Nativities around the World

At one of our church buildings here in town, they set up a display for a week of hundreds of different nativities around the world.  It is awesome!!! 

The German one was my favorite.

One of our friends invited a bunch of us to go see it together. They have a room at the end with costumes to dress up and they take a professional picture of your family in the Nativity Scene. We decided we ALL would dress up and take one big picture together!

  I love it. 

 Mylee was a little sheep in my lap.  She was so cute walking around with her little sheep tail wagging in the back...until she started trying to rip it off!

Anyway, I took my kids back the next day because they have a kids room with  a bunch of different nativities for kids to play with and crafts to do.  They loved it.  What a fun event to get in the Christmas Spirit!

Christmas time

 I had to begin with this picture...this is what I see the majority of the day.

  Little Miss Mylee holding onto my pants...

 begging for my attention :)

We got to meet "Santa" at our ward party tonight. 

I couldn't find Mylee anywhere...

And then I found her here...

Just staring.

He wouldn't hold still for 2 seconds.

He was running around screaming "SANTA, SANTA!"

We got them both together

And in his lap

Mylee continued staring

And Colton was still so hyper,

he couldn't hold still.

Take 2

Also...we went to the Christmas Parade downtown Moscow this week.

These are there hats I got them for Christmas.

But since neither of them have hats...they got to wear them!

I love her.

Matt looks thrilled that his hour break of the day gets to be spent going to a parade in the cold :)

Colton had fun.  He loved the trucks.

And there were at least 5 Santas.

Don't worry...our Christmas isn't completely revolving around Santa.

Colton has spent HOURS playing with our Nativity Set, he loves it.

He also carries his gospel art book everywhere with him...

to look at the pictures of Jesus, baby Jesus, and the temple (Jesus' house)

I love that little guy.



Finals Week

I am letting Colton watch a movie right now.

He got it from RedBox because he pooped in the toilet again

(he actually has not pooped in his diaper for a week now!!)

Mylee is sleeping.

I should be folding laundry, cleaning, getting ready to leave in a week, fixing my hair (that I just cut a chunk off on the side because I haven't gotten my hair done for 4 months and it is DEAD and Dried out), organizing my house (it desperately needs it) or really anything besides sitting here.

But...I sprained my ankle yesterday morning playing basketball.

I pretended all day like that it didn't hurt.

And now it REALLY hurts.

We haven't really seen Matt for quite a while now, and probably won't see him until next Thursday when he is done.

He was gone from 6:30-5:30 yesterday (I did not hear from him) and he walks in the door and says, I only have maybe an hour and I'm leaving again.

Awesome, see ya.

I don't even know when he finished studying and came to bed...No idea.

Mylee is teething and she screams at my feet all day long.

Unless of course we are anywhere around other people,

 and then she is happy as can be (Social butterfly)

And that is why, even though my ankle is killing me...

I am going to the mall after her nap.

Then she can be happy to see all the people that she wants to see.

And Colton can run to his hearts content.

I put up my Christmas decorations last week, but not our tree.

I figured Mylee would rip it apart.

And I was over at my neighbors house doing Reindeer crafts yesterday and she told me they were going to go buy a new Christmas tree because they left theirs in storage.

I told her she could use ours.

So, she set it up, and I went and saw it and wanted to have it back (just for a second)

Hahahhaa...I'm just like my children.

We're going to see the Nativities Around the World display tonight.

And I am going to a movie with some girls.

While Matt studies his life away.

It better be worth it...

Happy Friday!



The Birthday Bash

I love having a 3 Year Old! 

His Birthday was so fun.

He woke up all smiles, saying, "My Birrrrday!"

For weeks he has been saying, "My Birrrrday Soon?!"

So, he was pretty happy it was finally here!

