A Visit to Danika at Home

Saturday, November 15th--After leaving "Disney on Ice" we headed over to Dustin and Crystal's house so Nate and Brady could see baby Danika. They just got home from the hospital this afternoon. Brady was feeling much better today, definitely making up for the energy he had no desire to exert yesterday. We asked if it was okay to bring him over and they said it would be fine, just to keep him away from Danika's face. We lucked out, he didn't really want to be around the baby, instead he ran laps around their kitchen! Silly boy! Crystal looked pretty tired--Danika's a hungry little girl! She wants to nurse a little more than expected. She slept the whole time we were there. She looks like a very, sweet little angel! My heart just melted when Nate was holding her. He's so wonderful with babies, he really enjoys cuddling and holding the little ones. Hopefully, he'll have one of his own, again, in the next year. Elise was a little on the grumpy side so she didn't want to hold Danika. Between Energy Solutions Center and the Trax station she lost her most favorite blanket, one she has had for almost 4 years. It was very upsetting to her so we promised to stop at Target or Walmart after we left Dustin and Crystal's house to get her a new one. She picked a soft, pink "blankie" and all is well with the world again!

While holding Danika we talked about her name and how they came up with it. Danika, or Danni (sp?) as she'll be known, is named after my father-in-law, Dan. I sure both of them will agree what an honor it is to share their name with each other. Dan is an incredible man and deserves to have this beautiful little girl named after him. I have no doubt she'll live up to the honor! Danni is the 9th grandchild born into the Dan & Rosemary Armstrong family. They now have 5 grand-sons and 4 grand-daughters.

Here's some pics of Nate holding Danni---so sweet! I got the tear!:

Disney On Ice

Saturday, November 15th--In case you didn't figure it out already, when we can't make it to Disneyland we get our "fix" by attending "Disney On Ice" every year. This is a great show and we love going. This time the theme is "100 Years of Magic". How that can be, I don't know since Mickey Mouse wasn't created till the 1920's--unless the celebration is Walt Disney's 100th birthday (not sure when he was born). Anyhoo, we decided this was one of the best ones yet--aside from the "Disney Princess on Ice" that Elise and I attended earlier this year. Nate got us great seats on the 10th row, front and center. We really love seeing the kids react to everything. They jump up and down when their favorite characters come out. They love seeing the fireworks. Every time I go I wonder if either one of the kids would be interested in taking ice skating lessons. One of these days I should look into it, see if there are any around and how much.
If you've never attended one of these, and you're a Disney fan, I HIGHLY recommend you go and take your family or friends. We usually do a matinee showing and get inexpensive seats. Here's some pics (you can click on them to get more detail):

I Got Tagged

Friday, November 14th--This is a good one Kerri! An important one and I tag EVERYONE that reads it!

FIVE THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY...
1. My husband (refer to 3 posts ago!) & children
2. My testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ
3. (I'm with Kerri on this one) A nice, cold fountain drink with the "good ice" 60% regular Coke and 40% caffeine-free Diet Coke (I'm trying to not drink regular so much so I'm weening myself!)
4. A TIE: A road trip to a great destination/vacation & a rare shopping spree
5. Holidays--decorating, kids reactions, family, etc.

The Newest Armstrong

Friday, November 14th--Introducing, Danika Leigh Armstrong. She was born yesterday to Crystal and Dustin Armstrong. She's healthy and beautiful, very much alert and quite the little wiggle worm (Crystal, I can't even bear the thought that she was THAT wiggly in your womb!). Welcome to this crazy family, Danika! You can try and calm us down but it won't work so just jump on in to our craziness when you're ready! And to be a part of this family, you must LOVE Disneyland so we'll get you obsessed in no time! ha ha ha Love you, Danika!

Elise and I visited the U of U hospital tonight to meet Danika. Nate stayed at home with Brady, he seems to have some kind of stomach flu (Please no ER visits! PLEASE!). Elise loved holding her new little cousin and looks forward to the time she can play with her and make her laugh and everything else. I enjoyed holding Danika too, although she seemed to just want to eat and I couldn't help in that department so back to mom she went. Dustin and Crystal are so very happy and I'm happy for them. Congratulations!

Mom & Dad, A Message From Baby Claire

Friday, November 14th--"Hi, Audra's parents. This is baby Claire Pease. It makes me very sad you're not coming for Christmas! VERY SAD!!!!"

I'm Thankful....

Thursday, November 13th--It is only two weeks till Thanksgiving. I'm excited to be able to be with family and enjoy a wonderful feast of food while visiting and mingling.
I've been thinking quite a bit about things I'm thankful for. The list stretches for miles and miles but the things I'm most thankful for, I hope, are very obvious. First, and foremost, my husband, Nathan. I have chosen to spend eternity with him and he has chosen me. Having that freedom to choose is precious. I know, in other cultures and religions, that is not always the case. Our marriage continues to evolve and change as we learn more and more about each other. I think that is healthy for a marriage and I'm thankful it exists in ours. He and I both tolerate plenty from the other but our love for each other remains strong. He provides for our family and works very hard to do so. Once again, his company is going through a large round of lay-offs and he's been informed his job is safe again. I know his faithfulness in paying a full tithe is the reason for this great blessing.
I am incredibly blessed he has such an immense love for our children. He plays with them, he puts them to bed with stories and prayers, he shows them love and tells them of his love for them--I could go on and on.
There's plenty more I could say about Nate but the bottom line is: I'm thankful for him and for all that he is and contributes to my blessed life. I love you with all of my heart forever and always.
More to come on things that I'm thankful for!

