Enjoying ourselves in warm Florida....

Just wanted to say the Varleys are enjoying themselves in the warm sun down in Florida. Had a nice long day at the beach and pool, but got a little to much sun myself. I think this white pregnant skin can't handle the sun like it used to.
I will post pictures when we return next week. We wanted to wish everyone a wonderful New Year. Lot's of big events in 2010!!!!!! Baby Varley, Graduation and a wedding......

For you Grandma and Grandpa.....

Were a little behind since we have been gone so here are some Christmas pictures. I didn't realize I took so many so here is just a few. We had a wonderful holiday season besides not being able to make it down to Iowa. We are heading down next week for a few days so Grandma and Grandpa be ready for a busy little girl.

Believe it.......
Enjoying opening her presents at home with mom and dad before the big day begins.

Some new flip books and touch and feel ones.

A beauty kit. Oh and the hair dryer was the biggest hit out of the whole thing.

Making her naked baby pretty.

Opening our new kitty piano.

Loved the kitty piano.


Practicing for when mommy brings the new baby home. I think I have a good little helper on my hands.


Slowly opening her presents...

The life of a 18 month old

It only took 18 months, but Alivia finally figure out the TV. I have always had it on and when she is with her cousin she will always watch Dora or something like that. Alivia just never cared about the show or anything to do with the TV. Well the other day I had it on in the morning while I was doing laundry and I noticed she was so quiet. I looked over and this is the image I saw. Alivia standing in the middle of the room starring at the TV with her milk in hand. The only show she cares for right now is Sid the Science Guy. Let me tell you it's an awesome show. I now can count on a good 20-30 minutes of getting emails done or cleaning without a helper right next to me.

Here are few more pictures of my little TV watcher. It's so funny how she will go into this complete trance for so long. Oh she does more from the couch, this blue chair and her rocking horse during the show. We might even try to read a book at the same time.

Oh yeah and we also have figured out how to unzip our PJ's. She has been so good about un-zipping her jacket when we get home and I think she realized her jammies have the same thing. so Monday I watched the whole process unfold. She unzip a little and looked around to see if I was watching which I was from another room. She then got it all the way down and pulled her arms out with a HUGE smile on her face. Getting her feet out was a little tricky, but once she did it was like she discovered the coolest thing. She played for a very long time in just her diaper. I guess the diaper is next, right.

Macy's 8th Floor

Last year we started the tradition of taking Alivia down to the Macy's 8th floor Christmas display and this year was no different. As a child we did this as a family every year so it's is so fun to now do it with my family.
Alivia actually enjoyed herself this year. Last year the lights were the only cool thing and this year we were a little more into it. After going through Santa's workshop we visited Santa and got a BIG sugar cookie (tradition).

On our way into the workshop to see the whole process of Christmas. I think the little elf's might have been her favorite oh yeah and the candy and sweet shop.

We also got to write a letter to Santa and let him know how good we have been and what we want for Christmas. The only thing is I think this awesome horn took priority over the letter.

Overall it was another fun day of Christmas festivities. Can't wait till next year a 2 1/2 year old and a 9 months to bring down and enjoy mommy's favorite part of the year.

Oh yeah we couldn't pass up another visit with Santa...

6 months.....

Well it's been 6 months already and here the little one is. She is doing fantastic and growing like any little baby should. Both of us are healthy and happy. I have been feeling great and can't believe in just 3 months and a couple weeks we will have two little girls. I am excited to see how another one will fit into our family. I guess one thing is for sure she will have plenty of clothes and shoes when she arrives. Between having a big sister and cousin born around the same time we have at least an average of 5 change of clothes per day without doing laundry:)

Story Time.....

A normal routine when Clint gets home from work is usually watching him bring all his stuff in, change into more comfortable clothes and then reading books. The other night was extra special during Clint's daily story time because Sampson wanted to be involved. I couldn't resist taking this picture because this went on for a good 20 minutes with the both of them sitting there so quiet and enjoying daddy time....

