Red Wreath

So I made this way cute wreath...

I got the idea from my friend Rochelle. I just get ticklish all over when I look at it. However, I want to know how she got her kids to help? Mine weren't nearly as helpful. And this is the first time I have wished I did not have a red door, to show it off a little more!

Snow Day

Honestly, when we were in Utah I had my fill of the snow for the three weeks we were there. A couple of times this winter the weather man has threatened us with snow. However, the closest we got was 2o min of light flurries. So this time, I also was not very concerned- let me rephrase that, I am never concerned.


I am sure I posted this in last year's blog about how funny people are around here about snow. Three days before a POSSIBLE storm, they have trucks out preparing the roads with deicing whatever. Sorry, it is all a little weird to me. After that, you literally see no road "maintenance." People literally crowd the grocery stores and buy them out of milk, water, and bread. A friend of mine works at the local grocery store chain, he says the day before a storm his stores will sell 100,000 more dollars worth of groceries. Sadly, I even have friends from out West who have fallen to this ridiculous behavior. Granted, if your out of something, why not get it, but people go nuts! Don't ever go to the store the day before a storm here, go the day of!


So we woke up yesterday to this...

I know, just a few inches, but this is a lot of snow for us. It was a very slushy snow so it was very icy. These are the effects:

1. I got off of work for the day (I was very glad to escape my 12 hour shift!)

2. Only two types of stores were open (literally), Grocery stores and of course Walmart.

3. Our primary activity got cancelled

4. Church was cancelled via email Saturday morning.

5. Threats of many closures on Monday

Now, I will not complain since I am enjoying life slowing down, but it is very hilarious! So technically, people are "snowed in," they won't leave their houses. I remember living in Cleveland and wishing they would cancel ANYTHING with the 4 feet of snow we just received! It is funny the extremes we have experienced.

So I have been enjoying lots of organizing, cleaning (okay, not enjoying, but it needed to be done), and hanging out as a family!

Yesterday we did a little "sledding" at our friends house. We were one of the few people who had a real sled. Everyone has boogie boards, so that is what Corbin is using. They actually work great, in case you wanted to know!
As long as he was moving he was very happy!
And we were able to do some of this because of the icy snow...

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I hope you enjoy your snow like we do!

Doorbell

I love my little Ashlyn, but she has been by far our hardest to handle lately. As cute and sweet as she can be she really does have an ugly side.

She does not react well to discipline- meaning she could care less. I could take away everything she owns and she wouldn't blink and eye. This particular day I had had it with her, I can't even remember what exactly it was over. I know that most of the time she hates to be locked outside- especially since it isn't exactly warm. So I locked her out of the house just as I have done a few times before. I let her cry and wine for a few minutes. Of course I was not surprised when the door bell started to ring. It was just around the time I had decided to go get her anyway. However, when I opened the door, I was the one who was surprised! Not only was Ashlyn at my doorstep with fresh tears but so was a friend from my ward. I immediately was embarrassed that she has showed up right when I purposely locked my 3 year old out of the house!

I am still hoping that she somehow understands my desperation!

P.S.

In case you anted to know (or wanted to come visit), we have had 60 degree weather for a week now and today was 70! We are lovin it!

January's Random thoughts

This is what I wanted and got for my Birthday...A new way to organize Ashlyn's clothes so we won't fight so much, so far so good!

Here I am, does this look unusually large for a 28 week pregnancy to anyone else!!!!

It can't look very pretty in 12 more weeks!

Christmas Break Fun

We had a great 3 week trip to Utah, packed with fun.

This little one could live in the snow if I let her...

We went up to the family Cabin in Morgan, UT and played with cousins till we dropped!

Dylan and Carter could not get enough of getting pulled on a sled by the snow mobile...

I think Dad had just as much driving...

Corbin was a permanent fixture on the snowmobile, he literally did not want to get off. He would rather ride around than sled or go inside to warm up!!! Do you think he has the Thompson gene? And it just never gets old how cute they look all bundled up when they are so little...

And I had to get some speed out of my system too...

We ventured up to Downata Hot Spring in Idaho. It was an interesting sensation to be in a warm pool and have your hair freeze! Corbin loved it...

Ashlyn for some reason loved getting in and out and in and out, I don't know how that could have been fun...
Dylan could live in the pool especially if Carter were there (btw he can swim, but it must be fun not to have to work) ...

Dylan loved tubing! He never got tired of it...

Maybe because he loved to do this on purpose... (crashing into Carter and biffing) The only other thing we found that Corbin liked to do in the snow was swing...

He ended up falling asleep there.

