Happy Halloween

We had a wonderful Halloween this year. We had a blast the week before at my in-laws for the Lamoreaux family party. We carved pumpkins, we ate dinner, we played games. Those that had one wore a costume, and we took lots of pictures of everyone. Unfortunately, I didn't get any with my camera. Sorry. As in years passed, the party was well done. Thanks Cheryl, for all of your hard work. You're my hero!

Halloween night was lots of fun too. Daryl's cousin, Courtney and her husband Bryan came over after dinner and trick or treated with us down a few streets in our neighborhood. Before we headed out, Daryl got some cute pictures of the kids.

This year they were Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Daniel had no trouble posing for the camera. Heidi wasn't happy about having to wear her ears for her picture.

She barely wore them at all for Halloween. Oh well.

Easter Weekend - Saturday

Saturday, Daryl and I took the kids to Grandma and Grandpa Burgess' house for the annual Easter lunch and egg hunt. We each bring a type of sandwich and maybe one other dish to share. Those of us with children who still hunt for eggs also bring at least a dozen filled eggs to contribute. Normally the festivities are held entirely outdoors. This year we had to do everything inside, due to rain. Daryl took some great pictures of Daniel "hunting" in the living room. He had a great time!

He had the hardest time trying to keep his Easter bag on his shoulder.

Easter Weekend - Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday was such a beautiful spring day. The kids looked so cute in their Easter clothes. This Easter has been allot more fun, for me anyways, now that Daniel is getting old enough to be excited about things. This picture was taken right after we got home from church. If you look closely, you will notice the orange car in Daniel's hands. When he saw this remote control car in his Easter basket, he immediately fell in love. He literally refused to let go of it, even for a meal, for the next 3 days. All he wanted to do was... "dribe it" ...

"wace it"...

and "cwash it" with his daddy.

(Daddy got one too.)

Unfortunately, like most dollar store toys, the beloved car stopped working after only 3 days of life. I cut the cord last night to avoid any injuries. He still plays with it and carries it around some. But it's just not the same without the power. We'll miss you, little race car, in all your glory. (at least Daniel will)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Saturday, Feb 7th, I was still stuck at home with sick kids. Daryl decided he would take my car (the HHR) to The Carwasher and get it washed. He was gone 45 minutes when I heard the doorbell ring. I hurried to get it, and glanced out the front window at the car that was parked in the driveway, a white suburban. Before I could think too much about it, I opened the door to see my husband standing there. Then it dawned on me. This was supposed to be MY suburban. (Please keep in mind that we have been talking about and kind of looking at bigger cars since before Heidi was born.) I ran outside to get a better look at the vehicle. It's a 2004 with leather second-row captain chairs and too many bells and whistles to name. It took me a good week to figure out what all of the different buttons do. (I'm still a little overwhelmed.) He planned on hurrying back to the dealership to put some money down and reserve it. Then would pick it up the following Monday. (That was his week on-call and he already had a few jobs waiting for him.) I told I wanted it to stay. He ended up taking the full time and signing all the papers so I could have it that day. I thought he was just washing the car. (It's amazing what a good carwash can do these days. JK)

The sad part was, there was no where for me to go, unless I found a way to leave my kids at home. They were feeling a lot better, but not completely well. I finally got my chance to try it out a few days later, when they were better. I've only had for not quite two weeks now, and I absolutely love it. (I loved my HHR too, but I knew we would eventually replace it, so I'm happy now to have this one.) Thank You, Honey for the fabulous gift, and for taking the extra time so I could have it sooner. I will always remember this.

Merry Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. Daniel, now 2 years old, is just starting to be excited about presents and Santa Clause. I expect next year will be even more magical, for him especially. A day or so after Daniel's birthday, Daryl set up our Christmas tree. After a couple of days working on it, Daniel and I finally got it decorated.

Daniel's decorating skills. He found a way to balance a candy cane on this branch.

Notice the picture of the finished product.

(This was taken a week before Christmas before all of the ornaments began their migration to the more northern parts of the tree so as to be out of reach.) Daniel, being the thinker that he is, discovered that the little metal part of a bulb ornament is easily removed. But just to be sure, he tried it out on every one he could find.

We spent Christmas Eve with the Burgesses (his mother's side) for dinner, then left there to be with the Skousens (my mother's side) for the evening program. Santa came to my cousin, Gina's House, and brought each grandchild, including me, a gift. But only if we agreed to sit on his lap. Daniel had no problem accepting his present.

Heidi wasn't so sure.

Thant night, while we were waiting for Kerami to arrive and stay the night, we heard several fire trucks outside our house, and ran out to see what was going on. Apparently, a house across the street and a few doors down had caught on fire. Luckily the family of 3 made it out safely. A lit candle on the porch some how set fire to a bamboo screen they had draped across the front of their house. The fire traveled up into the attic, and down into the living room where it blew out the front windows and set fire to anything in reach. With the help of 8 fire trucks and several squad cars, the fire was extinguished. Now... back to Christmas.

We all woke up about 7am. Daryl and I were sitting in front of the tree when Daniel came in. He pushed the button to turn on the lights, and sat on Daryl's lap to have a look. That's when he saw his gift. Santa brought him a lovely red "tricle". It is his pride and joy. He loves sitting on it and walking it around the house. He hasn't yet figured out peddling.

Santa brought me a new computer that he built himself. I am told it holds 30 times more than what Daryl's old one can. I couldn't be more excited! Daryl got a Rugger something or other 9 millimeter handgun. A little unnerving, I know. Santa brought Heidi a new toy that hangs from her car seat bar, and I made her a quilt with bunnies on it.

After our family Christmas, we went over to Daryl's parents' house for breakfast and gifts with his siblings. We hung out and played games for a while, then headed over to grandma Lamoreaux's for lunch. Normally we just do gifts, and eat both breakfast AND lunch at Grandma's, but we decided to change the plans this year, hoping to make the holiday a little less chaotic.

Daryl's brother Trent, gave us a cool hot cocoa pot. It stirs and keeps the chocolate warm until you turn it off. Daryl makes cocoa at least once a week now. He gave Daniel a play guitar, which he LOVES, and a cute little outfit for Heidi. Thanks Uncle Trent!

This is Heidi and me at my in-laws'.

In the interest of adding more pictures of myself, and Heidi, I've included this one for your viewing pleasure.

Later that evening my family gathered at my sister, Marily's house for a few hours. We ate ham and onion potatoes, and whatever else. We played games and hung out while Dallin, Adam, and Daniel played with their new toys. We had a great time.

Here's Heidi chillin' on Marily's couch while I played a game for as long as she would allow. (Notice the change in outfit from the previous picture. At least she made it MOST of the day in her beautiful Christmas dress.) She's such a beauty.

Over all I'd say we had a wonderful holiday. I still felt like there were so many places to go. But I guess that's how things work out when we have so many families that love us. (And of course we love them too.) There is no better way to celebrate the birth of our Savior than to spend it with those we love.