Our Christmas

We had such a great Christmas this year. Christmas Eve was pretty laid back. We stayed home and had our usual chicken nuggets, fries, and milkshakes. And of course we had lots of yummy orderves and treats for Kasey and I. The boys got to open their usual Christmas pj's and also an ornament from my grandma and grandpa Doyle. We read The night before Christmas and of coarse put some cookies and milk out for Santa. Griffin insisted that Santa liked chocolate milk best, so we had to put out both chocolate and white milk. I guess he was pretty thirsty because he drank them both! The boys all went to bed surprisingly well and then the late night for mom and dad began!

Watching for Santa . . .

Putting out the cookies and carrots

We had a really nice morning, not too early. Mason was the first one up at about 7:30 and watched cartoons in our room until Griff woke up shortly after 8:00. The rest of the morning was spent opening presents, eating home made cinnamon rolls and playing with the new toys. It was really nice to be able to let the boys take their time and play with each toy. We didn't have anywhere to be until later in the day and it was really nice!

The boys got new snow tubes and Dax thought these were the best spot to be! He just chilled in the tube for a good part of the morning!

The rest of the day we spent with Kasey's family at his Grandma Cheryl's and Grandpa Roberts. We always have a good time there and of coarse get stuffed. We had such a great Christmas but I do have to say that I am glad to have it over! It is so much more stressful as an adult, but the smile on the boys faces makes it all worth it!

Love em!

This was just one of those moments that make me love being a mom! The boys noticed that there was a machine shredding trees across the street and decided to check it out. They all went out on their own, Mason helping Daxon. It was just so nice to see them so easily entertained! They were so cute all sitting in a row in the freezing cold. They didn't even care that it was cold. It was pure fascination . . . hmm I wonder if our little girl will be so intrigued by big machines??

Remembering . . . November!

It seems like November pretty much just flew by. I mean really, I don't know where it went and how it is already almost the middle of December! I am getting excited for Christmas and hoping to keep this year a little more low key. I think I say that every year, but this time I really am going to try. Really.

The boys have been getting a little creative lately with ways to entertain themselves. You know, it's cold outside and gets dark super early, thus creativity . . . or boredom, whatever you want to call it! I actually found Dax sitting in the bowl first. He was very content to just chill in the bowl. Soon enough though, his big brothers wanted a turn and he was kicked out. Good thing he is so easy going!

One weekend in November we decided to do a "movie night" complete with new jammies, popcorn, home made cookies, and of course a movie. I am such a bed time nazi that these really don't happen very often so they were super excited! The last time we attempted a movie night was pretty much a failure so I was pleasantly surprised when they all three sat through the movie with very little commotion. It was a lot of fun and we will be having our next one on new years eve!

Thanksgiving was a lot of fun this year (no pictures though . . .) We always do Thanksgiving with Kasey's parents and sister the Sunday before at his Grandma and Grandpa Parks house. This is so nice and something that we love doing. It keeps the actual day a lot easier and makes it so we get to see both sides for Thanksgiving.

We spent Thanksgiving day in Logan with my family eating, visiting and eating some more. The whole family was there this year which hasn't happened in quite a while so it was fun to all be able to be together. Our tradition is to have the men cook. Yes you heard me. The men. My dad makes the BEST turkey and dressing EVER. I am really not just saying this. It is delish! I think he used to do it all before the kids were moved out and married, but now we help out with the desserts and side dishes and I think it works out great this way!

I have so many things to be grateful for this year. My husband and kids. Our health. Being able to live so close to family. This new little baby on the way. Many many great friends. These are just a few and there are many more!

The last day of November was a good day. I turned 27 (which is weird). I had a normal Monday with the kids and then Kasey and I got to go out for dinner and do some Christmas shopping. It was so nice just to be the two of us and not have to worry about the kids. We came home to a quite house with everyone asleep and that might have been the best part! I got lots of birthday phone calls and visits and really appreciate everyone who thought of me!

So that was November in a nutshell. Now onto December and all the fun that it brings (and this week, snow!)

