Company Christmas Party

We had a really great time at the company Christmas party. It is a family event which is sooo nice. They had a huge dinner buffet, a kiddo buffet and a nice age appropriate toy for each child all wrapped up with their name on it. I am sure it is a ton of work pulling it all together. 

Kaity sat on Santa's lap and was very cute. Earlier in the day she told me she was going to ask Santa for a new bottle for Jackson. I was totally impressed, what a selfless big sister! Another bottle is the last thing he needs, but selfless just the same.When she actually got there she didn't say much, which makes it really easy ;)

Dinner was yummy. Jackson was a MACHINE, and ate everything he could possibly get his hands on. He insisted on using a fork which worked more like a shovel that pushed everything off his plate and onto his lap. Whatever, right? I really enjoyed my meal.

During dinner, random people were being called up to answer trivia. You got a prize no matter what so it was fun stuff.  They announced, "we are going to call someone up from the 4-9 age range." I jokingly looked over at Kaity and asked her if she knew what daddy did for a living. I was having her repeat CPA. We were saying Seeeeeeee, Peeeeeeee, A...when we heard "KAITLYN CARROLL"....... Are you kidding me??! It was so crazy!!! Out of 100+ kids, her name was called just as we were rehearsing. It was pretty funny. She was very brave and went up to the front with Markham. She won $50 bucks!! Nice, huh?

 Dessert was a hit. Ice cream bar with the works. Jacks totally took over my cone. 

 YUM!

Fun night! We really feel grateful that Markham works for such an awesome company.

The House that Kaity Built

Kaity and her little friend Ethan built gingerbread houses together, with LOTS of help from their moms. I think we had more fun than the kiddos. 

It was super fun!

Traditions

We had a fun Thanksgiving, we were in Logan this year. Kaity and cousin Parker had a riot of a time. We had super yummy turkey dinner and went shopping on Black Friday. It was wild, but successful. I have no pictures of the fun weekend. I am ashamed.

For something like 15 years, our family spends the first weekend in December in Sun Valley. It is like the Park City of Idaho, but much smaller and less urban. There are no chain stores.You will not find a Wal-Mart for 50+ miles. The streets are lined with quaint locally owned shops and restaurants. The mountains are meticulously groomed for the avid and skilled skier. We don't visit because of the skiing. We love the atmosphere. It is relaxing and beautiful.

This year was similar to many years in the past. We had breakfast at one of our favorites, The Kneadery. We spent a couple of hours at the YMCA swimming in their awesome pool. We had Ricco's pizza and played lots of games. My sister Cindy and her family hiked for almost a mile to find their perfect Christmas tree, something they have done for as long as I can remember. It was good times.

There was a ton of snow this year, so we decided to do a little sledding.

 We built a snowman.

Kaity took this picure, she is quite the photographer.

Best friends

Our family is lucky to have each other. It is always good times when we are together.

"Disneyland Is Not So Far Away"

We took the kiddos to Disney on Ice  It was a lot of fun. Kaitlyn misunderstood and thought we were in Disneyland.  She couldn't understand why we always say it's so far away. It was pretty cute.

 My little Growly Gus. He was not in a good mood.  In his defense, he was battling an ear infection and sinusitis. 

 Cousins!

 Aunt Ashley and Jacks

 One happy girl

Kaity's favorite was Mickey and Minnie Mouse. We are planning to go to the real Disneyland next summer. Kaity will be disappointed to find it's much farther.

Cuddle Time

"I got the kids babe." Markham said to me, as if he was performing some huge parenting feat. 

I love fall, an excuse to cuddle up with blankets and watch movies, since it's dark at 5:30p these days. It feels so late at 7pm! Maybe our kiddos will start going to bed at a decent time again, hooray!

Halloween 2010!

We LOVE Halloween!! This year we added a new tradition.... maybe.  The Halloween Half in Provo. Markham, his brother Matt, Dylan and Ashley killed it! I am so proud of them. You might notice I'm not in the picture, that's because I won and was too busy getting awarded my 1st place medal.

I assume you know I'm kidding. I don't run 13.1 miles for fun. Not really my gig.

But I admire them for training so hard and finishing the race. Well done guys.

....

