Merry Christmas

We wanted to take this opportunity to wish all of our loved ones a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!! We hope that you were able to see your loved ones and remember the true meaning of Christmas! We had a good year. The biggest change was our move to Arizona. We're really starting to like it here, thanks to some new friends!!

At church this past month we've been hearing a lot about seeing the Christ in Christmas and it has really helped us keep our perspective of what Christmas is really all about. We pray that the Lord is with all of you during this holiday season and always.

All our love,

Roberto, Elizabeth and Oliver

Fun Videos of Oliver

Oliver is so fun! Here are some fun videos of Oliver! Enjoy!

Just some random stuff

Last week our neighborhood was supposed to have a Christmas party for the little kids. Well, it was canceled at the last minute. ( we found out by a note on the door of the house it was supposed to be at) Anyway, I tried so hard to get a good picture of Oliver with his little santa hat on... I did not have any luck... here are two of the best shots!

Also a couple of cute pics of Oliver at the library! We love going to the library... and the one we go to has a lot of fun things for the little kids to do!!

And lastly just a cute little video of Oliver playing with a snowman!

Twins

Our little neighbor and Oliver have matching shirts. Mauricio came in his today so I decided to put Oliver in his and take a couple of pictures!

Oliver's Spot

Oliver has decided that he has his own special spot. For some reason he loves to sit under the island in between two stools. It's so funny but he loves it!!

Church Update

Oliver is getting a little better at church. I took my friend Heather's advice and when we take him out into the hall we don't let him down. Then when we're in the Chapel he will happily sit and read books or eat snacks. It's a process but we're getting better and this past Sunday I didn't want to run out of church crying by the end! YAY!!!

So smart

Oliver is so smart! He still does new things everyday and I love being able to see him grow and learn. Yesterday, he was drinking some milk and was done. I said "okay Oliver you're all done now" and he said raised his hands up as if he were going to ask a question, cocked his head to the side and said " All Gone?" It was so cute! I wish I would have had my camera so you could all see how adorable his expression was! It was just the cutest thing ever! I love this little boy!

Little Theif

Today Oliver was following Berto's aunt around the kitchen begging for bites of a tostada! It was so funny... but the funniest part was when she chipped off a little piece of tostada and went to hand it to Oliver and he snatched the bigger part of the tostada and started chowing down! It was so funny! All I got was this picture of his prize but I was laughing so hard at my little begger boy!

Cookie Monster

My mom informed me today that I'm not blogging enough for her! I'm tired and don't have a lot of time today but here is a cute video of our little cookie monster in the making! :)

My sweet boy

I realized today that my previous post about Oliver's tantrums during church was based on my complete exhaustion after three hours of trying to keep him quiet! I failed to mention that he does have a few shining moments during church. Whenever we sing a hymn he stops whatever he's doing and "sings" with us. It's the cutest thing and I wish I could get it on video!! Anyway, just a little after thought!

Christmas Decorating and a little Randomness

Well my mother in law and I started decorating for Christmas! I Decorated the tree and she did everything else! :) She used all her things so I didn't want to get in the middle of her creative process! :) Anyway, here are two pictures of our tree! I thought it turned out pretty cute!

Why is it???

It amazes me every Sunday how this sweet little sleeping angel can become such a monster at church. Since we've been in Arizona church has been especially difficult with Oliver. I don't know what it is but much of our three hours is spent chasing a screaming monster around the building... it sure is exhausting. I guess it must be the age ... but I am finding it hard to even want to bother going to church because I know what I'm going to have to deal with, it doesn't matter how many snacks, books and stuffed animals I bring he is out of control. I feel like I can't control my own child and it is so frustrating.... any words of advice (encouragement) would be great other mommy's!!

Thanks!!

Happy Thanksgiving

We wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!! We hope each of you were able to reflect upon those things you are grateful for! We had a good day relaxing and then ate some yummy food prepared by Berto's mom and aunt! It was a very casual day!

Of course I have a couple of pics! And notice our new family picture in our header!! Hope you had a great day!

Berto, Elizabeth and Oliver

Building forts with daddy

It was nice having Berto home today! Oliver and Berto built a couch cushion fort this morning! Oliver had a blast and wouldn't sit still for a picture inside of the fort! It was so cute to watch them play!!

Videos

I haven't posted in a little while. Here are several fun videos of Oliver. He is keeping us busy and entertained!!

I'm a ccoooooolllll rider....

Here are a couple of fun videos of Oliver driving his own quad... okay well it's actually the neighbors little quad. And a video of Oliver talking on the phone! Too cute!! Enjoy!!

