Working its way through the house

Londyn's little flu bug made its way to me, then to Jacey and now to Will. I think it kind of started with my mom but so far my dad has been immune. I'm just hoping that it makes its way through the house before Christmas. Being sick on Christmas is just miserable. Especially for kids.

Speaking of Christmas, I hereby officially declare that my Christmas shopping is done. For the 4th time. I've thought I've been done several times only to realize that I'm not. But Will and I spent the afternoon today tying up loose ends and I think we're there. Now to get it wrapped and under the tree. I'm feeling pretty "in-control" of my Christmas, and I know that it is directly related to the fact that I have live-in help this year. I've had several afternoon shopping trips kid-free while they nap at home. I know I'm spoiled.

(PS this picture has nothing to do with anything.)

Disneyland

Jacey, aka "Spoiled One", took a trip to Disneyland last weekend with her Grandma & Grandpa and her cousin Natalyn.  My dad's company does their Christmas party down there every other year so they have been taking turns taking the grandkids with them.  We have never been to Disneyland so Jacey didn't exactly know what to expect, but when we told her that it was where all the princesses lived she was pretty excited.  She had such a great time.  She called me from their hotel room after the first day and I could just tell that she was in heaven. 

She wasn't so sure about the characters dressed up in their costumes.  From what I've been told this scene was pretty typical for the day.  She and Natalyn took little journals with them to get the characters' autographs, but apparently Jacey was too scared of them to go ask for autographs.  So instead Natalyn would get hers and either my mom or my dad would go get Jacey's for her.

  She didn't seem to have any problem with the princesses though.  Belle is her favorite, so I'm glad that she got to meet her.

She also didn't have any problem getting up and dancing with the High School Musical dancers in the parade.  They came over to her and pulled her up and my mom said she went right with them and started dancing.  So it must have just been the cartoons she was scared of.  They kind of freak me out too, truth be told.

A few more pics:

Thanks so much for taking her, Mom and Dad.  I know she will remember this trip for a long long time!

Po Wun-din

Londyn hasn't been feeling well.  Yesterday as I was getting ready for the day she came into my bathroom holding her blankie, whimpering and asking to rock in the rocking chair.  So I scooped her up and we sat in the rocking chair.  She snuggled down and got comfy, then she looked up at me the the saddest little frown and said "Po Wun-din.  Po Wun-din." 

I know it's a had-to-be-there sort of story, but I just didn't want to forget.

Thanksgiving recap

Mmmmmmmmm.  It was good.

'round the table - Marie, Blake, Ky, Ryan (my cousin), Nathan, Mom, Dad, Angela (Alex's sister), Alex, Bryan, and worried Will.  Who was stressing because I was trying to take pictures while the food was getting cold.

And don't forget the kids' table - Natalyn, Jacey, Mason, Londyn & Londyn's baby.  It's a snug fit around that table but they haven't complained yet. 

And this is my total picture count for the weekend.  Which is better than last year when I took zero. 

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with the Davis fam.  Bryan and Alex pulled into town late Wednesday night.  The boys went and played football with Will's family on Thursday morning.  My dad took the girls on a grocery store run, and my mom and I (mostly Mom) prepared dinner in peace and quiet.  We all fit in our front room quite nicely, if I do say so myself.  After dinner we went to see the house that Mom and Dad are buying since several people hadn't seen it yet.  Then we came home and filled every spare nook and cranny of our stomachs with pie.

Mmmmmm.  Pie.

We went shopping on Friday morning with the crazy people.  I said I would be the one who parks the car and stands in line, but I'm pretty sure I bought more than any of the others.  But I am very close to being done with my shopping, and I saved a bunch of money, so I guess it was worth it.

Saturday we went to the Dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point, which I had never been to before.  That night we went to Temple Square to see the lights and it was insane crowded.  But it was a beautiful night - just perfect weather wise.  Londyn loved the nativity - now she keeps spotting "Baby Jesus!" everywhere we go.  I caught Jacey talking to herself while we were at Temple square.  I asked her what she was saying and she told me "My kids keep asking if they can go in the Temple and I've told them twenty times that they can't!"  (She has imaginary kids.  They join us on outings periodically.)

