And the stockings were hung...

...though not by the chimney in this house. I have visions of Chase pulling on them if I'd hung them within arms reach from our mantle (actually, I wouldn't put it past Spencer either) but they are hung on our banister with care! This post is a tribute to my friend Emily Boyer. We've been friends for 20 years. I can't believe I'm old enough to have had a friend for 20 years! Shocking. Anyway, we met when we were both 10 years old when her family first moved to Laguna Niguel from UT. I was so excited to have a new friend in the ward, and turns out we had the love of swimming in common (still do) and have been friends ever since. Though, I believe I got the better end of the deal in this friendship, because oh to have a friend with creative talent! She first made me 2 stockings years ago (no pattern-just made them up!) when it was just Aaron and I in the household. Then as we added kids, she has been good enough to make one for each kid as they joined our family. So, I'm excited to hang all five stockings this year. Can you believe the detail? True talent, huh? Thanks so much Em, they look so great all together! I LOVE them (and you), truly I do!

Our Spencer...

So, we had our Primary program about a month ago, but I was going through some pics on my laptop today and thought I'd post this. This was taken the morning of and I just find it so sweet. It was his first Primary Program and he insisted on bringing his copy of the Book of Mormon with him to sit on the stand that day, and he couldn't wait for his speaking part. He had it memorized:

2 Nephi 31:12 "Follow me and do the things which ye have seen me do"

He did a great job and of course I bawled like a...well, a mother during all the songs. I've sat through many programs before (twice being the Primary pianist) and boy does it ever mean more to you when your own child is up there! His Preschool teacher came (thanks Mrs. "G"-you made his day) and he was so proud. I can't believe how big he's getting. Birthday #5 is right around the corner. Sigh.

Chase is walking!

He took his first steps on Friday, November 23rd. He is 14 months old, and our earliest walker as our kids are a bit slow in that dept. lol (Spencer was 17 months, Leda 15). Grandma wants it known on the records of the church (and everywhere else) that he took his first steps towards HER! :)

Please excuse my high-pitched whiny voice and incorrect grammar in the video. I was a little excited ;)

Leda's been a little naughty...

So Leda and her naps. Sigh. She used to be my best napper, and as of late she's regressed big time. My biggest complaint about nap time has always been that she throws a loud fit and often wakes up a sleeping Chase in the next room. NOT FUN. But this day, she actually went down without much of a fight. Little did I know that she was taking off all her clothes AND her diaper, and then fell asleep that way! When I walked into the room to get her up, I found her buck naked! Here's a pic of her clothes in a heap at the corner of her crib along with her "possy" that she has to go to sleep with. Gotta love 2 year olds! At least this day there weren't any diaper messes to clean up (thank you very much Leda!) :)








I was worried about how the next day would go, so this is how I solved our little problem and it worked like a charm! Hopefully she doesn't figure out the safety pin anytime soon, what a stinker!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We spent the day with my folks. In my moms eyes, a holiday officially starts when the sun goes up and ends when the sun goes down...so she wonders why we aren't there at 7am ;) We love that she wants us around so much!!! We rolled in around 9:30am and had breakfast with grandma and Uncle Rob (grandpa was still sleeping), played Mormon Mouthful, prepared food, Chase attempted to take a nap but didn't really succeed (stinker), and then ate around 4pm. Mom and I divided up the cooking this year (we missed you Carrie!) and it wasn't until we sat down at the dinner table did we realize that we (mom-hee hee) had forgotten to make the mashed potatoes! I think it was our first year ever without them. Ah well, we didn't need the extra calories anyway! Here are some pics from our day. Great job, as always mom. We missed the family we weren't able to be with today and hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Our feast (yes, with my daughter picking her nose...sigh)

Breakfast with Grandma-waffles and bacon!
Uncle Rob helping out since we had no high chair for Chase...
YUM!
Leda and I getting "cozy" after eating waay too much (yes, I wore sweats for the occasion)

Four year old artwork....

I just find this too cute not to share (nah, I'm not biased ;) Spencer drew this turkey all by himself, and without looking at a picture to copy or anything. I think it's hilarious and well worth taking a picture of for all to see :) Happy "turkey" day!

First post ever!

So it started with my cousin Em. Then my friend Kate, and now I learn that a lot of people I know and love are "blogging" so I had to jump on board---of course! Mostly, this is for my sister Carrie who is, and always will be, my best friend. Since she and her family ditched me (almost two years ago) to uproot and move to UT, I miss her terribly (though we still talk three times a day) and I want her to be able to "see" her niece and nephews grow up. We love our Aunt Kiki and miss you all. Darn that move to UT---grrr! ;)