Let it Snow!!!

Yesterday, last night, and today it snowed. And this time, there were a couple inches that stuck to the ground. After begging all day yesterday to play in the snow and all morning today, I gave in and bundled us all up to go outside. Finley wanted to build a Buzz lightyear snowman - uh yeah, I'm not that good. The snow was extremely dry and powdery so it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. So he had to settle for a plain old midget snowman - or I guess snowgirl since Finley decided that she was a girl like mommy. Berlin loved being outside but after being in her exersaucer, she decided she wanted to try out the snow with Finley and I. It was so much fun watching Finley and Berlin in the snow. I usually hate the snow & cold, but having children definitely makes it more fun.

Where has the time gone?

Today has been a day of cleaning: laundry, vacuuming, mopping, more laundry, putting Fall decorations away to make room for our Christmas stuff. When the mail came, I took a brief second to sit down and read it. In it was our healthcare statement for Berlin who had her 9 month checkup last week. And it got me to thinking, where the heck has the past 9 months gone? I can't believe that she is 9 months old. It seems like just yesterday we were bringing home this tiny 7 lb baby girl. Now, at 9 months, she is 17.1 lbs and 26 1/2 inches tall. She is all over the place - not quite crawling (she's almost got it), mostly scooting on her bum or rolling. She screams if anything is taken from her and she loves to put anything and everything in her mouth. She loves to stand and play with the the Leapfrog Learning table and sing along with the music. We finally gave her Finley's room & crib as Finn is now in a big boy bed downstairs (and LOVING it). Anyway, I just can't believe that she is 9 months old. That means that in less than 3 months she is going to be 1 year?!?!?!? Augh! It really has gone by so fast.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ryan asked me what I am thankful for this year. Here's a list of the first few things that came to my mind:

1. The birth of a happy & healthy baby - Berlin, back in February.

2. For Ryan, whom I love, and I'm grateful he puts up with me.

3. My children - Finley & Berlin. They are the best thing in my life and I love them so much.

4. Ryan's family & my family - I'm grateful that both sides are so awesome!

5. The blessing & opportunity to be a stay at home mom.

6. My testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and of the gospel.

7. Playdates that tire my kids out so they sleep well at night.

8. Naptime - and the rare occasion when both kids nap at the same time.

9. Playtime - when Finn asks to read books together, dance, and/or sing songs. I am grateful for these moments as I know they won't last forever.

Of course, I could go on and on forever as there are many things I'm grateful for. But I'll leave it at this, and wish everyone some good eatin' today. Happy Thanksgiving!

Over the river and thru the woods ...

to Grandmother's house we go... Ok, so no rivers or woods, just mountains and desert, but to Grandpa & Grandma Leach's house we went. We spent time with my parents in Upland and with my sister Shauna and her little family in San Diego this past week (actually, 2 weeks ago). And it was a blast. We hit the San Diego Zoo, Seaside Village and the Port in San Diego (Yummy Anthony's fish fry for lunch of course), Sea World, and 2 days at Disneyland. The kids were definitely tuckered out each night. If you ask Finley, his favorite ride would be the Buzz Lightyear Astro-blasters. However, I would say it was the Teacups. His face lit up everytime he and Ryan spun around in those dizzying teacups. It was priceless. On our second day Finley even braved the Matterhorn and told me all about the snow monsters with red eyes. Berlin was a trooper. She endured numerous trips on Pirates, Haunted Mansion, all the fantasy land rides, Buzz, and more. The only one she didn't care for was the rocket ride. My favorite was riding Thunder Mountain with my mom, Pirates of the Caribean. We all LOVED the Haunted Mansion which is redone right now for the holiday in The Nightmare Before Christmas theme. It was done so well that I think we'll only do Disneyland in the Fall so we can always enjoy it. Even It's a Small World re-opened our 2nd day in the park with all the Christmas decorations and carols added. It was beautiful all lit up at night.

These are just some fun pics of the trip. Sorry there are so many, but I have a hard time downsizing when it comes to cute photos. We had such a good time. I definitely need a vacation to recover from this vacation. And the fact that I came down with strep (again) the day after returning - and I'm still fighting a cough - is my body telling me to take a break. But with Thanksgiving tomorrow, and Christmas just around the corner, I doubt that will happen.

Finley refused to go on any ride with me (he wanted dad) so I picked him up and took him to Dumbo. Atleast he's smiling :)



Berlin and Grandpa Leach playing on the floor.



Belin tuckered out the last night in Calif.



Berlin-e-boo playing with her new Boo doll.



Finley & Ryan on the Rocket Ride.



Aunt Shauna, Keegan, Grandma Leach on Rockets.



Aunt Shauna & Keegan on Auto-topia.



Berlin, Ryan, & Finley waiting for Bugs Life 3-D (Finn did NOT love this!)



It's a Small World all lit up.



Finley manning Goofy's ship in Toon Town.



Berlin tinkling the ivories in Goofy's house.



Finley loved all the cars & trucks in Toon Town. That was about it though.



Berlin & Grandma Leach after lunch.



Baby Keegs - yes, he's almost always this happy.



This doesn't show it to true justice, but Finley was really trying to get that darn sword out.



Finley & Ryan on Dumbo.



Berlin, Finley, and I waiting for Honey I Shrunk the Audience 3-D (LAME - don't ever do it.)



Ryan an Finley braving the Matterhorn.



They Survived the Snow Monsters with red eyes.



Berlin & Keegan playing a game of remote control headbutt.



Finley and the Baluga Whale at Sea World.



Finley and the territorial polar bears.



Finley & Ryan cruising the Auto-topia highway.



Finley's highlight of the trip - meeting Buzz Lightyear in person. And all he could say was, "He has buttons!"

Happy Halloween

Earlier in the day we carved his little pumpkin while Berlin napped. He really wanted to carve it, but didn't want to help at all - other than tell me it had to have scary eyes and that I should save the seeds to feed the birds. So he watched as I scooped, cleaned, and cut it up. Lucky for me, he liked the eyes and couldn't wait to tell Ryan that it had spooky eyes. After our pumpkin carving we had some tickling time. This is a picture of me tickling him. I love it because it shows that we laughed and had fun together - something I want him to remember, because lately I feel like I'm the mean mommy who says "no" a lot.





Our ward party is always on Halloween and after food, a parade, game booths for the kids, there is the Trunk-or-Treat in the parking lot. Finley was a bit grumpy getting there, but once he realized he would be getting candy for wearing his costume, he cheered up a bit. Here he is in the kid parade, outside getting a treat from a trunk.








After the trunk-or-treat Aunt Valerie and I walked home with Berlin & Finley (we live 1 1/2 blocks from our church luckily) to let Finn Trick-or-Treat along the way. After ringing the doorbell on a couple homes (whose porch lights were on) and not getting an answer, Finley decided it wasn't worth the effort of climbing more porch stairs to leave empty-handed. So he said no-more. Apparently he thought we were tricking him and that there weren't any treats to be had. My soapbox for the night - "Hello people, if you don't want Trick-or-Treaters on Halloween. Turn your stinkin porch light OFF!"

Once back home, Finley asked to watch the Jack Movie (The Nightmare before Christmas) and eat candy. After choosing a treat and making popcorn he settled down and watched the entire movie. Overall, I think he had a great time.