Busy as a Bee

Now that Kendall is an independent woman, she is busy as a little bee. She is curious about everything and could not be a more of a social butterfly like her father. K loves to be outside so I try to get her out at least once a day...weather permitting. We have to wave at every car, tree, dog, walker, bird, squirrel, and who knows what else as it goes by. If it's dogs or people, we have to go over and see them, but then when they get close I have to hold her in order for Kendall to interact with them. This interaction often consists of jibber jabber and several rounds of peek-a-boo; Kendall's FAVORITE game.

Another thing we love to do is hunt for squirrels and airplanes. I'm amazed at how good she is at spotting them; great eyesight thank goodness. Yesterday, we played catch with a tennis ball and blew bubbles. Bubbles is the new word she has added to her vocabulary. Currently, she is saying Dada, Mama, Uh-Oh, Baby, Bubbles, Weeeeeeee, and Bubba. Bubba is really her go-to word for everything she can't call by name. She calls both the dust-buster and vacuum Bubba every time we visit them in the closet...which is several times daily.

Troy and I could not resist buying K her own play kitchen for Christmas. We set it up and let her play with it early. The kitchen is growing on her more each day, but she LOVED the box it came in immediately. We made it into a fort for Kendall and her puppy dog, Violet, to play in. I put an LED light/candle in the box so they could see each other.




And I know you are probably thinking, Holy Smokes Sarah, does your kid always have to wear a bow in her hair. Even in her pj's really? And my answer is yes...her hair is too long so it gets in her eyes and I don't want to cut it yet so the bow is necessary. Many times when K realizes it's in her hair she will pull it out and either stick it in her mouth, throw it on the ground or hand it to me. The times I can convince her to keep it in I do so by saying "Pretty bow, pretty"; she then pats the bow and is off about her business. Cute kid!

Re-posting a Blog Post

Here's a post that I started back in November but am just now getting to publishing. Since I started the draft of the post in November, it posted in November. So here's the link to the post.

http://tgriffisfamilyblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/griffis-lapachet-family-photo-shoot.html

Birthday Parties, Turkey & Christmas Photos

Well Troy and I can check off on our to-do list making Turkey & Gravy for Thanksgiving . I was so nervous, but we followed Food Network Chief, Alton Brown's, turkey brining instructions and it really came out well. We hosted Troy's family for Thanksgiving so we had a large crowd at our house for the holiday. It was really fun. And I am happy to report that I didn't completely gorge myself that day; small personal victory!


The whole gang at Thanksgiving

Proof that I helped with the meal...making the gravy!

Turkey man...Troy and this bird became really close

Kendall with her festive holiday attire (Outfit 1)


Kendall with her festive holiday attire (Outfit 2)


The week before Thanksgiving we had Troy's Grandparents stay with us for two days and then Troy's cousin, Nick and his wife and their baby. They were all in town for my brother-in-laws surprise 40th Birthday Party. Kendall loved Nick...his just a big kid at heart so I'm not surprised she took to him as she did. Plus she liked the baby (Baby Nick who is only 3 months younger than K). Jack's party was really fun. Friends and family came from far and wide to celebrate this big milestone...40...only 9 measly little years till I see that number. Anyway their was yummy mexican food and even an Elvis Impersonator sporting a blue rhinestone jumpsuit with an silver chained owl belt....his outfit was awesome.









Over the extended weekend, we took our family Christmas photo. My husband with his trusty tripod does a great job of taking our photos, however this year was a bit more difficult than the last. Though Kendall was really awesome and patient with us...she was over the whole thing pretty quickly. I'm not going to show the picture we choose for the card...it will be arriving in your mailbox shortly....but I thought I would give you a little glimpse into our adventure. We didn't get a picture with K looking directly at the camera as you can see she is busy with other things.








Now that Kendall is walking she is a "walking time bomb". She bonks her head or chin at least once a day and has obtained several facial bruises and cuts from it...But she couldn't be happier with her new found FREEDOM!

Last night Troy feed and put K to bed so I could go out with the girls from my play group. I've mentioned before that K and I are a part of a play group with seven other mom's and toddlers Kendall's age; they all were born from August to November of 2009. I love our group. It's so nice to have people you can talk to who are going through the exact same thing you are. Plus the kids will get to grow up together and eventually become friends once they stop stealing each others toys.

Griffis-Lapachet Family Photo Shoot

Back when we visited my family in Septmeber-October, we took some photos with my whole family. Here are some of our favorites!

Lots Been Going On

It has been a few weeks since I have had time to make a blog post...so here goes. We have had a lot going on with us lately.

A month ago Kendall got her first pair of shoes. Baby shoes are ridiculously expensive. K's shoes cost more than mine. Bling or no bling, all the shoes cost the same so of course we went with the sparkle. Plus I am told you need to buy them every 2-3 months. Say What?!?! K is not walking on her own though I know she can. She refuses to take a step unless you give her a finger to hold on to. She took 2 steps fell and now doesn't want to do it. I broke down and got my child shoes because she loves to go outside. Every morning, throughout the afternoon and even before bed K is pointing at the door to let her out. She loves to walk the neighborhood, try to convince me to let her go into the street, point at the birds, play at the school playground, touch the trees and tour the flowerbeds. For our playgroup today, we are all meeting at the park. Kendall will be delighted!




A two months ago, Troy and I went on a double date with our lovely friends, Rolando & Shandra. We went and saw Maroon 5 in concert. It was a blast! They sure put on a great concert. The best part was we got the tickets on groupon for a steal.



The playgroup we are a part of has 9 little kiddos all the same age as Kendall. We hosted the group at our house a few weeks ago. I made brownies for the moms, but the kids wanted some too of course.




Though we loved the church we have attended since I moved to Dallas, Troy and I decided we needed to find a church closer to our current home. We are really excited about a church we found just 4 minutes from the house. After we got home from church on Sunday, we took a few photos of the family since I've been slacking on my photo snapping opportunities.





This past weekend I hosted a lady's jewelry party. It was so much fun to play dress up and catch up with my girlfriends. It was much needed. My wonderful husband helped me clean the house to prepare for the party. The man shined my sink and cook top. They look amazingly clean! He then took Kendall to the mall for some father-daughter time. When they came home, they brought me lots of gifts. It was so nice. Thanks Troy and K! You guys are the best.