Christmas Lights

So last night we decided to bundle up and head downtown to see the lights. This is one of our family's traditions that we usually do closer to Christmas, but I wanted to go before it snowed and was too cold to really enjoy it.  We had a very nice night and it wasn't too crowded so the kids could run around a bit.  The colors were so pretty and one day I will have a nicer camera to really capture the colors.

 This is one of my favorites of the kids together!  I am so glad they get along together.

 Our new family tradition - Gary decided to take a thermos of hot chocolate with us.  What a great idea!  We stopped halfway through under the lights and had yummy hot chocolate.  The kids got a kick out of it too.

This was my favorite tree.  It was decorated in mostly orange and a little bit of yellow lights.  It just stood out so well amoung all the red trees.  We even were able to go inside and enjoy 2 of the movies and of course we ended the evening watching Mr. Kruegar's Christmas.  They turned off the lights and Sarah turned to me and asked for popcorn! 

Thanksgiving Weekend

So the weather was surprisingly warm even though it was overcast skies.  In the morning we decided to take the kids to a playground to get some energy out before the big feast!  We had a nice Thanksgiving lunch at Gary's grandparents house with lots of family. The kids had even more fun playing with Grandpa Naylor's trains!  After that we headed back to my parents to put Sarah down and just relax.  We didn't do a Thanksgiving dinner with my family this year but it was a really nice day to just relax as a family. 

That night I did the midnight shopping at Target!  I know I am crazy but it was my first time and it actually wasn't half bad.  They had it very organized and at times felt like I was in line at Disneyland.  It took almost 30 min. to get into the store and about an hour and a half to check out.  We went through every food aisle and wove back and forth through most of the rest of the store.  I was able to get some things for Isaac and unfortunately the one toy I wanted for Sarah was gone before I even got in the store.  Good thing Target's sale was 2-days and available online so I finally was able to get in online on Saturday.  We also headed to Old Navy at 2 am but after looking at their line we said No way!  Thanks Kelly I had fun and might do it again next year!

 On Saturday, still nice weather, we decided to go up and relax at Red Butte Gardens.  The kids had so much fun running up and then rolling down the hill.  There was barely anyone there so we had most of the areas to ourselves - so nice!!!

 My cute kids in their opposing team hats.  So Grandma O. bought Isaac a Y hat at one of the football games, so of course Grandma L had to go and buy a U hat.  The funniest thing was when he brought the red hat home he said, "Look mom, grandma bought me a BYU hat"  It is so funny because they don't even get the rivalry.

 Okay ignore this terrible picture of me.  So while trying to get the kids to come and sit down Sarah ran over towards the cactii  plants.  Gary jumped over one of the plants to grab Sarah so she didn't touch it.  Unfortunately his foot got pricked by the grizzly cactus plant.  When we got home I had to pull the pricker out of his foot.  It had hooked into his skin so well it took me two tries to pull hard enough.  Things parents do for their kids!

Sarah's 1st Haircut

So Gary has told me several times that I am not allowed to cut the curls in the back of her hair to even it out.  Well some of the pieced were getting pretty uneven so I had our sister-in-law, Annie, TRIM the back out.  I was even tempted to cut it a little bit shorter to even her hair out, but resisted (this time).  The only way we could keep Sarah to hold still was by giving her an apple and an orange.  Kids are so funny.  Once Gary saw her he noticed that I had it cut.  Of course he told me that I was on his naughty list!  He is so protective of her - I love it.  Of course I left me camera at home so these are from my phone.

Success

We have finally taken the bottle away from Sarah!!!!  She would drink anything but milk out of any other type of cup, sippy cup, big girl glass, etc.  But the minute I would put milk in anything but a bottle she would throw the cup and a tantrum.  So we had tried to purchase special new milk cups at the store (twice) but she still refused to drink out of them once we got them home.  I must say the 3rd time was the charm.  She still put up a little bit of a fight but the trick has been to add nesquick chocolate.  Oh a girl after my own heart - chocolate!

