Festive, Fun, and FREEZING!

Tonight we bundled up and braved the 38 degree weather to take Gabe to Hogle Zoo to see Zoo Lights.  At Christmas time, Hogle Zoo goes all out by putting up thousands and thousands of lights.  We have never been before but now that Gabe is REALLY into Christmas this year, we figured we would give it a shot.

 What we didn't know is that Santa was making a special visit to the zoo tonight.  While we waited in line, Gabe wrote up a list of the things he would like for Christmas-the first thing on his list was candy.  We had a little bit of a wait because Santa was extra friendly and took the time to really talk to each kid.  It was very special.

 Gabe was overwhelmed by all the beautiful lights.  We had to keep reminding him to stay with us.  But of course, even with all the extra things to look at we have to stop at his favorite places too.

 I will admit that I kept getting a little distracted myself.  For example, I loved the peacock lights.  I think Ry and I need one for our house next year.

 And this is the bridge that goes between the Rocky Shores exhibit and the Asian Highlands exhibit...this picture does NOT do it justice because I thought it was breathtaking. 

 Even better was that Gabe like the bridge just as much as I did.

 And the night wouldn't have been complete without a ride on the carousel.

 Another shot of the lights that doesn't really convey how gorgeous the zoo looks.

 I think these two figures were Gabe's favorites: a giraffe and an elephant.

So despite the fact that my nose is still trying to defrost, Zoo Lights was a lot of fun.  If you can find the time to get up to the zoo, you should.  Just be sure to dress warm and pregame with some hot cocoa.  

Much love to you all!

Happy December

After we went to the Festival of Trees on Thursday, Gabe could hardly wait to get our Christmas tree set up.   Once we got it finished, Gabe turned off the lights and just sat in front of the tree and looked at it.  I love getting to see Christmas through Gabe's eyes.  I even don't mind having to pay a larger power bill for this month because he won't let us turn the tree off anymore.  Much love to you all!

Extra Spicy!

I think I just discovered what Gabe really wants for Christmas.

Much love to you all!

Festival of Trees 2012

Utah has a tradition called The Festival Trees and Ryan decided that it would be fun to take the kids on Thursday night.  I am not sure if other states have similar festivals but in Utah people decorate and donate Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths, quilts, and Christmas crafts.  Then the Festival sells them and all the money raised goes to benefit the Primary Children's Medical Center.  This year the festival had over 700 trees plus all the other stuff I mentioned.  It was really neat just to see all these amazing trees piled into one room.  Below is a picture of the kids standing in front of one of their favorite trees which was inspired by the movie "Despicable Me."

 What the kids were most excited for was the Kids Corner where there were all sorts of activities and crafts.  Sera could hardly wait for her turn on the bubble machine.  She kept popping the bubbles before I could get a picture of her actually in the bubble.

 Luckily, Gabe was a little more unsure of what to do and I was able to get a picture of him inside the bubble.

 The next thing we did was make sand necklaces.  Sera made a really neat rainbow pattern in her bottle.

 Gabe did mostly blue sand with a little yellow and red.   Once the bottles were filled with sand, a long ribbon was tied on it so they could wear them as necklaces.

 This is Sera trying to find the best prize possible at the Giving Tree.

 The one thing Gabe really wanted to do was to climb in this little phone booth and called the elves at the North Pole.  He was so excited that he got to talk to an elf.

 And of course, we had to stop and say hello to Santa.  Sera asked for a Furby and Gabe asked for stickers and candy.  Yes...stickers and candy. 

 And here is a big tree that was set up just outside the big room full of trees.  When Gabe first saw this tree his mouth fell open and he said, "Wow...I can't believe it."  

Even though my feet were sore after walking on concrete floors for 3 hours, it was a fun night.  I wish we could have spent more time looking at all the trees but I am glad that the kids had fun.  I cannot wait until next year!  Much love to you all!

Spicy!

I have had people ask if Gabe still likes Cholula Hot Sauce now that he is a little older...

Yes.  I am not kidding when I tell you that we have to keep the bottle hidden in the fridge so that Gabe cannot find it and drink it all.  Much love to you all!

He's Coming To Town In Style

Today we took the kids over to the Valley Fair Mall because Santa Claus was coming to town and arriving in a helicopter of all things.  Ryan and I thought it would be a fun way to kick off our holiday season with the kids.  It was really cold sitting on the curb waiting for Santa but it was worth it when we heard the sounds of the helicopter approaching.  

Everyone stood up and kids started screaming and clapping.  Gabe was just a little confused about why everyone was so excited.

