Here are my thoughts for today; Sunday December 9th. You haven't missed out on a whole lot since I last wrote. [Edit- this ended up being a much bigger post than I thought! So grab some hot chocolate and settle in for a long read...if you feel up for it. :)]
- We had a fun Halloween (I was a baker, kart was a villan, Emma was a princess, Aiden was a cop, and Owen was Cookie Monster). The kids and I carved pumpkins (Kart can't stand the smell so he opted out). We trick-or-treated the block around our chapel (which is across the street from our apartment) and the kids got the perfect amount of candy- enough to get them excited but not enough to last too long. Then we had the traditional dinner at a restaurant all dressed up in costume with Kart's family. This year we ate at Brick Oven and had pizza. Mmm.
- My sister Natalie lived with us for about 2 months while finishing up her requirements for hair school and this week she moved back to Virginia. She was such a big help with the kids and around the house, but even better was the chance to get to know each other better. It was so fun to have that bonding time we wouldn't have had otherwise. We're 10 years apart in age so she was 8 when I left home to go to college. We kept in touch but it's so nice to get to know your siblings again as adults. It's been really cool to see how much she's grown up in just the 2 years she lived in Utah. She's such an inspiring, strong, hilarious and giving person. I'm so proud to be her sister and I miss her being here. I'm grateful my sister Kara's (who has also been sooo helpful to me) still in Utah and Beth is not too far living in Vegas. I've been so lucky to have all my siblings live out here or near here at least once since I've been in Utah. I love my family and wish we weren't so spread out, but it makes the times we are together so much sweeter and special.
- Kart recently switched jobs. He quit his contracted position at Twinlab as a graphic designer (which was originally an internship), and was hired on as an employee for Wicked Audio (they make high quality headphones) as a graphic designer. It's a much smaller company and he loves the people he works with; it's a fun group. I'm glad he's found a job he loves and I'm grateful he'll continue to gain experience in the field he's perusing.
- Emma had her 5th birthday on December 2nd. Since it was on a sunday we did a lot of celebrating on Saturday. We decided the kids can have friend parties on their even year birthdays, so this year we just did family stuff. On their odd years they get to go out with mom and dad to a movie and out to eat where ever they'd like. Emma wanted to eat at Ikea (haha! What can I say? Our family loves Ikea; even the food!) but I asked her to pick somewhere closer. So she chose Sonic because she wanted a corn dog. We went to see the movie "Rise of the Guardians". ("Rise of the Guardians tells the story of a group of heroes (Santa, the Sandman, the Easter Bunny, Jack Frost and the Tooth Fairy) -- each with extraordinary abilities. When an evil spirit, known as Pitch (the boogie man), lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces for the first time to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children all over the world.") It was pretty good. Emma had a fun day and was so happy to go out on a special date with us! Then on sunday we had a family dinner at our apartment with Kart's family, my sisters, and kara's boyfriend Ryan. We had Mac'n'cheese (graciously made by Ryan and Kara- it was SO good!), I made a big spiral glazed ham and my sis-in-law Aubrey made some roasted broccoli. For Emma's birthday cake I made a chocolate cake with strawberry frosting and a chocolate glaze on top. Everything was delicious! Then Emma was throughly spoiled with lots of lovely dresses and nail polish, gymnastics lessons and leotard and other fun things. She was a happy happy girl. We're so glad she's in our family. She has such a happy and loving spirit.
- Owen is potty trained now! Have I mentioned that? Well it's not perfect (he still wears a pull up to bed) but really for the most part he's great at it and it didn't take him long at all to figure it all out; just a few days. I think that's because I waited until he was really interested and ready. He will usually go in the toilet when he needs to. It's so cute to see him running around in his colorful underwear! It's just embarrassing when he runs around naked, which happens more than I wish it did. He even went outside without me knowing with only a shirt on to say hello to our neighbor (a sweet old lady they have adopted as a 3rd grandma named Mary Farnsworth)! I caught him over there with Aiden with his bare butt exposed for all to see! (Funny, but embarrassing.) That kid is a funny one.
- Christmas is fast approaching and I'm loving it. We bought our first real tree this year! It was fun to take Emma and Aiden with me to pick out our perfect tree. I was even able to use some of the bottom branches we didn't need, because the stump wasn't tall enough to fit in the base, to make a garland for our mantle and a decoration for our front door. (I wish I could show you pictures. Sorry!) We hung lights and put up our nativity and winter house decorations. The kids had fun decorating the tree. I let them stay up way too late doing it but it was worth the memories. My favorite decoration is our sign you see as you come up the stairs that says "Let your heart be light" (from Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas). It's big cut out letters that I glittered and stuck on the wall. It's beautiful and makes my heart feel light when ever I see it. :) If you want to see what it looks like and try it in your house, here's the tutorial. I still need to make stockings, and finish my felt advent calendar (I know it's kinda getting late for an advent calendar, but I can always use it next year if I don't finish it soon), but mostly I'm happy with my decorations this year. I'm really looking forward to our best friends the Molyneuxs coming to visit soon! We miss them lots and can't wait to spend time with them and their kids and new baby! It's such a magical time of year. I love it! The smells, the music, the food, the lights, cozying by the fire, the get togethers, the giving and making of gifts and how it brings family and friends together. But I especially love how it reminds us all to turn to our Savior and give thanks to Him for all he's done and still does for us. I love Jesus Christ and have such a strong testimony that He lives. We should celebrate him all year long, but I'm glad we take this time of year to remember his entry into this world and all He's done for us.
Are you still reading? Wow! Thanks for taking the time to catch up with us. I hope you're all doing well, and having a lovely holiday season.
xoxo- Laura
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