Pears for dinner

So Oliver has become quite finicky over the past week. He doesn't seem to want breakfast no matter what I try to give him and he won't eat anything that I try to feed him no matter what time of day it is. Well today was one of "those" days. I decided I was going to give him some Deli Turkey Lunch Meat for dinner and call it a day. Well I tore it up and scattered it about on his high chair tray and stuck him in the seat. Oliver staying true to his self as of late refused to eat even one bite of the turkey (something he typically enjoys). Well, my mother in law has this little arrangement of plastic fruit that she keeps on the kitchen table. Oliver (who loves fruit always) started pointing at the fruit. So I held up a real pear and asked him if he wanted to eat a pear. He said "Da" and nodded his head. Well, I washed it, took a bite out of it to get it started and handed the entire pear to him. Usually we share and he takes little bites here and there well I could hardly get another bite. He held it like a chicken leg and chowed the entire pear down. Not a protein packed dinner but at least it wasn't cookies or something I'm counting my blessings about that!! :)

Prop 8 demonstrators and something that's been on my mind.

I've been getting tons of emails with articles about the prop 8 demonstrators at our LDS Temples. It pains me to see these people putting such an attack on the LDS Faith when most Christian Faiths and even non religious people have the same views regarding same sex marriage. I have seen posts on other blogs also about how sad it is. This morning as I was getting ready in the bathroom for our very busy day I was reflecting on the situation and a quote ( The Standard of Truth) that we used to say as missionaries kept coming to my mind and brought comfort with regards to this situation.Part of it says "... persecutions may raise, mobs may combine, armies may assemble and calumny may defame but the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done."

I truly feel that and I know we have been experiencing things like this for a long, long time I guess it just seems to hit home right now. And hope this brings peace to your hearts and minds today!

Love,
Elizabeth

Olivers 12 month stats

So we went in for Olivers 12 month check up today! 4 shots later we are home (well we've been home for a couple of hours) and Oliver is already fast asleep! He had a busy day!

Here are our big boys stats:
Finally a doctor that I like!! She thinks he's just fine even though he's big. He's a healthy breastfed baby and will get thinner.

Height 31 Inches tall
Weight 32 lbs
Head Circ. 47

Next appointment is in three months!!

My Big Boy Turns 1!

Today is a big day for us. Oliver is one! I can't believe how fast time really did fly by this year. I have enjoyed every moment of motherhood and watching Olivers growth and development. He amazes me everyday. He is so funny and so smart! I love my little Oliver and am so grateful for the blessing he is in my life. He is a joy and I absolutely adore him!! He is such a special boy! I love you Oliver and am so proud to be your mom! Thank you for bringing me joy and laughter everyday this past year and everyday for many, many, many more years to come!!

Party, Party, Party.... PPPPAAAARRRTTTYYY!!!!

Oliver was a lucky boy this year. We had two birthday parties for him, one was in California right before we moved, and the other one we had last night to celebrate since his birthday is today and Berto won't be home until Oliver's asleep.

Thank you to all of our wonderful friends and family that helped us celebrate this milestone in Olivers life.! Enjoy some pictures of Oliver's Parties!!

Olivers First Halloween

Apparently our town Queen Creek sponsors a Trunk or Treat. I say apparently because even though we planned to go with our neighbors Ana, Luca and Mauricio we did not actually make it. Oliver was too tired! Roberto works late so I was going to go with the neighbors who have a two year old, well at about 6:45 as we were piling into our cars Oliver started falling apart at the seams. So I decided not to force him to go do something he wouldn't remember or care about. Not to mention the fact that I'd probably end up lugging around my 30 pound one year old in my arms all night! :) So, off to bed Oliver went and I'm here posting the few pictures I was able to take of Oliver and Mauricio before they left! Oliver has also decided that he doesn't like pictures right now so I don't have very many good pictures in fact I think I might have one where he's actually looking at the camera... grrr... oh well! Enjoy my little dalmation puppy and his friend Elmo! :)

Ode to the Letter Factory

So my good friend Carol Ann told me about this amazing DVD called the letter factory, and my friend Heather happened to buy it for Oliver. For those of you who don't know what the letter factory is, it is this amazingly wonderful little movie that teaches kids the alphabet and one sound that each letter makes. It's geared toward ages 2-5 but when we were getting packed I was desperate to distract Oliver in any way I could. Well, Oliver will sit down (something he doesn't do often since he walks now) and he will watch the entire thing. He also frequently repeats the sounds of some of the letters. I LOVE the letter factory! It is awesome and I'm so proud of my little one for already picking up on the sounds of the letters!!!