Something Small to Remember

So I know it's the day after Christmas, and of course we have a bunch of fun pictures to share, but I wanted to write this down before I forgot. The other day I filled up my gas tank for $11.37! Isn't that just amazing. I wanted to take a picture, but I thought people might look at me a little weird! Just a few months ago it cost me $4o.00 to fill up. I sure like it a lot better when it's only $11.37. (I know I am going to be one of those old ladies who tells her great-grandchildren about this! They'll just laugh and tell me that it costs them like $100 to fill up or something outrageous like that!) I know my Dad tells me that he used to fill up for $3.00. I have to admit that would be pretty great! Anyway, I just wanted to write that down, so I can look back in a year or so and compare prices. I guess I am just weird like that, I can still remember filling up my gas tank when I was a Junior in college and it was $1.98 a gallon. It stressed me out big time! I didn't know how I was going to survive if the prices went over $2.00. But I made it past that, I don't know how, but I did. So, as long as it will last, I am going to be grateful for filling up at $11.37!

What do you think??

So I wanted to show a picture of EmmaLee at about the same age Carter is at the moment. What do you think? Do they look the same?

Sledding and a break from school!

Neil took EmmaLee sledding yesterday, and she loved it! I am not a huge fan of the snow and cold, so of course I stayed home and enjoyed the afternoon with Carter. This week, it seems as though the high is about 32 degrees! Very cold, especially at night! I don't even want to know what the low is!! But on a happy note, Neil just finished his first semester of Graduate school. He has worked very hard this past semester. A lot of his time was spent in a cadaver lab. He even got to take us and some of his family to the lab, to show us who he has been dissecting for the past semester. I have to say I am very grateful for those people who are kind enough to donate their body to science, so people, like my husband, are able to learn at a more intense level, then just reading a book. So, one semester down and about 11 more to go! Yahoo! Anyway, Neil took his last final yesterday and was able to take EmmaLee out in the snow. They also met up with my nephew Travis and his wife Laura. So fun!

We've been robbed!

Today I decided that I was going to take the kids to my mom's and I went to go put them in the car and I had noticed that someone had stolen my stereo! The first thing I noticed was the big mess on the floor. I thought maybe Neil had to grab something out of the glove compartment and he was in a hurry. Nope, I was wrong! Someone had gone through it, and I assume was looking for money. The most frustrating part is that we live in a gated community and my car was parked under our carport, which is right out our sliding glass door! It also made me feel so violated. I hate knowing the someone was sitting in my car, going through my stuff. Neil filed a police report, even though we know there is nothing they can do. Our doors weren't locked, so I guess we were an easy target. It's just sad that those kind of things have to happen.

Chirstmas time and snow!

It snowed last Monday (all day!) and even though I am not a huge fan of it, it made it seem a little more like Christmas. I can't believe it is two weeks away. I have been enjoying the month because all of my Christmas shopping is finished. I need to do that every year, because I get to reflect more on why I love Christmas and the true meaning of what it's all about. Anyway, since it snowed, Neil was super excited to pull EmmaLee around on her little sled around our complex. EmmaLee had a great time, and she had her friend Cambria come with her. I just love the season, and I have to say that it was nice to get a bit of snow!

Quick update on Carter... six months

We went to the doctor for Carter's six month appointment. He is 19 pounds 1 ounce, which is the 80th percentile, 27 1/2 inches for height (90%) and his head size is 17.5 inches(75%). When he got his shots, he didn't even cry, he just let out a little squeal, and he was done! I was so shocked. Neil was proud when I told him, because he thought Carter was such a tough guy! He is starting to eat all of the baby foods, and cereals... but he isn't so much a good eater. I don't remember EmmaLee being like this, it is kind of frustrating. He just isn't interested in foods. I try every day... he also is being stubborn about taking a bottle. When he turned six months, I guess he just decided he wanted to have an opinion or something?? However, even with all of the frustrations, don't get me wrong, I love the sweetheart!

