Festivities

Hannah begged to make a real gingerbread house...so I bought a kit as costco, that's as real as it's going to get around here. My mom came over and helped her put it together and as soon as they were finished Hannah wanted to eat it. I don't think she gets the idea of leaving it for display...either way, it was immediately stripped of the good candy and the next day Maddax had his helping of the little cottage himself.

In other news, we saw Santa...again. Apparently, we can't get enough. However, Hannah says they aren't the real Santa because his beard is different than the video message. {see previous post.} So I explained he has helpers and you never know if you are seeing the real one or a helper and in the end he get's the message anyway. On a sidenote, Hannah said Santa is a genius because he has elves/helpers that do all his stuff for him-oh my.

And as if there is nothing else going on in my life, Hannah lost yet another tooth, I believe that brings the count to 5. {at least she is now 5 1/2...but I'm pretty sure this is a lot of teeth for her age...?} She has two more that are loose which would leave her with one front tooth...poor kid. I'm planning on getting good pictures before that happens, hope they can hang in there until after Christmas...jk...kind of.

Lastly, Kolby just can't let the Max Hall thing go---he's pretty proud of his new t-shirt.

Hannah's message from Santa!

Click here to see Santa's message for Hannah. Here is Maddax's. It is SO cute! It is a personalized video from Santa acknowledging what she's done this year, what she wants, and what she looks like.

You can also "see" a message from Santa for your kids/spouse/friends----for free!

SaTurDAy

I'm not used to spending an ENTIRE day with my kids. I know-it's sad, slightly pathetic, but working mom's know, that's just the way it is, but I have a few things to share.

Anyway, it seems Maddax is learning how to get into EVEN more, which I didn't think possible, and yet, it is. He has figured out how to turn on the tub and get in-he doesn't care if he's wearing clothes or not. Crap. Keeping the doors closed may work for now, but he's working on that too.

Yesterday I moved my office into another room in the basement and put the toy room in what was my office-since the toys were moved, the kids act like they are brand new toys (hmmm, I'm thinking I should just wrap existing toys for Christmas, they wouldn't know the difference right?)

So again, Maddax climbs in the toy stroller and they cruise the hallways.

After I'm done picking up the toy room (yeah-me, and do you think I played with the toys?! mmhmmm.) Hannah went and played hopscotch in the garage because it was snowing.

And last but not least, the ward Christmas party. I'm not going to rag on the flaws, 'cuz it is what is is, but Hannah strong-armed me into staying (my fault for signing up to bring rolls I suppose.) But we had to stay for the big man in red--->

Just for the record, she actually told him she wasn't sure she has been good. I guess when I die I can at least say I raised her to be honest...hahaha.

Back in business

I got a killer deal at Office Max on another camera card...so I'm back in the picture biz. Today Maddax started cleaning the house, he loves the swiffer {maybe because I do, my stupid kitchen floors shows EVERYTHING} and he gets it out daily to do the floors. He also tries to put soap in the dishwasher, but as the bottle is getting emptier, he can finally carry it to the dishwasher, thank goodness for child-proof caps.

Hannah has started playing with Maddax more, but she especially loves helping him get into things he couldn't do on his own. Like getting in her dolls' stroller, locking him in a bedroom...typically sibling rivalry is beginning. Also, Hannah's creativity is just getting bigger now that she has several class-mates to fuel it. Why she decided to put a leash on her doll, I just don't know. I've never put a leash on Maddax, or her...Kolby actually stated that was a condition of marrying him, no children on leashes! {Funny huh?!}

Halloween re-cap

Teeny tiny update...Trunk-or-Treat on Friday with the Stake and some extended family members...Minor trick-or-treating on Saturday.

The boy didn't like the Monkey head-piece, probably because he couldn't see, but decided it didn't matter if he had a sucker in his mouth.

Little girl still has a sack full of candy a month later, thinking maybe I should put it in her stocking?! Reduce, re-use, recycle!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

I've become a slacker in the blog department since I filled the memory card on my camera, I just haven't bothered to go buy a new one, and I can't stand the idea of deleting the pictures, even though I have a copy of them all on 2 computers AND a thumb drive...Anywhoo...

Just want to say HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

and

We are so grateful for all the family and friends in our lives, you all sincerely make a difference in our day to day lives and help us all to be better people, we love you all so much! Have a great turkey day...

Pumpkin carving

If you are going to make the mess, why not have some people over to share in it? It was nice to have some family and friends come over to carve pumpkins, the babies weren't sure what to think...and I realized I HATE cleaning out the pumpkins. Kolby was nice enough to clean mine out for me! Hannah is very proud of her frowny face pumpkin, and makes sure everyone knows it is hers!

A real post-

Alright, here goes:

So, the month is nearly over, the crisp chill has fallen upon us, the leaves are falling off the trees, and the Christmas shopping has begun. (<---yes, I said Christmas before Halloween. Sorry. I used to hate people like me who skipped holidays, but I'm experimenting to see if getting Christmas done before Thanksgiving will actually allow me to enjoy the season more.) I finished with Maddax today: Not sure what to get Hannah other than a knock-off American Girl doll. I just don't trust her with a $100 doll, and she doesn't care whether it is American Girl or Alexander from Costco... Any suggestions for a 5 year old?

