the Christmas hat

The kids made gifts for each other (colored pictures and wrapped them). I was surprised when Jonah opened this hat from Seth and it fit!



Jonah's Santa gift was a batman pinata. He has been pining for a pinata ever since my roommate reunion a month ago (see post).



Everyone gets a swing.



Santa brought Seth a transformer.



Violet loves her princess scooter from Santa Claus.



Josh and Maya gave Violet a tu, tu, head band and shoes. And Maya made me the most adorable little book with Violet pictures. I was blown away with the detail and skill. Amazing! I love it!

macaroni and cheese

I came home to find Kyle and the kids marching around the island, banging "instruments" and chanting "Macaroni and Cheese, Macaroni and Cheese." They were waiting for the water to boil. I can't decide if our kids will turn out totally weird because of him or TOTALLY AWESOME.

Christmas Chimes

We had a special FHE with the Lewis family. Kyle's parents gave every family their own set of chimes. We enjoyed a nice dinner and then playing carols with our new chimes.



Violet, myself, and Grandpa. I live for great family get-togethers like this!

BYU roommate reunion

We started up in the dorms freshman year and then moved to the Elms Apartments. We were the the fabulous #W36 also known as "Entropy". These girls were so much fun to live with! Here we are ten years later.
Pictured: Melissa Redding, Emily Dunford, Tiffany Lewis, Lindsay Lewis, Christy Jacobs.



We had a program the first night. It included photos, poetry reading, memories, burning a pinata, and even some video footage. Tiffany is a great writer (all credit to her for the program). Read her take on the weekend here.



We had a pajama exchange for old times sake. Melissa and I ended up with the same pants this time! One year in "Entropy" Emily was given a fabulous red onesie with a trap door in the rear. She danced around and sang silly songs for us in that great get-up.

We attended church at Brianhead and enjoyed the fast and testimony meeting. Fun to go to church together again!



We had the tradition of destroying a pinata when someone broke up with a boyfriend.



Lewis cabin.



Beautiful Sunsets.



Melissa throwing snow up into the wind. How fast the years have floated away. But so many good ones are still in the air. A big thank you to my in-laws for letting us use the cabin. And a big fat thank you to Kyle for helping with the cabin, watching the kids, making his homemade chicken noodle soup, and for giving me the best years since I left that apartment 10 years ago.

Hoover Dam Marathon

I ran my second marathon and again I loved the feeling of crossing the finish line. I was so proud of myself this time because there were so many hard hills. It was work! Kyle heard another runner finish and say, "I didn't know God could make a hill so long."



My cute family came to see me cross the finish line. Kyle said they barely made it in time because Jonah started a fire in the microwave. Jonah was experimenting with water balloons. The house smelled like burned rubber for the next week. But I was so happy to see them at the end waving me in. I won a medal for finishing in second place for my age division. Jonah patted my back and said, "You almost got it mom. You almost won 1st place." He was trying to make me feel better for not "winning" the marathon. He's cute. That night was Halloween so I was tired and sore for trick-or-treating.

Violet is 3

Happy Birthday Violet! Violet was crying the minute she was born and she didn't stop for a few hours. I loved it! I should have been worried I guess (about possibly having a colicky baby). She was just spirited and had something to say. She is still the same feisty, sweet girl at 3 years old and we love her.



Back in April, Jonah had a Chuck-E-Cheese party and Violet decided she wanted one too. Around that same time Violet's favorite book was Curious George's Birthday Surprise. So for 7 months she obsessed over her own "buday powdy" and we talked over the details daily.



Dora cake.



Violet is talking to her new Dora doll (from Granny and Grandpa).



Dora doll house.

Carving Pumpkins

kyle the landscaper

Kyle says if we can ever afford a boat, he will call it "The Landescaper."


A few of Kyle's awesome workers. The joke behind this picture is that Kyle told them he was putting together a business website (true) and he thought we'd get more business if they took their shirts off. They weren't 100% sure if Kyle was serious or not until he busted up laughing.


