The anticipation.....

Merry Christmas Eve!!!
Well we had a nice Christmas Eve. Kyle's parents and brother were here, as well as his cousin. We started by decorating cookies. Kyle decorated a decapitated Santa Clause to look like a rooster. I thought it was quite ingenious. (flip it over for a headless Santa wearing a pack)

Zachary was quick to inform all of us that the cookies were for Santa.
We then sang some Christmas Songs. We were visited by cousins which made the excitement mount that Santa was coming.
Zachary, Eric, and Wendy opened their first gift, PJ's. They sure do look cute.



Grandma read them 'The Night Before Chrisrmas" Kyle then read the Christmas story from the New Testament Scripture Reader. We picked cookies out for Santa, hung our stockings and
headed to bed. It was an eventful and enjoyable evening.

She's rolling!!

Wendy now knows that she knows how to roll. She rolled for the first time over a month ago, but did not figure out it was something she had control over. Now she knows and is beginning to use her new talent to get things. She sure is cute!

Santa

Ho Ho Ho!! Merry Christmas!


Zachary and Eric are getting excited for Christmas. This picture was at our ward party. Eric asked for a ball and Zachary could not decide so with prompting from Santa said a truck. Well he is not getting a truck, but I think he has already forgotten that is what he asked for. Zachary also sang with the primary children for part of the program he did a great job as can be seen below.

Wendy is still CUTE!!!

Here are a select few of the very cute photos of Wendy so far in the month of December.
She is a joy to have in our home!

Zachary's new spectacles!

Zachary looks sophisticated, suave, superb, simply sensational, in his new spectacles.

The week before Thanksgiving I was told by Zachary's preschool teacher that he had failed the eye test given at school. He could not see pictures from 15 feet away, small pictures. So Last week we took a trip to the eye doctor. He had a great time teasing the eye doctor, entertaining the ladies who worked up front, and with the help of a sucker allowing mom to put different glasses on for him to choose. Well, today his glasses arrived. He was very excited about the case that came with them, he calls it their 'suitcase'. In the few hours he had them before bed we had a hard time keeping them on his face, Let's hope that in the following days and weeks he will become accustomed to them, love them, and not lose them. Wish us luck!!

A Glorious Day!

Today it actually feels like the holiday season is starting. Here are a few of the things I am thankful for today.
1. Kyle has the day off from work!
2. Wendy woke up smiling and cooing.
3. We had orange juice with breakfast.
4. The laundry is all folded, including the socks matched.
5. The boys have not had a disagreement yet today,
in fact they actually talked about sharing.
6. It is a beautiful clear day for those traveling.

As you can see I have a lot to be thankful for today and it is only 10:00am. It is bound to be a
glorious day, I hope all you out there have a wonderful day as well.

The individuals in these pictures I am most thankful for:

Pigtail princess with her dashing daddy.

Handsome & Happy Eric

First time Zachary plays in the snow in 2010

The Museum

Zachary woke up one morning and asked to go to the museum. I asked him which museum and he proceeded to describe all the exibits at the Children's Museum in SLC. I was surprised he even remembered it existed, but he did, so we went. Here are all three kids doing what they do best at the children's museum; having fun!

Wendy's Laugh

Wendy can really get laughing. She thinks truck noises, dancing, and her two brothers are particularly funny.
Here is a video of Zachary helping her find the fun side of life!!

A few examples. . .

It sure is fun to listen to Zachary. Sometimes I don't know where he comes up with things, but it makes sense to him. Here are 3 examples of his funny way to see or say things in the past few days.
1. Sunday we were visiting Grandma Janet (Kyle's adopted mom). Her daughter asked Zachary if he liked his little sister or if she could keep her. He replied that he loved her. She then asked how much. Zachary thought for a moment and then said, "Three Hundred" I think that is a lot of love!

2. Yesterday I voted after I picked up Zach from preschool, it happened to be at his school. He and Eric got 'I Voted' stickers. As we were walking home Zachary suddenly stopped peeled his sticker off his shirt, pulled up his pant leg, applied the sticker to his leg and then said "style" in a very dramatic tone. He stopped three more times on the walk home to lift his pant leg show off the sticker and say "style" It really was quite funny.