We played all day, skyped with both grandparents in the morning while opening their presents (he got SPOILED, thanks grandmas and grandpas), went to Walmart and he got to pick out a toy, and even better A MOVIE (because he pooped in the potty for the first time in months--on his birthday!), we blew up balloons for his party, had Pizza for dinner and had 3 friends over and Nate and Ashley (he chose them all) He chose one more friend, but he was throwing up all morning so couldn't come!

His reactions to his presents were, "Cool" and "Woah!"

I loved that.

Mylee thought she was SO big sitting by all the big kids!

The black frosting from his Beloved "Batman Cake"

And here it is...what he has been asking for for a month at least..."A Batman Cake" 

The day before I called and was going to have one made for him, but it was going to cost $30.

So..I decided to make it (I am not artsy AT all)

Matt ended up making it--and I think it turned out AWESOME.

I love these 2.

Oh...and her too :)

Overall...it was such a fun day.  Birthday's are so much more fun when you are little. 

Colton at 3 years old weighs 40 pounds and is 3 ft. 3 1/2 in. 

That means 100% for weight (he has never been that high)

And 95% for height.

I love my HUGE boy.

He is the sweetest boy, very helpful, and is honestly a very happy, easy going kid.

(Although he does have his moments, don't get me wrong)

Too bad he gets all of his good qualities from his daddy :)

My little boy

Today was Colton's birthday. 

 I just went in his room to cover him up before I go to bed and I laid down next to him and started crying.  I couldn't stop.  I don't want him to grow up.  Really truly I don't.

I absolutely love where he is at right now.

I never want him to change.

I never want him to have to grow up in this crazy world.

I want him to be my little boy who crawls up in my lap, and says, "Wove you, mommy," FOREVER.

Is that too much too ask?

I feel like I spend so much of my time complaining about how hard it is to have young kids; the sleepless nights, feeding them, potty training, putting their clothes on, changing diapers, no free time. 

The list could go on and on really.

And really...those aren't the hard things.

The hard things are making sure I teach them how to be happy, how to pray, how to have the desire to read their scriptures, how to fear God and not man, how to love others, how to serve, how to be a good father/mother, a good husband, how to respect others, and how to be a good person.

And no matter how hard I try, they just might not do all of these things.

And that is what is hard.

I can't even describe how much I love this little guy.

Please don't grow up.

P.S. I'll be posting all about his "Big Day" soon :)  Because it was awesome.

Thanksgiving Break

    The day Thanksgiving Break started I told Matt I wanted a break.  His studying has started picking up (I really shouldn't complain because we have had 50 hour weeks compared to 70+ hour weeks like last year) It has been awesome!  But, the past few weeks are getting closer and closer to those 70 hour weeks. 

   Anyway, we were so close to hopping in the car and heading home for the week so he could study and I could hang out with family.  The semester has been AWESOME, until the holidays came around and not only was my husband studying, but I was home with no family :(  And it got COLD. Poor poor pitiful me. 

I mean I still had these 2 cute things...and we did lots of THIS:

   

BUT---Matt came home and informed me we were going to go stay at a time share condo in Couer D' Alene with some friends for a day. YAY!

We got to ride up in our friends car...we got to go to Target...we got to go swimming...we got to put the kids to bed and stay up late playing games and laughing.

It was awesome.

We rarely get to hang out as couples without children--so it was especially fun.

I am sad...I didn't even get a picture of all of us...but can I really take pictures with little Miss Mylee ripping the camera out of my hand?!

One of the highlights of the trip was THIS:

They dared Matt to jump in Lake Coeur D'Alene, swim 30 yards and swim back...and paid him $120!

He did it...and kind of awkward for me, I thought he was SO cool for doing it!

On his way back, he started slowing way down and he said his body was stiffening up it was so cold.

The sad thing is, none of us would have jumped in to save him ;)

Anyway-- we got to stop at COSTCO on the way home and get some goods thanks to our friends who enjoy twisted entertainment (my husband almost freezing)

Here is our little family.

Anyway- it was an awesome trip, great company but when we got back home it was back to the grind for Matt. He studied the majority of Thanksgiving Day while I cooked.

