New Years Eve

We had lots of fun New Years Eve. We celebrated with Sean's family and our friends the Hales. Sadly we only took pictures of Jack and Emma enjoying the chocolate fondue. But we had lots of yummy food, good conversation, after the kiddies crashed we even got to play a little game called Pass the Popcorn. It is lots of fun and even though everyone protested that Sean would win, Rick was crowned the winner!! After watching the ball drop we packed up and headed home. Luckily Jack slept in 'til almost ten! I think we would of all been a little moody if he hadn't!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Christmas with the Martin's

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning was different this year because we actually opened presents at our house!! Jack was so tired when he first came downstairs, but when he realized that I was actually letting him open presents he couldn't open them fast enough. When they were all gone he asked when he could get more. Lucky for him we still had two houses to go to with presents waiting for him.

We filmed most of it but we did get a few pictures...

Jack helping Lyla open her "guy"

He has the blue one and insisted on getting the pink one for her when we saw it at the store.

We had such a great Christmas Eve. Full of food and fun, traditions some old and some new. Here are a few pictures to share...

Lunch at Olive Garden. It is our tradition to have some Fettuccine on Christmas Eve. I am glad we could share it with my family.

Grandma and Lyla

Making sugar cookies. I think Jack used all of the green sparkles on one cookie.

Ava loves to give Lyla kisses

Jack and Sean playing some games

Grandma with her two little girls

Lyla staring at the Christmas tree. She loved the lights.

Me and Lyla.

Christmas Eve Sledding

Jack's Birthday Party, Part 2

When Sean and I were deciding what to do for Jack's birthday this year Sean came up with the idea of going to Discovery Gateway a children's museum. He then had an even more brilliant idea of riding the train downtown. So on his birthday our little family, along with the rest of the Martin's, boarded the train for a little birthday fun!

Jack loved the train! He ran from window to window looking at everything he could. I think he just loved not being strapped into a car seat.

Dressing up as a frog.

Sending balls up the chute with Grandpa Rick.

Riding the train home with Uncle Chase.

Opening more presents!!

Happy Birthday big boy!! I can't believe your 3!!!

Jack's Birthday Party, Part 1

The night before Jack's birthday my mom threw him a little party!

Jack loved his birthday cake,

blowing out the candles

but most of all he loved opening the presents!!

Gingerbread Houses 2009

Every year we get together with the Hale Family (and sometimes other friends) to hold our annual Gingerbread House making contest. Typically we make them out of graham crackers but this year we made real gingerbread. Here are the results.

2:30 am. Does anyone have any tips on keeping a 2 year old boy in their BED?!?

Lyla Jean Martin

Happy Birthday Lyla! Born November 21, 2009 8:12 pm. 6 pounds, 8 ounces. 20 inches long. Cuter than a bugs ear.

Ohhh what fun...

Well the thing that I dreaded happening for the last few months has finally happened.

Bed rest.

That is right, for the next week I will be laying down and resting as much as possible.

Most would be happy for a guilt free week of relaxation but I must remind you of a few things.

1- I am 35 weeks pregnant which means that even laying down I can't breath.

2- My ribs hurt so bad on the right side I can only lay on my left.

3- Plus my nesting instinct is just out of control and all I want to do it clean, clean clean.

4- Then their is my little two-year old. He has been a trooper. It doesn't hurt that he gets to watch as much TV as he wants. That also means that all I watch is Mickey Mouse.

5- I think I can do stuff I shouldn't, like tidying up the house. So on top of all of his normal work Sean has to call and remind me to lay down all the time. He is being so great!

But all in all I am just grateful to have made it to 35 weeks without having to be on bed rest. Hopefully we make it at least one more week before she comes!

What would be really sad is if I am sitting here at 40 weeks begging her to come...

Trunk or Treating

We decided this year that Jack was old enough to fully appreciate trick or treating. Our branch was having a trunk or treat the night before and we thought it would be good practice. We brought along some friends and it turned out to be a fun night! Jack absolutely loved it and was so shocked that he got to keep all of his candy. He was well prepared for knocking on doors the next night...

Sean and Jack ready to go Trunk or Treating

Emma and Jack playing with all of their candy, while the mommies look on enviously.

Carving Pumpkins

For Family Home Evening I decided that it was time to carve the pumpkins. I was hoping that this year Jack would get more into it but sadly he still doesn't like the slimy stuff!

Sean thought that Jack would like to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas while we carved pumpkins. Let's just say it lasted about 2 minutes before we changed it to Charlie Brown and The Great Pumpkin.

Sarah's pumpkin and Sean's pumpkin

Truth...

Jack: Mom belly getting so big (as he rubs it)

Me: My belly is getting big huh?

Jack: Mommy shirt pop belly to big

Me: My belly is not that big.

Jack: Mommy shirt break, belly to big

He made up for it with this...

Jack: Baby come to live at Jack's house?

Me: Yes

Jack: Baby play with Jack's toys?

Me: Yes

Jack: I will share toys with baby, don't want cry.

Jack is still a third-person talker if you hadn't picked up on it...

Hale-O-Ween Party

Last Saturday was the annual Hale-O-Ween party!! With lots of good food, friends and fun we had a great time.

Wolverine

The kids all watching The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Jack and Emma running around havin' fun!

Part of the gang eating some grub.

Me in my designated seat with feet up. If I even tried to stand I had about ten people yell/telling me to sit back down! So nice!!