The Backyardigans

For some reason Adrie has decided she likes to ride on the top of the car. It's kind of funny!

These were pictures I took a couple of months ago, before it got really cold.

I'm grateful for...

I guess it's time I finish up my November grateful list (seeing how it is almost Christmas)!!

November 30

1. A husband that listens to me vent about my day.
2. Crayons and coloring books, another way to keep my kids occupied.
3. The great imagination McKenzie has.

November 29

1. The Savior
2. People that give of themselves for others.
3. That we're having another girl.

November 28

1. Having enough food to eat.
2. Having clothes and shoes to keep my kids warm outside.
3. Having so many people that love me and my little family.

November 27

1. NAPS. Need I say more.
2. Hot chocolate on cold winter nights.
3. The comfort of having Ryan home at nights.

November 26

1. Candy Land. It's a game I can handle playing with McKenzie for more than 10 minutes.
2. Having my sister close enough to hang out with.
3. Prayer!

McKenzie's School Picture

She is still a cutie, even if I don't know how to do her hair very well.

November 25

1. The times when Ryan gets a day off. I'm so glad he gets to be home with us all day tomorrow!
2. Warm socks. There's nothing like slipping on some warm socks when your feet are freezing.
3. The sound of my girls' laughter!!

November 24

1. Having Ryan for a husband. He does so many things everyday that make me grateful to have him in my life.
2. All the funny things McKenzie says. Last night I was stressed out because Adrie was so tired, but she wouldn't go to bed. McKenzie came up to me and started pushing my hair behind my ears and said, "It's not the end of the world." I had to cover my mouth to keep from bursting out laughing.
3. The funny little smile that Adrie makes. It's so contagious!

November 23

1. The internet. You can find anything, including instructions on how to cook a turkey.
2. Thanksgiving. It has always been one of my favorite holidays and I'm looking forward to having our own little family Thanksgiving dinner.
3. Nicole. She always has the greatest advice when it comes to food.

November 22

1. Having moments that my children obey me, the first time!
2. A car. Now that Ryan is on the day shift again and I don't have a car, I totally appreciate them so much more!
3. Wonderful In-laws!

November 21

1. Making cookies with McKenzie and seeing her wear the apron that Grammy Allyson made her.
2. The smell of cookies baking in the oven.
3. Eating the cookies with my girls.

Halloween

We had so much fun at the ward party! There was a trunk-or-treat (which was held inside because of the rain), lots of games and good food!

Lindsay and Hayzen looked so cute!!

I love Adrie's cute little pose!!

These pictures were taken right before we left for at Halloween party at our Bishop's house.

Adrie was not very festive.

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November 17

1. A washer and dryer!!
2. Kids sleeping through the night.
3. Heavenly Father that helps me have patience.

November 18

1. Family and friends that make me dinner and a birthday cake.
2. Ryan and the girls making my birthday special.
3. 2 awesome new pillows!!

November 19

1. Playgroups.
2. Salad with avocados on top.
3. Playing the Office Trivia game with Lindsay.

November 20

1. Going on a girls trip to Santa Fe for the weekend.
2. Ryan watching the girls so I can go have fun.
3. Friends that are as excited for the new Twilight movie as I am.

My Birthday

How cute is this cake! My friend Alana made it for my birthday. I told her to do Tigger cuz I thought the girls would like it. Ryan also got me The Office trivia game which is way fun and two AWESOME pillows. One of them is a body pillow which I have LOVED having through this pregnancy! I'm so lucky to have people that love me!

I'm grateful for...

November 13

1. Window paint
2. Big huge afros
3. Laughing so hard my stomach hurts.

November 14

1. Computers. I am able to keep in touch with family and friends because of them. (Plus, they give Ryan a job!)
2. Cameras. I love being able to capture those special moments in life.
3. Television. It keeps the kids occupied during those times I need to get something done. I'm also able to sit down in front of the tv at night and forget all the stresses of the day.

November 15

1. Eating together as a family every night.
2. The friendship that McKenzie and Adrie are building. It makes being a mother totally worth it when I see my children truly care about each other!!
3. Sharing a small moment with my spouse that totally makes my day.

November 16

1. Finally having all the laundry folded.
2. A spouse that helps me clean the house all the time.
3. Laying in my bed at night and realizing how many things I TRULY have to be grateful for!

I'm grateful for....

1. Books. They allow me to spend quality time with my girls.
2. A mother and grandmother that instilled in me a love of reading. Something I am proud to be instilling in my own children.
3. The Ensign. I am always touched by the uplifting and encouraging articles in it.

