There's Just Nothin' Better!

Our family was able to make another neat memory at Grandpa and Grandmas house. Christmas came early! Justin's parents are spending it in Texas this year so we celebrated our pants off! Grandma knows exactly how to make it feel so festive with her yummy dinner, pumpkin cobbler, and her table decorated to the hilt! We made a gingerbread house, opened packages, sang songs, laughed, and (my favorite) visited!

It's Back.........

Nathan- 2 1/2 months

Kendall- 2 1/2 months

The fist, that is. I thought this was just a "Nathan" thing, but it turns out it's in the genes. When Nathan was a baby, I would find him staring at his fist ALL THE TIME. In fact I would hear him awake at 2am. Bam! There he is staring at his fist in the dark. In the bathtub, at the grocery store, in the car, on the couch. I'm not kidding - he did it everywhere! And now it's Kendall! Same thing! This provides hours of entertainment-for both of us!

Trying to get just ONE Picture!

Wow! Can I just say it is almost impossible to get a family picture with a two year old?! This day was interesting to say the least. Thank goodness for Cody! She had a lot of patience as the "picture taker!" She and her husband are our Fred and Ethel, (I Love Lucy). They are our neighbors across from us. They are tons of FUN! In fact, they really feel like cousins.

Oh Yes... We can Save the World!

Saturday night and it's snowing outside. What do you do? You have Nathan bring out every hat he owns. Then just when you think you've had about all the fun you can handle- Nathan blows into the room like a firecracker with his underwear on his head. Oh don't worry, he has a special pair for everyone and we transform ourselves into the "U-TEAM!" (just a little FYI- Nathan refuses to be potty trained so... these underwear are really clean!)

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G.G.'s Stockings and Holiday Traditions!

I think I'm the biggest sucker for a good tradition! Coming in at a close second is my Gram, (or as Nathan calls her, GG- Great Gram) She has always made Christmas so special and FUN! I LOVE when the doorbell rings and there is a package from her. Christmas tins overflowing with goodies - her special fudge, English toffee, peanut brittle, and delicious popcorn. Gifts wrapped with love and big bows. Ever since I can remember, we got to open a package, topped with a little bear personally selected for each grandchild on Christmas eve. Inside the gift is always jammies. A few years ago she began a new tradition for all of her great grand babies. She creates a stocking just for them. They are so detailed and I appreciate all her work she does on them especially since she has arthritis in her hands and I know this must be so hard.
Thank you!
It seems like I'm always on the hunt for the perfect tradition to start with my own family. A friend shared this with me and I thought it sounded so fun, (this would especially make good memories for kids). A few nights before Christmas, The family gets their pillows and blankets out and puts them by the Christmas tree. A treasure hunt is planned. In the treasure box are lots of items, such as: a Christmas movie, Christmas books, flashlights, yo-yo's, games, treats- and pretty much whatever else you want. The family goes on the treasure hunt. They spend the evening playing with the items in the treasure box then all fall asleep by the tree. If you have any good traditions- let me know!

This is GG, when she was little. I think she is so cute!

GG in her Christmas jammies- laughing as Kendall squawks.

I’m pretty sure things can only get better!

I had a bunch of errands to run and was saving them all for Saturday so I wouldn’t have to take kids, (it’s soo much faster!) I was moving right along until I pulled out of the Target parking lot. I heard the most halatious noise I have ever heard. Basically whenever I put the car into drive (or reverse for that matter) it sounded like I was pulling an enormous iceberg- and no I promise I’m not exaggerating! I got out and examined the bottom of the car- like I know what to look for. Nothing seemed to look out of place so I proceeded to go home, with my hazards, going 5 mph, pulling my iceberg. People can be so rude, honking, rolling their eyes, and speeding around. Happy Holidays I would say as I waved! By the time I get home and switch out the car, the post office has closed 10 minutes earlier. Thank goodness for the lobby stamp vending machine! I was still going to get to buy my Christmas card stamps. I put my money in the machine and out comes my first book of stamps. I wait, and wait, and wait for my other books and nothing. I then give the machine a slight tap (okay , it was a good few pounds) and off goes every alarm and flashing light you could imagine. By the time I dig out my cell phone to call the number on the machine- here come the police cars (all 4 of them because apparently they need lots of back up to arrest the burglar), whipping around the corner . Finally out come the workers from the back (where were they when I just needed to purchase a few holiday stamps- what ever happened to holiday hours?) Lots of explaining took place, (I barely brushed against the machine- yada, yada) and basically I did not get my money or my stamps- yet. (I’m expecting a call from the president of the post office sometime this week). I get home and Justin takes our car into the shop, (dragging the iceberg) and comes home to tell me it was the fuel tank! Spark, spark. I guess I can be grateful I didn’t get arrested or blown up in the same day!

8 Weeks

I started a little tradition with my babies. At 8 weeks I have a picture taken with them of their mom giving (or almost giving) them a big smooch. It's just fun to see how alike or different they are at that age. The time is going SO fast. I don't want to miss out on a second. I love every smile and every coo. Kendall is such a sweet baby. It's so fun to see how Nathan interacts with him. My favorite is when Nathan tries to comfort Kendall when he is sad. I never knew motherhood could be so fulfilling.

