Chicago!

I have been wanting to go to Chicago since we moved out to the Midwest, and finally we went on a spectacularly freezing day. Notice the children all bundled so they don't lose any fingers. The children had saved their money from birthday and Christmas of this year, and were so excited for a shopping trip just for them. We were off to the Magnificent Mile. I had been there years ago, and I love it. A lot.We started with Little Man's store. He was so excited to go to the Lego Store. Randy was pretty excited too. He likes Lego's a lot too. We could have spent a lot of money there if we weren't careful.
They had all sorts of fabulous Lego statues. The kids especially liked anything that was Star Wars. They get that from their father, not me. We spent quite a bit of time shopping in there and looking for just the right purchases for Little Man. He spent all of his money in one store, and he couldn't have been more excited to hand over his cash and receive his purchases. I liked that he mulled over what he wanted and was able to think about spending his money and what he really wanted. Normally I am the Mom that makes my kids save their birthday and Christmas money, but this year they really wanted to buy things.
After our Lego store adventure we were off to the store for Little Miss. She was so excited and ready to get moving down the street. She was a little girl on a mission. She couldn't wait to go to American Girl Place. We made the half mile trek in the freezing cold, my ears were numb, Little Man was sure his ears had frostbite it was so cold! Happily were made it in the store and Little Miss was in her own personal wonderland.
She had an idea of what she wanted to purchase and was ready to get down to business. She wasn't interested in looking at all of the accessories she didn't have money for. She was a girl on a mission. Little Man was sure to show her all of the things she could buy, but she knew what she wanted, a doll. I thought for sure it would be Rebecca. We have her book and love her story. But quickly she changed her mind and Elizabeth won her heart and she proudly plopped her money on the counter for the cashier, she was so excited to pay for it all by herself.
And with that she was ready to leave the store. I figured we would spend a good hour or more there. Instead we were in and out in under thirty minutes. She was on a mission and ready to go so she could play with her doll. Enough with this shopping stuff. And with that we were off for a late lunch. We had planned on pizza but the waits were 45 minutes, and we would have been outside. No thank you. We got a quick lunch and then we were off.

Here are the kids with their loot!

Randy and the kids, proof that we were there.

And the kids and me.

We headed back to the car and decided that staying the night was overrated. The kids wanted to play with their toys, and we figured we could be home before more snow fell and we could sleep in our own beds.

Lessons I learned take Little Miss to her store last, always. If you want to shop anywhere else after she goes to her store she will move at a snails pace. She will want to play with her doll and the cold will become unbearable for her and the only thing to help her will be to be in the car with her doll. Little Man is more than happy to help shop if he gets to pick his stuff out first. And me.. I like to shop. Maybe.. just maybe I will make it back up there for a fun shopping trip without kids.

Christmas 2009

Christmas morning at our home was lovely. The children woke up after 7 AM, much to my dismay. I am all about the 5 AM Christmas Morning wake up! I actually woke them up, I was ready! The kids were dazzled by the gifts left by Santa and were excited to give the gifts they had for each other and for us.

Little Man was especially delighted that he received the helicopters he had been wanting for years.

Little Miss was thrilled. She received the Just Like You doll she wanted. She has hardly put her dolly down.
She also received many outfits for this doll. An elf was busy sewing for her. We enjoyed our day as a family. We didn't leave our home once. Honestly I couldn't ask for a better Christmas Day. The children played happily and we had wonderful dinner guests to make the day even more enjoyable. We are especially grateful for our Savior and for His birth. For the gift that He gave us. What a wonderful time of the year.

Merry Christmas

The kids are in their brand new homemade jammies. The Christmas Story has been read. We are ready for Christmas. A magical night. Merry Christmas.

From our home to yours..

We're Jumping for Joy!

2009 was a great year for our family.

We were very blessed and had so much fun together.

Merry Christmas.

Baby it's cold outside..

My poor children have a crazy mother. A mother who doesn't care that it is cold. That it is snowing. A mother who wants a picture at any cost. Even if that means standing outside in the cold while it snows and pictures are snapped when we should be in the car rushing off to Church. They sure look cute though. And cold.
The laugh through the craziness and have fun, even if they are freezing. And that melts my heart.
Little Miss wore her hair in her natural curl. I love it. But then again I think I might be partial to curls.
And Randy and Little Man were all over the place being the crazy fun loving boys that they are.