Maddax is FINALLY walking, well, he's nearly running now. But he finally picked it up at the first of the month-much to my relief. He is now following Hannah around everywhere and into even more things in the house. Something I thought was impossible. They have become good friends, and enjoy playing together which means they entertain each other! (Everyone told me this would happen when you have two kids, I just didn't believe them.) Anyway, wish I had a picture, but I was dumb enough to rely on my cell phone camera this month and now cannot retrieve them from the phone.

Last week we ventured to the Scarecrow Festival and went first thing in the morning and missed the crowds and lines, it was PERFECT! Hannah loved the pony and hay rides the most, but the jumpy houses and slides were pretty fun too.

OH, and last but not least, New Moon is just around the corner, just over 20 something days!!! Oooo, the excitement :)

Thought about updating...

I decided it was time to update right? Well, I pulled out my camera, videocamera and phone (which has the most pictures on it.) And---after 45 minutes of trying to hot sync my phone unsucessfully and then an hour of reminiscing by watching home movies off the videocamera, I'm pooped. No update today, sorry. We are happy, healthy and flu-free.

I'll try to update soon, maybe tonight. I've become a lazy blogger, sorry :(

Just a little late

I forgot to charge my camera for Maddax's blessing, so I didn't take any pictures. Thankfully my mother-in-law remembered hers. I just got the pictures, so here is a look back 1 year ago:

To the mountains!

Kolby finally drew out on this elk hunt he has been putting in for since he was pretty young. He was really excited, so he went to Ophir with his entire family, where, from what I'm told, they brushed with death and nabbed the biggest bull just in the nick of time. {If you ask him, he can give you the full animated version because I am sure I cannot do it justice.}

Fortunately his cousin was nearby and provided a gun at the last minute as they ran out of bullets {and food, and water, and flashlights...} after grazing the poor animal. His cousin Ryan was also thinking enough to bring a camera, so these pictures are brough to you today by Ryan Warner {thanks!}

Congrats Kolby, and thanks to the family and extended family...it seems hunting is a group effort that is way too big for one lone soul!

{RanDom}

This explains a lot...now I know where all the missing binkies have disappeared to. Also, the dishwasher entertained him for 15 minutes, SERIOUSLY! This kid loves all things that are not toys...I told Kolby that for Christmas we are wrapping the cabinet doors since all he does is empty them and move on to the next one.



Good old Ma' and Pa' stopped by...Dad turns 48 on Saturday, this is his birthday present to himself. Oh, and don't forget Mom's diamond studded skull helmet....{insert giggles here...even though it is pretty cute as far as bucket helmets go.}

And finally...FALL is here! Yay! It's my favorite season :) Now I need to figure out how to hang my flying witch and add some spookiness to the front porch!

Update

Remember how we painted mugs a few weeks ago....? Well, we picked them up and here they are in all their glory:

Amazing how different {and not so cute} they look once they've had a bath in the kiln.

Anyway, we've been busy, I can't believe it's nearly the end of September, where has the time gone?! We are looking forward to Halloween, I'm slowly getting out the decorations and we bought the costumes already. Maddax is going to be this monkey {so cute!}

and Hannah picked a Barbie ensemble from Costco that she has already asked me to take back because she has changed her mind {I swear this girl is 5 going on 15....I'm scared for when she is actually 15!}

A Breath of Fresh Air

I love, love, love days off!!! All last week I kept thinking of things I wanted to do with my 3-day weekend. Of course I came up with more ideas than I could possibly fit into a year of weekends. But, when the weekend came, I was content to just go with the flow. Friday night I decided to paint my office (it is not decorated and needs some finishing touches), but Kolby said the color was "delightful," and I really like it too :)

Saturday, well, not sure what I did...grocery shopping, not much...but it was nice not to have to run from one place to another with plans. Sunday was of course, restful, we ended the day with a nice walk to the park and met some more of our neighborhood.

And TODAY----well, we decided to head up the canyon and see where we ended up. $6 later (yes, can you believe they charge you $6 to drive up the canyon!!!) we drove through the Alpine Loop, the leaves are already changing colors, it was so beautiful. Then we stopped around Bridal Veil Falls and played in the water, then ended the day at Color Me Mine in the Riverwoods, where we each painted a cup/mug.

Maddax didn't like that he couldn't participate, but I can't wait to see how they turn out! (notice Hannah is now missing TWO teeth in her picture-if you ask her about it, she will gladly tell you how the tooth fairy forgot to come the first night-oops!)

Finally, it would seem Maddax doesn't care for actual toys very much, but her sure loves real things, like cell phones, keys, cabinets, and the piano...he LOVES the piano. Lucky me ;)

Once upon a time...

