Charlize is 2!!

Its very fitting to have a "Boo" yard sign for Halloween and since its her nickname (given that she was born so close to Halloween) its hers. She had fun waiting outside for everyone to come!

After Dinner, while we were cleaning up the girls were playing on Charlize's water table turned upside down. They figured the legs made great stools and that apron Charlize is wearing was actually made for me by my Grandma Kika when I was about her age. :)

Dinner was Nate's awesome Chili!!! I made a Funfetti cake and Cinnamon Struesel cake. She loved blowing out the candles and wanted to do it again!

Party Guests: Una (Grandma Patte), Granddad (Grandpa Jim), GG& Papa (Great Grandma Barabara& Grandpa Wayne), Grandma Denise and Grandpa Craig, Aunt Diana, Uncle Kelby, Aunt Sonrisa, Cousin Addi, Baby Adams, Aunt Eleanore and Baby Fallon, Uncle James, Mommy, Daddy and Charlize!

The decorations: The green antique door hung on the wall in the kitchen had a timeline of pictures from each month up to her 2nd birthday; white pumpkin with a glitter glue 2; I reused her banner from last year (helps to keep the same color scheme); pretty flowers; an embroidery hoop wall hanging made from an old shirt and a mini picture of the birthday girl.

These are the pictures that I put on the timeline-clothesline in the kitchen for her party. When I made the collages to blog I put the months on each picture, but they didn't upload with it-sorry! Its fun to see her grow and change (and watch as that hair appeared around 18 months).

October 2010

The first weekend we headed up to Salina, UT for a roping at the Blackhawk Arena. Nate's parents and sister came too. Charlize got to play in the dirt alot, ride the horses with Daddy and had fun running around with more than just mom. :)

One of the evenings we were just cleaning up from dinner and I saw those beautiful clouds and sweet talked Nate into hleping me take Charlize on a mini photoshoot. I can only get about 5 minutes with her, and since I've learned how to use my flash off-camera and I wanted to capture the sky and my cutie in her 'rodeo shirt' (which just happened to match as well.

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10.10.10

Loves coming to say 'Hi'to all of the horses.

They're old friends and always happy to see each other. I love that Charlize will actually look at my camera now (well better than before) so that I can see her cute expressions and gorgeous blue eyes. I know we're totally biased, but she's beautiful!
She loves to play in the dirt and 'work' like Daddy.

Up to Pine Valley we went . . . .
The next 2 hours were quite hilarious to anyone else watching. We attempted to catch Zima (the buckskin in the picture above) on foot. Nate had tried to catch her the weekend before but it got dark and she kept running away. This Sunday evening we had an audience as the neighbor kids were quite fond of Zima and they would cheer her on as she ran from us. Its funny to think of now, but it wasn't funny at the time. We basically chased the herd of horses around for those 2 hours to tire them down and they finally left her all alone, Nate roped her and we were able to go home. She was out to pasture to heal since she broke her leg and good to know she's all healed up.

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Playing at the arena 10.19.2010

Charlize has started wearing her hat whenever we go get the horses, just like Nate. She pulls it down tight so it won't come off and away she goes. The poor hat is all sorts of bent, filled with dirt and squished but I suppose that's what makes a good hat - well loved. :) Thanks Grandpa&Grandma B for giving it to her.

- - - Halloween 2010 - - -

I took Charlize to school with me for the Halloween Parade :) I was going to make her poodle skirt, but a friend ended up having a perfect size to borrow. I love dressing up, so it was easy to just match her. My mom always has the best dress up acessories so its fun to pull it all together.

Saturday evening we went to my sister Eleanore's apartment to meet up with cousin Addison who was an adorable mermaid. However, the lack of naps made for unruly little girls not wanting to take pictures. So we snapped quick!

Here's cute Eleanore a few days from her due date, Una holding Charlize and our little family. Nate's so cute - he told me if I set it out, he would wear it.

Next we went to Nate's parents house to trick-or-treat there. Their neighborhood gets tons of visitors 'cause they hand out awesome candy. Charlize loved helping Grandma pass out the candy to the kids. That's my friend Kristen's dog Lucy - so cute!

Grandpa took Charlize down the road to get ice cream from Santa Claus. She was so excited to get her own ice cream. She ran around the sidewalk and into the house while we sat outside. She loved just running around and seeing all the kids.

September 2010

We were up at Graff's arena when I noticed all 3 girls had their cowgirl boots on with shorts. I think its adorable and we caught the lighting just right! Jaxson help my off-camera flash and we worked on getting my own little missy to cooperate. I just had to include a blooper because it helps make the good ones worth the wait! Aren't they adorable?!

The Dixie Round-Up is the Pro Rodeo in St. George and we had fun sitting at the parade and attending Friday nite with Nate's parents. Charlize loves wearing her sunglasses since Nate always wears his and she is just so cute!!

The stands aren't roomy at all and I was worried that Charlize wouldn't sit still, but she did great! It was 'tough enough to wear pink' night and they even painted some of the arena pink.

Charlize and cousin Addison are simply adorable when they get to be together! Charlize almost always brings a 'tutu' to share with Addi and they play together. (well, still working on that at times we are more the referee's but o, well) More time together will help with that!

August 2010

Charlize is now sleeping in her twin bed - no more crib! She is such a crazy sleeper - this morning she pushed the safety gate away from the side of the bed and her head is under the blanket towards the bottom of the bed. We went back to just sleeping with blankets since we didn't like how far she was under there (bottom of the bed tucked in) and thought she needs her freedom to roll as she pleases.
No more high-chair! She refuses to sit in it and loves sitting at the table with us. Yep, thats a phone book she's sitting on-the original booster seat. Yummy Ramin Noodles, she loves them!

This sleepy girl decided to take a nap on the couch. When she started to wake up Daddy snuggled in with her. So cute!

Bath time! She loves her baths and putting in the Elmo bubbles. She's not a complete fan of having the water dumped on her head so we've been working on that when we go swimming.

Her favorite movie is "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron" and we watch it EVERYDAY! She has her favorite parts and comments on them everytime "baby" "he's swimming" "oh no!" and I love to hear her little giggles as she watches! This day she fell asleep watching it and while wearing tutu's is a daily event, this was adorable! She has her boots on, tutu and stick horse by her. As well as a bear. What a spunky little cowgirl! At least she recharges with great naps!!

Up to Pine Valley we went and Kimber came to play!! 2 weekends in a row! The first one we visited and the 2nd Kyle and Nate went on a long horseride up the mountain. Kimber and Charlize both love being by the horses and of course riding the fourwheelers or Rhino. Brinlee did way better at taking more pictures and I'm so glad because they're soo cute together!
On Sunday, we went for a family ride around Pine Valley, Daizy came too and she thinks that she should ride up front with Charlize. Can you see her expression? Charlize just didn't like if Daizy stepped on her, but she loves having Daizy around!