18 MONTHS OLD!

RYLEE IS 18 MONTHS! 

This little gal is such a ball of fun and emotions! She is happy 95% of the time and always trying to keep up with the big kids. Her little blonde head and blue eyes are so adorable to us and it is so fun to watch her learn new things. Her vocabulary is developing every day and she loves to be out all the time! Whenever I ask if she wants to go to the store she screams YES! (same if i ask her if she wants dinner!) And as you can see she loves shopping. At Target especially!

 She's a snacker! She is constantly asking for snacks and eats better than any of my kids! It doesn't show though because at her checkup the doc said she was tall and skinny!

 Her and Brielle have become BEST BUDDIES! All day long they chase each other, tickle eachother, and torment each other. I hope they go through life being best buddies. There was a reason they came to earth so close together and I think they needed each other.

 With all the sweetness comes the grouchy times too! I often have people tell me that she gives them dirty looks all the time! She has a feisty little attitude and is really good at getting what she wants. She's the baby!

 She loves to lay down when she colors. She has to have her (chi) blanky She started sucking her thumb (which is totally cute but i want her to stop for her teeth's sake).She loves to be held and snuggle into my neck still. She's a momma's girl but at the same time will go up to complete strangers and expect them to pick her up. She loves older people. She always finds an elderly lady at church to crawl up on her lap to be held. And she sits so still for them!

And the best part about her being 18 months?! NURSERY!!!! She loves to go and we have had no problems with her going without crying. I don't quite know what to do with myself during the last 2 hours of church! It's so peaceful. HOORAY FOR NURSERY!

Its December!

Christmas this year started in November! Even before Chad's birthday. We got a new 9 ft tree which I love but it was used and I knew it was going to take a lot of work to get done since many of the lights weren't working. So I got started early. I only got a few working but I sure enjoyed the tree every day that it was up. Love how it turned out! The kids quickly went to "work" playing santa clause and stuffing various toys under the tree. 

 Chad brought home a beautiful nativity from his mission and I haven't put it up for years. This year I found a perfect spot and the kids all sat around Chad one night while he told them about it. It was a precious moment for sure.

 December brought TONS of snow!  More than we usually see and we usually see quite a bit!  I was happy to see my eager son out there often willing to shovel anyone's sidewalk he could. He's getting to be a great helper! And me....while I stayed snuggled up in my warm home drinking hot cocoa and wearing my cute new christmas sweater.....who am I kidding?! I shoveled plenty of snow and taxi'd kids around through it all. I'm so glad we got new tires on the van this year!

 These two! They are becoming such great friends and I love to hear them giggling and see them playing together all own! Poor Ry fell asleep one day in her high chair during lunch. She was so sleepy and I think we found out she was sick after this. OH THE SICKNESS this winter has been awful! We've all had it. several times!

 One of the great things about Tooele is the winter parade! We go every year and the kids love it. We were lucky to have mild weather for it. Here's the kiddos waving to Santa! Ry didn't know quite what to think but she was glad to be out of the car and stroller!

 We were determined to fit in a Christmas party with friends before the season got too crazy and so on the 3rd we headed to the Lopez's house to party it up....or just do a lot of talking and play one game at the end. And here are the results of that game! Reindeer Antlers!

We are so glad we have these friends! They have made living here all the better. They make us better people and we have such a good time whenever we are all together!!

Thanksgiving X2!

 We started this years Thanksgiving out in Moore with freezing temps! Chelsey and her family were in town as well and the women kept busy in the kitchen. Including Rylee!

 Here's what I'm most thankful for.....Clydes 9 cube butter mashed potatoes! Just kidding....it's Chad. :)

 We set the kids table and got them their food.

 Rylee got attached to Grandpa Clyde this trip and often climbed up by him and just sat there so still.

 We left the day after Thanksgiving to Rupert so we could hit the big City Celebration at the rupert square where Santa comes and lights up the square and a big firework show follows. It's a memory I had as a kid and have always wanted to take my kiddos there. Here they are in front of Santa's house.

 The cousins stayed warm all snug in their blankets. ....

 And when it was time to travel we formed a big train. Keeping track of 9 kids in the dark was a little daunting!

 Brielle got the best seat in the house for the light show and she even got a high five from Santa that she was so excited about!

 Carter and Mollie lingered near Santa and just when I though he was going to walk right past them he turned, bent down and wrapped both of my kids in a big hug. It warmed my heart he took time for them and was trying to push through a big crowd. They were completely thrilled and I was so glad I snapped this photo.

 The next morning we took off to a Teddy Bear fundraiser breakfast my moms friend was in charge of. We had a delicious breakfast, saw the festival of trees and the kids got to sit on Santas lap! The best part is that the line was so short and it was warm and inside!

 Before we left all the kids were invited on stage to sing songs with Santa. They thought that was pretty cool and He was the jolliest Santa I've ever seen.

 Later that day we spent preparing for our turkey dinner. Grandpa D showed up and once again Rylee crawled right up on his lap and sat so contently. He kept giggling and I think it made him happy.

Adam suggested having a pie contest so each family brought a pie they made. 

 
 Justin brought PIECAKEN! 3 pies baked into a cake. It was huge, rich and delicious.

 Here's my peanut butter pie. It was pretty tasty!

 The table set and ready for hungry bodies!

Oh the misery of being so stuffed! 

All in all it was a happy weekend and we had a great time seeing family.

TOFW!

I've always wanted to attend Time Out For Women and this year I was determined to make it! My mom and 2 fabulous friends, Nannette and Michelle all went together and it was so much fun!  

 Micheal McClean opened the conference and I was wondering what I got myself into because I didn't really love him... but after that it just got better. I was spiritually fed and walked away feeling of greater worth and with a list of things I wanted to improve on. Chad kindly let me leave for the weekend and him and my dad manned the house.

 We stayed the night in a hotel and it was fun staying up late and catching up on girl talk.

                                                                     "TOFW!"

 Mercy River ran the show the whole day saturday and wereI pretty great. I loved Hilary Weeks and several of the others for different reasons.

 These ladies are the best friends a girl could have. We have so much fun when we are together and I love them because they lift me up. Until next year girls!