October is always such a busy month! Besides the fun Halloween festivities, we also have a billion family birthdays. We had a very fun October.
It started out with a milestone birthday for me- the big 25! I know that's not really old, but 24 sounded a lot better. I had an awesome birthday spending the day with James and Isabelle shopping in Salt Lake and eating at my favorite restaurant, PF Chang's. We had a family party that night, and I got everything I asked for!
We've had the chance to go on a few fieldtrips in October with my two neices' preschool class. We went to the pumpkin patch/corn maze in Syracuse, to their Halloween carnival, and also, this last Friday we got to go to the children's museum at the Gateway. Isabelle loved the pumpkin patch. They took us on a hayride out to pick a pumpkin, and then they had all sorts of toys and fun things to do. She went down the slide about 50 times. She got to go on a little ride where the kids sat in pigs and cows and were pulled around by a tractor. She had lots of fun with her cousins at the carnival. They had tons of booths to go around and play games at and get lots of candy. The Discovery Gateway Museum was tons of fun for her. She especially loved the grocery store, because her favorite thing to do lately is play store. She uses our calculator or adding machine (or anything with buttons) as a cash register, and swipes our credit cards through the buttons. She loves money! I can't believe they learn the concept of money and credit cards at such a young age.
Halloween was lots of fun this year, now that Isabelle understood it more. We went to a trunk-or-treat and she was just crazy. She would sift through each person's candy until she found the treat she wanted, then she'd tell them "thank you, welcome," and run to the next car. We ended up with lots of suckers and M&Ms. Her favorite treat was the bag of Doritos the Frito Lay guy gave out! She loves chips and she had to eat them immediately. She was dressed up as a little 50s girl with a poodle skirt and she looked so cute!
So October was great for us and November is already keeping us busy! I can't wait for the holidays. I'm the person who wants to start listening to Christmas music the day after Halloween. If only I were allowed to listen to any music in my car besides Shrek and Enchanted. I'm ready to start the Christmas season. I'm looking forward to shopping, of course. A couple of other exciting upcoming events- the Twilight movie (YEAH!) and the Polar Express at Heber Valley Railroad! I love the holidays!
My 25th Birthday!
Isabelle in the pumpkin patch
This is the slide she loved.
Here are Ike and Isabelle riding the little train.
Isn't this such a cute little ride?
This is at a pumpkin patch in Farmington. 
With cousins at the Halloween carnival
The costume parade
Halloween- Isabelle and Jill
Isabelle, Jill, Gracie
The trunk-or-treat
Isn't she cute?
This is at Discovery Gateway. He could so be a news guy!
The little cashier in action!
A fun horse ride
Crazy driver- just like Daddy!
She loved playing in this water thing.
Me & my girl
Just had to throw this picture in- I love it!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
October, in a Nutshell
Thursday, October 30, 2008
I'm Thankful For...
Tonight I was thinking of all of the things in my life that I'm thankful for. Now, of course, I'm thankful for my husband and baby, and my home and freedoms- but I'm talking about the little things in life- the more random, trivial things that make my life better in small, simple ways. These are some of the things I thought of.
1. My electric blanket- I can't wait to get in my nice, warm bed tonight!
2. Cell phones- Do you remember the olden days when you actually had to plan ahead? Oh, and those pay phones; they used to only cost a quarter!
3. Disposable diapers- Need I say more?
4. Pepsi- Not a day goes by that I don't rely on one of these for some comfort!
5. Target- Seriously, how could I possibly live more than ten minutes away from Target?
6. Garages- Especially now that the weather is getting colder. I think back to the days when we lived in our apartment and we actually had to walk to our cars in
the snow, uphill both ways.
7. Toothpaste and Deodorant- The combined effort of the two makes life bearable. And then you come upons someone who missed that memo.
8. Chick-Fil-A- One cannot survive without this delicacy for too long.
9. Digital cameras- Do you know how much film I would go through?
10. Hairspray- There is an entire musical dedicated to this miracle.
11. Microwaves- It's easy for me to take this one for granted because I did not have
to suffer throught the era before this fabulous invention. But I've heard
stories. Oh, have I heard stories.
12. Electricity- Kind of a major thing, I know! Don't you hate it when the power is
out though, and you keep thinking of things to keep yourself occupied, only to
realize that you can do absolutely nothing without this
precious commodity?
13. DVRs- I really don't watch much TV, especially with Isabelle around, so I'm
thankful I can record The Office for my viewing pleasure, and I am truly grateful that I can record Sesame Street so I can get my hair done each day!
14. Baby Oxi-Clean- It has saved my life. It truly takes out anything. I highly recommend it for all new moms.
15. Lotion and Vaseline- I hate dry skin, and Vaseline is such a treat to my lips.
16. My dishwasher- And I don't mean James! I hate washing dishes by hand. I hate unloading the dishwasher, but I'm so glad it does the dirty work for me.
17. Good Jeans- Isn't it amazing what a good pair of jeans can do for you? I love when I find the perfect pair. I can go on that for a month, at least.
18. Makeup- this is fairly self-explanitory, especially if you've seen me without it.
19. Hugs and Lips- From my sweet little princess. There's nothing like it. I love that she calls kisses, lips!
20. My hubby's guitar- I love to hear him play it and sing. He's so awesome at it. I
love to catch Isabelle and James together while he's playing the guitar and singing, and she's twirling and dancing to his music. It's the sweetest thing ever!
So there are twenty of the things that make my life better. They may not all be spectacular, but they would definitely be difficult for me to live without! Listing these things make me realize just what a "pampered" life I live! What are some of the little things in your life that you are thankful for?
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Happy Birthday to My Mom!
Today is my mom's birthday and I just wanted to let her know how much we love her! She is a wonderful person. She is so caring and giving. She does so much for James, Isabelle, and me. I talk to my mom on the phone every day, at least once, and I see her almost every day. She probably gets sick of me sometimes, but she is always there for me. We have so much fun together. She is one of my best friends! Thanks for all you do Mom! You're beautiful and we love you!!!
My mom and me in Hawaii
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Autumn Time!
A few weeks ago- before the snowstorm, we went up to Snowbasin for our annual picture taking session in the pretty leaves. It's always so much fun! We go to the same spot every year and it's become one of our little family traditions. It's so peaceful and quiet. I love the feel of the leaves crunching under my feet. Autumn colors are my favorite! 
Years Past
Gosh, do we look old now?
I was pretty pregnant here
The last year went way too fast!
Friday, October 3, 2008
What the Heck?
So, I saw this on my cousin's blog and laughed hysterically! I had to try it! These are not very good looking babies. Thank goodness we did a better job than this! See any resemblance to Isabelle? Try it! It is so funny! This totally reminds me of my favorite movie, How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days!
