Thanksgiving

It was just us for Thanksgiving again this year.  I actually really like cooking Thanksgiving dinner, and get a little carried away.  Although there were only 4 of us, I made 3 pies, a 14lb turkey, and mashed potatoes to feed an army, among other things.  I worked for two days getting everything ready. Thanksgiving is a meal at my house where we DO NOT eat healthy.  Real butter on everything, full fat gravy, sugar galore--it is a feast.  Well, my baby is used to eating cereal, white bread, and fruit. And she (I'm almost sure it's a she) really was not a fan of Thanksgiving dinner, and she let me know it for two days straight.  It will be a LONG time before I eat turkey again....

Now for a Halle story.  We had been talking about the meaning of Thanksgiving and how it is important to say Thank you to our Heavenly Father for all our blessings.  I told her that one of the best ways we can thank Heavenly Father is by sharing what we have with others.  She had received a Walmart gift card for her birthday that she has been really excited to go and spend.  I told her there were lots of kids out there who didn't have nice toys like she did.  Then I gave her a choice to either buy a fun new toy for herself, or to pick out a toy to donate to a toy drive for a little girl who doesn't have very much.  She chose to pick a toy for someone else, and she had so much fun doing it.  She was really picky about the toy she chose--I kind of thought she would just pick up the first one that looked ok, but she searched up and down the aisles, and compared a bunch of different ones before settling on a My Little Pony that had clothes you could change.  Halle loves to serve others, even just in our family and I am so thankful for her sweet, generous little heart.  

Now on to Josh.  On Thanksgiving morning we took the kids to see Bolt.  (BTW, GREAT time to go to the movies--there were about 5 other people in the theater!) There is this one part near the end of the movie where Bolt thinks his owner, Penny, doesn't love him anymore.  Right at this exact moment Josh starts to cry.  Rusty and I chuckle at the concidence that he would cry right at this sad part in the movie.  But then he started pointing to the screen and saying things like, "Poor Doggy! Doggy so sad!"  He was really feeling sad for Bolt!  In fact he got so distraught that I had to take him out of the theater for a few minutes.  My sweet, sensitive little guy!

Grandma and Grandpa come for a visit

My parents couldn't get away for Thanksgiving, so they decided to come out the weekend before. Halle was so excited that Grandma and Grandpa were going to have a "sleepover" at her house b/c they usually stay in a hotel. Friday night after they got here we went to Good Times for some homemade custard. My kids LOVE LOVE LOVE going out to eat or going to get treats. The next day we went down to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, which was really a lot of fun. They had a neat dinosaur exhibit, a fun space exhibit, and a discovery zone where the kids played all sorts of games. We had a yummy lunch and explored and played until we were all pooped. After coming home for naps we headed to Hacienda Colorado for dinner, stopping for pazookies at BJ's on the way home. Halle got Grandma and Grandpa to play Candyland with her a million times, and Rusty and I enjoyed sleeping in a little while G&G got the kids up and fed them breakfast. It was so fun to have them here and we hope they come again soon!

Have you seen the $200 give-away??

TheBlogFrog is giving away a $200 Target gift card just in time for Christmas!  All you need to do is post on your blog how much you love TheBlogFrog and you're good to go!  If you are not a member yet, it's super easy to join.  Go to TheBlogFrog homepage for details and the entry form!  Happy Blogging and good luck!

Halle Girl's 5th Birthday!

