We almost forgot Larry!

I noticed as I put the pictures on the last post, the only person I didn't get was Larry. Lest he should feel left out, here is a picture of my sweetie pie. Isn't he handsome? And Sarah's not too bad, either!

I got it goin' on!!!

I finally sat Larry down and made him help me put pictures on my blog...so here goes!

Introducing Sarah! She just turned three months old, and she is a DARLING!!!! She has two ear infections (nice gift, eh?) and is coughing hard enough to make herself vomit (sorry to the queasy stomach people!). But she is as cute as can be and has been a trooper through it all. We love you baby Sarah!

Lauren is a hoot! Her new things are "mo" (means no) and "boo" (peekaboo). Typing out the words just isn't the same--you gotta hear her say them!

William is William. He keeps me on my toes. His new thing is telling me that he needs lipstick. I keep reminding him it is chapstick he needs, but I guess he likes the sound of lipstick better. We read an I Spy book tonight--he is quite the observer!

Hadland's goal in life is to ruin every photo he is in with his goofy faces. Maybe I will someday embrace the goofiness, but it might not be today!

We're finally on our blog--hip, hip, hooray!

The snow is here!!!

I am so happy today! The snow has finally come. I went out and played (and shoveled snow) with William and Lauren, and we had a GREAT time.

It is the little things that make a difference. Some snow and some cocoa (stirred with candy canes)--it just doesn't get any better than that!!!

Its been snowing all morning and the view from my front room is incredible!

Life is good!

We made it!

We finally made it through the holidays and into the new year. We really enjoyed our time with family and friends, and we are also enjoying returning to normal bedtimes! We missed having a white Christmas, but we are hoping that we will see some more white stuff soon!

We are still working on our holiday greeting (which is now our New Year's greeting and will be our Valentine greeting if we don't hurry up!), but I am hopeful that it will be emailed soon! Thank you to all of you who sent us holiday cards, pictures, updates, etc.--we absolutely LOVE receiving them!!!

Thank you for tuning in to our blog--I love doing it, and I hope you like hearing about us.

Happy 2007!

Ya gotta love the houses!

Gingerbread houses, I mean. There is something very exciting about gingerbread houses. Now, lest you think I am a super-crafty lady, I am talking about "fake" g-bread houses. The kind you make with milk cartons and graham crackers and lots of icing and candy. The kind we always made growing up (and Nathan always ate). I remember Fruit Stripe gum for shutters, candy cane gates and pretzel fences. And I always remember how Laurel's looked absolutely perfect-like little edible works of art. But then, that is the way she did everything (and still does--you are amazing, sis!).

Hadland is embarking on his first g-house experience tomorrow at school. I got to go prep the houses so all they had to do was decorate them. I hope he loves it as much as I always did. Thank you, Gerry, for making magical holiday memories for all the Woods (and many others)!

The Christmas cards have started!

I love this time of year--the carols, the cookies, and the cards! I love getting Christmas family pictures and newsletters!!!! I just got my first two in the mailbox today, so I am experiencing the "fire under me" feeling to get our email greeting out. If you don't get one in the next week or so, please email us so we can be sure to have your e-address!

Please keep us posted on your family's doings in 2006!

Lauren is a 2-year-old teenybopper!

Our little girl is growing up. She turned two yesterday, and we had a little family party tonight with the Brandley's. She got a bunch of shoes to dress-up with and a little purse with some keys, a cell phone, and fake lipstick and perfume. It was so cute to see her so excited about her phone and purse! She is definitely a girl! I don't know where she gets it from, but she sure is cute!

Thankful for little ones!

Well, Darla just had her baby yesterday, and boy is she a BEAUTY!!

Then there is our little sweetheart, Sarah. She is such a joy!

I am thankful for first smiles and first coos. I just love to keep her in my lap and "talk" with her about everything and anything.

What a blessing these little ones are in our lives!

Oh, and another thing...We're thankful for visiting Grandmas!!!

Still grateful...

Today I am grateful for:

* AWESOME game-winning final seconds in football games (GO BYU!)

