Christmas Fun

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is going to see the lights at Temple Square.  We went to Market Street for dinner and then to see the lights.  I was worried I wouldn't be able to do it but my body hung in there and I was able to enjoy the night.  The kids were excited to see the nativity and got really excited to see the star and animals.  I always feel the spirit so strong when we go there.  I am grateful for my family and that we have the gospel and the temple ordinances so be together forever.  After we stopped by to see Santa at City Creek.  Lexi told him she wanted a bike and Carter told him he wanted a big boy potty.  Santa was a little surprised and said that was the first time he'd had that request.  It was really funny.

We went to the live nativity in Alpine this year.  It was amazing.  They had all sorts of animals which Carter loved.  He would hike the hills to go see them and didn't even beg to be held.  It was fun to hear the different things the actors told about the story.  I liked being reminded about the gifts the three wise men gave.  When we got to the actual nativity it was so quiet and peaceful.  Carter didn't want to leave baby Jesus.  It was great to be able to feel the spirit with my family.

We had Cole's siblings over for a Christmas party.  We ate yummy food and played minute to win it games.  It was fun to have everyone over and I have really grown to appreciate being able to get to know Cole's siblings better.  They are very good people and we are lucky to live close to them.  We did a white elephant exchange and had a lot of good laughs.

Thanksgiving

We went to my Moms for Thanksgiving.  I did my hair in a twist and Lexi wanted to be twinners so we did hers in one as well.  I love that she wants to be like me.  I am her best friend and love it.  I am going to miss her so much when she goes to kindergarten.  I was 33 weeks in these pictures.  I made the pies and sweet potatoes for the dinner.  After we are we went to see Frozen and enjoyed the day.

Basement

We finished the family room in the basement in November.  It has taken a while because we stopped to work on the backyard this summer.  Cole worked endless hours on it and even worked 24 hours straight on it at one point.  We tried to do things right and bought nice paint and nice carpet and we are happy with how it turned out.  It is nice having such a talented husband that could finish the room for us.  He did everything but the texturing and carpet.  My Dad and Cole's brothers all helped us at different points through the process and I am grateful for their willingness. Lexi and Carter love playing down there.  Lexi set up this "nativity".  She's quite creative.

30th Birthday

I celebrated my 30th birthday in November.  Cole made sure it was one to remember!  I started the day off by sleeping in.  The kids came in to wake me up with Kneaders french toast.   They had a candle in it and sang me Happy Birthday.  It was so sweet and made me tear up.  Cole gave me a gift card he earned from work to Macy's.  I was touched he would sacrifice it for me. We went to Fashion Place to window shop and look at shoes and diaper bags.  Later we got a babysitter and Cole surprised me with a surprise party at LaJolla Gardens.  My parents, Jolene's famiy, Diane, Amanda, Neal, Noah, and Madison came. I have always wanted a surprise party and was so thrilled Cole did it for me.  He surprised me with a Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag.  It was a big deal because it is expensive and something I've really wanted.  Cole had everyone at the party share a memory of me and then we had Smart Cookies for dessert.  It was so perfect. Everything I always wanted and all my favorite things rolled into one.  When we got home the kids were happy and had fun with their babysitter.  Neal stopped by to give me a gift and we visited with him.  Both kids snuggled up with me and fell asleep in my arms.  It was by far the best they could give me.  I love my husband and kids so much and it was such a great day!

Halloween

I love Halloween with kids.  They are so fun to dress up and watch.  Lexi was Minnie Mouse and Carter was a cowboy.  We all got to go to Grandpa's work a few days before Halloween and trick or treat around his office.  The kids did really well and got tons of candy.  Carter liked being a big kid.  On Halloween we stopped my the trick or treat on Main Street and Jolene's and then went to Grandma's.  Cole dressed up as a painter and I was an 8 ball.  We trick or treated a few houses in her neighborhood and then came home to do ours.  I love trick or treating in my neighborhood.  The kids had fun but by the end they were ready for their beds. 

Lexi's 5th Birthday

Lexi had a fun 5th birthday.  She got to go to pre-school on her birthday.  Later that night we celebrated as a family by going to Culver's and opening her gifts.  She got a bag pack with a lock and a new coat.  She loves her bag pack and the lock so she can keep Carter out.  The next day we had Makani, Emily, and Madi over for a princess party.  We made wands, necklaces, played don't eat the princess and pin the crown on the princess, did a pinata, and had cup cakes.  Lexi had fun.  The day after that we had Grandma, Grandpa, Jolene, John, and Diane over for filled cup cakes.  Lexi got a suit case, lala loopsie, boots, and Mickey Mouse innotablet game.  She loves all of it.  She got spoiled and enjoyed every minute of it.

Update

Fall has begun and I am so happy!  I am in my third trimester now and actually feel better than I did a few weeks ago.  I am antsy to get things ready for Christmas.  Cole has been working hard on the basement and we are getting the carpet installed this week!  We are so excited to have this extra space to play and hang out.  Between doing the basement and the backyard this year we are ready for the projects to be done for a while.  The kids are still making us laugh all the time. 

Carter has gotten easier and more compliant.  There is a big difference between a two year old and a two and a half year old.  I am glad I've been able to have my kids two and a half years apart.  My favorite things about Carter right now are the things he says.  He tells me he doesn't want to be "coldie" (cold).  The other day he asked if he could play with my hair and I said yes.  He proceeded to grab it and such his thumb but looked up at me with his sweet eyes and said, "I love you Mommy."  If he accidentally does something wrong  he is quick to say he's sorry.  He is really good to share his treats and food with Lexi.  He has a kind heart and notices when others feel sad.  He breaks my heart when he feels sad because he has the saddest face.  He always tells us that people hit him but usually no one has.  We're not sure why he says it.  He talks like he's an adult and uses appropriate social phrases.  He has the best singing voice and uses a lot of bravado.  He loves to dance but always has to wear a princess dress when he does it.

Lexi has changed and wants to be more independent and in charge lately.  We've been butting heads more because of this.  The other day I was telling her that this house and everything in it is mine.  It made her really mad and she said "Santa gave me some of the things so they are mine not yours."  It surprised me and made me worry what kind of come backs I'm in for when she's a teenager.  I am trying to figure out how to enforce what I say but also let her have a say.  She still loves pre-school and says her best friend is Hailey (and me).  She loves to pack things and faithfully takes a church bag each week.  Lately she's been into building clubs, forts, and stores with pillows and blankets.  She idolizes her cousin Megan and gets excited to do things that Megan does.  She likes to do projects and her creativity has blossomed a lot lately.