Lilly's Family Birthday Party

So pink, it gave us sugar shock just by looking at it. :)

Christmas Sing

Face, Meet Counter

Lilly had the pleasure of encountering the edge of  our kitchen counter with her face on Thursday. She was trying to get off of the chair but her feet got tangled. She was a fairly good sport about it, but it has been interesting watching the colors bloom.

Day one misery

 A few days later

It's a Lilly Party

Lilly asked and we decided to have a friend party this year. 8 kids, including James & Lilly were a lot of fun. Thank goodness for Brian taking care of Sarah and Joyce as a extra set of hands. I was stressed and hoping Lilly would be happy with it all...and she was! I did not take as many pics as I should have but we were having too much fun.

Art themed. We colored, made finger paintings on foam boards, painted ceramic banks, played with playdoh, ate lunch (apples, popcorn, cheese bread, and rice crispies paint brushes) and opened presents.

Stringtown Polar Express

The Stringtown Polar Express is a miniature train ride for the whole family that leaves the Stringtown Station in Lindon, UT and travels to the North Pole to visit Santa Claus.You get to visit Santa Claus and sing Christmas songs with the kids with him and teaches about the true meaning of Christmas. During the journey back from the North Pole, you hear music and see pictures about Christ's birth, His life, and the true meaning of Christmas.

We've been trying to do this for years. The sweet family/volunteers that run this for 2 weeks do not charge (donation) and have a lottery for tickets. Who knows if the kids actually understood/felt the spirit like I hoped, but I loved it.

Throwback : Flying a plane

James & Lilly finally got to go up and fly the plane at the top of the building at the museum of curiosity. You have to climb a few rope bridges to get there.

Mommy did not want to be left out, so she came along...even though she was 8.5 months pregnant with Sarah and saw later they had signs forbidding pregnant women on the bridges. Worth it.

Walk a Mile in their shoes

Or something like that...

Throwback: Botanical Gardens

Right before and after Sarah Grace was born, we took a couple of walk around the gardens at Thanksgiving Point. We wish we would have spent more time there...but loved what we did get. Thanks again, Mom and Dad!

Rolly-polly

I doubt she will ever achieve Michelin-baby status like her cousin R, but she is on her way...

Smiles for daddy

New Friend for Sarah

She loves her new friend that Aunt Lori and Uncle Brent picked out for her. So very cute.

Tales from the Olson night

Last night, 9 pm, crying from Lilly's room

Lilly? Are you okay?

(more crying)

Lilly?

I'm just...just...so excited about Christmas.

Oh, honey. It is not for a few weeks. We just put up the tree today but the rest will be in a month. Do you want me to sing you a Christmas song to help you get back to sleep?

Yes.

1 hr later, crying from Lilly's room

Lilly? What's wrong?

Mommy. I....I....need....need your help. 

What do you need, sweetheart?

I need your help to put back all the Christmas ornaments on the tree.

She, of course, did not remember a bit of this this morning. A trip to the bathroom solved her wake-up issues. Tried to do the same for James, but was too late. And, through it all, Sarah Grace snoozed away, despite the lights and noise.

Happy night to all!

Sleeping Like a Baby

Man, I love this girl. I love that she is mellow. Swaddled, un-swaddled - it does not matter. (unless her arms get cold)

Warm Suit

Reason for a smile: putting on my warm suit to go out of the house.

Carving Punkidies

Pics from baby blessing...after party

Aaannnnnnngry Baby

I love this hat that Uncle J & Aunt A gave us when Lilly was born. For some reason, both my daughters are determined to cry every time they wear it.

Sarah Grace

Lilly Elizabeth

School Picture

Giggles and Smiles

Sarah Grace is wonderfully interactive now. She smiles back and will even giggle (albeit not a full belly giggle). James is the best at getting giggles; she loves her older brother! If only I could get pic/video.

Simple Moments

Playing in the Leaves

Family in the Fall

Garden Bounty in November

Picked these from our garden last weekend. Roses I can kind of understand but I am in shock for the iris.

Miracle

Two nights in a row....no wake ups. Sarah is sleeping through the night and I am grateful for every night of rest.

AFJH Hogworts

 

My Rowena Ravenclaw was the perfect low key I needed but some of the other costumes were great!

Halloween

 Sarah Duck

 James Lizard

 Lilly Flower