Help!

Okay, so I mentioned in my previous blogging that I am starting a knitting "business". I've come up with a few cute names, but have not been able to get that ah-ha! moment from them. Please peruse and let me know which ones you like the best.

Chez Z: this is a mixture of 2 of my nicknames. Growing up people always used to call me Shay-z (my brother will still call me that on occasion). And, when I was in college and hung out with all the football boys they would call me chez (but not the french pronunciation, the hick-ish version --- say Chet, with a "z" instead of the "t"). And, I'm sure you all know this, but I just gotta finish off the explanation ... in French, this would mean "Z's house".

2shay: touché (French pronunciation: ), the French word for "touch". Which if you have ever done any craft (knitting, crochet, needlepoint, etc) you will know it is all about tension and the feel of the yarn.

All Wrapped Up: thank you Nicole --- she came up with this cute name. Everytime I think of it I sing the 311 song (which I don't hate!).

Knot Creative: this has been bouncing around in my head for some time now, but I can't come up with the perfect marriage of thoughts/words. Other similar options: Knot Interested, Knot a problem, Love me knot

In-tensions: just another idea that came to mind. (Ugh. Stop it Shay! you are supposed to be narrowing down the ideas, not adding them!)

I would love to hear what your opinion is ... or if you can think of anything else, please let me know. Thanks!

2 1/2 year old Zaida

I feel like my life is in the fast lane lately. My daughter is CRAAZY! I'm trying to get her potty-trained, which is so hard! And, she has hit her "terrific" two's in full stride now.

Yesterday Zaida decided that she was not going to wear anything except her princess panties. I seriously re-dressed her at least 4 times yesterday! She also decided her favorite place in the house was our closet, behind the door in an empty laundry basket ... yes, NAKED.

Fun stuff that has happened lately --- Z putting my dad in time out! Z whispering "I love you Jesus" just before falling asleep. Z seeing any little kid roughly her size, pointing them out to me and saying "Friend!" Zaida constantly wanting to "let's try 'gain". Or like now, Zaida throwing every DVD at the dog.

Shay's "accomplishments" --- not abusing the chica. Ok, no, really .... I finally started creating a menu for dinners, I stripped the paint off of my dining table so I repaint it, and I got some pictures printed and framed to hang in our house (been meaning to do that for months, even years in some cases). I also helped to start a book club with some neighborhood gals. Geesh, doesn't really sound like I've done too much, does it!? Maybe that's why I don't post so often ...

New Business Opportunity

I have a fun new business opportunity .... my mom's close friend is opening a cafe/shop nearby. My mom suggested she have me make some knit items to sell there. I'm excited and hope people like my items as much as I do. I am going to start with just scarves (it opens this coming fall), so I've been busy trying to think up my "company" name & logo, as well as some creative ideas for scarf designs.

I will post as I get into the process more - as well as post pics of some of my fun creations.

And, if you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them!

Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas!

Pre-present tea party. Look at what good sports those guys are!

Traditional Wheeler family Christmas breakfast - goo!

Zaida was awesome. She was so excited about her presents. She would open one and then play with it ... and only with a bit of coaxing would she open another present. Corey's sister & her sweet family sent Zaida this beautiful dress, shoes, headband (and a tiara and earrings, which you will see later) - she had to put it on right away. Over the PJs? Sure - just put it on!

Wait - a tiara!? Here Quinney hold this for me!

Zaida got a doll house this year! We gave her the rooms first and she seriously thought those were awesome! She literally would not open half of her presents, because she could not be tempted away from her doll house furniture.

She spent half of the day here ... Thanks Maui & Pappi! She loves it!

Wii wish you a Merry Christmas! Corey got a Wii this year ... here is Quinn being the loving uncle and hitting his niece in the face (they are boxing).

My Dad & Quinn playing tennis, I think. My mom even played, but somehow I didn't get a picture of that - how did that happen?!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Christmas Eve

I seriously love these next couple of photos. Zaida was pretty determined to wear her nice dress this day. And she of course had to wear her jewelry with it! I love this photo - it's not focused really great, but look at her flirting with the camera. Yes, I got a little overwhelmed at the end of the year, but I am back --- for now. I put that disclaimer in, because often times I really just don't have too much to blog about. Unless, of course, you are interested in my weekly Costco runs. :)

Okay, so let me rewind and finish off Christmas stuff. Christmas Eve we have a mini-Meurer family tradition. Since Corey and his sister are the only ones here in Utah they have gotten together every Christmas Eve for dinner and a movie. So, we had a fab dinner at Macaroni Grill (no pictures of us chowing though) and then they came back to our place for presents & playing.
Day 24 on the advent calendar was the traditional new PJs.

Here Angela (Zaida) is opening her little presents from us.

Zaida opening her present from Aunt Angie!

Even Pax got in on the fun this year. Look at that cute old boy!

Thanks for the fabulous Christmas Eve, Angie & Ben!

Feliz Navidad

Tonight was our Feliz Navidad night. For dinner we had chips and salsa, beef enchiladas & some mexican sodas. Then to mix our local flavor with the entertainment for the night (Utes in the Poinsettia Bowl), we got a pinata! Zaida had been eyeing that thing all day & was so excited when she finally got to wack it!

She hit it about 30 times with no luck. I punctured the thing a few times & both Corey and I hit it too with no success. I finally ripped the stinking thing apart. Zaida could have cared less --- at that point she was tired and just wanted the candy. Now, there is a girl confident of her lot in life. She doesn't even bother to gather her loot, just sits down and starts eating.

Sledding

Zaida was so excited to go outside in the snow. She had been asking to go make "snowboys" all day. She is an outdoorsy kind of gal - even if it is freezing! Finally Dad got home and took her out for a ride in her sled. She really wasn't too excited that mom was taking pictures instead of opening the door!

I'm not kidding I probably took close to 20 pictures and this is the closest I got to seeing her face. She was hunkered down the whole time they were sledding. (Side note: Zaida just walked in here and said "'scuse me, mommy" and tried to take the camera away from me) We would ask Zaida to look at me and say cheese and she would say cheese, but wouldn't look up at all.

Here's Corey in his Uncle Eddie hat. Isn't he cute?

Yep, someone's upset she has to come inside. Sledding with Daddy is fun! Dinner, not so much.