Best Christmas Moment 2008

Luke had on his best Christmas day outfit for a day full of parties. He hair was neatly coiffed and his socks matched his ensemble. As he is now rejecting any progress he was making with the potty he proceeded to jam himself behind my aunts couch to hide the fact that he was pooing. As the continued absence of Luke prompted a search party and might mean that he might actually have to sit on the potty, he deciding that jamming himself even further behind the couch might stop this from happening. What happened to his Christmas outfit was an atrocity. All the squishing and wiggling behind the couch led to a sweater full of Christmas joy. Thanks to Jared for hosing him down and changing him. Luke then spent the rest of the day in a 18 months old pajamas that hit him at the shins...just perfect for those Christmas day pictures. =) Here's a pic of the pajamas and Belle gussying up Luke for the big day.

On Christmas Day, On Christmas Day.

This year's Christmas was my favorite yet with Lucas. He was so excited for Santa to come and even got the idea that Christmas was Jesus' birthday. He keep asking me "Where Jesus' birthday cake?" He also wanted to know if Jesus was going to blow out candles and where his presents were? He asked Santa for a skateboard (a wide scooter) and was completely confident that Santa would deliver.

Luke and his new "skate board."

Mom looking a little tired & Luke helping dad open his presents.

Belle forcing Luke to have a bow in his hair.

Chillin' with the cousins.

Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair

Last week Luke & I accompanied Jared on one of his trips to San Fran. We stayed with a friend and saw the sights and enjoyed the weather above freezing.

Clothes shopping in Union Square.

Our first time on the Golden Gate Bridge.

On the the not-so-warm beach.
Lucas & Jared very statue like.
The two boys with exactly the same expression.

Christmas Festivities

Christmas Tree .... Check

Decorations .... Check

Lights Downtown .... Check
Snowman ....Check

Santa's Lap .... Check


Shopping Done ....Yikes!!!

'Tis the Season

We've slowly been decorating the house for Christmas this year. Even though the morning sickness has eased up a bit, I can't seem to get that umph back to get things done in the day. Well, the other day we hung the stockings on the fireplace and also watched the Grinch on TV. After we were done Luke told me "I get something" and ran into the other room. He came back with a few new pairs of socks I recently got for him and added them to the collection. It makes perfect sense to me. I love watching Luke's train of thought. I can almost see the wheels turning in his head. Ooooooo, I want to squish him!

I Love You Mom!

Yesterday, after picking up some oil and a snow brush/scraper from the auto store, I heard a cute little voice in the back seat, "Mom, I wuv you". He said it with so much emotion I was almost brought to tears. I of course said that I loved him too and then felt the warm glow of my little boys love rush over me. Luke had a ninja grip on the snow scraper he had helped me pick out for the winter and asked me "What name is this?"- his way of asking what it is called. After I told him there was a long pause and then he said (with even more emotion than before) "Mom, I wuvvvv the snow scraper.". Hummmmmm. He's got a lot of love to go around.

Help!!

Since the first wave a nausea hit me with this pregnancy I have yet to really cook a meal. I don't really feel guilty about it, because if I try it usually ends up as a horrible night for the whole family. I do, however, think that I might be able to do something in the morning while I'm feeling my best. I have another friend that is pregnant and she is posting something similar on her blog, so the nutrition of two families rely on your help. So I'm calling out for any good slow cook recipe that you've had success with. The numbers on this blog tell me that I should get some comments. I'm hoping for a lot. I don't care if we're friends or not. I would love to get a recipe from someone I don't know too. A simple cut and paste or a link to another site would be very appreciative. Thanks!!

Vote!

Just a friendly reminder to cast your ballot today. I really love this country and I'm so excited to watch the polls come in tonight!

This is Halloween, This is Halloween!

This year was the first year that Luke really got the whole idea of trick-or-treating. Last year we made a trip around the neighborhood with his costume on (more for our sake), but I loved that he was so excited to go this year. I only gave him a tiny bag and we only visited 10 houses, but he loved every minute of it. I think this is the last year I'll be able to get away with that! Luke loved that dad was hiding on the porch scaring the poor trick-or-treaters and either helped in the scaring or looked out the window and laughed while the scene went down.

Later that night we had a few friends over and my dream of seeing a magician on Halloween came true. Jared put on a magic show for us all. A true highlight of Halloween 2008! Well done!

The Cat's Out...

Happy Halloween News:
Most everyone knows by now that I'm pregnant. It never stays a secret long. People wonder where I am and why I look a little green when I do venture out. We're really excited and as soon as this morning sickness goes away I'll be even more excited.

Speek Back!

My friends Amy & Kristin have started a new endeavor and I think it's a great idea. Basically you sign up on their website and earn money for the non-profit organization of your choosing. There are many to chose from including Stephanie Nielson's recovery fund. You can read more about it here or here or here. It's gonna be big!!

Curious George Rules The Day

Curious George is one of our favorite shows at the Hutchings' house. When George builds a boat Luke wants to build a boat. When George makes a bird house* Luke wants to build one. And lastly, when George puts together some dinosaur bones so does Luke. It's a cartoon and activity all in one.

