Bowling

Last Friday Feb 8, we took the girls bowling. I wasnt quite sure how Em would do with it, but we had some tickets and figured we might as well use them. I needn't have worried. She loved it. First of all, they had bowling shoes in her size. They were so adorable and Emmeline loves shoes. Then as we got bowling, she would be sitting at "her" chair eating nachos while Brett and I bowled, then Brett would go over to her and tell her it was her turn. Her face would light up and she would jump out of her chair and run to the balls where she would go straight to "her" green one. With Bretts help, she would lift it up and take it over to the lane where she would put it between her legs and push. After the each roll, she would turn around and run to give Mabel a hug first and then give me a high five. Only after that would she look and see any pins she may have knocked down. Then she would run back to her chair where we would eat nachos and cheer for dad (or mom if I was taking my turn.) The tickets were good for two hours of bowling. I figured we would maybe get in one game, but we played two whole games. I wont mention the final scores (not because my two year old daughter scored better then me. . .okay, thats exactly why lol) but we had so much fun.And of course Mabel just liked being out and about and watching this strange world. Now I cant wait until she can bowl with us!!

The Greatest Show on Earth

On January 26 (I know I'm a couple weeks behind in my blogging. . .sorry) Brett and I took the girls to the Circus. It was so much fun! The greatest part was watching how mesmorized Emmeline was for the entire show. She kept saying "big clown, baby clown. Big pppppp (air blown threw lips--which means elephant), baby pppppppppp". We sure saw the clowns and the elephants. We also had all of the other neat things you'd expect at a circus: Tigers, horses, acrobats (even though some of the acrobatics were things that no human being should ever have to see. . . .I dont care how flexible you are. . .men should not put their legs behind their heads. period.) Of course there were lots of lights and lots of music. It was great fun. When it was over all Em could think to say was "more, more." "Dont worry Em," I said, "We will definitely have more circus next year when The Greatest Show on Earth returns to Birmingham!" Just a warning for those planning on attending the circus when it comes to your area. . .cotton candy costs 20 bucks. No that was not a typo. 20 big ones. . .for what I think is a fairly disgusting textured treat. You can imagine the cost of all the light up spinny toys and trinkets. We brought our own light up glow necklaces and bracelets which I had previously purchased at the dollar store. Emmeline still got to glow like the rest of the kids and we paid almost nothing for that excitement. Genius.

p.s. no, we did not buy the cotton candy. :)

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

On Saturday January 19, 2008 it did something here in Birmingham that I didnt know was possible. It snowed. It was so much fun. At about 10:30 in the morning I took Emmeline and Mabel outside to see for themselves what this wonderfully fun thing called snow really was. I was afraid that Emmeline wouldnt actually see snow until she was many years older. . .which was very sad for me since I grew up in Utah and had tons of fun in the snow every year. Making forts and skiing and playing snow football and other games. But on Sat morning I got to do some fun things with Em. We made snow angels and lots of snow balls. She caught snowflakes in her mouth and just enjoyed watching it fall. I'm glad we got up to play in the morning because it was all gone by the afternoon, but hey, down here in B'ham, I'll take what I can get!!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

A couple of weeks ago my sister Lydia came to visit us here in Birmingham from Provo Utah. We had so much fun. We spent a lot of time just hanging out and playing games on the Wii. Then on Tuesday Brett came home from work early to watch the kids so Lyds and I could go out on the town. We had pedicures and manicures and we got our eyebrows waxed (just because). Then we went to the mall. We were gonna spend an hour there and go to dinner around 7:30. But we were having so much fun the time just slipped away. All of the sudden we walked out of a store just to have them pull their doors shut behind us. As we walked along, we noticed that all the stores were closed. oops. Guess we would be having dinner at 9:30 instead. We headed on over to the cheesecake factory and enjoyed a delicious dinner there. Dont worry, we brought Brett a piece of cheesecake. Anyway, it was so much fun to visit with my sister.

Laura's Top 10 of 2007

#10. Pretzels, pretzels, pretzels

For some reason this was my big craving during my pregnancy with Mabel. I bet I ate more pretzels this summer then I have eaten throughout the rest of my entire life.


#9. Water

We loved anything and everything water this year. From running through sprinklers in our yard, splashing in friends pools, going to places with water like water works in VA and Alabama Adventure. If it was wet and we could get in it. . .we loved it!!

#8. Pottery Barn Kids

We had so much fun going and playing at Pottery Barn for kids. They have such cute kitchens and accessaries. Emmeline would play there for hours if I let her. It also had cute things for me to look at.

#7. Five Guys

They have delicious affordable burgers and they are very generous with their world class french fries. Plus all the peanuts you can eat. What more can you want from your family burger place?

#6. My blog. It has been really fun writing different things on my blog and a great way for me to see what family and friends have been up to as well. Yeah for Blogger.

#5. Tums

These amazing things saved me from months of discomfort throughout my entire pregnancy. I still use them all the time even after Mabel is born. I will forever be grateful to the inventor of Tums.

#4. Twilight Books

These books are very fun. A great combination of romance, action, misery, friendship, and true love. Ah, a girls dream.

