Christmas Pictures

Wesley is 2 1/2!

This little boy is no longer a baby (and he'll tell you too!). He is talking up a storm all the time and tries so hard to keep up with Emry and her friends. He has come to love his Woody and Buzz toys and is always repeating "Buzz Light Year, Star Command!" He has conquered potty training during the day but still wears diapers to bed and naps. (He gets through naps dry most of the time though, just not night time.) He loves the Cardinals and BYU. He always wants to pick his Cardinal shirt to wear. He loves to read books. He is a total mamma's boy. He almost always wants me to do everything for him. He also can't wait to grow up and do things like Emry - like go to preschool! He tells me, "When I'm bigger, I go to preschool?" I tell him "yeah!" and he says "I'll say, bye mommy and I won't cry!" He doesn't usually have a problem with nursery any more. I think they moved the girl who bit him into a new class and now he feels better about life. haha! Also, he has started to sleep in. I'm thinking he is more related to his Dad because the other day he slept in till 9. That was amazing. Sleep on Little Man, sleep on!

Emry is 4 1/2

Emry was so excited to turn 4 1/2! You would think it was her actual birthday or something! Haha!! Emry is so much fun and is such a joy to be around. She is polite, kind, fun, and always thinking of others. She is my rule follower. She loves to read and is getting so good at it. She can read so many books and she does it all day long. She often reads things on the road, around the house, and anywhere else she sees words. She loves going to preschool. She loves her teacher and her friends at school. She is very social and likes to play with her friends. She is enjoying dance and tumbling. I'd say she likes tumbling more. She is always doing cartwheels, and handstands, rolls, and is always upside down! She is such a big helper with Norah and Wesley. She always includes Wesley in her play and makes sure he is ok - always taking care of him. She loves to help Norah stand up and carrying her around the house. So nice to have a little helper around!

We love our Emry Kate and are so proud of who she is becoming!!!

Thanksgiving

 We had such a fun Thanksgiving this year in St George. Ben and Shalon were able to come so we all got to meet sweet Cami for the first time, but we missed Jason, Jenna, and Christopher. The kids had so much fun running around together. It was the first year where they just all played on their own and the adults got to play games. Wahoo! Haha! All the kids slept in Grandma and Grandpa's room. They had so much fun and actually slept pretty well. We love being with everyone! Happy Thanksgiving!

Grandpa telling them stories before bed.

 She loved Thanksgiving Dinner

 We had to force the kids to stop playing long enough to eat.

 So much PIE!

 Hiking at the red rocks above the Dixie-one of our favorite things to do in St George.

 Seeing the lights at the St George temple.

 St George temple lights! (Norah stayed home with Grandma and Grandpa to sleep)

 Cousin pajamas for all the grandkids!

 We had a root beer taste test. Some were pretty awful and some were really yummy. Although I wouldn't suggest doing this many in one night. Eek!!

Norah 8 Months

It seems like this sweet girl has grown so much in the last week! 

*She has learned how to get to sitting position from laying down. We lowered her crib one day because I knew she was getting close and then that same day I went to get her from her nap and she's sitting up like I gave her permission to grow up or something.
*Crawled a few "steps" She isn't crawling all over yet but she has definitely done some hand, knee, hand, knee motions. I know it will only be a few days before she is all over the house.
*She can mostly get anything she wants right now through scooting/semi crawling/laying down/standing up.
*Loves to sit on her brother and sister's shoulders and go walking around the house (with my help of course). She thinks it's the funniest thing ever.
*Wearing size 3 diapers and 6-12 month clothes
*Has become a snuggler, specially before bed. We snuggle for a little and then down she goes, usually on her tummy and she puts herself to sleep. This is one of my favorite stages--when they reliably put themselves to sleep. It's wonderful!
*Started getting some MAJOR stranger danger! She is especially scared of men. We had dinner at Dave and Lynne's last week and just one look at Dave and that girl was throwing a fit! It was hilarious! And when Ryan's dad came to visit, she would have nothing of him. I'm sure she'll grow out of it.
*She started babbling a lot saying "da da da da".

October Update!

 October was a great month! The weather was nice and Utah in the fall was just amazing! 

We drove up the canyon in between conference sessions on Sunday (with about half of Utah... It was so crowded). But that's okay because it was so pretty with all the trees changing. The pictures don't do it justice. It was just so peaceful up there. We loved it.