* a baby that goes to bed before 11 p.m. (too bad I didn't)

* a room lit by the white lights of a Christmas tree

* soft white sugar cookies with pink frosting and sprinkles (you know what I'm talking about)

Life is good!

We're grateful for the Brandleys!!!

We just spent most of the day with the Brandleys--eating, playing Catan, laughing, hugging, and giggling about the fact that their new baby will be here in less than 48 hours (hopefully)!

We love them so much, and we think that they are the best thing in Ogden!!! They make life here so much better, and we think they are the BEST!!

WE LOVE YOU GUYS! We are so thankful to be here with you.

P.S. Another thing to be thankful for--online Christmas shopping! 'nuf said!

This time I did forget!

Well, isn't that just like me? I remembered early on Wednesday, and then with all the hubbub of Thanksgiving Day, I forgot to give thanks.

We did something new for Thanksgiving this year. On Larry's recommendation, we went to Golden Corral (a buffet restaurant) for our Thanksgiving meal. I have to say that I had a hard time with the idea because in my family growing up, Thanksgiving was THE BIG HOLIDAY! All my mom's family came, and we had a major food fest! That is what our family does best--eat and talk :) !!

I missed the talking (and the eating, too) with all of my family, but I had my little family around me, and that was wonderful. There were no dishes to clean up, but there weren't any leftovers either. It is so funny how I resist change (just about as much as Larry resists stress!).

Anyway, I am grateful for:

* newborn "real" smiles

* tickle attacks (on my kids--NOT me!)

* ice cream

* getting the Christmas tree out of storage

* Ella's Swinging Christmas and...

* Stan Kenton!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

I remembered early!

I am grateful for:

* showers
*grape-nuts
*moisturizer
* indoor plumbing
* email
* SUNSHINE!!

See, this is getting easier. It is only 9:35 in the morning, and I have so much to be grateful for!

I almost forgot!

I AM grateful--I just have to remind myself sometimes. Today brought these thoughts to mind:

* I am grateful for a big, long walk today
* I am grateful for a good husband who reminds me to be a good neighbor
* I am grateful to be able to turn off the TV
* I am grateful for "Signing Time" (Leah's farm is my fave)
* I am grateful for not freaking out when my boy is in the mud
* I am grateful for big trees with yellow leaves
* I am grateful for FLOAM
* I am grateful for nursing pads

Thanks, Cherie for doing day dos so I could remember to do mine!

Grateful? OF COURSE!!!

I knew that I needed to post something new (since each day I check it to see if anyone has posted a comment--I'm so glad to get those!!!!), but I didn't really think I had anything positive to say. My days are full of "mommy stuff" and it isn't always a pretty picture. Those of you with kids can relate, I am sure.

So, after I clicked on some of my favorite blogs this morning, I decided to be a TOTAL copycat (sorry Cherie), and do a "week of gratitude" on my blog. Since today is day one, here are some of the things I came up with:

* a loving, supportive husband who asks me hard but important questions
* a newborn who only woke up once last night
* a little girl who can charm my socks off with one super-smile
* a boy who loves to play in the dirt with his boots on
* a boy who is so much like me it is kind of scary (but I love him for it)
* a home that keeps me warm when it is cold outside
* the ability to make AWESOME chocolate chip cookies
* new jammies from a thoughtful sister
* all the ingredients for "yam and apple" in my house as we speak
* music, music, music
* knowing most of my "kindred spirits" are but a phone call away

Thank you, Cherie, for giving me the impetus to chronicle some of the MANY things I am grateful for. And any of you who are having a pity party, try this...and the party's over!!!

to be continued...

Time for a change...

I have been inspired. A good friend just blogged about a haircut, and I realized that I am WAY overdue!

My hair is now to the middle of my back, all one length (if you don't count the hairs that have broken off near where I put my ponytail holder), and I desperately need a change.

So the call goes out--what do you all do when you need to find a new style? Do you look in those magazines? Do you watch the celebs? Do you ask you mom/sisters/friends/significant other??What I really need is someone who knows me, who knows what would look good on me, and who can realistically tell me if I have it in me to style my hair the way it needs to be.