It was a fun weekend.  I was sad to see it end.  I'm always sad to see Bryan and Alex leave.  But it was nice to not have to say goodbye to Mom and Dad this time!

Last night we put up the Christmas decorations for FHE.  Then we had hot chocolate and listened to Christmas music by tree-light.  It was all very Norman Rockwell.  I love this time of year. 

Photo shoot

I had a photo shoot on Friday with 13 cousins, all age 8 and under. 

Piece of cake. 

Okay, actually I may or may not have thrown up right before I left.  I was just a tad nervous.  But it actually went pretty well.  They wanted individual shots, groups by family, and a big group shot for Grandma for Christmas.  I won't post all of that but here are a couple of my favorites.

My husband, the artist

Last night we had the family over for dinner.  There were a ton of left over mashed potatoes (there always are - I have no idea why we continue to make so many).  This is what became of them:

Yes, those are peppercorn eyes & buttons, baby-spoon arms and of course a carrot nose.  I think Will has found his true medium.

Moving on.

Jacey agreed to be my model for some pictures this morning.

Londyn wanted in on the action too, but all she really wanted to do was hug Jacey from behind.  I did get one peek-a-boo shot though.  However displeased Jacey is with playing this game.

After a couple of shots I said I wanted to switch and do some on the white paper.  So I got it all set up and then the phone rang.  Jacey disappeared while I took the phone call, and when I was finally ready to start up again, this is how I found her:

She was very proud of the fact that she had thought of everything - she pointed out to me that she even had on a necklace, a bow in her hair, and glitter on her face.  You can't see them here, but she also has princess shoes on.  Anything worth doing is worth doing right, I guess.

I'm trying to think of what we've been up to and what I can update on, but there hasn't been much going on.  My folks are still working out the wrinkles on the house - lots to do before they can sign on the dotted line.  So the longer that takes, the better for us.  :)  The house is unfinished so they'll be here while they do the work that's left, if it all goes through and they actually end up with this one.  If not, then I guess they're back to square one.  Which is also good for us. :)

Jacey still sets her clock by Preschool.  She loves it.  She still loves to write notes and letters and her writing is improving.  She is so tender-hearted.  One day last week I wasn't feeling very well.  As my mom was leaving she said to Jacey "Take good care of your mom, okay?  So she can get feeling better."  She took those instructions very seriously.  She made me lay down on the couch and she brought me a glass of water.  I drank it all because I didn't want it to get knocked over.  As soon as I set the glass down on the carpet she came and took it away and filled it up again.  Repeat twice.  Finally I told her I didn't think I could drink any more and she could put the glass in the sink.  Then she got me a blankie off her bed and gave me a kiss and told me to rest.  Sweetheart.

On Friday she came into the kitchen where I was working and said "Mom, I was feeling sad because Daddy teases Londyn so much.  But then I said a prayer to Heavenly Father that he would change my feelings and now I feel better inside."  Sweetheart.

And Londyn.  Ohhhhh Londyn.  Fire and ice, that kid.  She is also a sweetheart - she's a cuddler.  She loves to snuggle and give hugs and kisses and be held "like a little baby".  She likes to be rocked and sung to.  And she also loves to tease, and talk back, and try my patience like no other.  I love hearing her express herself verbally - she learns new words and likes to use them.  Lately when I ask her if she needs to go potty, she pauses and looks around and then says "Prolly."  She likes to sleep with a book.  She doesn't open it or look at the pictures or anything - she just likes to hold it.  Some people have teddy bears . . . Londyn cuddles with books.  Silly girl.

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving next week.  It's one of my favorite holidays.  Maybe because there isn't really a commercial aspect to it at all - the whole point is to be with loved ones and reflect on your blessings.  That's about as un-commercial as you can be, I think.  We're going to try to host it here, which should be interesting.  I think that if we move the couch onto the back porch we should be able to fit.  And if there happens to be a snow storm while it's out there and it gets ruined . . . darn. 

