Highlights from our Utah Trip

Temple Square
seeing high school friends-I especially remember the good ol' days with Kennedy. She always had a pacifier in her mouth back then, too.
sledding
or was it a highlight?
the doggy door; Eddie used a little shovel to get things from outside
drinking Grandma's yummy hot chocolate out of a shot glass
eating little boxes of cereal that Santa brought
Eddie loved these Cars boots at Grandma's house; he has asked to fly on an airplane, which he hated, just so he could get these boots! Sorry, Eddie, no need for boots in Florida!

With Some of Our Favorite People

our whole family!
with Grandma-I love how he's leaning his elbow on her leg
so happy with cousin Hunter-I love how their feet are against each other
so unhappy with cousin Hunter
with Aunt Khrystine
with Uncle Mark and cousin Abby (Mark should have twins!)
so happy with Grandpa
playing with Uncle Kaleb's face
playing cars and lids with Uncle Tom

Alteration to the Nativity Story

On Christmas Eve I told Eddie the story of Christ's birth using our nativity set as a prop. He was an intent listener. When I told him that the wise men wanted to find the baby Jesus and give him presents, he quickly took Jesus from the stable and put him by the wise men. He was being helpful, not realizing that the wise men had to follow the star to find the Savior. Very sweet.

First Candy Canes

Both of my boys experienced their first candy canes this Christmas season. We let Eddie eat one as we were decorating our tree. He loved it, and within a few days all the candy canes within his reach disappeared from the tree.
Peter took the liberty of getting himself a candy cane from off the tree. I didn't stop him because I didn't think he could get it open, but he proved me wrong and was very upset when I took it away!

Gingerbread House

We made a gingerbread house again this year. Unfortunately Peter missed out on the fun as it was late in the evening. We look forward to his help next year. We had a lot of fun and will keep this tradition going at our own house next year!
getting ready
eager and excited
What a sweet face!
silly picture of our adorable boy snitching candy

Eddie came up with the idea of putting the stars along the center of the roof, and he did the work all by himself. Very creative!
admiring his handiwork
roofing
the finished product, which Eddie said "it is sooo bootiful" about again and again

O Christmas Tree

We bought a Christmas tree this year. Eddie was so excited to get home and build the tree.
Though Peter was under foot during the whole project, he never once touched the tree that first day. He spent much of his time eating tags we had cut off the tree, though!

I love the look of wonder on Eddie's face.
Peeking around the tree.
Eddie loved laying under the tree. He even had me read him books under the tree!

See how close to each other all these ornaments were hung!

Eddie was pretty sad we didn't have a star for the top. It surprised me that he knew that was common. We had so much fun with our Christmas tree!

"Eddie" is spelled....

Eddie wrote "Eddie" on the fridge. I guess I will need to practice spelling his name his way!

Silly Eddie

Eddie thinks he is so funny when he chooses to wet his hair in the sink. Yet, he still won't let me pour water on his head in the bathtub! Pictures taken December 12.

Laundry Basket

Peter loves being in the laundry basket.Swinging in it....Picture taken November 14.
...and sitting in it! Picture taken December 3.

Adorable!

Pictures taken December 2.

William's Home!

Welcome home to my sweet, little brother, William, who returned last Thursday from his first (I'm praying last) deployment. He left October, 2007, and wasn't scheduled to return until January, 2009. I am so happy to know he is home with his family. And, I am so happy his home is still four and a half hours from ours! I can't wait to see him in January! I love you, Will! I am so proud of you!
The picture is from Thanksgiving, 2006.

Wakulla Springs

Brent, Shanda, and Abby came for Thanksgiving. While they were here we went to Wakulla Springs. We took the boat tour. We enjoyed the Fall colors (yes, we are finally experiencing Autumn here!) and perfect, cool weather. Eddie enjoyed showing his new best friend, Brent, every single animal he saw on the tour. Brent acted interested every time! (Isn't Abby adorable?!?)

Afterwards we ate our lunch and bought an icecream cone. Eddie wanted the green one (he loves green!). I would never pick mint chocolate chip, but it was so fun to get the kind he chose. He loved it!

Peter enjoyed some time chillin' in Abby's stroller. My cute little strawberry-blonde boy!

We had a lot of fun with Brent, Shanda, and Abby! We miss them so much already. Luckily we will be home in Utah with them in just over two weeks! I can't believe it!

Playing Together

I walked into the room the other day to this sweet image. Eddie and Peter were laying on the floor with their noses pressed together. Eddie would make a silly noise, and Peter would laugh and laugh. This is one of very few times so far that Edison and Peter have played together. So sweet! By the time I had the camera out, of course Peter would only look at the camera.

Eddie's Thankful

For Family Home Evening last week, we did this little Thankful tree Eddie got from nursery. We wrote things Eddie was thankful for on the leaves. Here are the things he either said himself or agreed to when we said them.
Eddie's thankful for: Peter, Mom, Dad, reading the scriptures, balls, going on walks, leaves, cooking with Mom, Eddie, and singing songs.

Almost Crawling

Peter looks like he is getting close to being able to crawl. He spends a lot of time balancing in this position (he always uses his right hand to hold toys-he never puts it down). Hopefully he won't take off too soon!

A Bed Full of Toys

When Peter woke up from his nap the other day, Eddie was the first one to make it into his room. I heard Eddie saying over and over again, "It's okay, baby." When I made it in there, this is what I saw; Eddie had given Peter some toys to play with. What a good big brother!