Enjoying the weather this weekend

Lucy loves the boys' Hummers. She especially loves riding next to them while they drive her around the neighborhood. She's a lucky little girl to have two, big, protective brothers looking out for her. They have been seen riding with their left hands on the wheel and their right arms stretched out on the seat behind their baby sister. It's so darling.

I taught the boys to play hopscotch this weekend. They are good, and they think it is so much fun. It's good for their balancing skills too! We also enjoyed spending time with our new neighbors who have lots of babysitting-aged girls. We're trying to be their favorites so they will want to come tend for us. Any suggesstions?

Box o' Fun

"I call this game 'fun in a box,' said the cat."

I think this must be what Dr. Seuss was talking about when he wrote that! The boys had so much fun in the patio furniture boxes--we still haven't thrown them away.

Hippity hoppity Easter's on it's way

Pink silk. Practical for a baby? Probably not. But it was too darling to pass up. So, Lucy will just have to be extra clean on Easter.
I also found some cool Vans for Cam and Coop. It seems they are going through shoes in no time right now. The toes of all their shoes get worn out by riding bikes, wiggles, and scooters. Boys!
Jane, today's Costco trip will include the following:
bread
milk
eggs
mayo
cheese
Lever soap
toothpaste
and hopefully something fun!

Sun & Fun

We have been loving this weather! My boys have sunburned arms, necks and faces. They have been so happy just hanging out with their friends. We have also eaten almost every meal out on the deck, so I have been enjoying my clean kitchen for longer than usual!
I have taken Jane's advice and have spent the days playing with my kids and enjoying them. I need to do it more often--they are darn cute and very funny. To make myself feel productive and my house not feel like it's been abandoned, I put everyone to bed at 10 last night and cleaned my main floor. It was so quick and enjoyable! No one needing my attention, no one wanting to "help", no one making more messes, no one even caring where I was! I'll definitely do that more often--if Lucy cooperates.
Now, the house is mostly clean. I'll run the vacuum tomorrow when everyone's awake. I've washed and folded several loads of laundry this week, and made dinner twice. I also did some online shopping and found some cute shoes for myself on Zappos.com--free overnight shipping and no tax! Does it get better than that?
Any suggestions on how to sub as the primary chorister this Sunday? I've decided I'd much rather teach Relief Society than singing time. Luckily, the regular chorister had everything typed out and already planned. I just have to do what the paper says. It should be fun, and the boys are excited for me to be in the "big Primary" with them.
Lucy and I are off the Park City for some Easter dress shopping tomorrow. The boys are hanging out at home. It should be a fun day!

CPK

Today our neighborhood playgroup went up to California Pizza Kitchen in the Gateway for a field trip. We had 20+ kids there (not counting babies in strollers) to have a tour and make their own kid-size pizza. The restaurant did it all for free! Most of the group got there too late for the tour, so the kids just made pizzas and colored. It was so much fun! Thanks, CPK! To show my appreciation, I ordered a mango chicken tandoori pizza to take home to Shea. Yummy!

I tried to get the kids to shop with me, but after 4 stores they were ready to go home and play outside. I don't blame them, but I couldn't drive all the way up to Gateway and not look! So, we're home. Let the playing begin.

I hope this weekend involves a nap for me at some point. Lucy decided she wasn't comfortable, didn't feel good, or wasn't interested in sleeping last night. She kept crying and then wiggling around. We finally went to the couch so we wouldn't disturb Shea, and I suffered through the night. You know those nights that feel like they're never going to end? Needless to say, I had a Diet Coke with me in the car at 9:30 this morning.

This is cute Baby Audrey who came to visit us earlier this week while her mom and I made invitations! Love those big, blue eyes...

Spring is coming--yea!

