Mikayla's Least Favorite Thing

THE CAR WASH.........she still cries when we go through it!!

Mikayla's Favorite Things

1. Necklaces and Stethoscopes---she loves to put them around her neck and prance around
2. Computer off button---especially when Daddy is playing video games or mommy is blog posting
3. Whatever Austin is playing with---this makes for some inevitable tattle tailing and some tears
4. Toothbrushes---if we forget to shut our bathroom door we will soon see her walking around brushing her teeth with our toothbrushes (even though she has one of her own)
5. Remote Controls and Phones---we have snatched these away from her enough that now if she picks them up she will even go and hand them to Daddy
6. Her Grandma Reid---who she will even choose over her own mommy. And at church if she sees Grandma up on the stand leading the music she will cry and squirm because she wants to go and get her.
7. Little Einsteins---she loves to dance around to the opening music and will even sit and watch some of it
8. Austin's Potty Chair---ever since potty training Austin, whenever we are in the bathroom helping him with the potty she will soon join us and always starts clapping her hands like she is saying "yeah"
9. Her Blanket---don't even try to put her to sleep in her crib without giving her a blanket so she can pull it up over her face
10. Daddy's Underwear Drawer---she likes to pull them all out on the floor
Mikayla is a great eater and will try and like almost anything. Her favorite song is "If You're Happy and You Know It" which she does the actions to. The last two check-ups at the doctor's office she has been "off the charts" as far as her height. She is super cute, funny, sweet, and lovable!!!

Snowy Cold Days

We have had snow covering the ground for 2 weeks now which is very unusual for oklahoma......it has actually only snowed a few times but the temps have been so cold that the snow doesn't have a chance to melt. So we have tried to take advantage of the snow the best we can.

The funny thing about this picture is that Mikayla is in the background screaming because she had fallen down in the snow and didn't like the feel of it on her bare hands.

We went sledding again this week and had a blast!!!

On the way home :)

Today we found ice cycles on our roof.....Austin thought they were pretty cool and that they were fun to eat too......he ate 2 of them!!

The temperatures have been so cold that today and tomorrow the schools have been closed not because of bad road conditions (they are actually pretty clear), but because of the frigid cold temps. Actually, I kind of find that to be kind of humorous.

But by tomorrow morning (Friday) at 7 am the temp is suppose to be -1 degrees with wind chill of -15 degrees. BRRR!! That Is COLD!!!

1st Day of School

Austin was very excited to go to "school." We have been talking about it for several weeks. It is actually a Mother's Day Out program that he goes to on Mondays now. I think it will be very beneficial for both him and me. He walked into the school very slow and timid. He said hi to a few of the kids that were already there. After giving them handshakes and a high five he then felt safe enough to pick up a toy and start playing and didn't even notice that I left. When I picked him up his teacher said that he did great. She mentioned there was a couple times when he said "Where's my mommy?" It's nice to know that he at least did miss me some :)

When I picked him up they were playing with the big bikes/cars and after seeing me shouted "MOMMY.....THAT'S MY MOMMY!!!" He made a Christmas ornament with paint inside and a popcicle stick snowflake. They talked about the letter h, the number 8, the shape diamond, and the color brown.

Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam!!!

Austin's first sunday as a sunbeam went great!!! Craig took him into Primary and sat Austin down in his chair and then left without any problems. Craig commented "that is the most still I have ever seen him in church." His sunbeam teacher said that he did great......sang songs and participated well. We picked him up after church was done and he was all smiles and wearing his "I am a Child of God" crown to which he exclaimed "I'm a King!!"

No Objection About Bedtime On This Night

Sweet Dreams!!!

Happy Birthday!!!

After waking up that morning, I asked Austin if we should make daddy a birthday cake and he responded "yeah, a Spiderman cake." So that is what we did.....

Austin helped me make the cookie dough and enjoyed putting all the candles on the cake.

Sorry Craig that your presents weren't much of a suprise this year......I guess I need to explain to Austin a little more what the words "secret" and "suprise" actually mean.

But I hope you had a great birthday anyway!! I so appreciate you and all that you do for me and for our family. You are a super husband and father, a great provider and spiritual leader. You make us all laugh and make everyday a fun one. I love you forever!!!

