My Favorite Present

For Christmas I wanted to make Dean a quilt out of his old childhood T-shirts. I was relatively sure I could do it but I knew my odds would better if I had the help of a well seasoned quilter. I called her up... she told me that I didn't have enough time, that it wouldn't be as easy as I had planned and that the way I was planning to do it wouldn't work. Then just like I knew she would she told me she would help. I worked with her for two days, I learned a lot and I loved every minute. The quilt turned out fabulous just like I knew it would with my grandmas touch. Dean loved the quilt but when I gave it to him I realized that it will always be more special to me than him. I love my sweet grandma so so much and loved spending one on one time with her.

New Years Eve

Dean got a new snowmobile, so by defualt so did I (his old one). Dean took me snowmobiling on New Years Eve. It was so fun, he was really sweet and kept checking to make sure I was warm enough and having fun. We had a good time and I'll be honest by the end I was getting pretty good. Now we just need some more snow!

Christmas 2011

Josie may have got her bouncing horse on Christmas Eve. Dean and I have a real problem with waiting til the actual day. But she was really excited and loves her pony.

Here is a close up of that great hair do. She does about 58 different beautiful hairdos a day each time she comes and asks me, "tut mom?" they are all cute, well until we go out in public then she requires a little help.

On Christmas Josie got a easel. She loves it but honestly I was probably more excited about it. My dad gave me one when I was little and I loved it so I wanted Josie to have one too.

Our adorable little man was entirely happy just chewing on a necklace from the toy room. He is my favorite little man.

We had a great Christmas. We our annual Hall family party was fun as usual (this year the missionary letter writing table was a great addition - I think we have 5 out on missions). When we were leaving Dean said, "That party is getting way to big, I didn't even get a chance to talk to everybody". It's so true its so big and I'm so glad that we just wanted to chat with everyone, I love them all. Next we had Jerusalem dinner at my moms that really was wonderful, followed by a great after party. We all missed my mom and dad; they wrote a letter to us and there was definitely tears but it was fun to video chat with them after dinner.

We spent Christmas and Christmas Eve with the Fox family. We had good food, presents, and good company. What more could you ask for?

"play mine titchen mommyyyyyy"

Today when I put Josie down for a nap she was not having it. She tried yelling all sorts of things to me. She yelled that she needed to go potty so I took her and put her back and bed. Then that she needed a book, then to kiss boy, then she yelled "Pay" (pray) until I went in to pray with her, last she yelled that she wanted to play with her kitchen and so I went in to get her, caught this cute little face on camera and got her out to play kitchen. How could I resist!

Skiing

I got to take this cute little 11 year old skiing for her birthday! She learned quickly and was a really good sport. She had it down by lunch so after lunch we were able to make every run with no falling. She was really sore the next day and I got food poisoning so the after math was awful but well worth the fun day we had!

McDonalds

We took Papa to get a hamburger the other day. He and Josie took good care of each other.

Gingerbread Houses

Some of our neighbors came over to make make graham cracker houses. I was sure mine was going to be the coolest, so lets just say it was a humbling experience.

Making it worth it

2010 is on its way and I'm just waiting for 2011 to be over so I can print it!

Help Yourself Son

I ran downstairs to get something and Trig stole Josie's waffle. He was inhaling it when I caught him, he couldn't get enough.

Cameron would NOT be impressed

This morning on my way home from piano lessons I got a flat tire. I called Dean to come and rescue me and like a knight in shining armor he did. He came up to my car and told me to take his truck home. I was a little nervous because he had his big horse trailer hooked on and the roads were covered with snow. I was a lot more nervous when I opened the door and saw this.

-Dean was watching the kids while I was at piano so he threw them in the truck like this-

I knew he would have to bring Josie without a car seat because it was in my car but I thought she would at least be in a seat belt. But Trig's car seat was just unoccupied because and there he was laying on the passenger seat; at least he was happy.