I'm grateful for,,,,

1. The simple pleasures of small children.
2. Hugs and Kisses!
3. Feeling the small flutter of the baby in my tummy.

Carving Pumpkins

We had lots of fun carving pumpkins this year! Ryan got 3 cute little ones that the girls loved! After we carved them, the girls enjoyed coloring and putting stickers on them. The funny part was that McKenzie DID NOT want to clean out the pumpkin herself. She didn't like the way it felt. not that I blame her, it does feel like cold snot.

We also went over to my friend Alana's house and carved big pumpkins with her family as well as Lindsay, Matt and Hayzen. Alana made us a yummy dinner and then we had a contest to see who could come up with the best pumpkin face. We had a BLAST!! Unfortunately, I forgot
to take my camera to Alana's house so I only have pictures of us at home.

I'm sure you can guess who carved the alien!!




























































I'm grateful for...
1. A dishwasher!!
2. Melaleuca cleaning products. They're the BEST!!
3. Having a warm house.

Western Day

In celebration of the fall holidays, McKenzie's school had a Western dress-up day. My friend Alana had a cute western outfit the she let McKenzie borrow. She looked so cute!!

Things I'm grateful for:

1. My calling in the Primary presidency. I love seeing McKenzie learn all the songs and how happy she gets when she's in Primary.
2. Having great friends!! Having sisters that are my best friends too!
3. The leaves changing colors and falling from the trees. I LOVE this time of year!

Ryan's Birthday

Ryan's birthday this year was probably more fun for the girls than it was for him! McKenzie was so excited for him to get home that day that she had to dress-up special in a "Princess" outfit for him.
Unfortunately for Ryan, we gave him a couple of not-so-special gifts, wrapped up in ghetto grocery sacks because I forgot to get birthday wrapping paper.
We did have a yummy enchilada dinner, with cake and ice cream afterward.
The next night there was a special on bowling at the base so we took the girls there for some fun. Adrie was asleep by the time we got there so she was passed out for a while. McKenzie
had a blast! She loved the different colored balls and throwing it (literally) down the lane by herself. Ryan, of course, beat us all as usual. All in all, I think Ryan had a pretty good birthday. We're so lucky to have him in our lives! We love you honey!

I love this picture of Ryan because he was smiling at McKenzie.

It makes me so happy to see the love he has for his girls.

In addition to Ryan's birthday post, I'm also copying my sister-in-law and writing down 3 things I'm grateful for everyday of November. Thanks Tawnya for reminding me to be grateful for all the things I've been blessed with.

1. A husband that works hard to provide for us.
2. 2 beautiful girls that are smart and healthy.
3. Being pregnant with our 3rd child who is also healthy thus far.

Passed Out

A couple of weeks ago, the girls were watching Cinderella. As you can see, they were passed out by the time the movie was over. Adrie is the funniest because for some strange reason she likes to fall asleep in her little rocking chair. They're such little angels, when they are sleeping!

We LOVE Cupcakes!!!

I recently had a Primary activity that I got a bunch of cupcakes for, but fortunately for the girls I had a bunch to bring home. They LOVED them! What kid wouldn't love a chocolate cupcake with tons of chocolate frosting??

Say CHEEEEEEEEEESE

AWWWW, how cute!!

Two Amazing Great-Grandmothers

The last time Tawnya, Lindsay and I were pregnant together, I had sweet thoughts of our little children in Heaven with my mom's mother Marian and my dad's mother Carol. I imagined them both taking turns telling our children about their grandparents and how lucky they were to be coming to families that would love them so much.
Now that Tawnya, Lindsay and I are pregnant together...again, my thoughts are turned once more to my two amazing grandmothers. I love to think of them once more telling our children about their wonderful grandparents as well as their older siblings who came to earth only a short while ago. I can picture Great-Grandma Marian reading them books as her cookie monster and peanut butter kiss cookies bake. I then imagine them getting more rowdy with Great-Grandma Carol, playing Cowboys and Indians and going on adventurous treasure hunts. My Grandma Marian is an AMAZING lady who I know will have planted a little seed in heaven that will grow into a full blown love of books as our children get older. Even though I didn't know my Grandma Carol, I also know that she is an AMAZING lady. The seed she will plant will be that of a zest for life, making each day count, living and loving as though it might be your last.
My Grandmothers are two of the greatest examples of love, service and compassion. I have been so blessed to have these two very special women in my life. Though they aren't here with me physically, I feel their spirit and know that they are still very much involved in my life.

Kenzie's 1st day of School

McKenzie started Preschool on Aug. 18 and couldn't wait to get there (I couldn't wait for her to get there either)! Thanks Lindsay for coming early to take her pictures!

Kenzie and Hayzen

She couldn't hide her excitement!

These are a couple of the flowers from our backyard.

Adrie was SOO mad at us for putting her in the picture!