More Cookies and Christmas Cheer

Ginger snaps...

Beater licking good!

Payton, her bunny, and her cookie

Bunny wanted some cookie...

and Daddy too!

What a good friend :)

She is just too cute in her little pink snowflake jammies

Our tree and stockings that went up on Thursday night

(1 week before Christmas)

Payton and Santa at the ward Christmas Party

-Now she thinks every time we go to the church Santa is going to be there

All that snow is bright...gotta have the shades!

This week was busy. Chad finished up his finals and is done with school till the 12th of Jan. I am in a business where it is use it or loose it (dental benefits) at the end of the year so my schedule has been booked solid. And Payton is just loving the Christmas atmosphere, cold weather and all. We are looking forward to seeing family for the holidays and enjoying a much need break. I sent out a few Christmas cards, so for those of you who did not get one it is still on it's way--I am not superwoman :)

Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas Cookies

Payton and I made Christmas Sugar Cookies tonight. It was a challenge to keep the rolled out dough ready for cutting as Payton loves playing with play dough. We did manage to get a few cookies that looked liked the shapes. Payton had lots of fun with the frosting and sprinkles...can you tell with the frosting mustache?

Proud of our good work, all that is left is the taste approval. It must be good :)

One year older and Cuter too! Payton is 2!!

Payton is growing up so quick, it is amazing how much she is changing everyday. She seriously learns words so fast I don't even know where or when she hears them sometimes. Not to mention she now knows how to break into the refrigerator lock and open the front door. She is one smart cookie. For Payton's big numero dos we decided to make it her day, with a party of all her favorite foods. The foods included 4 kinds of jello jigglers, french fries, cheese, pepperoni, tomatoes and fruit snacks. There was also an array of dipping sauces because in Payton's world it isn't good unless it is dipped. We had a blast eating, watching her open her gifts and finally conquer her cake. She is absolutely wonderful and we can't believe how much she has changed in a year.

We also enjoyed Thanksgiving eating and playing in the leaves.

Chad and I also were able to go see Twilight--we both really enjoyed it, I can't wait to see it again. Until then the soundtrack will have to suffice :)

It is also that time of year again and we went and took pictures, here are a few of my favorites:

Fall Time Fun

Here are some pictures from our exciting week, the text is yet to come :)

An Overdue Update

I guess blogging is like prayer...when times are good not much is said.

Things are great and busy, sorry for the wait :)

About 3 weeks ago we were able to go downtown to the Denver Arts Museum were a Native American Powwow was taking place. As part of working at the Denver Indian Health Clinic, the clinic sets up an informational booth at events like this. Chad and Payton came down while I worked at the booth. She enjoyed playing at the kids area in the museum, chasing the pigeons, playing in the fountains and petting the big cow. It was a fun day.

In addition to going to fun events like the Powwow I get free tickets to sports games from my office. Last week we went to the opening Avalanche game. John and Craig came with us, it was John and my first NHL game. Bummer they lost. The next night we went to the Nuggets game with a couple in our ward. Once again my first NBA game- it was a blast, I can't wait to go to a non pre-season game.

This Thursday Chad didn't have school and I didn't have to work so we went to the pumpkin patch to pick out some pumpkins. Payton LOVES pumpkins (she calls them pumpums). It was a blast walking through the patch and cutting our pumpkins off the stalk. 

Friday Chad and I went to the Plain White T's, Dashboard Confessional and Panic! at the Disco concert. We had a blast, the concert great and it was nice being at the Broomfield Events Center because it wasn't as hot with the ice rink under the floor as it was at the Fillmore.

Also in the last month I started working at a private practice in Broomfield. The office name is My Dentist Inc. and it is right down the street (very nice). The office is so nice and everything is digital and the newest technology. I really like working there, plus my hours are Friday 8-4 and Saturday 8-2 which works well to have Chad home with Payton.

Here are a few random pictures from the last few weeks that were too cute to leave out!

Payton loves climbing trees

At the park

Sunday football, go Broncos!!

To another busy week with lots of fun.

