What We've Been Up To

I just had to take two 8 month doll pictures---I found this outfit and couldn't resist. (it was Cole-bears-they both looked darling in it.)

Spencer is just thrilled to be watching Cam's Halloween parade.

Before all the wedding craziness began (not my wedding, of course) I started making my own patterns for baby booties. I don't have the patience to follow the patterns I had purchased (about 6 patterns equaling 6 different almost finished shoes). If Abby had just one foot we would be in business. Hopefully after the first of the year I can get my patterns all organized and typed up.

I did a couple of boutiques---One in N. Ogden with my sisters, hosted by cousin Carin (so fun to see everybody). And one in Provo. I didn't do too shabby, it was fun to just try the boutique thing out.

Kater-bug turned 8 months old, and is she fun or what. Mostly fun during the day and "or what" at night. We enjoyed a couple of weeks in October of Abby sleeping 12 hours at night--straight through. Those days are long gone. Oh well, no sense obsessing over lack of sleep. I will sleep when I'm dead.

The first grade classes put on a darling Thanksgiving program. When Cam was telling Daddy about the upcoming program he said, "Dad, when you hear the song you're going to cry."

Chad said, "why's that?"

"Because you're like that."

It was a great song, but not necessarily a "crier".

If Abby refuses to take an afternoon nap for me, Chad is assigned to get her to sleep right when he gets home from work. It's a rough job, but he's willing to sacrifice so Abby gets a nap--hehe.

Abby is sucking on a snowball. She loved it---until she would put it in the water and it would disappear. She would look confused and put her hands all over the water like she was looking for it. Then when she realized it was gone she would get TICKED--little girl has quite the temper. Chad would get her another snowball and we would start all over with the joy, confusion, then anger. Funny girl.

Spencer and his best friend. They play almost everyday. His friend is in Kindergarten, so we start playdates at 8:30 am some days to make sure they get enough "friend time".

This is a 35 x 14 foot fort that Chad and the boys made. They used every folding chair, end table and blanket we have in the house--along with about 3 dozen clothes pins. I'm all for the fun and games of building forts, but I threatened the boys big time that they are to help clean up without complaining. We shall see.

Such a big girl---eating at the bar with her brothers.

She looked like a "tick about to pop". This was the night we went to pick out our Christmas tree.

These are the necklaces, brooches, and hair pins for the little girlies for Brett and Nat's wedding.

I had such a good time making all the jewelry and accessories for the wedding. I especially loved creating the necklaces for the big girls. Hopefully they will look awesome. I will post pictures of my "assignments" at the wedding. Jewelry, centerpieces, scrapbook. SO FUN.

Saturday night was the Hall Christmas party. Such a great picture of my babies.

Abby cries with EVERYBODY except Mommy, Daddy, Grammy and now Kristi (way to go Krispy)----Oh and add Santa Clause to the list. We thought for sure she would lose it, but she just looked at him.

That Kid Will Never Be Fat

Spencer's favorite cookies ever are No-Bakes (the chocolate and oatmeal ones). All day Thursday Spencer asked for me to make him No-Bake Cookies. He ate well at dinner so I told him I would. He was in the family room wrestling with Chad and came running in the kitchen, "mmmmm, No-Bakes. It smells so good." I put them on waxed paper and told him they were ready. He came back in the kitchen and said, "No thanks."

"But Spencer you have been asking all day for me to make these."

"Yah mom, I wanted you to make them. I didn't want to eat them."

And that would be my Spencer. I kept offering them to him and he kept saying, "no thanks."

No worries, Mommy ate the entire batch---by herself. Until the next day when Spencer saw that there was only one left in the container--he finally agreed to eat the last one.

Halloween

Halloween was kind of a bust this year because of the rain. Luckily Nat had a Halloween party the end of September so we were able to wear our family costumes at least once. Abby was a loaf of Wonder Bread. I was a jar of strawberry jam. Chad--Jiff Peanut Butter. Spencer- a glass of milk. Cam--an EPI pen (epinepherin pen for allergies.) Since they didn't want to be a glass of milk, or epi pen for school activities they went as Batman and a magician.

My "First Baby" Turns 7!!