We had a Feast at the church with 9 other families (I have no pictures)

It was So much fun.

We went around the room and told what we were thankful for.

And although we are all poor college/law students with kids and no family nearby,

 we have a TON to be thankful for.

I went Black Friday shopping from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. (not quite as daring as some people, but also I have a whole lot less money and things to buy so why waste my precious sleep :))

Now--we are just trying to get through finals. 

2 more weeks and we are home free!

Colton's Haircut

Do you think Colton likes getting his haircut?? 

He is getting better at sitting there actually.

But...this time...it was ME who didn't want it cut.

It was bleached blonde from the summer and I LOVE his hair long

but it grows like a chia pet and it was time.

Here is the new Colton with dark hair.

Why aren't my kids toeheads??

I always was.

Oh well, I guess we will wait until next

summer for the blonde hair again :(

He is still cute.

German Dress

 My grandma and grandpa got this dress in Germany when I was about a year old.  My aunt found it when Mylee was a couple of months old and sent it to me.  I don't think it would have the same sentimental value had I not lived in Germany a couple of years ago. 

I LOVE IT.

I would always see the cute German dresses and want to get one, but didn't know when or IF I would be blessed with a little girl, so I'm So glad my gradparents got this for me 27 years ago!

It sure made me miss this beautiful place.

Matt and I always talk about living there and it is like a dream, it seems unreal that we lived there.  I would LOVE to go back and will... somday.



Thankful

Since I am not very good at getting on every day....I am going to combine all my thankfulness in one post because tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I finally have a few minutes to sit down!

I am thankful for the gospel. 
At church on Sunday we had two talks on gratitude.

 I loved them.  They were great talks. 

Exactly what I needed.

I am so grateful for the opportunity that we have to go learn more each
week about our Savior and the gospel. 

I am also thankful for my parents!  My dad has been without a job for 16 months, you can read how I feel about that here.  Anyway- 5 months after I wrote that post, he is still without a job.  The funny thing is, they are still optimistic and happy as ever.  I love them.  They are great examples to me and are a couple of the most positive people I know through whatever it may be.  I strive to be like them and thank them for their example.

I'm also grateful for Matt's parents, for all the support and words of encouragement in our journey through Law School. 

I am grateful for awesome friends. 
We just got back from a couple of days in Coeur D' Alene.
 It was awesome!
We stayed up late, ate great food, played Hilarious games, shopped, and they bet Matt to jump in Lake Coeur D'Alene, swim 30 yards and back.  He did it and won $120!!!  I was so proud ;) 

And I am grateful for Thanksgiving tomorrow.  This is Matt and I's 6th Thanksgiving being married.  The first 3 he was traveling with basketball, the 4th he was gone all day and had a dinner with his team in Germany, so this is our 2nd Thanksgiving together and I love it (although he is going to be studying all morning ;))  I love Holidays and being with my family and friends!


Happy Thanksgiving.

I hope everyone can find lots to be thankful for!!!

Thankful

I am just not cut out to be an every day blogger I guess....


BUT today I am thankful that we made the decision to come to Moscow.  I really don't love cold weather, the snow, and living a small town in the middle of no where, but I LOVE MOSCOW.

I love our crazy busy lives up here, our friends, and the people. 

Last night a couple in our ward living up here with no kids offered to babysit for us. Wow.  How nice was that.  So we got to go on a date because of some nice fellow students up here.

I found a group of girls that LOVES to play basketball, all the time, with kids in tow, and anytime.  I could not find that last year.  I have realized how much I have missed it, and these girls are SO fun- I don't know if I'm going to find this everywhere.

I love our apartment, I know so lame, who likes to live in an apartment.  But, I have a friend that I can walk out my door and not even put my shoes on and talk to for a minute (and she has 4 kids living in that apartment, I should NEVER complain about my 2 kids in here being squishy)  We have a clubhouse in the middle of us all, we can just run over at night once the kids are in bed and hang out.  And I think it is just perfect for our family right now.