Just another week...
I had nothing on the calendar, but my days seemed to be filled with playing boys, a sick and teething baby girl, a trip to Taipan for new bedroom lamps and a "Spring-y" feeling wreath for the front door, making invitations for Ashley's baby shower in two weeks, resuming my working out with my friends, and all the other obligations/demands/joys of motherhood.
I wouldn't want to be doing anything else.
I'm grateful for six little hands that want to hold mine.
I'm grateful for three small pairs of rosebud lips that love to give kisses (the tiniest pair gives open-mouthed ones--she's just learning, and it's just melts me).
I'm grateful for three little voices that call me mommy, ma ma (just this week!), and sometimes MOM!!!!
I'm grateful for a husband who is a righteous example, a worthy priesthood holder, a hard-working bread winner, and a loving best friend.

Kindergarten Registration

I took the boys to register for kindergarten today. It was sad and happy in the same moment. I can't believe my boys are old enough to tangle with bigger kids and start learning more about the "outside" world. I was content when they thought I was the smartest, prettiest, most wonderful adult ever! But, they're ready and eager to learn, so I can't hold them back...

We went to Outback for Matt and Marc's birthday dinner. They are so handsome and funny now that they're through the awkward early teenage stage. They are both going to be driving big, lifted gray trucks--so watch out! They do have to keep their grades up to keep driving, so at least they're smart teenage boys. Happy Birthday!!!!

This photo is of where the kids had to stay so I could get some laundry folded. I love that Camden and Cooper can put away most of their own clothes by themselves now! I haven't checked their drawers, but I'm trusting everything is in there somewhere.

Skiing at Deer Valley

Thank you Shea, Judd, Dean, and Jan for a wonderful day skiing! I loved it. I don't know why it's taken me 10 years to go again. It won't be that long until next time. I'm ready to go again this season. We had a great time.
We dropped the kids off at my parents' house at 8 and were hitting the beautiful Deer Valley slopes by about 1o. We went with Shea's brothers Todd, Zak, Jake, Cory and Shannon and Boston, our brother-in-law Judd. Judd is on the ski patrol there, but just played today since we were there celebrating his birthday tomorrow. (I feel a new tradition needing to be started.) Judd's parents, Dean and Jan, were there along with his brother, Luke, and sister, Summer.
Candace and Janer--we missed you!
Summer and Jan were so sweet to stay with me all morning. It was like my own private ski lessons with two great teachers! They took me down some beautiful runs and taught me some technique. I'd been skiing before, but I'd never learned the right way to do it. It was so fun!
We had a great lunch at the Empire Lodge, and then Dean took the "afternoon ski school with special Heather" shift. Shea and Jake were with us and benefitted from the lessons. They were so wonderful and patient. I can't thank them enough!
Now, Shea and I are feeling it. If we can walk tomorrow we'll be lucky. But, it's good hurt, right?
Happy birthday tomorrow to Judd!
Happy birthday Monday to Matt and Marc--sweet 16!!!!!!
Happy birthday Monday to Holli Dolly too!

Presidents' Day

Just some good memories...


We've had a good, relaxed kind of day. After Shea's full day yesterday it was nice to have him around. He made us pancakes for breakfast and cleaned up the whole kitchen! What a sweetheart...he knows how much I hate unloading the dishwasher. He even vacuumed out a few cupboards. He's such a hottie!





Anyway, then we got dressed and all loaded up in both cars to take the Audi to be serviced. Neither Shea nor I wanted to sit and wait for 2 hours, so we had the other car there to get lunch and do a little shopping. The boys still had Christmas money, so we went to Best Buy and got a new Gamecube game and another controller. They just started playing it tonight, and are in heaven.





After the car was done we went to my parents' house to hang out. My mom called and was watching her neice, Mia. Mia's mom had a baby on Friday, so Mia was down staying at her Grandma's and wanted to play with Aunt Nat and the boys.





Now Lucy is asleep in her carseat (her first nap of the day) and I'm avoiding folding the laundry. Really it's still in the dryer, but I could be doing other, more productive things.





