Holiday Traditions

I have been MIA for the past couple weeks. I can blame the fact that we were in FL last week, but before that there's really no excuse. Here's a few of the things we have been up to. FL pics to come later in the week!

We took Sienna and Ariana to see their first Holidazzle parade. Sienna ooohhhed for the whole thing and loved seeing all the lights. I hope we can make this a yearly tradition!

Spent a full weekend baking cookies. The first day was our annual girl friend day of cookie baking and the second day was with the girls in my family. Lots and lots of cookies were made. I have been trying to be so good not to eat them all!

Loving all these holiday traditions and there are more to come this week. Such a great time of year!

15 Month Favorites

Sienna,

At 15 months you are full of opinions, loves, and hates. Conner is your bestest of all friends. You love to run over to him, give him hugs, pull on his legs and chase him around. This also includes standing next to him with your mouth open waiting until he gives you a mouthful of kisses. He is such a good doggy and is very patient with you.

Conner hugs

and kisses

Your Dad's love of Christmas is contagious and you have caught the bug. You are mesmerized by all of the pretty lights and decorations. Every time you see them you say, "Oooooooooh!!" and squeal with delight. Even if you turn away for a moment and then look back, it's like it's the first time all over again and more ooohs. 

Ooohing over the tree

Your Mom's love of dance seems to have been passed onto you. Christmas music is your favorite to jam to but any toy that plays music will do as well. You've even started to do a booty shake. (Videos needed) You also love climbing and rocking. Your rocking chair provides hours of entertainment. All of your toys go up on the chair and then you try to climb up and sit with them - most of them are too big and this doesn't work very well.

15 months means we got an official measurement checkin! I think you stayed pretty close to your same percentages as last time.
Height: 30.3 inches 44%
Weight: 21 lbs 7 oz 27th
Head: 18.5 79%

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's been one of those months. I know I haven't been blogging much lately but the first round of winter sickness hit our family - and hard. Started with Sienna, moved to me and as soon as both of us were healthy, it hit Justin. No fun. But I'm happy to say 3 weeks later, we are all healthy and hoping we can at least enjoy this Thanksgiving weekend as a happy and healthy family (Please, let me have one weekend this year to enjoy) At least it hit us before the holiday unlike last year.

We're hosting Thanksgiving again this year. We're trying a new method of turkey cooking using a brine and a searing roast before a slower roast. Let's hope it works! I need to learn to never try new recipes when hosting. You can't ruin a turkey, right? Last weekend started my prep including a gluten and dairy free pumpkin pie!

I wish I could say it tastes as great as it looks - that's why I'm showing it on this blog and not my food one. :) The crust ended up being very hard. I need to keep trying to find a great gf/df recipe. The pumpkin part is still great.

Besides being sick we've spent the past couple weekends trying to cheer on our football teams. If only they looked as good playing as Sienna does cheering them on...

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!!

Photo Shoot

Awhile ago we bought a Groupon for a photo shoot. I thought it was going to be a good idea to do it after Sienna was able to walk. I was thinking of cute pictures of her standing up, not thinking about how easily she could run away. Lets just say that if you want to get a photo shoot of your toddler, do it while they can stand against something but not walk yet. :) Lesson learned. Despite Sienna trying to show her independence and her semi-crabby mood we still got some cute pictures out of it.

Chatterbox

Sienna,
You, my dear, have become quite the chatterbox. You are constantly mimicking words and noises. The other weekend when Auntie Cari walked in the room I said her name and you tried to repeat it. She was very excited to hear "Ca!" too.

A couple days ago I received my weekly email about your milestones for this age and it said you should have about 5 words and early talkers could have 20. This prompted your Dad and I to list all of the words you say and it was over 20, plus a few animal noises and "Choo Choo". I was surprised to see that you are ahead in this area but of course proud as any mom would be. My absolute favorite word that you say is "Cracker". So much that I had to record it. Any kind of salty snack you call cracker. I love it.



Of course there are a couple words that I'm not too excited about. "Mine" is the top one - really mine? At 14 months you are way too young to know that. We'll chalk that up to daycare. And also "No" is becoming a favorite. I can't wait to see what else you start picking up. We're going to have to start watching what we say.

Buckets and Books

This is how we roll at the Jovle house: buckets on heads and books in hand. If Sienna ever gives you a bucket just know you're supposed to put it on your head.

Cooking Club IX

This cooking club was inspired by English cuisine. Unfortunately, I was not able to make it to this one. Sienna and I were both sick so we stayed home and commiserated together. Cari was able to step in at the last minute and stand in my place. Here's what they made.

First Course

Fall Harvest Chestnut Apple Soup

Main Course
English Cottage Pie with Roasted Butternut Squash Salad and Sherry Maple Vinaigrette

Dessert

Cinnamon Plum Fool