Turkey Day!

Thanksgiving was a blast this year! We had my best friend and her husband (Taylor's friend since age 7) who drove all the way from Utah! They were so fun to have over and the kids were in heaven. 25 minutes after they left Saturday morning James said, "It's boring here." It was so fun seeing what life will be like when our kids finally have cousins to play with (ahem). =] The were off and running all day and we actually had a lot of time to chat and even play games in the middle of the day. It was wonderful!

James (4), Katelyn (3), Matthias (2), Whitney Mae (1), Hannah Mae (0)


We had our annual Pie Before Turkey with great success this year. Many neighbors and church friends came. I failed to take any pictures of the party, but here are the kids right before while Taylor and I were finishing preparations...


This is my pride and joy of the year! Every year I attempt Lemon Meringue and every year I fail. But not this year! Isn't it beautiful? And set up? And perfect? It was mighty good!


Friday Bec and I shopped and went to New Moon. I found the cutest skirt in the world, seriously for $7 at Children's Place. When you see Hannah wearing it you will agree. Eric and Taylor took the kids to the park where they saw 6 other kids and 4 other dads. No moms in sight...

We had so much fun with the Murrays! And laughed and laughed and played.

Hannah Mae and Whitney Mae...9 months apart and SO cute...maybe Hannah will have that much hair someday?

Snuggle Bumper

Another shout out for my new small business...my website is up and running where you can browse my shop or see posts of recent crafty items I have sewn. Visit me at

snugglebumper.com


Also Discount Queens is having a give away for one of my baby bumpers if you want to enter to win one for yourself or a friend! And I will be featured on their blog for the whole month of December. Please spread the word to all your friends.

Thanks so much for your support!

Chatter and Speak

Matthias: A mmm.
James: AN M
Matthias: Yeah, a mmm.
James: It's called an M!!


James: When I grow up the car I'm going to have is a Porsche Boxster.
Me: Um, they cost $47,000. You would have to be really rich.
James: I'll just have to make lots of money. I'll cut it out of paper.




Me: Kate & Chelsea are coming.
Matthias: They are not our friends. Or a mom or dad. They're just people that live in a house. (Pause) And don't go trick or treating.



At home Hannah gets A LOT of positive enforcement for signing. So at G-ma & G-pa Harveys as she sat in her high chair she did 3 random signs (light and couple others) and just smiled at everyone like "aren't I so great." It was hilarious.


James: How come we all have the same face? (meaning him, Matt, & Han)



Taylor has a digital photo frame in his office and we went to visit him last week. At first was a picture of Matthias. A few minutes later it changed to a picture of Hannah...

Matthias: Where I?
James: Is there a little computer plugged into that piece of wood?


James: (while playing on a blanket) Every corner is a country. This one is America, this is Antarctica, this is Texas.


We were just finishing our Thankful list and I only had one small spot left to write in.
Matthias: choo choo trains!
Me: It has to be something short.
Matthias: Hannah!

Excuse to Eat Empty Calories and Give Other People's Children Cavities while Wearing Ridiculous Clothing----aka Halloween

I know you were all wondering if we celebrated Halloween this year...if you know my intense dislike of this holiday you might not have been wondering. However, we did celebrate despite my loathing of giving hoards of candy to small children. And really, this is how my kids look everyday so I don't see what's so special about October 31. Now if there was a holiday where children had to wear normal clothing (and only one set of normal clothing at that) that would be cause for celebration. Plus, as soon as we get Halloween out of the way Christmas festivities can begin. Maybe after another 6 years of marriage we can scoot the start of The Season to just after Labor Day...a woman can hope.


Matthias literally wore his Spiderman costume everytime the missionaries came for dinner (like 3-4 times). Then he peed in it right before the ward Halloween Party and had to be a pirate instead.


This is serious business (High King Peter from Narnia..."he's a knight and a king")


Mmm...this looks good.


Aren't they adorable?


Ohh, but this looks better. Mmmm.

Camp Scouts

While I was at the dentist (ugh) the boys played "camp scouts" with their daddy (my amazing husband). Here is a visual documentary...I have no idea what went on besides what I see in these pictures. From what I know about scout camp this is probably for the best...

Having Babies

A great friend posted this on her blog recently and I completely agree. Woman have got to become informed and make intelligent decisions. Don't just do want everyone else is doing or what is convenient.


Enough.

My stance on childbirth has been stated pretty clear here.

Well, maybe not clear enough, because I hear I'm labeled - so let me restate it in a way it won't be missed in the skimming:

I don't care what method of childbirth someone chooses or where or how they give birth.

Okay?

Really. I don't. I don't look down on anyone for going to a hospital or staying home, having a C-section (but good glory, I hurt for you if you did) or not, getting an epidural or having the babe sans medication.

I care about the pregnant woman, the woman giving birth and the baby. I like our species and the cute little babes that keep the race of man going.

I am slightly passionate about making informed decisions. Other than that?

I believe the options for childbirth are as varied as the number of people making them.

The only bodies I have to worry about are my own and my families. We will make our choices. I will not sit back and let someone else drive my body through this life, no matter their stand, experience, education, or favorite dessert.

I have a thirst for knowing what else is out there. I think it is smart and polite to listen to different views and experiences, but I'm going to check the sources, okay?

I'm that annoying person who wants to know if the references in the bibliography are factual or not.

Does that mean I think every other women on planet Earth should do the same?

No.

Let me state that again: NO, I do not think every woman should do exactly what I have done in exactly the same way.

I'm weird, people. I'm me. And the world doesn't need more than one of me. I'm sure of it. It's been trying to take me out for years and I keep bouncing back. Ha-TA!

I can't make or talk anyone into doing anything, nor do I believe I should. Good gravy, don't push that much responsibility on me, I won't have it.

For the very same reason, I refuse to let anyone do the same for me.

I believe a degree does not always an expert make. (Hang in there, my graduate-schooled friends, I'm going to make myself clear) Think about your schooling. I'm sure you could name more than a few people you were surprised to see in cap and gown.

However, persistence is commendable and a good many people do a world of good with their education. (See, I like you and your degree and I know what a good load of junk you lived through getting it.)

I simply wish more people gave themselves credit for living in their own bodies for all the years they've been alive. I wish they trusted their intuition more.

I wish I did. I'm still working on it. I'm a big time second-guesser.
Shocked you there, didn't I?

Please don't tell me what I am. I'm still working on that. Too many cooks spoil the pot.

And I need to get this as close to right as I can.

Thank you.

Dreaming

of racing a Porsche Boxster through Wyoming...


...can't you tell by his face?