A "New" AG and a Freezing Archuleta

My Dad was sworn in for his 3rd term as Attorney General for the State of Utah last Monday. The crazy Governor thought it would be "green" to hold the ceremony outside on the steps of the Capitol instead of inside which would require extra lights and heat (oh wait....people work in the Capitol everyday so no extra lights or heat needed) so we sat outside in 20 degree weather.

The highlight of the event was David Archuleta singing The National Anthem. Although I prefer the more rugged David Cook, I must admit, the kid can sing!

My parents being escorted down the steps of the Capitol

President Monson gave the closing prayer. We were hoping to be able to shake his hand aftewards but he left right after the ceremony.

My Dad taking the Oath of Office

David Archuleta singing The National Anthem

(I think Pres. Monson was either very moved or very tired and cold)

Mr. Archuleta likewise left right after the ceremony so no hand shake or autograph from him :(

Adam wasn't all that thrilled about being bundled up like this.

But this is how he passed the time.....Eskimo Kisses over and over between Nat and I. Apparently Channel 2 News filmed it and showed it as part of their news coverage.

My famous son!
And this is how Adam kept busy while we were waiting for my Dad to finish mingling. Are you allowed to slide down the banister at the Capitol??

Christmas

We had a great Christmas spending time with our family! Adam loved all the attention from Grandma & Grandpa & his uncles and aunts and Nat and I loved spending hours playing all our new games.

Christmas Eve

The Animal Train that Santa brought Adam

Opening a present

Adam's first Christmas Egg Souffle breakfast!

"Playing" a new Wii game

And this is what my wonderful parents got me....

"Ahhhhhhhh!" Can you hear the choir of angels singing?

1-Year Old Pictures

Here are Adam's 1-year old/family pictures we just had taken. He saw this bear on the prop shelf and wouldn't stop whining for it so it got in the shot and it turned out to be our favorite one! We also love the close up of him. And I think the family one turned out really cute too. I'm amazed at the pictures we got since Adam wasn't in the best mood to begin with!

Santa & Fun at Grandma & Grandpa's House

Adam got to sit on Santa's lap at our ward Christmas party last week.
Did he like Santa? Not so much.
Did he like the candy cane? You betcha!!

Here's a video we took at my parents' house last week. Adam had been talking back to the giant nutcracker but of course as soon as I started filming he stopped. Still, it's a good representation of what we do when we're together.....laugh at the toddler! (at the end I was trying to get him to say "Pooh Bear" because he had said it for my sister Danielle earlier.....you can kind of hear him say "ooh beh" in the same inflection we had been using so I think that counts!?

Happy Birthday to Adam!

Adam celebrated his 1st birthday on Friday! We had a party with pizza, presents, and cake and it was crazy but fun! I had a barnyard theme and made a cow cake that was gigantic and a lot of work! Adam was overwhelmed with presents but loved trying everything out. Now that Christmas is less than a month away, I think this child is going to have toy-overload!

Getting ready to open presents

All his helpers....aka cousins

Opening a present all by himself

Cow Cake (that took me 2 hours to bake and 4 hours to torte, fill, & decorate!)

"What is this? Should I eat it?"

"Let me get a closer look"

"Yum!"

He was a very tidy eater and didn't eat much past the frosting! Maybe that had to do with eating an entire piece of pizza shortly before?

After we put Adam to bed that night, Nat and I talked about how lucky we are to have such a wonderful little boy and how we couldn't imagine the past year without him. I'm sad my baby is moving into toddlerhood but I'm looking forward to all the fun things we'll be able to do with him and watching his funny personality blossom!

Walking!!

A few days ago Adam took his first difficult little steps and now he is taking 7, 8, 9 or more steps at a time! It's always a struggle to try to capture it on camera because the minute he sees the camera, he wants to grab it. But we were able to get this video using the camera as a lure! :)

Adam will turn 1 in 10 days and I have a feeling he might be totally walking by then if he keeps this pace up!

Early Birthday Present

After Grandma and Grandpa Shurtleff came to visit the other day, they decided that Adam couldn't wait another 2 weeks to get his birthday present because he is constantly standing by himself and has even taken a few steps! So, now he has a shopping cart to push and walk behind! It is so fun to see his little legs moving so fast to keep up with the cart! Plus he loves taking the items in and out and of course dancing to the music. Thanks Grandma & Grandpa!!

Here is a picture of Adam doing what we call "No Hands!".

Happy Halloween!

Adam celebrated his first Halloween by dressing up as a lion and trick-or-treating with his Aunt Annie. I found out that I didn't get a single picture of him smiling in his costume so I'm hoping my Mom did and I can steal some of her pictures. But for now.....here are the best ones I could find!

My little lion cub

I found these socks literally the morning of Halloween in his drawer! I'd forgotten about them and they were perfect for his costume. There are lions at the top and "ROAR" written on the bottoms!

Aunt Annie the Farmer Girl and Little Lion (Annie got a kick out of painting freckles on her face and making fun of me who has lots of freckles....I take great offense to the stigma that girls with freckles are farmers and hicks!!)

He was fascinated (and a little scared) of this skeleton that sang and danced on the front porch of a neighbor. At one point it clacked its teeth together....he didn't like that much.

Playing with his loot

Visiting the Ducks

There is a park by our house that, unbeknowst to me, has ducks! Lots and lots of ducks....and geese....and swans!! Since my discovery, I have taken Adam there several times for long walks. I'm not quite sure what Adam thinks about the ducks though!

On a side note....this is the tree in front of our house and it has been the most amazing shade of red the past few weeks! I'm pretty sure it's a maple tree and I told Nat that we HAVE to plant some in our future yard someday.

Excuse This House

I sometimes watch a quirkly little local TV program called The Home Team (on KJZZ 14 for those who live in Utah). The other day, one of the hosts read this poem and I really liked it. I am guilty of wanting a perfect house and often have to remind myself that I should be on the floor playing with and reading to Adam instead of worrying about cleaning. I thought I'd share it with all my mommy friends.

EXCUSE THIS HOUSE

Some houses try to hide the fact
That children shelter there-
Ours boasts of it quite openly,
The signs are everywhere-

For smears are on the windows,
Little smudges on the doors;
I should apologize, I guess,
For toys strewn on the floor.

But I sat down with the children
And we played and laughed and read;
And if the doorbell doesn't shine,
Their eyes will shine instead.

For when at times I'm forced to choose
The one job or the other;
I want to be a housewife-
But first I'll be a mother

Author Unknown