Grateful today

That somebody, somewhere, other than myself, has been waiting for these to come back. 'Cause it says right on the bag "Back by popular demand." So there must be a lot of us writing weekly emails to the Dorito head honchos. Um, or was that just me?

That I didn't accidentally delete all of my Halloween photos. Just the ones of Londyn, taken as she was leaving to go trick or treating. Oops. If anybody happens to have a picture of my little Pirate-Princess, would you mind sharing it with me?

That my mom's voice held out long enough to give her talk in church yesterday. She cornered me before church and asked if I would finish it if she couldn't. Luckily, she made it and she and my dad both did a great job.

That my household has approved the commencement of Christmas music playing in our house. The Christmas season doesn't last long enough to wait until December to start celebrating, in my humble opinion.

That we're having white chicken chili tonight for dinner. It's grey and rainy and it just seems like white chicken chili is the only appropriate option for our evening meal.

That Will is giving the lesson for FHE tonight. I love seeing what he comes up with - have I mentioned that he is very creative?

That we got a good jump start on our Christmas shopping on Saturday. Trying really hard again this year to SIMPLIFY and enjoy the season for what it truly is. Easier said than done, but it helps to have a good start on the shopping.

That the conference issue came in the mail on Friday. I'm one who gets a lot more out of the talks when I read them rather than when I initially hear them. My visiting teachers came on Friday and the message they shared was from Elder Perry's talk, called "Let Him Do It with Simplicity." It was cool. I dig my visiting teachers.

That my folks are here. Little do they know that I have been intercepting messages from their realtor telling them they got the house. Muuhahaha.

Mason's costume

This is what you get when you put the dad in charge of the costume. I didn't go out trick-or-treating with them but from what I heard it was very well received.

By royal decree . . .

Have a happy Halloween.

Quoth the princess, two days ago:

I asked Jacey if she was sure she was feeling completely better (she's had a sore throat, and I didn't want her to go to preschool if she was sick).  She said "No mom, I'm fine.  I don't want to miss any great opportunities."

Family Pictures

My super fun, super talented, super sweet friend/sister-in-law Corby agreed to take some family pictures for us last Saturday. As we were driving to meet her I realized that the last time we were driving to meet a photographer for the purpose of having our pictures taken was when Will and I were engaged. For our engagement photos. So . . . yeah 7.5 years and two kids later . . . I think it was time.

I've been debating keeping them secret because some of them are going on my Christmas card, but I can't not post them. I think I could easily get addicted to having family pictures taken. And the thing is - I love the candids just as much as the posed shots. I love seeing our family interact, and frozen in a photo. Love it.

Some of my favorites:

(I love how you can see Jacey's undies here. So typical Jacey. Add BELT to the list of things I can never remember to buy.)

Officially two

Even though Londyn's birthday was over a month ago, this week I'm officially declaring her to be 2 years old.  Why?  Because she has learned the "Why?" game.  Everything I say, she responds with "Why?  Why?  Why?"  Every. Thing. I. Say.  Will said, "Doesn't she know the rules of this game?  She's supposed to stop when you finally say 'Because'."  Nope.  Just more "Why?"s.

In other news:

Jacey and I went to the pumpkin patch yesterday with her preschool class for a field trip.  The weather was just perfect - just cold enough to make it feel appropriate to be going to the pumpkin patch. 

They had a corn maze there, and in the corners they had signs with corny jokes.  (Ha!)  Jacey repeated this one all day yesterday:  "What do you call a witch at the beach?  A sandwich!"  Followed by hysterical laughter.  Apparently it gets funnier the more times you tell it.

Maybe she told it to Miss Dawn.  (I couldn't get all the kids in the picture - there are 10 in her class total.)

The weather has warmed up considerably since last weekend so I think we are going to try to finish up some should-have-done-this-when-it-was-warm-outside projects this weekend.  Namely, repainting the front door frame and moving some shrubs around in our flower beds.  Our front yard was done by "professional" landscapers when we moved in, but you would never know it.  The grass is lumpy and the shrubs are just thrown down any which way.  So Marie volunteered to help us fix it.  She's got a green thumb, that girl.