3. On separate occasions I have been walking with Zach when we walk through a cloud of gnats. He will look at me and say, "Mom, there are more of the get in the way bugs" I think that is a good description.

Happy Halloween!

Trick or Treat

Well we had a very exciting Halloween. Zachary went through a few costume ideas to settle upon Bob the Builder. Eric was a lion, he would roar and then inform you that he was a "nice lion" Wendy was a penguin and very cute. Kyle even got into the act by wearing his Cheese Head hat as he took the boys around. Enjoy the pictures!

Ahh Success!

I have wanted a picture of Zachary that was worthy of being put in the living room for a long time. Zachary does not usually sit still long enough, or give a real smile on demand. A couple of days ago I told him I would like to get a picture of him with the tree and pretty leaves. He was o-kay with this idea; however, the same problems existed. I finally told him he could crawl under the tree. That was the secret, it actually kept him still. The picture on the left I really like, the one on the right shows his mischievous eyes. Both are better pictures than I have taken in quite awhile. Thanks Zachary!

Fall Fun!!

This fall we have had a lot of fun! Here is just a sample of the excitement we have found.

Playing in the rain. A downpour started on our walk home from preschool. So, since Zachary was already soaked both he and Eric had fun when we got home.

I found sparklers in a cleaning spree, they happen every once in a while.
The boys loved playing with them.

Wendy enjoying a beautiful warm October afternoon.

Zachary playing with the neighbors, and trying out skateboarding.

Eric and Dad posing on the frog at the Salt Lake Aquarium.

Zachary and Eric at the pumpkin patch and hay maze.

Zachary and Eric at the park. A 13-year-old boys soccer team came to practice, both Eric and Zachary loved helping them retrieve balls, and had a great time playing with them.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

A Tired Boy

Both Zachary and Eric were very tired this afternoon, but would NOT sleep. Eric has begun resisting his afternoon nap, although we are still trying. They were both so tired and grumpy, I took them on a ride for the express purpose of putting them to sleep. It worked!! After about an hour and a half, Zach got up, but he was still groggy. After telling me he was still tired he fell asleep on the couch. So here he is, the only time he is not trying to be everywhere discovering everything, asleep.

Summer Dress

Wendy is such a cutie. She has started laughing, and we see her smile often. Here are a few pictures that show her and her fun faces. She loves sticking out her tongue and blowing bubbles.

Isn't she a doll!

"Me Do It!"

Eric's favorite phrase is "Me do it!!!!!!!!!" Yes, the exclamation points are accurate. He will repeat it over and over sometimes adding a "myself" for emphasis. Of course it is nice that he is showing a little independence; however, sometimes I wish he would pick tasks that he can actually do or actually need to be done. We love our 2-year-old Eric.

Wendy Smiles

Wendy has a very contagious smile. We love how her little tounge comes out when she is happy.

An Exciting Day for Zach

What a day!!

It was an exciting day for Zachary. It began with his 4-year check-up. He was pronounced healthy and strong. He told the doctor that the nurse squished his muscles, this of course was in reference to having his blood pressure taken. He is in the 55th percentile for height and 60th percentile for weight. This means he has really grown, last year he was in the 30th percentile.

After the Dr.'s appointment we went to the store where Zachary chose chocolate filled eyeballs, for the treat to bring for his birthday to preschool.

Yes, you read that right preschool. Today was Zachary's first day of preschool. He was very excited to wear his backpack. When I dropped him off he just ran in and began playing. He didn't even say good-bye to his dear old mom. When I picked him up I asked how he liked it. He said it was great, but I couldn't get many more details.



When we got home from preschool, we waited about 1 hour, and then Dad came home and we started the party. Zachary's birthday party was just a family affair, but we sure had a great time. Both Eric and Zachary had fun opening presents, playing with the new toys, eating the pizza Zachary requested for dinner, and enjoying the Pooh Bear cake.

Overall it was a very busy, exciting day for Zachary. When it was bedtime, Zachary went quickly and quietly. He was really tuckered out.