Holiday Lights

Every year, we get together with my family to see the lights.  We started this tradition when I was little.  We'd go to Temple Square and have hot chocolate and donuts.  I wanted to recreate it for my kids as it is one of my favorite memories.  Last year, we were all sick and couldn't go, so this year we were extra excited.  Instead of going to Salt Lake, we met for dinner at Brick Oven and headed to the Shops at Riverwoods to see the lights.  It is decorated so well and Santa was even there.  We huddled by the fire pits and ate our donuts and hot cocoa.  Love my family and my kiddos.

A Little Bit of Snow

It finally snowed a little bit last week, so Khloe and I headed out to start the snowmen as Porter was getting home from school.  Amanda brought a princess snowgirl kit this year!  Khloe loved it!

Porter made his pirate!



We spread the snowmen out to where we piled snow.  Thanks to Amanda, we can make four snowpeople.



Love how they had to have mean faces in this picture.  Please send more snow our way!!

Good Tidings

December is upon us, and I have two very happy children.  They are so excited to run down the stairs each morning to see what the elves left in their countdown to Christmas bag.  Porter wakes at the crack of dawn, runs downstairs, gets his present, turns on the fireplace, and settles in to watch cartoons until the rest of us wake up!

These two are definitely on Santa's nice list and have been playing so nicely together lately.  It's a Christmas miracle.



We decorated the gingerbread house this past week and all took a turn adding our little touch.  Can't wait for this next week to go see the lights and the reindeer.  Only seven more days!

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Thanksgiving was a wonderful day of food and family.  I am so grateful for my little family.  They bring a smile to my face and joy to my heart daily.  Love, love, love that I get to spend my time on earth with them.  I am so thankful!

My Little Pilgrim

 Porter had to be dressed up for his Thanksgiving Feast at school.  "Mom, you have to make me a pilgrim costume."  So with some felt, black fabric, and 30 minutes of sewing, he was ready!

Had to get one of him pretending to shoot!

Love that he and his friend Charlotte were the only ones dressed up!  Love my little creative boy!

Loving the Little Things

I am so grateful this Thanksgiving week for finding joy in the little things.  I'm thankful for reminders through music and other's heartbreak that helps me appreciate all that I have in my life.  Most especially, I am thankful for this little family of mine, for the love we share, for the laughs, for the little moments that go by too quickly, for it all.  I love them with all of my heart and hope they know just how grateful I am to be part of their journey in this life.  I wouldn't want to change anything.  I am so blessed.

Halloween Fun 2011

We had our annual Halloween party a few weeks back.  The kiddos had a blast as did I.  I sure love doing it for them and their friends.

The pinata was the biggest "hit"as usual.

Here's Porter at school on Halloween.  He made a great Captain Jack.



Here they are ready for trick or treating.  Khloe went as Belle.

It was a great warm Halloween.  They had a great time and got tons of candy.  Here's to next year.

Enough of the Sickness

Davy got a horrible stomach flu that included an ER trip for fluids and anti-nausea medication.  Finally after four days of being down and out, he got better.  Three days later, Khloe started with it.  After throwing up occasionally for three days, she had an entire day of vomiting and was so dehydrated that we ended up spending the night in the hospital for fluids.

She was such a trooper.  We learned with Porter to ask for numbing cream and an expert to put the IV in instead of poking over and over with the needle.  Her nurses were so nice and took great care of her. 



 Here she is with Daddy playing a game on his phone after her night's stay.  She kept asking for chicken noodle soup and had three cups of it, including 1 at 4 in the morning.  She continued to throw up until Saturday, when Davy gave her a blessing.  We are so glad she's feeling better.

Balloons from Grandma put a huge smile on her face!



An Apple a Day

Fall is my favorite time of year for family pictures.  This year, we headed to the apple orchard near our house with Davy's mom as the photographer.  Not too shabby!  Loved the mix of colors in our outfits this year and the beautiful scenery.  Oh how I love my little family!

These two sure know how to ham it up for the camera.

Our little princess.  I need to curl her hair more often.

Porter is such a great sport for pictures and so photogenic.

We made use of the props set up for an event that night at the orchard.

Love these two handsome McArthurs.

Khloe loves her daddy.

Love her expression.

Porter is the sweetest boy ever.  So glad to be his mommy.

Davy and I celebrate our 10th anniversary next month.  I can't believe it's been ten years since we took our first Fall pics for our engagements.  I love you!

I love my family and the privilege it is to spend each day with them.  Never forget to cherish every moment Lisa! (I need to remind myself of that when I am tired and need an escape.)

What a great day!  Love this girl so much!