Oh my goodness Cam-Bam--you're seven. I can't believe how the time has flown. You are such a handsome little man with an infectious laugh. I love that you are a nerd in training---asking for a chemistry experiment kit and robot kits for your birthday. You try so hard to be so good and are learning to not be negative and hard on yourself. You have so many good friends, there aren't many days that we don't get numerous phone calls for you to play.

I am so proud of what a good big brother you are. Spencer is always included when you are playing with friends and when you aren't teasing him you are so kind and patient. Abby will always be able to count on you for whatever she needs in a big brother.

Happy Birthday my love!!

Crawling

So,,,Abby started crawling on Monday. Chad and I just looked at each other, "we are so screwed!" We were REALLY hoping that she would be like Cam and not crawl until 9 1/2 months (that would put us past Christmas). But it's not to be. We will have a well barricaded tree this year.

She was a little tired of all the attention on Monday night.

I finally got around to taking Abby's 7 month pictures on Sunday morning. She was in such a goofy mood, I had to take the pictures in quick succession. I just had to post all the pictures.

Lovin' a clean babe!!

Busy Week

This year for fall break we decided to stay home and do a fun activity every day. Luckily the kids are young enough they don't need a big vacation to call it a successful school break.

MONDAY

We went to the annual pumpkin pick/weenie roast Greg's family hosts. It really is one of our favorite holiday events. The weather was beautiful, food was good and the kiddos had a ball.

Not a very flattering picture of the three of us, but oh well.

Happy momma, darling baby and beautiful sunset.

4 wheelin with uncle Greg.
TUESDAY
Nat was set apart for her mission. It was a beautiful blessing. Nat's mom was in Hawaii so I got to go with Brett to drop her off at the MTC. It was a beautiful day and we were able to get some great pictures. Then we pulled up to the curb, unloaded her luggage and off she went. She will do such a great job in Hong Kong. Go Seester Russell!!!

THURSDAY
We went with Jayne and her kids to Trafalga for the day. Laser tag was a hit, bumper boats---not so much. The kids had such a fun time together.

Happy faces.

Sad faces and wet clothes. The kids were ganged up on by 4 teenage boys on the bumper boats. Jayne was yelling like crazy, but they kept pinning the kids under the waterfalls. Pretty cool to pick on kids less than half your age--eh? When Spencer was recounting the story to Chad he couldn't remember that the kids who picked on them were called "teenagers", so he told him, "these humans kept squirting us and not letting us out of the water."

FRIDAY

We met Daddy for lunch and then went rock climbing. The boys have improved SO much since the last time I saw them climb. Abby was great to just watch. They are turning into little climbers-that's for sure.

SATURDAY

We intended to get up and off to the zoo first thing, but Abby decided to take a 2 1/2 hour nap. Of course. It was all good though. The kids were so great in the car and they loved the animals and especially the playground. It was just wonderful to be out in PERFECT weather with my little family.

Pure Joy!

PURE JOY!! My little love is 7 months old today and she has at least 4 people (probably more) absolutely wrapped around her little finger. She wasn't dressed cute enough to take her 7 month doll picture, and unless an outfit is covered in puke or poop, there is no changing. This last month has been a dream--Abby has been sleeping amazing---12-13 hours and sometimes she doesn't even wake for a feeding. She has been doing better with naps too--a 30 min and a 45 min -2 hour. When she is awake she is happy, happy, happy. She isn't mobile yet, but is freakishly close to crawling--dang.

I took this picture just an hour ago. Abby discovered her thumb about a month ago and night sleeping has been better.

Look, she has a spoonful of squash in her mouth and she isn't gagging or wincing.

Oh my goodness---an open mouth,,,with food coming toward it. We have NEVER encountered this before. She likes her food mixed with with rice cereal and watered down,,,but she will open her mouth over and over and even says, "mmmmm".

Still in love with momma.

This is a dress I wore for my 8 month pictures--She looks quite a bit like me.

Yes, I do know that I am jinxing myself as I type all the wonderfulness of Abby. She will probably start teething tomorrow, be up 5 times tonight and start crawling/destroying the next day. But, when those things do happen (oh, and I know they will) I would like to look back at this time and remember how marvelous it was.