weekend review

Friday night (Jan. 10) we went to Midway with Jordan and Rebekah. We had dinner at an Italian pizza place and then explored the "ice castles". The kids were pretty tired and trying to walk on the slippery ice was not the easiest. Nolan kept getting mad because he wanted to run around but the crowds and the slippery surface just didn't really allow for it. We didn't stay to long but it was fun to explore and Caitlin legitimately thought it was part of Elsa's ice castle from Frozen. They even had Olaf there!

Also on Friday I finished reading the Book of Mormon as part of our challenge we gave to the Young Women in our ward: read the Book of Mormon cover to cover in 2 months (Nov 10-Jan 10) I held myself accountable to the challenge and I finished. The goal was to read the Book of Mormon like you would a good book. I really enjoyed reading it at a fast paces, even though it was a lot of reading at times but i found little moments throughout the day and being able to read it on my phone was key! I was proud of myself for getting it done. My favorite scripture this time around was in 3rd Nephi 5:13. I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon and I know that it is a true book written by real people who were inspired and guided and so much can be gleaned from its pages.

Saturday we spent time as a family during the day and then Paul and I had a date night to Cheesecake Factory. We decided to order a bunch of appetizers for our meal. And then cheesecake of course.

Sunday we went to church at our new time: 9AM. It's actually not a bad church time, just hard to get out the door on time. Caitlin had her second Sunday in Sunbeams and was totally fine with it. The first week she was a little nervous and frowny but after she decided she loved it and this time she was ready to go and excited. She comes home singing all kids of new primary songs and it's the sweetest. Nolan does great in nursery even without his big sis looking out for him.

Monday night we did a "Movie Night" for Family home evening and popped popcorn and watched "Monsters University" and it was so much fun. The kids loved watching the air popper and they made it through the whole movie sitting on the couch with their blankies eating popcorn by the double fistful.

2013 

was a great year for us. Our family is growing up and our life is good. The year was overwhelming at times but we feel very blessed to have had such wonderful experiences the past year.

2014 

will (most likely) be equally as overwhelming as new exciting adventures and experiences lay in wait around every corner. I don't have a long list of things coming up this year or big plans, but I have no doubt that I do indeed have things to look forward to! 

neither here nor there

december instagram:

joys of motherhood: december

-Caitlin's best quote to date: After emerging from her room in a new dress up outfit and her gold church shoes, "Mom I need some music on. Because I have sparkly shoes... and sparkly shoes should always have music."
-Caitlin's response to almost any request or question is "of course!"
-Caitlin learned all the reindeer's names:  Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Dickson, Comet, Cooper, (Donner--never remembered that one) Blitzen, and Rudolph!
-I took the kids to the doctor for Nolan's 18 month check up and as we were waiting for the elevator another family came out of the doctor to wait by us. The 3 kids were all in pjs and wrapped in blankets and had the little masks over their faces to protect from coughing. Caitlin saw them and turned to me and put her hand to her mouth and was giggling and started saying "Mom, look they have little masks on their face thats so silly!" and could not stop giggling. They all totally heard and it was so awkward.
-I was getting medicine for Nolan and the bottle said it was for ages 2+ but he already exceeded the weight requirement so i was wondering which one to go by. I stopped to ask the pharmacist if Nolan could use the medicine if he weighed enough. The pharmacist asked "Well how old is he?" "18 months" "And how big is he?" I pointed to Nolan sitting in the cart and his eyes got big and he said "Oh yah he's fine he's big enough." HAHA!
-We went to a tumbling gym place with Bekah and Jordan and Mike and Jenna. Bekah was doing an obstacle course and fell and ended up hurting both of her feet. When she had fallen I ran over to the side and was talking to her across the course asking if she was ok. Two girls who looked to be about 10-11 ran over by me and after I was talking to Bekah one asked "Are you her mom?" UMMM no. Do I look old enough to be the mother of a 19 year old?!
-Caitlin loves to how people surprises and makes pretty much anything into a surprise by saying, "Mom close your eyes" then bringing it out from behind her back and announcing what is is. She also loves said "guess what?" To which we say "what" and she has a variety of responses, such as:
"I have another genius idea" or "i have a surprise" or "I love you"

-Caitlin was talking on her play phone and had this conversation:
"Oh Hi baby Jesus, what are you doing?
 Oh building a snow man? Fun!"
-All the fun songs are one of the best parts of Christmas and my kids have een catching on. Nolan will chime in with the snowman song or an occasional "ho ho ho" and Caitlin knows about 3 or 4 whole songs by herself, usually she ends up mixing them all together along with made up lyrics or bits and pieces from other songs. She's not picky about where she sings them either: at home, in the car or my personal favorite in the store. She will just be sitting in the cart BELTING OUT Christmas songs and waving her arms and just singing for anyone to hear. It's hilarious and I completely encourage it. 

