While we were gone...

Megan and Robb watched the boys while Alan and I went to Chicago last month. Look what we got for Christmas! These are only a few pics but we were very surprised. I can't believe the munchkins kept it a secret!

Merry Christmas

AHHHH! I feel like I can breath! It was so nice this morning to not have to wake up and think about what our day was going to look like. We did not have to be ANYWHERE or do ANYTHING!

The week of Christmas seemed a little crazy pulling together all the last minute things. Alan went to Vegas for two days to the Utah game so it made things a little busier.

We went to my Mom's on the 23rd for her candle light dinner, the nativity scene, and gifts. The kids thought they were so great because she insisted on letting them drink from her goblets! Alan and I let them be and waited for glass to shatter. However, they all made it through the meal with no problems. The boys looked so cute in their costumes! I love watching them. My mom gave all my siblings new baby books she had been working on for a long time! Thanks MOM! Looking back, we think Moo might have had a flu bug but that kid is amazing and never complains about anything! However, looking at the pictures, you can tell he did not feel so red hot. He also threw up the next morning.

We went to the Pohlmans' on Christmas Eve where we made our own pizzas and once again did the Nativity Scene. O got to be Joseph there and had no idea what was going on.

We headed home to a few gifts under the tree. Pj's for the boys. Megan and Robb stopped by and gave us their gift! While we were in Chicago last month they dressed the boys in new jerseys and took them to the stadium where they took pictures. LOVED IT!!!!!
Christmas morning we woke and C was super excited. Alan tortured him by telling him we had to wait for O to wake up. He finally told him we could wake O by 8:30. Alan takes the boys shopping for each other every year. This year, C gave M a Nerf gun and M gave C some soccer nets. It has been such a great opportunity for them to give. It also make me happy that the first thing they want to do as they get to the tree is give each other their gifts!

Santa brought a load of marbles because he did not communicate well his elves! Leapsters, Utah apparel, Toy Story items, and more filled stockings and boxes under the tree. Of course, C mentioned he must not have been on the really good list because he did not receive an orange in his stocking! How does that kid remember things?

Omelets and gifts were next on the list at Grandma and Grandpa Pohlmans' home. As we settled into the couch to open gifts, C once again complained he did not feel well. I thought it was just Christmas excitement. However, a few moments later he ran to the bathroom and we soon realized the flu bug was going to join us! We put him in a different room with a new movie Grandma had given him for Christmas. Poor little guy. Alan's parents went way over bored again! They do shopping for every single one of us!

We went home and spent some time picking up Christmas and hanging around home. Soon we were off again to my parents for dinner and some relaxing time by the fire. (As relaxing as it can be with all the grandkiddos around).

Off to bed and then a wonderful sabbath day followed where we once again remembered our Savior, His birth, and what that blessing brings to our lives. Merry Christmas 2010!

HaPpy BirThDaY O!

I do not remember what our family was like with out you. The past year has been an eventful year for you. Your personality has really started to shine! You are a character! I am not sure who can be a bigger goofball, you or your Dad. You love to make us laugh.

You have grown a lot the past year and there are so many things I always want to remember! The nick name "Louie" has started to stick (I am sorry about that!). You love your lamby blanket and sleep with it every night! One night, we could not find your binky. I told you they were lost and that was that. Nothing more said! Yippee. Good bye binky. You started wearing big boy undies at 22 months. GREAT JOB! If you hurt someone or do something wrong, you immediately say "Oh sorry, sorry, sorry." You love to give kisses but only on the cheek. Daddy only gets them on his forehead because his face is scratchy. Your facial expressions say it all! You are very vocal and tell us like it is. The other day while driving, you said, "Oh, come on mommy!"

We spent your birthday with A LOT of friends. We did a sub for Santa at the Storheims' and made time to sing Happy Birthday among the craziness. You felt very special. Grandma and Grandpa gave you the gift that stole you heart, Buzz Light Year. You love him!

