this was january

Playing with the farm while Ellery hangs out in her lily pad.  All day, every day.

My sweet snuggly bear.

Nonnie took us to Chuck E. Cheese.  Pretty fun playing with cousins on all the rides.

Sledding with dad at Cascade park.  

This is how we play on the playground in January.  No stoppin' us!

Snow baby!

Warming up with hot chocolate after, of course!

Matching Disney jammies in preparation for our trip.

All the cousins at Grandma Doris' memorial.  They sang and it was so sweet.

Chubby and happy!

Sink baths are the best!

Snuggly baby burrito.

Jumping jelly bean.

Where's your souci Ellie Jane?

Our Beach Baby

McKay loved visiting the beach while we were in California. The water was pretty cold, but our feet eventually got used to it and McKay spent about an hour collecting shells and rocks and sticks and then throwing them into the water like he was born to do just that. None of his pants really fit around his waist very well, and an unexpected wave brought them all the way down. He then decided to get down and dirty and lost his coat too. He had a blast and we had a blast watching him. Can't wait 'til Elle can join in next time!

My Prophet

What an incredible man. Knowing that at 97 he was still running around this world serving the people of our church is amazing to me. I think of my 85 year old grandma and how it's hard to even get out of a chair for her. But President Hinckley truly was preserved to fulfill his calling here. Really when you think about all he's been doing in his later years it is incredible.

When I think of the word prophet he automatically comes to my mind, well obviously. But I really think it will take a long time for that to change. He was my prophet. For most of my life, especially that which I remember, he was my prophet. I loved how he was so out there in the world. So many respected him, LDS or not. He was smart, witty, compassionate and firm. I will miss him, but I also know that it was his time. No one can argue with that. What a great man.

No Thanks

The other night I got a knock on the door. McKay and I answered to find a teenage boy standing out in the freezing cold. He immediately started his speech. "I am so and so from the local newspaper wondering if you would like to receive a free trial...blah, blah, blah, then after the trial you would just have to pay ten dollars a month to receive incredible news coverage delivered right to your doorstep. This ten dollars will be put directly towards my college fund and I know you don't want to see me up there working at the Taco Bell when I graduate..." Hmmm? I explain that we've tried getting the newspaper and that it just piled up on my doorstep and added bulk to my already bulging trash bags. We didn't read it. I felt like it was a huge waste of paper for us. He then goes on to say that he needs to go to college; this would help him out a lot and he didn't want to get into trouble like many teenagers his age. What? Am I really responsible for this guy's future? Since when did product marketing take on a personal- accountability-to-the-customer approach? I kindly told the kid that I just wasn't interested. He was a nice kid. I want him to go to college. I admire him for trying to make it happen. But I just don't get this new soliciting tactic.

It reminds me of another situation I was put in this summer. There was a girl from New Jersey or something out here trying to sell the most fantastic cleaning product for every household! She was a very energetic girl, actually probably close to my age. She had all sorts of fun sayings and one-liners that she threw around while showing us this miracle product. The one she used most frequently, aside from "Jesus is the reason for believin," was along these lines, "I'm just trying to stay out of trouble. You wouldn't want to see me living on the streets would you? I'm selling this stuff so I don't get into drugs or alcohol like so many young people do..." She used the same method, trying to make us feel responsible for her life and her future. If we didn't buy that product she might resort to life on the street. Well, we didn't buy her apple smelling cleaning product and she wasn't happy with us. In fact she was quite rude after we told her no. But that's not the point. I just am in shock that kids these days (as if I'm so old) use this guilt trip style of marketing. I don't get it and it sure doesn't work on me.

Potty Talk

Well, the time has come to attempt to potty train McKay. He is showing signs that he's ready and interested. We are going to give it a go in about a week or so. I was going to go to the library and see what books I could find on the subject, but then I thought of my little blog and all my friends who've already gone through the potty training process. So...I am asking for advice. What has worked for you? Or what have you heard good things about? Any books to recommend? Tell me it all. Anyone who's reading this- I'd love your advice.

How Could I Choose Just One? Here's About Thirty!

I'm pretty thrilled that I figured this slide thing out. It only took me an hour!

Return from the Happiest Place on Earth!

We're back.

