Friday, December 25, 2009

snow much fun

hmmm...
more please

bye mom!

snow much fun


ooo! brr!

Uncle Jon took Parker outside to play in the snow afterschool on Monday.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Merry Christmas

This was the Christmas card we sent out this year. Brian had the idea, and I made it! :) We think it came out really cute.

In case you can't read the side it says "copyright 2009 no babies were harmed in the making of this christmas card" :D

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

pj bucket... take 2

Do you remember this post? :)

Since baby Jackson turned into baby Carter, I needed to 'redo' his pj bucket.... so here it is!


I really couldn't picture a Jackson in our family. I'm happy he's a Carter. ;)

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

how could i get mad?

We have a rule. Parker gets out 2 bins at a time. However, when Daddy gets home, it seems as though all the rules go right out the window. He dumped ALL the toys into a pile. Then he told me Carter did it!! HAHAHAHA right. How could I get mad when he stacked the bins so nicely?! HAHA. I love that kid. Brothers...
Parker looks a little confused. I even got a little video of Carter "pushing" Parker but then Parker starting going too fast....

Brotherly Love. This makes it allllllll worth it!! :)

Santa baby?

Parker is such a good helper. He loves to help sweep (he holds the dustpan and then throws the contents away) and puts the trays with the highchairs -- those are his 2 'chores'. He loves to help pick up his toys. He loves to get diapers, bottles, and help with Carter. He helps dad with his chores (fixing the toliet, etc ) He LOVES to help cook/bake and wants to "see!!" everything. And he has discovered the art of bubbles. He was helping daddy do the dishes! Check out these shots! :) He was making a beard like Santa! (this was before he had his cast off..... i'm a little behind ;) )




He also got a bath the first night he had his cast off. He LOVED IT!!! :) He was splashing (I didn't dare bring my camera up)and being silly. Ahh, I'm so glad to have that darn thing off.

good riddance

Monday we had an appointment with the Ortho Dr. :) Parker got his cast off!! :) :) Just in time for Christmas!
Parker rubbing his cast "byebye" ...he was saying bye too. :)
Parker showing me his "booboo" one last time!

All gone!! :)
He was doing a thumbs up and yes, he was eating a banana (that Dr takes FOREVERRRR)

Sunday, December 13, 2009

as one door closes....


It is with very mixed emotions that I was released from my calling as 2nd counselor in the primary presidency. I love this church and I love the children of this church. I have grown so much in the [short] year I was in my presidency. I love the members of that presidency. Racheal and Cynthia are two people I can look up to and strive to be like. I will miss them dearly. I will miss the prayers given by the children, their excitment to learn the gospel, their sweet testimonies, the fun they allowed me to have, and most of all- accepting my flaws and loving me still.

I was HOPING I could get away with being "callingless" for a couple weeks. But, alas I was called to be a Sunday School teacher. I now get to work with the kids who just left primary and are testing the waters in Sunday School before their respective young men's/young women's program. I dipped my toes in today as I co-taught the lesson with my dear friend Daisy. I'm excited to start the new year in my new calling!

Brian, who never blogs, also recieved a new calling. He is now 1st counselor in the young men's presidency (He used to be 2nd counselor in ym's). :) He's excited to take on and grow in his calling!

Friday, December 11, 2009

latest tricks

Sorry no pictures/videos but I wanted to blog about how great the kids are doing!!

Carter can now wave hi/bye and loves babbling and saying "mama" "da" and smacking his lips. He also now gives kisses (meaning the whole mouth opened and leaning in, hahaa). He is such a delight.

Parker knows lots of letters (I have lost count!) & shapes and now he's recognizing numbers! :) I'm so proud of that little guy.

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Snow. Snow. Snow.... pictures will come! :)

Monday, December 7, 2009

he's seen better days

Parker's not feeling too great. I'm pretty sure it's a nasty cold. He's really sleepy and has a little fever. He fell asleep standing up:

Then I moved him up on the couch... you can see the drool spot from where he was standing! :)
Feel better P <3

getting ready for christmas

Brian wanted me to post his santa collection so Grandma and Grandpa Hand could see it in Idaho! :) So, there ya go, this is the start of the collection!!
These are some ornaments that Parker got for his first christmas in 2007. I can't believe I didn't write who they were from!! Can anyone help me out?

My favorite decoration at Christmastime is the Nativity my grandpa made. Every year I set it up, it makes me happy inside. Love and miss you gramp!! <3

We started a new tradition in the Steffen House.... Every year, our kiddos are going to make our tree topper, here is Parker putting "santa!" on this year:

And.... finally here is our little charlie brown christmas tree. (it looks a little better in real life) We got this tree as a hand me down from my parents a couple years ago.... Hopefully next year we'll either have a larger fake one OR a replantable one! :) We'll have to wait and see.
We don't dare put presents under it yet... they would all be opened for sure.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Every year our family does something special for someone in the holiday season. My friend's mom is very sick. She has been struggling with cancer for about a year. I made her a hospital down (complete with 2 ties in the back and snaps on the sleeves) She loves and collects snowmen and I knew this fabric would be perfect. Please keep her in your prayers and thoughts.


Happy First Thanksgiving Carter!! <3


My first EVER apple pie <3
Carter's Thanksgiving Feast (and he literally ate almost it all)
Parker's Plate! :)
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!! :)

Sunday, November 29, 2009

will i ever get better?

