Ella!

Brad and Heather came into town on 10.17.10. Emily was SO excited. She absolutely loves her cousin Ella and couldn't wait to play with her again. We had Sunday dinner together and the girls disappeared in Emily's room for a while. After a little bit Emily came out and asked for music. They had dressed up and wanted to go to a ball. So Brad and Jeff went back and danced with their princesses. It was really cute. We also spent some time outside on the flexi flyer. We loved having them in town and seeing so much of them. One of these days we're going to have to make it down to NM to visit Ella. Emily's dying to see her new house.

I Am Still Alive ... I Think

Wow - has it really been that long since I last posted? I can't believe how fast time has flown and how crazy things have been. I took a deep breath to make it through that one week and then had day after day and week after week of deep breathing. Sorry for the delay in posting about everything and hopefully I'll be completely caught up soon (and be able to keep it that way).

The World's Greatest

We decided we'd attempt Special Olympics with 2 kids this fall - making it our 8th year of being on the Games Organizing Committee. It was a fun couple of days seeing some familiar faces and getting to know a few new ones. It's always a blast running into our favorite athletes and SOUT members. Emily had a blast helping out with lunches and running around campus for a couple of days. She was a great helper and made lots of new friends. Jacob smiled at everyone and was a trooper with his naps. Thanks for the opportunity to serve again Mal!

Some of the GOC
Passing out lunch, Jazz bear & cleaning up @ Opening Cermonies,
passing out on the way home, catching a few minutes of a gold medal basketball game.

Pics with all the mascots @ Ceremonies, Star Spangled Banner

Handing out mustard & sandwiches - yumm!, hanging out

And if you can't tell from the following videos, there were lots of opportunities to dance. Of which Emily was thrilled about and took advantage of. I should really get her back in dance class...

10 Months

Our Handsome Little Man

The past month has brought a lot of changes for our family during which Jacob has been a little trooper. He continues to crawl around and get into anything he can - and of course it all still goes right to his mouth. Jacob is a great sharer and is always trying to put his slobbery toys (or paci) in my mouth. He had his first ear infection this past month. He is such a good natured kid that we didn't realize he was that that sick until we saw a bunch of drainage from his ear. That usually means the ear drum has burst from all the pressure. We took him to the doctor and sure enough - that's exactly what had happened. We had a bit of a hard time getting it cleared up and had to go to the doctor's again for another check and prescription. While he had the infection he struggeled a bit napping and I had a hard time finding things that he'd eat. I guess that should have been a sign right there - he normally eats anything and everything. We saw the doctor just the other day again and he was happy to report his ear drum is all healed and he looks great. I'm happy we finally got it all cleared up and I'd be even happier if the picky eating thing had disapeared with the infection.

(Jacob ran his hands through his hair during lunch)

Jacob has the best smile and laugh. He is such a happy little boy and smiles so easily. I just love it when he giggles and gets excited. He is talking more and more and I never tire of hearing him. Jacob has always been one that is on the move - even when he's strapped into something. When he gets excited about something or is just wants to be a part of something he kicks his legs. Here is a video of him enjoying the swings in the backyard.

Lions & Tigers & Bears ... well, just a Tiger

Since Mel was still in town we decided to take the kids (and Gma & Gpa) to the zoo on the 5th. While there I realized it was the first time Jacob had been there. He stared open mouthed at everything. It was so fun to watch him. The kids had fun just being outside, seeing animals, and playing together. Unfortunately all the bears are on loan to other zoo's right now while they are re-doing that whole end of the zoo. But we were able to see the tiger, Zuri - the baby elephant, the giraffes, and several monkeys. We were worried about rain, but the weather ended up being perfect and the zoo wasn't crowded at all.

Green Gators

I just love watching little kids learn to play soccer. There is always a pack of kids running around the field after the ball. Our favorite laughs this year were when a parent yelled to their kid to play defense so he ran up to the goal and layed down in front of it - successfully blocking the entire opening. Another game someone had dumped a cooler of ice just past one of our goals so whenever the ball was kicked out of bounds all 10 kids would run after the ball and end up at the ice mound - looking at it and picking it up and throwing it - before the coaches could get them back on the field. There was also one game where we only had 4 kids show up (instead of 10). It was an extremely hot day and every one of the kids on the field was dragging. We were taking lots of drink breaks and dumping water on the kids heads and had to keep encouraging (and bribing) them to keep playing. They were all so tired and worn out.