Tomorrow I have a cannery appointment and Lucy's 9 month check up. The boys have school, and Shea has the temple in the morning.





I hope everyone had a good day with their families!

Happy Valentine's Day

I think we're through our sicknesses. Now, Lucy is just teething like crazy, so she still has a runny nose. Other than having three sick boys--one each during the last three nights--we're doing well. Jane, I feel your pain. We've had the stomach flu too. It's only lasted a few hours with each one, so hopefully Brigham is feeling better soon!

We had cereal for breakfast. I know, romantic. I didn't want to overload anyone with anything too sweet in case they are still feeling queasy. So, I'll save the special breakfast for another day. We did get to open Valentines from both Grandma and Nana. That was fun!

I presented Shea with the quilt I have been making for him. He wasn't too excited since he said it was "just a bunch of material sewn together right now." He'll be more excited when it's done and he can actually snuggle up with it. I'm replacing the blanket from his ex-girlfriend. That one will go in the car in case we ever have to use it in an emergency. You know, give it to someone who is bleeding, deliver a baby for someone with it...I have big plans for that blanket.

Shea and I are going to brave a date today. We're planning on eating at like 3 p.m., and we're hoping it's not too busy. I'll let you know how it goes. I was planning on making a special dinner, but Shea had other dinner plans in mind.

The boys had their school party yesterday, and they did a cute job addressing their valentines. Next year I'll get to help with their parties. That will be so much fun! My mom always did that for us, so I'm excited to do it for my kids. I hope they appreciate it--and like it!

Hope you have a happy and romantic day!

It must be in their genes

Somebody got into the open pantry. She beelines towards it when she hears it open.


This is Lucy's latest fettish--her new top teeth! She loves to feel them with her tongue. We think it's adorable.




All my kids love to snuggle! They sleep more soundly when they're touching somone!

We had Camden and Cooper's parent teacher conference today. They are doing so well, and it's exciting to see how far they have come since September! They love to read and write, and have started asking all kinds of addition questions. They're keeping up my quick mental addition by giving me problems to solve all the time.

I took Cam in to the doctor today. Apparently, he has asthma. It's not constant, it's triggered by when he's sick or exerting himself. The doctor thinks he'll probably grow out of it; we hope so! Until then, we have breathing treatments at home to help his airway open up. I ended up taking him in because his cough was so persistent and hard. I thought he was going to hurt something! So, his run-of-the-mill cold sounds worse than everyone else's because of a scary sounding but not contagious cough.

Boy am I looking forward to warm weather and playing outside every day!

Sick again...

but at least I'm out of bed today. Shea let me (and Lucy who was really sick too) lay in bed all day yesterday. I felt so awful! We girls went to the doctor only to learn we have some upper respiratory virus that's going around! I felt so achy, my head was pounding, and I couldn't even sit up! Today I got up early and took a super hot shower to warm up and relax a little. It was nice! I'm feeling so much better today--thanks to a loving and compassionate husband! Also--thanks Nana and Papa for taking the boys all afternoon! They had fun--and I had peace and quiet. Thanks, Mom, for the yummy soup and Dad for the hot scones.

We've been cooped up in the sick Taylor household. The boys have been doing crazy things for the camera.

Lucy's daddy couldn't pass this one up! Do you blame him?

a day in the life of a superhero

Cam and Coop had a fun superhero birthday party yesterday. They had been planning which costume to wear all week! I guess you have to decide early if you have Spidey, Superman, Power Rangers, Batman, snakes, lions, tigers, Winnie the Pooh, and Tigger! (Yeah, the last ones aren't superheroes, but I still had to zip them, tie them, and pick them up all week!)

Lucy is never one to be left out of the fun. Coop had been wearing the pirate bandana, and Lucy found it to play with. Crazy days!

Just so you know...we are getting actual real cable tv next week. I just thought you'd like to know so no one feels sorry for us anymore!

In case you're all worried!

