First Beach Visit of the Year

This past week my younger sister Kati, her boyfriend Ben, and our cousin Stacey came to visit Boston. As part of the "tour" we visited Wingaersheek Beach

We got there as the tide was going out. Noelle managed to find a puddle from a leftover sand castle to lay in. Notice she has two shovels with her, which are a reoccurring theme since she wouldn't put them down the entire time we were there. Something she has always done in the bathtub is kick her legs. She also figured out that the water has a salty taste so why not get both effects at the same time.
She also liked the taste and texture of the sand. So despite rolling in it, she also has it all over her body, including her face.
The Shovels
She had no problem with the chilly water either. This was shortly after she plopped in and tipped over from some wave momentum. Kati is checking her out making sure she's ok. Looks like she managed to hang on to the shovel.

Father's Day 2007

In regular Rachel fashion, I made Ryan trek up to the temple for some Father's Day pics with Noelle. He hates having to pose for any kind of picture so for him this was torture. But someday I hope they both look back and think, wow were sure were cute back then. Just kidding I'm sure they'll be cute in 20 years too. Noelle was none too happy to be having her picture taken. She preferred to be walking all about and pulling the flower heads off and then shredding them into little pieces, which she does at home. However while we were snapping some photos she saw one of her friends, Eleanor. As you can see she wants to get down and play.
As long as she could roam free she was happy.
I could have sworn I looked cuter when I left for church, but our new Sunbeam class took it right out of me. Oh well.

We've Been Busy - and Handy

So for the benefit of all the people who have heard me talk about "my bench" here's a picture of it. For those who actually look at our blog and don't know the story I'll do my best to make it short and interesting.

This is my new bench, that I made! Isn't it cute?

It actually was once upon a time our old coffee table, which was neither used for coffee or much of a table. In our BC days (before child) it served as a catch all for our junk that we fully intended to do something with, but rarely did before it expired or became obsolete to the current situation. So when we moved last September we decided that it wouldn't have a space as a coffee table in our new place and was whisked away to Maine to someday become what is now "my bench."

For Mother's Day I received a drill set, partially because I needed an excuse to make the bench an actuality rather than a dream. So two weeks ago while we were in Maine visiting with our family I explained to our Papa that I would like to use his saw to cut the coffee table in half and to make my bench. After much amusement to the fact that girls "shouldn't use power tools" and a little help from Uncle Scott, I had my old coffee table/ new bench ready to take home and upholster. I think I did a fine job. I even matched my plaids. Its served us well so far as an extra place to sit and also as an ottoman. Thanks Scott. (So much for short) :)'

Enjoying our Backyard

So for the first time pretty much since we've been married, which is now eight years, we have finally found a place to live with a backyard we can actually enjoy. This is largely in part to the fact that we don't have wacky neighbors that watch our every move. We also have the luxury of using the swing set that is there for the relative neighbor who is the only other kid on the block. Anyhow, as you can see we use the swing set and have been given some space in the garden. Apparently I can't find a rake that isn't fit for a five year old. But I am an amateur. This is my first real garden. I've been dreaming about it for a while now. (Thanks to my good friend Jenny C. who has always had lovely gardens and I've probed over time for tips.) I love it! Ryan's mom was in town recently and she was kind enough to help weed the space and turn the soil, as well as helped me get many of the large rocks, pieces of cement and fragments of asphalt out of the way so we could get the tomato cages deep enough. In short it was really hard work and I'm so grateful for her help. In all we planted six tomato plants, two bell peppers, a ton of beans (see the poles), cucumbers, and three different kinds of squash. I can't wait for the harvest!

She has mastered the zipper

So I'd like to think I was so clever when changing to a diaper bag with a zipper and also storing my important items in the diaper bag within another pouch which also has a zipper. But it seems I can't out smart my young child who now will not only unzip the bag and unpack my wallet, it seems she will also find the mini Oreo cookies that I stashed in there for a long car ride or some unplanned trip to the store. Caught red handed. But how can you get mad at a face like that?

