Swimming Lessons

For the past 5 weeks Emma has been taking swimming lessons at the local rec center. We decided she desperately needed them because the last time I took her swimming she kept trying to wiggle out of my arms while telling me, "Mom, let me go, I'm swimming." She even jumped in from the side of the pool without me being there ready to catch her. So I signed her up for the Pre-school level 1. I even snuck her in a week early. You are supposed to be three years old. I was really nervous that she would not be able to sit and listen and follow the rules but after the first week she did great.

They practiced floating on their back and tummy's. By the end Emma was floating well on her tummy but still nervous about her back. She only really did it once with the teachers hands under her back but this was progress.

Emma learned how to blow bubbles with her mouth and to submerge her mouth, nose and eyes.

There was only one other girl in her class. Here they are learning the rules of the pool.

The teacher was so great, just a young girl but had lots of fun games to get them to practice kicking their legs and moving their arms. Emma can't wait to start her next class.

Making Christmas Memories

Decorating the tree. We were not sure how this was going to work with a 9 month old but he has been so good. He has only gone up to touch a few times. I think it helps that we didn't put any ornaments on the lowest branches. Emma had a great time putting her ornaments on and rearranging them until they were just right.

Well we braved the crowds and headed to the Layton Hills Mall one Friday night to see Santa. I couldn't believe we saw Santa had dinner in the food court and did a little shopping and no one cried. It was great.

Emma wouldn't sit on his lap but finally worked up the courage to ask him for a candy cane for Christmas. Santa said he would leave a special one hanging on the tree for her.

When we got in the car she remembered she forgot to ask him where is reindeer were and was so sad the rest of the drive home. Soooo cute.

Emma is still at the age that she is happy to play on the toys at the mall without putting money in them to make them move. Yeah!

Here we at the Zundel Family party bowling again. Emma got to do it this year and had fun for one game and then she was done.

We also decorated a gingerbread house and sugar cookies for family home evening.

Family Portraits

Here are the new pictures of our beautiful family.

GO UTES!

Emma 3 years old

James 8 months old

The two cutiest kids in the world!

Did someone in our family have a birthday?

You probably all thought that last week the world revolved around Thanksgiving but you would be wrong. It actually revolved around Emma's 3rd birthday. It was such a big event that we celebrated it 3 times! First we celebrated with the Van Bibbers. You can't tell by the pictures but it is also Grandpa Van Bibber's birthday too. Emma decided he needed some help though.

Happy Birthday Dad.

Now on to Emma.

Lighting McQeen book with cars and a ZuZu pet. What's a Zuzu pet? Did you know they have accessories?

Sophie and James checking each other out.

Of course cupcakes.

They also dye your face and poop pink for free.


Two days later the celebration continued at home with Mom and Dad. Emma insisted there be balloons.

Princess coloring book.

Books!

Movies!

The best present ever - my garage sale find - Fisher Price Barn with people and animals. Emma would not stop playing even for a picture.

To make the day special we visited the Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy. It was all right and Emma had fun breezing through it at her high speed pace. But we were spoiled this year by Sea World.

You are able to pet sting rays and that is all that matter to me.





A giant frog that Emma wanted nothing to do with.

Emma is tall for her age but still shorter than thsi type of penguin.

For lunch we hit McDonalds and let Emma play in the playland for the first time. It was a big hit.



Then it was home for more cupcakes made by me - Mom.



Again two days later we celebrated with the Lavenders. Oh yeah it just happened to by Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

James' first turkey day. Still to young for turkey though. He settled for some sweet potatos.

We played games.

James warmed up to Aunt Angie's dog Max.

Then it was time for more presents.

Puzzles and Games.

We also celebrated Cousin Tanner's birthday.

Happy 16th.

Congratulations if you made it all the way through this post. That was a lot of birthday for one little girl.

This week the world again revolves around Emma as we attempt to get her to stop sucking her thumb! Wish us luck she is a good fighter.

New Hampshire in Pictures. Internet pictures.

A few weeks ago I traveled to New Hampshire to do an audit at a contract manufacturer. I'd never been to New Hampshire, but was delighted to find that I would be in close proximity to beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee. So, in my mind, my trip was going to be something like this:

Instead, it looked like this:

Flight from SLC to Chicago.

Flight from Chicago to Manchester.

Day One of audit.

Days Two and Three of audit.

Flight from Manchester to Chicago.

Flight from Chicago to SLC.

I got super sick on my trip, puking my guts out and running to the bathroom. I had to cut my audit short and spent a whole day lying in bed in the hotel. It was not a fun trip, and I never did get to see Lake Winnipesaukee. I did see the bottom of my ice bucket a lot, though. Yeah, I know. That's nasty.

Quinn