I spend a lot of time holding and playing with Lucy. She hasn't been left out of anything in the past few days! She has been teething, so I thought a nap would help her. Also, she loves to play with the boys and just cruise around exploring stuff. She really likes to crawl around with me while I mop the floors, and she thinks crawling away from the vacuum is a fun game. I think that's why it takes me so long to clean! I'm busy laughing with her and trying to get her to move to the spots I haven't done!

More interestingly--yea for Kelly! Shea came home from going to her doctor appointment with her and was very encouraged. I hope it has been nice for her to have some positive news after dealing with the last two weeks!

I'm also very happy it is February--even though it's cold and snowy still. Looking forward to Spring is so much easier if you don't have to count all the months on the calendar!

Just to update

I get annoyed with myself for not having updated in so long. I keep checking my blog to see if it's been changed. Yeah, it requires a little effort on my part, I know. Maybe one day I'll have something really exciting happen to me. I may win the lottery--without having bought a lottery ticket. I'll win "Mother of the Year" somehow--don't ask me how that one will happen. I'll get to go on a really exciting tropical getaway--oh yeah, Lucy won't let that happen any time soon. See what I mean?

We had a goodbye party for our next-door neighbors last night. I'm sad to see them leave because their girls are always so nice to my boys. They're always outside in the warm weather, so I was comfortable letting the boys venture out last year. We'll miss them, and we wonder about who's moving in. We hope they're not scary.

Lucy is puttering around, not letting me get to the cleaning that needs to be done before book club on Thursday. I know, starting early, but I want to do blinds, dust light fixtures, and it takes forever with her help! I have been doing 6 loads of laundry in the last day, so that keeps going and I'll be on top in one more load. So, that's good.

I've got to go get this kid to take a nap. Later.

Let me explain...

Jenna, Rachel, Ben and Wia, now you're supposed to list your idosyncrasies for all to read. It's like free therapy really. I didn't explain that I was "tagged" to do it, and I'm now "tagging" all of you. I guess it's kind of like a chain email (which I hate, but usually forward anyway. So sorry if you end up being the recipient.)

I did get something done today. I was up, showered and at a visiting teaching appt. by 10. That in itself is quite an accomplishment. I went to lunch with Shea while the boys were at school, and then I went to Broadbent's for fabric with my mom, Lucy and Audrey. It was a fun, girly thing to do. I am attempting my first quilts--after a LONG hiatus from sewing. I am excited to use my new sewing machine though! I have to prove to Shea that it was a good investment and a Christmas present I will use.

Also, laundry is in the works (like always), and I could clean, but I don't want to, so I'm not.

Things that make me SPECIAL

I prefer "special traits" to "idiosyncrasies." I have so many of them it's hard to narrow them down--and embarrassing too!

1. I have to have all my clothes hanging in a logical, color-coded order in my closet. (You know, short sleeves together according to color and material; long sleeves together; sweaters after long sleeves; shoes put away from tallest to shortest, darkest to lightest...) Shea's clothes give me heartburn because he never puts them away where they are supposed to go.

2. I love--no I REALLY LOVE--vacuum lines in my carpet. I guess not enough to do it every single day, but I do get annoyed at the kids for playing in the room while I'm vacuuming it.

3. Textures--I hate tapioca texture, the way milk and chocolate coat your mouth texture, slimy egg/cooked spinach/soggy cereal texture, the way hot dogs "pop" out of the skin when you bite them texture. I'm getting sick just thinking about it.

4. I have to have lip gloss/chapstick on when I go to bed.

5. I have to kiss the kids and check all the doors a couple times to make sure they're locked and the garage is closed before I can sleep.

6. I have to eat something sweet last. I can't just end on the main course. I have to have a mint, a bite of ice cream, a cinnamon bear, gum--something to take over the salty taste. I never crave salty snacks--always sweets.

