Christmas Snow!

Seriously, we have had more snow this year than I can ever remember having when I grew up here. We got at least two feet of snow! The kids...meaning Joel and Carter...loved it!!! Carter could have stayed outside all day. He had been out for over three hours and I asked him if he wanted to come in for lunch and he said, "Not right now." We
didn't even have the proper winter gear...just tennis shoes, a coat, a hat, and knit gloves. Mason, sadly, is his mom's boy in this way...he doesn't like the cold. We would bundle him up and about 5 minutes after being out, would come in. We were so lucky when Doug and Jackie came and brought snow gear from Jackie's sister Stacey. She was so nice to let us borrow theirs' while they were out of town! Many thanks to Stacey! The guys made this awesome sled run that went from the deck down to the trees by the lake! Carter loved it and everyone went down it...except for Whitney and I. My mom even went, which was
awesome! They built a couple of snowmen and then the guys got to work on the coolest fort! When we lived in Spokane my
Dad made the coolest fort ever...Castle Grayskull!!! It was seriously so awesome...a slide that came off the
roof...windows...steps...it totally rocked! This was almost as cool. It was tall enough for the guys to stand up in! They had so much fun building it. Sadly, it is pretty much gone now, with all the rain we had...though it snowed last night and all day today and so we now have more covering the ground. The guys wanted to have a snowball fight out there around it, but it never happened...sorry guys...it was just so cold out there...
I haven't finished the roll of film that had all our Christmas pictures on it, so I will have to post them later. Here is a little preview...Christmas was awesome!!! Both my brothers and their families came to visit and we had so much fun with them! We love them and already miss everyone so much! I have to say...is this tree just amazing? It is 10 feet tall!!! I totally loved our tree this year. We aren't used to getting snow, so that was a fun addition to our Christmas festivities this year. I got some video of everyone sledding and if I ever figure out how to get it from the video camera to the computer onto our blog, you might get to see it. We hope you all had a super fun Christmas!!

Thanksgiving thanks!

We had a most awesome time in Utah, but first I thought I should tell you what we are having...a boy. I know. Another boy. I figured it would be, but I admit I was a little disappointed because I really don't think I am having any more kids...not for sure, but pretty likely...so this was kind of a last shot for a girl, maybe...probably. I'm okay though. Boys are so fun and I am all set. The boys are so excited. I hate thinking of boy names though and we are all arguing...sorry, just me and Carter. The kid doesn't even get to name him, so I don't know why I'm arguing with him...Carter wants Max, Mason wants "that one", and I want Spry and Joel doesn't want any of those. I told him we should pull out our old list for when Mason was coming...Tate, Robbie, and I can't think of the other one...it was probably Mason because 3 boy names is a lot to have come up with. Anyway, Joel wants to start with a clean slate...wish us luck. I was happy to see though that the baby is healthy and he was moving all over. The lady doing the ultrasound did say though that I was on my way to another 8 POUNDER! Great...wonderful...I just have to pray that my doctor really will deliver me at 39 weeks this time.
But about our trip to Utah for Thanksgiving...so fun! This was such a great trip. We are so grateful to the Thompson family for all the good food and fun! We especially are thankful to the "Salt Lake Thompsons" for giving of their time to be with us. We know they are busy with their lives and they really spent a lot of time with us, which we totally loved! We went bowling and Carter especially loved that. He didn't want to stop and as soon as we were done wanted to know if we were going the next day too. We played soccer and kickball, which everyone got to participate in...Carter was having the time of his life!
Sweet Mason was just happy to be there doing whatever. They loved being around all their cousins and I hope got to know them a little better. We had a fabulous dinner. I would like to give a shout out to Todd for making a ham, saving my Thanksgiving. I have a problem...I dislike almost every dish served at Thanksgiving dinner, but this year, Todd made a ham and so while those who loved turkey, ate turkey, I got to eat ham and be super thankful. Some of the Hammers (Joel's mom's sister's family) joined us for Thanksgiving and that was wonderful as well. They are such a great family.
We made it to Temple Square and saw all the Christmas lights, which is always amazingly beautiful to me. I always joke that when I pay my tithing I mark on my sheet that I want my tithing to go towards the electric bill for the lights on Temple square. We finished that night off with some sweet hot chocolate at Joel's brother Eric's house. We went and saw the movie Bolt, which was better than I thought it would be. It was just a wonderful trip. We were only missing one Thompson, Joel's brother Connor and his family. We were so sad that they couldn't be there and they were most definitely missed. We love going to Utah and visiting with family. Joel has such an amazing family...he has wonderful siblings and fabulous parents! I couldn't have married into a better family. We can't wait until our next gathering!