A beautiful home Kyle and his guys recently landscaped. They even installed those wicked pavers.

Things Change

Violet's new hair cut. Her long hair is a faint memory now. When I look back at pictures from just a few posts ago, I can't believe how long it was and how scraggly I let it get. I'll probably let her hair grow again but be better about trims.


I came across this family photo on our ward website. We have all changed so much in so little time. Jonah's head looks more narrow than it is now and Violet's hair is so DARK. When I come across a picture like this, especially when it's a surprise to me, I want to jump back in that time and give those little kids another hug and kiss. They really do grow so fast.

Practice Walking

I took Seth and Violet to the Shark Reef today so that Seth could get some good practice walking. He is now permitted to walk on his own and resume normal activities as he is comfortable. He will crawl on both legs with no pain. When he walks he says his foot hurts. I'm assuming that is because he hasn't used it in 7weeks. He is walking with both legs using the walker and getting better each day. But he still puts weight on the walker when he's on his left leg. I'm going to give it a few days before I call his doctor and see if this could be normal or if he might need physical therapy. I am hoping and praying he improves on his own and SOON. He did seem to improve today with all that walking. Here are pictures from the Shark Reef.











Seth bought a 3 dollar fossil shark tooth to take home. Then on the drive home he lost one of his own front teeth. We compared how much bigger and sharper the shark tooth is.

P.S. We've been here a few times but this was the first time we took a moment and checked out the Mandalay Bay Hotel pool. It looks so fun! They have a lazy river and a wave pool. Wow! I didn't know they have a wave pool. I think it would be a fun vacation for the kids to spend one night in the hotel and then spend the whole next day swimming. I have big plans for traveling with the kids when they are older, but for now I'm all about keeping it simple and low stress. They're still so little. This would be so fun, but maybe Mandalay Bay is super expensive. I'll have to check it out.

Things to Note:

We took the kids to a train show featuring mini trains powered with steam. Seth said, "You can see them chug a chooin."

Kyle and Violet were in the TV room. Kyle told Violet that I was in the kitchen and that Violet could go help Mom cook dinner. Violet said okay and then as she was leaving she said, "So you can lock the door and watch TV, Daddy?" Kyle didn't have her fooled. Sidenote: Kyle rarely sits down and watches TV in the evening like that.

Seth was in the hospital trying to use the walker for the first time. He walked around the room and we were all exclaiming how wonderful he was. Then he took BOTH hands off the walker balancing on one leg as if to say, look at this! I said that was great but KEEP BOTH HANDS ON THE WALKER.

In primary the Primary President was talking about President Monson. Jonah's hand shot up. He said he saw President Monson at church today. Really it was President Johnston. He is a former member of a stake presidency and he just so happened to be visiting our ward for a baby blessing. Kyle and I sat behind him and Jonah heard us mention his name.

the painted veil

We watched this movie from nexflix with zero expectation. We knew nothing about it. Are you kiddding me??? How did I not know about this wonderful flick? Sooooo good. I rarely watch movies more than once, because I'd rather watch a new one. But I've been itching to see this again. We loved the salad eating scene. Okay, I won't say anything more. Loved it! I turned my blog comments off once upon a time and CANNOT get them back on. If anyone knows of other movies that may have passed me by, let me know!

1st day of school

Seth started 2nd grade. He fractured his femur after falling off his bike a few weeks ago. He had surgery and a steel rod nailed to his bone to keep it straight. Hence no cast. I love my Mr. Seth, and I'm glad he's doing better and not hurting anymore. He gets around on this walker which made it extra hard to send him off to school. But he's doing great! So far it's been an easier adjustment than 1st grade.


Jonah started kindergarten. He was so unbelievably excited because he's been watching seth do the school thing. Jonah is going from no preschool straight to full-day montessori kindergarten. He came out the first day and said "I love school!" He said that three more times that evening.