7. My bed has to be made before I can sleep in it. I want to climb in between tight, straight sheets. Even if I haven't made my bed that day, I have to make it before I can get in.

I hope no one with a psychology degree reads these. They would label me "OCD." I'm really not though! Jenna and Rachel--your turn!

Sweet Seventies

I'd like to thank my mother for whatever she did in my childhood to make me learn ALL the words to ALL the popular 70s music. I was flipping through our 4 channels and stopped on an infomercial for "the classic soft rock songs of all time." I knew every one--and not just the ones they were playing. I could've sung every song they listed. Sad.

And, what were those people thinking? I saw some of the scariest hair-dos and costume ensembles ever. If someone had footage of me looking like that, it would be destroyed. But, as I get older I'm starting to think the 90s were a scary decade in fashion too. What were we all thinking when we all had the "Rachel?" Shannon, Jane, you know what I'm talking about!

a good MLK day

Why do we celebrate that day and not "Founders' Day" or "Ben Franklin Day" or something really cool. My dad was asking that question to everyone on Sunday at family dinner. Good question, I think. I know why we celebrate, but can't we make it more equal? Whatever. I enjoyed Shea's day off of work.

We took the kids to see "Happily Never After." It was cute, and the boys loved going to the "big movie." They were anxious to spend their own money on popcorn and kept asking me how many quarters they needed to give the popcorn guy. I wish it were only a few quarters!

Before the show, we went to Pier 49 to get bbq chicken pizza. If you haven't had it there, you haven't had the best bbq pizza on earth. Seriously, they have great pizza.

After the movie we came home, had dinner, and left to Ben and Olivia's to watch "The Illusionist." They missed out on going to the movie, but they still wanted to do something fun. It was good, and we enjoyed chips and salsa and hot chocolate. Yum!

Today is clean the upstairs day, get your hair done day, and maybe go to Costco day. We'll see. Shea took the boys to school and ran up to SLC. Lucy is asleep, and I'm procrastinating the cleaning thing. But, I can do it.

Also, Lucy's top tooth came through today! That's #3!!!

Doctor appts, runny noses, and cough syrup

Lucy just erased my blog. I hate it when that happens.

I went to the doctor yesterday--got antibiotics and sweet cough syrup for nighttime. In a nutshell, I had great dreams, and was loopy when I had to wake up to give Coop and Lucy medicine last night. I've been sick for weeks! I need to feel better so I can take care of my sick kids!

Cooper was really sick yesterday, and we're going to the doctor in a few minutes for him. I just wish there were a cure I could give them all to make their noses stop running!

Lucy has also had a runny nose. As long as I keep the infant and children's Tylenol Cold in their systems, they do pretty well. I feel so bad when she tries to eat and she can't breathe--poor baby. Hopefully it will all be gone soon.

I'll update later on Coop's condition...stay tuned (and hopefully it won't take me a week to post again!)

We love the new camera!

people we love

what we've been doing

Well, basically, Heather has been playing too much Nintendo DS to be able to blog this year...

the days after...

My house is still a whirlwind from Christmas morning. Shea likes it that way, and I'm giving myself a break. Plus, we really haven't been home. My dad's sisters have been in town, and we've done everything from bless my aunt's baby to play TV Scene It. My aunt from CA has a 5 year old boy, Jonah, so my boys have been loving a new playmate. They are getting jealous though since Jonah is staying at Grandma and Grandpa's house and having "a billion million sleep overs." Cooper informed me last night that he wanted to stay at my mom's house "forever."
In other news, for those of you whom I haven't talked to, my dad gave us a sweet camera for Christmas. Ben and Adam wanted one, so we got one as well. Got to keep things fair! (I love my parents for that.) We need to go to a class to figure out how to work it with all the features, lenses, tricks, etc. Watch out, Jane and Shannon, I'm going to put your 1000 pictures in 6 days to the test. If only I could figure out how to work it. Hmmmm...
Christmas was fabulous. We have been loving spending time with family. There's nothing better than family and good homemade food. I'm still getting back in the mood to make dinner. I've had so much time off, I'm out of practice.
We have a viewing and funeral this weekend. The Ceran family, who lost their mother and two children in a car accident on Christmas Eve morning, is in our ward, so Shea has been at meetings and been on the phone helping them through this heart-breaking time during the week. I'm so grateful he can serve and that he does it with such a willing heart. He is a great example to me. I'm hugging my family a little closer this week....hope you are too.

