"Mommy, I'm happy."

Tanner and I were hanging out reading books and coloring before bed and he turned to me and said, "Mommy, I'm happy." And he leaned in to give me a hug. Isn't that sweet? Melted my heart. It was so good to hear him say that. That is one of the main things I want for him in life.

Snow, snow go away. . .

Come again another day. . . or NOT!

Like most of you we've had storm after storm here. There are a couple of feet on the ground now. Sad thing is it will be on the ground until about April. Tanner enjoys playing in it though, and tries to help shovel it.

Our quiet Christmas

Tanner got blocks for Christmas, so we've been playing with them a lot.




I made a big lunch for us. Ham, potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry salad, jello salad, rolls and ice cream sandwiches. I love to cook, so it was fun.


Christmas is a little too quiet this year. Everyone is out of town but us. It's been nice, but a little boring. Bowling alleys are closed, besides that there is a snow storm right now and no plows out.

Our Hair Cuts

I guess I will never have long hair. I get determined to grow it out, then it reaches my shoulders and I am dying to cut it. So I do. I love the cut though. Short hair is great. Easy. My friend, Tristin, did an awsome job as usual. And her husband was so kind to watch my boys while she did it.

So you are wondering if Dallin really got his hair cut. Well, see the dark area on the back of his head? It has hair that grows twice as long and about 3 times as thick as the rest of his hair, so we trimmed it up.

Brothers

Dallin's head is as big as Tanner's already! Even though his head is big, so is his body, so he doesn't look disproportionate.

Latest project

I saw a few of my friends did these JOY blocks at an Enrichment activity at church--and I am such a mooch--I got my friend Alicia to get me a set if there were any left over. It was so fun and they make our apartment festive. Thanks Alicia! And the 79th Ward who shared with me.

With the left over paper I made some magnets too. HOW TO: I just used mod podge to glue paper onto a clear glass rock (like the ones you can put in fish bowls, but bigger) and put a magnet on the back.

I love this Fresh Food Feeder that Dallin is chewing on. I know some of you use them, but for those who don't know what they are, you put food in the mesh bag and they chew it or suck it up without getting big pieces to choke on. Here he is eating a piece of pear.


Then this is Dallin feeding himself his bottle. He gets it all over himself sometimes.

Another reason I love Christmas

Sugar Cookies! We got together with Alicia and David to make sugar cookies and frost them. I don't know how many knives we went through because the boys kept licking the frosting off. It was lots of fun. We watched the Polar Express too; one of my favorite Christmas movies.

Dallin's stocking

Finished. Finally. I started it before I was even pregnant with Dallin, knowing I'd have another kid eventually. I'd put it down for months at a time, that's why I didn't finish sooner. I am not happy with it, but it will have to do. I guess I could fix the pointy toe at least. But the dumb cording is warped making the whole thing funky. I don't know how to fix it. Oh well. Whatever. Kids only care about what is inside right?

Snow day

We got snow yesterday. I bought Tanner a snow suit and boots so we tried them out. He loves the snow until his hands get too cold.





















Wish I had Dallin's flexibility.









You can see Dallin's teeth in this one.

Me and the boys

I love my boys. They make life interesting and so full of joy.










Poor Dallin. I love how it looks like Nate is right there in the background just letting Tanner stick his foot in Dallin's face. :) He really wasn't I just caught it right when it happened.












Nate made this wreath. He and Jordan went to campus where they were doing it. Good job huh? I guess all the women there were impressed with Nate and Jordan because they came for their wives. It was nice of them.

Ok, not my most interesting post

But, I have got nothing else to talk about.
So you know how when you make stuff with pumpkin you almost always have pumpkin left? Well, I found lots to do with it these last couple of weeks as I tried not to be wasteful. I tried to use it in healthy things, not so much cookies and cakes.
Pumpkin pancakes (so yummy)
Pumpkin oatmeal (just ok)
Pumpkin carrot cake (good)
Pumpkin turkey chili (couldn't tell there was pumpkin in it, so good)
Pumpkin chocolate muffins (to die for)
Then I snuck some pumpkin in stuff like spaghetti and crepe batter too. It is healthy stuff.
So if you have pumpkin puree left, try some of these or these.

