn's surgery) and it was a major success and tons of fun and both girls were angels. First stop: meeting Becca and Annie at the Museum of Natural Curiosity! Seriously love this place so much. 

Daryn couldn't even walk but she still had a blast with Jody.

Reagan made Jimmy push her around. 

There was lots of splashing.

 

Whew! All this playing is hard work!

And some silly little girls bonding. And looking ridiculous in comparison thanks to a weird angle.

 Then we had lunch at Panda and parted ways!

 Next was driving further south to Provo to meet up with Sharon's family! We decided a trip to the Bean Museum was in order. I hadn't been there in so long, and they changed a lot!

 Cousins.

 Ferocious bear face.

 After a wonderful afternoon, it was time to say our goodbyes, and head back up to Salt Lake to meet Lance, and his family (who had just got in the night before) for dinner at Olive Garden. No pics, but it was noteworthy because there were no breakdowns, despite missing naps and being in public all day. I'm finally learning to control myself! The kids are, too. 

The week after New Year's, it was finally back to life as normal. Reagan went back to preschool, gymnastics, and ballet, and Daryn started a Mommy and Me gymnastics class! She loves it and actually has pretty impressive upper body strength. She could hang from this bar forever!

Reagan had a friend's birthday party where they decorated cupcakes and took these adorable pictures.

 

The snow stuck around long enough that we could go play some more.

 This might be my favorite picture ever.

 I can't get over how big Daryn looks!

Wheee!

 Our snowman from Christmas kept leaning over more and more every day. Eventually it's forehead was touching the ground.

There were some silly shenanigans around the house.

Daryn wearing an old dress of mine. Also: pigtails <3 .="" br="" nbsp="">

 And then we got to celebrate Lance's birthday! 33! Just old enough to be called as a high counselor (which he was). We kept it pretty low key, but celebrated by opening presents, going swimming, eating at Red Lobster, having some delicious healthy treats (thanks a lot, New Year's diet), and watching a couple redboxes.

 

 

Speaking of favorite pictures, this is another top contender.

Love this guy a lot.

And last but not least (for now), yesterday we went ice skating!

No skates for this little one- luckily they let us walk her on the ice. She was loving it!

 Reagan was pretty nervous at first and fell down a few times (even with us holding her hand), but she was determined to do it on her own. I didn't think she would be able to, but then right as we were getting ready to be done, she skated from the middle of the rink to the side- which is about as good as I can do! So proud of her.

What a great few weeks it's been. Tune in later for the rest of our winter fun!

Snow, snow, snow

So fun to wake up on Christmas morning to a few inches of snow- our first real snow this year! Reagan had to go play that afternoon.

The next morning, we took the girls sledding.

 The hill was practically bare, so we almost didn't try it, but it ended working out perfectly. The frozen snow/ice clumps made an awesome ride! Daryn loved it and said Wheeee every time down.

 Yesterday, it snowed most of the day and night and we woke up this morning to another 8 inches!

So of course... we had to build a snowman! Reagan named him Frosty/Olaf. Very creative :)

A Most Magical Christmas

There were 3 things that worked together this year to give us the most special of Christmases. Daryn getting her cast off, being home for Christmas for the first time, and a beautiful white Christmas! We were also blessed to be able to spend lots of time with family. 

We were able to get together with almost my whole family on the 23rd. The kids loved watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas and hanging out with the grandparents.

 The littlest niece. So sweet. 

 On Christmas Eve we did homemade pizza with Genevieve's family and acted out the Nativity. Our angel was a little sullen...

Later that evening, Santa came and left some wonderful surprises. 

 Reagan was most thrilled because he remembered hew new blue whistle and colored pencils that she wanted.

 But she liked the dollhouse too :)

 And she was pleased as punch with all her Frozen things.

When I brought Daryn down first thing in the morning, she immediately saw her rocking dog and said "Puppy! I want! I want!" So cute. 

 After opening presents, we spent the rest of the day baking in preparation for this:

 And pies to top it off. YUM.

The next evening, we went to Stuart and Gen's for dessert round 2, and Daryn fell in love with Navy's new Frozen car. She would not get off.

Finally, Saturday morning, it was time for my parents to leave. So sad to see them go!

But we survived and made it through all of church on Sunday. I even took Daryn to nursery!

 

 For one week, we had both girls in nursery- Reagan starts Sunbeams next week at 3 1/2! Daryn did so great! I stayed in there with her most of the time, but even when I left she was fine. I can't believe how big she is. On a side note, the surgery was great for her vocabulary. She went from about 5 words to 30+. She is officially talking now! And also good timing, because while she was hopped up on pain meds, she popped out all 4 molars. Convenient. Like I said, Best. Christmas. Ever.

We made it!

I never thought the day would come, but on Christmas Eve, Daryn's cast finally came off! The last few days with it on went by pretty quickly after my parents got here. Lots of playing and a couple fun outings.

Feeding Daddy.

 

We managed to squeeze in a trip to Temple Square! I wasn't sure if we were going to make it this year. 

Finally it was time. The night before and the morning of:

 She was a little traumatized during and immediately after it came off. And pretty stinky :).

So skinny and light! Look at those chicken legs. 

Feeling like a new girl after a long bath.

So happy to sit!

She has been recovering so quickly! I can't believe how strong she is getting. We get to watch her hit all her milestones again in fast forward. As of today (5 days out of cast), she can walk with her walker! So exciting. It's so fun to just hold her and snuggle her. And much easier to care for her! Life is so much better outside the cast :).

I sure do love those Christmas cookies, baby

Lots of baking going on at our house this past week, and having a helper is the best!

Although I'm definitely taking it easy this year. We only made 5 kinds of treats :).

Slowly but surely getting closer to the end. 1 week minus 7 hours left in this beast!

 I'm happy to report we all made it through my very first day alone with both girls today. I know the day isn't over yet, but Lance will be home in just a few minutes, so I wont be flying solo.

 Random: listening to the ocean in the seashells. Reagan's new thing is to cover her mouth when she is so excited. Too cute for words.