A few things to note:

1. I am a little kid. Perhaps my matronly 31-year-old body fooled you into thinking I'm an adult? HaHA! Jokes on YOU! (or, erm, me?) I predict I'll have as hard a time sleeping Christmas Eve as the kiddos. I'm excited to give them their presents. Excited for the magic. Excited to yank out the hidden gifts. And especially excited for the gift Nick-the-amazing is giving me, because I really, really, really want it. thankyouthankyouthankyou.
2. Me: Gage, can you go get me something?
   Gage: sure indeed
3. Me: Danica, come here; Danica: otay (walks away in the other direction)
4. Um, Gage said something else REALLY funny yesterday. I can't remember what it was, but imagine the funny. I'll fill this space with the real story when my brain restarts.
5. The 2nd batch of Christmas cards has not yet gone out. Never fear! They'll be addressed tonight.

Candy and Lights

We went to Temple Square last week. The weather was having a warm moment, and we didn't have anything else on that day, so it was a last-minute decision. Unfortunately, it was also a great night for youth groups to go. I have to say, they were respectful and not too crazy, so even though it was crowded it was enjoyable. And really, so beautiful. I like it even better this year than normal.



They had lots of nativity displays from around the world Apparently this one cause Reid pain.



Dani was D.O.N.E



Then today we decided to to graham cracker gingerbread houses. The boys loved it! I was just glad the frosting worked :)

& that's what we've been up to!

Can You Keep a Secret?

I took Gage to the store for some Mommy-Gager time on the pretext of getting Reid a Christmas present. Over and over before we left I instructed Gage that the present we picked out was a secret, that he couldn't tell Reid what we bought. Nick and I had bets on how long Gage would keep it a secret. Nick's guess was 20 minutes.

Gage lasted approximately 20 seconds. We walked in the front door, and as soon as he saw Reid he proclaimed, "Reid! We bought you a GUN." (it's a nerf-type deal). I reminded him it was a secret, and told him he shouldn't say anymore. A few minutes later, Gage started to explain about the gun. Nope, still part of the secret. Gage and I had a five minute argument about how telling about the gun was still telling him the secret.

So today, Reid comes running up to me, "Mommy, I know all about my gun with the yellow things that shoot!"

Yeah, so state secrets? Don't tell Gage. When there is something he wants to say, he doesn't feel right unless its said. He has to complete things. Oh well, now Reid has a really concrete dream to fill his nights until Christmas.

I'm going to be honest, I'm as excited about this year as they are. I remember that total joy from anticipating presents! and toys! and SANTA! I bet I'll have as hard a time sleeping Christmas Eve as they do. I mean, how fun is a four-year-old on Christmas morning??

I have a super cute video of Danica growling at me that won't upload for some reason. Instead, I'm swallowing my pride and posting this one from a few weeks ago. Keep in mind, I'd just gotten back from the gym. Just focus on Danica. She's such a smarty.

Danica Counting:

Thanks for all the Fish

Thanksgiving. It was here. We ate. It was yummy.

We went to Grandma's house again this year...and on my list of grateful things, I've got to say, a calm, patient, amazing-cook mother-in-law is way up there. Each time we visit I realize how far I have to go before I'm anywhere near as competent. Plus, she puts up with me and my scatter-brainedness ("oh, did I leave that there? And that? Was I doing something? Why am I standing here?). As we were leaving Reid says, "Mommy, why is Grandma's house so fun?" (then he added, "and Nana's house?") Thanks Suzy :) We had a great time.

We didn't take a lot of pictures. My usual scatter-brained situation was a bit complicated by a sinus infection, so I'm going to go ahead and place all the blame for that on Nick. We brought the camera, so at least we're doing better there. Baby steps.

Danica's started to say "wow" after everything. I'll try to catch a video, but it is also on my Thanksgiving grateful list.

Speaking of, when I was in college, I made a "grateful" board, and we'd make all our friends write something when they came over. I haven't done it in a few years, but I was thinking tonight how much I have to give thanks for. You all know how great my kids and husband are (see the archives if you're confused about that one) but I've got lots of other things to be grateful for too. Like:

1. Egg Nog Soy Milk. Really. If you haven't tried it, you're missing out. Unless you don't like egg nog. Or soy milk.

2. How Gage speaks in third person all the time. Earlier:"Gager wants some water, then he wants to drink it and he is going to go downstairs." Or, pretty much everyday: "Mom! Gager needs to go potty" Me:"Go." Gager: "Okay!" Note: I'm still  not sure why he needs to ask permission? I've tried breaking him of it, but so far nothing. 

3. The two or three hours we've got kid-free every night because the kids actually have a solid bedtime routine. I've done one parenting thing right. 

4. Pumpkin. Pumpkin chocolate-chip cookies (oh. man. I've got the perfect recipe. they are heaven). Pumpkin cheesecake. Pumpkin pancakes. Pumpkin-sage pasta. MMMmmmm.

5. My nativity set. Aunt Jill bought it for me when we got married, and it remains one of my favorite presents. Makes me happy every year. I also adore the extra pieces Nick/Mom have added over the years. And I'm grateful I've got a kid-safe place to put it this year. 

6. That I put up the Christmas lights right after Halloween, when it was still sixty degrees outside. Especially now that there's eight inches of snow outside. 

7. Books. And, Come to Think of It, THE LIBRARY. 

8. Central Heating. Because it has been frigid outside. I *might* be more grateful if I lived somewhere warmer, but that's not the point of this list.

