Words of Wyatt #2

Wyatt was making footprints in the new snow, when he yells to me, "Mom, Mom! They're following me!"

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Tonight I am just wanting to write down some thoughts I have. And advance apology for the cheesiness.

I am thankful. I am actually so incredibly blessed and I spend too much time worrying about everything that I don't have that I never actually think about what I have. I have an amazing, hard working, kind and generous husband who is my world and I am his. I have 3 beautiful, wonderful, healthy children that I love and who love me. I have a family who loves me unconditionally and is willing to help out whenever we need them too. I have great friends who are such a support system to me and that I am able to have fun with. We have a warm roof over our heads. We have the gospel in our lives. Jeremy has a good, steady job with good benefits that he enjoys. We have everything we need and a lot of what we want. I have talents that I am blessed to share with others. I am happy. And I am thankful for that. I need to keep working on remembering that I am thankful for all the many things that I have.

I am also thankful for what I am. I wear many hats-mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, soon to be student, member of the Church, daughter of God. All these experiences have turned me into who and what I am. Every experience bad, good and otherwise have turned me into me! I wouldn't change a thing. And I am thankful for that. I am just thankful. Thankful for everything I have, am and going to be.

Thanksgiving Crafts

This is what I made for our Thanksgiving table. What a cute rafter of turkeys! Aidan also made some sparkly name tags. I will be sure to get a picture when it is all set up on the table tomorrow.
Close up shot of the little guy.
And this is a cute hair clip I made of Lydia. Maybe tomorrow before dinner I will make the boys some turkey pins.
ETA: the other turkey pins! These were so so much fun! Too bad we can only wear them 1 day out of the year.


These were fun, but I am getting very excited for my Christmas crafts! I have a bunch planned!

Crazy Hair Day

It was Crazy Hair Day at Aidan's school. He wanted to show his school spirit, so this is the "do" that we came up with. I actually really like it!

Playing in the Snow

Well, after an unseasonably warm Halloween, we are now having an unseasonably cold Thanksgiving. (Strange how that happens . . . ) As I type this, it is 1 degree F, with -15 degree F wind chill. So, a bit chilly. We also have about 18" of snow, with drifts of about 2-3 ft. We bundled the kids up yesterday to play-here are some pictures. Miss Lydia in her new snow gear. She waddles around like a penguin, but at least she is warm! Jeremy would throw her in a snow drift and she would just laugh! Liddy had a fun time in the snow. Barky doesn't like the snow at all. He has one little path that he made that he uses to do his business, but other than that, he stays inside. Smart dog!
Wyatt thought the snow was pretty cool too. Except, he did not like getting thrown in the snow drift. He liked making chairs and sitting in the snow instead. It was actually pretty difficult to get him to come in. I thought his hands would be frozen off!

Here is Aidan up to his waist in snow. He loves the snow and he runs to the window first thing in the morning to give me the weather report. However, I think his favorite thing about playing in the snow is he gets to come in and have hot chocolate!

We look forward to a fun, cold and snowy winter this year!

A Thanksgiving Aidanism

Aidan likes to make up jokes. He thinks he is hilarious, but honestly, he is no Jeff Foxworthy. Here is one of his jokes that I thought was quite clever:

Aidan: Why did the turkey cross the road?
Me (kinda scared to hear the answer): Why?
Aidan: Because the Pilgrims and Indians were going to eat it! (raucous laughter)

Random 11/17

Today, the babies (actually, I can't call them babies for much longer-they are getting too big!) were watching "Super Why" on PBS. When it got to the part that they said to "put your hand in" (talking to the "audience") Lydia squealed and pointed to the TV. Wyatt, on the other hand, politely shook his head no. I must have laughed for 5 minutes.

Wyatt does a mean robot. We found this out during one of our random dance parties. Lydia has a sweet twirl (and will probably be our singer) and Aidan jumps up and down and wiggles his fanny.

The no cable thing has been one of the best things to happen ever. We get so much more done, we have so much more fun as a family, even the Spirit is stronger. And honestly, we don't miss it all that much.