belated Halloween...

First off, I'm sorry. After I wrote my last post I kept thinking that I shouldn't have asked to guess how far along I am. If someone else had done that I would have totally stressed about it and then probably avoided the question. So, that was dumb and sorry and sorry it took me so long to fix the problem. So in the picture I am barely 6 weeks. Crazy. I was so mad. I swear, the deal is sealed and the next day I start showing. I couldn't button my pants anymore at 6 weeks. It would have been nice to have a little grace period where you find out your pregnant and then you get to still have your body and just be happy about it, but no, before I find out I am already starting to get big and then a few days after I'm totally sick. I was praying that this pregnancy I would be put in a doctor enduced coma, but that didn't happen sadly. I am now 15 weeks and still sick...though having periods of relief...so it's gotta be on its way out. I got stopped on Saturday by 3 people, 2 of whom I didn't know, and they said, "Well, you look about due to have a baby soon." (I admit my belly is big, but I don't think I look like I'm almost due) I then told them that I'm only 15 weeks and one of them said, "Oh, do twins run in your family?" So, sadly, I just look big...which is totally dumb considering the baby is probably the size of an apple!!! I don't know why it thinks it needs so much space right now. I'm due May 14th, which feels really far away. We'll let you know when we find out what this little dude is...hopefully soon!
So here are the cute boys at Halloween. Carter picked out his costume this year. He wanted to be a bat...so there he is. He then told us that Mason would be the monkey that Carter wore last year. Mason didn't really want to wear any costume, but when we tried the chicken on that he was last year and then Carter's old monkey costume...Mason wanted the monkey. He had a little more room in it. He fought us a little wearing it, but once he understood the idea that he would get candy he didn't even know he had it on.
This is Carter's wingspan, which is probably why he picked the costume, he liked the wings. We tried to go trick-or-treating around my Mom and Dad's neighborhood and out of the 10 or so houses that are there only 2 were home. Carter was very discouraged and Mason was just annoyed. We went to the Ward Halloween Party after and they did some "trunk-or-treating" and were much happier. I'm terrible with thinking of costumes, so I would like to take this opportunity and give a huge shout out to Old Navy...they have made Halloween so easy for me. I don't know what I will do next year when Carter no longer fits in their cute little costumes...I'll probably be calling some of you who are really good at Halloween for help. Everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving!

We've moved...yet again...

