The year is ending.

2009 wasn't too bad. It had it's downs, but luckily they were outweighed by the ups.

Some highlights.
+Jeremy got his own store.
+I started taking more time for myself.
+Moved to a new home in Daybreak.
+Made a lot of new friends (our whole family made friends).
+We had our first family camping trip (we went several times actually).
+I started teaching two new competition teams at dance.
+Izze started gymnastics.
+We found another preschool closer to home for Izze.
+I learned how to bake things not from a prepackaged mix.
+My mom and sister and I spent a few (very necessary) days in New York City.
+We finally bought a big enough kitchen table to fit more than just the three of us.
+Jer surprised me with a shiny new iMac. :)

Some lowlights.
-Jordan had some runs in with the government...
-We have very poor luck with washers and dryers.

Some inbetweeners.
+/- Izze had to have oral surgery on her front four teeth.
+/- Izze lost one front tooth
+/- My best friend moved to Portland (good for her/ sad for me)
+/- Izze lost the other front tooth
+/- We acquired a second car... that needs some work.

And here is a recap of our year in photos. Each picture is pretty significant to the year.

Closing out the year.

We've had so much fun this holiday season. I can't believe it's over (although I'm glad.) I love Christmas and I love this time of year, but as soon as it's done, I'm ready for the next year to start! I'm really looking forward to 2010. We have a lot of fun things planned for our little threesome and I can't wait to get started.

I guess I'll post pictures of our holidays... just to wrap up the year.

A few days before Christmas we got some more snow and Izze had been begging to go sledding for a while. We took her out that night and she had a blast.













Of course every year Jeremy's grandparents have a big family party. It's fun to see how many new additions the family gets. It just gets bigger and bigger. Izze was really timid this year (last year too actually). She had been sick all day, but perked up a few hours before the party, so we decided to give it a go anyway. Jeremy's grandpa dresses up as Santa (Izze would rather she and Santa maintain a long distance relationship).














On Christmas Eve we ate a big dinner at Jeremy's mom and dad's house. We're definitely coming to have some of our traditions for our little family. When we came home Izze opened her jammies, sprinkled some reindeer dust on our lawn, laid out some carrots for the reindeer and put out some silk nog and cookies for Santa. We bought a movie but it was so late and honestly the movie was on Nick Jr a million times we'd already watched it 3 or more times. I'm praying next year we will have rid our home of Dora (so I returned it!! WIN!!!)





I'm sure Santa was one of the luckiest kids on the planet this Christmas. SHE GOT A DRUM SET!! Santa was very generous! :)






This is "Christmas Face" It is the face you aim for on Christmas morning.



Izze in a "perform for the camera" sandwich. We're those parents!


Now we're really looking forward to a fun New Years Eve party. BRING ON 2010!!!!!!

Izze's Dance Recital.

Santa Baby from Kalli Parkin on Vimeo.


My beautiful Punky did a wonderful job at her recital today. She was a bit more unfazed by the whole thing this year. Last year, she ran up to me and waved, she didn't stop shaking her butt. This year, she acted like she knew the whole thing, but she didn't quite know it all. Come to think of it, she was probably a little tired. I love my baby girl so much. I'm so proud of her. I think this is my favorite costume I've picked out this year too.


Next week, all our classes are Christmas parties and after that?? IT'S CHRISTMAS BREAK!!!!!!! I can't wait!


I'm so excited for Christmas. :)


Edit!! I had to change the video a little bit, the sound is different now. :)

Christmastime is here. Happiness and cheer!

First of all... did you know Izze is missing her two front teeth? She had a lot of teeth issues this year, poor thing. She chipped one and her dentist filled it in and just the next day she walked up to me and was literally missing most of her tooth. Her dentist said if he tried to put a cap on it, it probably wouldn't last very long and I'd have to bring her back in and possibly traumatize her even more than I already had that day. So he suggested we pull it. It was sad, but it actually looks better having both teeth missing than just the one. She's pretty darling.




All she wants for Christmas, is her two front teeth!!


We took her to Santa... she hates him.