Once upon a time, there was a baby girl:
Her family loved her, but in the blink of an eye, she grew up and it was time to start Kindergarten:

With excitement, she dressed herself and was ready to go. She hugged her family goodbye:

And at the sound of the bell, without looking back, she lined up with her new class, and walked into the brave new world called elementary!

(Not pictured: Mom choking back tears and Dad wondering what just happened to his baby girl!)

Maddax turned 1!

I can't believe my baby boy is 1 year old already! I still remember bringing him home from the hospital and that sweet newborn smell he had. (sniff sniff) Well, Maddax loves cookies, and of course his main food supply is milk, so we decided to have some family over for milk and cookies while we sang to Maddax and let him open his presents.

He was timid about touching the cake at first, but eventually he dug in, then flung it on the floor. He loved staying up until 10pm playing with his cousins and new toys--Thanks everyone!

Our blog is going private

I've decided it's time to make our blog private. We love to keep all of our friends and family up to date...but we're not so happy to share our lives with weirdos (with the exceptions of the previously mentioned categories of friends and family...hehehe). So, leave your e-mail address in the comments section if you'd like to continue to have access to our blog...I'll probably make it private in a week or so.

So, all you blog-stockers out there...time to come clean and leave your info :)

(FYI- you do not have to create a new account to access private blogs, all you need to do is enter your e-mail address and create a password...yup, it's that easy!)

Fish Lake

We were lucky enough to go to my annual family reunion last week at Fish Lake. We had lots of fun fishing, taking boat rides, going 4-wheeling and relaxing, and yet I only took 4 pictures! (I guess that's the real proof I enjoyed myself!)

From left to right:

-Hannah couldn't leave Jamie (Matt's girlfriend) alone, she followed her everywhere. I think she is the best chaperone we could have brought!

-My mom brought her scooter to go from her 5th wheel trailer to our cabin, and the little kids LOVED it.

-Maddax pulling his squinty face, sort of. He thinks its funny to squint and cheese because it makes everyone laugh.

-My mom and grandma were filthy and covered with dirt from their 5 hr 4-wheeler adventure that took them 4 days to recover from...looks fun though :)

Summer in full swing

It's already the end of July, where did the Summer go? (oh wait, it was raining--that's where it went!) I'm back from a short bloggie break, I just wasn't feeling it. But, I'm back with lots to share.

First off....Happy Birthday Kolby!!!! Today he is 29...can you believe it?

Love you, hope you have a great day.

Next up, a little peek at our 24th celebration at the Bees game. My dad bought 80 tickets and so we had some close family and friends who joined us where we watched the best firework show I've seen in a long time. (They were trying to make up for the fact that the Bees didn't actually play since the opponent had the swine flu and we got to watch a high school all-star game instead.)

Here we have our little Mr. Robinson. You can't see his hair all spiked up very well, but we think he looks just like that little boy on Meet The Robinsons....(needless to say we got him a much needed haircut yesterday.)

Finally, even though it is getting pretty hot in the afternoons, I still like to take the kids outside for a while so we don't feel trapped in the house. We sometimes go to the little park in our neighborhood, but I don't think Maddax likes the playground, he definitely doesn't like the slides...strange kid! Oh, one last note. We have lived in our house for 3 months now...still seems like yesterday, and we are still adjusting. We've done a few things with the house, getting the yard taken care of has taken most of our effort because it was in pretty bad shape, this isnt' the best comparison photo, but it shows the grass as green instead of yellow, new lights, the garage hinges and some of the flower bed. (I still need to find a tree that grows straight up and only 2' feet wide to put to the left of the front window, know any such tree??)

However, I fell in LOVE with this door yesterday, I've added it to the list of things we want to do to the house (concrete pad next to driveway, conrete stamped curbing, fencing, gazebo...the list doesn't end.) Do you think the door would look okay? Also, I have the handles that match the garage door hinges, do you think we should add the handles or leave them off? I just can't decide....

Wheat!

We met the cousins for family pictures in the wheat field Kolby's grandpa farms. I took a few amateur shots while we were there:

I can't wait to see what our professional photographer (http://abeliaphotography.blogspot.com/) does with the pictures!!! (Thanks Nicole!)

4th of July festivities

We are fortunate to have our families extremely close, but that means holidays are crunched to spend time with both families. We always have a picnic with my family on the afternoon of the 4th...I made this:

People were impressed and it was so easy, I may have to make it a tradition.

After the picnic, we met Kolby's family for the movie "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" in 3-D. It was lots of fun.

The night of the 3rd and 4th we stay in a hotel with Kolby's family so the kids can swim and we can walk to the Stadium of Fire, and most importantly, it only takes 5 minutes to get from the stadium to your bed and call it a night! At the Stadium of Fire we get to sit with Kolby's extended family since his grandparents generously buy us all tickets each year. We were close to the stage and got to see the Jonas Brothers perform. It was a good concert and Hannah was shaking her booty the entire time. Mad loved the fireworks and slept off and on throughout the entire thing.

All in all, we had a great time-thank you everyone!