Trying out the new swing in Maine

We recently bought a new swing so that we can use the swingset in the backyard with our little neighbor friend. Since it arrived just before we were leaving for the weekend to Maine we decided to take it with us. Noelle likes the swing (although our first attempts were terrible, and the other mothers at the park stared at me for making her stay on the swing while she screamed her head off), however the misquitos in Maine this past weekend were out in full force. Needless to say, we only stayed out for a few minutes.

Noelle's Birthday Party Video

I am so excited to finally have figured this out. Sorry it only comes two months later, but I don't have any new video that is fun to watch like this. Enjoy it.

Mother's Day 2007

This is the second Mother's Day that we (as a family) or Noelle and I as mother and daughter have celebrated. Technically it was really the first full year of motherhood and so far I can't tell that I've damaged my child too much or that she needs therapy in her infancy. Whatever it might be it seems we pulled another year off pretty well.

Cousin Ian and Noelle in the Bath

We're so glad to have a new friend to play with. Our cousins just moved to Woburn for a new job and we couldn't be happier to have them nearby to play with and hang out with. Now only if their furniture would get here (just kidding.) We have had the pleasure of hosting them during the interim. This now means that Grammy and Papa Mitchell have half of their great-grandchildren in New England with them!

Enjoying the First Warm Days of Spring

Thank goodness Auntie came for a visit. She brought the nice warm Utah spring air with her and we enjoyed as much of it as we could. During her visit we broke out the new jogging stroller, hit the Minute Man Trail a couple of times, visited the Wilson Farm, went to the park (Noelle hated the swings most of all), had some good old fashioned retail therapy, hung pictures with velcro of all things, and had a traditional drive in circles around downtown Boston while looking for a parking spot - to no avail. We can't wait for her to come again so we can find some new places to explore.

Eating Dirt

Now that spring has finally arrived we planted some pansies in our flower pots in front of the house. Noelle was helping with the process and decided that she should taste the soil. It didn't make mom happy that she continued to taste it after she had already spit it out and it was all over her shirt. Hence the sad face and dirty shirt.

Morning Protein Shake

Noelle was trying with all her might to drink some smoothie through the straw. However it was kind of thick and took some extra effort, but it was worth it.

Noelle's First Birthday

Riding in my diaper bag

Noelle is enjoying a little ride around our living room in her diaper bag and she loves it!

Playing on the Floor

Do you like her new hairdo?

Noelle Opening and Enjoying Her Christmas Presents

Cousin Hannah helped open the presents and get the pesky twisty-ties off so we could play with the new toys.

Noelle the Christmas Package

Tiny packages come from .... LL Bean? Wow, who knew?

"Santa, meet Noelle."

This was taken at our church Christmas party on December 17th. She almost got away with his beard when Santa tried to give her back.

The Cutest Shepherd Ever

We were having so much fun putting up our Christmas decorations and just happened across this piece to our nativity. Isn't she so cute?

Hanging with my homies

Noelle is hanging out with Uncle Calvie and Uncle Abe in Utah.

Happy Halloween

Our little purple dragon fell asleep after trick-or-treating.

More Bow Pics

Just some others in additon to the other one.

Big Bow Time

Noelle and Rach were just enjoying the new shoes that came in the mail for Noelle, when Rach decided to put the ribbon on her head. Silly mom.

More Smiley Faces

She's just so cute I couldn't resist.

Learning to sit up

Noelle has been trying to sit up and loves to stand up. We have been employing the Boppy pillow that her auntie gave us to help in this endeavor.

All Ready to Go!

"Yep, my tights fit just great and I'm ready to get going."

Getting Ready for Church

We were trying on Noelle's new tights that she got for church, since its a little bit rainy and cool today. They fit on her head just fine.

Noelle Loves Her New Bed

Noelle's been in the Pack n' Play bassinet since her arrival, but she's slowly becoming familiar with her crib. Plus the bedding is pretty dang cute - how could she not be happy!

Noelle in her blessing dress

First Trip to the Beach

We took a trip to Gloucester today and enjoyed the ocean breeze. (She actually didn't fight the sunglasses either :))

Noelle has discovered her tongue!