I had to crop myself out... she would only sit on my lap.



The highlight of visiting the mall. :)



She was a bit tuckered out after all that excitement/ anxiety.


We actually took her to see Santa Claus at The Festival of Trees, but I forgot my camera. Mrs. Claus was there too. Luckily. She sat on Mrs. Claus' lap, but refused to as much as touch Santa. When Santa asked her what she wanted for Christmas, she nervously started singing, "All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth!!!!!" Santa said, that made his entire day!


I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmastime. We sure are. We're about to go sledding, so I'll have more pictures to post soon. :)

Izze loves Santa

Izze loves Santa from Kalli Parkin on Vimeo.

Celebrating Izze turning 3!

I can't believe my little Punk is almost 3 years old. Sometimes it's weird to think she could be that old, she's still pretty small and still my little baby in so many ways, but other times, she's so mature and kind and compassionate and smart... she could be turning 5!
Izze can write her name and can spell out both Izze and Isadora. She can recognize, all the letters in her name, the letters J,K,M and O. She can count to 15 by herself and 20 with help. She loves to paint and color and learn. She'll ask me to teach her about things she's interested in. Lately it's bees and babies. She is very nurturing and loves babies. She loves playing in her kitchen and playing games. She absolutely loves to read. We read more than 10 books a day! She can play on the computer. She does chin ups in gymnastics. She can do a cartwheel and an arch up... she is incredible. Something I didn't know about three year olds... their snuggles get better and better!

Izze's birthday isn't until Saturday... a very cold snowy Halloween birthday! We celebrated her birthday last Saturday. And my mom took her to Build-A-Bear on Thursday night.

Izze has been talking about going since Owen turned 4 in August. Honestly, this was the worst time we've had a BABW. They didn't even acknowledge Izze's birthday at all... she was terrified of the girl stuffing her bear. We made it fun though. Stuffing Pedal Giving her "Sparkly Snow Leopard" a bath. She almost chose a turkey. But mostly she was torn between the Kooky Spooky Kitty and The Sparkly Snow Leopard. Considering she has like 30+ Build-a-Bears, there were few to pick. Chilling with Lainey at Gymboree. Move onto Friday, Izze's party. It really went well. This is the "Barbie Witch Cake" exactly how Izze wanted it too. Jeremy's mom helped Izze to decorate it, just the way she wanted it. I really couldn't do this. I stayed far far away from the cake baking/decorating process! Haha! Casey and Shannon made a second cake for Izze. I'm glad they did. It was chocolate mousse cake. Izze LOOOVES Skelanimals too. We made necklaces with Halloween charms. I'm actually really glad we did this activity. It wasn't expensive and it was fun. Avery. Izze's cousin, she just turned 5 at the beginning of the month. Izze's cousin, Parker, almost 7. Izze's cousins Ammon, 5 (Mr. Incredible) and Carson, 6 (Zorro) didn't break character most of the party. Izze's closest cousin, Ella, 2 and-a-half. Checking each other out. Playing "Pumpkin Patch" balloons filled with loot to take home. Filling the 100 or so balloons gave me the worst blisters ever. I'm talking they're about an inch long... Note to self... mini notebooks aren't mini enough to fit in balloons. Opening presents. Each present was this good. She also naturally thanked everyone by name after she opened their gift. Good girl. Pause for a moment. Izze's cousin threw a pretty heavy gift at Izze's forehead. She was just trying to help. Singing Happy Birthday. Happy Birthday to you. We had so much fun and Izze got quite the haul!
Heidi's family gave her two puzzles to help write her letters and numbers.


Stacy's family got her a Fancy Nancy dress. She would wear it every where if she could.


Casey and Shannon made her that chocolate cake and got her a Hello Kitty fortune cookie maker.


Our neighbors Briseis and Aurora got her Elefun and a Skelanimals stuffed animal.


Jordan got Izze Monsters Vs. Aliens


Parker, Avery and Kyson got Izze a Ni Hao Kai-Lan game.


