S.O.S.

Last night I had the opportunity of participating in our ward's Sisters of Service Retreat. After being in the ward for a little more than 6 months, I finally discovered what amazing sisters I have surrounding me. Not only was this retreat a good way to finally meet more people, but I was also able to learn so much about them. As part of it we were asked to write down a service that we could provide another sister and then gift wrap it. We then picked them as if it were a white elephant game. I came to find that this group of women is not only talented in so many different ways, but they are so willing to give anything to serve another sister. I am grateful to my husband for not only giving me the opportunity to go, but pushing me into it as well. And I look forward to getting to know my fellow sisters even more.

(Sorry, no pictures... I forgot my camera!)

Be Prepared

Okay, so I am obviously a little too prepared! However, my friend, Jessica, and I discovered this idea and could not resist doing it right away! I guess it will have to serve as a decoration until the appropriate time.

Besides, I don't know how I will ever be able to discipline this cute little girl!
During the making of the chairs Adalyn was well entertained by Jessica's son Jonas. They had a great time playing and talking to each other. It was very cute!

Halloween of Firsts

Adalyn's first Halloween was very eventful. During the day we went to Devin's work party. You would never believe what Halloween can do to an office full of professionals!

Special Delivery!



Yep...you either go Big or go home! The horses weren't the only props of the day... there was also a Ghostbuster car! It was so funny!
After that we ended up going to our ward's Trunk-Or-Treat. This was a FIRST for Devin and I. We have never had to pass out candy before, so needless to say, as Rookies, we ended up quite short. We had no idea what kind of madness was in store, and we only lasted about 10 minutes before having to close up shop!

Everyone commented on what a cute 'lil ducky she was!

We thought about having Adalyn score some candy so we would have more to pass out, but in the end we decided to just hang our heads and drive away.
Oh, how much more fun the holidays are with kids!

Good Times

Not only am I cute but look close and you can see my tooth...

Carson, Adalyn, and Natalee at the Old Navy Dress Up day. They each got a free T-shirt for dressing up! Not to mention the discounts that the moms scored!

Adalyn and I hung out with our friends Jessica and her son Jonas, and Kara and her son Braden and daughter Madison.

Adalyn helped me make Daddy's lunch this morning... she found the paper towels to be a great form of entertainment.
Adalyn dances whenever Devin goes do do do!

Crazy Eights

My sister-in-law, Sara, and my friend, Stephanie, tagged me.

Eight TV shows I like to watch:

1. The Office
2. Friends (I have all 10 seasons!)
   
3. Pushing Daisies
   
4. Cash Cab
5. Intervention
   
6. Without a Trace
   
7. Greek
8. Gilmore Girls

Eight restaurants where I like to eat:

1. Chick-Fil-A
2. Cafe Rio
3. Red Iquana
   
4. Olive Garden
   
5. Chilis
6. Anywhere you can get Pupusas
   
7. Happy Sumo
   
8. Any Thai restaurant
   

Eight things that happened today:

1. Woke up
2. Fed/Changed Adalyn
   
3. Met with my Visiting Teachers
   
4. Played with Adalyn
   
5. Attempted to finish Adalyn's Christmas (that's right, I'm nearly done!)
   
6. Ate spaghetti for lunch
   
7. Checked my email
   
8. Blogged
   

Eight things I'm looking forward to:

1. Halloween
   
2. Flying to Colorado
   
3. The Turduckin we will eat on Thanksgiving (refer all questions to Gavin Payne)
   
4. Doing crafts with my friends Jessica on Monday
   
5. Our ward's Relief Society Retreat
   
6. The Whole Christmas Season
   
7. Ryan, Sara, Isaac, and Maddie coming to visit
   
8. Aaron, Angie, and Kayson coming to visit
   

Eight things on my wish list:

1. A new computer... our's is making blogging difficult
   
2. A vinyl machine
   
3. A sewing machine
4. Clothes
5. Shoes
   
6. Learning how to sew and cook
   
7. A stress-free vacation
   
8. Being able to make a good Christmas for Devin and Adalyn
   

Eight people I tag:

1. Angie
2. Melissa
3. Michelvis
   
4. Leah Garmire
   
5. Lauren
6. Heather
7. Shannon
8. Becky

Half Year Birthday

And boy do we know how to party! With doctor's visits and shots... sad but true. Adalyn turned 6 months old yesterday and happened to have her check-up on the same day. We found out that she is currently 15 lbs. 2 oz (23%), 25 1/2 in. long (23%), with the Payne head at 17 in. (64%). She is looking great and even more amazingly she didn't cry when she got her shots! After the second set of shots she began to whimper but as soon as I picked her up she was fine. What a tough little cookie. We then decided that she deserved a little celebration so we went and got her a new toy and then gave her Pears to eat for the first time. Yeah... we party hard!
Adalyn enjoyed her Pears so much she began bouncing around in her seat.



Bottles are for Amatures!

One night, I was holding Adalyn and drinking water from a cup. I noticed that she was watching me (as she usually does when I eat or drink). Then suddenly she reached out, grabbed the cup, pulled it to her mouth and began drinking. Too funny! Now she loves to drink out of our cups whenever she sees them. She never ceases to amaze us!



Starting early....
I didn't think that I would have to worry about Adalyn getting into my make-up until she was at least 4 or 5 years old. However, like with everything else, she has decided to start early. We have many many years before you start this routine baby girl!




Our beautiful girl! We just can't get enough of her gorgeous smile. The nurse at the doctor's office couldn't get enough either. She told us that she needs to be on the cover of magazines. Naturally, I agree. Anyway, Happy 6 months baby girl! We love you!

Kid Tag

My sister-in-law, Sara, tagged me. I have to write 5 things about my kid that others might not know. Sorry if they are things you already know, I do share (brag) quite frequently about Adalyn. And I tag Angie, Leah, Becky, and Shannon.

1. Adalyn has received her first tooth! At first we had no idea, cause we thought that she just had a cold. She hasn't been very fussy or acted like anything was out of the ordinary. Then, last night, as she was knawing on my finger I thought, "Hmm, I've never felt that before!" So, I checked, and sure enough I found the beginnings of a little tooth!

2. Miss Independent. Adalyn does what Adalyn wants, when Adalyn wants to do it! It sounds bad, but it really isn't. Adalyn becomes more and more alert as she gets older and she is figuring out that she can do what she wants. An example: Adalyn loves playing with new things, especially things she isn't supposed to have. Ex. remotes, phones, etc. So when she gets her hands (and lets face it her mouth) on one of those items we try to trick her into giving it up for another toy. It doesn't work. She will move every which way to get back the thing that she wants. It is quite funny.

3. Loves Hugs and Kisses. This is my favorite! Plain and simple... Adalyn has always loved snuggling up with people, but now she loves giving and getting kisses.



4. Fascination with Mouths. Adalyn is intrigued by any and every mouth. She loves putting her hands right in them. She grabs at the teeth and plays with the lips and never gets enough of it.

5. Super Smart. Adalyn gets smarter by the minute. She is constantly learning new things and gaining new abilities. Just last night she watched me turn on her Aquamarine toy that hangs in her crib. Right after she saw me do it, she kept turning it on and off, on and off. She is completely amazing. She's even 'reading' books by herself!


She is such a good baby and has brought so much joy into our home!