And the day after...

The week before Christmas the high was in the 20-30's with snow on the ground (as pictured a few blogs back) while the day after Christmas we hit 70 degree weather. So Austin was able to get outside and enjoy the new Spiderman car he got for his birthday (notice the short sleeves and no coat). Gotta love that crazy Oklahoma weather!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

It was a great Christmas this year. On Christmas Eve we had a yummy ham dinner at my parents house followed by watching The Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Concert and then The Nativity Story. It was nice to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. We then opened our name exchange gift and Austin opened his "Choo Choo" pajamas that he wore to bed that night with no clue about what would be happening the next morning.


Christmas day we were up and at my parents house at 7 a.m to open gifts. Then we were to Vicki's house by 1:00 p.m. for a yummy Christmas dinner followed by opening more gifts. Austin and Mikayla each got cute fleece blankets made by their Grandma Vicki with their name stiched on them. Then it was off to Papa Dave's house for more food and more gifts. It was a busy Christmas (as usual) but it is always fun to spend it with family.
After we were done at Papa Dave's house we came back home and opened up Austin's new toys. Craig and Austin had fun chasing each other around the house in the dark playing "laser tag" with Austin's new light up/sound making guns. Kind of funny how the cheap $5 guns were the most popular toy that night.
I almost feel guilty writing this blog without saying a few words about the true reason for the season. I have been thinking a lot the last couple of weeks (especially the last few days) about my own testimony of Christ and the things I know to be true. There are many things I could say but the thing that brings me the most comfort and peace is knowing that Jesus Christ lives, that He loves me, and that He is my Savior and my Friend!! I know that it is through His atoning sacrifice that I can repent and be forgiven of my sins. But I also know that the Atonement allows only Him to truly understand my pains and sorrows perfectly and because of that He is able to comfort and heal my heart. This is the gift He has given to all of us for which I am eternally grateful and which we celebrate on this day!!

3 Months Old and Growing Up Fast

Annual Bastings Bowl

And here are the participants

(minus the kids of coarse)

Kelsey was the referee for the game.

And the trophies go to....

The Big Dog Award (over all best player) - Mook
The slopper knocker award (best hit) - Mook
Energizer Bunny award - Craig

Happy Birthday Austin!!!

December 22, 2008 Two Years Old!!

I love this little guy!! As I heard someone say recently---your first born will always have a special place in your heart because he (or she) made you a mommy. And that is so true. It is so hard to believe that my baby boy isn't a baby and how fast time goes. Everyday I wonder what new word he will say or what funny thing he will do or how will he imitate me today. Of course there are good days and some not so good days with trying to be a good mother but nothing brings me greater joy than looking into the eyes of my son and hearing the words "luv you mommy." It was fun celebrating Austin's birthday this year. He really had no clue all day long that it was his special day. I practiced with him all day---"Austin how old are you?" then the reply "two". Of course it has to be phrased exactly that way or else you won't get the correct reponse. Our family and one of Craig's friends from work came over that night to celebrate Austin's birthday. We ate pizza, opened presents, and had cake and ice cream.

Austin sure enjoyed his cake and ice-cream. In fact, once he finished what was on his plate he took he started

digging into his cake for more. Since it was his birthday & his cake I just laughed & cheered him on.

Thanks to our family, Austin walked away with quite a lute of gifts. He is definately one spoiled kid.

Let It Snow!!!

Austin learned a new word this week: snow!! On Tuesday December 16th we woke up to snow covering the ground. He went to every window in the house, looked outside, and shouted "Snow!"

We went over to my mom's house and played with the snow for a while. Then we pulled out the sled.

Austin had a blast being pulled around the yard and down the street on the sled. (and it was a nice little workout for me)

Since he was having so much fun, we took the sled over to his Grandma Vicki's house so Connor and Klayton could join in on the fun!!! They even went sled riding again that night after Craig got off work.

So for the last few days everytime we look outside, go outside, or drive in the car he is shouting out the word "snow!!"

December 12th, 2008

Ward Christmas Party

This last weekend was our Ward Christmas Party. I came up with the idea of singing The 12 Days of Christmas but with a twist. My mom explained that since we are a new ward our Bishop (my dad) has been asking a lot from us---so we wanted to sing this song to him. We had him come up to the front and sit down in a chair with a Santa hat on while we sang. I forgot to have someone take a picture but here is how the song went:

On the _____ day of Christmas my Bishop gave to me...

The primary put on the Nativity story and then Santa Clause came. I have taught Austin the word Santa but it is still a fairly new concept to him. He did sit on his lap though.
However he was more interested in playing with the "baby Jesus" doll on the stage. Luckily since it was my mom's doll Austin got to take it home.








Once we got home he played with the doll for at least an hour straight--talking to baby, putting baby in the swing and under the covers, and he even took the baby to bed with him that night.

Strike!!