I love the rolling hills, the trees, the cute houses, the tiny mall, no restaraunts to choose from so we spend no money haha, etc. etc.

Anyway, the closer it is getting to leaving this place, the more I don't want to.

I am grateful that we have had this great opportunity to live up here.

Does this post sound overly positive???  I guess it's a good day cause I'm going to see Breaking Dawn tonight :)  woot woot!

Day 13

Today I am grateful for Sundays.

It is the best day of the week.

And today was even better because Matt had no meetings this morning and got home an hour after church :)

Mylee took a 3 hour nap, and so did Matt and I.  Colton watched the movie Rio- twice!

Matt and I made a Japanese dish my dad learned on his mission, "Curry", for dinner.

I made chocolate chip cookies and we had friends over and ate them :)

Colton and Mylee danced in the living room while listening to music.

We put the kids to bed and Matt and I sat here and looked at Christmas presents, he told me he can't think of one thing he wants for Christmas so I told him he wasn't going to get anything and not to feel bad.  Why waste the money if he doesn't want anything right??  He is totally fine with that.  He also told me Colton is still too young to remember what he gets, so why get him or Mylee anything?

Sad to be in Law School...but it is the best time when our kids are young and we live in a tiny apartment- no room for anything else!

We are having our nightly snack and then will go read in bed together. 

I love our simple Sundays.

I'm Thankful for

...The love of my life.

About 7 years ago, I met Matt.  I have never been happier than this time that I have known/been married to him.

We went to a "marriage workshop" last night for church and in one of the classes they talked about things you have had to compromise since you have been married.  I seriously had to think about it Forever and I don't think there are many things i have had to compromise being married to Matt.  We are a lot alike, have the same interests, hobbies, and he is the most easy going person I know-never complains and enjoys just about everything.  I love love love him.

Today

I am thankful for Colton and Mylee.  (This counts as 2 days :))

Colton will be 3 years old in a few weeks.  He is the sweetest little boy.  He has been a really slow to start talking and sometimes it breaks my heart to see him trying to communicate and can't. 

He gives the best kisses and hugs, is very even-tempered, loves to help me clean-up his toys and does it very willingly, I seriously can not imagine my life without that little man.  He has brought SO much joy into our home.  I will always treasure taking him to Germany with us when he was 8 months old and Matt leaving me there for a week alone, not knowing anyone, How grateful I was for that sweet little 8 month old.  I love him more than ever and am SO glad I get to be his mom.

Mylee- this little girl can melt anyone's heart. I remember the night before I went in to be induced with her I cried and cried that I would not be able to love another baby as much as Colton.  But, it amazes me how much love you can keep giving, because this little girl had me wrapped around her finger the moment she was born.  She will give you a big old, dimply smile any time you look at her.  She gives the best kisses and she LOVES her little family.  She is definitely a mama's girl, but as soon as her dad walks in the room, she wants his attention!  And Colton, that's a whole different story, she follows him around all day and wants to do everything that he does.  I think it's the sweetest thing.

Being a mom is definitely not the easiest thing...there are lots of rough days, but even more great moments to make up for those bad days!  I have been really busy the past couple of weeks, and I feel like when I get busy, I start trying to get out of the house every day just to not have to sit at home all day with my kids....So the past couple of days I have been questioning my role right now.  I am a stay at home mom, I should TREASURE being at home with my kids, sitting on the ground and playing with them, cuddling up and watching movies, teaching them the alphabet, singing with them, dancing with them, drawing with them, feeding them, etc. etc.  Pretty soon, they are going to be gone at school all day and I am going to miss spending all day every day with them and them depending on me! 

So, I am thankful that I can be a mom.  Thankful for my kids.  And thankful for Heavenly Father guiding me, reminding me of my role and the importance of it because it is easy to feel like everything you do as a mom is of no importance. 