I had Parent Teacher Conferences for Aidan last week. He is doing great! His handwriting is looking so good, he is a reading maniac and he has a natural talent for math. We are so proud of him! Aidan loves school, loves his teacher, has great friends, and just has a desire to do good.

I am getting so excited for Christmas. I am making a good majority of gifts this year (unfortunately, I can't post about several of them yet because then it wouldn't be a surprise for you!) and it has been fun to find materials and try to make it perfect for the person recieving the gift. I love this time of year!

Wyatt, Lydia and I spent and hour and a half at the pet store today. We looked at every fish, every reptile (Lydia did not like these so much), every rodent (I think they both wanted to bring home a ferret) and every bird in the store. The were so excited and I just loved seeing them observing all the animals. I love watching them have experiences like this.

We got family pictures done. They really turned out well. Luckily, most of you will be recieving one shortly in your Christmas card. I think I look hot. You'll have to let me know what you think ;) I am designing new wall decor around this picture. I'll have to post when I get it done and perfect.

Jeremy and I are going to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow Part 1 on Saturday. I am so excited! 1-because I get to go on a date with Jeremy! We haven't done that in a while and 2-I love Harry Potter!

Halloween . . .

I know that this post is pretty late, but we were having technical difficulties. Better late than never, right? Anyway, the kids wents as superheros for Halloween. Aren't they cute? Aidan's school always has a huge carnival a couple of days before Halloween, and we always enjoy going. This year was no different-each of the kids even won a cupcake in the Cupcake Walk!

Then, on the big day we went to Grandma and Grandpa Arenaz' house for dinner and then Trick or Treating. The weather was so nice-perfect (and slightly unseasonal for late October) for wandering around the neighborhood asking for candy.

Batman Aidan-he had been planning his costume since Halloween 2009 and he has been back and forth with many different things. He finally decided on Batman and we designed everyone's costumes around that theme. Aidan was so so so excited for Halloween-it was pretty much all he could talk about since September. And he had energy! He left all of us in the dust while Trick or Treating-and he could have easily kept going!

SuperWyatt-I am just happy that he actually wore his costume! Wyatt was decidedly less enthused about the holiday than Aidan. But, he did like all the candy!

Wonder Girl Lydia-I have been wanting to make her a skirt like this forever, and I finally had an excuse. Miss Liddy didn't quite get the concept of trick or treating-everytime someone put a piece of candy in her bag, she cried until we got it out and gave it to her. She spend most of the night sticky-but happy.

We went Trick or Treating with our very good friends, the Freeds. It was so much fun to share this holiday with them. Brynn is the ladybug, Dallis is the fairy, Todd is holding Graham the dog, Aidan is Batman, then Jeremy is holding WonderGirl Lydia, SuperWyatt and lastly Hadley is a cat. Aren't they all so cute?!

And we couldn't leave out the witches of the party-Ann-Michelle and me. We coordinate so well!

Halloween was fun-but I am glad it is over. I can't wait for the "real" holidays!

Library Card

Aidan came with me to run errands the other day and one of our stops was to the library. While we were there, I asked Aidan if he wanted to apply for his very own library card. He was hesitant at first, thinking this was something that he was not going to be allowed to do, but then he got excited when I told him that all he needed to know was how to sign his name-and he knew how to do that. After waiting in line forever (I kept telling him that it was good practice for when he got older) he signed his name on the back of his brand new library card and checked out his very own books and movies with it. On the way out, he kept looking at it and then asked me, "So, does this mean I can drive your car now?" Nice try bucko-but no. All that card allows you to do is check out books, not operate heavy machinery. Ah, how quickly they grow.

Halloween Craft

Cute, huh?

Creepy Little Friend

Ace found this creepy little dude outside under the swingset. He comes running in a panic, "Mom! Dad! There is a praying mantis outside! Come look!" I didn't even think he knew what a praying mantis was, but lo and behold-there it was. Jeremy picked it up to put in our flower beds (that are totally dead, but whatever) and the boys wanted a picture with it. I can't believe that I let this thing in my home!