Miss Kaity was a butterfly this year, not to be confused with a fairy. She was very clear about that.

 I loved her wings, almost as much as she did.

The only spider I will ever love

All four of us is all our glory, even Roxy, she was a dog for Halloween.

Parker was batman!

One hot witch!

 Lil' Skeletor with Grandma

  Batman and the butterfly, BFF's forever.

 Ron Burgundy

 Hockey Fan and Grandpa

 Snow White and the cutest spider ever! I am so caught in his web.

We hope you all enjoyed Halloween too!!

4

Kaitlyn is now 4 years old. I have a 4 year old. I can't believe it. It's crazy.

Kaitlyn has quite a personality and is such a sweet little girl. She loves puzzles, play dough and pretending. She loves Jackson and plays the protective older sister well. She loves Roxy. She hates bed time and it's always a battle, much to our chagrin. She loves watching movies and playing Nick Jr. online.  She enjoys books and usually has a big stack next to her. At bed time, Markham "jumps her super, super far" by flying her through the house to her "comfy bed." She loves dance class and is always dancing around. She loves to learn primary songs and has been signing this one, non-stop, "Lead me, guide me, try and find me, help me find the way." Her lyrics are a little off, but she's not too interested in being corrected.

I failed to get a picture of the cake BEFORE we ate it.  I was too busy with the v-cam. It was super cute and Kaitlyn's own creation. I frosted it and she decorated it with spongebobs and patricks and a big number 4. 

 With her best friend, Parker.

 We had a little family party at Chuck E Cheese. She had a blast. Happy 4 years Bean, we love you!

Pumpkin Patch Kids

The kiddos had the chance to pick out their very own pumpkins the other day. It was good times.

    Our steps are now adorned with their orange treasures.

An Excuse to Make Orange Cupcakes

I love this season!! It is my favorite by far. Why can't fall last all year?? We really enjoyed conference weekend. Kaity couldn't understand why we weren't going to church. I explained that we got to stay home and watch church on TV.... and make lots of treats. She was OK with that.

 

 

 Good times are on their way! Kaity turns 4 this month and Markham and I are getting away for a little anniversary trip....can't wait!! Did I mention I love October?!

1 man, 2 kiddos, 3 ladies and a baby

My brave, award-worthy parents invited me and the kiddos and my sister and her baby on an 800 mile road trip one way. Sounds totally insane doesn't it? Somehow the 800 miles coming home seemed a LOT longer.

Our poor husbands had to stay home and work, which was tough. Markham stayed busy though. I came home to some new shelves in the garage! I was really grateful he had the pup to keep him company. It was our longest separation...sniff, sniff.


Aside from missing the guys, we managed to have A LOT of fun! There were moments of distress, like in the car with all the kiddos melting down, but all things considered it was fantastic.  We spent a week in Sedona, AZ--a very beautiful and very unique place. Tons and tons of art. Statues, sculptures, paintings, etc. I am quite certain my vocabulary does not contain the appropriate words to accurately describe all said art. It just lines the streets. It's an experience.

 Jacks in his favorite place, his mommy's arms

My little poser

Downtown

We spent A LOT of time at the pool!

Dinner for Monte's birthday!

Fun Souvenirs

Kaity is rubbing this javelina's nose for good luck...after a crazy rainstorm.

 Not a very good pic, I know. Kaity looks like a zombie.

Kaity and cousin Linc

We stopped in St. George for a few days on the way home. We love St. George. Here is cute little Linc just after a meal.  My son is in the background chewing on a shoe....seriously gross.

 When in doubt, drum it out. I didn't take a lot of toys, so the kiddos had to be creative entertaining themselves...when we weren't at the pool.

                              

Pool time!!

 Jackson's first swimming lesson. 

He loved the water and would try and get away from me and then would just DIVE into the water.

 I would pull him out and he would smile and giggle and do it AGAIN!!

Yes, totally submerged! Again and again and again... a healthy fear of water would be nice.

He apparently likes soda, he must get that from Markham. wink, wink.

Cousin Brooke from Vegas came for a visit!

Kaity was excited to play with Carson.

   Jackson climbing the pool chairs....such a boy.

 Thanks for taking us on a super fun trip Mom and Monte!! It was great ;) We missed you Ash!!