Finally time to relax....

Well Brad is relaxing at least! Ashlyn put him to bed with her blanket and pillow this afternoon and I think she was surprised when he really fell asleep!
I, on the other hand, am relaxing I think for the first time this month! I had to give the lesson for the combined Relief Society/Priesthood meeting today...intimidating (especially when I'm used to primary kids!) But I am so glad it's over! December is a hard month to have that hanging over your head. Now I can go back to reading books for fun and watching movies without feeling the pressure of needing to finish my lesson!

Happy Anniversary

The best years of my life began 7 years ago today!! I am so lucky to be married to the greatest guy in the world. I love you Brad!
(I can't believe it's been 7 years. I always wondered when we would look back at our pictures and feel dated... I think it is starting!)

Christmas

We had a great Christmas this year. Having a three year old that understands Santa made it so much fun. We had a Christmas chain that we would tear off a paper every day counting down the days until Christmas, and you should have seen how excited Ashlyn was when we tore off the last paper Christmas Eve. That night we had to keep going in her room and turning off her light because she was watching out the window for Santa to come.
Christmas Eve
Tanner playing with his new toy Christmas morning.
Ashlyn climbing in moms new gym bag.

Ashlyn had her mind made up in November what she wanted Santa to bring her this year- a red wagon, a jack-in-the-box, and a yo-yo! We're still wondering where she came up with these specific toys, but she never changed her mind! She must have been a good girl because Santa brought her all three.

Wells Family Christmas Party

We had our annual Wells Family Christmas Party on Saturday. It was a lot of fun. Ashlyn loved building her Gingerbread Train and dancing in her new princess shoes. Tanner loved watching all the crazy kids run around and opening his presents. And the adults all loved eating Dave's famous bacon! I have the best family in the world. (we missed you Tiffany)

COUSINS

There is something about having cousins that is just awesome! I am watching my two nephews this weekend and Ashlyn is in heaven. Her cousin Sam is just her best buddy in the whole world. From the moment she woke up this morning she started asking when he would be here. I finally showed her on the clock that when the big had was on the six he would be here (11:30). She watched the clock for 45 min. and everytime it moved a number she'd come running into me, "Mom it's getting closer to the six." I've barely seen the two of them since he got here. He is 8 months older than her and they get a long so well. Sometimes a little too well. They've been out playing in the snow all afternoon so they wore themselves out. Ashlyn asked if they could have a little rest. I was okay with that until they insisted on sleeping in the same twin size bed. Not wanting to explain why it's inappropriate for boys and girls to share a bed... well here is how the conversations went-

Me: You guys are such big kids you both won't fit in the same bed.

Ashlyn: Yes we can mom watch (as they nestle in together)

Me: Well that won't be very comfortable its too squishy and you won't be able to move.

Ashlyn: But mom I love Sam and I just want to sleep with him.

Me: Honey, I know you love Sam, but you just can't sleep with him. You can get in your own bed and he can sleep on the air mattress by your bed or I'll have to put you in different rooms.

Needless to say they never took a nap. They talked non stop until I told them they could get up 45 minutes later. Their converstations were so entertaining to listen to. Have you ever wondered what 3 year olds talk about? A few of the highlights: Why Heavenly Father made indoor and outdoor trucks. Getting shots at the doctor. Why Ashlyn's daddy had to go to work today and Sam's daddy didn't.

The best though was when they had to use the bathroom. Sam had to go so naturally Ashlyn had to go too (like I said they haven't been apart for even a minute since he got here). So she accompanies him to the bathroom and here is how it went-

Ashlyn: I can't go potty like that because I'm a girl, but my daddy can go potty like that.

Sam: Yeah, I'm a boy and I can see better this way.

Ashlyn: Oh, I sit on the potty.

I love this age because nothing matters to them. They play trucks and dolls. Beauty parlor and marbles. I will be so sad when they get too old to want to play together. I just think cousins are special!