Yes, we've moved again. Seriously, I think we've moved enough now. Joel decided to quite his job with the city of Bonney Lake and go back to school...and look for a job. We are hoping he finds a job really, really, really soon. He is looking in the Portland/Vancouver area. He is attending Portland State University to get a Real Estate Certificate...which is different from a license...he will have to write about that. He loves his classes and curriculum, which makes me feel much better. We are living with my parents in Silverlake (near Longview, WA) right now, until we find a job. Life is a little crazy...but hopefully there's a light at the end that I'm not seeing right now...
This was by far the worst move for us. We have moved 7 times in the 5 years we've been married and 5 of those 7 times I was either pregnant or had just had a baby. It has become a rule of moving for us...if we are going to move then I have to be pregnant or have a newborn. So according to rules, this move was no different...yep, totally prego and such great timing. Though this was a new adventure in that I was just barely pregnant, instead of being between 5 and 8 months, and I was totally sick. Pretty much useless. We have never had movers and I swear next time we move...because it is inevitable that we will...I am totally hiring someone. I don't care if it costs a million dollars, it will be so worth it. This was our most unorganized, unprepared, and miserable move. We are so grateful to all the people in our ward that helped us though. Joel and I are terrible at asking for and accepting help, but this time we had no choice and we had so much help. People watched our kids, dropped by meals, helped us pack and load, and helped us clean our house. Seriously, it was awesome and we felt so loved! We lived in Bonney Lake (2 years) longer than we have ever lived anywhere and were sad to leave our friends and our familiar surroundings. I was also sad to leave our awesome house that I loved to much. All in all things are going to be great...I hope. Joel is loving all he is learning and is excited to get into a career more specifically involved in economic development...such as a consultant or something. We are so grateful to all of our family and friends who helped us so much...Joel's parents even came from Utah to help us move...Thank you!

I had to take a picture...guess how far along I am in this picture...and if you say you can't even tell I look pregnant than my feelings will really be hurt because that is not what I normally look like!

I will try and be a better blogger (though I have been checking all of yours, just not updating mine)...life has just been crazy and I haven't been all that happy about life...but no worries...

conversation with Carter...

This was a conversation between Carter and I last Sunday at church while the Sacrament was being passed.
Carter is kind of squirming around...
Mom: Carter you're supposed to be thinking about Jesus right now. Are you thinking about Jesus?
Carter: Yes. (matter-of-factly)
Mom: What are you thinking about Jesus?
Carter: Cars.
Mom: You mean like Jesus driving a car?
Carter: No, like he's going to give me a car.

Wow. The car gene goes deeper than I thought. Cars are always on this kid's mind. When I recited this story to Joel later, Carter said that he was actually thinking about how Jesus created cars...I guess that's a little bit better than him giving him a car...what a nut!

This is a picture of Carter on the Sunday back in June when he gave the scripture for Primary. He memorized it and was so cute. He walked right up to the podium with my scriptures, but without me...opened the scriptures up to somewhere and then recited his scripture perfectly. It was the cutest thing I've ever seen.

The Big House!

Over Labor Day weekend Joel and I, without our kids, went to Ann Arbor Michigan to the Michigan vs Utah game. Joel's dad had tickets and invited any of us to come. Pictured is everyone who was able to come...top: Dad (Roger) and Connor...bottom: Laurel and Erik, Eric and Michele, and Joel...I was taking the picture.
It was so cool. The stadium was huge. I've never been in such a huge stadium that was so full. There were over 108 thousand people there. Amazing. Luckily Utah won. The score was 25 (Utah) to 23 (Michigan). Utah went into the half leading, but the second half played terribly, but prevailed. I was amazed at how many Utah fans were there. We sat behind some real diehards.
Joel's, Aunt Karren and her family we there as well. Sadly, I didn't take any pictures with them. They are such a fun family and we were glad that they were there as well. It was a quick weekend, but seriously so great. I wish more of Joel's family could have come. We have decided we need to do this once a year...a quick weekend trip with only the adults...NO KIDS! Joel and I had so much fun just being together. We haven't ever done anything like this and it was much needed. Thanks to Roger for the fun trip!

my apologies...

Sorry I totally melted down and vented for all of you...my mom said that I should put that kind of stuff in my journal and not for the world to read...the only problem with that, though I didn't tell her, is that I don't keep a journal and so I guess this is my journal. So, my apologies. I totally appreciate everyone being nice to me, though, I don't want anyone to feel bad for me, I just needed to vent. I'm so glad that I am surrounded by such awesome people...I have a wonderful family and fabulous friends.
You know me, always have to have a picture. This is of the boys. Their new thing at the time of this picture, which was in June (sadly, notice how in June my boys are having to wear jeans and sweatshirts...welcome to Washington!), was to pretend to sleep on the stairs. Joel decided to join them one day and I thought it was cute. Funny boys.