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.

Happy Birthday Daniel!!

Tuesday the 16th was Daniel's birthday. He is officially 2 years old. After he ate breakfast, He got to open his presents. We gave him a toy microwave for our play kitchen, and food to cook in it.

He also got a little frying pan with more play food. (He picked it out at Toys R us last week, and my brother, Jeremiah, bought it when he wasn't looking.) He and I played kitchen all morning.

For lunch, We made little pizzas with Grands biscuits. He Loves to help me cook things.

After lunch and nap, Kerami and her friend, Darla came over to brings gifts for Daniel from my Dad and his wife Margie, in Texas. I decided to let him open one as a birthday gift.

They gave him a Black and Decker tool set. He absoutey LOVED it! It came with a battery powered drill and flashlight, and level and goggles.

You put the batteries in a real-looking battery pack that you can change from one tool to the other. Way cool!

Later, we took Daniel to pick out a Christmas Tree. At 6pm we all went to Amazing Jakes for Daryl's company party. (Dinner and fun on Daniel's b-day, free of charge. How cool is that?)
Daniel had a great time riding the kiddie rides and playing with his daddy.

He especially loved the Frog Hopper ride. He was technically too short to ride, but the attendant allowed him to ride it with Daryl there. He also liked the little train and the Tonka truck. What a fantastic birthday!!

Powder Puff

I was pretty tired this morning after sort of a rough night with Heidi. Then, Daniel woke up early too and I had to send him back to bed. (Keep in mind that Daryl is "on-call", and was already gone for the morning to do a few jobs.) Luckily, I was able to fall asleep in my room with the baby asleep on our bed. Later, I vaguely remember Daniel coming in and asking to wash his hands. (Normally, this is no big deal. He often insists on washing even when his hands aren't visibly dirty.) Later, he came in again, and insisted on washing. This time, I was a little more awake, and looked at him to see what he was talking about. As you can see, he was covered in some sort of white powder.

I jumped out of bed, assuming it was flour, and hurried into the kitchen to asses the damage. There was no mess in the kitchen, or any of the other adjoining rooms. I decided to smell him to see what it was. It was baby powder!! I ran to Heidi's room and this is what I found...

He must have stood on the bottom shelf of the changing table and was able to get it from the top. I thought I'd put it out of reach. Apparently not.

She's Here!!!!

Ladies and gentlemen...

Heidi Louise Lamoreaux has finally arrived! She was born Tuesday, November 11th, (her due date) at 7:16 am. She weighed 7lbs, 15 oz and was 21 in. long. The delivery went well. We went into the hospital at 3:13 am, and she was born 4 hours later. She came out with long nails and tons of dark hair. She's a beautiful baby.

Daniel was so excited to see her. He couldn't wait to hold her and give her kisses and loves. He is already a great big brother for Heidi and helper for Mom.

Our October

October has come and gone, and we are now into the home stretch of this part of our life. Before Baby Heidi arrives, here are some of the highlights of our month.


Saturday, October 18th-
Karson Thomason threw me a baby shower for our little girl. She did a fantastic job. What a beautiful day to spend among friends and family. Marily (one of my older sisters) made beautiful artwork for Heidi's room. She also put together a great vegetable tray to contribute to the fantastic food provided. Thanks Marily!! Cheryl, Karolann and Sharon (2 brought a beautiful diaper cake complete with diapers, washcloths, pacifiers, headbands, and a sweet little blanket/bear to top it all off. Thanks to all for the beautiful gifts and thoughts sent our way.



Friday, October 24th-
Our Anniversary!! Can you believe we've been married for 5 years!!

This day was a busy day for us. Originally, Daryl was scheduled to be on-call for that entire week. Luckily, he was able to switch with a guy to be on-call for the week before. He was able to take the day, and the day before, off to stay home with us. Although things didn't quite go as planned, the day worked out nicely. Daryl had a busy day, but we were able to share a nice quiet lurch together during nap time.

Later, the three of us went to the State Fair for a fun evening with Daryl's family. All but one of his siblings and their children were there. Grant, Kelli and Kaylob are now living in St. George, and couldn't be there with us. We really missed them. Daniel had a great time watching the Demolition Derby, and spending time with Cameron. I'm so glad that they are such good friends.

October 25th-
Lamoreaux Family Fun!!
Today we got together with all of his siblings at my in-lawns' house for our Annual Halloween Party. We had a great time decorating pumpkins, playing games, and eating dinner together. Later Daniel got to put on his cowboy costume and the three of us took pictures. What fun evening. Thanks Cheryl, for all of your hard work and planning.

Daniel was a big helper and scooped out all of the pumpkin guts. He was happy to do it, as long as he didn't have to touch it. He had the hardest time trying to walk on the tarp without slipping.

Daryl gave up on the knife and resorted to Trent's more effective method. Obviously this method requires a lot more concentration.

This is our family Daryl, Daniel and Me,

and Baby Heidi soon to be.

October 31st-

Happy Halloween!!

Daniel really loved Halloween this year. It didn't take him long to figure out how it works. By the end of the first street, he was saying "Trick or Treat" on his own (very quietly), and holding his bucket out to anyone who looked like they might make a contribution. He looked so cute in his cowboy costume. Daniel is wearing a shirt that says "My daddy's a stud too".