Lyrical Lydia #3

We were at Home Depot, Jeremy was showing us the huge Christmas reset he had done that week. We pointed to a giant inflatable Santa Claus and asked Lydia, "Who is that?" Lydia replied, "GRANDPA!"

NO CABLE!?!?

So, we got rid of our cable TV. For lots of reasons. To save money, wanting to spend more time together, get Aidan to watch less TV. So, we cancelled service more than a month ago, but no one ever came by to disconnect it, and after several phone calls, we just decided to live with the fact that we had free cable. What a tragedy, right? Well, Monday, the guy came and disconnected it. Right in the middle of Oso. Which is Wyatt's favorite show ever. The fit that ensued was epic. Only to be rivaled by the fit Aidan threw when he came home from school and discovered that he couldn't watch iCarly, and Phineas and Ferb, and his other myriad of shows. Crying hysterically for an hour and a half was a little bit dramatic, you think? Then, even Jeremy threw a tiny fit when he discovered that we can't even get digital TV with our crappy box and he couldn't watch "Castle." But I forgave him, especially when I realized that we couldn't get Fox so I could watch "Glee" on Tuesdays. Now, I am just hoping that we are able to find the best signal by Thursday so I can watch "Grey's Anatomy."

See how the TV has ruled our life? We have all had our fits this week (well, except for Lydia, who thinks the TV is her own personal music box and she dances to every jingle that comes on) about various shows that we "just can't live without!" What an addiction that we have! We pay much more attention to this square piece of plastic and wires than to each other. So, this is a good thing! Think of all the time we can be with each other now! Think of all the things we can do! Not having to stay home on Thursday because "that is the best TV night." This is a blessing in disguise! This is liberation!

We just might have a short adjustment period to make. . .

Bowapalooza 2010

My friend, Ann-Michelle, and I spent a solid 10 hours over the course of 2 days making hair bows for our girls (she has 3-so she made even more than I did!). Here are the fruits of our labors. Now, however, I just want to make more! Lydia's hair is always well dressed. I just can't choose a favorite. Which one is yours?

To the Zoo

We went to the zoo last Saturday. It was a deal for Aidan-he wanted to go to the fair, but we didn't, so we compromised with the zoo and a picnic. It was an absolutely beautiful day-not too hot, not cold, no breeze. The animals were aparrently enjoying the weather too-they were out in full force and showing off for all of us. We all had such a terrific time. These pictures are in no particular order. . .(ps, you should be grateful that my camera died half way through-I would have gone totally picture crazy if not!)

The boys showing us their "monkey moves." The monkeys (both the animals and the kids) were having so much fun-I think they were Wyatt's favorite. We probably were in the monkey house for about 30 minutes just watching them swing around and "talk" to us. Lydia got excited when they came close, and kept trying to give them kisses through the glass.

I love this picture! We watched the huge tortoises. Even they were active, crawling around their little pen. Camels. In the Asian Adventures part of the zoo, there were tiger prints pressed into the cement. The kids liked to follow them and point them out. Riding a tiger. Wow, the things you can do at a zoo.

This was Lydia's favorite part. She loved the goats! We could barely get her out of the goat pen! Liddy kept hugging them and petting them-and the goats really liked her too! They would lick her cheeks and she would giggle. All the kids got a quarter to buy feed for the goats and they all had fun feeding them. Aidan and the pelicans. He says that he liked the wallabees and the alligator the best, but I don't have pictures of either. Ace was also disappointed that the otters weren't out, but was placated with watching the penguins feed.

We spent a good 3 hours at the zoo. Lydia fell asleep in the car, but the rest of us got hot dogs at a stand and took them to the park to eat. Man, those were some of the best hot dogs I have ever had! We had such a good time and made so many wonderful memories. I am so glad that we have such a fun zoo here in town.

