Temple Square

Merry Christmas a few days late! We have had a great Christmas this year, and we hope you all have too. We have just stayed around here and enjoyed family and parties and all that. Tonight we went up to Temple Square with my mom and had fun looking at the lights. We always say we are going to go but haven't gone since Luke was small. It was worth it. Liam said he wanted to see the "big Jesus" (Christus statue) and we all enjoyed ourselves despite the cold.

Makin' Cookies

One of my favorite things to do (okay EAT) at Christmas time is make sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting. And of course the kids love to help. Grace and I got to spend some time together a few days ago and create our masterpieces.
Cooking up a masterpiece Silly Grace The finished product

More Fashion Statements by Liam

What can I say? The kid has style.

Snow Babies

Well we have had wonderful weather this winter, I cannot complain. Especially compared to last year. When it finally snowed the kids couldn't wait to get out in it.

Gingerbread Mania

Okay I admit I have been a blogging slacker....but in my defense I have been taking photos, just doing nothing with them. About a week ago we made our annual gingerbread house. The kids love it, Liam was eating the candy as fast as he could. He is a total candy baby, we were dragging him off the counter every two seconds. Sometimes he has too much energy.

Then last night for Family Home Evening we made gingerbread men from the dough that Grandma Linny so kindly left us. They were delicious and fun!

And last but not least, here are some really cute gingerbread houses that my cousins put together. If you click on the photos you can see the one bear ice fishing and the hot dog roast in the second photo. So cute.

Busy Day

This morning we got a call from a neighbor telling us that Santa was up at the information center in our neighborhood- but only for 15 more minutes! So we actually threw on our clothes and raced up there. He was the best Santa, and he even made balloon animals for the kids.

Grace was a little reluctant but in the end she really liked it.

Luke and Santa

Liam and Santa - by far the happiest to sit on Santa's lap. Liam kept giving him hugs.
After Santa, Grace and I went to Brenda's baby shower. It was fun to have some girl time and see all the cute baby gifts.

A Small Miracle

“There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.”
Albert Einstein

Is any miracle small? I guess it depends on how you look at it. Just this last week, we have witnessed a true miracle, at least at our house. Liam has decided that he wants to use the potty. And he is. He has been dry for about a week now, I am completely amazed and flabergasted - is that how you spell it? I just can't believe it, I am so happy. Hooray for Liam!!!

Putting Up the Tree

This year we got a new tree, only because I threw away last year's in disgust, only to discover this year that I wished I had kept it because DANG trees are expensive. Oh well....we love our new tree, it only has three parts to it and the lights are already on it. We are gettin' fancy.

Liam is always singing...I think he was in the Christmas spirit when we were decorating the tree...always cute.

Happy Thanksgiving

Well Happy Thanksgiving to all....we have had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. We ate too much, relaxed a lot, saw a couple movies, lost and then found our kitten, and enjoyed our time together and Adam's time off of work. It is just wonderful to hang out with your family and just be. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. We are so thankful for everything we have been blessed with and even the unexpected things that seem bad seem to have a silver lining (usually in hindsight, of course). We are grateful for this time of year and hope everyone finds something to be thankful for!

Fun at Grandma's

The kids always have a blast over at Grandma Wanda's. Last weekend we celebrated Grandma Wanda's 76th birthday and Chad's birthday too.

It's always fun when there's chocolate cake and white shirts involved.

Grandma has these candles that the little kids can't get enough of...go figure. I think it has something to do with loving to sort things.

Exercising and loving it....

Work those biceps!

Love the Wildlife

We see lots of wildlife up at our house but it is always fun to see deer, especially if the kids see it too (which they did in this case). This one was cool because he had big antlers. (click on the photo to see it closer)

Tagged

This is a fun one. You copy and paste the entire list below and put the ones you have done/experienced in bold. So here's mine:

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
101. Learned to play an instrument

I tag anyone who wants to do it!

It's a.....

For once my mother's intuition was correct! I thought Luke was a girl, I had no idea with Grace until we found out from ultrasound, we didn't know with Liam, and I really thought this baby was a girl. I was right! Grace is so excited, Luke was a little bummed, but he has a baby brother so he's set. Liam is excited either way. And Adam and I are so happy everything looks healthy and good with the baby. Now we will start with the name polls. So fun!

Baby Girl

Little foot

Arm and fist

Star Student

Today Grace was the Star Student at preschool so be sure and check out her preschool blog if you have a minute. She is really doing good at learning her letters and she really loves her homework! Amazing....
Also tomorrow is the big day.....the ultrasound. We are first of all praying for a healthy baby, and then after that Mommy and Grace want another little girl, Luke of course wants another baby brother. Adam thinks it is a boy and if you ask Liam he says it is a girl. I am going with Liam on this one, he is the most recent from heaven so I think he must have a special connection with what is really going on. We are excited either way. I will post as soon as I know.

GO UTES!!

Oh my goodness - well you had to see it to believe it! Utah beat TCU and we were going crazy. We love our Utes. Utah 13 TCU 10

VOTE

Don't forget to VOTE!!!

Halloween Recap

I have officially survived Halloween 2008. This year was extra fun because the kids got to go Trick or Treating with their cousins. Here are the highlights.

The day before Halloween - Grandma Wanda was over to do some family history, and Liam loves all shoes soooo......I guess if he wants to be Darth Vader next year he can borrow her boots.

The cousins before heading out the door. (Clone Trooper Luke, Princess Grace, Witch Aleah, Elephant Liam, Knight Trey, and Lion Seth)

Okay Liam was on candy overload. I don't know how many suckers he had, but I am guessing at least 10. The next morning before we got out of bed he came into our room with a sucker in his mouth. I really did put all the candy up, I don't know where he was finding it!

