Much Thanks

I left for Park City a week before Doug could join us. On the trip there I stopped to see some wonderful friends, Natalie, Lyndsay and Julia. I guess I had my hands full because I didn't get many pictures. Here is Lynds with little Katelyn Bug.

My sister and her husband Joe came for the entire week from Chicago. My brother, his wife Lisa, and their cutie McKenzie came for the week as well. It was just a party. It was hard being away from Doug that long and I realized how much I need him around with two kiddos. In fact I hit my breaking point on Wednesday night. Luckily he flew in on Thanksgiving morning :) But how blessed I was to be with my family for so long. It was a time that I will cherish forever. I was able to celebrate my 27th birthday with them and they spoiled me like no other! They helped me with the kids, we played games, watched shows, and of course ate great food (magical meals and magic bagel boxes). It's hard to travel with our small children but they did really well. Thanks for everything!! My mom made stockings for Doug, Allie and Katelyn. Of course she made me one but that was 27 years ago :) What talent she has. They are such beautiful, special keepsakes. I love them! I made her do the same stockings for the girls because I LOVE the pattern and I didn't want one to be jealous of the other. She made them different so they would have their own touches. She is amazing!

My girls and my mom

My birthday "pupcake" makers

Yummy necklaces

Beautiful Thanksgiving table

My mom...the Thanksgiving guru. She made an A+ feast!

Everyone together! (Don't be mad Amy!)

My girls with my dad :)

Yeah, they are cute.

Allie is in that stage where her smiles are cheesy. But this is a good shot of the kiddos.

THE STOCKINGS ALL HUNG...

I'm so thankful for every amazing blessing in my life. I have so much. Thank you to all my family and friends for all your love :)

Fall

What's not to love about Fall?

Leaves, Pumpkin Spice, Apple Crumble, Frosty Mornings, Thanksgiving, Crisp Air. Isn't it wonderful?!

While Mom's Away

I was able to go to Idaho Falls to visit my best friend Ash. We had a wonderful time just talking and catching up. It's been far too long. Her kids are adorable and so is she. I took Katelyn of course but Allie stayed with dad.

Everyone had a good time.

Playing dominoes with dad

Madison

Kohl

Yeah we're best friends. We are cute.

Trick or Treat

Here are our little trick or treaters.

They sure are adorable.

I did a Halloween party for our play group. We had a story, made a pumpkin (idea from my friend Cali S.), played a game, and went on a pumpkin hunt (thanks to my friend Lyndsay G.). Then we ate lunch and decorated cupcakes. It was fun and there were tons of kids that showed up. Halloween is just fun!

We went to the ward party and Allie loved saying "Trick or Treat." Katelyn fell asleep in her warm, cozy costume. We made delicious sugar cookies and carved our pumpkin (late I know). We came home and told Allie she could choose a candy to eat and she said, "No, I keep them safe in my bag." Yeah, weird child, I know.

Here is Katelyn with her first pumpkin. She was just fascinated with it. She worked hard on that pumpkin...good girl!

Update

Katelyn is SO much better. We found out it was reflux and now she's on medicine that has helped her feel better. It's so nice to see her smiling and laughing again. It just makes a mom and dad super happy. :)

So there you have it. We are all happy. Well...except Allie who is crying in her bed because she does not want to take a nap. We can't always win can we?

Halloween is just a few days away. I love it. I'm excited and I love seeing everyone's pictures. So, make sure you share yours and we'll share ours.

Here is Doug's proud dad moment. Allie has been so great on the potty that we took her to pick out a toy. She could choose between wooden fruit that she can cut up or a tool box. She chose the tool box just like daddy's. He was beaming the whole night!

*Most of the time her car is broken and she needs to fix it* I love how they pretend. It's just so fun!

Cooking Phase

I go through phases. I get really into something for awhile. Right now it's cooking. I found the coolest blog...CHEEKY KITCHEN. She has some really fun, creative, healthy recipes. We've been having so much fun experimenting and trying some new things. To name just a few:

Crackerbread Pizzas

Oatmeal Cookie Granola

Pumpkin Chicken Enchiladas

Homemade Poptarts

Easy Baked Egg Cups

Chicken Taquitos

Chocolate Chip Cookies (for me to try a new CCC recipe is a BIG deal)

Oh they are delightful. She's a busy mom so they are pretty easy recipes. Go ahead, check it out.

Happy eating!

Our Two Pipsqueaks

Yeah, don't you just want to squeeze her!? This sweet little dumpling has been having the worst time with her stomach. She is in pain most of the day and just screams. Oh it kills us to see her in such discomfort. We are trying a few things to help her so we will hope for the best!

Allie is going to be Minnie Mouse for Halloween. I decided on this costume because she does NOT like to dress up at all. So I figured tights, a skirt, and a shirt was pretty basic. She loves it. I finished the skirt last night and it turned out really cute. 

The other picture is from the pumpkin patch. They had swings that went around in a circle and she LOVED it . She was smiling and squealing and it made all the other kids laugh. Doug got a good shot on his phone!

A Little Girl's Grocery List

The other day, Allie handed me her little notebook and a pencil and said, "I need to make a grocery list, I need get at the store." So I took them and asked what she wanted on her list... Here is Allie's Grocery list:

1. Fruit Loops
2. Medicine for Baby Katelyn
3. Happy Rice
4. Salami
5. Groceries
6. Ham
7. Cheese
8. Chips
9. Potatoes
10. Binkies
11. Eyes (blue AND grey)
12. Buckets
13. Pictures
14. Blinds
15. Couch
16. Books
17. Dishes

Cute!

Park City

Very fast family pictures in the rain!!

We spent the weekend in Park City with my parents and brother's family. We enjoyed all the quality time together and the fun things we were able todo. We also enjoyed the opportunity to listen to our prophet and other leaders during General Conference. What a blessing to have such spiritual and uplifting messages to help us learn and remember what is right.

Helping Pa fill up the bird feeders

Katelyn and Allie with their cousin Kenzie

Kenzie and Allie at the park

Making our own bird feeder to hang up

So very proud and excited

Helping Nan water the plants and fill the bird bath

The girls made fall wreaths. Very cute.

Cute little Katelyn

Scarecrow Walk

Three months...there I said it.

I realize I'm getting a little carried away with pictures of Katelyn. She's just really cute. She's this cute even when she is so sick!

Doin' the Potty Dance

I jinxed my sweet little Katelyn. She got sick the day after I made that post. She has really had a hard time and it's harder for us to see our baby that is so little and helpless be so sick. BUT we are on the mend. Allie and I are feeling great and Katelyn is getting better :)

I almost hate to write this because I DO NOT want to jinx this. So I won't say the actual phrase, I will just say this.

Allie hasn't had any accidents for 2 weeks (she still wears diapers for bedtime because I just don't want to go there yet). She got to watch a movie in the tent and eat smores for her first finished potty chart. Then we went swimming for her second potty chart. I'm proud of her. It's been a hard learning experience but I think she's proud of herself now.

How do I eat this?

Oh I get it. Wow this is huge.

Interesting. I like it!

This is a problem...