 

 Making Halloween cookies to go BOO our neighbors. This is the best tradition that is so fun for the kids (and us too!). We leave treats on their doorstep and then doorbell ditch them.

 Morning snuggles with these two is the best! They love each other so much!

 Picking our pumpkins at Peterson's Farm is our favorite October tradition.

 Norah started eating solid foods (like whatever we are eating) and it has been the best thing ever. No more feeding her. She is happy to make a giant mess trying to get food in her mouth and I'm happy to let her.

 Me and Wesley tagged along on Emry's preschool field trip to the fire station.

 Emry spends about half her day upside down doing cartweels, handstands, arches, rolls, etc. She is loving her new tumbling class and is getting really good. This month she conquered her back arch from standing. Hopefully soon she can do a back walkover.

 We went and explored Gardner Village with all the witches. Another great October tradition.

 Norah is happy to tag along on all our adventures!

 Exploring temple square

Wesley got his own balance bike and he loved it!

 

Halloween 2016

We had such a fun Halloween this year! We went with a Peter Pan theme this year. Emry wanted to be Wendy but I couldn't find any costumes that were great, so I was going to make one so I called Vivian for her expert opinion. That's when she said she would make it, so of course I let her because hers would be so much better and I'm glad I did because her Wendy dress ended up being so cute and perfect! There is just something about a homemade costume that is extra special! Wesley was Peter Pan and I did make that costume. Norah was the cutest Tinkerbell ever!

I volunteered to help in Emry's class for their Halloween party. I love watching her in class. She really is such a special little girl. She loves being in class and is so helpful, respectful, and always follows directions. Love that girl!

  Next Halloween activity was Ryan's work party. The kids always look forward to this party. They love trick or treating at Dad's work. Ryan loves to show them off too so it works well :) They had a Toy Story theme on one floor and they had Andy's room. It was unbelievable! They always go above and beyond!

 Another floor was Neverland, which was perfect for my little crew!!

 Cutie Pies!

Carving pumpkins! I asked her if she wanted to get all the guts out and she was so excited. Then she leaned in and said, "Actually, it smells really bad, so I want you to do it!" She's funny because she never really wants to get her hands dirty. Haha!

 Halloween Night! These kids had so much fun Trick or Treating. I was impressed by Wesley and how long he lasted. I was going to drop him off and keep going with Emry but he kept saying "No, Trick or Treating!" I mean, look at that smirk. He's adorable!

 Tinkerbell with her Tinkerbell pumpkin

Girl's Weekend

We had the funnest time in St George for our Girl's Weekend! Lynne and I packed into my minivan with the girls (plus Wesley) and drove down to St George together. It's been so long since we've road tripped together because we don't all fit in one car anymore and the time went by so fast. The kids loved having each other in the car and they did amazingly! We also convinced my mom, grandma, Kelli, and Cadence to meet us in St George and we made a real girl's weekend! We swam, ate good food, shopped, played, swam some more, went to the Tuacahn to see Peter Pan, and just had such a good time. It's been a long time since we've stayed up way too late chatting and spending time together. It was a blast all being together!

Grandma Donna and Norah

 Swimming in the hotel pool (past our bedtime!)

 Livvy is a fish! She loves water so much!

 Grandma handing out treats

 These girls had so much fun together. I love seeing their friendships grow! They are adorable together.

 We randomly showed up to the carousel and there was a rally going on where they gave out free food, candy, and free rides. We had a blast!

 The girls ready to go see Peter Pan. By the time the show started, the girls were actually exhausted. They were swimming and playing hard all day and the show didn't start till 730. Emry was asking to go to sleep in the middle of the show but wouldn't actually fall asleep on me. Other than that, they loved the show.

 Love my girl!

 At the show!

 Before the show

 Matching dresses for the girlies!

Norah 7 Months

Norah is getting so big and is just getting to be so much fun. Love this little 7 month old!

She is rolling all over the house, has 1 tooth with another that will shortly make its appearance, eats anything I give her (she just eats with the family now-hallelujah!), wears 6-12 month clothes, laughs the most at Emry and Wesley's crazy shenanigans, loves her binky, started reaching for things on her belly and with rolling and reaching can mostly get them, and finally takes a bottle now. We love you sweet girl!
(The quilt behind Norah is the quilt Vivian made for her. It's darling! Vivian really has a way with quilting! I hope someday I'm as good as she is!)