We've been SO busy with the house and the holiday that I have really neglected this blog. I need to get better because I know that relatives that are out of town check this to get regular updates on our family. I am sorry! :(

Our latest conundrum is about a Christmas Tree! I never would have thought that would happen. I always thought I'd get a real tree (just like my parents). Brian wants a real tree and I'm leaning toward a fake.


Let me explain... I love real trees, and I would love a real tree but it makes me sad to know how many trees are cut down, left up for a few months, and then put outside ready to die and be burned or hauled away.... These trees take years to grow and give us just a month of happiness.

It's unfortunate that we have such a small plot of land, because I would definitely have a real tree if we could plant it after. How nostaligicly (did I make up that word) awesome would it be to have lines of trees from all your many christmases with your family!! Our next house is definitely going to have more land so this can become a reality.


We plan on decorating the house for Christmas on Monday for family home evening! Look for pictures (and back posts too).

Friday, November 13, 2009

carter's latest tricks

not the best quality but you get the idea:



carter's on his way to walking! :) eek! he now crawls on his hands and FEET



carter is such a happy baby. his newest thing is clapping. he LOVES to smile and clap! :)

Sunday, November 8, 2009

catch up

Here's some random pictures from our adventures....

Maggie is Parker's BFF. We're already planning their wedding.... This picture was taken this summer at a park in Oswego!



Parker loves to put hats on... backwards, sideways, regular.... whatever!
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We moved into our house on Friday 10/30 with the help of Brian's parents!!


While we were moving, and almost had the truck all packed to pull out of our apartment.... Parker fell off the edge of the ramp going up to the truck.... He stood up and was crying a little. (I was inside changing Carter's diaper and immediately said to Brian to check him) Brian gave him a hug and then lifted up his shirt sleeve because we immediately noticed he wasn't moving that arm. Brian, having his back to me, lifted the shirt and said "uh, holly" I instantly knew it was broken. I looked at it and nearly threw up. It was clearly broken. This picture was taken at the hospital. (Brian's mom went with me and the men stayed to finish bc they uhaul had to be returned by 5p) I was so grateful to have her there. They wanted to put him to sleep to set the bones. Something just didn't sit with me right and so, I opted for the morphine and local anesthetic.


He was SUCH a trooper. EVERYONE at the hospital commented on how well mannered he was. He hardly cried while we were there (only when they were setting the bones back- twice). On the way home, we were going to get him something to eat (bc they wouldn't let him eat or drink while waiting to see what was going on) and so it was since 11am since he last ate. (We finally left the hospital at around 8pm and we had gotten there a little before 2pm. You do the math.)
Since it was the day before halloween- they were handing out treatbags and Parker got one and then a nice nurse brought a shirt over, held it up to Parker, and gave it to him! It was a halloween shirt with a basketball that lit up being held by a skeleton. Parker loved it. I was happy because his other shirt was filthy!


So, hardly any crying and 6hours later, Parker had a cast and was ready to go to our new home.
(oh, and Carter was SUCH A GOOD BOY and was in his carrier the WHOLE TIME)... poor baby
Feeling a little discouraged, we had our first night in our new home. In the morning we were able to see this beautiful rainbow (there were actually two) right out our living room windows.... What an awesome symbol to us that things were going to be okay.
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We are trying to get the house in "showing" order... we want to have a little get together with all our friends and have a fondue party!! We need some crutial things before that can happen (namely a COUCH ;) ... we might go tomorrow to order it)

My parents came out to see us, the house, and Parker's boo-boo the sunday after we moved in. They brought with them a washer and dryer that had been sitting in their barn. Unfortunately we found out the washer didn't work. We called around and couldn't find that part it needed. So, with the help of my parents we got this little beauty:
I don't have to put quarters in! I can leave laundry in overnight! Ahh, this is fantastic. I actually LIKE doing laundry now! (In the background in the laundry room- 1st floor :) )
^ This is a picture of our living room. We are going to sand/paint the endtables and add a couch/loveseat and rug. Should be cute. I made the curtains!! :)
^ These are the curtains I am making in the laundry room. They are coming out exactly as I pictured them. I am thrilled. (It cost me about $28 for all the fabric for all 7 windows!)

..... i'm hoping to get more pictures up soon. stay tuned.

Friday, November 6, 2009

sorry

I've been SUCH a slacker. I will get better, promise. ;)

Friday while we were moving into our house, Parker fell off the ramp of the moving truck and broke his arm. :( After 6hours in the ER he has a lime green cast. (he picked the color)

We are getting settled into our house- what a chore!! Pictures will come soon. I know some of you are dying to see!!

Friday, October 30, 2009

officially homeowners!

Last night we initialed 42 times (each) and signed 46 times (each) and now we're officially homeowners!
It is so exciting and extremely overwhelming.
We are starting the move today and hope to be done to enjoy some trick or treaters tomorrow!! (Since being married everyplace we lived has had no trick or treaters)
Last night I went there to clean and realized all the (little) things we ARLEADY need. AHHH!
*breathe

Friday, October 23, 2009

Carter decided to try the playdoh, I think he liked it a little too much... Parker was looking for daddy to come home....
Parker enjoys popsicles even though it's FREEZING outside.....
Carter likes to eat whole bananas. What a mess...

Lookie what Carter can do!! He stands more than he sits.... walking soon?? oh no.

halloween preview

I n t r o d u c i n g:
Parker and Carter
the .d.y.n.a.m.i.c. monkey/ banana duo!
(hold your applause)







(check out those teeth!)