Megan's First Steps

Megan took her first step last week and took another step yesterday.  She is getting really good at walking while holding on to the furniture and is doing much better on her balance.  It is very exciting to see her learning all these fun new things.  It's only a matter of time until that girl is walking...heaven help us.

Citizen of the Month

 Tyler got the Citizen of the Month award at school yesterday. I guess that each teacher chooses one student each month to receive this award and Tyler got it for the month of November.
Tyler got a certificate and four free kids meal coupons to four different restaurants.  I cannot forget to two free pencils and the folder that it all came in, those were Tyler's favorites.

Tyler said that his teacher said that Tyler tries very hard on his work and he's very nice to everyone.  I thought maybe part of the reason she gave it to Tyler was because the day before her nail and Tyler's head accidentally ran into each other.  But I think that she had to have picked the person before the whole nail/head situation.
Tony and I are very proud of our little citizen of the month and are very happy that he is doing so well in school and with others.

Breakfast with Santa and Gingerbread Houses

 This morning we had our annual Breakfast with Santa at our Stake Center.  I had to go early to help finish setting up and Tony and the kids met me there when it started.
We had ward members bring breakfast casseroles and then I got some muffins from Costco and Milk from Deseret Dairy.
We had a pretty good turn out and ended up with just about the perfect amount of food.  I was a little worried we would run out, but we didn't.

After eating and singing we got to see Santa once again.  The kids were all sitting in the front of the gym singing and waiting for Santa.  It was fun to see Josh and Tyler reaction to when Santa came in.  It took them both a minute to figure it out but Josh was really excited when he finally saw him.
 We had the kids line up by families and we actually ended up cutting in front because Megan was ready to go home and take a nap.

Tyler and Josh both did really good again sitting and talking with Santa. I wish I was right there to hear what they were saying to him.  Mostly Tyler because I am pretty sure Santa had no idea what Josh was saying to him.
Megan was not happy at all with Santa today.  She was just too tired and is definitely in that stage of life where she has stranger anxiety.  Santa showed her the sucker but that didn't really matter to her.  So we quickly scooped her up and tried for a family photo with Santa.

Note to self...NEVER bend over in a photo, it is not a flattering look for me.  The person taking the picture didn't zoom in at all so it isn't a very good picture, but hey we got it and no one was crying and everyone was looking forward.  So I would say the picture was a success.
Pretty much right after they saw Santa Tony took the kids and went back home while I stayed behind to help pick up.

I thought that we had a really good turn out and it seemed like everyone had a good time and had plenty to eat.  It is always a fun event, but now that I am part of the committee that puts it on...I am glad that it's over.

We decided to decorate our gingerbread house (and tree) today that Tony's mom got us.  I tried to have Tyler tell me what he wanted me to do and where he wanted the candy placed.  Tyler was good at putting on the treats and Josh was good at eating all the treats.  Tony and Megan watched for a little while, but then Megan was ready for another nap.  Josh didn't want to be part of the picture, so here is Tyler with our beautiful creation (Tyler promptly asked if he could start eating it right after I took the picture).

11th Ward Christmas Dinner

Last night we went to my parents ward for their annual Christmas dinner.  They decided to have the kids meet Santa first, so after we picked our dinning table we got in line to see the Jolly Man.
Tony was still working the late schedule so he had to meet us there at the church.  He got there just in time to see the kids visit Santa.  Tyler and Josh did really good and told Santa what they wanted (Josh mainly just wanted the treat).  Megan did pretty good the first minute, but then decided that she didn't want to sit with Santa anymore and wanted her parents.

Santa was super nice and gave each kid a stuffed animal and a marshmallow candy cane-thing.  I thought it was a pretty good score and so did Tyler.  Josh and Megan didn't really care about the stuffed animals, just the treat.  I'm afraid they both got my sweet tooth.
After seeing Santa we had some yummy food with the family.  After the kids ate they joined the other kids in running around in circles - they had so much fun doing that.

We decided to change the kids into their pajamas and then head home.  I stopped to help decorate for our Breakfast with Santa at the Stake Center and Tony took the kids home to go to bed.  We had a good time and enjoyed visiting my home ward. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Today we celebrated Thanksgiving.  We started the day off by just hanging out and playing with the kids at home.  It was nice to get some house work done and let the kids hang out.
We started our celebrating by going to my parents house first.  The boys were so excited to go for rides on the four-wheelers.  They were also excited that their were lots of cousins to play with.

