ITS BEGINNING TO LOOK ALOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

With Ladies in Christmas Dresses...
Baking Cookies with K'ma and Christmas Tea with Santa...

And antique sleds for the snow!!

The Crazy Month of November

Ahhhh. (Big sigh of relief). We made it through the events of this month with our health and sanity!! Nothing like packing in a trip to Spokane to see the Lion King, extra hours at the office for Mark and I, a 10 year anniversary trip to Vegas, and a major surgery into three weeks! Are we crazy or what?? I came home from the hospital today and the girls seem to be doing fine-- no tears, no drama, just hugs and an excited greeting from both of them.

Our trip to vegas was fun. Mark and I cannot get over how incredibly large everything is--buffets, casinos, shows, hotels, etc. We were also marveling at how quickly 10 years of marriage can flash by. And we are thankful that we are still best friends!

We went with a good friend of mine, Amanda, and her husband Rodney. Mark and I went to dinner and a show for our anniversary. We gave each other jewelry -- I finally got a BEAUTIFUL diamond -- Mark wanted a watch. We brought back an elephant from FAO Schwartz for Raleigh as it reminded us of Horton Hears a Who (Raleigh's new favorite movie) and she was thrilled to get "a pezzzant".

Ok, now I'm just going to rest and recover from my very successful surgery (I got a picture of Pheobe the Fibroid and I wish you all could see the size of the thing!) It's amazing what they can do and I'm so incredibly thankful for a very talented doctor!

Enjoy the pictures of Vegas!

Wonder Woman

Oh my gosh! I've had some very tough cases and have been working really long days at work lately. The success/progress of my work is very intangible. Last night I got home and felt very rewarded and blessed as the house was clean, dinner was ready, and the girls were happy! Suzie also had Raleigh dressed in a pimp-ass Wonder Woman suit. What a riot! I went to bed exhausted but thinking, "You know, I am surrounded by 'wonder women'. My girls, my sitter, my friends...."

And how can one have a super hero without her trusty side kick?

Gracyn

Gracyn is a happy baby. Her nose has been stuffy for a few months now, so she still doesn't sleep that well at night (sometimes waking hourly). Despite her lack of sleep I am amazed at how happy she is during the day!! Sometimes she will go ALL day without a nap and still smile at you whenever you look her way. She is a lot like her daddy!

Halloween P.S.

I love it when other people are into holidays that I don't really care about. I learned that glow sticks are essential and next year will be loading Raleigh up so cars can see her in the dark Montana night. Also, Amanda had dry ice in her punch, a fog machine on her front porch, scary music, and a life size scary man (looked a bit like Frankenstein but I don't think it was) who was passing out candy to the kids. Amanda and Rodney dressed as Frankenstein and his bride. Here's some pics

Happy Halloween

This year was Raleigh's first trick-or-treating experience. I have to admit- she didn't tackle it with the 'Raleigh-flare' we are accustomed to. She was pretty reserved. We went up to Amanda's house (whose favorite holiday is Halloween) and went trick-or-treating in her neighborhood. Raleigh didn't say trick-or-treat once. She just stood in the doorway and let Draven do all the work. After she got her candy she would continue to stand in the doorway until I pulled her away and told her to say thank you.

Here are some pictures of our time. Excuse the Ghetto-ness of Raleigh's costume (I could have painted her face or done something with her hair). I was sick. If it weren't for grandma Raleigh probably wouldn't have had a costume!!

Praise the Lord for our new baby sitter-- Suzie. She reports that the girls are just "Angels" and loves on them the entire day. This picture should express our sentiments of how grateful we are for her. Those of you that know our darlings, know that they WILL NOT do that with anyone!! We love her and hope she's with us forever!!

Recent Sorority house photos

Thanks to all who sent birthday greetings and wishes! I think our expectations were a little "over zealous" for how the girls would do on the trip to Moses Lake, WA. Mark expressed our mutual frustration when he said, "The frustrating part is when you feel like you're making improvements with the girls and then you venture out, test the waters, and find out-- 'No, we're not as far along as we thought we were. Let's just stay home'." With that, I mean that Raleigh was bouncing off the walls (spilled red wine ALL over the white comforters and pillows in the hotel room) and Gracyn barely slept the entire 24 hours we were away. They were both up half the night in the hotel room. The other thing, my friend's daughter Ruby, is a child prodigy who genuinely likes to just play quietly on her own. Hmmmmm. Was I jealous? Yes. At times.

This week, however, we've had some sweet moments at home. This is Gracyn's first week of solids. Last night she took her first 'big girl' bath with Raleigh and the two played in the tub for a long time. Also, every morning for about the last month I bring the girls in to my bed with me and we snuggle and talk. On my birthday, Mark put them both in their monkey pjs and it was such a sweet gift to see my little monkeys wrestling and loving on each other.

