Costumes Revisited

We got all the Halloween decorations out a couple weeks ago and came across costumes from previous years. The kids had a great time playing in them. Noah still makes an adorable turtle.

Zoey doing her evil Spider Queen laugh. She was pretty dang intimidating.

The Spider Queen killed the turtle.

The Spider King. Some kings wear dresses right???

Silly Noah

Conference Weekend

I love conference weekend. I do love hearing the prophet and apostles speak and that is always such a nice, enlightening thing. I cannot deny though that a big part of me loves that I get a Sunday that I don't have to get dressed for church. Wouldn't it be great if we could watch church on TV like once a month?! I think it would be. Anyway, it was a great conference as always. I also enjoy the weekend because we always spend more time with family. Aunt Jenn and our family friend Pam came over on Sunday and watched the last session with us. It was nice to have them around. It was just such a great relaxed weekend.

One of the highlights of the weekend was when the kids got to pet some horses from over our back fence. Aunt Jenn happened to see a couple riding down Bald Eagle and so she called the kids out back just to see them riding. The couple saw us and waved and the kids thought that alone was great. They rode away and we thought that was it. They rode down the street though and came to the other side of the wash to come up to the back fence so the kids could see the horses. It was so awesome. It was the first time Zoey and Noah had been that close to horses let alone touched one. I didn't think they would want to touch them but they did and they loved it. It was just an exciting little moment for my kids and it put a smile on my face because of them. How nice of those people to come over and let the kids pet the horses. It isn't everyday that you get to pet a horse from over your back fence!
How many people can you fit on 1 couch! The kids and the dog just had to sit with Aunt Jenn and Aunt Pam.

Princess Obsessed

Zoey has all on her own come in to really liking princess stuff. She was never really drawn to it before but it's big for her now. So of course she got some fun princess stuff for her birthday. We bought her a little princess vanity and then a princess set that has a blow dryer, curling iron, brush, and other cute stuff. One of the coolest things she got is a princess bed tent from her Grandma and Grandpa McKinlay. I have never seen one before but it is so cool. Zoey thinks it is so fun and looks forward to sleeping in it every night. The kids had a fun time spending the evening playing with all the new fun stuff.

Happy #5

I can't believe that our little Zoey turned 5 this week. It feels like she has been in our family so long in some ways but for such a short time too. I miss my tiny baby girl but I love the big girl she is turning into. Zoey constantly amazes us with her smarts. She is eager to learn and has taught herself so much. I really cannot take much credit for where she is and how smart she is. She is totally self motivated and I love it. She has known her alphabet and the sounds the letters make for forever now and she has started teaching herself how to read. We were reading a book the other night and she read 2 sentences with very little help from me. I hope her desire to learn and her love for it lasts forever. We just love Zoey so much and we are so thankful she is part of our family.

We had a lot of fun on Zoey's birthday this year. She got to pick to do whatever she wanted to do. She chose to spend the day with Mom and Dad and Noah instead of having a big party with the whole family. We started the day with breakfast at IHOP and then headed to Target for some shopping. We looked at all the Halloween stuff and came away with the kids' Halloween costumes. After Target we went to Bedroxx for some bowling. We bowled for 2 hours and had an absolutely great time. Zoey amazed us once again with how well she did at bowling. She beat us all on the first game. Yes, the 5 year old beat her parents at bowling. She was so proud and we were so excited for her. Bowling was such a blast and both the kids are already requesting it for birthdays next year. After bowling we went home and when Aunt Jenn and Grandma got off work we had dinner. Zoey was told she could choose to go eat anywhere she wanted but she chose a dinner at home. So per her request we had steak and corn on the cob. How awesome is our 5 year old?! That was one yummy dinner. We did presents and cake after dinner. Zoey was so sweet during present opening. Noah wanted to help so bad and Zoey was happy to let him help. It was so cute! It really was one of the funnest birthday days ever. Happy 5th Birthday Zoey. We love you so much!

Baby on the Way

Our little family is so excited to know that we are adding another member to our family. We found out several weeks ago and have announced it but I just haven't got to the blogging about it. The start of the pregnancy has been kind of tough. I have dealt with a lot of horrible nausea and just complete exhaustion. Things seem to be looking up the past week or two so I am happy about that. It certainly has been difficult taking care of a 5 year old and a 3 year old when I have been so down and out. They really have been good though and Jay and my mom have been a great help. I am so glad that I am starting to feel better though. It's nice to be feeling a little more like my normal self and be able to interact more with the kids. Hopefully things will be pretty good from here on out.

Yesterday I had a baby appointment and ultrasound. All went well and things are going great. The ultrasound was awesome of course. I just think it is always so amazing to get to see the little baby inside my belly. It amazes me too just how much they look like a little person when they are still so small. We saw and heard a good, strong heartbeat and that is what I was most looking forward to. It is so much more real now. The ultrasound tech was so awesome and I honestly learned things I never knew before. For example, I had no idea that they could know which ovary the egg came from that is now the growing baby. Maybe I am just dumb but I had no clue they could tell that. It was just a great experience and it was so awesome to get to see our little baby on the screen for like half an hour. The measuring of the baby confirmed how far along I am and when we are due. I am 11 weeks today and the due date is April 16, 2010.

I just can't say how happy we all are to have another little spirit join our family. I feel so blessed to be a mom. I feel blessed to have gone through 2 pregnancies and deliveries and to have come through them without major complications or issues. I have 2 healthy, beautiful children and I know what a miracle that is. I am thankful for a healthy pregnancy so far and I hope and pray that things continue to go well and that all ends with a healthy baby and mommy. I love being a mom. I am grateful to be a mom. I am blessed!

The Proud Big Sister

Kylie and her new baby sister. Marilyn says Kylie adores Sophie and is a total baby holding hog. I am so excited for this new little family.

Happy Birthday Sophie!

My sister Marilyn just had her baby this morning. Adorable Sophie weighed in at a tiny 5lbs 14oz and is 19in long. She is so tiny and so adorable. This isn't the best picture but it's the very first one I have of her that was sent to my cell phone. Mommy and baby are doing well. I am so happy for Marilyn, Daniel, and Kylie. I just can't wait to see more pictures of little Sophie!