Tyler drove the small four-wheeler for the first time all by himself.  He was nervous at first when it was just me and Uncle Gabe helping to teach him, but once Daddy came out to teach him he did much better.  He was able to drive around yard all by himself.  He only wanted to do it once, but he did it.  So with more practice he will be a pro in no time.
Josh couldn't get enough of the four-wheelers and would hitch a ride any chance he could, no matter who was driving.  Even Megan got in on the action and went for a ride for a while.  It was pretty cold, so she got tired of it pretty quickly.
During all the playing and riding of the kids, Tony and I got to enjoy the company of cousins and family.  It is always fun to relax and bond with the family. 
After we were done visiting we headed over to Tony's parents house where we enjoyed our Thanksgiving dinner.
It was really nice visiting with Tony's family and helping get dinner things ready.  Holiday's are so great because you get to spend so much time with family and see extended family that we don't see very often.
The boys had so much fun playing with more cousins and the kids of Tony's cousins.  Not as many people came as they usually do, but it was kind of nice to just be more low key.  Their were lots of good conversations and yummy food.
The boys are still at grandma's house having a sleep over with their cousins.  They love sleep overs and were so happy to be able to have lots of play time with their cousins.  Josh was super cute when we were leaving because he wanted Megan to stay and have a sleepover too.  I thought that was nice of him to want Megan to stay too.  I have such sweet kids.  
I will end my thankful posts with this...I am very thankful for my family, all of them!!!

#20 - Hand-me-downs

Today we got Tony's parents old fridge because they bought a new one.  We bought our fridge right after we were married and it is just a very basic one.  We have wanted a bigger one with an automatic ice maker and water in the door, so we are happy for the upgrade.  Tony and I are never too good for hand-me-downs.

#18 & #19

#18 - Testimonies - I am very thankful for the testimony that I have of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the one and only true church on earth.  I know that The Book of Mormon is a true book.  I know that Jesus died on the cross for you and me.  I am VERY thankful for this testimony, it means the world to me.

#19 - Ice cream.  I asked Tony what we were thankful for today and he said ice cream.  We got back a couple hours a go from Leatherby's.  We went with my sisters, Julie and Wendy, and their families and grandma.  The boys loved going to get ice cream with their cousins and had a super good time.  Megan did really good and enjoyed eating fries and ice cream.  It was a good time for everyone...yum we love Leatherby's.

#17 - Sisters

My sister, Wendy, came into town today with her sweet husband and cute boys.  So Megan and I headed to my parents where they are staying to spend some quality family time.  Tony and our boys went to the movies with Grandma Margie and cousins so they met us at my parents after the show.  I figured Megan wouldn't do so good at the movie, so we stayed back so Tony and the boys could enjoy the show.

Julie, Wendy, my mom and I all went to the fabric store so Wendy, who is pregnant with boy #3, could pick out fabric for my mom to make her some blankets.  Then Julie made all of us Taco Soup and we all ate and hung out at her house.  Sherri came right before dinner and it was so nice to just hang out with all the girls (except Teagan - she was missed).  Don't get me wrong I love my brother, but their is a special bond that a girl has with her sister.

The kids all played so well together and it was so nice to just sit and chat and let all the cousins play.  Megan got fussy and was ready for bed so Tony took her home while the boys and I stayed behind for a little bit longer.  The boys loved playing longer and I enjoyed the company.  

One of the many good things about Thanksgiving...it brings families together!

#16 - Treats

I am grateful to be able to enjoy treats.  I try not to go too wild, but it is nice to enjoy some sugary treat every now and then.  I really enjoy baking treats and trying new recipes.  I think my family likes me baking treats too.  Tis the season for treats and splurging - so bring on the goodies!

#15 - Active Kids

Today I am grateful for my active children.  I don't always think so positively about all their energy and crazy ideas, but I know (deep down) that it is a good thing.  I wouldn't want them any other way.  They always have a good time and they love being physical.  I could really learn a lot from my boys on being active.  Some day I will be as cool as they are.

Tyler has gotten really into jumping off the arm of the couch and bouncing once and then doing a front flip.  He has been doing this every day for a week or so now  I tried to get him to just do the flip from the arm of the chair, but for some reason he thinks he needs to bounce first.
I think he got this idea from his cousin, Landon, when he was at grandma's.  Landon had gotten out the small trampoline and did front flips off the tramp onto a pile of billows and blankets.  

A couple days ago Josh decided that Tyler looked like he was having a good time and joined in the fun.  Lucky for me he decided somersaults were more his style.  Josh does a really good somersault too.  Josh started on the floor but quickly moved to the couch like Tyler.  My boys have some mad skills.

Let's not leave Megan out.  She is super active and busy. She loves exploring the house and finding new things to put into her mouth.  I really have to be active about making sure the house is clean of small things on the floor - and the dogs food and water, that's her favorite.  She is so proud of her self when she crawls from one room to the next.  She just giggles with delight when Tony "chases" her while crawling behind her.  It is super cute.  

Today Megan discovered the dog door.  I think she is totally missing playing outside.  We used to go outside everyday and Megan would crawl all over the grass (trying to eat leaves).  I would put out a big blanket, but she would always just crawl right off and go for those yummy leaves.
She is getting really good at pulling her self up. 
She can now balance with just one hand holding onto things.  She is even trying to go from the fireplace to the chair - but doesn't quite understand that she has to move her feet to do so.  She has started cruising around the fireplace, it is just the right height for her.  It is fun to see her learning so many new things.  My kids are awesome!