So I buckled the kids in and Dean told me to hurry home because Trig had a really bad dirty diaper. I asked him why he didn't just change it (He does not change diapers). He replied, "A, because I would have thrown up". O right I should have known.

Sometimes Josie helps me out in the mornings by doing her own hair.

It is What it is

For the last five years we have had a family tradition to go to the mountains in the freezing cold snowy conditions and cut down a Christmas tree (it is a tradition the Dean is Hell-Bent on keeping though I may not be too fond of it... I'm learning. I don't really have a problem with going to cut down a tree; more of a problem with the way they look. I have so many cute Christmas decorations and could have a really pretty tree if it had enough limbs to hold lights or the limbs were strong enough to even hold an ornament.) This year because it was freezing, our babies are babies, and they were sick, the kids and I stayed home. I'm pretty sure Dean was just trying to teach me a lesson so I'll never let him go alone again by getting the worst tree in history. He brought back a tree; it had no shape to it at all; it did however have an elk rub which apparently is super rare. anyway I digress... I trimmed it as well as i could, put on some lights and well, it is what it is.

We got family pictures taken with the Fox family last week. They babies were sick and my husband was super ornery so consider the circumstances they turned out pretty good. Trevor wasn't able to make it but we were pretty lucky to get that many people at one place at one time. I'm so glad I have my very own picture with Jose in it (Jose is the Fox's foreign exchange student from Ecuador). I really really like Jose he is such a nice boy; well he makes fun of me sometimes but I think he is adorable!

Fail

Today I got to tend the White's. Rio woke up from her nap first; she asked to watch Ariel. When all the kids had woken up I told them it was time to turn off the TV and do something productive (a little because it was a good idea but honestly it was so Rio didn't tell her mom she just watched movies all day). In effort to get Rio to happily turn off the TV I went to the computer to print off some paper dolls for her to color. While I was printing them she took innovative and moved the table in front of the TV and informed me that now we didn't need to turn the TV off; she could still color paper dolls and watch Aerial!!! She is so smart and I'm a bad babysitter.

P.S. Krey is coloring big foot on a bike; and because Krey is going to catch Bigfoot when he gets big he was really excited when i showed him the coloring page. That has got to win me some good babysitter points back.

Around our house

We have been sick around our house. My kids had the flu and then got a bad cold. Dean and I both got it, and of course Dean got it worse (his story, whatever). Our babies are growing up so fast they have been a lot of fun lately. Trig has two teeth, he is pulling himself up to stuff and still babbles non stop. He is generally pretty happy to meander around the house exploring and still doesn't mind his sister beating him up.

He pulls this face all the time. I'm pretty sure he does it just to make me laugh and it works every time. I'm not lying I look at him he looks at me with this face and then we both laugh. He is so enjoyable!

My babies really are two years apart they just look the same size.

They weighed the same at our last Dr. appointment.

Joise is talking so much, if I ignore her she just repeats herself again and again louder and louder. She knows all of her colors and is getting very smart. She tells me that she is three every time I ask and when I say No your not she says she is five, which also is not true but she is stuck on it. Today during testimony meeting she thought the people at the pulpit were praying, she would close her eyes and fold her arms and when they closed with amen she clapped. Maybe she is starting to like church after all. She loves to color, sing, and do hair. Today she came out of the toy room like this and said, "I cute mom". She is doing pretty good on the potty, but time will only tell.

We love you Nana

Dean's Nana passed away this last week. We were so lucky to be able to spend the last couple days with her. Dean gave Nan and Papa both a blessing and the spirit was so strong. I was so happy I could be there when she and Papa exchanged such tender words and with Janale to give her little sips of Dr. Pepper. I'm so happy she was able to pass and be free from pain surrounded by her grandkids; they love her so much. For as long as I've known Laurel she has taken such good care of Nana, she was so sweet to see that all her needs were met to the very last second. She is amazing!

