November According to my Phone

So here's what's been going on since Julia's baptism according to what's on my phone.  I'm too lazy to go and get my camera tonight so this will have to do.

I went to Julia and Audrey's parent teacher conferences.  They both had such wonderful things said by their teachers.  It was really great to hear that they are both doing so well.  It is also so interesting to me to see what my children's teacher's perception is of them.  Julia had this opinion piece hanging outside.  I loved it so much because of how decorated and detailed the art is.  

 Bryan had a long weekend and so did the girls a while back so he took Julia and Audrey on a special overnight date.  They went to an arcade and spent the night at a hotel.  To celebrate the night Bryan (with a little help from yours truly) got the girls some nightgowns.  We got Lily one too even though she was staying home with me.  I knew they would love the nightgowns but they even surprised me.  They wear them every single night.  Lily is certain that as soon as she puts them on she turns into a princess.  Once they are on, I have a very VERY hard time getting them off.  I am not exaggerating when I say she wore this for three days straight.

 My oh my they sure are cute.

 Bryan and I went on a date.  It doesn't happen often enough.  It was a beautiful day so we went on a hike without the kids.  It was so pretty and so nice to have that time with just Bryan.

 The view was just so amazing. We went and blew any calories we may have burned immediately following this.  I mean I stuffed myself until I was sick.  I guess that's what dates are for right?

 It was my Lily bug's birthday.  I will share more about all of that when I get motivated to upload the pictures off of my camera.  This Lily is the sweetest, funniest little two year old around.  We ADORE her.

 We went to a pie pig out the other day.  Bryan found this blueberry goat cheese pie he wanted me to make. So I made it.  Unfortunately the pie required at least double the cooking time that was suggested in the recipe.  Needless to say, it turned out like soup.  I was a little disappointed.  Thankfully the pie pig out was a blast and the next day I cooked the pie again and it was very delicious.  I had to send this picture to my friends to prove that it wasn't as soupy as they experienced.  Ugh.

 Oh my Lily.  Could you not just kiss that face off?  I love that this picture has her natural smile.  No squinty eyed cheesy smile, even though I love that smile too.

 I try to be a good mom sometimes and I let the girls have friends over.  I swear our weeks go by so fast and are so full that I don't have their friends over often enough.  They loved every minute and did lots of art.  Lily is pretty sure she is part of the group.

 Julia was having a bit of a tantrum one night and Bryan had to show her exactly what that looks like.  It was funny and I had to take a picture.

 They have amazing lights here in our little town and they had a lighting festival so we went down their with some friends.  I had no idea it would be so dang crowded but it was still fun.

 We have great friends, that's for sure.

 I'm working on my Christmas decorations.  I didn't love my mantle last year so I decided I would get new things for it this year.  It's coming together, and I'm much happier with it.

 We went back to the lights downtown and I must admit it was more enjoyable without millions of people.

 Oh my, can you say CHEESE?

 We like each other.

 Lily was just so happy we didn't make her ride in a stroller.  She inappropriately climbed on anything she could find.  And of course I just took pictures of it.

 They have a little "North Pole" playground this year.  The girls played on the swings, sled and playhouse for a very long time.  They didn't even care about the cold.  There is something about being surrounded by lights and Christmas music.  It's pretty magical.

 These girls are pretty dang attached to their daddy.

Julia's Baptism

We were so happy to have Julia baptized in November.  I had pictures of her taken in her beautiful dress before the baptism.  She really is such a good girl and we are so lucky to have her as our daughter.  I love these pictures of her.  

 She specifically told the photographer she wanted to pick a flower and look at the flower for the picture.  I appreciate that the photographer humored her.  Julia was pretty thrilled to have special pictures taken of just her.

 On the official day it was pretty chilly but I thought these leaves outside the church were so pretty I made her pose for a couple of pictures.  We had so many people come and support us.  Julia felt very loved and I couldn't have asked for more than that.

 Julia and her dad.

 Dressed in their white jumpsuits.  I am so thankful for a husband that is a worthy priesthood holder.  I get so dang emotional at these things.  I could hardly hold it together during the opening song and then during the baptism, well forget about it.  I was bawling like a baby.  It was just so incredibly spiritual.

 The weepy mom.

 Our whole family.