Words of Wyatt

Wyatt says "Thank You" at all the appropriate times, but he says it in the cutest way. "E New!"

My Labor Days

So, I really don't know exactly why we celebrate Labor Day. I am sorry. But I don't. And we didn't do a thing noteworthy today either. But every time I think of "labor day" I think back to my labors, and since I have seen several other blog posts about this, I am going to copy them and record some of my memories of my "labors."

Aidan-August 9-I was induced at 9 AM and had Ace at 3:50 PM. Nothing really noteworthy about this one. It went really quite easily (for giving birth). My mother in law brought me hair clips and Jeremy a candy bar (that most likely I ate) and she told me jokes while I was in labor.I remember that "Friends" was on right when I delivered. And that I was really hot and sweaty afterward, and they brought me a fan to cool off. Also, the hospital had amazing crossoint sandwiches and we watched "Top Gun" together that night as a family. All the doctors thought that he was one of the most beautiful babies that they had seen.

Wyatt-March 8-We were house hunting when I went into labor with Wyatt. Just running around town, going to all the open houses when I started noticing that my contractions were getting really close together and really painful. I remember being scared every time a contraction stopped, because I felt fine and I was scared I wouldn't have another one and it was just false labor. But no, I went into the hospital at 1 PM and had WyGuy at 5 PM. And the whole time I was scared that they were going to send me home saying it was false labor. Mom was also in delivery with me and that was pretty special. I was shocked to see Wyatt's hair. It was long and full, but dark blonde! I had never seen that color of hair on a newborn before. After, I was so shaky (from the epidural) that I was scared to hold him because I thought I might drop him. They also brought me lots of food after his delivery. It was quite tasty. I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast. I felt really good, except my arms and legs were sore from pushing. I thought that was weird. We had lots of visitors that night too.

Lydia-February 21-We did not have a name before I had Lydia. We had some narrowed down, but we were waiting until she was born to officially name her. I woke up with contractions at 4:30 AM and started timing them, but they were really super random, but they HURT! So, I woke up Jeremy, took the boys to Mom and Dad's and got to the hospital at 6 AM. They kept telling me that I probably couldn't have an epidural because I was too far along, and I kept telling myself that, "It doesn't really hurt, it doesn't really hurt" and everyone laughed at me. I had Lydia at 6:29 AM, and the second the doctor placed her on my chest, Jeremy and I looked at each other and said, "Her name is Lydia." I felt so good after having Liddy. Everyone who visited me that day was amazed that I was up and showered and dressed. With Lydia, it was the first night that Jeremy didn't stay overnight with me in the hospital, so Liddy and I slept together in the rocking armchair that was in my room (way more comfortable than the bed!) The nurses thought she was so beautiful and kept making hair bows for her. We left the hospital with 12!

That is my long winded story of my labors. I am so lucky to have such easy ones. And now I am glad that I have these written down somewhere so I don't forget. These were the details that I wanted to remember and pass on.

Back to School

Yesterday was Aidan's first day of First Grade. He was so excited! Not a single nerve in this boy! Ace could hardly wait to get out of the door! He wanted to dress "to make the girls fall down." The first thing that he said when he got home was, "Mom, the food was GREAT!" I wonder how he will feel about school lunch in a couple of weeks. But he really liked his teacher, Mrs. Eckman, and they had a practice lock down too, which really made an impression on him-he thought it was so cool, except he had to go to the bathroom and they wouldn't let him leave the room. It was amazing, he just talked and talked about how his day went. I didn't have to ask for any information! Wyatt missed him a lot. He kept saying, "Where's Aidan?" I would say, "School." And then Wyatt would say, "Oh, school," like it was a dirty word. Aidan was excited to go back today too. Aidan also made a new friend, Carter. I hope he cultivates some new friendships-I am so excited to see him branch out.

I can't believe that I have a 1st grader! But I am so excited to see him growing and learning. I love the person that he is becoming. Good luck in 1st grade Ace!