Just a disclaimer...I didn't have time to give McKay a haircut before we left so I took him to the place inside Walmart because I was there anyway. Well, he screamed and screamed and needless to say, you can see he didn't get a haircut. So we have some nice shaggy shots of him. On a related note, I decided to try to trim my own bangs right before we left. Um, it didn't really work out how I planned. Much harder than hair stylist Jenna described. Brian came home, looked at me and said, "did you do something to your hair?" This lets me know they look bad because usually he wouldn't even notice a bang trim from Jenna. I guess I won't be trying that again. So don't look too close at our hair. Anyway, we survived the nine hour drive. Both kids were great. McKay only had one breakdown on the way there and one on the way back. Not too bad. Luckily we brought aunt Jaynie and aunt Marilyn with us to help out with the kiddos. They were fabulous and Brian and I both decided that we couldn't have done it without them. Grandma and Grandad couldn't resist flying out for a few days to see McKay's first taste of Disneyland so it was fun to have them there for awhile too.

We had such a fun time. We were definitely impressed by Disneyland. It really is amazing. There is no liter to be found. Not thanks to the customers, just the fact that they practically follow you around with a broom and dustpan, sweeping up trash just as it hits the floor. And just the feeling there. Magical place? Yes, I think it is. McKay loved all the rides. We were afraid that he would be scared of some of them, but he was a brave little boy the whole time, although he decided he didn't want to try Pirates a second time. The first day he didn't really show any emotion at all, happy, sad, scared, excited. Nothing. He was just kind of in a daze. By the second day he decided that Disneyland was pretty fun and came out of his trance.

One of the most exciting moments of our trip was our celebrity sighting. I don't know if it was as exciting as seeing Lindsey Lohan at the mall last Fall, but close. We rode the roller coaster with Sean Astin. Who? I know, I know...not the most exciting celebrity. You would know him as Rudy or Sam in the Lord of the Rings. I was the ever sneaky paparazzi pretending to take pictures of other people but really capturing the back of his head. His hat even says Astin as proof. Another noteworthy thing is that his wife took a picture of their little girl with McKay. Do you think we're famous now too?

Brian's favorite game to play was "spot the Mormons". He totally thinks he's the master at this game, but I don't know how hard it was. Modest clothes, good hygiene, young couples with more than one kid. Pretty easy. No, Brian was good at it...as far as we know. He couldn't always prove he was right...but he did amaze us all when he predicted the "rated R movie girl" as a Mormon on American Idol before she gave any clues. What a talent he has!

We were so sad to leave the 70 degree weather in California. We were even sadder when we woke up to fresh snow outside today. Oh well. It's good to be home and I've already done all the laundry, so life's not so bad.

Well, I do believe that this is the most lengthy post I've ever done. Great job if you made it all the way.

Flight of the Conchords - Most Beautiful Girl in the Room

These guys are hilarious. We love watching their tv show episodes on youtube. Thought we'd share them with you...hopefully you'll all think they're as funny as we do. Enjoy!

"I can't believe that I'm sharing a kabab with the most beautiful girl I have ever seen with a kabab." Sarah's favorite line

"You could be a waitress." Brian's favorite line.

Feeling Sentimental

(yes Buffy & I are pregnant in this picture, & yes she was due two months before me. Sick, huh?)

In July I said goodbye to Becky. She gave me almost six months of preparation, plus she wasn't moving too far away so it wasn't too bad. Besides, I was busy being "crazy pregnant lady" checking things off my three page long to-do list to really feel the hurt of Becky leaving us. I do miss living next door to this girl though- she was quite a fun neighbor! She is one of the most creative people I know and has the ability to be completely busy all the time and still have a smile on her face like it's no big deal. I wish I could be as easy going and laid back as she is. Her new neighbors are very lucky to have her- she's a handy girl to know! I'm at least glad I still get to see her.

Buffy was probably the hardest to say goodbye to. In October, with my two week old baby in hand, I hugged Buffy and Ian goodbye as they left for Texas. For about a week every time I walked by their house I cried. Brian couldn't tell if it was my postpartum hormones or if I really did miss Buffy that much. I don't know, a combination I guess. I just know that my heart ached when she left. Buffy made me work out. I'm wondering if I'll ever go running again now that she's gone. Imagine me running while I'm seven months pregnant...yeah, that's thanks to Buffy. She was so easy to be friends with. We joked that it took us five years to make a connection like we had and it will probably be another five years to make another one. I'm still trying to decide if I've forgiven Ian for taking her away from me.