Finally, it's time

I love putting up the Christmas tree because it instantly brings the Christmas spirit. This is my favorite time of year. We don't have a lot of traditions yet, mostly because we can't think of many. Anyone have any fun traditions? Inspire me. Here's a video of Tanner showing his muscles.

And here is one to show how quick he is. I think it is hilarious, but maybe it is just me.

Brothers

Tanner enjoys making Dallin laugh. Unfortunately, Dallin laughs even when Tanner is smacking him, so it eggs him on.

No cavities!

Yay for Nate! So neither of us have been to the dentist in about 5 years. We went today and Nate has no cavities. He has never had a cavity! Can you believe it? I had 2. :( I am praying our kids get his healthy teeth.

By the way we are shopping for a laptop for Nate's graduate school. We figured now is the best time of year. So which do you all prefer between HP and Dell? (don't think we are interested in anything else) And why?

Cant' have a blog post without a picture or two.

Yum! Feet!

At least he is coloring on the bottom of the chair.

How long do the terrible 2s last?

Ok, I realize a couple of my more recent posts make me look like a bad mother; leaving my kids--more like Tanner--unsupervised to make mischief. But I am not kidding, if I leave the room for 30 seconds Tanner finds trouble to get into.

Mmm, I'll just eat this pudding off my tummy.

Bath toys in the potty.

At least it hasn't been used yet

Do you know what this white thing is? It is a toilet bowl for a toddler training toilet. Not sure if he is quite ready for potty training yet, we are just getting ready.

Dallin's favorite place

To the ER again

I took Tanner to the hospital last night. He was coughing constantly and having a hard time breathing; wheezing pretty bad. They took X-rays of his chest and did some breathing treatments. Turns out he has RSV. He had to take some yucky medicine that made him throw up on his clothes, so they put him in this cute gown to wear there and home. The nurse and respiratory therapist said he is the best 2 year old they've had. He loved the breathing treatments even though he had to sit there with a mist in his face for about 10 minutes, 3 different times. I am glad he is an angel for other at least. Nate was throwing up all night the other night and Dallin is coughing pretty bad now. So I have been busy!

Hilarious

My sister-in-law, Mickie, sent this to me a long time ago, and I couldn't stop laughing. So I am passing it on. Sorry, some are hard to see. Enjoy!
Baby Care 101

Well, when you put it that way. . .

I read a talk by Elder Hales that my friend Alicia suggested and this paragraph stood out to me as I've been upset about the protests against our Church recently regarding our views on gay marriage. Experience shows that seasons of negative publicity about the Church can help accomplish the Lord's purposes. In 1983 the First Presidency wrote to Church leaders, "Opposition may be in itself an opportunity. Among the continuing challenges faced by our missionaries is lack of interest in religious matters and in our message. These criticisms create . . . interest in the Church. . . This provides and opportunity [for members] to present the truth to those whose attention is thus directed toward us." What optimists! I haven't been so positive. I was just thinking how scary it could be to talk to non members about my religion these days because of all the negative publicity, but it really is a great opportunity to clear up all the misunderstandings and to share the gospel. Let us have Christian Courage and be BOLD, but not overbearing.

Too BIG Too fast

Dallin is 5 months today and got his first tooth this week. He's also sitting in a walker without wobbling too much. My baby is growing up. It's kind of sad, oh well, I guess there will be other babies.

Winter

Winter is here. [sigh] The only thing that keeps me from being depressed during this dreary time of year in Idaho is that my favorite holidays are in the winter. Thanksgiving & Christmas. Come January though, it is depressing. Any ideas on how to keep kids busy indoors during the winter?

This is just a random picture that Alicia took that I never posted. I think it is hilarious. I am glad Tanner has friends his age. We love David, and his mom. :)