Christmas

We had a great Christmas this year. It was fun to see McKay get excited and sort of understand what was going on - or at least understand that there was something to be excited about. Addy was so excited she could hardly stand it, so that by itself made McKay excited. Addy had a Christmas dance concert the week before Christmas. She was a little worried about being too scared to go on stage, but when we got there she got excited about it and did a great job. Thanks to Grandpa Steve and Grandma Jana for being there.

We spent Christmas Eve through Dec. 27 with grandparents and cousins having a great time. Christmas Eve night turned out to be a long one for me, Matt and McKay, because McKay was up at least half the night with an ear infection, plus throwing up, but he felt better on Christmas day and was able to have a good time (thank goodness for children's ibuprofen!) The huge snow storm that hit Christmas day just added to the fun for the kids, being able to build a snow fort with Matt and Grandpa Steve, plus getting pulled on the sled.

McKay is 2!

McKay had his 2nd birthday, and had lots of cousins at his party to celebrate. We actually had an early Thanksgiving with my family while my sister and niece were here from out of town, then had cake and ice cream afterward. It worked out well. McKay was pretty excited about his new laptop, cars, blocks and scooter (which he rides at every possible moment). I was pretty excited that the crocodile cake turned out - I never quite know what my cakes are going to look like before they are done, but this one turned out pretty well. Now I'm just hoping my sweet little boy doesn't take the "terrible two's" too literally.

Halloween Fun

This year for Halloween we went trick-or-treating with Addy and McKay's cousins. Addy was a bunny and McKay was a monkey. They both did really well, but they each had to take a turn riding on Dad's shoulders. They had a great time, and it was even good weather!

Cute Kids

I know I just posted some pictures of the kids, but they were taken about 6 months ago, so when Matt's brother Cory was here a couple of weeks ago, we asked him to take some pictures of the kids. He did an awesome job! Thanks Cory! So here they are (well, at least some of them - I think Cory took about a thousand pictures that day.) Now I don't have to torture McKay and take him to Target for his two-year pictures.

Addy's Admirer

This morning when I dropped Addy off at preschool, her teacher gave her this beautiful plastic ring from a little boy in the class, Jason. He told the teacher he had brought it for "the pretty girl with the cool glasses." A few weeks ago Jason's grandma told me that Jason said Addy was his girlfriend. WHAT?!! This isn't supposed to start happening for at least 10 years. I guess Matt better get his gun ready (that would be if he owned a gun). Actually, I think it's pretty hilarious, because Addy has absolutely no concept of boyfriend/girlfriend, and just takes it all in stride.

Caught Red-Handed

This morning I was upstairs doing something, and I heard McKay dragging the stool along the floor in the kitchen. I figured he was probably heading for the cupboard where we keep the goldfish crackers and other treats he likes. Well, when I came down a few minutes later, this is what I found. He was scraping the frosting off the top of a pan of brownies that I had forgotten were sitting on the counter. My first impulse was to scold him, but he looked too cute, and had such an innocent look on his face that I had to take a picture. When he saw the camera he just grinned. Hope I'm not reinforcing bad behavior :).

Pretty in Pink

Addy got her first pair of glasses on Friday! I wasn't sure she would want to wear them, but she has been really good about it. I think I was more worried about her needing glasses than she was. Her preschool did a screening and referred her to an eye doctor, who told us she is far sighted and needed glasses. It's possible she'll grow out of it - we'll hope! Meanwhile, she looks pretty cute in her pink glasses.

Kids Pictures

Here are some pictures of the kids we had taken in May. I just barely got the CD with them on, so that's why I'm so late getting them up. McKay wasn't too sure about all the picture-taking stuff, but Addy was all ready to become a model - she posed just so and smiled her best smile. It was pretty cute.