Then, out of the clear blue Shannyn decided to leave me too. What? In December I waved her family goodbye as they headed off to Arizona. I have known Shannyn the longest and even though I didn't see her everyday, it was always comforting knowing she was there...doing the same thing as me. I will so miss our visiting teaching chats in her living room and now who am I supposed to borrow things from? What a great example of a dedicated mother Shannyn is. I admire her strength and persistence. And now, she's gone too.

As I take the walk from the parking lot to my home I look at the windows that used to be occupied by my friends. It feels strangely empty around here. I think as the weather warms up in the spring it will be even harder for me. I'll miss the memories. Dairy Queen Blizzards, baby-monitor babysitting, Seven Peaks, hanging out at the playground, drinks from Sonic, shopping, Becky's parties, cravings for fries and fry sauce, nursery buddies, running errands, talking on the phone for hours when we're ten feet away from each other, hubby softball games, activity days, a fine "first date' to Swiss Days, ward parties, piling into the original Pilot with twenty car seats, playing Settlers, Thursday nights, pizza factory, trips to Park City, Sunday night games, and so many more!

I don't even watch The Hills anymore...it's too painful to do by myself. Love you girls!

Sweet Little Girl

Ellery was blessed on Sunday. Brian gave her a really sweet blessing. I just have to say that I'm glad I'm not the one up there giving a blessing. I was nervous enough already just knowing he had to do it, I can't imagine if I had to. But he did great, and my prayers were answered because Elle just looked up at him wide eyed and quiet during the whole thing. I always worry that my kids will cry during their blessings. I remember when McKay was blessed I was so paranoid that he would scream during the whole thing (that wasn't unusual for him) and he just pooped instead which kept him busy, and quiet, during his blessing. I didn't even care, I was just so glad that he was good.

We had a really nice lunch at Brian's parent's house. Everyone in both our families was able to be there which was fun. I didn't want to bother making anything fancy, so I bought a couple trays of those turkey wraps from Costco. So yummy...but we had about a whole tray leftover. I don't know how I miscounted so huge, but we were able to send everyone home with a plate wraps, so I guess it worked out.

We just love our little Ellery so much and I already can't imagine life without her. I have been hugely blessed with a really good baby. I am amazed at how easy she is. She is so adaptable to anything we're doing and just goes right along with it. She's such a sweet little thing, always happy and smiling...well, almost always. Plus, I think she's pretty cute too. Here are a few pics of the day.

All dressed up, ready to go!


The sweet little booties Grandma made. So precious!


Family picture. Lucky to get a half decent smile out of McKay.



Daddy's girl.


Our little pioneer baby. I didn't realize her dress was so...what's the word?...pioneerish? Oh well, still adorable!


More from the photo shoot in the living room.




Cute Elle. The end!

Holiday Fun

Christmas is over. I'm always sad to see it go, but always ready to get back to normal life. We had a great month though with lots of fun holiday festivities. Here's just a few things we've done over the last few weeks.

Gingerbread houses with Bri's family. Yes- that is real gingerbread that we made ourselves. You should be impressed- it's really tricky to make.

After a visit to Santa with cousin Elise- loving the suckers Santa gave them. I forgot to turn off my flash for the actual picture so this is all that I got of the event.

McKay spent much of December being Rudolph. Much to Brian's dismay I would put red makeup on his nose. McKay loved it. This is Brian being Santa, which mostly meant giving Rudolph orders to play in the snow in the kitchen. Love this boy's imagination!

McKay's first snowman of the year. We improvised a bit on the facial features.

Our little fam on Christmas Eve. Just know that this really is the best shot we got of McKay. When it comes to posed pictures it's almost like he tries to be as unphotogenic as possible. I'm really hoping this little stage will end soon and he can strike a pose like a normal person.

And now the real fun, Christmas morning!

Have you ever seen such a farm? It has just about every little thing a farm could have. McKay is pretty much in love with it. Brian and I are definitely not in love with finding all the tiny pieces all over our house.

Jana assisting Elle with her presents.

Cute Bri showing off his snowshoes.

Wow, that's a lot of photos- good for you if you made it all the way through. Hope you all had a great holiday season too. Happy New Year!

He Asked.....

She said Yes!!!

Mark proposed to Jana on Christmas Eve! We are so excited! Woohoo!