Luke and one of his good friends from school were both Clone Troopers. This is right before the school Halloween parade.

Princess Grace

So here is Grace with Miss Kristi, her preschool teacher. She had her Halloween party yesterday and of course got a bag full of candy that she has been sneaking ever since. I am glad she wanted to be a princess this year, since she already has dress-ups we didn't have to buy anything!

Husband Tag

Okay I finally got around to doing this - thanks a lot Mandy!

1.Where did you meet your husband?
At the U, we lived in the same apartment complex, actually his room was directly below mine.
2.How long did you date before you got married?
Dating plus engagement = 8 months
3. How long have you been married?
10 years...can you believe it?
4. What does he do that suprises you?
I am with Mandy on this one - I am not really surprised by anything anymore. Everyonce in a LONG while he brings me flowers after I have had a break down. And he KNOWS I hate it when he doesn't call because I still get worried so I am surprised when he doesn't every once in a while. Okay so I guess I am surprised by a few things.
5. What is your favorite feature of his?
His bum...hee hee.
6. What is his best quality?
He is so patient - opposite of me! And a wonderful father - the kid's can't get enough of him.
7. Does he have a nickname for you? I am not mentioning anything that he calls me - too embarrassing.
8. What is his favorite food?
He loves fresh mex and of course chips and salsa. Anything salty.
9. What is his favorite sport?
I would have to say volleyball to play and watch and also football to watch -maybe only because I turn on the tv and then he is forced to look at it. And he loves mountain biking and also runs. (He made me add this.)
10. When and where did you first kiss?
We kissed outside his brother's house, I was leaving after ACCIDENTALLY spending the night there helping him babysit his neices and nephews. Really. We hadn't even really held hands that much or anything. He SAID he had a present for me and I had to close my eyes. Then BAM he laid one on me. I was completely shocked, not expecting it all at.
11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?
This is a hard one, since everything we do is with the kids mostly. It is nice to have a date and just spend time together talking. Actually we do talk a lot at night when the kids go to bed.
12. Do you have any children?
3 very loud, very strong, very opinionated kids. Okay so I copied Mandy's answer but it is true. And one on the way.
13.Does he have any hidden talents?
I think he really could sing well if he WANTED to - he is always doing this opera voice which actually sounds pretty good. But once I said that he didn't have a very good voice and I will never live it down, so I don't think he would try.
14. How old is he?
35
15. Who said 'I love you' first?
Him. That was one of the things I loved about the whole situation - I was thinking "I am NOT going to be the one to say it first!" I didn't want to be desperate.
16. What is his favorite music?
Probably U2 but he loves lots of different stuff.
17. What do you admire most about him?
Once again,his patience. And the fact that he can really talk to Luke, which I have a hard time doing.
18. What is his favorite color?
I'm going to go with blue, since most of his shirts are, but he does love red. Go Utes!
19. Will he read this?
Yes.
20. Who will you tag about this?
Oh my - Amanda, Shari, and Malinda.

Nice Weather

The weather has been so nice lately I got out the camera just for a few shots of the kids in the sunshine.

The kids having a sucker picnic.

For some reason, Liam really likes this glove. Michael, is that you? Oh, wait, it's just Liam. I wonder if he can do the moonwalk?

Liam Avoids Stitches...Barely

So Liam is our daredevil and definitely the most active of our children. He is, after all, 2. On Saturday he was driving in the blue convertible car (he can finally reach the pedals). He was doing great, going up and down the street while we watched with Aunt Julie and her boys. Then all of the sudden he drove full force right under the back of Julie's truck bed. Here is the end result. It didn't bleed too much, and after we wiped off the blood he wanted to get back in the car and go some more. We weren't sure if he needed a stitch or two on the little cut, it was kind of deep, so we opted for a butterfly bandage and that seems to have worked pretty well. Sometimes we call him "Nails" Maguillicutty because he is tough as nails.

Super Star

So this week at school Luke is the "Star Student". He had to make up this poster and of course, I tried to help. After all, I did pay for the pictures. He and I are a lot alike, he wants it his way, I want it mine. We ended up compromising, then later when I wasn't looking he added more things. Hence the arrows on Adam and my foreheads. I guess at some point I should just let him do it his own way, but it is so hard to let go. Click on the picture to see Luke's captions on each photo.
You can't see it but on the picture of the three kids with Liam's rasta hair, he wrote in Grace saying "Shampoo" and Liam saying "What are you guys doing?" It was pretty funny.

Carving Pumpkins

Well we finally decided to carve our pumpkins. It was lots of messy fun...for the kids. I did have fun carving my own pumpkin and Adam will carve his with the kids later. We couldn't wait any longer...the kids were so impatient to get them done!

Luke wanted to plant some pumpkin seeds.

Scooping...

Painting...

Gothic Liam...

The final products

Another Fashion Statement by Liam

Well I tried to get away with having Liam wear Luke's old socks, but as you can see, they are already pretty worn out and by the time Liam gets them they quickly turn into toe (and heel) socks. It reminds me of those gloves you wear for boxing without the fingers. I guess I should go get some new socks, ya think?

Pickin' Out Pumpkins

On Monday the kids were still on Fall Break, so Adam took the day off. We have a yearly tradition of going to the Red Barn down in Santaquin and picking out our pumkins. Last year the weather was horrible so we were so glad this weekend when it was gorgeous. You get to go on a wagon ride out to the pumpkin field and pick them out. The kids love roaming around and getting just the right one. The only rule is you have to be able to carry it around and back to the wagon when it comes to pick you up. I do not want to carry around 3 pumpkins, so usually they get small ones.

Adam, Luke and Liam on the wagon.

Grace, Grandma Linny and Noah

Our little pumpkins!