Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

We are busy still doing all the visiting families. We will be hangin' at the McKnight's and I just wanted to post this super cute picture of my Christmas Eve babies in their new PJ's. We had a great Christmas and hope you all did to. I will post the whole vacation when we get home.

Where am I?

Do I still live in St. George??? We woke up this morning to find that "It's Christmas Mom!!!" At least that is what Abby thought. She really hasn't seen much snow in her life. Because of all the Christmas movies she has seen with snow, it means that it is Christmas. We walked out of preschool and she said, "It's snowing mom, that means santa can come now." We haven't went out and played in it yet. I am still trying to find the clothes that can handle it. You know we don't really own any snow clothes, just some cloth mittens and a hat. We'll have to let you know how that goes when I figure out how to do it with out freezing her to death.

The Eight Month is the Magic Month

Chase has done many things that I have not been ready for and I am still not ready for. Here is his most recent. I made a trip to walmart this weekend to by one of these.

And here is the reason for the purchase.....



Our stairs are right at the front door on the back wall of the living room. They don't really hide. About the middle of last week he found them and thought it was cool to just stand up to the bottom stair. I knew that it was only a matter of time until he decided to crawl up them. Little did I know that it would be less than day. Never under estimate a boy. I don't think I can do more than one of these little boys. Hopefully the rest of my kids are girls because I don't think I can handle this. I have such respect for those of you who have all boys. I can only imagine what I have in store for me in the future.

Encore Performance

Abby did such a good job at the Dickens Festival she was asked to sing at the Stephen Wade Corvette Show. She did so good again. She walked out there and they couldn't get her music to work. It was so cute because for about a minute she just stood there with the microphone and smiled at everyone. The microphone had a cord this time so last minute we told her not to turn on Santa Clause in coming to town and just march instead. You can tell in the movie she almost turns, but remembers not to. She even did good with last minute changes. This time Kristin and the boys were able to come and so were Tony and Nat. It was so cute because her eyes just lit up when she got on stage and saw some familiar faces in the crowd. Thank you so much for coming. I know it meant a lot to her to have you all there. I know I have already posted a movie of the exact same thing, but here is the ENCORE performance.
Here is a little pic of when she was waiting for her song to start.

Halli Came to Visit

My brother Tony and his wife Natalie came to visit. We had a lot of fun with them. It was really fun to see their little girl who was not talking last time I saw her. Now she is talking up a storm. She was so cute and her and Abby had so much fun together. She was upset when Abby was having a nap and just kept saying, "Abby, wake up!" She loves to sleep in totally dark rooms so she felt right at home in the pack n' play in our laundry room. One morning she work up and I could hear her in there saying, "need help!" I came downstairs to tell Tony. He said when he opened the door he was knocked over backwards by the smell. She had pooped through her diaper and all over her pajamas. She was in there saying, "need help, pooped!" She has got to be one of the cutest little girls ever. Thanks Tony and Nat for coming and staying with us. We loved having you here and can't wait until you can come again.

Teddy Bear Picnic

One of my good friends from Vegas came up and we took our girls to the Teddy Bear Picnic. The kids get to take their "teddy bear" (Abby took her puppy Bell). They have a little pizza party and have a little Christmas program. The three little pigs and old McDonald came and sang and danced. Then the Grinch came. Abby has never loved the Jim Carey Grinch, but likes the cartoon so I was curious to see how she would do, but she didn't say much about him being scary. It is held at the Jubilee of Trees at the Dixie Center. There were some really amazing trees. They were fun to look at. After the picnic and program Abby and Emma got to sit on Santa's lap. The part I was a little disappointed about was they wouldn't let Abby sit on santa's lap unless we paid them. I understand them not wanting you to take your own pictures when they have their services there, but you couldn't even sit on his lap unless you had them take your picture and pay for it. Now how do you explain to a little kid that they can't go sit on Santa's lap. I didn't want the picture because we were getting pics with santa at the Dickens festival when Chase could be there too, but we had to just so that she could go see santa. I guess sometimes you do things you usually wouldn't so your kids will be happy. In the end it was worth it. So enough of my venting. We had a great time and it was so much fun for Abby to see Emma. She has blessed her in her prayers every night since the Teddy Bear picnic. I am very glad that Emma is a friend Abby will always have because they also have roots in St. George and will be here some day. Thanks for such a fun time Emma, and Thanks Alicia. It was good to see you both.

Maegan comes to visit

Maegan (Hansen) Stark one of my really good friends from high school came down to visit about three weeks ago (yes, once again I am behind). We had so much fun and the kids had a blast. Abby had 24/7 entertainment and she loved it. She, of coarse, had to take them to the jumping place (her favorite). Her and Jackson had a great time. Landon was a little hesitant. The babies had a great time just rolling around on the floor (at the time Chase was not yet crawling....man I miss those days). As you can see Chase was a little rough with Bryson. The next day we did some great shopping. It was nice to have someone to go with though, I am sure Kenny was not ecstatic about shopping. Thanks Kenny for letting us get in a little shoppin'. We took the kids swimming after the day of shopping thinking they needed a little time for being good while we drug them around the town. The Washington City community center has a great pool. The babies had little bouncer swings. They were lovin' it. Abby was having a great time in the kiddie pool. She was being my little super model. She kept posing and wanting me to take her picture. I couldn't even get one of Chase because she kept jumping in front of the camera. Some of the pictures are from Meagan's camera and it puts mine to shame. I now want a new camera. We had a such a good time. Thanks Maeg for coming to visit. It is always fun to have friends come down.