To cold to go outside...Brrrrrrr

I will have to say this week I have been very creative in our at home activities. Monday thru Wednesday it was just to darn cold to go outside so we made our own fun at home. We played house, painted our holiday pictures, made muffins and the most fun painted in the bathtub.

This is how excited we were to strip off our clothes and get into that bathtub. All morning I told Alivia that we would use these paints to paint in the bathtub and when it was finally time she ran to go get the box. I got her clothes off and you would have thought I let her have all the cookies in the world.
Decorating our Christmas goodies was another popular activity. I wasn't sure how many sprinkles or frosting would make it on to the cookie, but she did a good job. We have been enjoying these wonderful cookies all week....

Three crazy kids......

This year I can't believe how lucky we were to get all three kids smiling at the same time. I think someone was looking down on us since last years was a little bit of a disaster. This year Jack is 5 1/2, Presley is 2 1/2 and Alivia is 1 1/2 which I think helped a lot. Just think next year there will be an 8 month old in the mix.

Happy Holidays to all!

From:

Jack, Prelsey & Alivia

Ginger bread time......

When it's cold outside and nothing else to do why not make a ginger bread house. Presley and Alivia took on that challenge and did an awesome job. Mom had to actually put the house together, but the girls did the decorating. We had 3 rules that morning.....
1. No eating the candy until we are finished
2. Take turns putting the candy on
3. Have fun.....
Well we managed to accomplish one of those goals and we had a lot of fun. Presley thought she was being sneaky when eating the candy, but I saw every piece that went into her mouth. Alivia tried a few, but was more interested in getting her mint piece on that house.

Beginning stages of our house
Alivia doing a great job at decorating her ginger bread man

One piece on the tree, one in my mouth, one piece on the tree, one in my mouth

For some reason this is really funny...... If you look really hard our ginger bread man has only one big read eye.

Slowly looking like a candy house.....

Putting the final touches on.. Alivia was totally busted in the picture....

Oh the concentration of a 1 1/2 year old and a 2 1/2 year old

And were done.....

Holiday time!!!

We had a big weekend with a lot of holiday fun. We were able to go to Paul's work and visit with Santa and tell him what we wanted for Christmas. Alivia did awesome and had no fear of Santa at all. She was more concerned with why all the Santa's looked different, but had a great time because she was introduced to candy canes... That day the kids were able to eat, run around and go into the craft room with 6 different table of arts and crafts for the kiddos.

Saturday we headed out to the Wayzata Country Club for breakfast with Santa. It was fun to get the whole family dressed up and enjoy a fun morning. We got to sit on Santa's lap again, tell him what we want and even get a present. What a way to start the weekend...

The whole Varley family and one of the last holiday pictures without baby sister...

Enjoying some hugs from Presley who finally realizes Alivia is her same size.

Mommy, daddy and our dazed and confused child.....

Not sure about this guy.........

My little princess checking out the Christmas tree.

At Paul"s work. Our first try at Santa and did very well. Not sure if we will get a smile this year. I guess will see about next.

My big girl is getting so big

Enjoying some playtime before it's time to go home...

Jump....Jump....Jump

These days Alivia loves to jump and dance whenever she hears music. Her horse has been getting a lot of use as you can see in the pictures below. Alivia will jump on this horse for 10-15 minutes at a time and thinks it's the best thing on earth. Since this has started Clint and I decided this little jumping bean needs a trampoline. Of course it will be one of those little kid ones, but I think Santa might be bringing one her way this Christmas.

I wish I had the video camera near by to get this on film, but the action shots will have to work for now. I just love watching her go and go and go. She now will bounce without any hands so we are becoming more daring everyday.

This is how we roll......

We have stepped it up a notch in the Varley household. Now we just unzip our jammie's to hang out in the morning. Were starting a baby trend so moms watch out your child could be next.



I can't even begin to believe I am going to have two of these running around my house in just a short time. Thank goodness Alivia is my calm and chill little girl. I am fully ready for the next girl to be a diva and crazy. Alivia will hopefully put her in her place when mom needs a little help.