Our Talking Toddler

It just hit me, Payton is starting to talk so much. New words, old words said correctly and almost sentences. Here are a few of my recent favorites:

"house"- She knows our new house, when we pull around the corner she always announces we are home

"melmo"- Elmo

"tookie mons" - Cookie Monster, she usually puts her hands up to her mouth after she says it and does the yum, yum, yum

"peachies"- Peaches

"bluebees"- Blueberries or dark grapes, she can't tell the difference :)

"toat"- Coat

"wain"- Rain, the seasons are changing and she knows it

"booty"- Pirate Booty (it is a kind of popcorn for those not familiar with the name)

"babies"- When she wants to watch Shrek 3, her new favorite movie

"fries"- French fries, what can I say she knows what she likes

"nye-nye"- Nap time, she says this them walks upstairs for her afternoon nap- I love how it's not a fight anymore!

"teet"- Treat, yes we are still potty training.

"pitty"- Pretty, I painted her nails and until the polish wore off every time she noticed the color she would say it

"I funny"- Every time we laugh at her and many times when aren't laughing she declares she is funny, if we weren't laughing before that usually makes us.

Like I said these are my favorite of the many things she says. We love our little girl so much and it is so exciting to see her growing up.

FINALLY!

Yes, I've finally stopped procrastinating and decided to update the blog. Tons has happened in the last 3 weeks...I would get a snack/drink if I were you :)

So yeah we moved, there are still boxes to be unpacked, but I realized I don't care. I am tired of trying to find a place for things and spending my little free time in a closet or in the basement. The rest of the unpacking will just have to get done eventually. Here are a few pictures of the living room and kitchen--they are the most unpacked, although there are still no pictures on the walls. Every time I go to hang a picture I realize Payton is sleeping...I guess that's because nothing actually gets done when she is awake :).


We are loving our new place, and after almost 3 weeks it is feeling like home. Payton really likes the kitchen- the stove has a light so when I am making dinner she watches it bake and we keep her stool by the refrigerator so she can help with cooking or just sit and watch. It is so cute!!

On August 23rd we went down to Highlands Ranch and had dinner with my family and went to see the Rocky Mountain Balloon Convention at Chatfield. It was so neat to see the huge balloons. It was supposed to start at sundown, with all the balloons blown up they would appear to be glowing. As usual the unpredictable weather in Denver stirred up some trouble and it ended up being too windy to continue after the first few balloons went up. It was still an awesome sight and a great night.

I decided I was going to try to potty train Payton over Labor Day weekend, which was a 4 day weekend for me. After going to Walmart and letting her pick out underwear which included Sesame Street, Little Mermaid and Dora we were totally ready for the feat. After I got home from work Thursday night we changed her into underpants and discussed keeping Elmo dry. Needless to say after changing 5 sets of clothes in less than an hour and a half we are pushing potty training to a later date. Gotta love her though, she insisted that she has her panties on over her diaper every day since.

Continuing into Labor Day weekend, on Saturday we went on the Devils Head hike up to the fire lookout tower. It was the perfect day for a hike. The area was beautiful, and it was so neat- many of the trees were branded with names and dates of travelers through the area. My dad even found his birth year on a tree!

Chad carried Payton up the mountain in the backpack (that pack has gotten a lot of use this summer: Mexico, Grand Canyon and Hiking).

Once we reached the stairs, the final accent to the tower, my dad took over as the mule :). Those stairs were killer- I am not one to be afraid of heights but looking down even got me a little shaky.

At the top the view was fantastic. You could see downtown Denver, though it was a little to smoggy to get a good picture of it. We busted out the binoculars and enjoyed identifying the key peaks in the distance.

The hike back down was great. Chad got in touch with nature, both hugging rocks and pretending to be a wild animal, lurking behind rocks just waiting to pounce. As it was also not as physically demanding as the hike up we enjoyed dipping into the trail mix my mom was carrying in her bag and catching up on what has happened during the week.

It was a very enjoyable day and we were excited to get back and take naps!

On Monday, the last day of the long weekend we went over to the Aldridge's for the usual Labor Day BBQ. The majority of the Hammond family was there including college students and those not not from Denver. My sister Danyelle was even able to join us and we had a great time.

Today it was nice a cool. I am loving the change in weather. I know it sounds kinda silly but I like dressing Payton up like a little doll, today was great because it was cool enough I could put her in an outfit she has never worn before. She looked so cute on our way out this afternoon.

In hopes of being a better blogger :) I think this sums up what has been going on in our family. Here is one last picture of my two favorite people!!