Dickens Festival

SHE DID IT!!! I am so proud of my little girl. She got up in front of a lot of people and sang all by herself. I could not do this if you paid me to, yet my bairly three year old little girl did it. She did it on her own will too. I told her all about it and that there would be lots of people, but she still wanted to do it. We were waiting for her turn and after every song she would ask me if it was her turn yet. When I finally said yes she jumped off my lap without any hesitation and ran up on stage. She was AMAZING!!! I told her right after that I was so proud of her. In the car on the way home she said to me, "Mom, I am so proud of you for watching me sing." I love my kids!!! (side note: she has a cold so if she sounds stuffy when singing it's because she is. I was just glad she didn't start a coughing attack in the middle.)

Just had to throw this cute picture in of the little bro supporting his cute sister.

A Visit to Vegas

The beginning of November Abby was dying to see her friends in Vegas. It was a Friday afternoon and Ashton and I were both staring at each other trying to find something fun to do for the weekend. Ashton said, "lets go to Vegas." I said "Okay." So being very impulsive we packed up and headed down to Vegas. There is nothing like friends that you can call and say we are on our way and they drop everything. Brett and Katie didn't even bat and eye. They said come on down your room will be ready. I love those guys!!! So our first stop was Sissa (melissa) and Adam's house. Tiff and Joe (some of our really good friends and next door neighbors in Vegas) came over to Melissa and Ryan's house and the kids had such a good time. They had us in tears a few times we were laughing so hard. First, they were dancing and Adam had this version of the robot that sent us all to the floor we were laughing so hard. All the kids joined in and then it just led to an all out rough play on the floor. There was one point that Jaden (in the orange who is two yrs) had Adam (who is four yrs) in a head lock begging for his life. Once again we laughed and then jumped in to help Adam out. Immediately following all the kids dog piled on Jaden. He was fine with it until he stopped breathing. Again, we jumped in to help. The end of November was Adam's birthday. Abby wanted him to have a cape like hers so bad, and again my sweet sister in law who would do anything for anyone made him a cape. This wasn't a do it when you get the time either. Remember we decided to go to Vegas last minute and she was more than willing to whip one up. Thanks sooooo much Kristin. You are the BEST! It was such a fun weekend. Thanks to all of our friends that let us interrupt their lives at the last minute. We miss you all, but we will come back down soon!!!


The kids were laughing so hard they couldn't keep their eyes open for the picture. We tried like four times and this is the best we got.

Super Abby

My sister in law made these cute capes for Super Saturday. Her little boy had his over to grandma's house and Abby thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. She was flying all over the house. So my sweet sister in law made Abby one too. She now thinks she is a super reader (for those of you who don't know that is a kids show on PBS). She runs around the house saying she is princess pea. Anytime the show comes on she runs to get her cape. They all turn in circles to become their "super self". So Abby does the same thing and then immediately puts her cape on. It is cute how something so simple can be the most important thing to a little kid. Man I love that girl.

Parents Kinda Dear

Abby loves to sing. She is in a little singing group and looks forward to going every week. This coming Saturday she is singing at the Dickin's Festival and none of the girls in her group can go. She is going to be singing alone. I have prepped her for this and hopefully she will do it. I will post the video after. Anyway, one of her favorite primary songs is I am a Child of God. She will sing it over and over. The cutest part of it is that she was sent to "parents KINDA dear." It makes me laugh every time she sings it so I had to get it on video before she started singing it the right way.

Help Me!!!

So I am behind on my posts, my laundry, my house, the list goes on. I just wanted to post the reason why I can not get anything done. My little one just turned 8 months. I can't believe how fast they grow, but Chase is soooo much different than Abby was. It was just over a week ago that Chase was doing nothing but rolling over. He scooted the next day or two and then decided to crawl. The crawling lasted about three days, and now he thinks it is time to be upright. NO he hasn't took steps (YET, I fear the day he does) but he wants to pull himself up on everything. The problem with this is that he is not stable when he stands up. One second he is up and the next he falls like a tree (stiffed legged, not bending at he waist) literally...Tiiiimberrrrr and he smacks his head. We have been working on that today, but here is a video of him yesterday the first time (okay probably the second by the time I got the camera) he pulled himself up the the little leapfrog table. Abby was always so cautious about everything she did (and she still is). She watches Chase do things and tells him not to because he is not supposed to. He pulled himself up to the TV today (which Abby has been told over and over that she is not supposed to touch the TV) She was yelling at him. I could hear her from the other room yelling, "NO BABY CHASE." So I came running to find him up to the TV. She would never hurt him, but boy does she like to tell him NO!!! I don't know how anyone has more than two kids (but I thought how does anyone have more than one before I had Chase). Anyway, so we are now working on him standing stable while holding onto something, or at least how to fall without looking like a tree that has just been chopped down. I just want to be able to turn my back and know that if he pulls himself up to something that he isn't going to fall and crack his head open.

