Keeping up the tradition

Ever since I was a little girl, I remember making sugar cookies with my Grandma Joyce. Since I was the only grandchild for about 6 years, and then there were a few years after that when I was the only one old enough to help, that meant that I got to make a lot of cookies. We usually left out a few for Santa, and then enjoyed the rest of them over the next few days. It's a tradition that I think of fondly, and I have decided to start with my own kids. Over the last 2 days, Will and I have probably made over 2 dozen cookies. I'm not sure if there will be any left for Santa next week, considering both Bill and Will enjoy my baking a little too much, and a lot of them will end up being gifts for friends, but I'm looking forward to doing this every year with my kids and maybe even my own grandkids someday.

Unexpected Bonding

Anyone who sees Will on a regular basis knows that he is a wiggly, active 3-year-old, as most kids his age are. He's always running around with endless energy, jumping off furniture, chasing his cousin Alice around, and loving life. One thing I didn't know until this morning is that this kid loves to exercise! Our stake does aerobics at the church 3x a week, and I decided it was time for me to get a little more exercise, so I gave it a try this morning. It was a lot of fun, as well as a really great workout. The thing I hadn't counted on was Will joining in with me. He was right by my side practically the whole time, kicking, punching, jumping, and running. Even with a couple of his little friends there, he decided that exercising with Mommy was more fun. I'm glad I have my little motivator to get me out of bed every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

What do you get a child for Christmas that already has plenty and isn't greedy?

I never thought I'd have this particular problem. I have no idea what to get Will for Christmas, and he's so content with what he has that he hasn't asked us for anything. I definitely want to get him something, because I would feel really bad if his only present came from grandparents and aunts and uncles, but I have no idea what to get! Why can't my child be greedy and bratty! Hehe, just kidding.

It's beginnig to look a lot like Christmas

I was going to wait and post a massive run-down of our Christmas festivities, but I decided to give you a little preview. We finally got to decorate our little Christmas tree this last weekend, so we turned on a little Kurt Bestor Christmas, Bill and I donned Santa hats for no reason whatsoever, and we went to work. I love this time of year, and I'm looking forward to more Christmas fun in the next few weeks.

Competitive mothers and the children caught in the line of fire

Once again I have tried a new potty training technique, and once again, my child is not responding the way I would like him to. I feel horrible, because I feel like I'm turning him against using the potty forever. I just get so jealous when I read other people's blogs, and see that their children are having success. I understand that each child is different, and I've come to realize that my child is just likely not ready yet. It's just so frustrating! I keep thinking "He's over 3 years old, I'm about to have another baby in a few months. I don't want to be changing two sets of diapers!" But it's not healthy if the mother isn't happy or patient or the child is resisting and not being responsive. I need to be ok with that I guess. Anyway, sorry for this random post. I guess I just needed to vent for a second.

Smiling Snowmen, Happy Boy

I found this great little snack idea from a book a long time ago. It's super easy to make, and Will seems to enjoy it.

"Smiling Snowmen":
Graham cracker squares
Apple wedges
Raisins or chocolate chips
Cream cheese

Thanksgiving and Temple Trip

This past weekend was a lot of fun for our family. It all started Thanksgiving morning. We got up early and watched the Macy's parade on our computer (we have a TV, but don't have it hooked up), while I decided to be ambitious and make cinnamon rolls for breakfast. It was my first time making them, and while they came out a tad bit dry (in my opinion at least), they weren't bad.


After breakfast, we all got ready for the day, and finished our family's contribution to Thanksgiving dinner: mashed potatoes and two kinds of pie. I also decided we should have an alternative dessert for Will and Alice, since I wasn't sure how they would do with pie. So the 3 of us made turkey cookies. I wish I had taken a picture of them before they went in the oven, because they got quite a bit bigger than we expected and you can hardly tell what they are. Oh well, now we know.