Okay Papa....You can Babysit!

These days Papa is in high demand! Not only is he dang entertaining, he always has a special treat ready to eat in his pocket. In fact- if there is no pocket on his shirt, he won't even wear it. (It's his modern day hocus-pocus!) He will do anything to make these boys happy. He even digs earthworms out of the dirt with Nathan in the back yard. Last time they found 13. He also has a really neat shed that Nathan and him spend hours in. I'm a little scared to know what they do, but if it keeps them busy, that's great! Get ready for some fun with Papa, Tanner and Jake!

T-H-A-N-K-F-U-L

Kendall's buddy!

Say Cheese!

These were our name tags-

Chocolate covered caramel pretzels- Yum!

Bread sticks!

This is for you, Kristina!

Time- to make good memories and create relationships that will last forever. Laughing together as a family, playing games, and sitting around a crackling fire drinking hot chocolate and eating popcorn. Never waste a second!

Heritage- (like Rachael) I too am extremely thankful for my heritage. Knowing my roots, makes me want to be a better person- not to mention all the awesome stories!

America- The land of the free. I LOVE this country and am so grateful we can worship how we please.

Nights- It is a rare occasion these days (with a newborn) when Justin and I can go on a date. When we get the opportunity it is such a treat! I love just being around him even for a night "in" and all we do is watch a movie or have "chats"-which I love and always look forward to.

Kindness- We appreciate every act of kindness that has been done in our behalf. We are in debt to so many of you. Thanks!

Family & friends- What would we do without you? You have truly blessed our lives and made us rich.

Unlimited FUN- I love that fun is Justin's middle name. I'm a big believer in "laughter is the BEST medicine". I love to laugh and be around laughter. I think you should celebrate everything- from making it through an entire sacrament meeting to the first snow!

Life- Each day is a gift. We get to watch Nathan and Kendall grow everyday. We get to experience "life" with them. One of our most precious times is watching them sleep for a few moments every night.

Check out this cute butterball turkey!

My cousin Kami had a little Thanksgiving treat today! 7lb 10 oz and 21 inches long. Her name is Eliza Lynn Plamer. Kami had her "natural". Way to go Kam! We are dang excited to meet her and have another little cousin for the boys to play with!

Littleton in November- Gotta love it!

We went to downtown Littleton with the boys and our neighbor, Cody (who we absolutely adore), this week. It has been great weather here for outside stuff, in fact- today was in the 80's. We decided we better take advantage. Nathan got to see all the animals, (this place is a working farm built in the early 1800's), and we got to take a nice walk. It feels good to get some fresh air, especially since we don't really know when the next time it will be nice again.

Kendall's Baby Blessing

Today was Kendall's baby blessing. Everything went really well until church was over and Nathan was nowhere to be found. After rallying up the troops, and after what seemed to be an eternity, we finally found Nathan outside BY HIMSELF. He definitely keeps us on our toes. Later that night we had hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls with a little show by Luke on the side. Pretty soon everyone was dancing and singing. He really knows how to get a party going!

My Guys...Yep, I'll Claim em!

These boys make my life so sweet. I never knew life could be so full of joy, fun, and adventures. I don't know how I got so lucky to have Justin. He is everything that I imagined life to be. I really do feel like a princess with these guys. They treat me so good. I just hope I can be the kind of mom and wife they deserve. (I know this is cheesy, but I'm so thankful everything is okay with Justin).

Great News!

BEFORE

AFTER

We went to the Doctor today and he told us the most anticipated news ever... Justin's tumor is benign! What a sigh of relief! Thank you for all your prayers. We really appreciate them. As you can see there is some slight redness around the incision so he is on antibiotics for it. He is doing great otherwise!

Justin's Journey

Justin has been experiencing some major swelling in his right foot for a few months. He went to the Doctor and they sent him to the ER thinking he may have a blood clot. After an ultra sound, that was ruled out. He went to a foot specialist and they thought he had torn the sheath around his tendon or a membrane in his foot. They did an MRI and some x-rays and discovered that maybe he had some cysts as well. The Doctor wanted to do surgery and remove the cysts, repair the sheaths, and do some exploring as to why the swelling. Yesterday, they did the surgery and found no torn sheaths or cysts but they did find a tumor the size of a small apple that completely filled the inside of his ankle. They were able to get it all. We are so grateful that the Doctor found what was wrong and got all of it out. Justin is doing well and is on his way to a speedy recovery.

First Smile

Spiders and Peas

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We hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!

Tiny Talks

Papa and Kendall enjoying a little one on one time.
This week we took Kendall to the doctor for his 1 month checkup.
He is a little juicy doughnut weighing in at 12lbs and 23 inches long.
No wonder he always wants a snack in the middle of the night!

A Fun Weekend for Nathan!

Grandma is the activities committee leader, so Nathan went to her
Halloween party. He had a blast and apparently got plenty of sugar!

I asked Nathan: "What do you love?"
He said,"Jackets,
fresh, clean diapers,
and Kendall."

Look closer...yep, Vaseline
(this was especially bad inside his jammies)

A great hiding place at Mammy and Papa's house!

There's nothing like licking the beaters, bowl and spatula
when helping with a cake!