You are a funny, sweet, energetic, sympathetic, sassy, and very loved! Happy Second Birthday Louie!

Windy City

The game was a bust but the rest of the weekend was great. I learned a lot about Chicago and North Bend Indiana.

We flew into Chicago around 11 on Thursday morning. We met up with Chelsea and Jeff. We got off to a rough start trying to use our phones as maps looking for Giordanos Pizza. We walked most of the city but finally made it there to enjoy some deep dish pizza. It was really good! And we were really hungry. We then headed to the Art Institute of Chicago. That place is huge! We spent a few hours there and saw some classics and some interesting "ART". We headed over to the Magnificent Mile and walked around the shops for a while. We saw Hersheys, Ghiradeli, Apple, H&M, Nike Town, and much more. Next we headed to an Italian Restaurant and ate more food. MMM, gnocchi!

Can you believe this pizza? YUMMMMM

Friday morning we went on an architecture boat tour. It was a great way to see the city and learn about all the buildings. We went to lunch at a Mexican Restaurant and the ceviche was divine. We headed to the Willis Tower next for a few hours and it was one of my favorite parts of Chicago. I did the audio tour and learned even more about the city. They have a glass deck off the side of the building. It was CRAZY stepping out on it. I seriously was shaking! We got some great pictures of it. We headed out to Wrigley Field where we took a few pics outside the stadium and glanced in on the field. They were getting it ready for a football game.

Gibson's steak hosue was the next stop and it really might be some of the best food I have ever had. My kind of food! A lettuce wedge, ribs, asparagus, and a "piece" of banana cake like you have neer seen before! I LOVED IT! We headed back to our hotel (The Palmer House Hilton) because we wanted to get some sleep for the big game the next day.

Saturday morning we headed down to South Bend, Indiana to Notre Dame. We first went to the Football Hall of Fame. I wished we had C with us. He would have loved it there! Next we headed to the campus and stopped at the book store. We bought a shirt for Alan, a Christmas tree ornament (a key chain), and a magnet for our magnet board. We toured the rest of the campus for a while and headed to the stadium. There was a lot of red around.
We watched the band, cheerleaders, and mascot enter the stadium and then went to our seats. We were in the Notre Dame section but met up with Alan's friends so we had some red around us. The game was miserable. Not only did it rain for the first time our entire trip but the Utes were even more disappointing than the week before.

Although the game was a disappointment, it was great to see the campus and worth the trip. We drove back to Chicago and ate some thin crust Pizza at Excheckers. The BBQ pizza was great. We were exhausted so we headed back to our hotel.

Sunday we met up with Jeff and Chelsea again (they were our travel buddies and Jeff planned the whole trip, thanks Jeff!). We went to Navy Pier and I wished it was summer with our kids because it looked like a fun place. The pier was pretty dead so we jumped on a red tour bus and drove around the city. I wish we had done that the first day because we learned a lot and it took you around the whole city. Live and learn!

We decided to go see the temple on our way to the airport. As we got closer we started getting nervous we would be late for out flight so we decided to be safe and go straight to the airport. Chelsea and Jeff dropped us off because their flight was later and at a different airport. I have to mention Jeff was an awesome taxi driver! I am soooooo glad I was not driving there!

We had a lot of extra time in the airport so we went to the Crown Room and sat by the fire to warm up. Alan was able to upgrade us to first class so our flight home was actaully enjoyable.

As we came down the elevator, our three cute boys and their Aunt Mimi were waiting with welcome home signs! We missed the hoodlems! Now, a HUGE thanks to Megan for tending the boys for us! They are a lot of work! She is amazing. We love you Megs and the boys love you even more. Alan's Mom took the boys for one night so Megan could have a break. Thanks Susan! We have the best family.

We are back at it again and looking forward to Thanksgiving next week as we have so very much to be thankful for.

HaPpY HALLOWEEN!

Last years Halloween was a bust. I was sick and Alan and flown in that morning and was also very ill. He still took the two older boys to the U game (they WANTED to go). O and I never dressed up and I was so sick I did not even pass out candy.