Six months

Today Carter is six months old! I can't believe how fast he has grown. We took some pictures of him and EmmaLee by the Christmas tree today. (We put up our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving) I remember when I was little and everyone used to say how fast time flies, I never really knew what that meant until I had kids of my own. It's true, it really is. Kids grow so fast! I just hope I can make all of my time with them as meaningful as possible, so when they grow up and have kids of their own, they will know their parents really loved them! Happy six-month birthday, Carter!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This Thanksgiving we went to my parents' house. We ate a ton of delicious food! The normal... turkey, stuffing, potatoes and gravy, homemade rolls, veggies, salad... I could keep on going. It was yummy! We also played Bingo, which is a family tradition. There was lots of chocolate this year for the prizes. You can never go wrong with chocolate! But when EmmaLee won, she picked out licorice, she pretty much ate the whole bag! I didn't know she liked it that much! Neil also ate his prize.. a giant Snickers, and he didn't save room for one of the best parts about Thanksgiving.. Dessert! Yummy, I made sure I had plenty of room for pie and all of the other great desserts. We also looked at all of the Ads for Black Friday, and of course watched football. Later that night we went to Neil's parents house and just hung out and played some games. I don't know how we managed to eat more food, but we did. When so much good food is just sitting out, it is hard not to just eat it. It was a great Thanksgiving. I am so glad we have a holiday where we can think about all of the things we are thankful for. The thing that I am most grateful for this year would have to be my husband and two kids. I seriously love them so much, and wouldn't know what I would do without them!

A Weekend Away

Me pretending to workout while on vacation... who does that?

Neil and Ben after a game of racquetball.

Erica and Heidi in the hot tub! (Neil's sisters)

Moe, a gigantic fish that is outside, Em loved watching it.

EmmaLee posing by the big fish!

A couple of weeks ago, we went with Neil's family for a weekend away. Thanks to Jeff and Jill for using their time share. It was in Ogden Canyon and a ton of fun. The best part was all of the yummy food... oh and of course spending time with the family!

Saved by Ben's Van! (Sorry Ben!)

So last night Neil and I were visiting Neil's parents house, when suddenly we heard a very loud bang. We weren't sure what had happened, so Neil and Ben (Neil's brother) went outside to check it out. Let's just say, I'll try to be nice, a man who was under the influence hit Ben's parked work van! He hit Ben's work van so hard, that it hit our car and pushed it several feet back. (we were parked right behing him) Luckily, our car wasn't crushed, we just have a few scratches. However, since our parking break was on and it was thrust back so far, our parking break no longer works any more. We hope that nothing else is wrong, but we have to go and get it checked out. I've been on the phone with insurances to figure it all out. (Thanks Mindy for all of your help!) I mostly feel bad for Ben, just take a look at the picture! Thank goodness that it was his work van, and not his nice car! And thank goodness no one was in the cars when it happened. (well, our cars)

Blog Question

Does anyone know how to change your blog into a book? The main reason I have started this blog was because I thought it would make a great great journal for me. I think it would be awesome if I could print it off somewhere, maybe every year or so. So, if you have any ideas, please let me know! Also, thanks to everyone who has a blog and has shared it with me, it has been so fun to see every one's lives and different personalities!

Zoo, Halloween and Snow, Yes, I said Snow!

I went with my sister, Jodie, to the Zoo, the day before Halloween. I was a beautiful day!! We didn't even have to wear a jacket!

This is EmmaLee and her cousins Alex and Cameron. They were feeding the giraffe while we were there, it was neat!

EmmaLee got to ride the Carousel while we were there, thanks Jodie! She had so much fun, she was laughing the whole time, it was adorable!

Here are some fun pictures from Halloween. EmmaLee was a Fairy Princess, I just dressed up in black and orange and did my hair crazy and put on extra makeup... Neil did the same, except for the makeup, of course! Carter was a Tootsie Roll, thanks Alyson for the costume!

Carter was so tired, and fell asleep on the couch while we passed out candy! What a cutie! It was a great night, EmmaLee got a lot of candy at the trunk-or-treat, and in the neighborhood. It was a great night.... But now the weather has changed ...

Yep, it is snowing right now!

This is the plant outside my window. I do love how beautiful it looks after it snows, but it makes me sad because I feel stuck inside my house since it's so cold and I don't want to drive any where if I don't have to. Sometimes I have to ask myself, Why do I live in Utah?

My First Tag.. Holiday style (Thanks to Rachael!)

Top 3 Vacations
1. Chicago (we went last year, and it was a blast!)
2. Oklahoma (I just love visiting Family out there.. wish I could go tomorrow)
3. Cruise (now that is the way to travel!)

