Christmas 2011

What a wonderful Christmas. I have to say I was feeling a little sad that we weren't in our own home for Christmas, but mom and dad made it extra special. They always make Christmas amazing. Molly absolutely loved everything about Christmas, from the boxes, wrapping, gifts, tree, lights, bells, music, etc. Santa was especially good toher and got her just what she asked for, fingerpaints. She also got a tangled doll and a cake decorating play-doh set. Nick and I bought her tap shoes and a dance outfit since she will begin dance lessons next week. So excited for that! She wouldn't take off the tap shoes for days. She even wanted to sleep in them, but I did talk her out of that. All my siblings came home Christmas night (except Joseph) for Christmas dinner at Grandpas. We did Christmas around the world so we each brought food from either countries of our ancestry or places from missions or military. It made for a nice buffet of all kinds of food.

The next 2 days were spent playing with cousins. LOVE having thefamily here. One reason Joseph didn't make it home for the holiday was because of their Christmas Eve surprise. Jessie gave birth to baby Joelle Marie. What a beautiful new niece.

Christmas Lights Trip

Last Friday we headed to SLC in the late afternoon. We picked up Nick's brother to hang out with us for a while. Checked into the Little America and went straight to the pool. Molly wouldn't have it any other way. She was so excited. After swimming, we ate at the motel and then got ready to go see the Christmas lights. Nana, Papa and Crystal stopped by the motel and we exchanged gifts, then we met them up on temple square...we had to take the tracks because we had told Molly she would get to ride on a train. We met Bart, Jess and the boys on the tracks. They hadn't eaten dinner yet, so we split was and stayed with the Sidwell's and looked at all the lights on temple square. Molly really loved it. She didn't complain one time about being cold. She especially liked the Christ statue. We took tracks home and went swimming again, per Molly's request and then went to bed. The room we booked just had a king size bed so we made Molly a little bed in the closet. She didn't stay in it long though. She has never slept with us, but after hours of waking up and crying we gave in and let her sleep with us.

When we woke up, we went swimming again, this time with Matthew and Dallin, Aunt Jess and Uncle Bart. Molly really loved having time with her best friends. We checked out and went to breakfast with the Jensens. They headed off to a family party and we went to the gateway. Molly got to see Santa and told him that she wanted paint fingers (fingerpaint). She was really cute with him. Then we spent the next few hours at the Childrens Museum at the gateway. We all enjoyed that place. So much to do and see. Molly also enjoyed the escalator and we had to ride it several times. Poor girl was SO tired so we left to head home a little earlier than planned. (We were tired too!!) Molly fell asleep after being int he car for a few minutes. For those of you who know Molly, she NEVER sleeps in the car, so we decided to head back to Price. On the way back we did stop for dinner in Lehi and met up with the Sidwell's again for smoothies and so Molly could spend more time with Nana and Papa. Such a FUN trip. We loved it!!

Im not sure if it was being too tired or what, but the night we got home Molly struck a fever and threw up, so Sunday Nick taught nursery while I stayed home. Molly napped practically all day.

We finally got all our Christmas shopping done. So glad to have everything ready. Now I know why my mom loved Christmas so much...buying for your children is SO MUCH FUN! I just wanted to buy everything. Can't wait for the big day!

We are having a Christmas around the World dinner on Christmas Night with my family and my mom's side. We are doing sushi from the Japanese side and Horchata from the Mexican side.

December Updates

My Christmas Sweetheart!



I am sorry. I am always apologizing for not keeping up on my blog, but I do feel bad. I haven't had many comments so i forget that people still check it and want to know what is going on...and see Molly. More importantly this is my journal, so without it...I'm going to forget. I must do better, so here is an update.

We are still adjusting to living in such a rural place, but we have enjoyed some community favorites. The first was the Helper Electric Light Parade. It was something that I attended while growing up and was even more fun this year taking Molly. She loved having hot chocolate and seeing all the lights. She really loved the fireworks after too.

Another thing we did, just Nick and I, was attended the community theater play, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." We went to a Christmas party with some of my high school friends and laughed so hard that night I probably cried a few times. So much fun!! We also attended our ward Christmas party. My mom and I were in charge of all the food for the RS Christmas party. It turned out really nice.

One sad thing that happened was that early in September I bought tickets to David Archuleta's Christmas concert in Cedar City, but ended up selling my tickets because I was sick. Those of you who know how I like David Archuleta, know it was a big disappointment. One of my really good friends was able to use the tickets though, so I was glad about that.

We have played in the snow, built snowman, decorated, and ate goodies. This weekend is one that I have been anticipating for a while now. We are headed up to SLC to see the temple lights and shop. Can't wait for this little get-away.