The Long Awaited Girls Weekend

My mom, my sisters and I have been planning a girls weekend for quite awhile. We finally found a weekend that worked for everyone and decided to go for it. We headed to Park City for a couple days of shopping and a night of relaxation . . . with no kids! It was much needed and oh so fabulous!

Here are the back seaters ( Me, Lauren and Anna) And the front seaters (Julie and Mom)We got there Friday afternoon and decided to hit main street before it got to late. We found the cutest little shop (I don't even remember the name) but they had all sorts of fun natural creams, lotions, soaps, makeup, ect. They had a "cosmetic deli" which was pretty fun and we decided to buy some stuff to do mud masks later that night.

After shopping we headed to eat and then back to the hotel which bye the way was awesome! It was HUGE with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a family room and full kitchen and our own private deck with hot tub. We were all pleasantly surprised with it and will definitely try to stay there again next year!

Here we are in the mini hot tub. I think it was maybe a 2-3 person tub and by the time we were all in, it was majorly overflowing! Too bad I had to be one of the last ones in . . . as if I don't already feel huge :)

After soaking in the hot tub, we did our masks. They were probably the funnest part of the night. We laughed so hard at each other as the masks were drying and cracking . . . and they felt great! It had been way too long since I had done one!

Saturday we got to sleep in, eat, chat and just lounge around until it was time to check out. We then headed to the outlets. Let me just tell you that WE CAN SHOP! We were there from noon until closing at nine when they literally had to kick us out and didn't even get to finish the last 10 0r so stores! I think next year we might have to make this a 2 nighter to be able to fit all the shopping in!

Thanks girls for the good time! I am so lucky to have such great sisters (that means you too Anna:) and a wonderful mom! I don't know what I would do without them and sometimes find myself feeling jealous that they are all so close (Julie and her family live with my parents, Lauren still lives at home, and Ryan and Anna are just a few minutes away). So I am sooo grateful for fun trips likes this where I feel like I am just back home!

Festivities . . .

I think this year was one of the funner Halloweens we've had so far. The boys are just getting bigger and understanding more of what its all about and if the big boys are excited then Dax just follows along. We didn't do anything major this year, just kept it simple and fun! Grandma Jackie made them a Halloween lunch on Thursday. She made mummy dogs, brains, and a snake sandwich. It was so much fun (even though the boys were a little nervous about the food)!
Next was carving the pumpkins. Griff had a blast drawing in his while the rest of us scooped and carved. I didn't get a picture of the final product so you will just have to imagine . . .

On Halloween day we did a few crafts (candy skeletons and pumpkin sugar cookies) before getting ready for trick or treating. I am so glad we had good weather. It made for a much better time! Mason and Griffin were cowboys and Dax was a dog. He was so cute in his little dog costume and the first of my kids to actually wear the hood the entire time! After trick or treating we headed over to Grandma Jackie's to see her for her birthday. By this time the kids were exhausted! It was a good night. Stressful, but good :)

22

So I decided it was about time to post a prego picture of me . . . so here you have it! I am now 22 weeks and getting bigger and bigger each week. I guess I am just one of those that shows early and gets huge :) But I'm pretty much used to it since I am on my fourth pregnancy in 5 years!



I have been really lucky with all of my pregnancies in that I feel pretty good for the most part. I could not imagine being sick all of the time and still having to care for my other kids. So I guess I really can't complain! Other than the heartburn and tiredness . . . I feel great! It still amazes me every time I start feeling the baby move! She is for sure a mover but likes to save it for night time (or maybe I am just to busy during the day to notice her movements much!)

My mind is filled with ideas of projects that I want to complete for her in the next few months and I have already started a few ( I will have to post some pictures when they are done!) Anyway, I am just super excited to have this little girl on the way and am sure the next few months are going to fly!

The Perfect Weekend

Last weekend was just that. Perfect. I don't think I have been able to say that about a weekend in a while so I figured I better document it!