Taylor Tribune

So, we're ready for Christmas! We finished our last minute shopping today. We had to find something for Brent--who is another hard to shop for person on our list. He wanted to go to lunch with us today to give the boys their presents. It seems like he is always shopping for the boys, and sends them presents in the mail quite often. He is good to them, and they really like him. He is very generous to say the least. Today they came away with a fire station play set, a construction play set, tiny magna doodles and a gamecube! We don't have any games for a gamecube, so that will have to be another expense for another day. Shea got a Carolina sweatshirt and t shirt. Lucy got a glow worm.

We have spent the evening getting ready to go to Vegas for the bowl game. Shea is very excited, and I am excited to go to the malls there. We are leaving early in the morning, taking the boys to Jerry and Candy's, and driving down with Lucy. Hopefully, our luck will hold from our last long drive at Thanksgiving and she'll sleep most of the way there. I've had to pack cold weather things in case it gets chilly during the game. Luckily my dad's motorhome will be in the parking lot if she and I need to warm up. My parents, Matt, Marc, Ben, Olivia, and Audrey will be there. Ben's going with Olivia's family, but she and Audrey said they'd leave the game early if the babies needed to go back to our rooms. Depending on the weather and the score, we might be shopping in the evening too!

I'm excited to eat at Cheesecake Factory, and Shea's looking forward to Buffalo Wild Wings. It will be a good break for us to spend a little time together during this hectic time! We can't wait until we get a real vacation to somewhere warm , tropical, and without the kids. We're on the countdown!

We get home Friday afternoon, have a Burr family party that night, Nutcracker Saturday, Hansen party Saturday night, and then it's Christmas Eve! I can't believe how quickly this season has gone--even though Thanksgiving was early!

Happy Birthday Cory

So, I haven't posted in a while due to busyness, grumpiness, laziness...so here are a few pictures of what we've been doing lately.

Happy birthday to Cory; I'm waiting to hear how Ruth's Chris was.

I'm still not writing anything due to reason #2 above. Maybe I'll post more later--if I feel like it.

Spon*tan*e*ous

I guess I can still have fun as a mom. With the kids. Without a husband.
Jane and I took 9 kids to Spaghetti Factory on a whim last night. Neither of us wanted to make dinner, although Jane had started but was easily persuaded to stop. We loaded up the cars and embarked on our adventure.
It was an adventure.
The food was great--when it finally arrived--except poor Brigham had to wait forever for his mac and cheese, only to hear that they ran out of cheese sauce, so he waited for that. Then the waiter came out and said they didn't have any more little noodles. How does a pasta restaurant run out of noodles? Jane's sage advice should have been considered, "under promise, over deliver." The ice cream helped a little, and 90 minutes later, we left well fed and without cleaning up our mess. I think that was the best part. No dishes.
Here's to another day. The Christmas cards are almost done. I have to run some Christmas errands, and maybe clean the kitchen. It needs a little attention.

Getting better

I think there should be a universal rule that moms don't get sick. Life is crazy/hectic/demanding enough when you feel good. But, I am feeling better today. I can actually breathe, so that's a bonus. Now, I just hope my kids stay healthy.

Shea leaves today for Seattle. He only has to be gone until tomorrow night, but it's still a big deal to us because it's rare that he ever has to travel. So, to all you supportive wives whose husbands travel--I am impressed. The only benefit out of the deal is that I won't have to make dinner.