The craziness was worth it. I am grateful for the fun memories that were created. The snow falling. The freezing cold, and the love that was felt.

One Year Older..

..and wiser too! Happy Birthday! To you!

Today my dear old Dad (did you catch that I called him old.. oops!) is celebrating his 67th Birthday. I wish I was there to wish him a happy happy birthday in person. But I am far, far, far away so I called him really, really, really, really early instead. I figured I could beat all of my siblings to the punch since I get up earlier than they do. Or at least I should.

I am grateful for my Dad and the wonderful blessing he is my life. My kids think he is a pretty fun Grandpa. He even will play Wii with them, and is pretty good at Wake boarding on Wii Sports Resort. He has the best sound effects. He might not know it, but he has one for most everything. And my kids know that Grandpa always has time for a hug, a five, a story, for them.

I am grateful for the strong testimony in the Gospel of Jesus Christ he has. And for sharing it with us many times. I am blessed to have wonderful parents for examples. I am grateful for all he has been through in his life, for his wisdom and his love.

My Dad. He can water ski. He can build anything. Fix anything. Make anything. He is strong. Like really really strong. He is funny. And caring. He is brave. Courageous. He is my Dad.

Happy Birthday.

The Birthday and the Baptism!

Little Man woke everyone up on his birthday. We had jokingly told him he had to wait until after Church to open presents, that we wouldn't have time to open them before. He made sure we had plenty of time. He was thrilled with his presents. Bakugan we have more than I think we could ever need. I am even learning to play the game with him.He received brand new scriptures with his name engraved on them. Lucky boy, I never have had my name engraved on mine. And best of all they are green, his favorite color!
He got dressed for Church and was ready for a few shots of him being an awesome 8! He does it so well. And he looks so grown up!! When did this happen? I keep thinking he should still be tiny.
He has mastered the fake smile. And likes to give it a lot. He is pretty darn cute even with a fake smile.

After Church and dinner it was baptism time. He is lucky he was able to be baptized on his birthday. What a great way to celebrate his birthday. He couldn't wait for his baptism, and neither could we. He was excited to make sacred covenants with the Lord.Randy and Little Man dressed in white. How grateful I am for a husband who is worthy of his priesthood and was able to baptize our son.
I think Little Man was getting over the pictures. But we were so excited. I wanted to make sure we remembered this special day. I wanted him to always remember his baptism. (I love how I look as tall as Randy, thank you heels!)


Nana and Papa came for their first visit to Indiana for his special day. We were so excited to have them here to witness his baptism.
And my parents came with my sister. She looks so thrilled right?

Little Man's baptism was wonderful. The Spirit was so very strong and we were so grateful to have so many of our family members there, and also to have many of our friends who were in attendance. Randy and I were shocked there were over 75 people who came to see Little Man's baptism. We were humbled and grateful for the attendance of such a special day. I didn't know what to expect, and I haven't quite known what to even say about it or I would have blogged it sooner. But the Spirit touched my heart so strongly. I was so grateful for the choice our son had made to enter into the waters of baptism. It was such a great blessing to watch him be baptized. It was the best way to celebrate his birthday.

We asked Little Man how he felt. And he said he felt Happy, but a different Happy. That was his best way of explaining it. He has talked continuously about his special day and the fact that he feels the Holy Ghost with him stronger than he has before. He is such a wonderful kid. I am so blessed to be his Mother. How grateful I am for his testimony and for his courage to do what is right.

After the baptism we invited everyone over for cake and ice cream. It was a little crazy but we had fun with it. And we all recovered from the mass crowd at our home. Little Man was a little bashful when everyone was singing to him. I love it!

He really loves being the center of attention, and I love his fun expressions.
It was a perfect day for my boy. It was a perfect day for our family. It was a perfect day for me to reflect on being a Mother for eight years. What a tremendous blessing and responsibility. I feel honored to be his Mother. I am in awe of the wonderful boy he is. I couldn't have asked for a better son. Love you Little Man. Happy Birthday.

Turning 8!

In 5 days this boy will be 8! He is very excited. We are very excited for his special birthday. And this lucky boy is going to be baptized on his birthday. He is looking forward to becoming a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We are so proud of Little Man. He is a great example to those around. And he is a joy in our lives. I remember my baptism, it doesn't feel like it was that long ago. I can't wait for his.