DEC 31: We left Austin and met my parents and grandparents at the Fossil Rim Animal Preserve. We rode in the back of the truck through the preserve and got to see lots of animal very close, some were especially friendly and would poke inside the truck and eat out of our hands! The kids loved it. Nolan was a little unsure if they go to close and Caitlin loved feeding them . They had some really interesting animals there that I had never seen before. That night we put the kids down and had a very low key NYE with my parents: Chinese takeout, card games, watching the football game, snuggling and the ball drop.

 JAN 1: We had a big breakfast and got to open Christmas presents from my parents. Then Paul and I ran a few errands and we visited with friends and spent the bulk of the time trying to figure out how to pack everything and fit it back. That evening we grabbed one last Texas BBQ dinner and then went to the airport for our 9:30 flight. Which turned into a 10 o'clock delayed flight which turned into being squished in the back row with an aisle in between us and 2 tired kids not wanting to sleep. It was a long flight and a bitter reminder that the holidays were over. But it was nice to make it home to sleep in my own bed. We are grateful that we got to spent the holidays surrounded by family and making memories with the people we love.

DEC 26: The boys left for their 2 day hunting trip and the girls took all the kids to the aquarium and out for lunch. We touched a sting ray and Caitlin held a starfish and Nolan loved getting to dip his hands in the water.

DEC 27: Took the kids to the park and played at home. My kids loved playing with all their cousins. Having them all so close in age makes for some pretty intense moments but it makes me so happy to see their little friendships grow and excited for their futures. The moms found time to hang out, talk and watch movies.

DEC 28: We went to the movie "Frozen" during the day. My kids loved it for their second time. We brought Nolan's booster seat and strapped him in and kept a steady stream of snack going and he did great! Caitlin and Madison came out of the movie hand in hand singing "Let it Go" at the top of their lungs. That night we went to Chuy's for dinner and Nolan ate an entire bowl of creamy-jalapeno dip by himself. At one point he even picked up the bowl to try to drink it. I don't blame him-- the stuff is delicious although his tummy paid for it later. After dinner we went to the Gourdough's restaurant downtown and got delicious donuts for dinner.

DEC 29: Went to church then had dinner and aunt Christine gave us haircuts. That night the girls left for our sleepover in the hotel. We played games and ate lots of treats.

DEC 30: Our girls day! We got to sleep in (hallelujah!) and then went to a (very) late breakfast at Kerbey Lane. I had an omelette and pumpkin cinnamon roll pancakes that I will literally be dreaming about and craving for a very long time. Then we went to a ceramics place and we all got to paint something. Afterward we went to see a movie at the Alamo Drafthouse, where you have dinner as you watch the show. It was a very fun day and the guys did great with the kids while we were all away. I'm so blessed to have such fun women to call my in-laws.

Christmas

Christmas Eve: 

-We all met at Target that morning and drew names and then were given money to buy stocking stuffers for whoever we drew. 

-Then we grabbed lunch and had a picnic at the park and then did an obstacle course competition. The boys came up with the course using the park toys (and while crawling over children who were playing) and we all went and got timed and the winners got cash prizes.  

-Did some last minute shopping during nap time. 

-Grandma had some little ornament crafts that Caitlin loved working on every day.

-Had delicious brisket dinner, acted out and told the nativity story then had a family talent show. Caitlin sang "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and then ended up singing about 5 more songs because she loved it so much. Nolan said "HoHoHo" for Santa. All the kids had such cute little talents. Before we put them to bed Grandma shared her talent which was 7 big wrapped boxed for each grandkid. Inside were beautifully made quilts, each one different and individually made for each child. Such a wonderful gift! My kids love their blankies.

-After the kids went to sleep we continued with the adult round of talents including: harmonica playing, singing and playing the piano, pushups, telling jokes, knot tieing and baking. And the grand finale: a dance performance by all the girls to the "Jingle Bell Rock" dance from the Mean Girls Movie. It was so classic.  

Christmas morning: 

We celebrated from 8:30-2:00 After seeing what Santa brought, the kids all took a turn at the beginning and opened a few presents. Then the adults took turns. Then back to the kids for a few minutes. At one point Caitlin brought out her colors and took a little break to color under the tree. She got lots of new dress up clothes and literally stripped down and put a new one one every time she opened one. Nolan got lots of cars and fun toys but wasn't super into actually unwrapping the presents. He was obsessed with the "furreal" cats that a couple of the girls got. After everything, all the presents were opened and I know we felt very blessed. We spent the rest of the day eating and playing with gifts.