Merry Christmas

I designed our Christmas Card this year.

The back of the card is Olivia's Birth Announcement.

I was thrilled with the way they turned out.

::Front::

::Back::

::Finished Product::

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Nursery

I have been waiting to finish her walls with the pictures we just had taken.  I am still needing to print the big one... it might have to wait a while, other then that the nursery is done.

quilt and pillows::Grandma Jan

bumpers::Grandma Stacey

dust ruffle: me and Great Grandma Varo Hutchinson

sheet: Great Grandma Varo Hutchinson

curtains: me

bird wall hanging: Great Grandma Mary Gifford

cute craft thingy: Heather

Thanks to all those who helped with this room!

I LOVE how it turned out!

How does he do it?

All three of my kids love their Dad SO much.

Even Livi, as soon as Dad starts talking to her she smiles about a million times.

And even though I am slightly jealous,

I couldn't be more happy that they love each other so much!

(looking and smiling @ Dad)

Pictures

{November 23, 2011}

I couldn't choose just one...

(pictures by Kellie Larsen @ Elements Photography)

When I saw these pictures of my three kids all together I started to cry.
 I couldn't have asked for anything better!

"It is a mother's caress that first awakens a sense of security;

her kiss, the first realization of affection;

her sympathy and tenderness, the first assurance that there is love in the world"

David O. McKay

Ryder Says

We were a little worried that Ryder wasn't talking very much.

We fasted last February and we starting praying for Ryder to talk in our family prayers every night.

He slowly started saying words...

Here is the list of words that I kept to track his progress.

mom.dad.ball.buzz.me.help.hi.pee.poop.bat.up.good hit.ry.beep

grape.i help.no,me.me bat.hugs.bus.cow.otter.water.happy.bronco

He said one of his first sentences back in April...

I want ice.

4.20.11

We went to Utah for six weeks this summer and he starting talking A LOT more.

I still have a hard time understanding everything he says.

But he is doing SO much better.

(He doesn't say the C, K, S, or T sounds at the beginning of the words.)

M: Go get a book.

Ryder: I hate books

9.28.11

Ryder was covering his eyes while watching a movie

M: What are you doing?

Ryder: I don't like this part

10.10.11

M: It's time to go to bed

Ryder: no way Jose

10.22.11

I have to be better at writing down the things he says because 

Ryder is SO funny, and he knows it!

Ryan Says

M: Ry, you're really smart

R: Yep.

6.22.11

R: Where's that place where the dinosaurs are?

M: The museum

R:  Oh yeah, I thought it was the cemetery.

6.23.11

"That fly was too fast.  I tried to get him but he was too fast.  I think he had rockets on the bottom."

6.24.11

"Eggs are nice and good and healthy for your bod.

7.30.11

11-1

Liv likes to be up almost every night from 

11-1

This picture was taken at 1:05 a.m.

it doesn't look like she is going to bed anytime soon.

I just think she has a crush on Jimmy Fallon. 

Christmas Dress

I bought this dress long before I was married and I hoped that someday I would have a little girl to put in it.

And she couldn't get any cuter! 

Jammies

{December 7, 2011}

Ryan has grown out of all the footed jammies that we have.

It was my fault that I hadn't gotten him some new ones, and he cried every night for 4 nights because Ryder had some and he didn't.

Dad saved the day and came home for school with these Lighting McQueens.

And Ryder thinks he is so funny keeping his eyes closed.

One Month

{December 7, 2011}

I can't believe that it's already been one month.

 People ask all the time how having 3 kids has been...

well, we have had SO much help that I really don't know yet.

I don't think we would have survived on our own though.

She is starting to sleep better.

Last night she slept 7 hours straight.

Amazing!

(let's hope she can keep that up)

Weight  9 lbs 8 oz 50%

Height  21 inches 50%

Head  37.5 cm 50%

Temple Lights

{December 5, 2011}

We met up with friends at the temple to see the lights and nativities.

I love the ture spirt of Christmas there!

{December 5, 2011}

Apparently I am not very good at swaddling.

This is how I found her.

At least her little nose and mouth weren't covered.

Cold

{December 2, 2011}

The weather finally cooled down here.

We are freezing now!

50 degrees is cold to us, 

we Arizonians are used to it being over 100 degrees.

(Someday when we live in Alaska I might really freeze to death or I'll be eaten by a bear at the grocery store.)

I have to make the boys wear coats and shoes outside.

They think they are just fine without them.

A couple of weeks ago I put a long sleeve shirt on Ryder, 

he hated it and told me it was "too big" while pointing at the sleeves.

{December 2, 2011}

It has been so much fun to have a little GIRL

I am in love.

Too fast

{December 2, 2011}

(look at that double chin... to die for)

I don't like how fast my kids are growing up.

This is the last newborn diaper.

Now she is in size one.

Day 8

After looking the whole house over... they finally found Hermey in the pantry drinking the syrup.

Their reaction was priceless.  They thought this was SO funny!

I have had just as much fun with this as they have...

maybe more!

They boys went to Utah today.

I sent Hermey wrapped up in a towel for Grandma to hide.

I already miss them!

I know my hands are full...

but I wouldn't want it any other way.

Day 7

{December 7, 2011}

Ryan looked right at the tree and told me he wasn't on the tree.

(he must have been looking at the bottom)

Ryder is getting pretty good at finding Hermey, it took him about 5 seconds looking at the tree and was so excited when he found him.

Day 6

{December 6, 2011}

The boys looked everywhere today.

Ryder finally found him

"he up dere"

Love that kid!

Day 5

{December 5, 2011}

It took the boys awhile to find Hermey today.

They thought it was hilarious that he was playing the piano!

 

Day 4

{December 4, 2011}

It was Tyler's turn to hide Hermey.

I shouldn't be surprised that he put him on the safe.

He thought it was funny to sit him by the original Hermey.

Day 3

{December 3, 2011}

Ryan came out of his room and saw Hermey playing with his toys.

He kind of chuckled and said "he's been playing with my toys".

He wasn't too impressed though.

Oh well. 

3 Weeks

{November 28, 2011}

Dream baby.

Love her.

{November 26, 2011}

My mom wanted to do a little photo shoot with the babes for her Christmas Card.

Cute little elves!

Cousins

{November 25, 2011}

Nate and Linley surprised us and drove down from Alpine.

(They had Thanksgiving at home with Linley's family.)

I was so excited to meet little Thomas.

I think he looks a lot like Nate!

So fun to have cousins the same age!!

Thanksgiving

{November 24, 2011}

We had Thanksgiving dinner with the Owens' and Tyler's grandma Bonnie.  It was SO delicious.

Then we headed to my mom's.  All of her family was there.

The boys ended up swimming with the older cousins...

I forgot their swim suits so my mom found some old beauties in storage.    

(I wish I had gotten a picture of Ryder because he looked like Tobias from Arrested Development.)

We ended up taking a ton of pictures trying to get a few decent ones...  but I guess that's how it goes.

*** 

I feel so blessed to have a new beautiful baby in our home and two absolutely adorable boys and a husband who is good to me.

Happy Thanksgiving!