To everything turn, turn, turn

Do you ever have one of those moments where you really have to think if something really happened- was that really my life? my kid? I stumbled across this picture today of Mckinley on her first birthday and did just that. We had come home to Utah to celebrate with family. I remember bits and pieces of that day, that trip, but the problem is at this moment, today, Mckinley was never this small. It feels like she has always been a vivacious three year old and we have always lived in Utah. Pieces of my past are starting to seem like they never happened- those six years in Arizona, life before kids, life before two kids, college. Maybe it is because I am knocking on 30's door but I am feeling like I want time to stop right where it is. Kingston is at the best age (really, babies start being fun @ 5 months), Mc is so excited for Christmas and Santa and I guess (seriously, getting teary eyed) I know someday I am going to look back and wonder, as Mark and I sit in our empty house with our kids gone and living their own lives...was that really my life?

Early Christmas!

As a kid, early Christmas meant getting something REALLY cool (ie-a Hypercolor sweatshirt, a Gameboy or the like). As an adult, it takes much more to really, really get excited and for me, that excitement came in the form of an L-shaped, gray sectional. Let us rewind, 8 years ago. Mark and I were getting ready to relocate to Arizona and had just given the two hand-me-down couches we had used in college to a homeless guy. My parents, so generously gifted us with the below green RC Willey gems-keep in mind, these couches had serviced a house full of 5 kids @ my parents house for at least 5 years prior to us taking over. So needless to say, 5 moves and 2 kids later, this couch didn't owe us anything. They were the most comfy couches, still smelled like eucalyptus from being under my mom's wreath and were free BUT it was time for something that hid the formula stains and didn't need to be spotted D.A.I.L.Y.

The new couch was a score! It fits the space much better, provides one extra seat and is stain repellent! The pillows were the floor standard so I am hoping for some yellow, turquoise..something brighter. Here is to you all finding what you want under/next to/around the tree this year!

Stuck in a moment, and I can't get out of it...

Well, Kingston turns 5 months this week. I missed the 4 months post so I figured I would combine them both :)

Dearest Kingston,
You are getting SO big! You are such a happy, mellow boy and are such a sweetie. Your little thighs are edible and your sweet disposition is such a blessing. You aren't such a fan of rice cereal. We keep trying every other day to see when you will stop gagging but so far, no such luck. You are generally sleeping through the night- occasionally you wake up @ 4:45 (usually on my nights!) and HAVE to eat. You get offended when we give you your binkie. You still hate your car seat. You can roll to your stomach like a champ but HATE being on your stomach- you will first, barf and then fuss until someone rolls you over, repeat. You love your sister! You could watch her for hours, listen to her sing and play and it will be so fun when you two can play together.

Still boggles my mind that in December, you will be in our family for 6 months! You are growing so fast but I am grateful everyday that I get to be home with you, bathe you (as you eat your washcloth) and see you learn new things.

Silver Lake

A few weekends ago, we had regional conference. Now let's be honest, 2 hours with two kids crammed on the fold up chairs- not gonna happen. The last time we tried, I ended up in the cry room- a fancy way of saying, we will plug in a 12 inch TV and you guys can come in and just let your kids cry all you want. It was bad. So, we decided to celebrate the Sabbath by enjoying the beauty of the Earth.

We packed up a few snacks and headed up to Silver Lake. We weren't the only people that had that idea. It was packed! The weather was perfect and Mc had a blast. She was so excited to experience the "forest" and to look for fish. We got to see some deer and the beautiful fall leaves. Living in Arizona, you truly forget how breathtaking the mountain side is when the leaves start to change.

Come with us and you will see, this our town of Halloween!

Halloween was so much fun this year! Mckinley is starting to understand the concept of holidays and the excitement that comes along with family traditions (we have already entered into the "this was the best day ever" and we haven't hit Christmas yet!!). I scored her costume @ a yard sale months ago and she fell in love. Notice the bows on top of this sweet little dragon, most people thought she was a boy so we had to "girl" it up a bit. We have massive amounts of candy at our house thanks to the ward Trunk-or Treat on Saturday and then Alex took her trick-or-treating @ her mom's work (we are talking full size candy bars!!). She loved saying trick-or-treat, helping Grandma Mary Ann pass out candy, playing at Mimi's with Brynlee & Devon and her rendition of "This is Halloween" (hello-ween) is pretty unforgettable.

Kingston was a little bat. A size six month onesie that Mark thought FOR SURE would be too big. It fit quite perfectly and looks rather darling if I do say so myself.

I lamed out this year and didn't dress up...something about two kids, time and creativity that seems to be lacking as the years go on. Maybe next year I will get brave and plan an adult Halloween party so Mark and I have a good excuse to bust it out.

On to Thanksgiving and Christmas! I love this time of year!