Thoughts from Daddy...

I was doing situps yesterday and my 3 year old daughter, Anna was assisting me by sitting on my feet. She asked "Daddy, why are you doing situps?" I said "So I can make my tummy smaller". Anna then replied "Daddy, don't be like a baby!" I then replied, "no honey, a meant skinnier", laughing to myself....Anna then replied "oh so all your hair will go away?" Laughing I said, "no honey...." Anna then added " Mommy doesn't like the fat?" I continued to laugh, as I then couldn't think of a reply...we both just laughed.....you gotta love a 3 year old!! So stinking cute!!
Gotta Love A Three-Year Old!

Merry Christmas!

I love this time of year and am so crazy busy working on lots of different projects getting ready for Christmas. Sometimes I wonder why I do it all...late nights, incomplete projects, failed projects (more on that later), successful projects, baking, cooking, decorating and the list goes on. Then I remember that I LOVE IT! I love spending time with my family and creating the little details that really make a difference. I love going to the mall when it's so crowded that you drive around the parking lot for hours looking for a parking space, seeing piles of cookies on my counter waiting to get plated to take to friends and neighbors, bows, ribbons and wrapping paper scattered all around my bedroom floor, the twinkle of the lights on our tree, the soft glow of the candles that sit on our entry table and of course running out to the mail box each day just to see who's Christmas card has arrived. Most of all I love teaching Anna about Jesus and how he was born on Christmas Day and the true meaning of this special season. Even through this is a crazy time I hope everyone takes the time to enjoy it and remember why it is we do it. From our family to your

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

20 weeks today!

Half way there! I can't even believe it. There are people I see everyday that had no idea I was prego. What?Don't people look at stomachs??? I'm sure they just thought I was getting FAT! I really look pregnant and have for about a month. Even Anna's preschool teacher who I see 3 times a week had no idea. She couldn't believe I hadn't mentioned it. Again, AWKWARD! I just told her that I assumed she would eventually notice the growing belly protruding from my front or at least notice as I walked out the door that my butt was getting enormously large. That's the one thing about my pregnancy's that drives me nuts, my back and butt just expand left and right. I don't mind the gaining weight, that's part of the package but I wish it was evenly distributed not centered all in my back and butt. Ah well! Enough of the complaining because we are happy to report we are having a GIRL! We are thrilled. Really it didn't matter either way. Well OK it did a little bit because I'm not sure I can handle another "Lukie" right now. Boys, well my boy, is so much needier and clingier than Anna ever was. He can't even play alone. Silly Boy, he's just a little lover. So we are excited with our news and look forward to seeing our Baby Girl.

Time to say "Good-Bye"

Well it's time to say "good-bye" to Sun Valley and we are so so so sad. This vacation always gets me in the spirit of winter and Christmas. All the trees here are lit up with lights, you can find Christmas tree in all the stores and wreaths hung on almost every door, the people here are so friendly and children are welcome everywhere you go. It's just so family oriented and the resort has a nostalgic feel. I really will miss it but now I have something to look forward too all year.

Being our last day we made the most of it.

Playing in the freshly fallen snow. Kids tried to make a snowman but it was just too soft.

Very first snow-angels.

I look so tired. Maybe it's because I've only been getting about 5 hours of sleep a night. Sleeping with your kids in the same room is like sleeping with a newborn. Every noise they make wakes me up!

There is a bowling here at the resort. It only has 6 lanes and looks like it was built in the 1950's. Anna was excited all day about bowling. Both she and Lukie loved the shoes. Unfortunately the excitement only lasted about 15 mins. Anna bowled three rounds and then was more impressed with the video games. Although we gave them no money, they had a great time thinking they were playing.

Lukie loved throwing the ball but then was upset that it took so long to come back.

Final Score...Dad won!

Nap time was a great time to go shopping. Put the kids in the stroller and off we went to Ketchum to do some shopping. It was pretty snowy but being the die-hard shoppers that we are we braved the snow.

Streets of Ketchum, ID. Snowy and 15 degrees.

Good-bye Sun Valley. See you next year.


View from the front door.

The Inn where we stay.

The outdoor pool where we spend every evening swimming. This year we swam in 20 degree weather while it was snowing. Anna was amazed!

The Opera House. Movies and shows right here on property.

Off to bed and praying we'll make it home in less than 20 hours. We've been checking the road conditions and there are storms from here to California. It's going to be a long trip home.

