Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

As I look back over this past year I can't believe how it has flown by! The year started with Lydia's first birthday and Gabe's third. In a few short weeks they will be 2 and 4! Can you even believe it!?! I sure can't! We have had so much fun this year! Here is some of what we did in no particular order:

We took Lydia on her first camping trip.
Gabe started Preschool 2 days a week and LOVES it!
Jon got his Real Estate License. If you know anyone looking to buy or sell a house let us know!
Jon and I went to Orlando in October where Jon finished up his CCIM taking a two day review class and then almost acing the 6-hour final! Of course we stayed a few more days to visit Disney World, Universal Studios and the Beach. It was our first trip together without kids!(and it was awesome!)
Gabe and I went to Bogus for the first time. Gabe had so much fun skiing that he really didn't want to leave.
This summer we went to Bruneau Sand Dunes for the first time.
We added two more garden boxes to the backyard and had plenty of carrots, tomatoes, corn, beets, zucchini, and green beans. with a few bell peppers.
We enjoyed trips to the zoo, farmers market, and splash park all summer long.
We have been sledding every time it snows.
Gabe learned how to open the gate in the backyard and I got my first "Did you know your son is over here?" phone call.
Lydia moved to a big girl bed and Gabe moved to the top bunk.(really a loft bed.)
Jon and I have a calling together teaching the CTR 4 class.
My little brother got home from his mission and started college!
We got family pictures taken for the first time in 5 years. (It reminded us why we haven't had any taken with our kids.):)
I'm sure there is a lot that I am leaving out and forgetting.

We are so grateful for the wonderful year that we have had. We have been so blessed this year with good health and lots of fun. We are having so much fun watching our little munchkins grow. They both have quite the personality and we are grateful for the love and laughter that they bring into our home. I guess we can also be grateful for the yelling and tantrums because we hope that it is helping us become more patient right? (At least that's what I keep telling myself.)

We are so grateful for our Savior, and this time of year as we celebrate his joyous birth.

We hope that all of you are doing well and we hope you have a Merry Christmas!

Lydia's Growing Up

Lydia has had a lot of changes this week. She is officially in a big girl bed. We decided it was time when I went in her room to get her on Friday and she was trying to hoist herself up over the side of the crib.

Another big change she took this last week is telling us NO. She has been able to say no for quite some time but has never really used it...Until NOW. She has always just shook her head. Then last week it happened.

She was drinking milk and I told her that she needed to sit at the table. Thats when she said it. So matter of factly that you would have never guessed it was her first time using the word. "no."

And it has been all downhill from there. no this, no that. NO NO NO NO NO. I guess she will be 2 soon and it was bound to happen eventually.

The Kindle

So I want a Kindle.
I think that a lot of this has to do with the new commercials for it.
It just looks so portable and small and pretty and wonderful.
I would love to just keep it on me at all times so I can read wherever I feel like it.
The only thing that I don't understand it that the Kindle version of the books is not that much less expensive than the actual book.

For example:
I can buy Water for Elephants for $6.99. That is for the book. Paper and ink. The Kindle version is $6.39. REALLY? .60 that is all you are going to give me off the other price? I have to spend $139 to get .60 off?

I don't get it.

Halloween Pics.

 

 

 

 

On Saturday the 30th they had a Trick or Treat at the Capitol Building. We took the kids and got a picture with Governor Otter. The kids had fun running around the place. Gabe is not in the picture because just as we were getting to the front of the line he fell and scraped his chin. There was a little bit of blood and LOTS of screaming. That night Jon took Gabe out around the neighborhood. I stayed home and put Lydia to bed early.

and some more

 

 

 

 

What the kids did while we were gone

 

 

 

 

This is for KERRY

 

The Beach DAY 7

 

 

 

 

Our last day in Orlando we drove to the Gulf of Mexico and hung out at the beach. It was a gorgeous day. I think that I could have stayed there forever but unfortunately I married a redhead who burns to a crisp. We were there for a few hours and collected lots of shells.

Universal Studios Islands of Adventure Day 6

 

 

 

 

We met the Grinch and The Cat in the Hat.

Universal Studios Islands of Adventure DAY 6

 

 

 

 

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was truly amazing! We had so much fun "touring" the castle, riding hippogriffs, flying on dragons, and drinking Butterbeer.

Magic Kingdom DAY 5

 

 

 

 

We paid extra to stay until midnight for Mickey's NOT SO SCARY Halloween party. IT was much less crowded during the parade. And it also meant that we got to see the fireworks show. After being at the park from 9am to 11pm Jon and I both fell asleep fast that night and slept soundly. I actually fell asleep on the laptop while looking up info. for Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. Jon fell asleep while he was icing his back. We had SO MUCH FUN!

Magic Kingdom Day 5

 

 

 

 

It is titled the Magic Kingdom. There were times in the day when it was not so magical. I was really surprised at how busy it was. We still had an amazingly wonderful day there. But, from 11-2 it was CROWDED! We couldn't even find a table to sit at for lunch. My favorite ride was Space Mountain and Splash Mountain would definitely be my second choice. We had to get pictures of Woody and Jesse for the kids. We also got one with BUZZ!

Day 4

 

 

Thursday morning Jon took his CCIM Final. That night they had a pinning and took us all out for a delicious steak dinner. I am so proud of Jon. Did I tell you he scored a 98%?

DAY 2 and 3

 

 

 

 

While Jon was in class I spent some time shopping(at downtown disney and some outlets), visiting the Orlando Temple, and checking out all the cute little lizards.