The Nativity w/ Breath of Heaven

Ho,Ho, Ho Houston Has Snow!!

You wouldn't think that two kids (yes, Jed and I) from Utah would get so excited about a little snow. But I must say, I felt like a kid again. I haven't been this excited for a very long time. We bundled up Elle and Z (this was his FIRST experience with snow) and took them outside to run around in the beautiful white frozen winterland. I just kept saying, "This just doesn't happen. This is so Awesome!" The last time it snowed here was Christmas Eve 2004 and we weren't living here yet. So I guess this unusual event does occur, but rarely. We stayed out until midnight building snowmen--one in the front and one in the back.
This morning the snow was still on the ground and on the roof tops, but as the day warmed up it slowly vanished. But we enjoyed it while it lasted. This has offically put the whole family in the Christmas mood. Oh, Mark we did turn on the heater!

The House That Elle Built

We have had this little gingerbread house kit for about 5 years or so. Every year we just seem to not have time for it. This year while we were getting the house decorated for Christmas Elle found it. Every day she would ask if we could make the gingerbread house. So for Family Night we made this cute little gingerbread house. Note a few things about this house that are my favorite:
the pink "bow" aka gumball hat on the gingerbread girl
they go very well with her yellow eyes (a liver problem maybe:)
the porch lights
the stone chimney
and the paved porch in the back. (this must be a zero lot line house)
After we were all done, Elle said, "Thank you for making my gingerbread house. That was so very sweet of you!"

Election Night 2008

Election night around here is more exciting than Super Bowl! We went out for ice cream at Ben and Jerry's (free for those who voted! Life's short, eat dessert first right?), and came home to fire up the grill for dinner and to watch the results of the voting. As each states' results were reported we colored in the corresponding color on the map--red Republican & blue Democrat. This year, the results were fast and easy. Four years ago we were up way past midnight cheering on Ohio. I can't believe how much has changed in four years. Last Presidential Election we didn't even have kids and lived in a totally different state (although still very Republican). This is Elle's Presidential results. Zander can't wait until he can join in on the fun.

Halloween Haunts

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Baby Zander II

Here are a few pictures I attempted to take myself. Believe it or not these pictures were done in the bathroom while Elle was taking a bath. The light was awesome. I think they turned out pretty cute.

Zander is all smiles these days. And I am too because he has slept through the night for three nights in a row! Let's hope this a pattern forming and not some sort of mean trickery.

Zander can also roll now from back to front

I call him "happy pants"

I can't believe how fast time flies.

Tagged

So here's my tag list (Thanks Wanonie)
Ten Years Ago
1. I was a Senior in High School
2. My Grandpa was diagnosed with cancer
3. I celebrated my 18th birthday in Orlando, FL --can't forget the cake!!
4. My brother had a girlfriend instead of a wife
5. I didn't worry about kids, a house, or money, or a husband

To Do List
1. Laundry
2. Wash the car
3. Get Zander's three month pictures taken
4. Finish baby quilts
5. Go to Yogo Class tonight

Five Snacks I enjoy
1. salt water taffy from Dick's Market
2. ice cream
3. chocolate covered raisins
4. mint oreo cookies
5. keva (like Jamba Juice, but better)

Places I've lived
1. Laie, Hawaii
2. West Bountiful, Utah
3. Arlington, Virginia
4. North Salt Lake, Utah
5. League City, Texas

Jobs I've Had
1. Lifeguard at Lagoon
2. Ritz-Carlton Hotel Reservationist
3. O-Chem Lab Assistant
4.
5.

Pet Peeves
1. Using the same dish rag to wipe the floor and the table-why not just eat off the floor?!
2. Sending Chain Mail
3. Mini-van drivers--talking on the cell phone, yelling at their kids, and swerving in and out of their lane--usually into mine.
4. Skinny jeans on men --seems to be so popular right now AAAAHHH!
5. Sharing chapstick
(As you can tell I'm kind of a germaphob!)

Things that bring me joy
1. Nights when Jed makes dinner
2. Ironed sheets-a luxury no longer since my sheets are always covered in barf these days
3. Seeing my family
4. Weighing less on the scale today than a few days ago
5. Having meat and fruit to eat again

5 People I tag (You're it)
1. Shelly
2. Meredith
3. Diane
4. Tiffany
5. Heidi

Blessing, Yellowstone, and more

With Ike gracing us with his presence I have the time (or the electricity) to post my travels. I got home from Utah on Wednesday night only to pack up and leave Friday for Ft. Worth. I should have stayed another week! When I got on the plane Wednesday, Ike was headed for Corpus Christi and by the time I landed League City was under voluntary evacuation--the storm headed for Galveston Island. It's been crazy. But we are safe. Enjoy these fun pics!