Winter Break Part 3

One of the things that I look forward to the most in Sun Valley is the Sunday Brunch. It's just so FANCY! Each table is set with about 100 pieces of dishes, silverware and stem ware. There must be 3-5 waiters for each table. You are never at a shortage of a clean table, filled glass of fresh squeezed orange juice, hot chocolate and water. There is so much food. Choices range from salmon, poached eggs, fruit, desserts, muffins, salads, made to order crepes and omelets, bacon, sausage, ravioli, ham off the bone, roast beef and so many other dishes I'm forgetting. I'm already dreaming about breakfast next year. This breakfast made such an impression on Anna that tonight at dinner when we were eating at a local pizza parlor Anna said "this place isn't fancy like our breakfast." After breakfast we took some pictures and then said goodbye to Aaron. We had so much fun spending time with him. He was such a big help with the kids! Thanks Aarie! We love you.

I didn't mention this before but we did have a throw up incident at our FANCY breakfast. Leave it to Luke to gag himself and throw up at the table. Luckily we are used to it and we caught it on two saucers. But that was not the end of that because tonight right before bed he decided to throw up again. This time all over the bathroom floor. I have to journal this because it's just a part of our lives. The worst part is the embarrassment. First we had to discreetly tell the waiter that the plates he was about to take were filled to the top with throw up. Poor guy just looked at us with this look of horror, probably because he had to pick up the plates and pray that the vomit would not spill over. And then tonight Chris had to take the dirty towel down to the men's locker room and dispose of them in the hamper. He did this so that the room wouldn't stink but also so that the poor ladies from housekeeping wouldn't come in and have to pick up wet towels and know that it was us who did it. Oh well I guess it's just part of our life. I hope he grows out of it soon.

Finally I the night was complete when we housekeeping came and turned down the beds and left a box of chocolates. They do this every night and it makes me feel so special. Good Night!

Winter Break Part 2

We thought it was going to be a week in Sun Valley with no snow. But last night a big storm came through and we woke up to blanket of snow. Anna was so excited. She couldn't wait to get ready and go outside to play. Aaron came in late last night and thought he was going to get a good nights sleep and be ready for a day of snowboarding. Boy was he WRONG! After a night of Anna complaining of growing pains and Luke calling my name all night we finally all got to sleep at around 4:30am and were up and out the door by 10am. Chris, Aaron and Anna didn't actually hit the slops until after 11:30am. We had the usual forgetting of lift tickets back at the room and Anna melt down because she didn't want to go up the hill. Finally they were up the hill and Luke and I hung out and played in the fresh powder.

Madeline took and sit and ski class.

Melt down mode. Anna was refusing to go up the hill. Chris finally picked up her up and carried her to the lift.

Skiing down the hill. I think Chris is doing all the work! The first thing she said to me when they made it down was "mom I'm happy again!"

And back up they went!

After a day of skiing or at least a few hours we headed back to the hotel for a well needed nap. One of the benefits of having so many kids around is there is always someone to babysit. Tonight the adults headed out for a nice dinner in Ketchum while the kids stayed home and watched a movie. 16 kids from the ages of 17 to 1 1/2 all in one hotel room...that's a wild party! Another late movie night. Aaron and Lukie snuggling and watching a movie. My kids haven't gone to bed before 11pm all week. I don't know what's going to happen when we get home.

Winter Break Part 1

It's time again for our annual Sun Valley Ski Trip. We almost had to cancel this years trip because of the lack of snow. Fortunately the resort opened only a few days late and we only had to postpone our trip by two days and extend it into next week. I was kinda dreading the first party of the drive because Anna is always so excited to get to "Idaho" and see the snow that she asks over and over "are we close to Idaho?" Good thing for DVD players. Without them it would be a miserable drive. Having to entertain and continually climbing into the back to pick up crayons, books and toys that they drop though out the drive. As it is I have to do that anyway but good thing it's only a few times. Other then the many "potty" breaks, mostly for Chris, we made it to Elko, NV. Elko, Nevada. After midnight. 13 degrees.

We were left Elko at around 11am. It's about a four hour drive to Sun Valley. We made it in about six. Again lots of stops. As we drove into Sun Valley we were a bit sad because there was no snow. Really! No snow. The only place you could see the snow was on the ski runs. I guess they've been making it on the runs for the last week.