Speaking of dinner, we had cranberry orange glazed, bacon wrapped turkey with herbed angel hair, and sugar snap peas for dinner last night. It was so yummy! It was one of the best dream dinners ever. I love that place. Sunday night was parmesan crusted salmon with fresh green salad, wild rice, and lemon glazed poppyseed muffins. Another delicious dinner.

I just had to take a break to clean up the messiest blow-out in Lucy's history. It was a seven wet wipe, throw away the onesie, put her immediately in the tub, kind of problem. But, now we're better.

Today my goal is to get all the Christmas cards in the mail. I'm just hoping that they don't require extra postage. I ordered my photo prints online at Costco. It was fast, easy, and they were done in an hour! (I still haven't picked them up, but I figured I'd go today while the boys are at school.)

Have a happy day!

Christmas Blessings

Today I'm grateful for three beautiful kids who love each other.

After hours of holiday shopping as a family, we were eating lunch at Rumbi (oh man, it was good.) The kids had been so good for so long, and we were all happy to be eating. We had mostly finished and I was feeding Lucy some rice and beans. After her bites, she would start blowing raspberries with her tongue. The boys were laughing hysterically--you know, that laugh that they can't imitate. She would then start laughing at them laughing. Shea and I were laughing at the kids laughing. It was a sweet moment.

I am so thankful for the Savior and for my eternal family!

I'm dumb

Christmas 2005 photo
So, by clicking on the "compose" tab at the top of this page, I have a lot more blogging options. Maybe I should always blog early in the morning before my boys wake up! Duh.
Jane, now I can change text color, alignment, font, etc. Boy do I feel dumb.
I'm happy to report that I have finished a good part of my Christmas shopping. I have bought or know what I'm going to buy for most of my presents--with the exception of my mom who is the hardest person on this entire planet to shop for. Really, if there were a contest for that title, she would win. Any ideas would be appreciated!
This weekend followed by every weekend until after New Year's starts our partying. I look forward to all the parties and time spent with family and friends. It gets busy, but I love it!
Besides shopping, I still have to get our Christmas card picture taken. It would be much easier if I just decided to be in it to hold Lucy--but coordinating outfits for me and Shea sounds like almost as big of a nightmare as just taking the kids' picture.
Does anyone have good neighbor gift ideas? We have like 30 neighbors to remember. I'm putting your brains to work today! :) Now I expect some help from you organized, planned ahead, ready for Christmas people!
Have a great Thursday! My kids get to go to preschool! Yea!!!

Busy Monday

For those of you whom I haven't talked to in the last three days, Lucy is CRAWLING and her second tooth has come in. She is growing so fast! I love to watch her get around, although it just means she's heading for trouble. I didn't even have the tree up to motivate her, and she was moving. Needless to say, she doesn't spend any time around the tree alone.

The tree is up--it took us all afternoon/evening Saturday to get it picked out, lighted and decorated, but it looks awesome! Shea is right about the real tree thing. We have a lot of fun together lighting and decorating. Let's just call it our family tradition.

Sunday was busy as usual. Shea was at meetings/tithing settlement from 8 to 5 and then from 7:30 to 9:30. Long day! I got a new calling as a relief society instructor--prepare a lesson once a month--it will be a sweet calling! We had a family fast for my brother Cam who's been having a hard time lately in Japan. His companion is a retard and Cam has been having migranes every day. We then met at my parents' to close our fast and have a family dinner. That's what I look forward to on Sunday--visiting family.

Today was productive...laundry done, house cleaned, dinner made, out to lunch with Shea, visit Taylors, attempt to take Christmas card pictures (Jane--help!!!) eat dinner, FHE, birthday gift to Brooke, kids in bed, blog, bed! Here are some photos of my botched attempts. Cam's face depicts exactly how I felt. Lucy would not cooperate. We'll try again later, maybe earlier in the day.

Can't find pictures...Lucy crying...will try again later.