Any ideas, anyone? Does anyone know a ROCKIN' hair stylist in the Ogden area? Does anyone know a good style for a girl with a round face (think pie tin) and longish hair? I am ready for anything! Just something new.

a note from the bleary bunch...

We love our Sarah!!! We love to sleep, too, but I guess one out of two ain't bad. I have a lot of respect for parents of several children because I am realizing that taking care of a couple of children is NOTHING compared to trying to deal with a screaming infant, a screaming toddler, a sassy four-year-old and a "selective hearing" seven-year-old. But, I am glad to be a mom. (And I am open to any and all parenting tips you all can give me.)

We are all looking forward to the first snow. Larry told Hadland about trick-or-treating back in Barnwell in a blizzard, and so H was hoping for some snow on Halloween. But no white stuff yet. Hadland is going to be a funny one to watch in the snow because he is so excited. I will definitely have the video camera out for that one!

I am a little worried about the harsher weather--I can't even remember to put on a jacket until I go out and FREEZE outside. All the locals here think this is such a mild fall, and we are chilled to the bone. I just have to be sure to keep my kids well-clothed especially Sarah. I just think that if I can keep socks, shoes, tights, and jackets on the kids, we'll be fine!

Also, we had a "small world" experience at church yesterday. Kory Checketts (and his wife) are in our ward. How old is he anyway? Last time I saw him, I think he was in elementary school. Man, I think I was even his piano teacher. Time sure flies!

William's BIG day!

Today our Mr. William turned FOUR YEARS OLD!! We love you, big boy! Have a good one!

You may have already guessed...SHE'S HERE!

Well, better late than never? :)

Sarah Joy was born a week ago, and our lives have been a complete blur. Larry, the other kids, and my mom have had horrible colds ever since we got home from the hospital, so I am the only one who gets to hold and cuddle our little angel. Angel #2 (my mom) is exactly that--a total blessing in our home right now! She gets the kids up in the morning, feeds us every meal, cleans the dishes, does the laundry, helps Hadland with his homework--the list goes on and on. My sister Laurel, who had twins in July, has let me know that Mom is only here on loan, and that she is counting down the minutes until she returns to her and the boys (so they can resume the royal treatment). How did we score on getting such a great mom?

Sarah was born last Thursday, Oct. 12, at 5:40 p.m. MDT, weighing in at a whopping 8 lbs., 15 oz. and 20 inches long. When she was born, I was struck with how much she looked like William (complete with the big lips). As I look at her these days, she is looking more and more like Lauren. She's a good eater, and a pretty good sleeper. She likes to be held (but who doesn't?), and she is wrapping us around her long but little fingers. We just adore her, and I can't wait until everyone is better so that they can cuddle her as much as I have. We are truly blessed--these little ones come from Heavenly Father to help us understand how much He loves us and trusts us and desires for us to return to Him as families. Every time a baby is born, I feel a greater desire to achieve that goal and be with my family forever.

I am really going to get some pictures on here, so keep posted!

No news yet...

Well, I have never considered myself a patient person. After waiting (and waiting and waiting) for this baby to come, I have finally decided to be induced tomorrow. I'm still where I was last week dilation- and effacement-wise, and I am surprised that she hasn't made an appearance. However, my mom just flew in yesterday, so time is of the essence. I was hoping that I would go last night, but who was I kidding? I hope this does not bode well for "prima donna" behaviors throughout this girl's life. Already trying to "make an entrance"? Are we in trouble here? Lauren was such a mellow girl that I have been hoping for a carbon copy of her. I can dream! Kristin told me yesterday that she wished for me a "mild child" so that my pattern could be wild-wild-mild-mild. Oh, how I agree with her!

We'll give you more particulars as time goes on (and on and on)...

Any time now...

Well, I am about 4 cm dilated and 80% effaced (sorry if that is share overload!), so we could have a new baby any day now. However, now that I've said that, she'll probably be late! :)

Our little nest is pretty well feathered, and we even have our own apple tree in the back yard. Cool, huh?!

Now that my computer is set up, I will send an email soon with our new address. I promise!

We'll let you know of anything exciting happening around here...