Work Christmas Party

Andy's work hosted a beautiful Christmas party that just blew me away.  We are so grateful and I find myself thinking how drastically different the dynamic was from last year's party in Los Angeles. This year, a presentation was given focusing not only on the employees but the families that support them.  WOW, I felt like the company was giving me a big hug.  It has been a rough intense couple of weeks. We cannot stop getting sick combined with Andy working so much=crazy mamma. His job is amazing, and the whole point of my ramblings is that his holiday party was so nice, I left with a huge smile and heart full of gratitude that at least with all his hard work, they realize the families at home work hard as well while the hubbies wrap up year end deals.  They had a 1950's theme and dress, and the whole night was filled with class: A live Jazz band, amazing location at the Hotel Monaco in SLC (WOW LOVED IT!), such divine food, and the best part was the people.  Here is a brief shot from the night with Cameron and Katie Jones, A studly bachelor Chase Elsworth, and my hot babe and I. What good GOOD people.

Matthew Crawley Baby Comment

Andy and I love watching Downton Abbey.  We have been watching Season 3 (thanks to tunnelbear) and without spoiling anything for American viewers, I had to create this photo.  We did a screen shot through itv 1, so photo credit goes to them, I added the text.  I've seen photos like this on pinterest, but after Matthew Crawley said the above statement, I just knew I had to make this for all the single ladies out there.  Enjoy, and if you dont know why he is saying this, just wait until Season 3!  It'll make you smile...guaranteed. ;-)

Big Boy Bed and Potty

Let it be known that Jake has now graduated from his crib into a big boy bed.  He started escaping his crib and would come running into our room crying and it got really old.  We figured a crib could no longer contain him. I took it apart and transformed it into the toddler bed (It's an Ikea crib/bed that can be changed with a few screws). The first few nights were good.  He'd get up, or fall out once or twice and resumed his normal sleeping schedule.  We were seriously shocked at how well he was doing, it was like he was telling us, "Thank you for finally getting me out of THAT cage and catching on because this is what I've wanted since I was born....FREEDOM!" The third, fourth and following week his new found freedom became apparent and he just wanted to read stories all night long, escape, and reek havoc.  He'd get out of his toddler bed and we'd find him in his rocking chair holding a book.  At one point, I stumbled into his room to put him back in his bed and as I reached for him on the rocking chair, I hit a book he was holding up in the air.  Another time, I found him sleeping with his head on a book. We kept hearing him say, "Book, Book, BOOOOK" till about three in the morning, until he'd get quiet and then around seven I hear him say book again, so I opened his door, and he had opened the plantation shutters to let the sun in and was holding his books trying to read them.  What a sweet boy, up all night just to read a story.  After much persistence and a week of not much sleep, we (I) kept putting him back in his bed over and over again, and he is now very content there.  We are so proud of his accomplishments and I still look at him like a baby, but he is starting to do so many things now that surprise me.  He also pooped in the toilet.  He kept telling me bum bum and letting me know when he had to go, so I said, OK lets take advantage of this moment of communication and see if it works.  I sat him down and he did it! Wow, that was a first for everyone! He even flushed it down the toilet and waved goodbye.  It has been two days and he hasnt done it again, even if he lets me know, he is scared if it now.  We'll keep trying, but I am in no rush to potty train him.   So there you have it, a fun update of our little lives.  Poop and big boy beds.  Ha ha, we have been sick some more, and have had a ton of family with us.  The holidays are here, and I cant wait!

Couch Potato

I cant stop laughing when I see these photos. ULTIMATE couch potato. Belly out, lounging, petting the pooch, feet kicked up, ttttotally relaxed, cartoons on.  Life is good!

We went to dinner at Uncle RyRy and Auntie Lynda's house, and Jake sat down with Toshi, his favorite doggie, and watched cartoons like this.  Rough life, that boy has.

Autumn Apple Orchard

Fall is in full swing.  So is cold, flu, and sick season, all of which we are combating constantly.  I'm so over it!!! BUT We discovered an apple orchard less than a quarter mile from our house...so on Saturday we went and picked some apples and tried taking some photos, which I will attach when our computer decides to stop being so frustrating!!

Jake is really obsessed with apples right now.  He says apple over and over again sometimes, so we (I) thought, 'HEY, son, Jake want to go to an apple orchard and then maybe you will stop saying that word over and over again?'  He looks for apples in magazines and in books.  A few months ago, it was bumblebees and now it's apples.

He indeed loved the orchard and kept pointing at all the deep red and bright yellow apples and picking up sticks.  It appeased his strong desire to always obsess over them for a time. We brought home many crispy varieties, and now he has an apple a day.  I sure wish it keeps the doctor away cause he has been repetitively getting sick. Sweet boy, he is.

We do miss the warmer LA weather,  but it has been a gorgeous slow fall and we have really enjoyed the orange, red, and yellow colors gracing all the trees!

Family Photos 2012

Just before we left LA, we snapped some fun family photos at the LACMA Lanterns.  I dreamed of getting some fun photos there before we left.  We had a great time, minus Jake being a serious pill and crying most of the time. We lucked out and got some good ones! My oh my we miss LA.

Montana 2012 Part II

 Madie and Uncle Andy at Crystal Park!

 Jake wanted to get in the frog pond, and cousin Chase did a great job helping him from falling in!

 Kate did too

 We hunted for crystals in Crystal Park in this big field.  Jake loved wandering around!

 This picture cracks me up.  All the cousins were playing peekaboo with Jake under the blanket laughing!

 Time to get clean after a day full of fun and getting dirty!

 Andy woke up really early, after driving till 3 AM to get to Montana and went fishing with Chris!

 Chris caught the biggest fish ;-)

 My brother is an avid outdoorsman!

 We went for a walk and hike to Upper Miner's Lake! Daddy is a scary bear!

 I have no idea how many sticks Jake played with but he had so much fun!

 Could he be any sweeter!?! Oh I just love him!

 We shared many story times together!

 Oh man, so many good meals.  Andy took this picture! Isnt it cool?!

 Cows and Kisses just at the fence by the cabin

 Calling the cows home ;-)

 Precious boys

 Jake and great Grandma Carson!

 Jake is obsessed with bumblebees!

 Jake with stick

 Jake with stick holding mom's hand after huckleberry hunting! We found enough for muffins!

 Jake with even larger stick!

 Grandpa and Jake waiting to pray over dinner

So, I know...it has been a while.  September flew by and I still havent updated our blog from July! So Here is are the rest of our pictures from Montana!!!