Nan was so sweet, she loved her grand kids but I'm pretty sure she loved her great grand kids more. She was always so excited when we brought the babies over. She even perked up in the hospital the last time she got to hold their little hands.

In the last four years Dean and I have lost 4 Grandparents. We are so blessed to have such sweet people looking out for us from above.

Dean loved his Nana, when he was little he would stay with them over family vacations to Disneyland. I loved her personality, she was always scurrying around busying herself. It always amazed me how she loved to watch sports. My favorite thing was when Papa would say a smart mouth remark and she would give him a good jab right back, it always made me smile.

When we took Josie to see Nana on Halloween she didn't believe it was Josie in that chicken costume. She loved it and then talked about it every time we visited for 6 months.

Nana was so on top of it she had her entire funeral planned and paid for. She had her casket picked out and her obituary written. The services where so nice and it was a perfect way to remember a great lady!

Janice McKay Thompson

February 8, 1925 ~ November 19, 2011

FARR WEST – Janice McKay Thompson, 86, peacefully returned to her Heavenly Father Saturday, November 19, 2011 surrounded by her grandchildren who loved her, cared for her, and called her Nana.Janice was born February 8, 1925 in Tooele, Utah, a daughter of Heber Jethro and Mabel Mary Ann Shorten McKay. Her early years were spent in Tooele. She received her education at Ogden High School, Weber State College, and Utah State University, where she obtained her degree in Physical Education, Sociology, and Professional Counseling. Janice married Leon B. Thompson June 1, 1949 in the Salt Lake City Temple with President Joseph Fielding Smith performing the ceremony. Janice and Leon were the parents of Janale and Trent and the family resided in Farr West, Utah. Her first teaching assignment was at Bear River High School, followed by South Jr. High. She worked 20 years at Roy High School as a full time counselor, retiring in 1985 after 31 years of service. She was a member of W.E.A, N.E.A., U.V.G.A., and P.T.S.A. Her favorite memories are of the many young people she knew and the constant challenges of change. Her work was a rich, rewarding, personal experience. The friendships of the students and staff were cherishing. The great joy of her life was to serve her husband and family. Her daughter and grandchildren were the light of her life. Her fondest hope was that they would love and serve one another, live the commandments of God, and to be law abiding citizens. She was a member of the Farr West 3rd Ward where she served as Jr. Sunday School Coordinator for thirteen years, Sunday School Teacher, Mutual, Primary President, Counselor in Relief Society, Relief Society President, and Visiting Teacher. In her later years, Janice enjoyed coin collecting. She was the last remaining sibling of her family and a joyous reunion is being held with her return. She is survived by her husband Leon, and daughter JanaLe (Lawrence) Fox. Trent met her with open arms as he left this earth life on November 20, 1988. Also surviving are her 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren – Laurel Fox (Trevor) Earl, Dean (Lindsey) Fox, Jenna Fox (Jacob) Reno, T.J., Leann and Craig Fox, Kasen Reno, and Josie and Trigger Fox.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd., Ogden, Utah. There will be a viewing on Tuesday the 22nd from 6-8 p.m. at the mortuary and on Wednesday, from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment, Ogden City Cemetery

Utah for two weeks???

Dean called me one afternoon and told me he was on his way to Nevada and wasn't sure when he would be home. His grandma was in the hospital so he told me to take the kids to see her... That is where this extensive journey began. We went to be with Nana and had some sweet memories with her. Then the list goes on and on... baby shower, rodeo, Sunday family dinner, funeral, Thanksgiving, tree house, game night, shopping, Christmas party, family pictures... and so much more. We had a good time but I was soo ready to be home; I did however enjoy having a dishwasher!

Tree House

The day after Thanksgiving we went to the Tree House with Whites and Renos. They wouldn't let us take strollers in so that was frustrating with babies. Josie had the most fun driving the tractor(it really was a fire truck). We went to Sonora Grill for lunch and came home to take a great nap.