Lots of Christmas Fun

It seems there was always something fun to do as a family this month. We were able to do some traditional activities--Chandler's Christmas school music program, gingerbread house decorating, neighborhood food drive, looking at Christmas lights, ice skating outside, Larry H. Miller Family Sing Along downtown, Temple Square, and Christmas tree shopping.  We missed out on a trip to see Santa-but did get a letter sent to the North Pole. Things seemed to be more fun everywhere we went if there were goodies to eat and hot chocolate to drink. We also were able to squeeze in a fun Hoopes Cousin party and a trip to see Zoo Lights. It was all busy, but incredibly fun. I am grateful for the time we had to spend together as a family and with our family and friends. What a blessing to be surrounded by so many fantastic people! It has been a great season.

Can you find him? The cute one in the back.

Watson got to put the star on top this year.

Headed to the Arena downtown for the Sing Along.

Settled in for some good music together.

Chandler is happy because he got 3 donuts!

Love the lights and reflection pool.

The licking didn't happen until the very end of the house's life.

Watson wanted to ride this train really bad.

Always on the move.

A B C D E F G....Christmas is here, Yippee!!

Christmas Eve was spent together with Grandma Nettie, cousins and aunts and uncles. We ate yummy food and relaxed together until it was time to go home. The boys looked so cute together in their new pj's. Both boys were thrilled with gifts from Nana, Santa, and us. Chandler repeatedly thanked us. Watson couldn't wait to try everything, especially Dad and Brother's helicopters.

Our New Arrival

After years of Chandler asking, and Scott asking, and me thinking, we added a new member to our family. Yes, we got a dog. His name is Sparky. He is a West Highland Terrier, aka, a Westie. We got him from a family in Logan. He is a year and a half and very playful. Chandler loves to snuggle with him on the couch and have him close at night. Watson loves to run around the house while Sparky chases. I think he is cute, cute, cute. It has definitely been an adjustment for me--thinking about what he needs and when, but it's worth it. The timing was great, just in time for Christmas. We love our little Sparky.

Happy Birthday to Him!

December started off quick with Scott's birthday. He got to spend the morning with his buddies at his fav-o-rite place in Orem, Callie's Cafe. After a bit of time at work we had a special dinner and ended the celebration with homemade German Chocolate cupcakes, another Scott favorite. Watson helped blow out the candles, open the presents, and eat the candy. I'm so grateful to know and love Scott. He is amazing in so many ways, always ready to help anyone in need. He is the best father I know and loves to do anything and everything with his boys. Happy Birthday Honey!

Simple Gratitude

Thanksgiving. I have been thinking about what that means quite a bit through all of November. I was able to fill two and a half journal pages with the many blessings I count. I'm sure I could have filled more had I taken more time. At the top of the list is my family.

I am blessed, or lucky, to be married to Scott. He is my best friend. He is such a great father. He is true to the core good person. I am also blessed to be a mom for Chandler. He teaches me so much and plays an integral part of my training to live a more Christlike life. I am blessed to be Watson's mother. He makes each day interesting and fun. He also allows me to have brief glimpses into heaven and feel a fraction of what Heavenly Father feels for me. Yes, these are my greatest blessings. Of course, there are a gazillion other blessings each day. For that I truly feel simple gratitude.
Our Thanksgiving morning started early as Chandler and I ran the Utah Human Race 5K. It was Chandler's first race and he was happy and proud to finish it. I was happy and proud he finished it too.
We continued the festivities at Grandma Nettie's with most of the family with great food and our annual Bingo game.

The day ended with Scott and Chandler hitting Black Friday deals at several stores all through the night. We spent a lot of good time together last week. I'm grateful to be where I am and doing what I'm doing. I am so blessed.

A Little Outing with the Birds

Tracy Aviary is the local bird place around here. Watson and I visited this with Chandler and friends a couple of years ago. Then he rode around in his car seat in the stroller completely unaware of the rodent eating birds directly in front of us. This time, he saw everything, even the 29 pound roaming free condor. We met up with a friend of mine with her 3 kids plus a cousin. The kids had a great time pointing out the ducks, watching the peacocks and imitating the flamingoes. We will be back again, maybe after the construction is complete.

Photo Card

Initially Merry Christmas

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Look Who's a Big Boy!

