Recent Pictures

Today I finally downloaded pictures from my camera and discovered that I had over 160 of them. So I'm gonna give you an onslaught of my favorites:

We start 'em young:

I posted videos earlier of our trip to the Denver aquarium. Here's a picture. She loved the rainbow fish, but most of the time she was more interested in mommy and daddy than in the fish. I feel like there's a lesson in that...

Playing with daddy. Living in Paonia, even visiting a Barnes & Noble is like a theme park:

Wait, how did she get in there?

Vivi and her favorite snack. Paper.

From our visit home to Raleigh. BFFs:

Strawberry picking:

Fun at the zoo:

This is my favorite picture from the zoo. It was a long, hot, and fun day, and when we were done we got on the bus to get back to the parking lot. I took Vivi out of her stroller and set her down to give her some tummy time on the seat. After 1.7 seconds, she fell asleep like this:
With Aunt Nelly at Jack's birthday party:

Grandpa:

Vivi's a little fascinated with Jonah:

Can't you tell?

Vivi and grandma:

Vivi and grandmere:

Vivi and grandpa:

Admire my baby. Do it.

JUST TRY to tell me this baby isn't stinkin' adorable:

What the What?

About 3 weeks ago, our local newspaper published an ad looking for an appointee to the district school board. One of the elected members had to withdraw because of health issues, and the remaining school board members needed to choose someone to replace him for the remainder of the term -- about a year and a half. I decided to apply.

A week later, I got a letter saying that the appointee would be chosen after a public Q&A panel with the 6 applicants. I spent the week researching and preparing, and last Thursday I was on a panel with the other applicants. A moderator asked us questions, chosen by the school board, on a rotating basis. It was very intimidating.

Then, about 10 minutes ago, I got a call saying the board picked me. I am now a district school board member.

What the what??

Bring it.

Anticipation!

I am giddy! Tomorrow Vivi and I go home to North Carolina, and we'll be there for 2 weeks. Every time I look at her, I'm just SO EXCITED for my family to love and adore her, as they're bound to do.

I CAN'T WAIT! ONE MORE DAY!!

Aquarium

This weekend, Ryan and I took our baby to Denver for the weekend. The drive there was AWFUL. There was a snowstorm around Vail, and it took us 8 hours to make the 4 hour trip.

Saturday, we all went to the aquarium. She was still a little tired from the crazy schedule the day before, but when we saw the rainbow fish, she woke right up. Check out how cute she is:

Glee Personal Statement

I have no chance. I know that. But I had SOOOOOO much fun making a Glee audition tape. Here's my personal statement:

Our Country Girl

A future 4H-er in the making:

6 Months

Two days ago my baby turned 6 months old. I can't believe it! Sometimes I look at her and am shocked that she is so big! But I'm not sad; she just keeps getting cuter.

Here are some videos. They're nothing in particular -- just Vivi being Vivi.

And my favorite, the belly laugh. Sorry it's moving so much; I couldn't stop laughing myself!

I'm going crazy

My hormones are a little out of control lately. Today I watched Julie and Julia and cried 1) when Eric gave Julie pearls for her birthday, 2) when Julia found out Dorothy was pregnant, and 3) at the end, when Julie says, "I love you, Julia." This was not getting a little choked up. This was full on tears with Vivi shaking in my arms. And those of you who have seen this movie know that these are RIDICULOUS things to cry about. 3 times.

OK, that's it. Now for your viewing pleasure:

My spoiled, spoiled puppy

My beauty, playing with her favorite toy -- a spatula.

Daddy loves introducing her to new foods before he's supposed to. Here's her favorite new lollipop

And my favorite

Home again

We got back from TX on Sunday. Why is it that you're always more tired at the end of a vacation than when you left? We had a GREAT time, and I already miss the Williams and the Crests, and Vivi misses Allie. More on the trip when I get pictures from them to post.

For now, enjoy watching what happened when we came HOME from the trip. Vivi was very excited to be out of her carseat!

People Magazine

Thank you for the magazine, nana!