Tagged

10 years ago I . . .
- Was on crutches, recovering from major knee surgery
- Hadn't met Matt yet
- Had just started my freshman year of college
- Was trying to figure out what I wanted to be (besides a wife and mother)

5 things on my to-do list today . . .
- Call the photographer about pictures we're having taken soon
- Practice for the stake "Night of Broadway"
- Grocery Shop
- Laundry
- Dust

5 snacks I enjoy . . .
- Carmel popcorn (my weakness lately)
- Fresh fruit
- Crackers
- Cinnamon Rolls
- Yogurt

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire . . .
- Save a bunch for a rainy day
- Pay off the house
- Buy a minivan
- Travel
- Help someone who really needed it

5 places I have visited . . .
- Japan
- Europe
- Mexico
- Georgia (the state, not the country)
- Hawaii

5 Jobs I have had . . .
- Calf feeder and cow milker at Marchant Dairy
- grunt work at LaBeau's (famous raspberry shakes!)
- waitress at Callaway's Bistro
- Office manager at Cache County American Red Cross
- Item Manager at Hill Air Force Base

That's me in a nutshell. I tag anybody who reads this!

Beautiful Temple Square

Matt has been saying lately how beautiful the flowers are around Temple Square right now, with General Conference coming up. So this afternoon we met Matt at work and walked over to the plaza and ate lunch and admired the amazing flower gardens. The kids thought the water was great.

Life Cereal, Anyone?

Life is Addy's favorite kind of cereal, but we don't always have it because I'll only buy it if it's on sale. Well, I bought some the other day, and I pulled it out of the cupboard this morning and asked Addy if she wanted some. Her face lit up and she started cheering and clapping. You would think I'd bought her a pony. Then, of course, McKay started cheering and clapping, just because Addy was. It was so cute, I had to take a picture. I think Quaker should pay us a lot of money for these pictures, to use as advertisements, don't you?

Is time flying for anyone else?

I cannot believe it is almost October! Seriously, I was wondering today why my flowers are starting to die, and then it hit me that this week is the end of September, so it's pretty natural. I am just amazed that September is over! I thought things would settle down after the summer and all the fun things that were going on, and time would stop going by so fast, but things have gotten crazier. Matt resumed his MBA program, so he's gone two nights a week. With Addy starting preschool and dance, I am taking her where she needs to go three days a week, plus I got involved with our stake's "Night of Broadway" production, so I have rehearsals one night a week and Saturday mornings. Then there are just all of the normal things that have to be done. All of this running around has just made it seem like time is flying past. I am having fun, though. This show for the stake has been a lot of fun. I'm doing things that I didn't think I would ever do again, being a mom and all (like singing and dancing onstage). It's a good outlet for me, though. Addy is enjoying the things she is doing also, which makes the running around worth it. I am trying to find time each day to be with the kids for some quiet time, and also have a little quiet time myself. When that doesn't happen, we all get cranky. It's all about finding the right balance, I guess.

First Day of School

Last Thursday was Addy's first day of preschool. We had gone on Wednesday to see her classroom and meet her teacher, so she was all ready and excited. She had a great time. I'm having a hard time believing that I'm old enough to have a preschooler, though. I am also starting to see that this is the beginning of the end, so to speak. I will have a child in school for the next 20+ years! So much for the freedom I've enjoyed. Everything we plan will now have to be coordinated around the school schedule. Oh well, that's how life is. I'm glad Addy is happy to go to school, and I'm excited to hear about all the new things she is learning.

Matt's Birthday Pie

Yesterday was Matt's 30th birthday. Yes, the big 3 -0! We went to dinner Friday night and stayed at a bed & breakfast, then went to a play the next day, which was fun. Thanks Grandma Jana and Grandpa Steve, for staying with the kids! Last night we had Matt's birthday pie. He isn't a huge cake fan, so I made him one of his favorites, fresh peach pie. I'm not a great pie maker, but I thought I'd give it a shot, and it actually turned out pretty well. I need to keep practicing, and Matt said he would be willing to test my creations, so I'll have to make another one soon. Addy had fun helping me roll out the pie dough.