After finishing the food preparations, we all drove over to Bobby and Susan's house, where we had a yummy dinner and a lot of fun spending most of the evening together. I think Will and Alice's favorite part of the day was jumping into the big pile of leaves that everyone raked up for them in the backyard. It was a lot of fun for the adults to watch, and after a while everyone got into the action of throwing leaves up in the air (and at each other), until it got too cold to stay outside.




The adults then got a little alone time to play a card game while Will and Alice watched a movie. It was a wonderful day, and we're glad we had family to share it with.

The other fun part of the weekend was going to the temple in St. Louis, also with Bobby and Susan. Normally, we drive down the morning of, then drive home in the evening, which sometimes makes it a long and tiring day for everybody. This time, we decided to drive down the night before and stay in a hotel, so we could be there early the next day. The hotel wasn't the greatest, but it served our needs, and Will definitely had a lot of fun jumping up and down on the bed for a while.


(Forgive the red eyes, but I had to include this, because it is such an awesome action shot)
On Saturday we all went to the temple, and Bill and I watched Will and Alice first while Bobby and Susan went through a session, then we switched. We got to know a
couple of other families while we were there, and it was fun to see everyone's kids playing together. Once it warmed up a bit, Bill took Will and Alice on a walk around the temple for a little while. It was funny to see Alice bundled up in my coat, but they seemed to have a good time.



The drive home took an unusually long time for some reason, but we made it home safely, and being able to go to the temple made it all worth it.

I'm thankful #5

Today I am thankful for my family. I have been blessed with one of the most amazing families in the world. And not just my husband and my son, but my parents, sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and of course, in-laws. Each of my family members have influenced me in so many good ways. My parents taught me the importance of responsibility, hard work, forgiveness, and many other qualities that I am striving to use in my own family. My sister and I have always been close, and have had many wonderful experiences together. I have very fond and fun memories of family reunions, Christmas programs, dinners, and other activities involving both sides of my extended family. I definitely lucked out in marrying into a wonderful family. Each of my brothers- and sisters-in-law are so much fun to be around and talk with. I have enjoyed getting to know them all over the last 4+ years. And Bill's parents have been so supportive and loving toward me, and making me feel so comfortable in their family. And of course, I can't say enough about my fabulous husband and adorable little boy. They are two of the best things that have ever happened to me, and I am so lucky that I get to be with them forever, as well as this new baby and any other children we have in the future. I am one lucky girl!











*Sorry for all the pictures. I couldn't narrow down which pictures I wanted to use. And if I forgot anyone in these pictures, I apologize and I love you anyway :-)

I'm thankful #4

Today I am thankful for good friends. I've been blessed with many amazing friends as early as elementary school, some of whom I am still in contact with. I'm grateful that I've never seemed to have much of a problem making friends, because I enjoy spending time with people and getting to know them. Many of my friends have helped me through some tough situations over the years, and I am truly grateful that they have been willing to listen to me vent, cry, and deal with my stress. Connected with the subject of friends, I'm grateful for the visiting teaching program of the Church. It has forced me somewhat to become friends with people I might not have otherwise. I have had companions and women I teach who are much older than me, but somehow the gap becomes a lot narrower as we serve and talk with one another. I enjoy feeling a sense of sisterhood whenever I am around the many wonderful women that I've met over the years.

I'm thankful #3

Today I am thankful for holiday vacations. It may sound kind of silly, but it's the truth. Mostly I'm grateful for them because it means that my husband doesn't have so much to do for a few days. So far this week Bill has been gone for a few hours yesterday to finish some homework, and will probably have to be gone a few hours on Friday to do some research, but for the rest of the week he gets to be home to help me and be with our family. Will and I really enjoy having him home with us. I enjoy it because he's a big help with things around the house and keeping Will entertained while I get things done. Will enjoys it because he loves his daddy and being able to play with him during hours when he's usually at school. So I am grateful that we will get to see him a little bit more over the next month or two.