Christmas Lights at Temple Square

Their are just somethings at Christmas that are musts like, sugar cookies and slush and going to see the lights at Temple Square. So the Monday before Christmas we bundled up ourselves and the kids and headed over to Temple Square with the thousands of others who had the same idea!! Luckily we talked the Hales into coming with us. Jack and Emma had the time of their lives running around. My favorite part was when Jack would run up to Lucy and say LUCY and she would laugh hysterically!! Such fun, although it was very cold!!!

The Martin's

The Hale's

You wouldn't know it from the face he is pulling here but this is his favorite part, green Christmas lights!!!

My favorite part were all of the nativities. This one has to be the coolest!!

To warm up after our outing we stopped by the Lion House Pantry for some dinner, my mouth still waters just thinking about the Cream of Mushroom soup. It was a perfect night!!

Jack turns 4

I can't believe that my little man has turned four!! When planning his party he had his own ideas, so I just went along with him. He required LOTS of balloons and party hats, not to mention the party favors that he choose for his friends! He also requested a green Mickey Mouse cake. I absolutely suck at cake making (I hope to get better over time) so no giggles allowed!!

While we were waiting for his candles to be lit he told me that he got to eat his WHOLE cake!! Luckily he got bored after one ear!

He was so excited for presents! Its kind of sad that he only gets presents one month a year. But he LOVED everything he got and to this day tells me who gave it to him. Thanks to everyone who helped celebrate his special day!!!

He is such a good big brother, he loves his sister and wants her to do everything with him. He is really starting to be a curious little boy. He asks questions about absolutely EVERYTHING!! He is a good helper and will run for a binky or a diaper whenever I ask. He is also very good at negotiating treats and balloons!!! I am a total sucker and cave the majority of the time. But best of all are his stories. Every night he practically pounces on Sean when he comes home from work, full of stories about everything we did that day! He is getting SOOO big!!!

Gingerbread Houses

Every year we get together with the Hales to make Gingerbread Houses. It is so much fun!! Not to mention really yummy, fresh homemade gingerbread and LOTS of treats!!

Matt and Sean constructing the houses

Lucy, Emma and Sarah getting ready to decorate

Jack decorated our whole gingerbread house by himself, I had a hard time giving him complete control, but he did a great job!!

Lyla and I were watching from a distance. So that I wouldn't bug Jack and so she wouldn't jump for the treats that were scattered everywhere!

The finished products!! Jack's is on the left and Emma's is on the right!! They did such a good job!!

Lyla's Birthday

With Jack's birthday approaching fast (this Sunday) I thought I had better post some pictures from Lyla's Birthday!! I still have a hard time believing that my baby is one!! Thanks to all of you who came to help celebrate her first birthday!!

She was so not understanding the whole concept of blowing out a candle....maybe next year!

I have been to parties where babies make the biggest mess when they are handed their very first birthday cake. Well not my kids. I don't think they enjoy getting messy. She just gracefully licked some of the frosting.

Presents and more presents!!! Thanks to Jack, Emma, Rylee and Ava my little princess didn't have to lift a finger when it came to opening presents. They were just thrown at her so they could unwrap the next one!

Now on to the next milestone...walking...

Lyla's Quirks

Lyla is such a fun little girl. These last couple months we have seen her own little personality coming out, and a few little quirks as well. Here are two:

When she is crawling around she loves to put peoples shoes on her hands. It doesn't matter how big or small the shoe, she almost always has one on.

She also has this habit of folding herself up. Whenever she is crying or about to cry. I know I should be trying to soothe her instead of grabbing the camera, but it is pretty funny.

Just a fun little shot of Lyla, then I remembered one of me sitting at the same piano long ago...

October

October was a busy month, so busy in fact that I really got bad at updating the old blog. So here is a mass October post.

Up first is the birth of my new nephew, Christian Jonathan, on October 3!!

Welcome to the family little cutie!!

Next up was a visit from Jack's Texas cousins!!

Wheeler Farm

Andrew, Megan, Doris, Jack, Rick, Henry, Sarah and Lyla lost in the corn maze

Feeding the ducks and geese

Jack was in awe of how many ducks gathered for a little food

Racing up to the treehouse

Rick, Andrew and Jack getting ready to do some farmin'

Jack's first pony ride.

Carving pumpkins

We had lots of fun while they were here, Jack was lost without Andrew after they left! So sad to see them go although they will be back shortly for Christmas!! Yippee!!

Then came the Halloween festivities

Jack was thrilled to wear his costume to preschool. Not so thrilled when asked to sing a song for all the moms!!

Carving pumpkins at our house. Jack still won't touch the goo unless he has a very, very long spoon.

Trunk or Treat

Our branch closed down a street in our community for a little Trunk or Treat! I am glad we took some pictures this night because it was pouring rain on Halloween!!

Lyla was the cutest little duck you have ever seen!

Jack was a little sick of waiting for the Truck or Treat to start, and a little sick of us taking pictures. Yes Jack was Tigger again, but that is what he wanted to be and who was I to protest?!?

We had such a fun Halloween! Jack wasn't at all put off by the pouring rain and according to Sean ran from door to door once he figured out that people were giving him candy! Lyla on the other hand stayed nice and cozy warm in her BOO pj's. So sad to see Halloween go!!

Lagoon

I have decided that the only time to go to Lagoon is in the fall. Although maybe I shouldn't say that out loud because then it might get crowded! This was Jack's first ever trip to Lagoon and it was a success! He loved every minute of it, he ran from ride to ride!! We went with our friends the Hale's (a big thank you to Sarah for the tickets) and had a blast, a perfect way to spend a nice crisp autumn day!!

Sean and Jack

Emma and Sarah

Lucy and Matt (poor Matt wasn't feeling to hot, and no it wasn't nausea from the spinning, just a little cold).

This picture is not very fun to look at but it just proves that I was actually there! Seeing as it is the only picture I am in!

Surprisingly the kids were very patient waiting in line

Lyla in the stroller, yet again! Funny story, she loves to suck on the stem of pumpkins, the little ones shown above. You would think the slightly prickly texture would hurt, but I guess not.

The swings were a hit

Lucy and Emma

This was Jack's favorite! Probably because he got the green one and green just happens to be his favorite color!