Maryanne - 18 months

Well, now she's 19 months - but ya know.   What can I even say about Maryanne.  She brings our family so much joy.   Here are a few things about her:

--fearless in water.  runs head on to any sprinkler and will jump into any pool and swim around with floaties completely independent from anyone.
--has a serious addiction to her binky.   It's like air to her.  She puts it in her mouth between bites when she's eating.  :)  But actually we lost it a few days ago and thought it was maybe a good time to be done.  Nights are a little rough and she wakes up earlier than normal but she's doing great.
--both utterly fascinated and freaked out by animals... especially dogs.   Wants so badly to go up to them and pet them but once she gets there she holds on to me for dear life.
-- calls everything "baby!".  points to pictures of animals, adults or toys or games and excitedly says "baby!"
-- loves her some "may-may!" (Malan)
-- has two dimples on one side and one on the other.
-- comments we get most often about Maryanne are about her curly golden locks and how tan she is.
-- she loves wipes, tissues and wash clothes.  Likes to wipe everything - her nose, her face, the walls, the floors.  
--definitely our earliest child to hold a pen or marker in her hand.  I think she was 12 months.  She loves to color and write.  And has already ruined many things with this talent. :)
--says "uh-uh" for yes and "uh-uh" for no and it sounds exactly the same to me.  I've been trying to decipher a difference in intonation and I think there is one but I keep forgetting which is which.  I'm encouraging "yes" and "no".  
--she's officially in nursery although she's been in nursery since she was about 13 months because that is my calling.  Luke & Lucy made the nursery transition easily but I think me being in there makes things worse.  Because if I ever have to leave for a minute - she completely melts down.  She gives me a rough time at the gym daycare too but they say she stops crying the minute I leave.  So, it's all a show.

itsy bitsy spider

Sisters!!

It's fun to see their relationship evolve.  I think now that Maryanne is a little older and Luke is off to school - these girls get a lot more interaction time.   

waiting for Luke's bus

Helping me scrub the floor  (of course while singing "sing sweet nightingale")

Maryanne videos:

She is such a funny dancer (the video works - the snapshot of it just looks funky for some reason)
This video really captures Maryanne's personality.  I love it so much.

 
everybodydancenow from katiehale on Vimeo.

 

 Back in July with the Wilson's new bunny and playing with our creepy Mr. Potato Head

m from katiehale on Vimeo.

m from katiehale on Vimeo.

Oh, and I found a bonus video - an old random one.  It looks like she's about 10 or 11 months maybe?  I remember she was sick and I took this of her snoring.  It was like the Roar of a Snore book.  We kept hearing something and come to find out it was a giant snore coming from the littlest one in our house.

She's my buddy.  I love this girl to pieces.

Sisters Retreat

So, this was my birthday present - to spend a few days in luxury with my sisters and mom - talking, shopping, talking, shopping, eating, and talking some more.   We spent our days at the Park City outlets and the Ruby Tuesdays salad bar and our nights at the Homestead Resort.   It was a treasure to have that time together.   Thanks Joey.

our swiss pad

my birthday present. I think this is my first time being a recipient of a candy bar card.  I've made many of them but this time I got to EAT the candy bars!  I loved having endless candy bars to satisfy those late night cravings all weekend.  It was perfect.  Thanks sissies!! 

mom with her "sticks" on the way to the hot tub

 matchers

 (Rebek was taking the pic)

 late... LATE nights

 massages

 My bro Jake's artwork in Park City's illustrious Montgomery-Lee gallery

(my dad's stuff is also there)

deep conversations

 visiting Ruby Tuesdays.... yet again
the staff loved that we came back the second day and brought us red velvet cupcakes.  We are like Ruby Tuesday royalty.  

creative breakfasts

 And little did Joey know that by getting me this birthday present - it would turn me into a spoiled brat.  Seriously, I went on a crazy little shopping spree and bought lots of new things. One quote of the weekend was me saying "I never knew material things could make me so happy!" :)  Again.... thank you Joey!

The Homestead Crater.  

We actually never made it to our swim (gotta save something for next time), but we just wanted to see it.   The crater with a few quiet floating people looking up at the light reminded me of Minority Report precogs.  Remember that show?   Yeah, sort of creepy. 

After our retreat, I had an extra day in Utah and that day happened to be

my grandma's 92nd birthday!  So we went to a senior day care center (that she happened to be in for just a few hours) and enjoyed her songs and sense of humor.

That evening I had dinner and family night with Casey and Edith's family.  It was such a treat to see their family in action.  Maybe since we have twinner Hale/Songer genes we could get a family half as cool as theirs.  Mom & Dad Hale waiting for FHE.

Later that night was an inpromptu combined Hale/Songer GIRLS NIGHT OUT at the Junction watching the very silly and fun movie Austenland.

showing off our crocs from the croc outlet.  Not sure why our skin looks green.

So crazy that this many people could make it on a spontaneous whim to go to the movies!  So fun.  I love these people!!!  

Jenny, Alicia, me, Rebekah, Emily, Edith, Momma Hale, Victoria, Star (and Lily), Momma Songer, and Wendy