Hats, Hats, Hats

So one of my friends was patient and nice enough to teach me how to make her cute hats. She does sell them if any of you are interested check it out . I can't get my link to work so the site is www.forgigglesngrins.com. Anyway, I have been having so much fun with them. Though, my first one fit Chase and my second I ran out of yarn. I think I am now getting the hang of it and just in time for the cold weather.

Chase Loves the Bath, and So Did His Dad

Chase loves his bath. If Abby is in the bath and he isn't he stands to the side of the bath tub (with a little help) and if he was big enough I know he would be in the water. He just isn't quite big enough to get over the top of the bath tub. Once he is in the water he becomes a little swimmer. Abby loved her bath too but she would just lay there (not rolling over) or just sit there nicely. Chase surprised me when about a month and a half ago he decided to roll over and explore instead of lay there staring at the ceiling. He is my little swimmer. His dad seems to have loved the bath by his pictures. Diane sent me some photos of Ashton and I honestly had to take a double take at some of them because they looked so much like Chase. You decide who is who.

Halloween Visit from Grandma and Grandpa

We had a great time with Grandma Debbie and Grandpa Brad. It was so nice of them to come down and spend some time with us. It is hard for my dad to leave the cows. Apparently they can not live with out him. (Really, Jody called and said that one died. Granted it was already sick when my dad left, but I had to laugh). I am so glad that Jody and Tony were willing to help out so that my dad was able to come. So we did the whole Halloween thing. Saturday Abby had a soccer game. It is always fun to watch those. The little girls are hilarious. After the game my dad and Ashton went golfing so my mom and I went shopping. After we met back up with the boys and went to the wildlife museum. I have never been there before. I drive past it everyday and never thought to go to it. It was actually quite interesting. I didn't know that it was one guy who hunted all those animals. It was cool and Abby loved it. Chase enjoyed it too. I think he is always happy to do whatever!!! Such a good baby. He was even happier when we went to the park next and he was able to get out of the stroller he had been in all day. He rolled and scooted around the blanket while Abby, Emma, and my dad (yes I did say my dad) played on the playground. My dad was going down the slide and all. Even the big long twisty TUNNEL slide. It was great to see him come shooting out head first from the slide. There was even one time that he must have gotten a plastic burn on his elbow because we saw him looking at his elbow. Abby was having a great time with him. It was so cute. Thanks mom and dad for the great time. It is always fun when you come to town. Abby is still talking about it. She wants to put up her polar bear blow up that Grandpa got for her so that it will be closer to Christmas time. She knows that is when we will be going up to see grandma and grandpa again and she can't wait.

Halloween

So this year we had many halloween parties. Neighborhood, ward trunk or treat, preschool trunk or treat, and then the halloween night trick or treating. We had done some much by the time Halloween night came that we ended up at Texas Roadhouse. There was no wait considering we got there at about 6:30/7:00 when every normal person was out trick or treating. It was kinda nice. Anyway, my parents came down for Halloween and it was a lot of fun. My dad who has never dressed up in his life was so sweet to Abby. Abby was Snow White this year and so we all became the dwarfs. Ashton/Doc, Dani/Bashful, Chase/Dopey, Grandma/Happy, and Grandpa/Grumpy. It was actually a lot of fun to dress up with Abby. We even won a prize at the neighborhood party for the best family costume. Chase I think was the best though. He made a great Dopey. I am so glad that my mom and dad could be here with us. Oh, I also had a girl in our ward ask me how I got Ashton to dress up? Seriously.....last year we were the Ugly Step sisters to our lovely little Cinderella. He had a blond wig and let me put make up on him. His shoes had heals bigger than I am even able to walk in and he wore a dress that was about 10 sizes to small. This year was a cake walk. I think he was glad when Abby told him he was going to dress as Doc. He looked awesome too.






My dad thought that if he pulled his beard up and put his sunglasses on then he was in "disguise" and no one would know who he was. What a good sport!!!

I am sad I never got an individual shot of my mom/happy. But here is a good one of all of us ready to go trick or treating.


Preschool Trunk or Treat. The kids lined up on the sidewalk and sang five little pumpkins.

Ward Trunk or Treat


Abby and Emma were both Snow White and when I told them that I wanted a picture they both "posed." Long lost friends very excited to see each other.

Alicia was the wicked whitch and cam was the handsom prince. We had the whole cast of snow white.

What a great Halloween. It is so much fun to have Ashton be so willing to dress up and make it a fun Halloween for all of us and not just for Abby. Thanks everyone for the fun Holiday.