9. Google. Do you know how many amazing DIY/Craft/sewing/writing/foodie blogs there are out there? perhaps it is better if you don't know. I *might* waste a fair amount of time reading said blogs. Perhaps they've sucked away days of my life and sent me on random shopping sprees to fabric/craft/grocery stores to buy the ingredients/supplies for my new awesomeness personified project. Which inevitably costs more money than whatever it would've cost to BUY. I digress.

10. YOU! Because you care enough to read my randomness about my be-yew-ti-ful kids, and some of you even read the posts before just skipping to the pictures. Not that I blame you. And, on that note, on to the pictures:

She was giving me a squeezy hug right before this, but the picture of me...I am too vain. I shall work on  it.

And, poor Uncle Paul gets mugged.

I may have mentioned how much she loves boys? yep. Paul is the winner.

I might adore this picture

Danica and Gage have started wrestle/hugs lately

They were playing super cute close together just before this, but I am comforted in missing that shot in getting this super cute Joel face.

Gage+Paul. A glimpse into the future? I kept wanting to call Gage Paul all weekend. 

Notice the babydoll AND the ninja dagger. This girl has brothers.

Snow! (Reid)

Snow! (Gage)

I can't remember what was going on here (tv must've been on, look at Gager's face) but I love Dani's face.

Didn't get a shot of her in this dress before church, and after...well, she was DONE. But isn't she sweet? 

Cheeser. I told him I needed to cut his hair, and he looked at me all concerned, "not my curls mom!"

Gage seriously cannot eat ANYTHING without getting mess on his face.

Aunt Sierra's visit. The boys loved it.

A bit of random

Update: They are taking this off instant stream on 12/1. I am sad. You should watch it today.


I've got to organize our recent pictures. But...last night due to a combination of a cold, a couch, and a cranky babygirl I was up most of the night. Luckily, I found this little gem on my netflix instant stream to keep me company:

AND...all you Pride and Prejudice fans, I can think of worse ways to spend three hours. I really, really liked this.

Teeth

I've been terrified of taking the boys to the dentist. Terrified. I had visions of, well, mostly MONEY. I like money. I like it better in my bank account than written on a check to the dentist. I remember coming home from the dentist and announcing things like, "three cavities!" Yeah.

Took the boys to get their teeth cleaned today. I'm not exaggerating to say I was literally unable to sleep last night worrying about it.

Not. One. Cavity.

I'm not saying this is a pre-holiday miracle. I'm just...happy.

Boo

(I think I finally got the newer editor to work. Maybe I'll be able to upload videos. This could be very exciting for everyone involved).


Happy Halloween! We had our Halloween festivities yesterday--the ward did their trunk or treat, and the city had the trick or treating last night. Sadly for all involved, the weather yesterday was alternating between nice, rainy, and miserably windy. Today, of course, it was perfect fall weather. Enough to shake your faith, eh? I'm just kidding. It's weather.


In my book, Halloween is an amazing and magical day for kids. You knock on doors! People give you candy! You get to wear costumes and everyone else is wearing them too! 

We went to Boo! At the Zoo! (I'm loving the exclamation points today) in the morning. It was a blast. Lots of people had really creative costumes. I loved it. I didn't, however, get a good picture of Danica in her costume at the zoo. Ah well, the day was young. I did take a video of the boys costumes, because the octopus doesn't read as well unless you can see it in action:

Next, we did a lot of boring cleaning out/hanging out/napping (Danica) and being antsy (boys). 


Finally, it was time for trunk-or-treat. It was rainy. And cold. So we had it inside. Win! Alas, we forgot where we'd put our camera. But I did snap some pics before I took the boys trick-or-treating around the neighborhood.

Gage is Batman!

Reid the Octopus

At this point, I know what  you're thinking. You're wondering where all the amazing pictures of Danica are.


I'm wondering too.


Apparently, I took a bunch with my cell phone, but actual pictures of her on the day...yep. Dropped the ball. 


Well, except for these awesome pictures I got taken the day before...(JCPenney's)

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Fabulous Fall

Um, so apparently someone missed my memo about keeping the weather exactly the same as it has been. Lucky for me, I actually caught the weather report yesterday, when Evil WeatherMan announced we were in for a cold snap. Yup. You know what this means, folks. A cold "snap" in October pretty much means its winter. Oh, stop with all your, "it'll warm up a little, one more time," stuff. I can see the writing on the wall.

Ahem.

So I called Nick and said, pretty much, "you've got to come home right now because we have to go for a hike. This is our Last Chance. We are HORRIBLE people for living next to these glorious mountains all year and not hiking. In fact, we're probably on a hit list somewhere." And, he came home. And it was glorious, although calling it a "hike" is a bit like the commercial that implies heavily nutella is a health food. As in, stretching pretty far.

See? Glorious

Nick, after snapping this picture: "Oh, it's a cute one."

Me, looking at pictures on the way home: "My eyes are closed."

Nick: "I sometimes can't really see the screen."

Okay...

2010 Picture of us--note how we're nearly alone in this shot. I'm impressed with us.

A while back...like maybe a week ago? I got all ambitious and we made colored rice maracas for a craft project. Things like this are why I shouldn't read Chelsea's blog too much. I start thinking...(cue the Beauty and the Beast quotes)


AND...

Because she's just that cute: