Happy Birthday, DAD!

Happy Chirstmas Eve Birthday to the best dad in the world!
Thanks for always making me laugh...to the point I pee my pants...
Thanks for always giving us kids the very best...
Thanks for taking us to the dollar movie EVERY Sunday we hung out with you...
Thanks for always feeding us when we come to your house...
Thank you for trying to wear an alien tshirt EVERY day of you life...
AND
Thank you for always being just a big kid...
WE LOVE YOU!!

I'm SOOOO READY!

Bring it on! Christmas Eve is tomorrow and I can't seem to sit still! I'm going to start laundry RIGHT now so it's all done by tomorrow morning, Tim and Gav just went to Target to buy some sourcream for the AWESOME cookies I'll make tonight.....and Gav can frost tomorrow, AND I can't wait to go to Shawn's mom's for our huge Christmas party and to go to Wendy's and hang out with everyone (LACEY!). I am seriously excited! I can't even wait for Gavin to wear his super cute Christmas pajamas.....that I bought 3 months ago.

I don't know what it is about this year, but it is totally MY year. I am just so happy that it's been a wonderful stress free Christmas (so far) and my little boy is FINALLY old enough to truly understand the miracle of Santa Claus. He is just as excited as I am!

Ladies....charge you camera batteries!

Oh yeah, and recycle that wrapping paper!

Family Photos....

Of course, I'm too cheap to spend money on a photographer and we took our good ol' Christmas pictures on our couch with the timer set on our camera. Gavin thought it was hilarious when I'd set the timer and run over to him and get ready for the "CHEESE"! Atleast we got the boy to smile.

Here's one of the baby sister. I 'Think' I'm 24 weeks in this picture. Somewhere around there.

By the way, if anyone is looking for good deals, I just blew threw $60 worth of baby clothes at Old Navy for about 8 out fits. I think it was a GREAT deal.

Oh yea, and if you want to take the kids to see The Tale of Despereax, I saw it...and it was good. Tim, Sally, Brian, Gavin and I braved the movie theater and it was wonderful. That's about it for now....

Christmas Check List...

• Christmas tree up.....check!
• Cards mailed.....check!
• Presents wrapped.....most of them....check!
• New Spiderman snow boots for Gavin.....check!
• SNOW.....OH YEAH.....SUPER CHECK!

I think we're ready for santa....bring it on!

My Melted Surprise...

A couple of weeks ago, Gavin started this whole thing where he likes to cook me something. He'll go get the hot pads and throw in a couple of big bowls in the oven and take them out (don't worry, the oven was never on, mom). Well, one night, I had this wonderful Lasagna and I went ahead and preheated the oven. A few minutes later Tim came into the kitchen asking "what is that SMELL?" I immediately knew what had happened......

Gavin had been playing with my PLASTIC spaghetti strainer and 'cooked' with it in the oven. I FORGOT to take it out even after I reminded myself to do that about 10 times after he put it in. It wasn't Gavin's fault....It was mine.....grr....no one to blame.

I was funny though, Tim couldn't stop laughing. I totally thought he would freak. Now our oven is 98% cleaned, but it was not fun to get it to that point. Tim did most of it....thanks man.

Thank goodness the Lasagna was microwavable.....

Ode to Dry Milk

Lately we've been running out of milk....alot. Gavin is really starting to like it more than water and now that I'm not as nauseous I've been drinking more as well. Atleast 3 times this month I have opened my fridge to make Gavin his oatmeal and there is only enough milk for half. Grrrr...

Dry milk to the rescue!! I'll make about a cup of it and I can put it in his Oatmeal and give him a chocolate milk (It's just too nasty to drink straight). LOVE IT! It has saved my bum..and Tim's many a time! Now I can use up the stuff I need to rotate in food storage. Score!

Black Apple Doll

All I have to say is wow! Thanks Meg for posting this NEW project for me! As soon as I finish a few things, I'll start on this beautiful Black Apple Doll for my baby girl!


http://www.marthastewart.com/article/black-apple-doll?lnc=bf89cf380e1dd010VgnVCM1000005b09a00aRCRD&rsc=cf_link&comments_page=1&rsc=comments_more#conversation-container

Diapers

Cover your ears (or eyes) if you don't want to see a post about cloth diapers. I know alot of people think that others who do cloth diaper are absolutely insane....I can't even begin to count the number of people who have rolled their eyes, gave me a lecture on how much I should hate it or even that washing them is just as harmful for the environment (a load of crap, I say...no pun intended). I love it and that is that! I'm really not out to convince everyone to change their diapering ways...to each their own. But this is my own, so be nice!


Saturday night, Sally asked if I had ordered my new diapers yet. Sadly, I reported no....I was waiting until after Christmas. Then, it dawned on me...I've been saving up for these puppies and I have the money, so why not?! Thanks Sally for reminding me!


Tonight I order a bunch of prefolds (0ld school stuff), snappis and these 2 different kinds of diapers..... The BumGenius and The Fuzzi Bunz (don't the names just make you want to giggle?!)

These diapers are amazing! These are not the cloth diapers your elders used, ladies. These are the top of the line, super easy diapers I've been dying for! There are no pins, no touching poop or pee (anymore than you did with disposables) and no soaking stinky diapers in the laundry room.

I know a few of you are laughing (and not because I'm super witty), but here's what made me switch.....

• NO MORE RASHES!


• They have these liners that hold the poop and you just have to flush it in the toilet (which you should be doing anyways with your disposables...read the label)


• Washing them is just like washing underwear.


• If you buy the top of the line diapers, you will spend about $400 from newborn to potty training and with the CHEAP disposibles you still spend ATLEAST $ 2000.


• They come in cute, outfit matching colors!


• AND I have never met a mother who has tried cloth diapers (and there are more out there than you know) and turned away from it because it just wasn't for them...it's addicting!
  

Don't worry, I still use disposables since Gavin's almost potty trained anyways, so I'm not against them. Also, I'm sure to use a disposable every now and then with the new baby girl anyways.

I just really wanted to share how excited I am about something highly misunderstood.

Christmas Tree Lights

Tonight, we went over to my dad's house to play with Ian and Anna....and Jessi (she'll be mad if we don't include her). At about 7 o'clock, Anna announces that it's time to go see Christmas Tree Lights. Good thing a 2 year old can think of something fun to do, since beating the crap out of each other with trains just wasn't cuttin' it. We all loaded up in our tank and drove down to see the Winder Dairy lights and the 12 days of Christmas Street (not really their technical names). I can't believe how excited Gavin and Anna were. They both just screamed and clapped their hands and yelled about the lights. The more excited Anna got, the more excited Gavin got. My dad and I were getting a big kick out of it. Those kids are going to be so fun this year. Poor Ian just had to endure...but he did put a smile on his face for the kids.

I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL CHRISTMAS!! 18 DAYS LEFT!

Now, I'm going to order my diapers....thanks Sally for giving me the motivation! (Wait, am I breaking the Sabbath....not joking...am I?!)

I'm sorry...

I'm sorry for neglecting all of you. For the past couple weeks I have just NOT wanted to blog! I've had TONS to blog, but I just didn't want to sit down and do it. I know it's bad when my husband tells me I need to post more. I read everybody else's blog....I stalk many of you....I just can't do it. And so I sit......making sure I post.

Let's see...what's new with me and the fam?

• Weeeee.....had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We had a wonderful dinner at Wyatt's (his first Thanksgiving in his new house) then headed to my dad and Jodi's (AMAZING as always). It was nice because Tim's mom and dad could come down and hang out with us too!
• We.....bought a new car. YUP! We weren't planning on buying a bigger car until March, but with all the problems on our old car and all the FREAKING great deals they had....Tim couldn't resist. The crazy thing was that I didn't even buy it....Tim did everything! He kept telling the guy at the dealership "my wife is going to KILL me when she sees what I've done!" No, my man is still alive and now we're driving a BRAND SPANKING NEW 'Toyota Sienna' loaded with everything I could every dream of. It is a bit weird, though, driving around in it with only one kid...BUT we'll have two within the next couple months and it will be heavenly, so there...put that in your back pocket!
• Gavin, Tim and I have become movie junkies. With all the cute animated shows out, we can't resist. We've frequented Bolt, Madagascar 2 and anything we can find at the dollar theater. I love that Gavin is old enough to do fun things with us. He's our little buddy!
• Gavin's train fetish moves on at full speed. His obsession with 'Thomas' is becoming almost clinical.
• Baby girl STILL has no name! No joke...we cannot think of anything!
• My craftiness is hitting a new high. I haven't been able to get on the computer because I'm trying to be crafty. I've been making homemade cloth baby wipes and I'm going to start on the super cute advent calender on Meg's blog. Meg, you are my inspiration! I wish I could live by you and steal your crafty mind....that and I think your great too!
• I've been moved into the 'higher risk' catergory for pregnancy. No, not 'high risk', but enough to get me ultrasounds at the fancy hotel ultrasound place every couple of weeks. I have a super low placenta and a bit of a previa. My midwife doesn't sound to worried about it because it seems to be moving up, but she still wants to do the ultrasounds, just in case. I love it, because they do the whole 3D imaging and give me pictures every time. The next time I go in....I'll post the pics!
• Also, with the pregnancy... I can't seem to gain any weight. Why on earth can't I have this problem when I'm NOT pregnant?! I've been given the go ahead to EAT my HEART out this next month to see if I can gain more than a pound! I LOVE THE HOLIDAYS! Plus, I haven't been sick for about 2 weeks and have been loving being able to cook and eat again!
• I have seen the 'Twilight' movie twice! My little sister and I went at midnight, opening night and Sally and I went the following Tuesday! I thought they did really good job and was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't horrible.
• I've started my hypnobirthing stuff and I love it! If you've never heard of it or are totally skeptical...look into it! It really is amazing stuff!

That's about it. I'm sure there is more, but that's it for now.

Happy 4 Years, Baby!

As of today, I've been married to the most wonderful husband and daddy for 4 WILD years!! In honor of this beautiful man, I've made my top 10 reasons why I love this man:

1. He holds and honors his priesthood. I love that I have someone that can give my kids and I a blessing whenever we need it.

2. He is the best daddy. He LOVES to be with his boy and he is incredibly excited about his new baby girl!

3. He is the cleanest man I've ever met! I never have to ask him to clean anything!

4. He knows how to make me happy. He always surprises me when I'm sad or had a rough day.

5. He never forgets a birthday or anniversary.

6. He is NOT a procrastinator. He always gets things done.

7. He is GREAT with money! I never have to worry.

8. He makes cute kids!

9. He is my number one best friend in the world! I can tell him anything...and I do!

10. He would do anything in the world for his family!

I love you baby! Happy Anniversary!!!

Who did you vote for?

Who did you vote for? Just Kidding. Please, Don't answer that. I don't want to start any family feuds or ruin any beautiful friendships. I don't want to see any punches thrown or the beginnings of an all out war. I am all about voting......Just don't tell ANYONE who or what you voted for! I say this simply because of the tense atmosphere surrounded by any political debate....especially this one.

Overall, you have 2 hours to vote.....go vote! Don't not vote just because you don't think your vote will count or because you don't think who you will vote for will win, but vote because it is your privilege. It is your right as a citizen to vote and it is ridiculous to take it for granted!

It looks like....

Looks like I'm going to be spending more money than I thought I would!

I'm totally having a GIRL!

No weiners for me! Tim is beside himself excited and I am totally freaking out. YES, I am totally excited! I love it, but I don't know what on earth I'm going to do with a girl! I don't have ANY names or anything.....we'll see if she even gets a name!

For the ultrasound, we went to this super fancy place my midwife set up. She loves this place and now I know why. We walked in and it was like a fancy hotel. They had cookies and drinks laid out. Tim kept saying that he should have dressed up. The room they had me in was even better. I laid on a super comfy bed with a giant plasma screen TV on the wall. The tech was super nice and was all about me having fun. Gavin kept calling the baby 'Spiderman' and kept asking if he could 'hoed it'. She then made me a DVD of everything we looked at, another disc with millions of pictures (including the 3D ones!) and a bunch of print out pictures.

So far, baby is perfect and healthy. She is exactly where she should be. I am so happy and excited and can't wait for my little wiggly worm.

Trick or Treating...

Trick or Treating was so much fun because Gavin understood and LOVED every minute! We went with Wyatt and his boys and Tyler and Lacey and their girls. Gavin loved running house to house getting candy. Too bad Tim and I are the ones who have eaten it all.....

One more post...

I find out the BABY FLAVOR on MONDAY!! YAH! Momma wants to spend some moolah!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN (part 1)...

We had quite the week this week. I really tried to make this week super special for Gavin, considering we really didn't do anything 'Halloween' until a few days ago. Here's our adventures over the last week......I think this is everything 'except' actual Halloween day. More on that coming later....

First we went to Lagoon with Brian and Sally and enjoyed Frightmares (gotta use up our season passes).

Then, Gavin and I painted punkins. Gavin loved this part and I think we spent 4 hours doing it. It was totally worth it. Plus, we made sure we did it when daddy wasn't home so we didn't have to see him freak out about the paint. I love my husband, but some things are just easier without him there!

Then a couple days ago, we went to Princess Kennedy's 'Happy Halloween Birthday Party' ! Lacey, here is every picture I took.....we had so much fun and Gavin loved going crazy with his cousins....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PRINCESS KENNEDY!!

Gavin is totally excited Spiderman is on his treat bag!

These pictures crack me up.....first Kennedy gets her birthday cupcake....

You then see Gavin sneaking up from behind.....

Then you see Kennedy's bummed face.....b/c my kid BLEW out HER CANDLES! He looks so innocent in the picture, but don't be fooled....he totally did it!

Then we tried it again, while restraining Gavin. She was pretty happy that she got two wishes instead of one. I'm sorry, Kennedy!

Thanks for letting us mess your house up!!

Flippy's and Ho Ho Ho...

Gavin found these socks in my drawer the other day. He calls them his "ho ho ho socks". I think the last time I wore them was about 5 years ago. The kid will now NOT take them off. I finally had to hide them and told him they were very dirty.....needless to say, he was totally bummed. I swear he asked for them about 50 times in one day.

Sleepover...

Here are some pictures from our sleepover with my Ian and my Anna. We made cookies, ate McDonalds and watched movies. They were so much fun!

Waiting...

Right now I'm playing the waiting game....I'm waiting for Tim to come home with my new rolling pin, I'm waiting for my stomach to stop squirming so I can eat, and I'm waiting for Anna and Ian to come and play with me.....Oh, the waiting....

I can't wait for Ian and Anna! I am like a little school kid waiting for their Dad to come home. I don't get to spend as much time as I'd like to with them.....at least not as much time as I used to before I got married, but today...THEY're ALL MINE! I've got all these fun activities planned and Gavin in totally stoked. I keep telling him: "Uncle Ian and Aunt Anna are coming to play with you!" He responds everytime with....."WOW!" We try to see them atleast once a week, but it isn't enough for me! I'm totally hooked on these kids!

Thanks Dad and Jodi for wanting to go out tonight! Have fun!!

(Ian's not this little anymore, I just can't find any ones on the disk of recent Ian Pics...booo...)