So, this was O's first official Halloween. HE LOVED IT!!!! It really started Wednesday. WE dressed up Wed, Thurs, Fri, and Sat. However, we did not dress up on Halloween! (Sunday). O was a purple dragon. M, C, and I were Pirates. Alan never dressed up and was super bummed about it. Alan, my dad, and C flew out on Friday morning to go to Colorado for the U game. C had been waiting for this day for months! He was so excited. He, once again, picked the U game over trick or treating. M, O and I went to Alan's parents for soup and to check out all the family costumes. Then we headed to my parents where we did a little trick or treating. The Demings showed up and we spent the rest of the night hanging out with them and watching the game. It was a great night.

I have to mention the first snow storm. The boys were so excited!!!!! Luckily I had gotten out all the snow clothes and checked sizes for the year. Everybody was covered! Needless to say, they all had to dress up for the walk to school. It reminded me of the first winter O was born. Getting ready to take C to school took us 20 minutes just to get bundled up. Only this time, C pretty much did it himself and M did over half of it. I am looking forward to a great winter!!!

Hello Undies!

I decided to potty train O. He was 22 months, much younger than the older boys, but I thought I would try it. He was showing signs he was ready. I went for it. I kept doubting myself and him but I vowed I would never turn back! Sure enough, he is doing great. I still have him in Pull Ups at night but it is better than changing diapers. We have been changing diapers for 5 and a half years. At two points we had two in diapers. It is strange to not have any diapers around here. I really enjoy it. The only problem so far, finding small enough undies for the little man's bottom. I finally found some 2T undies but they hang on his bottom. I must admit...it is pretty darn cute! Great job O!!! Oh, and maybe a little credit for the Mom too!

My First Garden

I decided to do a garden this year. It was a great learning experience. It did not turn out to be as productive as I thought but it was a good start. I learned a lot. I will do it again next year with new insight and hopefully better results. We had the following: Peaches, peppers, squash, carrots, basil, jalapenos, two (yes...TWO!) green peas, and tomatoes. We also planted raspberries, onions, and cilantro. Hopefully the raspberries will berry next year. I am going to keep the carrots in ground covered by a bag of leaves and then go out in the middle of winter and pick some carrots for lunch. The boys loved it and they stayed out of it better than I expected. Gardening is just like every other thing in life. You learn as you go and become better as time goes by. I hope!

Preschool Boy

Moo started preschool in September. I just did not make time to post about it! Bad Mom! He LOVES his preschool and his teacher, Mrs. Mandy. She is such a great teacher and M LOVES going to school. He is such a sweet little boy. I co op in his class and he is a good listener, good friend, and tries to learn a lot. O seemed lost and confused the first few weeks with the older boys at school. However, he soon realized he had me all to himself. It has been great spending time with him alone. He is a character.

Even Better

Later that day I received a text from Alan telling me to check my email. It said to pack my bags with a packing list he provided and a few other thoughts. Then it said he would be home in 45 minutes! He soon showed up with his Mom in tow to take the kiddos. He brought a bouquet of gorgeous flowers delivered to me by O! So sweet. We left around 4:15 and started driving up Parleys. We made it to the St. Regis at Deer Creek. We had to ride a funicular to get to our room. HOLY COW!!! That place is AMAZING!!!! Absolutely amazing. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever stayed and I was treated like a queen. The evening included the following,



Chocolate covered strawberries with an unopened bottle of champagne
Sushi nachos
Fire places (indoor and out)
Star lit sky
Water falls
Jacuzzi tub
A charm for my necklace
A charm bracelet
and so much more....

The morning included:

A visit to the gym
Breakfast
Pedicure
Manicure
Steam rooms
Soaking tubs

It was so relaxing and fun!

Alan is so romantic. He can really treat a lady right. Thanks Hun! I had a great time and loved spending time with you. I LOVE YOU! P.S. You are welcome for 10 years of excellent service!