When the snow finally got more sticky, Dylan realized there was an endless amount of ammo to throw at everyone who moved. He loved using the tree house has his snow fortress to bomb us. All of those who have come in contact with Dylan's arm will understand how much "fun" this snow ball fight was...

Ashlyn loved the swing too...

And we couldn't leave without making a giant snowman with Alex, Ann and Todd...

While Connor went to "work" we ventured out to Boondocks to play on the Kiddy Cove! I only got one bad picture, but I think all of us enjoyed it...

We went with Jenny and Laurel the the Children's Museum. Ashlyn loved helping all the other children checkout at the super market...

Dylan and Andrew played in the water until we had to pull them away...

The helicopter was a HUGE hit! Even though it was quit cold, they didn't seam to mind...

We also visited a few friends, sang at Nini and Poger's (Connor's parents) mission farewell (leaving to Barcelona, Spain mission), went to a cousin's guitar concert, enjoyed an amazing Christmas Eve nativity, went bowling with my little brother for his birthday, treasured every moment with cousins, enjoyed many a night of interrupted sleep attached to late nights and early morning (time change and too much fun with cousins), and two ear infections and a few colds later we are finally home! We now appreciate our warmer weather and moister climate more!

Thank you all who put up with us and made us so comfortable! We had such a wonderful time!

Saying Goodbye to 2009

When I get home I will post about Christmas, but for now you get to enjoy my New Years post!

For the record, Ashlyn has officially called me "really fat" and went on to laugh hysterically. At the moment I was not laughing! Pictures of the fat lady coming soon!

1. What did you do in 2009 that you have never done before? It's what we DIDN'T do- The first year in our married life we haven't moved!!! I haven't had to touch or fill a single moving box!


2. What would you like to do in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? For Connor to like his job, to buy a house would be super cool, but I am not banking on either. Maybe having this baby in 2010 would be a good thing?


3. What was your best memory of 2009? Outer banks twice, each with both sides of the family. We are up for more in 2010, who wants to come?


4. What was your biggest achievement? I got a real job, a real grown up job! The last few years have finally paid off.


5. What was your biggest failure? Why focus on failures? I won my first 5k!!!


6. Did you or someone you know suffer from an illness? Corbin was in the hospital with intussiception and we barely made it out without surgery. We know many others who have done a lot of suffering this year!


7. What was your best purchase? Our bed. I am missing it (we are still in SLC.)


8. What behavior merited celebration this year? Carrie's decision to go on a mission- now serving in Honduras!


9. What behavior appalled or depressed you? Realizing I needed to have a tonsillectomy. Boy am I glad I only have to do that once in my life time!!!


10. Where did all your money go? I want know know too! I always thought I was super frugal, according to Connor we are in dire need of a budget!


11. What is your favorite song of 2009? Well, I haven't been listening to much except primary music, with my new calling and all- not to mention that I have three little kids.


12. Who was your biggest influence of 2009? My husband, who takes immaculate care of me!


13. What was your favorite TV show? We cut the cable, what a great decision of 2009 (except that Connor had to turn it back on for football season, but it is off again!)


14. What was your favorite book? Wish I had time to read a real book- but I did love "Love and Logic Magic for early Childhood."


15. What was your favorite movie? Blindside. If you haven't seen it you should.


16. What has kept you sane? Dylan in Kindergarten! What did I do without it. No, it has been an INTERESTING transition. He is doing amazing though!

What was great about your 2009, and what do you hope for in 2010?

Just a few of my goals for the year, I just hope I can keep them up with a new baby coming!
Get a better grip on my parenting skills
Get a better grip on my spiritual growth
Get a better grip on healthy eating
Get a better grip on my weight!!! (ha, ha)

Real detailed I know, but that is about all I can do for now.

More Crafts For You

Before I start let me remind you this is an accumulation of crafts over the last few months. I am not crazy!


For my mom...
Ashlyn has been begging me for skirt and broach after she has been my model many a times for skirts we have made for others. My little poser!

Then I made this for my friend...

A wipe case and matching diaper case. Thanks for the idea Meghan!


And I finally got around to making Corbin's stocking: With some holly berries:This was a much easier stocking than all the other's I have made, for a refresher click here and here for just a few. Maybe I am getting burnt out. However, it looks a little bland/flat next to my other stockings. If you have any great ideas of how to jazz it up a little it would be appreciated. I was thinking maybe a few buttons or beads??? What do you think?

Dylan Transforming

A few of you expressed interest in a few videos:
1. seeing a live transformation of Dylan in his Halloween costume to complete the full image of his costume
2. what goes on in Dylan's room now that we have a new bed (and our mattress is in his room.)

