Jump On It!

I've had quite a hiatus from blogging . . . this pregnancy is wiping me out and I'm lucky to get things done that have to be done around here. I'll see what catching up I can do.

On my birthday post, I forgot that during the day I was able to take the kids to Jump On It. (Notice this was before I was put on modified bed rest.) They had a great time jumping on the trampoline and playing on the toys and blow-up slides, etc. Connor was pretty cranky, which is why there aren't any photos of him--poor kid!

Thanksgiving 2009

Emma's first Thanksgiving was a beautiful day. We spent the morning with my parents hanging out and playing games. Then we headed to my Grandma's for Thanksgiving dinner. Yum! What else can you say? We weren't great photographers this year, but Emma took some lovely pictures of the food (and herself with the food).

Emma and the turkey (pre-carving)

The table spread for a feast for many (Emma was especially thrilled that my Uncle Rex had invited three Chinese teachers--originally from China but here for a year--from a local school district to share our Thanksgiving feast. It's been awhile since she was able to converse in person in Mandarin.

My dad carving the turkey. We also had turkey for our Christmas dinner, and we laughed because no one even knew how to carve it because my dad always does--so we waited for him! You always do a great job dad.


Are these the cutest butter turkeys you ever saw? My grandma went all out!


Shaylee, my cousin Nicole, and my sister Breezy.

Connor and I (after dinner--I know this because I look drowsy, and Connor missed dinner entirely while taking his nap and had to settle for leftovers--of which there were plenty).

For the rest of Thanksgiving weekend we headed down to the Brown family farm to help re-roof part of the house (and the barn, which we found out after we got there). No, they didn't allow me or either of my pregnant sister-in-laws on the roof, but the boys had two very busy, very long days on the roof with tar, shingles, etc.



I kept busy entertaining Aspen and Connor around the farm and in the house. Devin was mostly on the roof with Dennis, and Shaylee and Emma spent the weekend with their cousins who live a few blocks away.

Checking out the new chicken coop:



Apparently Connor was meant to be on a farm like his dad. He was in heaven out with the cows, and I literally had to drag him back in the house when his fingers went numb.

Aspen and her cousin Ellie enjoyed the trampoline, among other activities.

My Birthday

So I can't say that anything compares with the cruise we were on last year for my birthday, but I did have a lovely birthday and was properly spoiled by family and friends alike. :) We only took one token photo of the delicious pumpkin ice cream pie Dennis bought me (and we didn't actually eat for my birthday, but it's hard to put candles in fondue!).

Anyway, we had delicious fondue and then went to a free concert for Lehi Family Week featuring Andre Boyer, which was absolutely fantastic! A perfect birthday celebration that the entire family enjoyed. He is a true performer. Wow!

Since I have a birthday near a holiday, I am a firm believer in celebrating for at least a week, if not longer. I had several friends spoil me and take me out to dinner the week following my birthday, which made it all the sweeter--I'm always happy to drag it out!

Thanks everyone for a fabulous birthday--I love you all!

Grandma's 80th

My grandmother turned 80 this past September; however, my aunt and uncle recently moved to Hawaii, and their first grandchild was due to be born in November, so the celebration was pushed back to the first week in November so they could fly to California once and be present for both wonderful events.

I was fortunate enough to get to fly down Sunday morning, attend the celebration, and then drive home with my parents that evening. It was wonderful to see my grandparents and of course see family members from far and near.

I just want to comment that my grandmother is one of the most amazing women I know. She is strong and gracious and kind, and she recognizes the Lord's hand in her life in all things--one day I aspire to be even half as amazing as she is.

Doesn't my grandma look fantastic for 80? I should have gotten a picture of the top of the cake--it had a beautiful picture of my grandmother from high school. We only had one candle to avert a fire hazard. :)

My sister Summer drove up from Arizona with her husband Tyler (not pictured).

My Aunt Michelle flew in from Indiana (without her husband Gary). Can I just say she looks amazing? I have always thought of her as fit, but she lost some weight and fits in a size 2 again--whoa!

My dad and his siblings (L to R): Krista, Greg (my dad), Michelle, Doug (in whose home we held the party)

Some of my cousins with my grandparents (L to R): Ashley, Brooke, Taylor, Kimmy, Me

Same cousins with spouses who were present:

Halloween 2009

So I'm finally to Halloween, woo hoo! What would Halloween be without an awesome pumpkin carving experience? Wise people that we are, we took pictures while carving, but not of the end results--oops! I'll just tell you that all 5 pumpkins looked fantastic! It was a first for Emma, but she really enjoyed it. We waited to carve them until the night before Halloween because it was so cold outside all the pumpkins were looking gross. Ours were lovely, for Halloween night, and then I chucked them--there is nothing worse than decaying pumpkins on the front steps!



Princess Aspen with her preschool teacher, Mrs. Bahr the gypsy.

Princesses Aspen & Alisha on Halloween ready for their preschool party.

Superman Connor posing with Renaissance Queen mom (he refused to pose at school with the girls).

Take 2.

Emma & Shaylee (tiger & cat)

The gang, less Dennis, who dressed up as, what else? The photographer. Devin has begged me for a "Scream" costume for the past two years, so I finally broke down and got one for him and he was in heaven. He puts it on regularly to scare the girls--and it still works every time.

Happy Halloween!

Another 2 year old--yikes!

Connor turned two just before Halloween--he's such a big boy! Literally. All the clothes we bought him were size 4 (the same size Aspen is wearing). He is such a delightful boy. He is always smiling, and when he wakes up (in the morning, from a nap, etc.) he calls, "Mooooommmmy, I looooove you!" I love you too, son.

Connor especially loves to snuggle, and I hope he doesn't grow out of that too soon. He is also his father's son and loves to cook. If I'm in the kitchen, you can bet Connor isn't far away. He's quite good, too. He has no interest in potty training, but that will come, and he wants to be just like his big sister Aspen--not a bad role model, most days.

Connor loves to play with dolls and action figures and animals, especially animals. He got a selection of safari animals and dinosaurs for his birthday, and he was sure he was in seventh heaven.

Here's my handsome boy at his "party" with our family, his grandparents, and Aunt Breezy the Sunday before his birthday:

Opening presents with dad--this is the car race track from Grandma Pearson, which Connor adores (I thought we banned all toys that make noise?).


Aspen wanted to help him open his presents. Always in on the action.

Modeling his new (size 4) shirts:

Nice warm winter beanie, which Connor has not taken off since that day--guess he likes warm ears.

I don't know who enjoyed the animals more, Connor, or the rest of the family.



Grandma and Grandpa Brown made it up for the occasion as well.

The cake turned out all right if you ask me (Connor loves dinosaurs):


Blow out the candle, Connor (with a little help from Grandpa Pearson, he got it out):

We did save a couple of presents to open on his actual birthday--by this time, he had totally figured out what to do with them.

What's a birthday without a new book? Where the Wild Things Are is one of my favorites (and I have now read it at least 2,751 times! including several times from memory).

Happy birthday sweet boy!