November Happenings

 "Camping" at Breckenridge Park. It was kind of chilly and the boys were getting over colds, so we just decided to eat there and let them play at the park. We came home and put up our tent in the living room. It is impossible to get Nathan and Jared to wear jackets let alone coats. I finally convinced Nathan to wear his coat, but Jared just sat on my lap while I wrapped my coat around him. We enjoyed foil dinners, hot dogs, chips, fruit, and smores.

We went to Houston for Thanksgiving and really enjoyed our time with Kayla and her family. The boys loved to play with their kids and loved all of their toys.

The beloved basketball hoop at Kayla and Randy's house.

 

HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY TO NATHAN

Nathan loved his sports bounce house and was so excited to have family and friends come over. He kept asking me while I was decorating the cake if his friends were here yet. We enjoyed queso, chips, pop, cake, and cupcakes. My parents always let us choose what we wanted them to make for breakfast and dinner for our birthday, so I kept that tradition. Nathan wanted pancakes with strawberries, syrup, and cool whip for breakfast and pizza for dinner. I told him that we were having pizza for lunch, and he still wanted to have it for dinner. Thank goodness we had leftovers, and it became the easiest dinner ever.

Jared saying, "Cheese."

Nathan anxiously awaiting the candy to fall from the pinata.

The Candy Mob.

Nathan was so excited about his birthday cake. Last year he wanted a blue fire truck cake, and for almost a year now he has been asking for a green fire truck cake. This was my first cake to decorate with the tips and everything. It was fun, but it definitely took more time than I thought. You cannot really see the ladder in the picture. When I finished the cake and had Nathan look at it. He pointed out right away that it was missing a siren. That's my boy he knows his fire trucks. I didn't have time to put on the red siren, so it is missing. I also made 24 strawberry cupcakes and decorated them. Let's just say that Matt and I were very busy that morning.

After all that playing time, we were all exhausted and enjoyed a nap together. This is one of my favorite parts of the day...when both boys nap with me. Most the time they are both as close to me as possible. This could be a tricky transition when baby comes, but I wouldn't miss this time with them for anything.

We decorated the tree together as a family. The boys loved putting up the ornaments and only a few got broken. We have to put all of the Christmas balls up high because Jared thinks they are toys. He loves balls.

Jared cuddling with his giant size Elmo and little cookie monster. Jared loves Elmo and cookie monster.

We added to Nathan's firefighter costume. Can you tell what we have added?...yep the mask.

Halloween Prep

Pumpkin painting.

Jared was done painting in a few minutes but....

Nathan could have painted all day long. He used up all the paint on his one pumpkin. That a boy!

FHE game night for carving our bigger pumkin.

That's right get those hands dirty boys.

This was a very fond memory for me as a child, and I have scrapbook pictures from every year showing us carving pumpkins. What fun to pass these traditions on to my children.

Nathan helped carve, but he mainly told me what shape he wanted me to carve out.

Wow...they all look exhausted and not too happy.

Happy Halloween. My fire fighter Nathan and Handy Manny Jared. They loved to trick or treat in our neighborhood. Nathan would take Jared's hand and lead him to the doorbell. Nathan would ring the bell and say trick or treat and thank you. Jared would only say it if prompted. They did great and loved it.

Nathan and Jared outside eating a drumstick together.

Sonogram picture of baby #3, which we think is a girl. What a great profile picture.

Nathan and Jared liked to push each other on their lawn mower. I was a little concerned for their well being as they would fly by, but they were having such a good time.

Nathan making a picture frame and then glueing his colored noodles that we made. What a blast.

Missed this picture of the firetruck from our Nauvoo trip. This was in Liberty. What a good lucking group.

Kansas, Missouri, and Nauvoo Trip October 2012

It seems like it is a tradition in our family to see firetrucks when we are on vacation. We were at liberty jail and saw a fire station within walking distance. The boys were very excited to see them.

Liberty Jail

Papa and Jared at Liberty Jail.

Adam-onhi-amen...Jared thinks it is a ball. Good thing he didn't try and eat it.

Doesn't get prettier than this!!!

I loved this picture of Nathan runny at Adam-ohni-amen. The boys wouldn't not wear jackets the entire trip, and it was quite chilly. Nathan decided that he would wear Grammy's long sleeved shirt.

Going for a walk at Adam-ondi-amen, but Jared being a little hesitant. He sticks to him mama like glue.

I love this picture too.

Cool dude. I almost mistook Jared for Nathan in this picture. They are both getting so big. Probably twice a month, I have strangers ask if Jared and Nathan are twin...they are two years apart.

PJ being his happy, calm, mild self.

Family Center on main street in downtown Nauvoo. The boys also got to make a rope and see how a barrel was made. We also went to the blacksmith, bakery, and many more places where the early saints lived.

Chelsea and PJ  with John, Nathan, and Jared in the background

Nathan's rope that he made.

The window that Joseph Smith fell out of at Carthage Jail where he was shot.

Carthage Jail. All of these places were so neat to see and really strengthened my testimony of Jospeh Smith, the Book of Mormon, and the sacrifice of the early saints.

Nauvoo Temple

My sweet parents.

Dad and I ran a 5K together. I was so grateful to have my dad along. It made it so enjoyable, and it was crazy how much I was able to run with not much training, being pregnant, and not feeling well. Thanks Dad. We jogged the entire first mile after which I had to take a potty break. We jogged/walked the rest of it. It took 42 minutes and 17 seconds. I was happy with how I did.

Matt ran a 1/2 marathon as well as Chelsea's parents. He did great!!

Nathan holding PJ and being as sweet and gentle with him as ever.

Jared saying bye to PJ. PJ looks so big next to Jared.

Nathan saying bye to PJ.

It was such a nice trip, and we appreciate John and Chelsea's hospitality as well as her parents. Everyone spoiled me and I didn't have to cook or help cook a single meal...now that is vacation. I thought that I would gain a lot of weight, but as soon as we got 5 minutes from my house in Dallas, I threw up. It was so nice to see family, and yet so hard to say goodbye.