Soak in the Season

Today was just one of those layed back lazy days. I just didn't have it in me to do more laundry, dishes and toys. So I didn't! After I got Tanner down for a nap and Ashlyn in her room for quiet time, I turned on the Christmas music, got out my mom's Christmas stories from this year and settled into the couch. It was so peaceful and uplifting. I laughed out loud at some of the stories, cried and most of them and just enjoyed reading about what Christmas means to so many people. My mom and aunt spend endless hours all year long collecting stories for their famous Christmas books, and then they type them all out and bind them in a book. I look forward to reading them every year. I think sometimes its easy to forget what Christmas is all about because this time of year gets so crazy. We get so caught up in the shopping and the parties and everything inbetween that its hard to just slow down and soak in the season. I'm determined to not let that happen this year.
I kept with the theme of the day after the kids woke up. We popped a bag of popcorn (and got some cheerios for Tanner) and headed downstairs to watch old family Christmas videos. Ashlyn loved laughing at me as a little girl, and I loved reminiscing about Christmas as a child.
I hope we all remember what Christmas is all about this year. And that we pause to think of our Savior, His birth, and His life. That we think about others and how we can serve them and make their lives a little brighter. Brad and I were talking the other night about gifts and he was saying he hopes I like what he got me and that he hopes our siblings are happy with what we got them etc. And I said I would love anything he got me because he put so much time and effort into thinking of what to get and going out to buy it. I wish gift giving could be more fun. It seems to always be such a stress worrying if the person is going to like what you give them. It really is the thought that counts... right?
Well, I accomplished nothing around my house today, but I felt the spirit of the season and enjoyed my kids and my memories! Merry Christmas!

MA, MA, MA, MA

Anyone who has met my little guy knows he is such a mama's boy! He says mama when he's happy, when he's sad, when he's just jabbering- well pretty much all the time. He has been teething this week and that has made him extra clingy.

I put him down for his nap the other day and he usually goes down really well, but he was having a particularly hard day. I finally went in after he'd been crying for a few minutes and he had his bumper pad pulled down so he could see the door and he was just crying "ma, ma, ma!" Now his bumper pad is permanetely folded down because every time he wakes up I can count on him staring at the door waiting for me to come get him. (he could care less about the new crib toy I put on the other end of his crib!)Another picture to illustrate. This is Tanner watching my every move as I was vacuuming the stairs. He tried everything to get to the other side of the railing.

The much dreaded neighbor gifts

I sound like the grinch don't I? I have some wonderful neighbors, and I love them to death- don't get me wrong. But I dread coming up with inexpensive yet cute and creative neighbor gifts year after year.
This year I thought I had it all figured out, and there would be no stress- ha ha ha. I had this cute candy jar/lantern idea that I found last year. It would be simple to make, and inexpensive. Tanner was providing the glass jars by being such a great eater, so all I needed were some clay pots, paint, m&m's, and stickers.
Clay pots: Who in their right mind is planting in the winter? I cleaned out the Robert's at Jordan Landing, Sandy, and South Jordan of their left over clay pots. And in case you're wondering Hobby Lobby doesn't carry this particular size, and Michaels was out of the bases (lids). I spent 3 days rounding up these lovely pots.
Paint: Easy to buy, but time consuming to paint. Not to mention having a 3 year old helper.
M&Ms: FYI-Walmart Neighborhood Market doesn't have red and green m&m's. Harmons charges twice as much as anywhere else, and two bags are not enough to fill 20 jars!
Stickers: 3 stores, no cute stickers. Finally find rub off transfers that take forever to transfer, but are cute.
Needless to say these babies ended up costing 5X the amount I budgeted for them, took a week to gather the material, and took my entire Saturday to put together. But they turned out cute and my neighbors loved them! But next year they are getting a pre-wrapped box of chocolates.
(the snowmen I made for Brad's co-workers)

How we get out the door every morning by 8:15

Just call us efficient!! It seems like we are always in a hurry to get out the door, and if you have taken a look at my baby lately you know he must eat quite often (yes he is only 8 1/2 months old and is the size of an 18 month old). Well I found a way to get him fed while accomplishing a few other things at the same time!! I have my 3 year old feed him!! I can get his shoes on without him pulling his socks off as fast as I put them on (he won't roll away while there is food) and Ashlyn isn't making a mess while I'm feeding him. Win win situation don't you think?

Helmet Results

I took Tanner for his helmet checkup on Friday and thought I would share the progress. These pictures are a 3D image scan of his head. The one on the Left is before his helmet and the one on the right is now. I can't believe how much it has improved (and how chubby his cheeks have gotten)!