Thankful

I'm not very good at this blogging every day thing...but I am trying :)

Today, I am thankful for one of my favorite shows, "The Biggest Loser"

HaHa, no seriously though, I look forward to every Tuesday because of it.

It totally inspires me to exercise, eat healthy, and I cry every week :)

Love it!!!

Day 5-6

      Today, I am thankful for a day off!  We have had something (Matt or I, or both) every night for over 2 weeks!  Yes, SOME of them were of our choice (girls nights, playing basketball, games with friends) but this past week with the kids being sick, me being sick, and going to bed way too late because of various activities (which I loved), but today we just hung out all day. 

    I mean, we still had church and Matt had meetings before and after, and we still had to make dinner, and take care of our sweet kiddos...but it was still a day off and I think I will be going to bed at 8:30 (Thanks to Daylight Savings :))

Day 4

Well..since I haven't blogged about our Halloween yet, but I have to blog about what I am thankful for....this is going to be an I'm thankful for Holidays post :)

I love Holiday's--every single Holiday. I'm not going to lie, I don't go all out with decorating and stuff, but I love them nonetheless. 

Anyway- this year, we had lots of fun Halloween activities!  It started off with my friend Paige and her husband, Phil's annual Halloween party.  This was the weekend before Halloween.  It was a costume contest, dance, dinner, dessert, pie eating, donut eating competition.  SO fun!  My parents were still in town, and my mom actually helped decorate and they took Mylee home early so we could stay for a little more fun :)

I made Matt enter the donut eating competition since I think he has a really big mouth...and he can eat!  BUT..sadly-- HE LOST!  He got 2nd place!!  One of his friends (another law student) I guess has a bigger mouth than he does :)

Here are most of the guests...all dressed up!

The Friday before Halloween we had a ward party (no pictures) and the Saturday before, we had Trunk-or-Treating. 

The day of Halloween, we went to the mall for Trick-or-Treating.

Colton was sick, I was sick, it was perfect for us.

 My cute kids...you can tell Colton is not so happy!

Mylee was a little witch who would not keep her hat on!

O...and YES, he was a monkey last year. My mom got him this cute dragon costume, and I had made the mistake of earlier letting him try on the monkey just to see if it still fit.  So, after we made him try on the dragon costume, he only wanted to be a monkey--I wasn't going to fight him about it!

The greatest part about the night was that ALL of my friends (plus lots of other people) did a Flashmob dance to "Thriller", in the middle of the mall, while everyone was there Trick-or- Treating.  I really don't know the reason I decided not to do it, I was sick, had sick kids, was tired bla bla bla, I didn't do it but LOVED watching it!!  They were awesome...even got on the news!

So...there you have it. Our exciting Halloween (that I am thankful for ;))

Day 3

Tonight I went and played basketball.  It was the first time I have REALLY played since Colton was about 3 months old and I played in a tournament in Montana.  Let me just say, I have MISSED basketball!  I loved it.  I probably also haven't had that good of a work out since that tournament almost 3 years ago! 

Anyway, so today I am thankful for the opportunity I had to play basketball in my life. Some of my greatest friends, coaches, teammates that I have ever known came from my interaction with basketball. It has given me confidence, a free education, and some of the greatest times of my life! Basketball brought me from Georiga out west and more specifically to Pocatello, Idaho where I met my husband (totally worth it!)

(This picture was taken after Matt's last home game ever at ISU)

NaBloPoMo

So, this month is National Blog Posting Month.  You are supposed to write a blog post every day!  I don't know why I am even attempting this...BUT I figure it is a good way to count my blessings this month of Thanksgiving.  (I know, I already missed the first day)

Last night, we had a girls night.  Amazing food, fun games, made bows, and I have the greatest friends here!  We have decided we are heading to Boise for Matt's 3rd year, and this will probably be the hardest move for me thus far in my life- AND I have moved A LOT! 

