Merry Christmas!

"Giving, not getting, brings to full bloom the Christmas spirit. Enemies are forgiven, friends remembered, and God obeyed. The spirit of Christmas illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world's busy life and become more interested in people than things. To catch the real meaning of the "spirit of Christmas", we need only drop the last syllable, and it becomes the "Spirit of Christ". 

-President Thomas S. Monson

7 Year Anniversary

7 years ago we were married in the beautiful Salt Lake Temple. It was a chilly day but I didn't even notice for a while because I was just so happy!

Along the way we got 2 bachelor's degrees, 1 master's degree, 3 apartments, 1 house, 2 kids, and career at Michelin. And I wouldn't want to have been through it all with anyone else.

We celebrated our anniversary by going out to dinner and then to an indoor shooting range. I haven't been shooting since before I had kids. It was a fun date! Later we wrapped Christmas gifts for the kids while watching the movie "While you were sleeping". I'm so excited to see the kids faces on Christmas morning!

Love you Joel! Thanks for these 7 years and all the memories. I can't wait to make some more :)

Getting in the Christmas spirit!

We having been having so much fun this December getting in the Christmas spirit! Emery and Lucy did some sticker Nativity scenes.

And saw Santa Claus. Lucy was not a fan.

Emery went ice skating for the first time!

Of coarse we put up our Christmas tree Thanksgiving day!

 Our little elf "Elvie" has been keeping an eye on the kids and reporting back to Santa!

Joel put Christmas lights on our house for the first time!

They aren't much but I just love them! We'll gradually add more each year. Actually we have 3 little spiral trees on the grass too that we added after I took this picture.

 

We dressed up as people of Jerusalem for our church Christmas party.

 The kids loved making a gingerbread house (and eating all the candy and frosting off it!)

It's quite a work of art!

And one of my favorite things was visiting a house that goes all out with their Christmas lights! We even lucked out and happened to come by a the same time a little concert was going on in the backyard!

 

 

We also did the driving tour of the Roper Mountain Holiday Lights with some friends. We got out to walk around a bit and took a quick family picture!

And there is still more fun to come! And then Christmas day! Yay for the holidays!!

November

This moment in time: 18 months old

Age: 18 months

Height: 34.5" (98 %)

Weight: 22.4 lbs (19 %)

Hobbies: Following big brother around, dancing, and coloring.

Skills: Eating with fork and spoon, drinking from a cup, running and climbing, scribbling with crayons and learning more words.

What I'm in to: Jabbering, playing with stuffed animals, playing with push toys and stroller, reading, playing tea party, and eating all day long.

What I'm not in to: Sharing, sitting still, being quiet, the high chair, diapering and waiting for things.

Foods: Loves to eat all day long! Lately like pomegranates, clementines, mashed potatoes, and candy.

What I'm saying: Mama, daddy, rar rar (Jaguar), ball, bowl, apple, cocoa, no, and this.

Sleeping Habits: Up around 7:30am and down around 8pm with 1 nap around 1:00pm. for about 1.5-2 hours. (occasionally a 3 hour nap)

Favorite Songs: Jingle Bells, Wheels on the bus, Popcorn popping, the Daddy song, and the Elmo song.

Other things: Likes the toys in Nursery but doesn't want to be left.
Loves to dance around to music.

Misses big brother when he is at school.

Blows kisses and gives good hugs.

Folds arms during prayers and then says "All done!" very loudly.

Loves to giggle and tickle and smile.

This moment in Time: 5 years old

Age: 5 years old

Weight: 47.8 lbs (86.4%)

Height: 3' 10" (94.5%)

Hobbies: Tying knots, running fast, bouncing around, and exploring everything.

Skills: Beginning reading and spelling, addition and subtraction, understanding the calendar and days of the week.

What I'm into: Riding my bike, attending preschool, playing with friends, imagination games (playing "Fair"), photography, and directing.

What I'm not into: Washing his hair, wearing socks, and being attacked by little sister.

Foods I like: Mac & Cheese, Meatballs and Rice, yogurt, apples, bananas, and oranges.

Foods I refuse: Chocolate, jam, syrup, honey, mashed potatoes and smoothies.

Favorite songs: I love to see the temple, Christmas music, and Preschool Songs

What I'm saying: Basically talking non-stop! Quite a lot of " Why?" "When?" "Where?" "How?"

"Who?"

Other things: Sweet big brother, still loves watching TV snuggled with his blankets, very helpful most of the time, and also very independent. Getting very strong and accidentally breaks somethings almost every day.

Grandma Kathy and Grandpa John visit

 The kids were just thrilled to have their other grandparents come visit so soon after the others! They enjoyed lots of time playing, baking, reading, and working!

 John did several projects in our yard while he was here as well as painting our garage!

 Kathy sewed this little bag for Emery's bike so he could carry all his rocks and leaves or whatever else little boys pick up on their bike rides!

 All ready for church!

 And I got lots of time to myself while the kids soaked up time with their grandparents. I'm pretty sure it was a win-win for everyone!

Come again soon!

Halloween 2011

Everyone was excited to go Trick-or-Treating this year. We found a great subdivision that hands out lots of candy! Emery skipped from house to house humming and just enjoying every minute of it. Lucy was very surprised to see candy in her bucket and quickly got the hang of it. In just over an hour we had collected a whole load of candy! Just the chocolate weighed over 4 lbs! Good times :)