Practicing in the backyard - and celebrating after getting one past daddy.

It has been a lot of fun to watch Emily play soccer the past few weeks. She has really learned a lot and I think she has some great talent. She'd never played before and was hesitant to go after the ball at first. She stayed with the pack and followed the ball around the field, but was timid whenever it came to trying to kick the ball away from someone. So for FHE one night we got some goals and Jeff and Emily (and Jacob) practiced out back. Fortunately the practice paid off. Something seemed to click and for the next night's game she began to follow the ball after kicking it and she finally realized it's ok to kick it away from someone.

Emily ended the season having scored two goals. Which is quite the accomplishment considering there were two 5 year olds on the team that had been playing since they could walk and Javier Morales' (RSL's midfielder) 3 year old son was also on the team. They were all quite skilled and were amazing at dribbling the ball. Unfortunately I didn't have the camera on during Emily's shining moments so I can't share them with you. But we are all so proud of her!! Thanks to everyone that came to watch her play and support her. It was a lot of fun and we're excited to play again next spring. Good job Emily!!!

Pumpkins

After conference on Sunday we met up with my family for our annual jaunt to Lyle's pumpkin patch. For the past 5 years my dad's friend has invited us over to his house to pick out some pumpkins. It's so fun to choose pumpkins with all the cousins and to see Lyle. He is so generous to share his pumpkin patch with our family. As usual Emily had a blast running chasing Jackson and Sara around the patch and running through the cornstalks. We picked out some great pumpkins this year and we can't wait to carve them.

(You can see our attempt at getting a pic of the little kids -

they were all thrilled to do it)

Conference

It was great to hear the messages from General Conference this weekend. I wish things hadn't been so crazy at the time and I could have sat down and paid better attention to all the speakers. I can't wait for the Ensign to come out so I can read everything and get more out of it. Between the kids, still trying to get settled into a new home, life and family it was just too hard to devote that much time to the tv.

It was fun to have visits with the Holbrook and Johnson families over the weekend and catch up with extended family. It was also nice that Stan, Melanie, and Heidi came back to SL on the 2nd - just in time for conference. We've had a lot of fun seeing so much of them and playing with Heidi. After conference was over cousin Garrett took Emily for a ride on his motorcycle. Emily was timid - and left his shirt all bunched up and wrinkled where she had clung to him - but seemed to enjoy the ride around the block.

Gardner Village

We had our annual girls lunch at Gardner Village a little early this year to make sure Lisa could join us before heading back to NH. It turned out to be a great idea. We usually go on Columbus Day and it's always a zoo. On the 28th we pulled right into a parking spot and walked right into Archibald's. As usual most of us got the club sandwich and loved it. We had fun walking around the village, seeing all the fun Halloween decorations and witches, and visiting the shops. I've always wanted a fun witch hat for Halloween and finally broke down and bought one this year. Above is a pic of Lisa and me trying some on. I was tempted on so many other finds but held strong and only went home with the hat.Once we'd reached our babysitter limits we headed back to the car so Lisa could give Jenn a quick trim. We have all LOVED having Lisa in town again... and not just for the awesome haircuts. We're all sad to see her leave on the 27th but are anxiously awaiting her next arrival in November. Thanks for the fun lunch girls!

Aspen Grove

We took a break from moving, unpacking, and cleaning to go overnight in Provo Canyon for a marriage retreat at Aspen Grove on the 24th. Again, something that was planned months in advance and ended up being squeezed into a very hectic time. This was our 2nd year attending and we absolutely loved it. It was fun to play mini golf, shuffleboard, listen to the lectures, and be able to just hang out with Jeff. Our time together has been almost none existant with all the craziness of life. So even though it wasn't the best timing, it was still enjoyable and worth every minute. Thanks mom for watching our kids - ear infection and all. Thanks Lisa for having a sleepover with Emily - and sorry you ended up sleeping on the floor! And thanks Dave and Arline for the opportunity to attend the retreat again.