Picture Day Panic

I have been stressing all week about having our family pictures taken today. Trying to find time when Trent is actually around, trying to find outfits, trying to find a little me time in the whole mess... So yesterday I took Kailyn to a daycare drop-off center so I could get some things done. This was her first time ever being left with strangers and she did really well. The facility was amazing and I think she had a lot of fun. For the hour and a half that she was there I made it to the spa for my usual body hydration and exfoliation and spray tan. I do this often so I didn't think it would be a big deal. I also had some extra time so I got a massage and a brow wax before I went to pick Kailyn up. She was super tired so we went home and I let her take a nap. When she woke up at 6:00 pm I was rejuvenated and ready to go clothes shopping. But Kailyn was so fussy! She took a bottle and wanted to go right back to bed. I was beginning to panic since I had no idea what we would all be wearing for pictures at 9:30 am the next morning. Finally at 7:30 pm Kailyn awoke happy and ready to go. We made it to Baby Gap but I could not decide what to pick out. $221 later we left with a few different options and a sick feeling in my stomach! By that time it was 8:30 and most stores were closing. I still needed something to wear so I thought I go check out Target. We were able to find a few more pieces for Kailyn that I could mix and match with stuff I had already purchased and even a cute shirt and some new shoes for me. Phew... All set. Trent arrived home around midnight, and, as he got some more work done, I made him try on the clothes I had bought for him earlier in the week. I climbed in to bed around 1:30 am but could not get to sleep because I was so anxious!

This morning came too early but I got up and into the shower, eager to have time to get myself ready before everyone else got up. I stood enjoying the warm water when I looked down and noticed that my arms were two different colors. One looked like it had not gotten any spray tan on it!!! The arm that did, and was now brown, didn't get blended well at the wrist and my hand was all blotchy. I immediately turned off the water, then realized I had missed a few steps, turned it back on and quickly finished showering, then ran to the computer to look up how to remove a spray tan. I found a few suggestions but went with the easiest sounding one - hydrogen peroxide. Using a cotton ball I scrubbed my blotchy hand up into my wrist. It worked! Then I went in search of every bottle of self tanning lotion I own. I layered on coat after coat to the white arm hoping it would get dark enough. I even rubbed it down with bronzer trying to mimic the salon tanned side of me. It was good enough. I ended up being so proud for adverting that crisis that I was actually in a good mood by the time we left.

After a few minor hiccups, we finally met up with our photographer and drove out to an old abandoned mill to have our session. Kailyn was so tired but was a big girl and stuck it out. She looked SO cute in her frilly skirt and knee-high boots. I got stressed while there because, of course 1 year olds don't ever do what you want them to, but overall I think we got some great pictures. The setting was amazing and Sabine is always wonderful! Should be a few weeks before we can look at proofs. Hopefully I will be able to post a link for everyone to check them out. In the mean time, I have a bunch of clothes to return! Hope you enjoy this picture of Kailyn in her outfit (minus the boots).

Kailyn the Fearless

We can't seem to keep her grounded. It's either the kitchen counters, bathroom counters, computer desk , or - as you can see - the piano.

Kailyn in the pool

Here are pictures from Kailyn's first poolside experiences.
We were at her Aunt Marni and Uncle Kerry's house in Las Vegas!

She did not like to go under the water, be taken out to swim or even sit in a floaty, but she LOVED just sitting at the edge playing.

A blessing in disguise...a very good disguise!

As every one knows, Trent and I have not been spending much time at home this year. I have been out of town for about a week and a half this go-round and had planned on being gone for another week and a half. However, on a quick trip home one night, Trent had found that we had missed a delivery attempt for a certified letter from the company we rent our home through. It was too late to call the company so we were left with a long night of speculation of what it could be. In the morning, our worst fears we realized when he read the letter and found they are selling the house and we have until July 15th to be out. Ahhh! I don't have time for this!!! So now I have to cancel all my plans for the next 3 weeks and get home to Montana, get everything packed up and find a new place to live. In the end, we have decided that this is the push we needed to get out of this house, get our finances in order and get prepared to buy our own place. I would like to find a decent condo or apartment with a short lease term that will only cost about half of what we have been paying in rent. We could pay down a lot of our bills with a small rent payment and be ready to buy by the end of the year. Maybe by then we could find a home we like too. So that's the plan. We'll see what happens. Until next time....

I will be back...

Ok, so its been awhile. But not just because I've been procrastinating. Besides the massive amount of travel I have been doing, our computer has been on the fritz and, unfortunately, the closest Apple store is 6 hours away in Salt Lake City. Good news is I have plans to go down and get the issues fixed next week. Until then, Trent was kind enough to get our old PC hooked up again. It's too old for me to want to do much on here but it does give me the Internet fix I have so badly needed!