PLEASE! Help Support My Crazy Cause!

Sunday, November 9th--Okay peeps, I need your help......as many of you as possible! Let me tell you a little story first. A few months ago I was thinking about Christmas and where we would be for our favorite holiday. I called my folks to see if they would come down here for Christmas or if we should talk about going up there to Washington. Much to my excitement and relief, they said they were planning on coming down and my sister, Amanda, and her family would come as well. YIIPPEEEEE, the whole family down here, in Utah, for Christmas. It would be a first in many years. This is how my children reacted:

I felt the same and so did my other sister, Alishia, and her family, that lives in Salt Lake. Well, certain circumstances made my parents change their minds, recently. So they decided they would stay in Washington and my sister, Amanda, and her family would be in Boise, ID, instead. This is how my children reacted:

I felt the same and so did my other sister, Alishia and her family. So now I ask for anyone's help that is willing to give it, not financially. I REALLY, REALLY want my parents to still come for Christmas and so does my sister, Alishia. We're willing to help with plane tickets and all. So I would like for any of you to take photos of yourselves or your kids BEGGING my parents (Cal & Colleen Blackburn) to come see their kids and grandkids, in Utah, for Christmas. Send them to my email address: auddah@msn.com I will post them on my blog for my parents to see just how much this means to all of us. Your support and help for my crazy cause is so very appreciative! Here's the start:

**Dad, I know you would only be able to come for a few days and may not even be able to fly in till Christmas morning but that's okay with ALL of us. We want you and mom here, the grandkids are so sad and want more than any presents, for you both to be here for Christmas. Please consider it! We'll make your visit comfy and inexpensive! Love you both!

PLEASE COME TO UTAH FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!

ABC Tag

Thanks Lindsay!

A- Attached or Single? Attached fo-evah!
B- Best Friend? Nate
C- Cake or Pie? Cake--yellow cake with fudge frosting......mmm
D- Day of Choice? Saturday
E- Essential Item? spray gel and lotion (preferably from Bath and Body Works)
F- Favorite Color? Blue, Purple, Red (but not together!)
G- Gummy Bears or Gummy Worms? Wormies!
H- Hometown? Bremerton, WA
I- Favorite Indulgence? Coca Cola--a must have, in my mug--gotta be a fountain drink with the "good ice"
J- January or July? At first I thought of January but then Lindsay depressed me by reminding me of the gross inversion so I guess July will do even though I hate the heat.
K- Kids? 2 goofballs, 1 girl, 1 boy
L- Life isn't complete without? My family
M- Movie favorite? No #1 favorite. I like a good chick flick, most Rogers and Hammerstein's musicals, and raunchy comedies
N- Number of Brothers and Sisters? 1 brother, Adam and 2 sisters, Alishia and Amanda
O- Oranges or Apples? I'm from Washington, that's a no-brainer--and my preference is Red Delicious
P- Phobias or Fears? MANY FEARS--mostly involving anything happening to my kids. I'm paranoid!
Q- Quote? "It is what it is." the philosophy of Tao
R- Reason to Smile? My kids and their various goofy moments and one-liners.
S- Season of Choice? Fall/Autumn--I'm in heaven right now, plus I'm a Fall baby
T- Tag a few friends: Amanda Thomsen, LaDonna Smith, Heather Doney and whoever else
U- Unknown Fact About Me? Wow, hmmm, I LOVE fashion but don't have the figure for the things I like so I wear not-so-fashionable things instead, pathetic, I know. One day, my friends, one day!
V- Vegetable? Taters and carrots
W- Worst Habit? My Coca Cola
X- X-ray or ultrasound? Ultrasound
Y- Your Favorite Food? Italian, pasta is my frenemy
Z- Zodiac Sign? Virgo

I Had WAY Too Much Fun!

Monday, November 3--So I had this website recommended to me. It's called: http://www.yearbookyourself.com/ I took Elise and Brady's school photos and just had a blast fitting their faces to different heads from different eras. Here's a few of them. I laughed so hard!
Picture #1: Elise, circa early 1970's. Picture #2: Elise, circa mid-1990's. Picture #3, Brady circa 1960's. Picture #4, Brady circa 1960's.

Brady's School Pics

October, 2008--We got Brady's individual school and class pics back. What a handsome little man, he is! His class pic is worth a good laugh--not only is he, at least, a head and a 1/2 taller than all the kids but, if you look closely, his fly is down. Crazy! In situations like these all I can say is: "That's my boy!" ; ) **And yes, he's standing next to his "love interest", Rylie. She's a cutie, Brady, excellent choice!