The Belt Way

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Congratulations, Dustin!

Tuesday was a monumental day for Dustin in his progression for working towards achieving his PhD. He had his Special Topics Exam. It was done orally in front of three professors that quizzed him on specific topics of math. He was drilled for about an hour and then kicked out of the room while the professors deliberated over passing him or not. Dustin said that he waited for about five minutes before he was called back into the room and told that he had passed. Passing this exam means that Dustin can now officially begin work on his dissertation. We also feel that we are beginning to see the light at the end of this tunnel. Congratulations, Dustin!

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Finally up to date

So I have spent many hours today updating this blog. There are many posts to read, so sit down, stay awhile, and ENJOY!

Amy DOES have hair

Amy's hair is coming in slowly but surely. Maybe on her second birthday, coming up in two months, she'll be able to have a pony tail in her hair. Maybe...

Amy was quite proud of her new hairdo.

It curled all on its own

Cheese!

so cute!

Playing with friends

We've had some good snow fall throughout the last month, and the girls have only had a couple of days to enjoy it because its been too cold outside. So here are some snapshots of the girls playing in the snow with their friends Aubree and Molly.

Aubree comes over to play with Adelynne quite often, and the girls have a great time together. Here's some snapshots of them snuggling on the couch while enjoying a movie.

Adelynne gets her hair cut

Its been a while, but Adelynne did get her hair cut, willingly. I thought it was time that her hair got a healthy "trim." Her hair was getting pretty long, but I thought it was starting to get scraggly. Her hair seems much more manageable now, and she looks awfully cute!

Amy's past times

Here are some things that Amy does during the long winter days.

Rock star:

Sing baby!

Actress: No better Tigger substitute

Sad Tigger has lost her bounce

This is what happens when....

So this is what happens when Daddy brings home pizza. And this is actually an unfair portrayal of Amy's true reaction because she was distracted by her roller skate gear.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My birthday present

I only want to post about my birthday (that was over a month ago now), because Aubree made me the cutest present. She handed me a home made gift-wrapped in a simple piece of paper, but decorated by her as well. When I opened the paper I found a home-made necklace inside. It was a string with a purple paper heart upon which my name was written. I put on the necklace, showering her with praise, and she said, "It has your name on it." And I told her thank you. Then she looked inside the paper and pulled out to small scraps of paper that were taped to the wrapping paper. Aubree said, "These are your stick on earings."

So, for my birthday I received a matching jewelry set!

Back in California

After our all-too-quick trip to Las Vegas, Dustin and the girls and I drove back to California to spend New Years with my family. This time I was going to see my sister and her husband Joe. We arrived late in the evening of the 30th, and as soon as we were all in the house, we all had a second Christmas with presents from Grandpa and Grandma Biggs. Adelynne was in an extremely chatty mood, which doesn't happen very often. All of us were quite amazed at how much she talked, we kept giving one another quizzical looks and saying things like, "What happened to Adelynne," and "Who is this kid?" I wish that I could remember what exactly she was talking about, but that's what I get for waiting two months to post this event. Unfortunately, I didn't take more than four pictures for the rest of our trip either. But we had a great time visiting with my family once again before heading home.

Grandpa and Adelynne enjoying a movie together.

As the rest of our time with family, this one also went by to quickly. Especially the time with my sister. But someday, she and I both hope, that we will live much closer to one another and raise our families nearby one another. I am so blessed to have the sister that I have. No one could ask for a better friend than she is. I know that when times in my life that I have felt all alone, my sister has been there to love and to help me. I firmly believe that if I hadn't had such a devoted friend by my side as a child, I wouldn't be where I am today.

Bowling

The evening that we spent with the Patty's and the Bledsoe's, we were able to go bowling... without the kids! Aaron's mom and sister babysat all of the 7 kids. Another one of Dustin's friend, Jake, also joined us. Dustin, Phil, Aaron, and Jake were friends throughout high school-it was practically a high school reunion (seriously, considering Dustin's graduating class consisted all of 30 people). They guys even called up their old track coach for a reenactment of a prank phone call once made by Jake. It was fun to see the guys laughing and joking around.

We all had a great time bowling, except for Dustin. This was actually the first time Dustin and I have ever been bowling together. Let's just say that bowling is not one of Dustin's many talents. (Seriously, don't ask us to go bowling). But Dustin did well laughing at himself and being mocked for his many gutter balls. He's a good sport. I managed to get three strikes in a row at the end of the first round, but I didn't do well after that peak. It was so much fun to be out with adults, not worrying about the kids, and having a good time.

Puppy Love

Before we left Las Vegas, we spent a day at Aaron and Niki's house. While we were there we also had a great visit with our great friends, the Bledsoe Family. The Bledsoe's got a new puppy for Christmas, and all of the children loved him. But Amy was gaga over this puppy. We had to pry the poor thing from her fingers, and when we finally did, you never saw bigger tears in your life. Her love for this puppy was indulged quite a bit though. And luckily her attention can be easily diverted-sometimes.

As short of time that we spent with the Patty Family, Adelynne sure did become good friends with Ethan. I was really surprised and elated to see Adelynne and Ethan play together so well. In the past, Adelynne seems to have struggled playing with boys. But Adelynne and Ethan spent hours playing in Ethan's room with no quarrels or complaints. I went up to snap some photos of the two, and when they saw me they hid together under the blankets. But then, clever me, I told them I was all done and asked them if they wanted to see the picture that I took, and that's when they popped their heads out of the blankets to smile at me.

I tricked them!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Time on the Mountain

While we at Grandpa and Grandma Belt's house we had a chance to play in the snow. It snowed all day, and Adelynne would have stayed out all night if she could have. Dustin helped Adelynne to build a little snow fort, that I helped him to improve. (Just a few feminine touches). I had never built a snow for before, and it was a lot of fun!

A couple of days after Christmas, Dustin's brother Chris and his family, and his sister Donna and her family, came up to visit with us and the grandparents. It was a house full of little girls, giggles, and love. I really enjoy visiting with my sister's in-law and catching up with them on all of their lives. I wish we lived so much closer so that we could hang out more frequently.

Of course while all of the cousins were visiting, we had to spend some time playing in the snow.

We were also blessed to have our best friends, the Patty family, come and visit on the mountain. Aaron and Niki Patty, and their boys Ethan and Owen are so much fun to be with. Dustin and I and the girls enjoy every moment we spend with them. They had forgotten their camera when they came to play in the snow, so I photographed them during their family play time.

You can tell that the Patty's aren't quite part of the Belt family because they are small, tan, and they have boys. Although we aren't blood related, we still consider them family.

This is me in my angelic state of mind. One of my favorite past times on the mountain is putting puzzles together. It puts me in a trance, and I don't like to be interrupted.

Here was Amy hiding out with her new love-the toothbrush.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Christmas is finally here!

Before getting to Grandpa and Grandma Belt's house we stopped for dinner at McDonald's. It was one of those times when we were at the right place at exactly the right time because Ronald McDonald himself showed up! In all my 26 years of life, I have never seen Ronald in the flesh. I guess there is a first time for everything! Amy had no interest of getting any closer than you see her below. Adelynne just kept on playing in the play center with no interest at all. I guess I was the most excited.

This was Christmas Eve at the Belt's house. Adelynne found the angel wings and halo like last year. The girls were very excited about presents and kept circling the tree like vultures. And Adelynne didn't like my singing of the Christmas carols (the long face). At the Belt's house we open all presents on Christmas Eve, except those that Santa will bring on Christmas Day. Adelynne and Amy loved helping pass out the presents. I would give them a present and tell them who they should give it to, and they ran to that person. They were happy little helping elves.