Family Pictures!

YAY! We finally have our family pictures back. We love them!

Alexis laughing!

I filmed this yesterday after we got home from church. Alexis was laughing at Cameron, for some reason. He wasn't even doing anything out of the ordinary, but she thought he was funny. It was the hardest she's ever laughed! It was hilarious. So other people do 'out of the mouth of babes' but Cameron doesn't say very many funny things. (not yet, at least!) But yesterday at church he had a funny moment. We've been talking about baby Jesus a lot lately, and a family blessed their baby yesterday. So after the blessing the father held up the baby to show everyone, and Cameron asks (not quietly), "Is that baby Jesus?!" He still can't quite comprehend the whole time concept thing! Hahaha.



Oh, we put up our Christmas tree, and I'll attach some pictures of Cameron putting on the decorations. He was sooo excited to finally get it up so we could put some presents under it! I only have one picture from Thanksgiving. It's my niece, Leland, and Alexis. It's so cute! Um, the next pictures are of Cameron and Tyler in their 'work clothes'. Tyler always wears a pencil in his hat when he works in the garage. So one day Cameron brings me a colored pencil and tells me he wants it in his hat. He wants to be just like his daddy!

The Balieys are now elves!

So my friend Shanna did a funny post with something called Elf Yourself. I made one for our family, so go check it out!

YAY for sleep!

Well... Alexis put herself to sleep last night!!! It was wonderful! She had her 4 month check up yesterday, and I told her doctor that I'm TIRED of her sleeping in our bed. (She sleeps like crap otherwise.) He said that she's hit 'the mark' of being old enough to sleep through the night without needing to eat, and that we can let her cry herself to sleep. The words were beautiful to my ears! With Cameron, we did the 'Ferber' method, which is as follows: You let them cry for 5 minutes, then go in and reassure them. Then you go in at 10 min. Then at 15. Then 30. And so on and so forth. However, Dr. Arnold (Alexis' spokesman) said that he doesn't agree with this method. He says that every time you LEAVE, the child cries harder and is more upset. He suggests letting them cry for up to 1 hour before going in there. I was pretty surprised, but willing to give it a shot. I was sure she would cry for longer than 1 hour, but just like the doctor said, 40 minutes later she was asleep! She fussed for a little bit, but every time put herself back to sleep. She slept in her CRIB, ALL NIGHT! She slept from 7 until 3:45, when she woke up to eat. After I fed her and put her down, she never fussed. Then she woke up for good at 7:15. It's a miracle!!! Hahaha.. Anyways, we are all pretty happy this morning to say the least!

We are getting our family pictures taken today, so check back soon to see them posted! (Maybe a week?) Cameron got his flu shot yesterday, and me and Tyler (against his will) are getting ours today. I DON'T want to get sick!!! Tyler is extremely busy with cabinet jobs and he can't really afford to get sick right now either. Just a reminder: this is our only source of income (except for student loans!) so if anyone wants to pass on Tyler's name for any woodwork, it would be most appreciated!

Oh! My friend Michelle had kind of a fun post that I thought I'd do. Feel free to post it on your blogs and fill it out too! Here's the rules:
A. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.
B. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog, for these rules.

1. I love music more than I can describe. I feel such strong emotions while listening to music. (Which is why I had to stop listening to Linkin Park because it made me want to go beat someone up! haha) I know it sounds stupid, but I often cry and/or get the chills while listening to certain songs. (BTW, they're usually not love songs!)

2. I love playing games! Board games, card games, group games... you name it! I don't think I could ever get sick of it. If Tyler wasn't always so busy (and we didn't have kids to interupt) I would play games every night. My new favorite games (courtesy of Nate and Wendi!) are "Killer Bunnies" and "Speed Scrabble". Also, I'm addicted to 'Dance Dance Revolution' and it's even more fun when Nisha's doing it with me!

3. I wish I was a photographer. I used to want to study photography at school until I got interesting in ASL interpreting. I am fascinated with beautiful pictures and wish that I, too, could capture a 1000 words in a single photograph.

4. I truly enjoy working out. I know most people hate it and think it's boring, but I get a rush of excitement when I exercise. Yes, it is still hard for me to sometimes get up and just do it... But once I do, I NEVER regret it! My favorite workouts are Billy Blanks boot camp, and Turbo Jam. I love to push myself to the max and know that I am significantly improving my health by doing so!

5. I am a perfectionist. (Oh wait, everyone already KNEW that!)

6. One of my happiest, most accomplished, most proud moments in my life is when Amy, Krista, and I sang 'I believe in love' at a Humanitarian banquet. I will NEVER forget that feeling!

Now it's everyone else's turn! If you don't have blogger, just post a comment with your 6 things!

Okay, well I'll leave you all with some new pictures. Love you all!

just more pictures

Since I don't get many comments, I will assume no one reads this anyways, so I'll just post pictures! Hahahaha..

BubbleShare: Share photos - Share your baby pictures

Wow! 2 posts in one day...

Just wanted to post probably my FAVORITE clip from the office. Enjoy!

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Just wanted to promote this movie! I just watched it last night for the first tmie. Above is a poignant quote used throughout the movie, and I fell in love with it. I thought the movie was absoulutely incredible. It is now one of my favorite movies and has a really sweet message. If you haven't seen it yet, SEE IT NOW!

A is for Apple

Cameron had his first field trip yesterday! It's not exclusively for the kids in joy school-but for anyone who wants to come. We took the kids to a small apple orchard! They had such a great time. The tour included showing the kids how the apples are packed, the giant refrigerator where they are stored, the forklift used, and of course: the apple trees! Each kid also got to pick an apple. Our apples were washed and we all stood in the shade of the orchard eating the most delicious apples I've ever had!