What a relief. So far they both enjoy school this year and have good teachers. I am a really happy mom!

just the girls at home

Violet wanted a picture in front of the house like the boys. So far, it's fun hanging out with Violet. Kyle thinks it's weird to see just Violet and I around the house during the day. He says we're good at being sweet and seducing him to get what we want. It's true, Violet is good. She also scolded him a few times yesterday..I don't do that, do I? I hope Kyle can handle all this girl power. Turns out he's looking for office space, but I'm trying to convince him not to. I will miss popping into the home office to say Hi, to complain, to tell him something cute the kids just did, or to plant a big kiss on his handsome lips. No wonder he's looking for an office! How does he get any work done!


This is her new big girl bed. It's blurry because she's testing it out with lots of jumping. She was so cute about the whole thing. I didn't get a bed frame yet because I want to find a cute wood one. Let's not mention that the boys still have no bed frames and they don't even have a box spring - just a mattress on the floor covered with some old sheets from our closet. The humidifier ruined her border that overlays the pink paint, so I'll have to think of something new to do.

drive so fast

Kyle asked Jonah where he wants to go on his mission. Jonah said Germany so he can drive on the autobon.

jonah's complaints

We are over at cousin Ethan's house playing (after Brooklyn's blessing). Kyle tells Jonah that it's time to go home. Jonah wails out, "But why does Ethan get to stay."

Jonah says, "Mom, can I have a juice box?" I say, "yes." Before I can finish the "s" on "yes", Jonah wails out, "Buuuut Violet haaaassss onnnne." Hmmm. Either Jonah complains WAY TOO MUCH or I say NO way too much. Probably a bit of both is true.

We've been talking a lot lately about being grateful and expressing it. The boys have been practicing and Jonah is learning. He thanks me for stuff all the time when I least expect it. But I can't say, that I don't still hear the occasional Jonah wail....hey that's what got him into the whale.

A little goat

Mrs. Asay is looking at the book I put together for her since she is retiring. It was so fun to do this project and to see her feel some reward for being a good teacher for so many years.


Seth was a goat in a small class play. He was so Seth in his little part. Everytime I see those paper goat ears laying around the house, I smile to myself.

babies

Eric (my older brother) and Melissa have a new baby boy, Wade. Isn't Eric a HANDSOME CUTIE? And Wade is too. We're looking forward to going to California to see them in September.

My parents picked Eric up from a hospital in Mexico over 30 years ago. Maybe I'll adopt a little hispanic boy or girl in a few years! As I've grown up, I realize how awesome my parents are. They've done so many cool things in their lifetime and they don't live within any prescribed box. Collectively, they have lived in France, Germany, Mexico, and Taiwan. My mom has just been called on a service mission to work at the church unemployment center. Unfortunately, I'm sure that place is swamped right now. She'll be working 20 hours a week there and then substitute teaching on her off days. My Dad still travels the world. He's over marketing for a small airline that does grand canyon tours (VisionHolidays).


Josh and Maya (Kyle's sister) had their first girl, Brooklyn. She is beautiful! We enjoyed her blessing last Sunday in their ward.

Seth's Birthday

Seth turned 7 on Sunday! For his party, he invited two friends (Julian Romano and Alex Neil) over for cake and to see Ice Age 3 (in 3D) in the theater. They boys chanted "Ice age 3 in 3D, Ice Age 3 in 3D" as we were going into the theater. They ate popcorn, wore their big 3D glasses and loved the movie. It was full of dinosaurs, lava, and plenty of good boy material.


We got the Wii for Seth's birthday!


We have been playing it way too much ever since!

Swimming

We have been swimming so much this summer! I love being outside with the kids, the easy entertainment, and wearing them out day after day. I'm not going to edit much here - I want ALL these pictures in my blog record!


Jonah, Seth, and Violet


Kyle and violet


Violet is sweet on the chair.


Digging a hole to bury Jonah.


Jonah gets in.


Jonah is buried.


Violet loves the sandy bottom.



Jonah can swim!


Jonah plays in the sand.


Me and Violet.


Violet and Jonah




Violet gets lots of Daddy time.


Violet on Dad's back again.


Mr. Seth is a good swimmer!