So here they both are, better late than never!

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Thanksgiving In Colorado

This year we traveled to Colorado to be with my family. Everyone was there, well except our missionary, Carrie. It was a very relaxing and fun weekend. We also got to stay a whole week because of Connor's MULA (mandatory unpaid leave of absence) for every quarter. He did a TON of networking. So we got to have some fun Daddy time as well.

We are truly grateful for family and the rich blessings that come with them. We are grateful families can be together forever through the love of our Savior. We are grateful that the season is upon us that we get to embrace His gifts and love even more. We are grateful for so many things!

But here are just a few of the things we did...

Ashlyn has fallen in love... With her baby cousin, Lochten. She wanted to help care for him in every way possible. She actually was a big help. When he left she said she missed him. Good thing she loves babies, we just have to wait awhile!

The day after Thanksgiving we went on a hike at Castlewood Canyon. The kids had a lot of fun in the ruins...

And on the trail... Sadly, Dylan accidentally stepped/fell into the stream immediately after I explained to all kids not to get too close in case of this very incident. He wasn't too happy, I don't think the water was very warm! He got a piggy back ride out of it.

We also road the horses twice...

Ashlyn could have stayed all day, she is born to ride...

If she wasn't on the horse she was helping lead it for everyone else.

Corbin was unsure at first... The Jeep is always a big hit... (as well as my parents basement- filled with swings, a pin pong table, huge balls and tents- sadly not pictured)

Somehow the lasso came out and Dylan got hooked. He spent hours outside practicing. He and his cousin, Morgan seriously took on the task of trying to lasso a wild rabbit. They soon settled for just trying to catch one by hand.

As you can see, Dad was the easiest thing they could catch...

Then we found out that the neighbors had a rabbit. That satisfied the rabbit need- a lot easier than catching one!

We took the kids to the Denver Zoo. We loved it. All the kids said they loved the monkey's the best, they gave off quite a show... (but this is a snow jaguar)

And we couldn't leave without seeing the pachyderms...

We were so lucky to have such great weather the first few days. The cold weather at the last part of our trip helped remind us how mild our winters are in Raleigh (we went from a high of 10 and flew to a high of 59!)

Enjoy the Holiday Season!

Painting Away

I have finally finished my first masterpiece (if you could really call it that.) My kids' room has been looking quite bare and finding the right wall hanging seemed impossible. So why not just do it myself. I put this project off for a long time because I was afraid of the unknown. But it has been a lot of fun and often quite addicting. For aesthetic purposes, here is the painting above her bed for you to get an idea...

Now on to Dylan's ball mania portrait!

String cheese

My kids know that once it is bedtime there is no eating. If you want to eat you have to do it at dinner or before bedtime. However, they still often complain at bedtime that they are hungry!No big deal, just ignore it.

But tonight was different. I put Corbin down while Connor did the honors of finishing with the Ashlyn and Dylan. When I was done I went on to finish cleaning up. When Connor had not yet come out of their room, I knew he had fallen asleep- not an unusual incident for either of us. I snuck in to arouse and extract him.

The next morning I was making my morning rounds and found two of these...

Underneath the pillow of each of my older children. I could just imagine- Dylan sneaking two string cheeses out of the fridge and hiding them under their pillows. Waiting until their parents were gone to bed, out would come the string cheese and glory would be their song! But it didn't work as they had planned, for they too fell asleep before their reward could be reaped.

So I had to throw away two very good pieces of string cheese.

It's A...

In our attempts to cut to the chase of our baby name dilemma,
Today we had our ultrasound and were excited to know the gender.
Some people wonder why we want to know, since we already have both.
Alas, the suspense of not knowing when I could is too much.
Good thing the technician could not find anything unusual
In all of the measurements and organs. We get very anxious
Right as the ultrasound starts due to the problems found in dylan's.
Luckily the gender was revealed, the baby had those legs tucked in tight.

Hidden above is the answer!!!! Just trying to prolong the suspense for all of you, have fun!

Growing

I was folding laundry and Corbin pulled this shirt out and insisted I put it on him...
But it is also true!!! Are we crazy? Yes, but excited too! We are hoping this little one will arrive on or before April 11th. Send me all the names you can. As you know, or if you didn't, that is the hardest part of our marriage- agreeing on a name! Thankfully, I am feeling much better and survived the rocky beginning. Sadly, those around me did not have much of a chance for guessing I am prego, I look well beyond my months already!

Savings

I want to know what "savings" Daylight savings is doing me? I really hate in the Fall that my kids will wake up at 5am for a week and in the spring they are never tired at bedtime. It is just as bad as traveling- except at home!!!