Zander's Blessing Day

Jed blessed Zander on August 24. It was a beautiful blessing--a lot to look forward to in this little guys life. I'm so glad that I have a wonderful husband who honors his Preisthood.
Afterwards we had a little luncheon with family and friends. It was good to see everyone again.

A quick vacation to Yellowstone

Watching Old Faithful or as Elle calls it the "bolcano"
This is also where my brother and SIL told us we were getting a new niece or nephew. Zander is secretly hoping for a boy--they will only be 9 months apart. Congrats again you two!

Elle also got her first taste of ice skating.

Well, I guess when she wins a gold medal in the olympics I won't be able to say she was a natural! She had fun once we took her skates off and she could walk on the ice in regular shoes.

One of the things we got to do, that I haven't done in years, is go to the Utah State Fair.

Utah State Univ. puts together a cute little hands-on presentation of farming for kids.

First the kids get a basket

Then they get to put grain in it and take it to a cow that they can milk. After that they get to

pick apples and plant seeds They also haul hay using a tractor tricycle, gather eggs from a chicken and pull wool from a sheep. In the end they sell their goods for a snack of their choosing. Elle choose cookies.

Zander got to go to his first Rodeo. One of my favorite pictures to end a fun night

Take A Hike Ike

After many hours of watching this storm come in, we have decided to evacuate this morning. Our windows are boarded up, our bags our packed, and we are headed North to Fort Worth. The storm serge in Galveston Bay is suppose to be 15-18 feet of water and that puts us in danger of flooding. Not to mention the possible power outages lasting up to a week. Elle couldn't go that long without her "hot milk sippy" as many of you know. Plus I don't want to take any chances that we would have to move quickly--with two kids, one being a two month old, we don't do anything fast any more. So farewell for now.

Elle seems to be weathering the storm well I think.

Our Little Beauty

A Final Farewell to Fish

Elle and a friend decided that we just were not suppose to have fish. When the house became a little too quiet (never a good sign) I went upstairs to check on the girls. Only to find the two of them sitting on the dresser and one of Elle's angelfish stuck to the wall! (Dead of course) There was water everywhere, because the lid was off and the filter was tipped upside down. Along with water on the floor were the marbles and plants. The other angelfish was still alive, but died in a couple of hours. So after a long timeout in the bathroom, we said goodbye to the whole thing--the fish and the aquarium. I just don't know what goes on in that little girl's head. From what I can piece together after getting the story from Elle, apparently Elle wanted to show her friend how to feed the fish. (hence the stool from the bathroom dragged over to her armoire where the fish food was) When she opened the feeder hole she saw the fish (already dead) floating on top and tried to get it out. When she couldn't get it out through the hole, she decided to open the entire tank. (How else would you get it out?!) And the fun with all the water just escalated from there. I guess I missed this chapter in the "What crazy things to expect from your toddler" manual--oh wait I never got mine. Does anyone have a copy I can borrow? I want to be prepared for what's next!!!!

Baby Zander

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Out with old, in with the new

After much deliberation, and a bit of convincing, we bought a new lawn mower.

If you're wondering why we had to buy a new lawn mower just ask Jed about the importance of putting oil in the lawn mower. He discovered that if you go without putting oil in a lawn mower for over three years it won't run that well.

He tried to redeem himself by changing the air filter, cleaning the carborator, and putting on a new spark plug, but the thing still sounded like a sick cow. After about a month of nursing the mower along, it died. So we begun to look for a new one.

A 6.75 ft-lbs gross torque Briggs & Stratton Engine features MRS, a Craftsman Exclusive, and Ready Start (No Prime, No Choke) to provide easy and reliable starting. The Easy Deck Wash System makes it easy to remove grass clippings and debris from under the deck. Precision Plus Cutting System delivers high performance bagging, mulching with durable blade. Rear Drive Self-Propelled system provides superb traction, ideal for bagging and uneven terrains. Equipped with a 21" 3 in 1 Hi-Tunnel Style Deck that offers all cutting options.
• Briggs & Stratton Engine with 6.75 ft-lbs gross torque
• Variable Speed - EZ Walk - Rear Propelled Drive
• B&S's Most Reliable Start - MRS (Craftsman Exclusive)
• Ready Start (No Prime, No Choke)
• Precision Plus Cutting System (Craftsman Exclusive)
• Fully assembled
• 2 year limited warranty