QUACK!

If anyone has any insight into the following story PLEASE do not hesitate to enlighten me. Whenever Gracyn falls asleep these days Raleigh gets in her face and yells "QUACK! QUACK!" until she wakes Gracyn up. Whether it's in the car, swing, or bassinet if I don't keep an eye on Raleigh when I finally get Gracyn down I will hear, "QUACK..... QUACK" in the other room followed by Gracyn's cries. It took me awhile until I figured out what was happening. We were riding in the car. It was quiet and Gracyn was sleeping peacefully. Raleigh yelled out, "QUACK!" Gracyn startled awake, whimpered, and went back to sleep. Raleigh did it again, Gracyn startled, and fell back to sleep. I figured out what Raleigh was doing and kindly asked her to stop yelling "Quack". When she did it again I had to pull the car over and have a 'sit down' with her.... Ah, I laugh as I write this. What a character. Why in the world?? The pictures above are from when Raleigh was three months old and wore her ducky outfit proudly.


After I wrote this we changed from our cool farmer's market clothes to our sunny playground clothes. I found this ducky suit(used to be Raleigh's) and had to sport gracyn in it. I thought it was appropriate since she couldn't sleep because of all of Raleigh's Quacking. Ahh, they really do quack me up!!

A Moment of Silence

My families pet guinea pig died today. They had him for about 13 years. We're sorry to see you go Button and we will miss you!

The Noon Family

Raleigh Stories-- Once again

Well, I am thrilled to report that Gracyn is officially an ANGEL!! She is the best baby on the planet. She coos and laughs and spends hours upon hours jumping in her bouncer!! :) So, now that I am not dealing with a screaming infant any more I have the energy to update you all on funny Raleigh-isms. Lately, she will say, "Go away Mom.... GO AWAY!" when she wants some privacy to poop. So, I'll say, "Ok, you poopin'? Do you want to go poop in the toilet?" She'll say, "No mom, go away!" She also loves driving 'my truck' as she calls it. Today she said, "I drive mommy, I drive." So I got Gracyn out of her car seat and we were hanging out in the back seat playing when Raleigh said, "Go away MOM." I thought she needed her privacy to poop so Gracy and I sat out on the lawn and talked. It was very quiet in my truck for a long, long time. I asked, "Raleigh are you done?" Nothing. "Raleigh, what are you doing?" Nothing. I peaked through the window and she was eating my 'emergency stash' of suckers as fast as she could inhale them. She caught sight of me and said, "Go away MOM, Go away."

Just Hanging Out

Ah, we are enjoying these last few weekends of

nice weather.

I tried to download a video of Raleigh

sayingere is a video of

Raleigh saying, "Dats-a-my sheeshster, Gracie" but it didn't work. Seems like we spend every evening playing outside in the front lawn until the weather takes a turn. Some of Raleighl's neighbor friends come over to play. Those of you that know me know that I love fall-- I wish we could have the cool mornings and warm after noons all year round. Mark agrees as it's ideal weather to work in.... He's been working his fanny off but comes home to play with us in the yard. Raleigh and Mark fly around the front yard like airplanes and butterflies! So, here's some pics of us just hanging out. Trying to keep you all connected. Enjoy.

Body for Life 12 Week Challenge

I hesitated posting what I'm about to say because I have a very real fear that I will fail. Then, all of two people who read this blog will know that I failed. So be ever so gracious if I fail. Mark and I started the body for life eating regime. We are like rock stars on that program. Got that part down. I'm kicking but on the intense work-out routines. Mark hasn't been able to fit it into his work schedule yet. Anyway, I'm wondering if we need to post our "pre-diet" pictures just to keep us motivated and accountable?

Thankful for Family

Ahhh, I just love that Mark is playing with his brothers (in-law and otherwise) while I am playing with my parents. Raleigh was so excited to see her "grandma and grandma" that she could not be settled down for hours. At one point she was telling everyone when it was 'their turn' to do summersaults in the lawn. Grandpa, at 61 years of age, executed a beautiful summersault next to his granddaughter, Raleigh. And here are a few pictures of the dress that Grandma crafted for Raleigh and Gracyn is now enjoying. I just thank god for family and love that Mark and I can enjoy both of ours this weekend. Thanks Family!!! We hope you enjoy ours as much as we enjoy YOU!!!! My parents volunteered to watch the girls on Sunday while I go watch Fiddler on the Roof and shop in Spokane with some friends!! They're even watching my friend's kids. I know, what the hell do I have to complain about???? Nothing right???????