Stuff

Funny picture from our snow storm. I really thought we had this dog neutered...

My cute girl:

And the video to match:

Snow Day

We got about a foot of snowfall last night. It took Ryan and I a long time to shovel out 2 driveways and paths to the chickens and wood pile, but I got my exercise for the week! Here are some videos from our snow day:

Toby LOVES snow:

My silly hubby:


Can you tell Toby loves Ryan?


Wow, it feels so weird making a post that's not about Genevieve...

New Pictures

Does anyone know why some of my pictures show up sideways when I post them to the blog? I've already rotated them on the computer.

A New Trick

Yes, I am aware that my voice is really annoying on these videos. I would tell you to mute this one, but you need to hear her grunting to get the full effect.

Failed attempt. I probably shouldn't even post this one, but I think it's cute.

Success.

Funny Song

I know this is a funny song to sing to a baby, but she LOVES it. Can you name where it's from?

This is also the closest I can get to that "missing picture" I posted on earlier. She does it cuter than this, but you'll get the idea. Watch for her to bring her hands up to her face.

Our new furniture

This table will have seen 5 generations of Sweetwoods once Genevieve is old enough to eat with us. It was a not-so-pretty orange before Ryan's dad refinished it for us, and Ryan's working on refinishing the chairs that go with it. Isn't it beautiful?

We like that it can fold down because our dining area is a little narrow.
And now, what you've all been waiting for...

Ta Dah! Isn't it gorgeous? It's made out of zebra maple and cherry. Ryan and his dad made it themselves. I'm so excited we have such a wonderful family heirloom to pass on.

The pretty wood:

The Missing Picture

Genevieve does this thing that is the cutest thing in the world, and I haven't been able to catch it on film or video. When we say her name or something and she's suddenly happy, she arches her back, brings her hands up under her chin, smiles really big, squints her eyes, and crinkles the bridge of her nose. It's adorable! I'll keep trying.

So here are some other pictures for your enjoyment.

A winter walk. Yes, it's cold here.

She fell asleep on the walk.

My beautiful girl.

Here's Vivi's hair after a bath if I don't brush it.

I'm so lame

I'm somewhat ashamed to say that this year I have gotten sucked into The Bachelor. Hey, I feed Vivi for a lot of the day, and I need stuff to watch! **I don't watch The Bachelor until Tuesday when it posts on Hulu, so NEVER talk about this show with me before Wednesdays!** OK. For those of you who also watch The Bachelor, here's my take on it:

Jake is no dummy. I've seen shows like this before where the guys are SO DENSE. Jake called out Elizabeth (I think that was her name) on her teasing, and he called out Vienna on how she brings it on herself. A lot of times he'll make comments that I think are very perceptive. And I like that he's sending girls home so quickly. He's right -- why waste their time? However, that also means he'll have less time with the girls he does like, since the show will end sooner.

So far, I've been ok with his choices. Except for -- and I know everyone feels this way -- Vienna. Seriously, dude. Let her go. I respect that he's determined to decide for himself and not base it on what the other girls say, but really. We can all tell you're not into her anymore.

I liked Ali at first, but now she's just a brat. Vienna's still there. We know. Get over it. But Jake obviously likes her.

I like Corrie, but I think she'll be the next to go, since the show doesn't spotlight her very much.

My favorite is Tenley. Jake likes her, and she seems kind.

On the castoffs: Jake's right. Ashleigh was smokin'. But they obviously had no connection. Jessie was an obvious choice since we didn't see much of her. Kathryn was a sourpuss with a chip on her shoulder. Elizabeth was a tease and playing a game. Rozlyn was a slut. Ella I liked because she was a lady and didn't drape herself over Jake all the time. But she wasn't right for Jake. And she seriously just left her kid for that long? Michelle was psycho. Seriously psycho.

What do YOU think of The Bachelor?

Christmas Gift

This video is for Vivi's grandma and grandpa Howington. They sent an adorable outfit for her, and this video is me showing it to her. I tried to just email it, but the file was too big. Thanks grandma and grandpa! She obviously loves it!