 But then the Big Guy himself stepped out and he got the biggest grin on his face and yelled, "HI SANTA!"  Sera was laughing and clapping.  I will admit that, for some reason, I got a little choked up watching my kids light up with joy.  I love seeing their little faces so excited.

 Of course we had to go over and say hi!  Both kids ran towards Santa and I was worried that when Gabe got closer he would get nervous and start to cry like he has every other year.

 But instead he gave Santa a big hug.

 After we said hello to Santa, Ryan asked the helicopter pilot if we could take a picture next to the helicopter and he was nice and said yes.  He even asked if the kids wanted to see inside the helicopter where he sits to fly it.  And of course, they both said yes.

 So he opened it up and showed them both all the dials and buttons.  Gabe was fascinated and really wanted to start pushing things.  

 After that Ryan decided it would be a fun treat for the kids to pick out a cupcake at The Sweet Tooth Fairy.

Sera picked out the Double Fudge cupcake and Gabe got the Fairy Fetti cupcake.

 We then hurried home because they really wanted to eat them but I said they couldn't in the car.  It was TORTURE having to wait the 5 minute drive home.

It was such a fun way to start getting ready for Christmas.  I have always loved Christmas but now that I have kids, I love it for a whole new reason.  I love getting to experience Christmas through their eyes.  I love how innocent and amazed they are.  I love seeing them be excited for all wonderful things.
I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving and are just as excited for the rest of the holidays as we are!  Much love to you all!

Time And Relative Dimension In Space

We have a family favorite T.V. show that both parents and kids adore at our house...Doctor Who.  I am not going to try and explain the Bristish television show on this blog because it would not even begin to make sense.  But I will say this, there is a space ship on the show called a TARDIS that is a blue Police Box that you would find in England...don't ask! 

For Halloween, Gabe dressed as The Doctor from Doctor Who.  He has a nightlight in his room that is shaped like a TARDIS.  And when we went F.Y.E. the other night, he saw this.

He about lost his mind! 

Sorry about the lack of blogging lately.  I have been in a slump.  I will try to be better during the holidays.  Much love to you all!

Mormon Pioneers Needed Pirate Ships

This weekend Ryan and I took the kids up to This is the Place Park for an event called "Little Haunts."  The park passes out candy and has all sorts of Halloween-themed activities for kids.  Our kids were just excited that they got to wear their costumes.  And I guess maybe I should explain their costumes.  Sera is Athena the Greek Goddess.  Gabe is The Doctor from a British T.V. show called Doctor Who.  Yes, my kids are geeks and I LOVE IT!

 Here they are posing for me even though they just wanted to run and collect all the candy they could.

Going on a pony ride.  Who doesn't love ponies?

 Weirdest thing we saw?  A pirate ship.  Because it is widely known that Mormon pioneers were also excellent pirates.

 I was panning for gold...didn't strike it rich.

And here is Gabe just hanging out.  

It was really a fun event and we were there for almost 3 hours.  Again we didn't give ourselves near enough time and didn't get to do everything that was there.  Next time we will know better. 

This week is the BIG night...HALLOWEEN!  

Gabe and Sera are both ready to go and cannot wait to trick-or-treat until they drop.

Much love to you all!

Big Boys Need Blankets Too

Me:  Gabe, you will always be my baby boy.
Gabe:  I am not a baby-I'm a big boy!
Me: Well...big boys don't need blankets.
Gabe: *muffled response* Yes they do!

Time Out Time

Legs the Whale had offended Gabe so...Legs went to time out.  Enough said.

Takes After Aunt Becca

Me: Morning My Baby!
Gabe: Uhhh!
Me:  Are you grumpy this morning?
Gabe: Yes.
Me:  Why?
Gabe:  Cause of my Mommy.

He is so not a morning person!  Much love to you all!

My Only Sunshine

This is a video that I am hoping makes you all smile as much as it made me smile.  Again, please forgive that it is on its side...I SUCK!  Ryan even tried to fix this problem and even he couldn't figure it out.  Oh well!  At least I make cute kids!  Much love to you all!

Baby Face

When he is throwing shoes at me and demanding that I "HEEELLLLPPP" him, I have to take a step back and look at pictures like this. He is growing up so fast but at times, I still see my precious baby boy. But then I made the mistake of taking my eyes off the target and get a french fry up my nose. Ahhh...motherhood. Much love to you all!

