dressing up for treats

I love the kids' faces in this picture!

It was a rainy evening and we all had colds, but we had to go do a little trick-or-treating. So we walked to one neighbor's house and drove to see the sweet family that sits with us in Church. Both gave the boys WAY more candy than they needed, but it was just enough to make John throw up his breakfast the next morning :) Lovely. But we created memories and continued traditions that make family.

our Memorial Day

Yay! I finally did my homework and got a new camera this weekend. I checked KSL, but after seeing the prices and ages of the cameras, realized it would be best to buy new. I found a Nikon Coolpix L20 at Walmart for the right price, so I got it. It's red. I'd take a picture of it, but that's kind of hard to do - like looking at your own eyes without a mirror. To break it in, I took some pics of our family weekend together. I missed a few parts of our holiday, but got some good ones of everything else.

We had a BBQ Sun. night during the small break in the rainstorm. Then we set up a couple tents, played some games - or took care of kids, and slept outside in the rain. (Just Laurie, Kerry, Brian, Jonas, Hailey, Kaleb, and my little family - other people were party poopers! :) It was a lot of fun and, surprisingly, we didn't get cold. We didn't get much sleep, either!

In the morning Dad made us a big breakfast and we played some more games. While kids napped, I got to play the European Ticket to Ride game and some Russian Rummy in memory of my Nana and Papa. After lunch, we visited the family gravesites over at Larkin. It was such a fun day! We ended it with some turns on the slide at the park near the house.

I'm so grateful for family and the fun we have together. It seems like now that we're older we don't get too sick of each other any more and it's fun to watch our kids interact. We had a great holiday this year!

valentine traditions

I've been thinking about starting traditions in my own little family for the different holidays. Valentine's Day kind of turned out to be an eating holiday. I made heart-shaped pancakes and round ones with chocolate chips in the shape of a heart for breakfast, a heart-shaped BBQ chicken pizza for lunch, and a nice dinner with a tablecloth, candles, and nice dishes. I thought when Sam's old enough I'd like to have the kids pick widows in the neighborhood to go visit on Valentine's Day, too. Does anyone have traditions you do with your family? And any ideas for St. Patrick's Day?

my little cherubs

I'm very grateful to have my two boys. They make me smile and I love them more than I can say.

I believe Valentine's day is for everyone, not just sweethearts, so here's my chance to tell YOU I love you.

Happy love day.

Christmas morning

This year we got a white Christmas, one of my very favorite kinds. There's just something magical about newly fallen snow. I LOVE IT!

We woke up and went to the Christmas tree to see what Santa brought for Sam - a John Deere farm set and a plethora of fruit snacks in his stocking. It's hard to say which he liked better :)

Then I started some breakfast, Elton milked the cow, and we sat down to eat monkey bread/sticky buns (whatever you call it), breakfast casserole and fresh pineapple. Mmmm!!! Afterwards we went in to open presents. I felt a little bad that there were only 2 presents under the tree for Sam, but he sure was excited with what he got! He loves this little LeapFrog Fridge Farm. We tried to get him the car set, but he liked the farm better in the store. I guess he's destined to be a farm boy!

It was a wonderful, relaxing morning. I'm so grateful for this season and for all I have. Especially for the knowledge of our Savior. I hope I can remember Him throughout the year as I have thought of Him now and act upon that love I feel.

getting ready

Okay. There's not much going on with our little family lately. I've been trying to get Christmas ready in case the little munchkin comes early or I just don't feel like doing anything (which is more likely). And for the most part the gifts are bought/made. Now I need to wrap and label them.

Then I need to decide if I'm sending a photo out with a Christmas card this year (would anyone really be sad???), possibly print it, address envelopes, and write messages in the cards that I DID NOT make this year.

I need to make a photo ornament for Sam. (our tradition is a new kid's picture on the tree every year - this year on the back of an ornament I bought)

Somewhere in between the Christmas stuff I still need to: launder baby's clothes, sheets, and blankets; pull out crib pads and anything else I might need; make a blanket just for John; pick a spot in Sam's room for John's bed; get teeny diapers; and do anything else I may have forgotten.

And while I do all that I still need to play with Sam or have a little shadow getting into everything I do. He's so much fun these days that it's hard not to play with him, but it's crunch time and I'm really feeling it. Maybe it's that "nesting" phase :)

I wish you all luck and best wishes as you prepare for your holidays. I know I'm not the only one with things to do - have fun!!!