I have NEVER been a girls night girl. My best friends have always been my basketball teammates or classmates, and Matt of course. Last year, Matt studied all day and every night and every Saturday all day. Us girls, we stuck together, and we all helped each other get through the first year of law school, having babies and all, without our families close by. I love these girls and am So thankful they have been in my life at this time!

We also NEVER take pictures when we get together (without our children)  Here is a picture of Some of us (we will need to get a real one sometime with everyone :))...plus some zombies hehe.  They are my work-out partners, my babysitters, my meal planners, I can go to them to talk about our kids, our good days, bad days, our sleepless nights, our favorite tv shows, desserts, crafts, our desires to be a better person, mom, wife, exerciser, eater, etc. etc.  I love them all and treasure these 2 years in Moscow I have been able to spend with them.

Too much to write...too little time

Mylee turned 9 months...(2 weeks ago)

  She was 20 pounds and 28 1/4 inches. 

 Colton at 6 months was 20.8 pounds and 28 1/4 inches. 

Kind of Funny I think.

Mylee is walking, without being coaxed.  Yikes.

She still prefers crawling however.

She waves, she claps, she says,

Hey

mama

dada

yaya

baba

(Not knowing what she is saying!

Or maybe she does??)

Everytime I cough..she fake coughs

Everytime she sees any family member

She BEAMS.

Biggest smile ever!

She is SO fun.

My parents came for a week.

The kids LOVED it.

I loved it.

Hopefully they loved it :)

The weather was perfect!!

Mylee was very much afraid of grandpa...

for the first day!

By the end..she loved him.

My dad and I went for a walk in the morning...

In the afternoon we all walked the entire arboretum

Oh...and we also walked the mall for an hour..

Lots of walking!

I love the way she is looking at Matt in this picture

She loves her dad!!!

Matt and I got to go on a date!!

To a meeting I had to speak at :)

And then out for Frozen Yogurt.

It was so nice having my parents here.

I was thinking of how nice life would be living by family

Someone to watch the kids when you are in a bind...

or just want to go on a date.

They are always Good company.

But then who would come visit us???

Anyway-

My parents left...

It got Cold

Colton got pink eye

Mylee got a cold and an ear infection.

I really don't love cold weather!

On a better note...

we have already been to 1 Halloween party

and have lots more to come !!

I love being a mom

The past couple of weeks the kids and I have been busy.  A group of girls and I go on an hour walk 3 mornings a week with the kids in tow, the other 2 mornings a week my friend comes over first thing and I get to go work out while she stays with the kids, then she goes while I watch her son. 

We have started going to library story time once a week, we have mommy and me once a week, and we are going to a KinderMusik class once a week which I love!!  

We still are going to parks, friends houses, outside on our play area, our neighbors come over and play, trips to the grocery store, and Wal-Mart to look at the toys.

But sometimes what I love most is just playing on the bed and putting a blanket over their heads and listen to them both giggling so hard they can't breathe.  I love that they now take a bath together and splash each other, I love that Colton crawls under the kitchen table chasing Mylee, I love when Mylee wakes up and as soon as she sees Colton she literally squeals in delight.

I love our little routine, the kids and I.

And I love being their mom.

We went to the fair a couple of weekends ago...they loved the animals!!!

Here are pictures of Colton and Mylee both at 8 months.  I found pictures where they looked a lot alike, I don't think they look THAT much alike anymore.

I attempted to take pictures of them in their church clothes...this is what I got.

I LOVE it!

I try so hard to get a picture of her sitting, but she moves so fast I always cut her head off!  (ps she has the GREATEST dimples)

She goes from squatting to standing (and has been doing so since about 7.5 months)  Where did my baby go???

I think he is the sweetest, lovable, most handsome little man...

And she lights up our world.  I can't believe what an unbelievably happy, smiley little girl she is.

I love both of them more than anything in the world (and their daddy)  I am a lucky girl to be their mom.