Give Me Liberty

A couple weekends ago we spent the first decent Saturday we’ve had this year at Liberty Park. The kids played at the playground and ran up and down the many sidewalks. Ryan and I tried to keep up with them and also enjoyed watching the groups of people who were beating each other with foam swords. (Side note: Ryan spent a lot of time trying to explain to me why these people aren’t as bad as the people who play D&D. WASTE OF HIS TIME!)

We also took a loaf stale bread down to the pond and fed the ducks and geese. Well, we tried to feed them but the seagulls kept swooping in and eating the bread before the ducks could get to it. Dumb state bird.

After the park we went to dinner and Gabe had a great time sitting next to Becca and eating oranges. Becca teaches the kids such lovely things!

I have been having a really difficult time recently in my personal life and I find that I often get wrapped up in my emotions and forget the focus on the important things-mainly my family. I need to remember days like this and be happy. I need to remember that it gets better. So I hope you will all forgive me if I haven’t been keeping up on my posts. I am making the commitment to myself to try to blog more because it helps me remember all the reasons I have to smile. Much love to you all!

Not a Marine Biologist...Yet

You may be wondering why I have taken a picture of Gabe eating his Gogurt and watching his morning cartoon. It is because of the stuffed whale sitting in his lap. This is a toy that was given to Gabe and he has not shown any interest in it until recently. I believe it is supposed to be a North Atlantic Right Whale and if you squeeze him he makes a whale noise.

Gabe calls it a dolphin and has named him “Legs.” Yes…Legs. Does anyone else see the irony in naming a whale Legs?

Lately he is constantly asking, “Where is my dolphin?” anytime we have to leave the house or if he has to go to bed or if he loses sight of that thing for more than a minute. This morning as he was carrying the “dolphin” downstairs he threw it and said, “I threw Legs! Legs in the sky.” I don’t know what it is about this toy but it is his new favorite thing and it is so darn cute.

Much love to you all!

BUSTED!

Does it look like Gabe is in prison? I am sure that is how he feels when he is in time out. Gabe is growing up and so naturally he tries to see how much he can get away with. He refuses to come inside when we ask, he gets into things he shouldn't, he constantly says NO!, and yes, he will hit and/or kick when he gets really upset with us.

Tonight Gabe was refusing to do as I was asking so he ended up in time out. He sits for 2 minutes with his arms folded before we let him out, explain why he was there, and then end with a hug. But this face...it says it all. If there is anything worse than a time out, he does not know what it is. But he is still so cute that I had to snap a quick pic of his misery.

I know his behavior is pretty normal and I can only hope he gets over it soon. Much love to you all!

P.S. As I was writing this blog, Gabe threw up on my foot...can we say karma???

Practice Run

My sister Becca is really just a giant kid herself and so when she suggested that the kids do a pre-Easter egg hunt after dinner on Sunday, I wasn't really surprised. She and I loaded up with plastic eggs and headed to the back yard to hide the goods.

The kids were excited to get hunting and yes, there was some arguing about who was first in line. But once we said "GO!" they were off and having fun.

Sera was really good about not taking all the easy eggs because she wanted Gabe to have fun too. I thought it was sweet that she was so aware of her brother.
But she made sure that she got her eggs too and she was really good at finding them. Even the ones that I thought would be really hard, she found easily. She is one smart cookie!
And yes, it may appear that Grandpa Chad has just taken a basket of candy from Gabe but I promise that is not what is going on! Barney (The Bonehead Beagle) was sticking his snout in the basket and feasting on Gabe's candy. Grandpa Chad was only rescuing Gabe's goods.

It was a fun reminder of all the good times that are coming in a couple weeks. Except it will be more fun because there will be more eggs, more candy, and another set of Grandparents! Much love to you all!

He Sham"ROCKS"!

For St Patrick's Day we took Gabe down to Gateway Mall to watch the parade. Gabe was excited before we even got downtown because he got to ride on the Trax train. (In case you weren't aware, Gabe LOVES trains!)

When we finally got to the mall we found a spot where we could sit and Gabe had a great time playing on the shamrocks that had been painted on the street. We had fun watching him dodge cars...just kidding!
The parade was long and I will just say it, a little boring. It started out great with bagpipes and dancers and fire trucks. But then all the unions started...Utah Sheet Metal Workers, the Teamsters, etc. And they didn't even have any candy. Gabe got really restless so we left a little early. I was glad because my butt was cold from sitting on the ground.

Even if the parade was a little dull for me, Gabe seemed to have a good time and that is what is most important. And we got to spend some quality time together which is the most important thing of all. Top'o the mornin' to ya and much love to you all!