Happy New Year!!!

With a new year I always get excited about setting new resolutions and goals to set for the year! Some of them are the same as last year....like loosing weight, eating better, daily scripture study and prayer, etc......this year I've added a few more to my list of things---some fun things I want to accomplish this year. For example:

1. Participate in three 5K runs this year
2. Create an awesome Cookbook filled with all my favorite recipees along with some new ones
3. Time Out For Women in Dallas, Texas--anyone want to join me??

Just a few amoung many goals I have set for this year.....thought that if I shared a few then I would be more likely to follow through :)

Also with a new year, I can't help but reflect on how the Lord has blessed my life. I have so many things to be grateful for: family, friends, good jobs, great home, and my testimony. I know that the Lord has His hand in my life. I am so grateful for His tender mercy as I try to change and do better and be better. I know that if I do my best to stay close to Him that He will continue to bless me, guide me, and inspire me as I fulfill my roles as a wife, mother, teacher, nurse, sister, and friend.

I feel good and excited about the year 2010.......

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Home for the Holidays

Another nice thing about the Christmas season is that families often go home for the holidays. And since we now live in the same town as our parents that means we get extra time with family.

My brother Brandon came home from BYU to spend his Christmas break at home. It was nice having him here.

My sister Jackie also come home from Utah where she is a teacher to spend her Christmas break with us.

And she brought a boy with her!! We got to meet Tyler, her fiance, and spend about 5 days getting to know him. He seems like a real neat guy and it was fun to see them together.

We also had a bridal shower for Jackie while she was here.

(pictured above is me and my mom and sisters)

Can't wait until March when all my family will get together again.

More Snow Fun!!!

Once There Was A Snowman

Snowman --- Snowman

Once There Was A Snowman

Tall -- Tall -- Tall !!!

And a Few Snowfights too...

BRRR!!!

Sledding!!!

We had to take advantage of all the snow on Christmas Day so that afternoon we went sledding!!!

It must be nice to be a kid and get pulled up the hill while sitting on the sled.

It was really really cold--especially with wind--but the kids still had tons of fun!!

And the grown-ups did too!!! Craig going down Snowboard style!!

Austin was having such a blast.....even though his cheeks were turning bright red from the cold air.

3 grown men on a sled----now that's a funny sight to see!!

Christmas Day

On Christmas morning we woke up to this:

The odds of a White Christmas in Bartlesville Oklahoma are very slim so this year Christmas was extra special. Craig woke up at 6:30am and was ready to go....I convinced him to hold off a little longer but at 7:00 am he just couldn't wait any more.

"Austin....Santa Clause has been here!!"

Austin quickly jumped out of the bed and we went to get Mikayla. And well, you can guess the rest.

All those visits to Santa Clause must of worked since Austin received a tank, trucks, and Minnie!! Since Austin already has 2 mowers, Santa must of decided that some other little boy needed a mower more--and Austin didn't seem to mind. It was a great Christmas morning at home!!

Christmas Eve

Christmas has been more fun this year now that Austin is old enough to understand what is happening. We talked all month about Christmas, and Christmas lights, and Santa Clause. We sang lots of Christmas songs---Austin's favorites were Jingle Bells, We Wish You A Merry Christmas, and Santa Clause is Coming to Town. He sat on Santa's lap 3 times and each time it was the same request: Minnie, Tank, Truck, and Mower. We also went through the Nativity story several times during the month hoping that he might get a glimpse of why we really celebrate Christmas. With Austin getting older we decided to start some traditions this year. On Christmas Eve, we all opened up a new pair of pajamas!!

Then we watched the Nativity DVD which is perfect for young kids---the whole Nativity story in 5 minutes. Austin watched it quietly while eating a candy cane.

I love the excitement of the kids faces in these pictures....I don't really think they understood what they would be waking up to tomorrow but I think they could sense the excitement of Craig and I. They were running and squealing and having a jolly old time.
Craig even got on the computer to track Santa Clause and find out how close he was getting to our house.
Then Austin helped me make a goodie plate for Santa Clause with carrots for the reindeer.

And as my two sweet children lay sleeping snug in their beds, the wintery icy mix that began earlier in the day started turning to snow.

It was magical.