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Going back a few days: Amy and the kids got to spend the day with us! Cameron and Gwen played very well together. Cameron especially liked Chloe: I thought she would be too young for him to care about. But he would get so excited when she'd join them playing! Can't wait 'till they live here and we can play like this more often!

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Going back even farther (I would have done a post sooner but our internet had problems: AGAIN), are pictures from Cameron's play-date with Abby. It was so funny: when she first got here, I sent them in Cameron's room and told Cameron to get his toys out from under his bed. I went to check on Alexis, and when I came in his room, they were both just standing there, staring at each other! I guess it really does take practice to associate with the opposite sex! I brought them downstairs to play with the toys down there, and she was still acting shy and Cameron wasn't his bubbly self either. Again, I went upstairs to check on Alexis, and as soon as I was upstairs? They were laughing and giggling and talking and playing. I just had to laugh! I thought, 'Oh no. We're starting this already?' I could hear his thoughts... "Jeez mom, would you go upstairs and leave us alone to play? You're embarrassing me!" Hahaha. It was really cute.






Cameron has also mastered using the computer mouse! It's great... There are some really cute games online for toddlers that he loves to play. He spent an hour playing the same game yesterday!




Well that's all for now... I'll leave with a new fav. picture of Alexis. Bye everyone!

Alexis' blessing

Yesterday we had Alexis blessed, and then a brunch at our house afterwards. It was such a great day! Tyler's blessing was beautiful (and it made everyone cry!). She looked precious in her blessing dress. It was so fun to see all our family and hang out afterwards to visit. Not really much to report: just lots and lots of cute pictures! Cameron is having his first playdate with a girl! I used to babysit a little girl, but this is his 'girlfriend' from nursery. Her name is Abby and she is a doll! I'm sure I'll do a post about it later. Anyways, for now here's lots of pictures.






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Laughter is the best medicine

So my mom sent me these and Tyler and I laughed so hard for about 5 minutes striaght. It's true: laughter really is the best medicine. It sure put me in a good mood. So here's hoping they brighten your day as well! (can you believe this? 2 posts in 2 days here? WOW!)

Let's try this again!

I had every intention of updating this blog AT LEAST every week: and then what happened? We rearranged our house and put the computer downstairs. That meant that we were without the internet for at least 3 weeks waiting for the internet people to come and connect us all over again! ::Sigh:: Let's hope this attempt to blog more often is more successful than the last try. Moving on.

Lots has been going on, and I'm sure I won't remember most of it. First, Tyler Granmother, 'Branny', passed away a few weeks ago. She was 90 years old and had been struggling with ill health for a while now. It was sad, but also a relief. She's been without her husband for 10 years now, and it was time they were reunited. The funeral was very lovely. Tyler was asked to speak and did a terrific job. It was nice to be with family, although the reason for being together was unfortunate. Cameron had a blast with his cousin, Jaden, who is 4. At one point they were playing football, and Cameron tackled Jaden, sending him to the ground. Cameron told him he was sorry. Jaden's response was priceless: 'I love you. Now let's play football!'
I thought how true to life that is for boys (of all ages!). They don't hold grudges; they don't pout; they don't dwell on the negative. They just pick up, move on, and have fun! I explained that if that had been 2 girls, they would have whined and cried for longer than neccessary, and then been hesitant to play with each other again. 'She was mean to me! I don't want to be her friend anymore!' is all I could hear in my mind. I'm so grateful I have a boy! (And worried about what will happen when Alexis is older. YIKES!)






Cameron and Uncle Shawn after the funeral



Cameron and Jaden



Family fun! Bubba, Dillan, Colton, and Tyler




Dillan and Tyler are the 'belt brothers'? They called themselves something silly like that! haha

Let's see: Oh yes! My dear friend, Kyla, went off and left me to study abroad in London for 4 months! I am sooo excited for her, but I did cry like a baby when we had to say goodbye! I will miss her terribly and my kids will, too!




We are blessing Alexis this Sunday, and I am very excited. It will be another chance to see family, and to visit at our house after church. There are still a few people in our families that have yet to see our house, and I'm thrilled to have them finally come over! I am truly an honored host: I love love love love to have company! I bought a special outfit for Alexis to wear after the blessing, and it is adorable! There are a few people who still have not seen her, and it will be fun to show her off: both to people who have yet to see her, and people that have seen her numerous times. She's just beautiful and we are very proud!

Cameron has finished his second week of Joy school, and so far he loves it! He won't even turn around to tell me goodbye as he marches to the front door of 'school'! I usually drop him off at the sidewalk, and let him walk to the door himself. I think it gives him more independence. Not only to go to school, but to walk up the stairs and get to knock on the door himself. He's such a little man! I was supposed to teach next week (letter C) but Alexis has her 2 month check up on tuesday (the same day as school). Also on thursday, my twin (I mean my friend) Amy is coming to visit! Her and her family are in town from Oregon and it's the only time we get to hang out. I'm so excited to see her and for Cameron to get to play with his girlfriend, Gwen! Luckily I was able to switch weeks with another mom, so now I have the letter 'E'. Hmmm. pretty boring letter!

Tyler is still busy with work and school. He is usually home by 6:00, and I love it! He has a few leads on some cabinet jobs, so we are hoping they work out. We could always use the money, and I think he misses working in the garage! He is excited to go hunting. Just two more weeks! He's gone shooting a few times and has been playing his "Cabela's big game hunter" X-box game a lot lately! It's fun to see him get in 'hunting mode'! He's like a little kid at Christmas! (Now let's just hope he kills a big one!)

I've had so much more I've wanted to blog about, but I can't recall everything. So that's it for now. I'll include some random pictures, since Alexis is chaning so much! Love you all, friends and family! And hey: how about leaving some comments?! =)