The helmet has been so worth it! The Doc said we could let him have more time out of it, we just need to make sure he wears it in the carseat and in bed. Just like it took him some time to get used to wearing it, it is taking some getting used to not wearing it. He hasn't learned that hitting your head on things hurts- that is a little unnerving for me. If he bonked his head on the table or the tile floor it was no big deal. Now it will be. His head almost seems more sensitive then normal, but I'm sure he'll learn quick to be cautious.

Frosty the Snowman

We had a great snow storm this weekend- perfect for building a snowman. After we finished accessorizing the snowman and put on the hat Ashlyn was just looking up at it and she turns to me and says, "Mom, Frosty isn't coming to life!" She really truly believed that her snowman was going to start talking. Brad pipes in and says, "Well, we don't have a magic hat." So Ashlyn started looking around and said, "When is the bunny going to bring the magic hat!" I love her innocence and imagination!

The muscles behind the giant snowman!
Thank goodness for snow blowers!!

Binki Heaven

I was putting Tanner down for his nap the other day, and there was an extra binki in the crib. He was so excited he didn't know what to do with two. He kept trying to put the second one in his mouth with the other one already in there. It was pretty funny- I had to grab the camera. And of coarse when he saw the camera he had to smile (you can see the grin peaking out from behind the binki).

A night on the town!

Thursday night we braved downtown Salt Lake City. We started at Gateway and had fun browsing a few stores and had dinner. With two strollers and hyperactive children the food court worked out great for dinner (much to Brad's disappointment). Ashlyn loved the coin operated cars and Tanner loved singing as loud as he possible could!




After Gateway we hoofed it up to Temple Square to see the lights. They were beautiful this year, as always. It seemed like the colors were a lot more vibrant than in years past. We had just finished up at the Christis and sat down to help Ashlyn when my roommate from college Brittney and her family walked by-small world! Ashlyn was delighted to find them (I think Brad and I were starting to get a little boring, not to mention Ashlyn was starting to get a little annoying). They have a little girl Aubrey that is just a little older than Ashlyn, and they were getting into trouble within in minutes of hooking up!
They look innocent, but they were a handful. I'm really surprised they didn't end up in the reflection pond or the fountains. They had a hard time listening and staying with us, but they had a great time. And it gave the adults a chance to visit and have fun. Brittney and Dan are great friends. It seems after you get married it is hard to find friends where the wives, husbands, and kids all get along- Murdocks seem to meet all those areas. I guess we're going to have to drive to Salt Lake a meet more often (they live in Syracuse/Layton area).

Brrrrrrr it's cold!

The snow is here! This is the first year Ashlyn has been really excited to play in it. She had a great time until her hands got cold. Brad insists we need to take a trip to Cabellas and buy her some gortex gloves because he hated that is hands were always cold growing up. Do they make gortex in size 3?

Ashlyn's Latest Obsession

If I haven't seen Ashlyn for awhile and it is really quiet I can usually find her in her room playing beads. These beads have been the best $8 investment I have ever made. She strings the beads on to pipe cleaner and makes bracelets for the whole family and anyone who comes to visit. She has figured out how to make patterns, and loves to organize all the different shapes and colors. The only downfall to these beads is they make a mess if she dumps them out. I think she has finally learned not to do that though. The other day she had them all over her floor and I told her she couldn't come out of her room until she had cleaned them up. After two hours and her not picking up a single bead I was getting pretty impatient. I tried giving her a flashlight to help her find them and make it more fun; that worked for about a minute. I was talking to my sister on the phone and complaining to her that Ashlyn wouldn't complete this simple task. And she started telling me that she had told her kids that morning she was going to vacuum up their toys if they didn't pick them up. Just then a light went on and I got off the phone to get the vacuum out. My oldest sister Kambria used to threaten Tiffany and me when we were little that she would vacuum up our stuff, and I hated it! Here I was doing the same thing. At first Ashlyn didn't think I would really vacuum up her beads (she is so stubborn). She sat there and watched as I came in her room, and then to her horror I started vacuuming them up. She started screaming and frantically picking them up as fast as she could. I only vacuumed up a few and then I turned off the vacuum and told her she could have 10 minutes to clean them up. I left the vacuum in her room to keep her motivated. She didn't like that very much. She came out crying saying, "mom I just don't want to see that vacuum in my room!" Needless to say she finally cleaned up her beads, and they haven't been on her floor since! It would have been so much easier just to pick them up myself, but I hope this some how teaches her responsibility and discipline.