Our little Halle Berry turned 5 on Sunday! She had an awesome cowgirl party with her friends yesterday where they got to make balloon animals, make a barn picture frame, and get animal tattoos. She got so many fun presents and can’t decide which she should play with, so she just bounces from one thing to another. Her party this year was a breeze—it’s amazing the difference even one year makes at a bday party. But, it also helped that Brian and Sara came to help us with all the crafts and crowd control. We had pizza and cake and ice cream and after we ate the girls sat quietly and played with Halle's new Barbies while the boys wrestled—ending in one bloody nose. But the favorite part of the party had to be playing bop the balloon with Rusty. They all had their animals and Rusty would throw them from the top of the stairs and they would try to keep them in the air. The kids must have run up and down the stairs 100 times.
Then later that afternoon we went with the Loveridges to see Madagascar. All the kids loved it—even Josh. He sat through the entire thing!
Now for some fun facts about Halle. If there were one word to describe Halle it would be “friendly.” She is a friend to everyone she meets. Whenever we go to the park, pool, or wherever, she always ends up with a new friend. Also, recently at parent teacher conferences her teacher told me that she is a social bug who often has to be reminded to cut back on the chit chat. Umm…..Mom, sound familiar??? But her teacher said she is also the one to befriend everyone and make sure everyone is included and happy.
Halle loves all things animal, and if there is a dog at the park you can bet you will find Halle parked right next to it. She also loves Indy and White the Kitty, and sometimes forgets that we go to Utah to see our family—she just wants to play with the animals!
Halle is also becoming an excellent reader. She is very patient and will sit and read her Bob books at night with Dad. She is already to level 5! She loves all things with screens—movies, TV, computer games, and will watch whatever is on, even if it’s the 5:00 news. Halle has also been such a huge help since I’ve been sick. She is so good to play with and take care of Josh. We love you so much Halle! Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Some videos for the Grandmas and Grandpas

Happy Birthday Josh!

Our baby Josh turned two on Monday! I feel like his little life has flown by so fast--I cannot believe he's two. Although from the temper tantrums he's starting to throw, I guess I really can believe it! In honor of his birthday I thought I'd tell you all a little bit about our little guy. I think if there was one word that would describe Josh it would be "sweet." Ever since he was born he's been our little cuddle bug. He is also quick to use his nice words and always says "thank you," "you're welcome," and is quick to jump in with "bless you" whenever anyone sneezes.
Some of Josh's favorite things include: dum dum suckers, (never leave home without 'um!)Veggie Tales movies, specifically "Larry Boy and the Rumor Weed," trucks, swimming, and playing at the park. He also really loves to go shopping and totally recognizes the signs for Costco, King Soopers, Target, and unfortunately, McDonald's. Some days when he's sick of being at home he'll come and grab my hand and say, "Mom, go hop in big car and go shopping!" That always makes me laugh.
He also quite likes to go to church and sing songs. He was absolutely riveted during the primary program and when the kids would get up to give their talks he'd say, "No more talk, SING!" Also, if I ever dress him in a shirt with a collar he always says, "yeaaa, go church today!" We hope this attitude lasts through his teen years....
Josh had a fun bday party with the Loveridges, Szabos, and Keazers coming to celebrate with us. It was a tractor themed party and the kids all got construction cone cups. They were adorable. We had dinner, lots of playtime, and of course, CAKE. Happy Birthday Josh! We love you so much!

Our little Halloween Spook!

Yes, that's right, we're having an.....alien! Although the ultrasound was done on Halloween, the Dr. assures us it is really a BABY. I am 10 weeks (1/4 of the way there!!)with a due date of May 30th. Halle is so excited she can hardly stand it, and is really hoping that Heavenly Father will send her a sister. Josh of course doesn't really get it, and when I tell him we're going to the dr to check on the new baby he says, "Why? Is baby cryin?"
I've been feeling my usual yucky "pregnancy induced nausea and vomiting" but the Dr. has me on both zofran and phenergan, which is at least making life bearable. I feel ok during the day, but the evenings are pretty bad. Hopefully that part will be over soon....
So that's the exciting news at our house!

Trick or Treat!

Happy Halloween! We had a great time trick or treating on the "Real" Halloween last night. Our ward had a trunk or treat the night before, and Halle had her preschool Halloween party on Thurs as well, and both of those events were the "fake" Halloween. Halle has had her costume planned for months. She was a baby. It was awesome for me--I just got her a new pair of pj's slapped some pigtails in her hair and we were done! She did have a cute pumpkin binki as well, but of course that got lost before picture time. Josh was our little superman (also pjs with a little red cape) and he was fascinated with all his treats. (See video on side bar) It was the perfect Halloween night--I think the high temp for the day was 77, so we didn't need coats or jackets or anything. We can't wait to blog hop and see everyone's cute pics!