Below Freezing Outside!

Are you cold? Well here in Idaho we are below freezing! When your boogers feel like rocks in your nose because they froze instantly when you stepped out the front door, you know it has to be cold...too cold! Here is how mommy dresses Tavin and Katie in attempt to keep them warm! As you can see, Katie doesn't much appreciate her marshmallow-like outfit:)

Best Buds

Tavin can't seem to get enough of his sister. And Katie absolutely loves him! She lays so still so she can focus on him and listen to his voice. I know they new each other in heaven. While Katie lays on her activity mat or sits in her bouncer, Tavin loves to talk to her, tell her she is cute, tell her about stuffed animals and toys we have for her, show her how things work, and asks her to watch him do things like throw his ball or practice his jumping. He even tries to change her diaper sometimes! I love his tender heart and hope he never grows out of his compassion and sensitivity toward others. I hope these two only grow closer as Katie gets older.

Santa's Coming to Town

So here are some of the things that we have done while getting ready for Christmas:

Our church Christmas party-just before Santa was supposed to arrive, the power went out. Supposedly something blew up in the Rocky Mountain Power Co. building and no power while they fixed it for about 3 hours. So, Santa by flashlights and lanterns. We were so excited though because last year Tavin cried at the sight of Santa but this year-he screamed with joy SANA SANA and clapped his hands. We waited in line-hoping he would still have the same enthusiasm once it was our turn. And to our delight he did, he sat right on Santa's lap and talked to him about where his "horses" were (reindeer). We even got a picture. He was sooo happy about the chocolate penguin he got from Santa-he ate it in the dark-once we got home. It was good that I couldn't see the chocolate dripping down his shirt:)

Here is the Snowman hat my mom bought him for the Holidays! So fun-he wears it around the house and while watching Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer, and Cau's Christmas Movie. (I have now seen each of these movies about 10 times). More festive hats to come....

It is December 20th and our tree is up-but not decorated. We debated whether to decorate it at all-since we will be leaving to visit Family on Wednesday:) We are going to set up the remote control train we got though! Tavin's gonna love it.

Now to pack...oh man....

Just A reminder to All

Today I explored a little on the blog: adailyscoop.blogspot.com. The Author of this blog had a daughter around one and a half years old who tragically fell into their backyard spa this past June. She was in critical condition at the hospital and died 2 days after. The blog she writes is to help her cope with all her emotions. I couldn't help but wipe away a few tears as I read about this mother and the hole that is left in her heart from a child who has moved on to the next world without her. I am so grateful for my 2 children and have been reminded again that I need to cherish every day with them. Who knows what tomorrow will bring, and above all, I want my children to know I love them.

She also shared her unwavering testimony of God that she has gained as a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I too want to add my testimony that God lives and that he knows us personally. He feels our pain and brings comfort and peace to us in exactly the way we need it. I am so grateful to know that families are FOREVER and that we can all be reunited with loved ones that have passed on before us again. This mother will be reunited with her daughter once again in heaven and until that day, Camille is being very well taken care of by a loving and all knowing Heavenly Father. I know this to be absolutely true.

Check out the website-she is a beauiful writer and have some really inspiring thoughts

Thanksgiving

We went to Utah for a whole week to be with my family for Thanksgiving. It was so fun! Here are some things we did:

*Saw "New Moon" with my mom and sister-Chrissy. I liked it better than Twilight actually.
*Took Tavin and Katie to play at the Carl's Junior play place with Aunt Krisha, Aidan, and Ethan
*Had Yummy Thanksgiving Dinner with My family, Grandparents, and Cousins
*Took Family pictures-this was quite the challenge-getting all the kids to look at the same time!
*Black Friday Shopping with my sisters Krisha and Karey and my dad-it was sooo fun and we found everything we were looking for-even though we had to hold on to the toys at Toys R Us for dear life-people can get pretty nasty when it comes to toys!
*Took my mom out for dinner to the melting pot-so good!
*Left overs:)

Daniel got his share of fun as well-he ate at the new "In and Out" in Draper-the lines were crazy! They had to wait for about a half hour inside but the drive thru line was at least an hour long!
He also went to see "Old Dogs" with all the boys
And he got his video game playing in as well

Smiles and Giggles

This is Katie's favorite position to be in when we put her to sleep-hold her underneath her arms and bounce her up and down gently. Funny huh!

Update on our Katie bug: Katie is quite the drama queen already. She has a fake cough as well as s fake cry at 2 months! These are what she uses when she wants us to pay attention to her or when she wants us to feel bad for her:) She is now smiling and cooing and I love it! She stays awake longer now and Tavin joins in when I talk and play with her. She can be crying and as soon as Tavin starts talking to her-lays down beside her-she stops and listens. She loves her big brother. Today I cuddled her in my arms while she was sleeping...so still and peaceful. I know when she smiles in her sleep she is dreaming about Heaven and where she used to live-probably wishing she was there again-but I am so glad she is here on earth with me!

A Laugh: The other day, Daniel and I got to laughing because she had a massive blow out! She eats a ton, and thus, she poops a ton. This one was so bad that it went all the way up her back. I didn't want to attempt taking it off of her so....we came up with a plan just to cut her out of the onesie with scissors. Oh the fun of parenthood.

The definition of Sacrifice-if you want to learn what that word really means, have children. I think that Heavenly Father intends on children being helpless when they first come to earth so that we can build a bond with them through sacrificing everything for them. Don't get me wrong, the rewards are just as abundant. Their smiles, their giggles, their cuddling, and expressions of love-make it all worth it. The things that are worth the most are the things you give the most for.

The Culprits

Culprit One

Culprit Two

So last night was a sleepless night for Daniel and I....why you ask?

I think it was a Conspiracy actually. I heard Tavin whispering to Katie yesterday...and I thought it was sweet....then when we went into town to run errands, I looked in the mirror to see why Tavin was making weird noises. Evidently he was working on his new cry. It comes from the very back of his throat- kind of like a goose with a bad cold.

Anyway-The night started when culprit number one: Katie wouldn't go to sleep. Don't let her cute little smile fool you. I didn't get finished with her until 1am. And then, at 3:30am I awoke to Tavin's new screaming and him telling us he was sad. He was convinced that it was time to get up already and would not go back to sleep! So Dan put on a movie for him. Of course this all couldn't have gone on without Katie waking up. Luckily she fed and went to bed again. 5:30am rolls around and Tavin starts calling Dan to put on another movie. Yes, the kid is still awake...8am Katie is up and ready to eat again. When I went to check on Tavin, I found him like this:) Oh and he had to have those cherios that are all over the couch next to him.