 I couldn't believe the support of family, friends and ward members  It really was so nice.  There is something about family and friends coming together to offer their support.  I always feel like it is a little glimpse of what the celestial kingdom is like.  So many people drove so far.  We were so thankful.  Julia also has such sweet friends in her primary class and school class.  She had several from both come.  That meant a great deal to Julia.

 I also couldn't believe all the presents that friends and primary teachers brought her.  She had a gathering around her for a while as she opened everything.

 We had a luncheon at the house afterwords.  My poor dad just had double knee surgery and wasn't able to come.  Carli and my mom made a quick trip so my mom could get back to him.  Unfortunately my poor mom got the stomach flu something fierce while she was here on her short trip.  Despite the many obstacles I was so so glad that they came.

 We had lots of wonderful friends, that are like family, come as well.  Kara and Ann are holding Kara's sweet twins.

 Ryan and Amanda came with their kids.  We were able to spend a few days with them which was awesome.

 This playground got lots of use.  I was glad to catch so many kids in one picture.  My kids were about as happy as kids get.

 The boys.  Jason and Christie came and stayed at our house and it was so fun to catch up with them.  They have such great kids.  Our great friends the Blaisdells also came.

 Ally and Julia.

 Christie and Patricia.

 Bryan with his mom.

 Audrey and Bexley.

 Kara with those sweet boys.

 Dave and Kristi came all the way from Spokane to be with us.  We love this family so much.  I was so happy to finally meet her baby (not Kara's that she is holding) and to see them again.  Oklahoma was too far away!  Thankfully we live much closer now.

I made a little display of pictures.  I do things like this so infrequently I thought I better document it.

 I
 And finally my favorite picture from the whole day.  I am just so thankful for baptism and that Julia made this choice.  We are so proud of her and are so thankful that we get to be an eternal family.  I am so blessed to have such a wonderful daughters and husband and so thankful for the blessings of the Gospel.

Trick or Treat

On Halloween day I got the girls all dressed up and we headed to Bryan's work to trick or treat and have lunch with him.  Of course, before we left I had to take a few pictures of my adorable girls.  I just love Halloween and how cute all the kiddos look.  Lily loved this costume and particularly the headband.  I was shocked, but she wanted to keep it on the entire day.  She loved showing off to all the ladies at Bryan's office.  

 We bought eye tattoos and I saved them for the actual Halloween.  I wasn't sure how they would turn out but I was so happy with the result.  They really looked awesome and added to the costume so much.  Everyone was so fascinated by them.  I should have let them all think I painted them on.

 A close up of my kitty.

 Cutest girls.  You can imagine, there was lots of candy given.

 When Julia got home we got everyone ready for the night.  Bryan was on call and I was so so so nervous he was going to miss out on everything because he had an induction scheduled that day.  Thankfully the starts alligned and he was able to spend the entire evening with us.  It was perfect.  You just can't predict when those dang deliveries are going to happen.

 We had some friends over and ate some soup and my friend's delicious rolls.  It is so fun to trick or treat with friends.  She also made some pumpkin bars that were life changing.  I'm not even exaggerating.  I had no interest in candy, but I did eat about six of those pumpkin bars.  Melt. in. your. mouth.

 Ladybug Lily with Bumblebee Hannah.

 We went to a neighborhood trunk or treat that some friends in the ward were hosting.  They did a little spook house and decorated.  It made for some really fun trick or treating.

 Lily was pretty stoked when she discovered they put treats in her bag.

 Oh man, they are too cute at this age.

 One of the homes was completely decorated.  The brother from our ward gave out KING sized candy bars and had snacks for the parents.  It really was amazing and so fun for everyone.

 I had to take some pictures of the decorations inside.  They go all out.

 So many pumpkins.  They decorate every single room.  It's a sight.

 I had to take a picture of what a beautiful night it was.  I love it when trick or treating happens in relatively nice weather.  We hardly needed coats until it got dark.  After the trunk or treat we walked around our neighborhood while Bryan handed candy out with Lily.  The homes are a bit spread out in our neighborhood so the kids got tired pretty quick, which wasn't a bad thing.  I was shocked when we got home at the quality of candy they got though.  It seems like those nasty smarties or bubblegum always sneak in but not this time. It was a really fun night.