This morning while watching Finding Nemo, Isaac turns to me and says Mom, after you have Luke (name still hasn't been decided in my mind) you can have another baby and we will call him Nemo!  Oh if things were as simple as they are in a child's eye.  I am totally stumped for a name for this baby boy.  I do like Luke but having Luke Oaks it just doesn't roll off your tongue.  Well we still have a couple of months to figure this one out.  If anyone has any suggestions I am all ears!

Singing Time

So this morning while driving in the car I started singing Ifyou're happy and you know it... to keep Sarah happy and after the first couple of verses Isaac started making up his own words.  Which I love to hear what his imagination comes up with.  Well the best verse I have ever heard goes like:

If you're happy and you know it
Be a MAN!

Of course he continued singing it the whole song through.  I was laughing and thought it was hilarious.  That kid has such a wonderful imagination.

Halloween Festivities

 This year we had many Halloween Festivities and the kids got to wear their costumes several times.  We started the season by visiting Gardner Village and the Witch-a-palooza festival.  We tried to go one other time but we saw the cars lining the road for parking and we said we would come back some other time.  The weather was so nice during the month of October!!!  Sarah refused to get near the witches so here is one of just Isaac.

 We started playing a game in the car where I tell Isaac not to smile and I have turned it into a camera saying and I get the best smiles (usually).

 Isaac said he was going to be a mummy during the first part of the month and then one day we went to Grandma O.'s house and found Gary's old batman costumes that she had made.  From the minute he put the costume on he no longer wanted to be a mummy and insisted on being batman.  All I had to do was find a navy blue shirt and pants and we were set!  Sarah was a cute little witch and thanks to Aunt Kelly we had this costume as a hand-me-down.  Oh it is so nice to be around family again.

 We headed up to Red Butte Gardens' Halloween Evening.  I know I have talked about RBG all lot but they just have so many wonderful activities.  Each child got to paint a pumpkin.

 Sarah insisted on picking out more and more pumpkins.  We met up with our friends Jordan and Harrison and had so much fun with them.  They had so many crafts for the kids to do and Isaac even had a batman painted on his hand.  The fun part was the glow-in-the-dark area with glowing bubbles.  When the bubbles would pop on Sarah parts of her cheeks would glow.  So fun!

 On the Friday before Halloween we went to Cottonwood Rec. Center and enjoyed lots of games and they had some great coupons for the kids.  They even had free ice skating, but I was not going to attempt that 6 mo pregnant and with 2 kids all by myself.  We will save that for an outing with DAD.

 We also hit Clara's school carnival that evening.  The kids were so tired by the end of the day.  Isaac kept asking to do the Cake walk to get a cupcake and after 4 times of him not winning we left in tears!!

 On Saturday we headed downtown to the Gallivan center.  They had several animals for you to pet and a pony ride along with lots of crafts and trick-or-treating.  The kids had fun petting the animals.  Sarah kept yelling horse so we stood in line for that.  By the time it was her turn I put her on the horse and she freaked out.  So Isaac took her spot in line.  He had the cutest smile on his face, one where he wasn't sure if he should be excited or nervous. But he talked about it all the way home and still asks if he can go ride another horse.

 Finally, it is Halloween!  We all met at Aunt Kelly and Uncle Steve's house to go around the houses together.  These kids were crazy - and this was before any sugar.  The weather was perfect (mid-50's)and we only needed light jackets.  Craziest thing we woke up the next morning to snow.

Here is the best picture of most of the gang.  Cady, Leah, Clara, Isaac, Miles, Macey and Sarah.

Cars 2 Event

 So they had a free event downtown to advertise Cars 2 so we took advantage of the gorgeous weather and headed outside.  They had a ton of free stuff and off course the boys, Isaac and his cousin Miles, loved the bouce obstacle course.