Social Darling Frock GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!!

Social Darling Frock GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!!

Santa Baby

Another successful visit with Santa. I love seeing Christmas through my kids' eyes. I wish I would have waited on printing the Christmas card though; these would have made the card spectacular.

New Digs

We've officially been in California just over 3 months. For the most part we are settled into our home, with exception to our room, and we're getting into the routine of things.

Jared is working on Sand Hill Road, which is 5 min from home; much better than the weekly commute from Utah. We actually get to see him everyday and it's been SO much nicer than having him gone Tues-Thurs each week.

Lucas is in Preschool two days a week and loves his new friends and teachers. Whenever he does something he shouldn't he asks me not to tell Teacher Lori or Teacher Nancy. I've loved watching Luke's personality emerge as he's gotten older. He's extremely inquisitive and this kid is FUNNY. Two days ago we awoke to find that during the night he had decided to put on his newly purchased underwear. The fun didn't end there; he proceeded to put on every pair he could find....14 pair. He slept the entire night in 14 pair of undies. I wish we had taken a picture, but we only found out when we came running in screaming that he needed to go pee. Jared had to pry those babies off as fast as he could.

Gwynie is a little joy. She is just over 6 months, is the easiest baby and is sleeping great. She gets so excited when anyone talks to her and her whole body wiggles around with joy when I go into pick her up in the morning. She ADORES her big brother and will instantly stop crying if he talks to her. If Gwyn is crying in the back seat I'll ask Luke to sing to her and she is mesmerized by him. I love seeing these two together. She chews and slobbers on everything in sight and is rolling around the room to get to the things she wants.

I'm really enjoying being in California. I'm missing the snow right now, but I REALLY love the fact that I can be outside everyday. Winter is so much easier to get through when your kids can play outside. I've been cooking quite a bit more here and I've been refinishing some furniture in my free time. I have an elliptical machine on the patio that I want to work out on at least 3 times a week, but usually don't. I also have a Zumba class that I want to go to twice a week, but I've been to once so far. Baby steps.

Here are some pics of the new house. For those of you that are clean freaks, look the other way. Sorry this has taken so long Aunt Diane!

We need to plant some flowers- I know.

Kitchen
Dinning Room
Living Room (where's Gwynie?)
Guest Bedroom. Come see me!
Luke's Room
Gwyn's Room

I'm too ashamed to put any pictures of my room right now. I'll try to post some when I have it looking a little better.

We're super excited to see everyone in Utah during the holidays and we're also really excited to have our new friends in California. Thanks for all your support and love.

Best Friends

I absolutely love seeing how much these two love each other. Gwyn goes crazy when Lucas enters the room and Luke can barely let Gwyn have a nap because he wants to play with her. He is so excited to share all his toys with her right now and is very protective over "our baby." What little cuties.

She's got us all wrapped around her finger.

Here's Luke's first day of preschool. I had a hard time the first day, but we're both really liking the new routine of school. He loves "Teacher Lori" and "Teacher Nancy" at his Preschool and has made some cute little friends. Preschool has really made the transition of the move a lot easier for both of us.

Sheesh!!

While looking at preschools the other day I asked Luke if he liked the one we just saw. His reply, "It's cute and it smells good." At the next school I introduced him to the director and he said, "pleased to meet you." Perfect! Then he follows it up with, "Do you have a baby in your tummy?" while pointing at her stomach. She DID NOT have a baby in her tummy. I stared at her with no response. Maybe we'll choose the one that smelled good.

And Yesterday:

We are at Walgreen's. Luke is in his Spiderman costume (of course). An Older lady starts to talk to him about how cute he is. Quoth Luke, "You are OLD! Look at those wrinkles on her arms! She is OLD!" Again air just flows our of my mouth and I stare awkwardly. What is my problem?! How do I follow these statements up and where is MY mask??

We tell kids to tell the truth, but how do you teach them the subtle nuances of it???
I think I'm in trouble.

Saying Goodbye to Maple

We finally did it. We packed it up and made our way to California. I'm pretty sad to leave our little house in Salt Lake. We've basically remodeled the entire inside of the house ourselves and I feel like the house is part of the family now. I've loved living there and LOVED, LOVED, LOVED having my friends and family so close. Well, no more. We're in Menlo Park, California now so plan your vacations accordingly.Our house when we moved in.

Even though I forgot to take a picture of the house before we left, here is basically what it looked like when we pulled away from the house. Imagine a few more flowers added. =)

My cute little kitchen
Dining Room
Luke thought moving day was the funnest day of his life so far.
Gwynie was indifferent about the whole thing.

We've been here almost a month, which is hard to believe. We've still got a lot of unpacking and organizing to do, but I'm starting to fill more situated. We all miss our friends and family a lot, but everyone here has been really friendly. That DOES NOT mean that you're off the hook on visiting though!!

A New Do

Fresh cut

It might be the new cut or it might be the fact that Luke has discovered a CTR ring that was given to him as a baby, but doesn't he look like he's ready for college now?? So debonair!

Gwyn's Baby Blessing

We love you so much baby Gwyn. Yesterday was fantastic.

Recap on Summer

With new baby Gwyn in charge of my schedule for the past few months Jared & Lucas have become even better buddies. Some of the outings Gwyn & I tag along on and some are just for the boys (relaxing day for me). Here's a quick recap on the summer:

Luke's first fishing trip. No luck on the fish but good times had.
Gwyn & Luke getting to know each other a little better.

Fishing attempt #2.....again no luck.
Boy's 1st camping trip.
The Strawberry Day's Rodeo! Do you notice a superman costume theme to the summer? Easy choice for Dad & Luke.
Small fireworks in my parent's field and the Pleasant Grove City fireworks afterward.
The Utah Symphony at Deer Valley.
Camping trip #2. This time with buddy Paxton as well.

24th of July extravaganza. Again with the superman costume. It's hard to even get it washed. Don't judge.Cousin Belle and angel Gwyn.

ATVing in Wyoming at my brother Jim's cabin.
Daxton & Luke watching scary Secret of Nimh at the cabin.


Fishing attempt #3 -SUCCESS !!

Today topped off the summer with Gwyn's baby blessing. It was a great day with lots of family & friends (pictures to follow). Now the packing begins for the big move to California. Gulp!

Two words....LOVE IT!

I Want to Pinch Them

We got some pictures taken last week and I'm loving them. Here's a preview:

Introducing Gwyn

Our little family right before we jumped in the car. If you look closely you can probably see tears in my eyes from all the contractions I'm having.

Dr. Yamashiro & Jared getting ready for the delivery. Dr. Yamashiro had Jared deliver Gwyn with his assistance. Pretty amazing! My normal Dr. was out of town, but I REALLY liked Yamashiro. We lucked out.

Sweet little Gwynie is here!

Gwyn Holland Hutchings was born May 24th at 11:43 p.m. She was 6lbs 10oz and looks like a feminine version of Lucas but with mortal amounts of hair. We are so excited to have her here and I'm feeling great....so much easier than last time. Every time I'm woken up I feel like a kid on Christmas morning when I realize that she's here and I get to hold her. It might be the hormones but I love everything about it. I love to smell her, change her, feed her, EVERYTHING! I'm sure the excitement of changing a poopy diaper will fade quite quickly, but I'm so in love all over again. I'm so excited for everyone to meet her!