Grandma and Grandpa Parkin gave her a hand carved Noah's Ark


Grandma Hansen gave her a nightgown


Great Aunt Sheila & Great Grandma Parkin gave her some money.


Grandma and Grandpa Halliday gave her a cradle, a view finder, the build a bear, some cute clothes and boots.


We got her an art desk and chair, Fancy Nancy phone, Fancy Nancy Frenchy dog, Snow White, Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz, A Yo Gabba Gabba game and some clothes. We still haven't given her some Fancy Nancy books and we're taking her to the store on her birthday to pick out something else.


She was totally spoiled. What a lucky lady!

Witchy Woman.

On Friday, my sister and I went to Wee Witches Weekend at Gardner Historic Village.

Izze had a ton of fun and is still more than pleased to be a witch for Halloween.




Sydney, Ella and Izze watching the "Hula Hoop Witch"


Izze's costume from behind.


Such a sweet sweet girl.


Riding a tractor to meet A.REAL.LIFE.WITCH.ARE.YOU.KIDDING.


The thrill was short lived. Izze was absolutely terrified of Matilda.




Attending a funeral for a dear cockroach friend, who was squished in the house. This is Queen Hyperspeed Helga. Izze looooved her.


Learning about poisoned apples, magic brooms and wart cream.


Izze really did like her, she was just a little nervous about being alone with her for a picture.

She got autographs from a few of the witches and she was so very proud.



She really had a great time, I'd go back again and again every year for sure.

The cutest thing is that Izze asked for a "witch party" for her birthday and I told her we were going to the "witch thing" and just before we left she asked me so sweetly, "Mommy, does this mean I'm 3 now?" SO DARLING! I said, "What do you mean, Izze?"
"Because we're going to this witch party, I'm 3 now!"

I told her she won't be 3 until the end of the month, but we'd get a lot of good ideas for her party.

Giveaway.

I've been following her blog for a while and I stalk her etsy quite frequently. Almost bought a Fancy Nancy dress for Izze too, but Izze changed her mind for her birthday theme and wants a witch party. So this giveaway is perfect for her.

http://raegunwear.blogspot.com/2009/09/giveaway-halloween-skirt.html

She makes the most darling things. :D

New Blog.

Izze decided she wanted to have a blog too. So we started a book blog.

We read a lot of books in our house. So why not start reviewing them?!? Izze tells me about the story and we take note of our favorite parts. And rate them 1-5

Her first two reviews are up right now.

izzelovestoread.blogspot.com

Please follow it! We're going to do a review at least once a week, but sometimes more. We even did two today!

Ok... really.

We had a lot of hiccups with getting internet here. Everyone thought everywhere in Daybreak had free fiber optic internet. I guess there are a few streets that just don't get it.

We finally have it, and I am committed to keep this blog up. I love reading all the blogs of our family and friends. So I need to give to get right?

And you know our blogs are the best with pictures of the cute little people in our lives...

Without further ado.

I have several pictures from this summer.

First off, my little fishy girl. She can swim underwater about three feet by herself. She loves going underwater and could swim all day if I'd let her. You can really see her missing tooth here now.






For Jeremy's birthday Izze got him the DJ Lance Hat, she was so excited. She thought, this is something she really wanted, so she knew her dad would love it too.





Izze being cute again.


I know she's got a booger face, that's what happens when you ride against the wind. I didn't do a thing to this photo, she's just so darn beautiful! :D I can't help but brag!


Showing me the rock she found, she loves painting rocks and giving them as gifts. You can also see her name bracelet I found at the farmer's market. I never thought it a million years I'd find Isadora, and I did... all I had to do was wait until the Ecuadorian family started a booth of these!


Izze told me she wanted to grow out her hair... but we both decided on a whim to get her hair cut, short and choppy.





She loves riding her bike. We ride it almost every night.




and even though this is out of order. We got her dance class pictures back.


I'll update a lot more often, smaller too. Izze dance class is starting up again soon. The classes I teach are up and running. I'm taking a few classes now too. We're always staying busy, so hopefully that means we'll have a lot to post about. :D