It's about time... (and it's long)

So I finally decided that now is the time to update our blog. I'm always looking at everyone else's blogs checking for updates and I'm always disappointed when there's nothing new. So I figured that it was Karma; if I update my blog - others will too. So I'm doing it. Now you have to as well. ;)

This last month has been a little crazy. And to make matters worse our laptop has been freaking out and only connecting to the Internet when it feels like it. Even spending almost two hours on the phone with the HP tech guy didn't make a difference. I guess we'll just have to deal with it for now. I might just be having bad luck with technology lately because my cell was going crazy and when I was talking to the tech lady she totally fried my phone. I lost everything I had on it. All my contacts, all my pictures, all my videos of Bella, everything! I was so mad. I got a new phone and within two days, the new phone started doing the same thing the old one did. Nuts! So I went and got a new one (and had them back-up my contacts while I was at it, I'm not losing those again). So if you've been expecting a call from me and haven't gotten it, it's probably because I don't have your number. So you better call me. ;)

So finally, what we did this month: We finally finished with the school term the second week of December. We got to spend out last few days (before leaving for Redding) in a couple of inches of snow! It was so much fun playing in and looking at all the pretty snow (hey, our apartments don't look like such a dump when they're covered up!). It was fun until we had to leave the house. Driving in this town is a little crazy anyway, but with a bunch of people that can't drive when the pavement is dry it was even more scary. We had to put on chains just to get anywhere. I'm pretty sure the City of Corvallis has never heard of a snow plow.

We finally got to leave town and head for Redding. The drive was a little slow at first, but about half way to the border the roads cleared up and we actually got to go 75mph. One of our first visits, once we got to Redding, was to my Great-Grandma. It's so funny to see Bella watch her.

We didn't get to play in the snow before we left home, but luckily there was snow for us to play in at Grandma and Grandpa Rogerson's house. Bella thought it was quite interesting.

Tubby time with Grandma Sue and Grandpa Jerry. The sink was the perfect size. Bella had fun just sitting there looking at everyone.

This is Christmas Eve at my parents house. I don't know what we're doing or why this picture was taken, but the look on Bella's face cracks me up. I couldn't stop laughing when I saw it.

Christmas morning opening presents with Grandpa Jerry. He helped Bella open almost all her gifts. She certainly had fun eating the wrapping paper.

Cousin Lily opening her presents with her Daddy. She's really excited. Can you tell? I love the look on her face. Notice Bella and Lily's matching Christmas PJ's. Thanks Grandma Sue!

Bella and Lily playing with all their new Christmas toys. They kept stealing them from each other. It was pretty funny. I'm pretty sure Bella smacked Lily once or twice too. She may be little, but she's a bully. Hopefully that improves before kindergarten.

Lounging on the giant teddy bear that Grandma Sue and Grandpa Jerry got her. It was funny until she started eating fur. Yuck!

We went out to Grandma and Grandpa Rogerson's for the rest of Christmas day. We went up to the top of the hill that they live on and took this picture. It was very pretty. I love Bella's little outfit.

We had the whole crowd of Grandkids out at Grandma and Grandpa Rogerson's house. It was a little nuts. Look how brave Aunt Kate is sitting there with all those kids. The kids were actually captivated until I took out the camera.

Bella riding the Buckin' Bronco at G & G Rogerson's. It was a wild ride.

We finally headed home after the new year. Unfortunately we had to get back for school. By the time we got home all the snow had melted and Corvallis just didn't look as mystical as when we left. Getting back in the swing of things has been hard. I only have one class for an hour and a half on campus this term, but my two on-line classes require quite a bit of time. So far it's going pretty well. Dusty has been managing his time pretty well, but every once in a while he's a little reluctant to study and I find him doing anything he can to avoid studying. However, he still uses studying as an excuse to get out of things he doesn't want to do. "Dusty can you change her diaper?" - "I can't I have a test next week." Some times I let him get away with it, but not every time. ;)

Bella's hair is finally long enough to put a clip in. It's so funny. She always gets mad when I try to do something with it, but if I let her hold the comb all is forgiven.

Bella playing in the tub with her giant duck. Why was everything Grandma Sue got her this year for Christmas jumbo sized? A giant teddy bear? A huge rubber duckie? Huh.

We went to Portland because Daddy had a job interview for his summer internship. We waited in the car because it only took him a half an hour. Where were we going to go for 30 minutes? I did her hair while we were in the car and it was too cute not to document. Keep your fingers crossed that Dusty get that job we really want to move to Portland.

I was trying to keep Bella entertained while I was putting away laundry so I gave her her tutu. She was having fun eating it, but this is so much more funny. I love her little tongue sticking out.

I was jumping on the bed and bouncing her. She thought it was the best thing.

Bella loves to fly. And she always keeps her elbows tucked in.

She was cracking us up attacking this monkey. Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Scott got her this outfit in Hawaii this summer and it finally fits her.

What can I say, she's a future track and field star.

We went to Salem last Monday to see an exhibit that I helped put together in one of my classes. Another class and one of the Grad Students finished it and it was put up in the State Capitol. It was fun to go up there and see it in real life (when we were working on it it was just concept posters). It was also fun to see my name in print. If any of you are in Salem Oregon in the next two years, you should check it out. Here's the website for those of you not in the area. http://ohs.org/exhibits/traveling-exhibits/oregon-150-years-of-statehood-150-million-years-in-the-making.cfm

While we were in Salem we stopped to see our friends Shiara and Jenn. It was funny to see Shiara's son, Owen, and Isabella interact. He's only 5 days older than Bella and already so much bigger.

I guess Bella was motivated by Owen since he can really book it around the living room. She finally got up on her hands and knees and moved forward! She's still a little wobbly and she still prefers to scoot on her tummy, but she can crawl if she wants to.