Well, I think that's all for today.  Except maybe this - my new favorite picture of Jacey.  I keep going back and forth on her haircut.  I think it is adorable, so I love it.  But I think it makes her look too grown up for me, so I don't love it.  She told me the other day, "You're going to be sad when I turn 5, huh mom.  Cause you only like me little."  I think I'll take her any way I can get her.  But I certainly do like her little.

September, in photos

My favorite month of the year has come and gone. Luckily, despite a brief showing of snow on Saturday, October is starting out on a pretty good foot. Today was just about perfect weather in my opinion.

I really don't have anything to say. Just backing up photos again from September and thought I'd post a few. I do have a little Jacey anecdote to share though.

Sometimes Jacey "calls" me on the TV remote. She hands me the other one and then says "ring ring" and I'm supposed to say hello. And we have a nice little conversation on our "phones". Well the other day she handed me the remote and then asked "What do you want your song to be? Tell me the stories of Jesus?" I didn't really know what she was asking so I just said "Sure." So she starts humming Tell me the stories of Jesus. About halfway through she whispers "Mom, say hello!" Apparently that is my new ringtone. Talk about a digital-age kid!

Birthday Weekend

They really are too sweet to me. I mean, announcing my birthday to the whole world every year. If I was shy it might just make me blush.

So I had a birthday on Saturday. My 29th one. But I'll forgive Google for getting the number wrong on the cake.

On Friday night Will took me to the Kalai concert at Thanksgiving Point. I have been a fan of Kalai since I was first introduced to his music in college. My roommate married one of his good friends, so she had his CDs and we played them in our apartment a lot. In fact, I liked his music so much that Will actually surprised me and sang one of the songs from that album to me on our wedding day. I have been hunting and searching and scouring the DI shelves for years looking for a copy of that album. But it's not available anywhere. And on Friday I found out why. Will went up to the table where they were selling CDs before the concert and had the following conversation:

Will: Hi, do you have Kalai's first album?

CD-selling-girl: Sure, it's right here. (Points to Acoustacism)

W: Um, no I mean is first album.

G, eyeing Will quizzically: This is Kalai's first official album.

W: Um, I'm looking for an album my wife heard in college. Back when Kalai worked with a guy named KC Blake.

G, surprised: Wow, I can't believe you've ever even heard that album. Kalai hates that stuff. He still has some but he doesn't sell them anymore.

I was so bummed. I harassed Will through the rest of the concert to go back and beg. "Did you tell them you sang a song from it at our wedding? It's our wedding song! You didn't tell them that?!?! Did you tell them it's my birthday?? It's my birthday and all I want is the album with our wedding song on it! You didn't tell them that??"

Despite that disappointment, I had a really nice birthday. I really enjoyed the concert, and I fell in love with his rendition of Be Still My Soul. (Which has always been my favorite hymn.) On Saturday, Jacey and I went to the practice for the primary program in the morning, and then I came home, watched some college football and HGTV and took a nap. EXACTLY how I wanted to spend my day. Marie and Ky had us over for a yummy dinner, then Marie, Mom and I went to the Relief Society broadcast. I always head into those things with a sour attitude (Why does this always have to be on my birthday? mumble grumble) but it was SUCH a good meeting. I loved Elder Uchtdorf's talk. The whole meeting made me excited for Conference this weekend.

Will asked what kind of cake I wanted, knowing that I don't like cake. I said I'd rather have pastries. So I got a pastry cake. It was yummy. :)

I might be biased, but I think these girls are the sweetest things ever. Londyn kept telling me all weekend, "It's your birfday! You're two!" I guess we told her that a few times on her birthday. After church on Sunday we went with my folks to look at a house they're thinking about, and then we went to dinner at Glen & Liz's where we had more birthday festivities. We took family pictures, which I considered a present to me since I know how the Robins family feels about pictures. Thanks, Corby, for making that happen!

All in all, a really fun weekend! And if it sounds like my birthday spanned three days . . . um, it kind of did. I didn't lift a finger all weekend. :)