School Supplies

I just love school supplies. There is something about them that scream "here's your chance to start over!" to me. I love a fresh box of crayons, crisp paper, new folders, sharp sissors. The start of a new school year has always allowed me to reassess-make changes, improve something, start something new. I have my list of things I want to do-what are some of yours?

Into the Woods

We decided that as an ending to our summer, we would go camping for a few days. We have a camper (see below-stylish, isn't it? But it does keep us warm and dry) and we haven't gone since Aidan was really little. So we packed up (it took a week of cleaning and packing to get ready) and took off for the woods.

At the campsite, getting things set up. I told Aidan and Wyatt to go find sticks to help make a fire while we were busy getting everything together. I should have taken a picture of the pile. That was a very popular activity. Their wood pile would have started a forest fire! After things were all in their places, we cooked dinner (in the fire-Aidan thought that was really cool), roasted marshmellows and tucked everyone in to bed.We woke the next morning to sunny skies, orange rolls and hot cocoa. And silly grins. It was a good night. I was amazed how well everyone slept cramped up together in a camper out in the woods.(The shoes that Lydia is wearing in this picture were my shoes from so many years ago. Aunt Kellee-do you recongize them?
After breakfast, we went exploring. This is the dock in Island Park that we were going to float to the next day. Here is the old railroad bridge that marked the start of the river float. We later came back to this place to wade a little in the water. The water was COLD, but it didn't stop the kids. We also took a hike around our campsite (it was a beautiful campsite-it really was. We are going back next year for sure! Aidan, Lydia and Mom Lydia-she decided that she had gone far enough and sat in the grass protesting. It was cute, so I snapped a picture.

Wyatt-getting his shoes all muddy. We couldn't keep him or Lydia clean for anything!

Aidan-he wanted to jump into this creek. He kept spotting little fishes. It was a very pretty place. I tested out my budding photography skills with some really nice scene shots. Maybe sometime I'll share.

We also brought along Barky-he was such a good dog! He played hard. We thought he would keep us safe from bears. I guess he did, since we didn't encounter a single bear. We did have a buck wander really close to camp. I saw him and he scampered off as soon and we saw him. We went and found his hoof prints later too. He came really close into camp.

Later that afternoon, Grandma and Grandpa Barnes and the Rawlings family came up to keep us company for the next couple of days. Josh and Ellie came up the next day too. It was so fun to have cousins to play with! Aidan got to sleep in a tent with Dillan and Ian and he thought it was awesome to be included with the big boys.

We went floating on the river on Saturday with everyone. I do not have pictures of this because I wanted to keep my camera working and not soak the thing, but it was a lot of fun. Wyatt loved being out on the water! I eventually got the hang of paddling our little boat. We also spotted 2 moose-one right in the water and the other next to it. The boys also saw a bird swoop down over the water and catch a fish in its beak. It was really, very cool.Aidan, Wyatt, Izzy and Ashley playing with some playdoh.
Pancake breakfast! Yum!

By Sunday, we were kinda ready for ammenities like flushing toilets and hot tap water, so we decided to drive the 20 miles to West Yellowstone for a few hours (Plus, it was raining, and we wanted to stay dry). The kids loved meandering through the stores and finding treasures. We didn't buy anything, but we did have a lot of fun looking. Next time, we are going to plan to go to the museum and to the IMAX theater. We might even take them to Old Faithful sometime. Wyatt liked all the toy guns that were around. He really like this pop gun.I liked the Davy Crockett hats. Doesn't Liddy look cute?!Aidan just liked everything. "Can I get this?" was his favorite sentence of the day. Smile! It's a tin buffalo! Aidan also really liked all the stuffed bears and other animals that were in all the shops. He posed for alots of pictures in front of them. When we got home from West Yellowstone, we decided to pack up and call it a weekend. We had such a fun time. It was great spending time with family, and eating yummy food (new potatoes and peas. . .). It was nice to have some fun down time as a family before having to start the new year. Camping was a great success. The kids loved it, we loved it. I am so excited for future summers that we can do this more. I am excited to start a family tradition.