Last week we took Austin bowling at ConocoPhillips for the first time. We had a great time and so did he. His first turn up to bowl he pushed the ball down the ramp and then tried to run after it but it only took one or two steps onto the slick bowling lane and he bit the dust. Guess we forgot to teach him the rule about staying behind the line. He had a fun time and even got a strike!! (using bumper lanes and a ramp). Kelsey, Craig, and I used the lane next to his. We played two games with the winners being Kelsey and Craig. Looks like I need to sharpen up on my bowling skills. The second game I didn't even make it to 100 pins. How embarrasing.

Line Them All Up

For some reason Austin likes to line things up in row. They can be big items or small ones. Some of the things I have seen him line up in a row are the following: his large vehicles (as seen in the picture), Jenga pieces, his small cars, his blocks, and even Mikayla's shoes.

November 27, 2008---Happy Thanksgiving!!!

27 things I am grateful for

(in no particular order)

1. Austin--my sweet baby boy who makes me laugh (and sometimes cry). He has brought me so much joy and given me more purpose to life.
2. Mikayla--my sweet baby girl who makes my life feel that much more complete.
3. My Mom--I never understood how tough being a full time mom is until I had kids of my own. So I am so grateful to my mom for being my full time mom while I was growing up. And am I am also so grateful that she watches my kids on wed morning after I get off work so I can get some sleep.
4. My Dad (aka my Bishop)--for being the best example I know. You left some pretty big shoes for Craig to fill.
5. Craig-my best friend, the best dad, and someone who I know will be able to fill my dad's shoes.
6. Other family (sisters, brothers, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, mother and father in law, brothers and sisters in law, neices and nephrews)--it is great to be surrounded by such a wonderful family and to have positive relationships with all of them (something not everyone can say).
7. Long hot showers--they don't come as frequently as they used to.
8. Abby and Brady--our first "babies". Now not as spoiled as they used to be but still the best dogs ever and bring us plenty of laughs.
9. The gospel--the only source of true happiness!! I feel so blessed to have that knowledge and my own testimony.
10. Five hour stretch of sleep at night--I am no longer walking around during the day with my eyes half open.
11. Freedom--something that is easily taken for granted but such a true blessing to have.
12. Blogging--thanks Katie for introducing me to this. It has become my journal, family history, and memory book all in one. And I can use that to justify why I spend so much time on here :)
13. Health--so grateful for my two healthy kids, for my husband's health, my own health, and those of my other family members. Being a nurse I know how lucky I am.
14. Chocolate--anything chocolate at any time of the day!
15. Morning cartoons--who needs to watch the news or keep up with the fashion. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Tigger and Pooh, Handy Manny, and Imagination Movers provide plenty of early morning entertainment.
16. Nap time--the most peaceful time of my day and allows me to spend some time on myself (usually blogging).
17. Plastic diapers--can't even imagine having to use cloth ones. Yuck!
18. New friends and old friends--the ones I made in high school, the ones I made in the college, and the new ones I've made being back here in B'ville. Life is so much funner when you have friends to enjoy it with.
19. Air conditioning--found out how grateful I am for an air conditioned home this last summer when ours broke and the temperature in our home rose past 85 degrees.
20. Prayer--for knowing that Heavenly Father always listens and answers (even though the answers may not be what I want or at the time that I want they still will always come).
21. Sunday Dinners--usually the best dinner of the week and one that I usually don't cook (thanks to my mom and mother in law).
22. Music--the way it touches my heart and draws in the Spirit whether playing, singing, or listening to it.
23. My home--it may not be the most fancy and needs some updating but I still love it!! It is the place where sweet memories are made.
24. Braum's--the best ice cream place, especially the mint chocolate chip malts. Yumm!!
25. Good Jobs--that both me and Craig are so lucky to have.
26. Jesus Christ--my Savior and Redeemer whose atoning sacrife not only allows me to repent but also allows only Him to fully understand my every sorrow and heartache.
27. Heavenly Father--for His unconditional love and the many blessings that he has given me!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!
It was a great thanksigivng weekend with lots of time spent with family whether it be playing games, shopping, watching movies, eating good food, or just enjoying each other.

Thursday's Thanksgiving Dinner at Vicki's house was a feast--turkey and ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, carrots, rolls, fluffy fruit, 7 layer salad, fruit salad, and of course the pies--pumpkin, pecan, french silk, lemon, and cherry cheesecake. It was all tasty!! Besides the usual Bartlesville crew, we had Kriti here for the week and Mike, Sara and kids for the weekend.

Austin had a great time playing with his cousins and Mikayla enjoyed all the snuggly attention.

Most of Friday was spent shopping, having a birthday party, and playing games. Saturday the girls went to see Twilight. I haven't read the books like most people, but the movie was pretty good. I just might have to find some time do a little reading--we'll see. We ended the day with the OU-OSU game----go Sooners!!