Ho Ho Ho! 6 weeks to go!

This is my first and only belly shot I will post. Most people are surprised when I tell them how far along I am. I guess my belly shows small. I am trying to be okay with it, but hearing "you hardly look pregnant" kind of gets to me sometimes. I compare it to "are you sure you aren't having twins?". I'm sure those people hate that too. I guess my little guy is hiding somewhere in there? Maybe it's because I'm tall? I had my 34 week appointment yesterday and the doctor said everything looks great. The baby's head is down which I'm so relieved about. He also doesn't think he's going to be very big. I was a little sad to hear that, but as long as he's healthy, then it doesn't matter. Anyway, I'm glad to see this pregnancy come to end! I hope these 6 weeks go by fast, I'm dying to see what this little guy looks like!

Done!

That is how I feel about all this snow. Almost everyone I have talked to is done with it also. I have ALWAYS hated snow, so this is a real downer for me. Especially since I have to be chauffeured around town to get Christmas shopping done and to go to my 34 week doctor appointment today (thank you Dad). Anyway, the kids love to play in it and guess I should be happy about that. These pictures were taken about an hour after it started snowing last Wednesday night. Since then, we have had about 10-12 inches total. Totally sucks, but here are some cute kids playing in it!

Derek tried to teach Mason how to make a snow ball. Who knew it would be so hard for him? I think he figured it out before they went inside. Reese loved the snow and cried when we took her inside. After we went in, she kept whining at the door saying "snowing, snowing".

It's Puzzle Time

Mason is really into doing puzzles right now. I think I underestimated him, because I didn't realize he could do them alone. This time of year, my Mom does puzzles a lot and even has a room designated for her puzzles. Appropriately, we call it the puzzle room. He loves to go and sit in there and "help" her with them. We are working our way up to puzzles with more pieces. He has a 100 piece that we are going to attempt next! Oh and Reese likes to destroy the finished projects. I'm sure you can imagine how that goes over.

Please Do Not Disturb...

During Yo Gabba Gabba. It is my morning babysitter.

(sorry for the low quality picture, it was taken on my camera phone)

The stockings were hung....

I love our stockings! They are so intricate and detailed. We are so grateful that Derek's grandmother made all of them for our family. Derek's is from when he was little and then one by one she made Mason's, Reese's and mine over the last few years. I get excited to hang them every year (even on an ugly fireplace). They are perfect and I'm so glad we have them!!

Blah, blah, blah!

I'm in a blogging slump. I'm sure there are many interesting things in my interesting life I could blog about but I can't think of any. Thanksgiving was good, but I didn't take any pictures :( We stayed home and had some of my Dad's side of the family come for lunch. It was nice to see everyone, but it was extremely quiet! The only kids were Mason, Jack (my sisters little boy) and Reese. Kacey and Dan got a new camera and took some pictures of the kids that turned out great. Hopefully I will get out of my slump and post more often. Sorry to all you faithful readers who keep coming back...don't give up on me!!

Okay, here are some cute pictures that my brother-in-law took of the kids from Thanksgiving Day!

Can you believe how grey his eyes are? I love them.

Reese was pretty much in a bad mood all day. She had a fever that lasted 48 hours the weekend before and still hasn't recovered from it. She is so clingy and only wants me to take care of her which is exhausting for me and frustrating for Derek. I love this picture though. Her lips and eyes are stunning, even if she isn't smiling!

I think my sister referred to this picture as "dumb and dumber" because of the looks on their faces. Very fitting.

Always!

Family Pictures

We finally got around to getting our family pictures taken. When we were at a baseball auction last spring we bid on (and won) an hour long session with a photographer. It expired December 31st so we had to use it now, otherwise I would have waited until we had our baby. I think the pictures turned out great considering my kids weren't really that cooperative. Mason had a cheesy smile the whole time and Reese couldn't hold still long enough for her to get a good shot of her. The photographer gave me the CD of all the pictures. I have a ton of pictures sent to Costco for less than $50 bucks. Love it. Bear with me for posting all these pictures. I wanted Grandparents to be able to see a lot of them. Also Grandparents, I will be mailing them to you soon!!

Seriously, how cheesy is that face?! Good thing he's cute.

This is the best one of them together.

This is a great shot...of the top of Reese's head.

Maybe it wasn't such a great idea to get my picture taken 7 months pregnant. It looks like my face was stung by a bee...blah.

It's about time!

Reese is in finally in the nursery at church!!! It's been a long 6 months since we have been able to attend our classes regularly so you can understand our excitement (she is so busy during class that it was distracting having her go with us). Now we have a 2 month break till we do it all again!

Black and blue

Today Reese got her first bloody nose. She was reaching to get Mason's baseball bat and he didn't want her to and they both dove for it and his head hit her lip and nose (basically he body slammed her). Before I could say anything to him, he said sorry to her. I told him to go sit in time out while I went to the bathroom and stopped the bleeding. When I came back out to the family room I explained to him why he was in time out and how we can hurt people when we don't do nice things. He then said "But it's okay now because I prayed to Heavenly Father that she would be better and said sorry to him". How could I be upset with that. When I told Derek about it, he made a good point that although he does mean things sometimes, he's a good boy at heart. Now I just hope her red, fat lip goes away before pictures on Saturday morning.

Please work

Goal - To fill the jar up with little rocks. When it is full, he'll get a special prize (still thinking of what that is)

How to - If Mason does something we ask the first time he gets a few rocks. If we have to ask him 2 times he doesn't get any. If we have to ask him 3 or more times, rocks are taken out.


Please wish him luck, he needs it.

Family Fun

A couple weekends ago, Derek's Grandparents and uncle came to visit from Rhode Island (Derek's Mom, Dad and brother also came up from Vancouver to visit too). It was so nice to see them because we don't get to see them very often. It was a quick trip but we were able to see them a couple times down in Seattle. We went to the Science Center the first day then out to dinner the next. We had so much fun and the kids were really good! Here are some pictures!

We first met them at their hotel, The W, downtown. They were on the 21st floor and had an amazing view. I was terrified of the height, but the kids weren't bothered by it at all. My heart would skip every time they would lean on the floor to ceiling windows!

The kids were spoiled and got bags full of candy and prizes! They loved it!!

Reese with Great Grandpa.

Uncle Greg and Grandma Anita.

Great Grandma, Great Grandpa and Grandma Anita

Ouchie Ouch

Can you see something different with Reese? (click to enlarge)

Mario and his puppy

We had our ward Trunk or Treat last night. Mason and Reese both had a blast! Reese is officially obsessed with candy and has been whining for it all morning. Mason has been pretty good about not eating the whole thing right away. He'll say "I will have 4 pieces because I'm 4 years old." I'm just glad they go to the dentist in a few weeks!

Struck by Lightning?

Or maybe just a bad hair day.

Pumpkins

We took the kids to the pumpkin patch on Saturday. Last year we thought we were pretty lame (see here). This year we wanted to get it done early so we had no excuse. Of course the kids loved it.

Not that I didn't know this before, but my kids are terrible when it comes to looking at the camera. Case in point...

Good thing they're cute.