Hope your holidays are filled with JOY & LOVE

Oh yeah...

And we had our sixth anniversary in December. Don't know how I spaced it...because it was a really fun day. I'll blame it on pregnancy brain. We started out with a ward breakfast with Santa at the church, then dropped the kids off at Jamin & Shanda's (thanks guys!) and attended a wonderful session at the temple, and then dropped the kids off at Bryon & Sherry's (thanks guys!) and had an INCREDIBLE experience/14 course meal at Forage Restaurant in SLC. Pics are on Ty's IPhone. It was wonderful day with my best friend and better half. Here's to many more!

December in recall

Started off the month by saying goodbye...and then welcome home to Daddy who went on a retreat to Cabo.

Opened numerous Christmas packages from Grandma

Met Santa (and had to have a heart-to-heart with Carter about how the exact thing he asked for just doesn't exist...good thing he was just as excited about asking for string instead...yes, just a ball of string)

Dressed up for church

We obviously don't know how to use the self-timer

More playing in snow...and after the snowstorm that blew in today, we will definitely have a white and blustery Christmas

More fun hairdos...Tay and I called this the "Christmas Tree"

All I want for Christmas...

There is so much hippo paraphernalia floating around our house...this was bound to happen. Having two Christmas ornaments that sing this little jingle just sped things along.

Skills

Our precious little angels have some very specific, yet also very frustrating (to me and Ty) talents.

Exhibit One:
Carter boy loves to tie, make knots, traps, obstacle courses with string/cords/wire (anything that fits into that family of objects)
Ty's shoes...in a big knotted mess

Christmas string, hanger, and Tay's necklaces (this was supposed to be a trap for when we opened his door...)

Really? Do we need to pass the finish line to get to the throne?

My robe tie...meant to block me from entering my room

Ty and I found this after Carter had fallen asleep...a series of swords tied with belts

This one just screams danger

I don't even know what the big picture was here...I just know I was tired of finding cords all tied up...usually the vacuum cord is all tied up and it takes me 5 minutes just to get ready to vacuum

Exhibit Two:

Taylee girl is a budding make-up artist. Only problem...it's with my make-up and when I'm not around. I get to walk into fun situations like this.

I think Santa has some more kid-friendly make-up coming your way little lady

Big Sister

This morning...4aM early morning...Taylee walked into the room and my side of the bed and we shared this conversation:

"I want to be by Kimball."

"But Tay, it's really early and Kimball is sleeping...you need to get back in bed."

"But I really want to be by Kimball. I want to sleep by Kimball."

"Ok...just for a little while. Then you need to get back in bed."

She proceeded to climb into bed next to me and wrap her little arms and legs around my stomach.

"Oh...I love you Kimball."

I just about melted....even though it was only 4am and I was exhausted.
The sweetness of the moment only lasted for just that though, a moment, before I became too uncomfortable with her little body wrapped all around mine and told her it was time to go back into bed.

Tears and more tears. "I just want to be by Kimball."

"Maybe after he's born Tay."

After further thought (since I didn't get much sleep after that) I decided that no, not even after he's born is she going to be able to be close to him while he sleeps...she's very...hands-on. I'm going to have to keep him up really high from his very loving sister. Though she is so sweet.

I think our little Kimball is going to get a whole lot of love.

Thankful

--> For extended family nearby we can share Thanksgiving with (and who remember to take pictures on occasions such as these)

We shared Thanksgiving dinner with some of my extended family in Layton. They have an incredible house with an indoor trampoline/playroom that my kids cannot stop talking about. Sara was such an amazing aunt and played with my kiddos for hours while I hung out with my grandparents and aunts/uncles

-->For shorter days that somehow make my kids feel more tired and calm...sometimes
I walked into Tay's room to find the two of them just talking and hanging out in Tay's bed

They both crashed while I was making dinner...

-->For snow and a gated backyard to provide hours of safe and fun entertainment

-->For December finally making it here so I can blast Christmas music all day long and fill our home with lights and trees and warmth and cocoa and mint M&Ms and joy.

After we got the lights up, Tyson taught the kids to squint at the tree...

-->For Taylee's many good days that make up...

My little curly sue is loving curlers and getting dolled up lately...and I LOVE this stage

-->...for the not so good days

Take for example this morning, when she woke promptly at 6am, set up her tea set and helped herself to cookies, cereal, and a container of creamed honey...

...which somehow ended up in her hair. I've decided teaching your kids to be independent has its downsides.

-->For this little guy who already brings so much joy and for an awesome doctor and nurse that are taking such good care of us

He has been my most active baby and I love getting to feel him move all the time.
One of the bonuses of being high-risk is getting lots of pictures of our little guy. His little profile is just adorable

but this one just has me captivated. I could stare at it all day...I really love this little guy
I saw all his hair and his little face looks so much like Carter and his little hand rubbing his eye...I just about lost it. I can't stop smiling.
We love you little dude

Goal for December: leave the camera out...then maybe I'll have pictures to show what we're up to

Oh...and don't have the baby yet