Top 3 Favorite Flowers
1. Roses - It's true I am one of those hopeless romantic type of girls!
2. Daisies - Simple, yet elegant
3. I don't know the name, but my mom had them in our yard when I was little.. you can push on the flower make it look like it's talking! (snap dragon's .. I am really not sure?)

Top 3 Favorite Comfort Foods
1. Chocolate - this is an essential part of my diet.. ask Neil
2. Chips - I think I might be able to eat a whole bag
3. Just going out to eat... it's nice not to have to clean up!

Top 3 places to shop
1. Kohls
2. Wal-Mart - it's true... it is just an easy one stop shop!
3. Valley Fair Mall - Yes, I said Valley Fair Mall, it's not that bad most of the time and it's close

Top 3 Opinions about Halloween
1. I love that you can just do your hair all crazy and no one cares
2. The smile on a EmmaLee's face was priceless!
3. Candy is the best part.. right?

Top 3 opinions about Thanksgiving
1. Food, can I say anything more?
2. Playing Bingo and winning fruit. - it's a tradition!
3. Looking at ads and finding great deals... and dreading waking up early, or not sleeping at all!

Top 3 opinions about Christmas
1. It is something I look forward to every year
2. It is a great time to reflect upon the year and how great family and friends are
3. Christmas cards, I love getting them! It's so fun to catch up on other's lives

Top 3 things I look forward to during the week
1. Neil coming home from school
2. Looking outside and having good weather
3. Playing with EmmaLee and Carter... It's what I do everyday, but I love it.

Top 3 events happening this week
1. Playing with EmmaLee and Carter... I tell you, that's what I do!
2. Being with Friends, I hope!
3. Spending some time with Neil.

I guess I get to tag two people.. hmmm I am going to tag Amy Salazar and Mindy Langford!

I love pictures!

This is at Garner Village... I hate this picture because I look pregnant, I promise that I am not pregnant... I am still trying to loose all of my baby fat... but everyone else looks so cute, so I thought I would share. We had such a fun time, and I especially loved the weather! I am sure going to miss the beautiful fall weather!!

Here is Carter in his suit before church, doesn't he just look so handsome!

EmmaLee LOVES to play outside, and especially at parks. Her smile in that picture reminds me of a cabbage patch doll.

Here is a fun Halloween day at the church with some girls in my neighborhood, (those of us who stay home, we wish everyone could have been there) Thanks for planning this Rachael and sorry to Chelsea, or any of the other girls who didn't want their picture taken and posted... I guess my house is going to get egged! It was a ton of fun!

This is a super cute one of EmmaLee and Carter!

Here is a picture at Gardner Village. (a much better picture..) Did I say that I was going to miss this weather?? Just in case... I am really going to miss the beautiful weather!

So, as you can tell by my blog, I just love pictures! I just love to capture the moment we are in at that time. Anyway, I have taken a bunch lately, so here are just a few.

Vinyl Lettering.. My Treehouse Treasures

So I was thinking about getting some vinyl lettering, or sayings for our house. I happened to be talking to my niece, Val, who partner's with her sister-in-law, Jen, in the whole vinyl wording business. They actually have a booth at The Quilted Bear, if you want to check it out, or you can go strait to Jen's website at http://www.mytreehousetreasures.com/. Anyway, I loved it because you can pick out what ever you want to say, with any color and in any font at a great price! It was great, so I took a picture so you could see what we were working on for EmmaLee, and soon to be Carter's, room.

Cereal for Carter

Carter tried his first bite of rice cereal! He didn't like it so much at first, but he didn't do too bad. Of course it was well thinned out with milk, so I shouldn't have been that bad for him. It is just getting used to using that spoon. However, since then he has come down with a small cold, so I haven't fed him cereal since. I guess I just have to try next week. He is just getting so big, I can't believe it!

Pumpkin Patch

Neil's parents have a neighbor named Pam, who holds an annual pumpkin patch in her front yard. It is a lot of fun for the kids, and adults too! We picked out a pumpkin, carved it, played some games, ate lots of yummy food and of course had desserts and candy! It was a lot of fun, thanks Pam... and the Cornia family.

Interrupted!

The other night Carter was laughing so hard over a silly little dog, stuffed animal, so I hurried to get the camera... let's just say EmmaLee interrupted with news of her own! You'll have to watch and see.

Here is the boys trying to see how long they could hold their breathe under the water... Way to go Ben with an Amazing 3 minutes and 30 seconds! Let's just say his face was a little purple when he came up! I just sat and watched!