#3. Birmingham Zoo

We had so much fun throughout the year at the Birmingham Zoo. We loved the water fountains, the petting zoo, the animals to see, the birds to feed, the train to ride, the carasel to ride, Boo at the Zoo, Zoolight Safari. We love the zoo.

#2. Birth of Mabel Jane Pickett

There is nothing as wonderful as having a brand new little baby, a precious spirit child of Heavenly Father. Someone who is so pure and so innocent with a spirit so strong and connected to Heaven. It is truly amazing.

#1. Brett Pickett

Yes the number 1 thing in my life has been and always will be my Brett Pickett.

I cant wait to see what 2008 has in store for my family.

The Magic of Trains

I've always wondered about little boys fascination with all trains. I've recently discovered that the magic of trains is not gender specific. Emmeline loves the train at the zoo, which I can understand because its like a ride. However, it turns out that any kind of train is cool. Right now at the McWane Center they have a display all about Trains. "Mo Choo Choo, mo choo choo." For some reason watching the trains go around and around their tracks is mesmerizing for Emmeline. They do actually have some pretty neat displays including a model of the Hogwarts Express traveling around Hogwarts and the town of Hogsmead. I guess no one is ever to old to appreciate a good "Choo Choo"!!

McWane Your Brain

For Christmas this year, Brett surprised me with a year long family pass to the McWane Science center here in Birmingham. At first I was a little skeptical thinking. . ."A science center. . .I have a two year old and a 4 month old. . .what in the world am I going to do at a science center?" Well let me tell you what in the world we do at the 'science center'. They have a great area for young children called "just mice size". Emmeline and I just call it the mouse house. They have lots of fun things for little kids to do including a water table with flowing water and lots of fun water toys (this is probably Emmeline's favorite display right now), a big jungle gym play ground, a pretend shopping mart complete with shopping baskets, plastic food and cash register. It also has a puppet theater, tons of great puzzles and games, a sandpit, and lot of other little things to explore. All of that is just in the mouse house. There are also a lot of other exhibits which are great. They have a nice aquarium which is pretty cool. In one colorful tank they have a bright green, 5 foot eel. The worker said that eels are nocturnal and that they usually dont come out much during the day, but the last time we were there (yes, we've already been more then once and we've only had the pass for a week) the eel came all the way out of its hiding place and we got to see it in all of its lengthy splender. As he was coming out Emmeline started hissing. .sssssssssss. I suppose it sort of did look like a snake. :) Anyhow, there are so many great things there. Plus it is temp controlled which will be a great feature during the summer!! Here is the question of the year. . .which Christmas gift will get more use during 2008: the Wii or the Science Center. Hmmm, Maybe I'll make it a poll.

Mo Fish

For Christmas this year Brett received a Nintendo Wii. We have really been enjoying it. Even Emmeline gets in on the action. Her favorite game is "fish". Every day she will say "mo fish mo fish". Then she'll run to the unit where we keep the controls and she'll say, "fishin pole". It is so cute. She has to have her own controller--dont worry she loves to put the wrist strap on. It is her "fishin pole bracelet." What an awesome new toy!!

An Apology

You've probably noticed the lack of pictures on our blog as of late. . .I am sorry. We have currently misplaced our camera. As soon as I find it I will post all sorts of great photos!!

Happy New Year--2008

We had a lot of fun bringing in the New Year. We had some friends over and mostly played our new Nintendo Wii the whole time. Everyone brought a treat to share so we were surrounded by good food and good friends. At 11:45 we all shot little confetti filled cap guns and yelled happy new year. . .okay, the the new year wouldnt be official for another 15 minutes. . but we decided to let our guests beat the traffic and get their kids to bed. I wish you the best of luck with your new resolutions. I love the feeling of wiping the slate clean and getting a fresh start. Happy New Year.

There and Back Again. . .Merry Christmas

Well, we've made it back to Birmingham and started settling back into the old routine. I've decided thats the hardest part about the holidays. . .getting back to normal after they are over!! We had a great Christmas in Virginia. We went and bought a Christmas tree and Emmeline loved helping choose which tree to get. My mom is the ward choir director in her ward and she put together a lovely program filled with music and scripture. She even roped my two sisters and me into singing a trio. But it was very nice.
I loved playing Santa this year. As much fun as it is to get presents on Christmas, I think I am filled with even more anticipation over seeing Ems and Bretts reactions to what "Santa" got for them. That was the best. It was great to spend a leisurely day with no worries or cares. It was great to visit with my parents and brothers and sisters. We sang a lot and laughed a lot. It was wonderful. And it was great to send Emmeline and Mabel to an aunt or uncle or grandma to play with. I probably shouldnt admit this. . .but I only changed one diaper the whole week. Thanks grandma. Oh and I saw two movies in the theater: Enchanted and National Treasure two. Brett and I dont make it to a lot of movies these days, so that was a great treat. Our last evening there, my parents took us out to Samuri, a Japanese restaurant where they cook everything right in front of you. Our chef was hilarious and tossed shrimp around for us to each try and catch with our mouths. It was a great show and the food was pretty delicious too.
Anyway, we had a lovely holiday. Merry Christmas everyone!! And now. . . .it's back to real life!