We have had a few power outages so here is a picture when we were hanging out by candlelight.

Thanksgiving

I know that it has come and gone, but we have been pretty sick in our family the last few weeks and didnt take much time to show gratitude for anything but our beds...however last night i took the gratitude challenge and wrote down 100 different things that I am thankful for and it was refreshing. We have the best families and friends!

We spent Thanksgiving day at the Sidwell's and had a great time! When we got home, John and Jessica and their families were here, so the fun contiuned.

I also had a chance that week to photograph a birth of one of my best friends baby. It was a special experience to share with them.

I havent done any Christmas shopping. Nick and I decided that since it is probably the last year we can get away with it, we are just going to let Santa get Molly gifts and we are going to do a family trip for our present. Nothing too big, just going to Salt Lake to see the temple lights, swim, see concerts and stay at little america. Nice not to have to worry about too many gifts, but it has put me in slow motion for doing anything Christmas related. I need to get in the Christmas Spirit!

Monster!!!

Happy Halloween from a CUTE Monster, Molly Weesly and a Pirate!

Busy Fun

The last few weeks have been busy and fun. My SIL Jessie came to visit from Iowa for two weeks with her twin boys. The house was full of dirty dishes, toys, laughter, some tears, and lots of fun. We had a day that all the family got together and WORKED. My mom was getting a new roof and since it was her 60th birthday...and because we love her...we pulled off all the shingles to prepare for the roofers. It was a huge job and pratically everyone wo could was on the roof helping. It went really well and we got it done in a day. The kids loved playing in the leaves while we worked and riding in the BIG dump truck. (although Molly really wanted to join us on the roof) We had a fun star trec theamed party for mom on Sunday.

With cousins here we have done everything from painting pumpkins, building candy haunted houses, picking and bottling apples, a few trips to McDonalds, music class, and PLAY.

One morning I came in the family room to find this...they all found their own box of cereal and made themselves at home.

Puzzles and Bikes

I know it has been a while. I used to post weekly. Now, weakly?!? My life has just not been too exciting to post about. Just still working on potty training...still trying to sell the house...still looking for a house here...still canning the harvest...still trying to exercise. Not too much else. But I did take these super cute pics. of Molly the other day. Firts is the one on her new bike. (a potty training prize) She really likes it, but only peddles when it is downhill or very flat. If there is the slightest hill she reverts back to pushing with her feet.

New obsession. Puzzles. Molly will do them everyday. And she is really good at them. She did tell me the other day, "Mom, lets go to Logan and do music with my friends." So, I have been busy getting ready to start Music Makers here in Price. I am excited at the ideas that seem to be coming to my brain. We will see how it goes.

This weekend was general conference. A wonderful spiritual feast. So needed. So thankful for. It is hard to not feel overwhelmed at all I need to improve on. One step at a time...right? I enjoyed speding time with my brothers family between sessions and making a doll cake for my friend Julia's birthday...actually her 4 year old daughters. I also did some scrapbooking this weekend and picked up the quilt I started months before the move to work on it again.

The Last Month or So...

I haven't blogged much because our life has been centered around potty training. Molly did really well for about 2 weeks, but had a full week relaps that was kind of stressful for me. I wanted to give up several times, but thankful forNick, my family and friends for talking me through it. Right now...she is doing pretty well. It has been a hard transition moving back to Price. Not because anything here has been bad, but because I have missed Logan, my friends, my sister, my ward and my house. Things are getting better. I am starting to feel a little more settled...just had to be in transition.

One weekend since we have been here the Jensen's came down and I went on my first 4 wheeler ride. I really enjoyed it! The helment was pretty big, but I liked the ride. We alos went to a Carbon football game with Sherstin and her family.

We went back to Logan for Labor day to help the Jensen's roof their house. I had a lot of fun visiting friends at church. I really enjoyed spending time with my friend Janell. We were able to get together while I was there for a while which was really nice.

We are still trying to sell our house which has been a bit of a stress, but I feel like things will work out. I just need to be patient.

I have been atteneding a gospel study group with this ward where we read conference talks and discuss them with each other. I also went to book club for the first time and really enjoyed that. Today I went to play group with Molly and enjoyed that too.

On thing I have really enjoyed about being here is the time Nick and I have had together. Between Hapkido, RS and Molly, we didnt get a lot of time together much in Logan the last year, so we have really enjoyed that. We have been going walking every morning together and then as a family at night.

Nick is really enjoying his job here and that makes the transition worth it. I just love my little family!!

Lake Powell Pics.