It was time. The all night sporadic crying, the "who knows what time it is" bedroom visits, the climbing out of bed while all is asleep so he could play with cars in the dark, had to end. Scott and I had no idea what to do to make things better for Watson. So, one day the thought occurred to me that moving him to a toddler bed might be the answer. Heck, things couldn't get worse, right? I think it was inspiration because from the first night Watson has happily gone to bed. He loves it! I've been shocked that the transition was this easy! Since the first night, he has had one or two rough moments. All in all, he has adjusted great, he even (thankfully) takes his nap every day. I'm amazed he is becoming such a big boy so fast. I suppose this is how things are suppose to work--it is so hard for me to let my baby grow up.

A Monkey, A Man with a Yellow Hat, A Scientist, and A What(?)

Halloween weekend was a whirlwind around here. Our neighborhood Trunk or Treat was Friday night. Watson played along by wearing this year's costume once Scott dressed up. I played along, as much as I could, with a wig, glasses and a lab coat. For all you PBS Curious George watchers out there--I was Professor Wiseman. Watson loved it so it worked for me. Scott's costume was a hit and everyone loved our little "George."  No one recognized Chandler. I think he liked being anonymous. He was so excited to get his costume in the mail-- a morph suit. No, I hadn't heard of it before either. Coupled with his very old karate suit he was a mystery to everyone.

Saturday we gathered at Chad and Amy's house for our annual pumpkin carving party. The kids dressed up and had a ball running around the yard and creating original pumpkin designs.

Monday afternoon Watson, Channa, Nicole and I made it to Chandler's school for the Halloween parade. I had mixed feelings about this being the last elementary parade for a few years... Our school visit was followed by a little Trick or Treating at my office. The ladies thought Watson was so cute and gave him more candy than I, I mean, he should eat in a lifetime. Later we got a little visit from two VERY fancy witches and got another little treat.

We ended the evening with more Trick or Treating in Challey's neighborhood. Watson was so excited to go door to door with Stratton and Paris. He made sure to wish everyone "Happy Halloween!" I didn't think he would remember the candy existed after our evening of fun ended. He proved me wrong by climbing up on a chair to reach the treats on top of the fridge at 6 am the next morning. He has a memory like an elephant. I may be in trouble...

Chandler's Baking

When Chandler was little he would help me bake a different treat almost every Sunday. As he's gotten older, he wants less to do with that. However, he got a baking bug last Sunday and, of course, I obliged. Scott and Watson took part in the fun too. We tried out a great sugar cookie recipe from Thanksgiving Point Emporium. It was fun for the boys to roll and cut out the dough. And, it was fun, mostly, to decorate each one. Watson got to handle sprinkles. I'm still finding those on the kitchen floor. I think I need more practice with these kinds of activities--it can only get more fun with more frequency, right?

A Little Race with a Great Friend

A year ago I started rediscovering running. Watson was one and I was ready to let my body and mind do more than think about mothering a baby. Scott has been extremely supportive of my hobby. One great friend has also been there with constant encouragement, Natalie. This summer we planned to do a little race together, Thanksgiving Point's Love Your Body 10K. This was fantastic. We had so much fun in this race for women. Nat and I chatted the whole time. It was fantastic and I can't wait to do it again next year--though I want to run faster!

Monsters, A Dragon, and other Halloween Shenanigans

We tried a new treat this Halloween. Cake pops seem to be all the rage so we thought we'd give it a shot. It was pretty fun to decorate each little personality packed pop. Chandler had some good ideas and Scott made a very cute mummy. These little guys were a hit at the outdoor family movie night.

This cute little dragon got to spend a little time with cousin Nicole at This is the Place Heritage Park. We did a little trick or treating, rode a big AND a mini train. Watson also made a little ghost to take home. He also bravely rode a pony. He was so excited for this treat he practically climbed the fence to get to it on his own. The petting zoo was so fun as he got a close up experience with pigs, goats, and sheep.  A good time was had by all.

Cornbelly's has become a tradition for our little family. Chandler had a blast on the bouncing pillows. Watson had a blast on the giant slides. Scott and Chandler did too. I think we spent most of our time at that activity. Chandler and I managed to get lost in the big corn maze, despite using the text clues. Scott and Watson rode the cow train and we rode the different bike contraptions until we were sore. We by passed most of the spooky stuff but had a great time until long after dark. We will definitely be back again next year!

One Last Hike

Cecret Lake. A fantastic spot to enjoy the quiet, throw lots of rocks, and plank. We got one more little hike in before the weather really turned cold. The walk was beautiful, the hike up the rocks was just the right amount of exertion, the time at the lake was perfect. Chandler got a little bit of time scaling huge rocks and we all got some great time together.