Happenings

Yesterday we were able to go visit Aunt Amy. Adalyn adores Amy because Amy always does cool stuff like painting Addy's nails. Addy is very proud of her nails and was so excited to show her Dad. I never use nail polish so I never thought of putting it on Addy. I'm glad Amy thinks of this stuff!Saturday we went over to Sugar House Park. It was a little colder than we thought it would be but it was nice to let Addy run around the playground and take a long walk. She has NO FEAR! I always get nervous but she just laughs and laughs whenever Dad has her do something scary, like swing really high!

Brynn is crawling! She's on the go and lovin' it because now she can reach all of Addy's toys.

Amy also taught Addy how to call Lady, Grandpa's dog. So in the first few seconds of the video Addy is calling for Lady. Then she sings her ABCs!

My Favorite Things

I have two new favorite things I would like to share with anyone who wants to hear.

1. Sunflower Market. It is one of those health food stores but they have great deals on produce, good produce. There is one across from Fashion Place Mall and one in Orem. I have really grown to love this store.

2. Baking Stone. A few years ago I bought a baking stone at a Pampered Chef party. I never used it. My friend Elizabeth kept telling me how great they are. Finally, I decided to break it out. It truly is a wonderful tool in the kitchen. The cookies turn out PERFECT! It really makes me want to buy more and I can't believe I had it for so long without trying it.

Also...
My poor husband. The other day we were talking about the process of negotiation and the numbers game. I tried to tell him how it works. Mind you, Todd works in sales and does this all day every day. I think I kind of offended him because his response was " really Jen? I didn't know this is how it works. I've never done this before." Oh the sarcasm! It's like me asking him if he knows where he's going when we are driving in Lehi/American Fork. He only lived there his whole life. His patience is appreciated.

Also...
Today was SO NICE OUT! I took the girls to the zoo and it was perfect. It really makes me look forward to spring...which will hopefully come soon!

Super Bowl Party!

The Bassett Grandparents threw a Super Bowl Party last night! It was fun to see the family. Here are some of our highlights. Notice they have nothing to do with the game. Only the guys really actually watched the game!

Grandpa got cool 3D glasses for the half-time show. Addy was digging them.

Monkey pile on Dad!

They just can't get enough of each other

Brynn with her cousin Dallin, who is only 2 months older

The cold weather does not bother Addy

Oops!

Cute Kids

There is more to my life than Addy dancing, but this video is much cuter. For those of you who don't know, my family lives in Wisconsin and on the east coast so one of the main reasons I post a blog is so they can see our girls grow. I do realize not everyone is interested in our little happenings but...I KNOW my family loves to watch every second...right you guys?!? (Please, excuse the bed, it wasn't made yet.)

Brynn is almost crawling...Oh My Gosh (one of Addy's favorite sayings now!) She just turned seven months yesterday and she is already on all fours and rocking. She did move her knees today but she doesn't yet have the arm coordination to work with the knees. Before I know it she'll be on the go. I'm so proud of her!

Now that Brynn sleeps through the night in the girls' room she goes down pretty early. This leaves us some one on one time with Addy, unless she didn't take a nap that day and then it's early to bed for her too. But in order to keep Ads pretty quiet so Brynn doesn't wake up we started a routine of watching a movie on the computer in Mom and Dad's room. It's so cute, Addy will get really excited and say "When Brynn goes to sleep we're gonna watch a show on the compooter and snuggle and eat some copcorn!" (She can't really pronounce popcorn...it's kinda funny to hear her say it.) She really cherishes this time with mom and dad. So fun!

Another funny thing she'll say is "let's talk." Not that there is any particular subject she wants to talk about but she'll say "let's talk Dad." You never know what kids will pick up!

On all fours ready to go!

Happy Girl!
Addy loves to put this bucket on her head,
she always laughs at herself when she does this.

She also thinks she's funny when she puts in her vampire

teeth from Halloween...it never gets old.

Dancing and singing Adalyn

Dancing Addy

Addy LOVES to watch and look at herself posted on the blog. I told her we could make a video of her dancing and put in on the computer. She was very excited by this. Dance parties occur almost daily in our house and have become so much fun! I thought she would do fine dancing by herself but she got really serious and it was like she didn't know what to do without me with her! I decided to post this for two reasons. It was the best video I could get and her serious face makes me laugh. I'll have to get Todd to tape us really dancing!

On another note...I went to the dermatologist today to get some moles checked out. They were all fine but the doctor said he could remove any if they bug me. I only had a second to decide but I finally chose to remove one. I now feel like a little piece of me is missing...hopefully I can feel whole again soon! (really, I'm only kidding!)

January Fun

January usually goes by slow because the holiday rush is done and winter has set in, but so far it has gone by really fast for the Bassett family. I never blogged about Christmas but it was so fun and it was great to have Todd home for a few days! Addy loved her gifts but when she had woke up on Christmas morning she forgot that Santa had come and we had to remind her to go look at her presents!

Adalyn is now potty-trained! YAY! I have been trying to get her potty-trained for so long but finally it just clicked and it's been so easy! She really loves it when she gets Potty Parties. I mean really, who doesn't love Potty Parties?!? Another big step for Ads is her big girl bed! She loves it and we haven't had a problem keeping her in it at all. I can't believe how fast she is growing up. These are all little things, but to me they are HUGE!

Last night I finally got a real night of sleep! I don't know what to do with myself...I kind of feel rested! The girls share a room and so Brynn hasn't slept through the night in months. She would wake up at least 6 times a night and then finally end up in our bed so she won't wake up Addy. It has been horrible. Neither Todd nor I can sleep with kids in our bed. So, now that we have a toddler bed we put that in our room last night for Addy to sleep on and we let Brynn cry it out. She only cried for a little while and then she slept the WHOLE NIGHT! I am so thankful for the little miracles!

We are so excited for 2009. Each year gets better and better and I am excited for the new adventures and good times we'll have.

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Two of Addy's favorite Christmas gifts. Her table and kitchen.

Addy's big girl bed!

Brynn is all smiles and laughs these days...well, most of the time.

So cute!

They're getting SO BIG!

Cute video of Brynn in her jumper.

Hawaii

The holidays are done and the horrid reality of winter has set in. It is now that I would give anything to go back to Hawaii!

I miss the Aloha Spirit, the sun, the beach, the hottest place in town...Chevron, watermelon ice cream at the Seasider, and of course the Bridge House and my 40 plus roommates while living there! I miss Culture Night and Song Fest, the Luau and serving Pineapple Delites at the PCC, Joke...the best teacher...I'm the shirt, not the butt! Walking across the street to take a dip in the ocean anytime of the day or night and Chocolate Haupia Pie.

These are only memories, but I appreciate each and every one of them and all the people I met along the way and I share these memories with. Hawaii will always hold a special place in my heart and I hope someday I can take my family there.

I always miss Hawaii but for some reason, I always miss it more in the dead of winter!

So please, if your day is blue (or snowy), sit back, turn up the volume and listen to a couple of my favorite "miss Hawaii" songs!

GOOD TIMES!

Love the Temple!
The many years of college spent here...on campus.

Hukilau Beach

Hukilau Cafe...the best french toast in the world.
(Elizabeth, remember when you called to order and they forgot you were on the phone for over 30 minutes so I finally had to drive down there and tell them you were still waiting! LOL!)