In other news, it is currently snowing here, so we are cooped up in side. Not good, because Kailyn has really been needing to get out of the house lately. This morning I got up with her and was laying on the floor in the living room with my arm around her while she watched some cartoons. I was so tired and drifted off so she took advantage of the situation and crawled off. I awoke and didn't see her anywhere but I knew she couldn't be too far because I usually keep all the doors in the house closed. I started calling her and looking. Then I noticed that I had forgotten to put the gate up on the stairs. I ran up the stairs and found Kailyn in the office just watching the screen saver on Trent's work computer! That is a huge flight of stairs for such a little girl (I'll post pictures of the stairs and today's snow when I get my Mac back up and going) and I am so thankful she did not fall.

Home, at last

So I finally made it home from our Utah family visit last weekend. I was gone for three straight weeks and boy, was I glad to get home. I've pretty much just been vegging out at home though and am still feeling too lazy to post much about the trip. I'll get around to it but for now you can just know I am home!

Out of town...

Tomorrow I am headed out of town for about three weeks so I probably won't be posting for a while. But when I get back I should have some great pictures and stories. I am going to my brother's wedding reception and getting to visit a couple of old high school friends. We will also be heading down to Vegas for an event and will be getting to visit a lot of family along the way. I will leave you with one picture before I go. (Yes I did get a spray tan so I wouldn't be so pasty at the wedding:)

Ahhhh, Nice Weather

Yesterday was the first day I let Kailyn play outside. She, of course, LOVED it! Trent had moved all the cars out of the driveway so I let her tool around in her walker while I swept the driveway and raked the front lawn. It was really nice to be out of the house! Later in the evening, my brother and nieces stopped by on their way back to Minnesota. We got to hang out for a short while and then go out to dinner. It was a very pleasant day!

Kailyn

Yesterday, Trent and I had been talking about how we are going to need to get a gate for the bottom of the stairs because Kailyn would soon be climbing up them. About 15 minutes after that conversation, I looked over and saw Kailyn on the first landing of the stairs which is up three stairs. I had to call Trent back and laugh because we had just said she would be doing that. So until I go shopping for another gate, we just have to carry the one we have up and down the stairs depending on where we are hanging out. Also, Trent had to get a new keyboard for his computer so I gave the old one to Kailyn to play with. She loved it. Hopefully this will keep her from always trying to beat on mine!

She was peeking out between the rails looking at me on the couch from this little landing!


Beating her own keyboard now


She's so proud - and getting good at smiling for the camera

Not much to blog about

We have been staying fairly busy lately visiting family and having them come visit us. A couple of weeks ago we had my brother, Chance, and his fiance, Sara, come visit from Utah. Then Kailyn and I traveled back down to Utah with them for their wedding on the 3rd. We flew back home that night where Trent and I greeted another brother of mine, Jim, and his two daughters who came to visit from Minnesota. We will be headed out of town again this weekend and then another trip down to Utah for Chance and Sara's reception on the 24th. Then, hopefully, we will be staying home for a while. Traveling so much gets tiring and I miss home, especially when I have to be away from Trent any more than is necessary for his job. So busy, busy, but not much to blog about. House hunting has gone to the back burner in hopes of continuing real estate declines. Kailyn had a check-up today and, of course, all is well. 20 lbs, 27.5 in. She is crawling really well now and is trying to walk. She pulls herself up and walks along the perimeter as much as possible but still crashes and burns when she lets go. Besides that, the weather is getting nice and it makes me happy. I am hoping to start jogging with Kailyn soon to get into better shape. Perhaps I'll have more to blog about then.

Here is a pictures of Kailyn in the SLC airport waiting for our plane.

Croxall Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Genology - Old pictures

House Hunting

We have finally decided that the time to buy our own home is upon us. Home prices have fallen a lot here and there are even a ton of foreclosures in our area. However, the whole Gallatin Valley is still an expensive place to live. We have been tossing around the idea of moving to Helena where the cost of living is cheaper. But then again, Bozeman is expensive because it is a very desirable town to live in. We will be making a trip to Helena this weekend to check out some homes. Here are my top choices so far in the Bozeman area...
Let us know what you think!

House #1 - 4 Bed/3 Bath 2352 Sq Ft







House #2 - 3 Bed/3 Bath 2540 Sq Ft







House #3 - 3 Bed/2 Bath 1802 Sq Ft

Kailyn Jabbering

We really DON'T let Kailyn watch scary movies :)

Back by popular demand

I stick by my last blog statement - I really do hate to blog. But I figured I should post a picture or two for the sake of those who don't get to see us that often. Kailyn is now 7 months old. She is crawling around and getting into everything! So far we haven't had any real catastrophes, thank goodness. Trent is still traveling for work. Kailyn and I miss him a lot and love to spend every moment we can with him on the weekends. I have recently taken back up my interest in cake decorating that had fallen by the wayside while I was pregnant. We have cake coming out of our ears right now! Kailyn and I will be doing some traveling to see family and friends this month so I don't know how often I will be able to update. Until next time...


Kailyn Alexis Croxall at 4 months old.
Photo taken by Sabine Warden of Sabine Warden Photographic Art



Kailyn being Kailyn...


Helping in the kitchen...







My first 3 cakes - just trying things out.