The weekend stared early for us on Thursday. It was a big day . . . the ultrasound. I was nervous all morning. I always get nervous before my ultrasounds, I think it is the unknown and the anticipation. Luckily my appointment was in the morning so I didn't have to wait ALL day, it just seemed like it! I was planning on walking out of there in boy mode. I was shocked, surprised, excited, scared, giddy and a million other emotions when they told me it was a GIRL!!!!! Wow! I couldn't wipe the smile off my face all day. It was perfect.

Friday was just a normal day. But still perfect considering our news.

Saturday we packed up and headed to Park City. We haven't been anywhere in a while and this was a much needed family getaway. We went with Kasey's family (his mom and dad, and sister Krista and her hubby Bobby). We got there a few hours before check in, so we decided to take the boys out to lunch and hit the Alpine Slide. It was way past lunch time and we basically never take all of them in a restaurant (do you blame me??), but they did so good! I was a proud mommy.

After lunch we headed over to the Alpine Slide. This was the only part of the trip that was not perfect. Kasey took Griff first and then the plan was to take Mase next (someone had to stay at the bottom with Dax :)) There was basically no line at the bottom so I figured it would take 15 min or so. Nope. An hour and a half later they came down the slide. It was a LONG wait for a baby that hadn't had a nap. . . he was so tired that he would just lay down in the gravel (we were waiting in gravel). Long story short, Mase opted to skip out on the slide so we could go swim at the hotel.

The rest of the time was spent swimming, eating, and swimming some more. What could be more perfect than that? We even got to have a little adult time which was so nice. Kent and Jackie offered to watch the boys and get them to bed while we went out to dinner with Krista and Bobby. It was a lot of fun and I can't wait to do it again!

Soccer Star

Mase played soccer this fall and loved it. The first few games he was more interested in being close to his buddy Jaxon at all times, but by the end of the season he was focused on the game and serious about scoring a goal. He even ended up scoring a few goals and when his coach told him that he was getting better and better every game he was beaming ear to ear! They were giving trophies at the end of the season which was pretty much the icing on the cake. He keeps it on his nightstand and is so proud!

Daxon loved going to the games and loved having everyone there to give him attention! He usually likes to give a wave when saying hi, but this time was feeling extra lovey.

sMiLE!

This kid sure can SMILE . . . (don't mind the food in his mouth :)

Field Trip

Griffin went on his first field trip of the year to Black Island Farms. It is a farm where they grow and sell veggies and have a huge corn maze and haunted house. He had so much fun and is still talking about it (a week later!) They first got to see a pig race. Then they went on a tractor/trailer ride through the farm and learned all about the crops. They each got to pick a pumpkin and then they had free time to run around and play on all the slides and bounce toys. Griff was a little shy at first but by the end he was running all around and enjoying his rare one on one time with mom :)

Mud . . . a little boys heaven!

Last week my sister Julie and her kids came over to visit. While the little ones were asleep we sent Mason and Ty outside to play. It was pretty quite for awhile and then I heard a loud noise so I went out to see what they were up to. They had turned on the water and created a huge muddy mess on the patio. Then they decided to throw mud balls at the house (that was the noise I heard) They were covered from head to toe in mud and there was really no other options than to strip them down to their underwear and spray them off with the hose. They had a great time and even though I wasn't happy about the mud, it was hard not to laugh at the mud covered boys!

Preschool!

Griffin started preschool on wednesday. This was a little rough at first but he ended up loving it and wanting to go back. He has been excited all summer to start preschool with his teacher "Mrs. Gween". But when I brought him, he got nervous and didn't want me to leave. I ended up leaving him laying on the floor screaming . . . I think it was a performance he put on especially for me! When I came to pick him up, his teacher said he cried for less than 30 seconds and then was just fine . . . (I'm glad HE was fine because I was worried the entire time :) I'm just glad he wants to go back and he has reassured me that he won't be crying next time!

Kindergarten!

Today was the big day! Mase had his first day of Kindergarten and absolutely loved it. When I dropped him off he went and stood in his class line and waited for his teacher to bring them inside. When it was time to go in he just waved good bye and was so grown up! He had a blast and is super excited to go tomorrow. It's kind of weird to think that today is the first day of a LOT of school days for our family! I am so proud of him and couldn't ask for a better kindergartner!