Chapstick warning:

Just thought I would pass this along since it wasn't such a nice experience for us. I don't know why I trusted Liv with her own chapstick while we were in the car running errands, but I did. I looked back at her and she was very pale. She handed me the chapstick saying yucky. The whole chapstick was gone and consumed entirely by her. About 5 minutes later she began puking up everything, poor thing! After I got her home and cleaned up she was back to her normal self. No more chapstick for her.

Potty time.

I think we are on our way to having Liv potty trained. Do I just do it cold turkey or let her decide when she wants to go? It feels like it has been so long since I went through this with Owen.

Build a Bear experience.

We went to go see the Temple lights a couple nights before Christmas and we had a little time to kill before we met Chris's family there. So we decided to go see Build a Bear just to look around. Caution: Do not step foot in that place unless you intend to buy one for your kiddos. Owen and Liv took one look and were dying to have one. I couldn't leave that place without my kids experiencing making their own teddy bear. Owen picked out a dog soccer player named Scruffy. Liv picked out a pink ballerina teddy bear, named Dancer.





The only picture we got at the temple, after this was taken my batteries died.

Owen's 5th birthday, and first friend party!

Owen turned 5 on December 1st! He was so excited to open his presents and have the whole day be about him. Me and Chris took him to A Christmas Carol in 3d in the morning, and then went home to get the house ready for his friends to come over. He had so much fun, We played games in the basement and then watched a movie and had cake and ice cream. He is already counting down the days to his 6th birthday.

Thanksgiving at the Burtons..

Oh how I love Thanksgiving, not only for the yummy food, but a good nice break to spend with the whole family. This year we spent it with the Burton's up in Kamas. It was so fun to have every single person there this year. I fell in love with my little nephew, Julien, who I don't get to see that often since he lives in Arizona. My kids have so much fun riding on the crew, playing with dogs, swimming at the rec center, and just running around and doing tricks in the theater room. We also got to celebrate Owen, Adam, Madalin, and Andy's birthday!

Girls trip.

Some of my friends were able to make a quick little getaway to St. George the first weekend in November. I love my friends! We had such a great time, and can't wait for the next one!

Halloween fun..

Halloween just gets more fun with my kids the older they get. Owen had a fun party at his school, and then we made our way up to Chris's work to do a little trick or treating in his office. Later that night my parents came over to see them in their costumes!




Liv got to go to Owen's school party since I was helping out, doesn't Owen look thrilled?

Owen and his cute friend, Dayton.

Please mark your calendar for this..

I will be donating a photo session for this fundraiser, and I'm so excited to be apart of this. To hear more about Bridger's story go HERE.

Meet Harry.

Yep thats his name. It was between tiny or big foot, so I compromised with Owen to name him Harry after Harry and the Hendersons. As for Chris, well, he is not mad but doesn't want anything to do with him. I thought he would take one look at him and melt. Maybe with a couple more nights with him snuggled up to him while he watches his sports will do the trick!

Our new addition.

Meet Gus, Harry, Friendly, Tiny, or some other name. We are all so in love with him (except Chris, who hasn't met him yet). I hope I am not in trouble for this, but I think once Chris sees him he will be smitten (fingers crossed). Owen is so excited he keeps saying thank you, and I love my new pet.

Headless.

My little Owen can say some pretty funny things, but this one caught me a little off guard. I didn't know whether to laugh or seek some professional help. The other morning after breakfast I told him and Liv that they needed to get in the bath, and off course Owen started to whine saying "You always do this to me, why do I always need to get in the bath?" As I proceeded to answer him he cut me off and told me, "I am going to tell Dad to kick your head off." When I asked him to repeat what he just said he mumbled, "I am going to tell Dad your rude." I was completely stunned by this, and even found it a little funny. Where do kids get this? He doesn't play violent video games or watch violent shows, so where would he pick this up? Anyways I hope he learned his lesson not to talk to his Mom or in anyone for that matter like that.

On to another subject. I am completely, and utterly sad that Christmas is now over. No more excuses to eat yummy and unhealthy treats (like Jade's delicious cake balls). No more cozy Christmas tree in my living room. And no more talk about what Santa is going to bring us. But I am excited for what this New Year will bring!
We had such a wonderful Christmas and New Years, and I am sad that it passed so fast. Owen has become a little daredevil, which makes me a little scared at times. During the Holiday break Owen has jumped off the high dive (several times) and sledded down a big hill by himself on his belly going over jumps. Doesn't he know that his Dad has broken almost every bone in his body, and that he could follow in his footsteps? I really hope and pray that that isn't the case...

(picture below) Chris on low dive and little Owen on the big one.

Christmas day.

Owen was so excited for Santa to come! On Christmas Eve he kept telling me that he couldn't stop talking about it, he just couldn't wait until he came. We told Owen that he couldn't come into our room until it was light outside so about 7:30 in the morning he came running into our room yelling that Santa had come. He said he saw his boots going up the chimney, dang it we just missed him! So we went and woke up Liv (as you can tell Owen likes to dress her in soccer gear for pajamas, and Liv is always so willing). It was so fun to see their eyes light up at what Santa had brought for them. We had a great Christmas and were so lucky to share it with both our families. I was a little lame and only took pictures of Christmas morning at our house. Just now wishing I had more from that day.










Owen spreading out some food for Santa's reindeers on Christmas Eve.