Due to the lack of snow we were also the very first ones to check into the Inn. Usually they have guests all week but because the ski mountain wasn't open they had no guests. Just a few hours after we arrived our family started to arrive. First David and Sharilyn with their four children and then Sharilyn's sister and husband with their 7 children. It's crazy to see us all together. There are just so many of us. At pizza tonight they gave us our own room. It is more fun with everyone. The kids have a great time playing together and when Chris and I need alittle break there is always someone willing to watch our kids. Luke is in heaven, there are four other boys here and he just runs around with them like he's a big kid. So cute.

Our days our spent skiing. Well, mine and the kids are mostly spent hanging out in the lodge. Last year I only took a couple of runs because Lukie was only 10 months old and I was able to go out when he was sleeping and this year being pregnant, no skiing for me. Thinking about it next year I'll have an 8 month old so probably not much skiing then either.

The Lodge Anna and Madeline playing in the snow. Anna getting caught eating snow.

After a night of swimming in the heated outdoor pool while it was snowing we enjoyed a late night movie and donuts in bed.

Dear Santa,

1.

(Cream lining)

2.

3.

(Tickets to the show in S.F.)

Santa,

I know it's asking for a lot but I've been very good this year. Really I'd LOVE all three but one will do. The first on the list is a bit pricey but I thought I'd ask anyway. Really I just blog about the wallet because I think it's BEAUTIFUL! A girl can dream, right? My final plea for one of the above is that if you can have a beard then I can have something I really, really, really want.

Love, Mimi

So this is why...

Chris wants to grow a beard so that he can be like Jon Header.



For those of you not following Chris' facebook. I will fill you in on the latest and greatest. He wants to grow a beard. He says it's because he just wants a new look but come on "Mountain Man." Who wants to look like that? Well whatever, all I know is there will be no 'sand paper' kisses for me.

He's even going to church with 'the beard.' Says he's wearing a suit to off set the beard. Won't work, too much hair! Well beard or no beard I still think he's so handsome!

It's all worth it!

This day has been so crazy. OK well let's face it this whole week has been crazy. Trying to keep the house organized, taking down Thanksgiving decorations, putting up Christmas decorations, making meals, getting ready for a huge Chatterbox Designs order, trying to be a good mother and wife and trying to stay organised with my calling as Young Women's President. This week I have not gotten to bed before 2am and I'm up at 7am to take Anna to school. To be truthful I do get to come home a sleep until about 9:30, good thing Lukies a late sleeper. Back to why it's all worth it. I feel like I never really can get things done 100%, you know always leaving loose ends. Like getting laundry washed but it's still sitting in my closet waiting to get folded. Or staying up late tonight to get some wood stained. Even not getting all the boxes of Christmas decorations put back in the closet but instead they are sitting in my bathtub. In the mist of all this there was a knock at the door and when we opened it up there stood my super cute group of Mia Maids. Singing Christmas carols with not one, but two homemade casseroles to give us. I have to say I have a wonderful Mia Maid leader, Marti Tuttle, who thinks up these great service ideas that really are so simple but so appreciated! Tonight those cute Mia Maids spent the evening making freezable casseroles and taking them to expectant mothers. I know I'm not the only one who is going to benefit from their kindness but I am so happy that I was one of them. It makes all my long days worth it!

Christmas Tree {Round 2}

Finally the right tree. Still not my favorite but it will do. I do like how I can hang bigger heavier ornaments and the whole tree won't fall over. Oh no watering..that could be a plus. We did have a great time decorating the tree. Again Lukie and Anna played in the box, I decorated and Chris practice some Christmas tunes on the violin. I'm hoping he'll play them on Christmas eve. Here's hoping!

Ahhhhh! That face again!

Did you notice he's wearing a crown and Anna's red shoes. He only had those on for about a minute because as soon as Chris saw him he pulled off the crown and shoes. Poor Lukie never gets to have any fun.

"Oh Christmas Tree..."

I've never thought much about traditions. Probably because we don't really have any. Until tonight. While most have these very elaborate gorgeous trees with beautiful decorations. You know the ones that get the "gasp!" Ya well not ours. I've always loved a tree that reflects our family. Our tradition...to decorate our tree with ornaments special too us.
This Santa ornament is from our first Christmas tree together. Long ago in Provo when we didn't have much, I made sure we had a few ornaments to go on our humble REAL tree. We still have them all and you can find them hanging on our tree.

My favorite ornament this year. I love anything whimsical.

"A" is for Anna. Tia Lil gave this ornament to Anna on her first Christmas.

"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care..."

"The children were nesteled all snug in their beds..."