Mom & Luke's "boat". Granted, this is not my best work.

Luke's "dinosaur". Pretty creative if you ask me.

*bird house not pictured.

P.S. I have been known to delete cartoons off the DVR that show an activity I'm not willing to do that day. I'm sneaky like that.

Paul

My first crush Paul Newman passed away this Friday. I'm not usually gaga over movie stars, but this man has been my crush for a very long time. I've always loved older movies and loved watching his films. Some girls had pictures of New Kids on the Block or Brad Pitt in their rooms. Not me. Who could compare to Paul? Generous, fun & the best looking movie star there has ever been.

Hip Hip Hurray!

Hero's was in top form last night. Two hours, a little gruesome, and fantastic! I'm so excited! I can't really relate to people who don't watch TV.

On the Lookout

Recently I've become infatuated with the idea of hiring a magician for Halloween. I've really only seen two magicians put on a show. One was a big production (David Copperfield) and the other was a guy (I wish I could remember his name) that was hired for a party at a cabin up Hobble Creek Canyon. I wasn't impressed by Copperfield's big stage tricks, but I was fascinated by the guy at the cabin. So, can anyone recommend a magician in the Salt Lake area? Please leave a comment or email me if you've seen one that is worth a call. Thanks!!

Sick, Sick, Sick

The last few days I've been down-and-out sick. I'm coming out of my funk as of today..thank the heavens. That's what I get for trying to be more "go with the flow" and not sterilizing the entire area of the plane we sat in on the way home. Dirty rotten germs! Being a germ freak is still the way to go.

He's a Travelin' Man

Lucas has been fascinated with transportation for awhile now, but after this trip it has become an obsession. He loved the airplane, trains, metro, boats, cabs, and buses that we were on. He didn't really get the idea that after our 10 hour plane ride that we were somewhere else. He keep asking if his cousins Isabelle & Ava were coming. After we got off the plane yesterday we asked him if he wanted to go home and he said "No! More airplane!". Sheesh!
Luke was a great little traveler. I was dreading the traveling part with a 2 year old, but he completely surprised me. We were on an especially turbulent airplane and most people were holding on to their seats and wincing. Luke had both hands in the air and was laughing and saying "woooooo! weeeeeee!". If we could only all enjoy a flight like an amusement park ride. What a cutie.

On the subway in Paris

On the double-decker bus in London

In a black cab in London. They have built in car seats. So great!!

On a row boat at Versailles

Chillin with his hot dog & sippy cup. All he needs is a remote.

One of the great nights we had included a carousel ride under the Eiffel Tower, watching the Tower's flashing lights, and then topping it off with a pistachio gelato (something we all had almost every night).

Another obsession was formed when we visited the Tower of London. On display are quite a few coats of armor & wooden horses. We purchased Luke's Halloween costume for this year in the gift shop. As soon as we got home Luke insisted on a horse for his knight.

Dad obliged.

Thanks for making this trip so fun Luke. You are the greatest little boy. We love your fanastic personality and your spunk. Love you more than the mountains!

What A Kid's Airport Bathroom Should Look Like

Sometimes I get so tired of finding a decent place to change my child's diaper or, even worse, trying to get him to use a nasty adult toilet. I've been known to encourage Luke to just go in his diaper when the only option is Hepatitis B infested bathroom. I'm also annoyed when, let's say, a resteraunt doesn't offer a place to change a child, but then gives you dirty looks when you change him out side with a blanket on the lawn. No one was born potty trained. And as the book says "Everybody Poops!" I have to control my rage at that point. Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised when we saw this bathroom ajoining the ladies room at the Charles de Gaulle airport. Well done! Luke even decided he wanted to go potty on the mini-toilet while we were there.

New Family Pictures

We just left London this morning and now we're in Paris.....I'll post some more pics later, but for now I just got an email from Haley Anderson who took our family pics.  You can check them out on her website.  She took the pictures around my family's farm so they mean a lot.  I'm so excited about seeing them.  Thanks Haley!

Bernd & Isabelle's Wedding in Germany

Friday was the beginning of our friends Bernd & Isabelle's wedding. We attended the welcome dinner at the restaurant they met at that night. Most of the events took place in Isabelle's hometown of Landforden. Saturday morning they were married in a beautiful old Catholic church with a reception afterwards at her parents castle called Gut Bamhoff. I can't tell you how beautiful everything was. It was a-mazing! That night there was a formal dinner and reception and then an Oktoberfest luncheon the next day. I've never seen anything like it. I've had so much fun. Congratulations to Bernd & Marie-Isabelle Wendeln!! Thanks for sharing your special day with us!

Gut Bamhoff
Luke playing balloon soccor with a proper German woman. She was a good sport.
They hired a circus to entertain the kids. Not pictured is the guy walking on stilts & the kids tent full of games and food.  Crazy!
Jared & me at the formal dinner & dance.