Christmas Trees

One of our favorite traditions is going up Ephraim Canyon to cut our own Christmas tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Randy's family started this long before I joined the family. This year was a little bit different due to the lack of snow and the abundance of mud, but we had a great time anyway. We had an amazing breakfast prepared by two brothers-in-law, and then we headed out to search for the perfect tree (actually two perfect trees). Mark & Dax loved looking for trees because they finally got to walk in some snow. In fact, they spent more time playing in the snow than helping us find a tree. Seth got a little worn out and fell asleep after we found our first tree. But the best part is always riding four-wheelers and sledding, and of course, spending time with our family!

See our Christmas tree behind these two?

Seth passed out.

Mark sledding, or maybe crashing!

Love Dax's smile!

We saw wild turkeys on the way into Ephraim. We love bird watching!

Thanksgiving 2012

We had a happy Thanksgiving and hope you did too. The boys loved being at Grandma's, even Seth. He slept well and smiled and laughed for everyone. Everyone in Natalie's family was home this year because we did a big family photo the day after Thanksgiving. We haven't all been together for a long time. Mark and Dax played with their cousins non-stop so it was the easiest three days with them ever.

Dax had fun at his preschool Thanksgiving.

Seth's first Thanksgiving!

I was trying to get a picture of Mark's black eye. He bumped heads with Dax on Thanksgiving so he had a nice bruise for family pictures the next day! You can't really see it in the picture.

Dax decided he wanted to ride in the suitcase to Grandma's house.

You'll Never Believe (or care) What We Saw

This is stock footage, but isn't she beautiful?

On Saturday night we were driving home. Natalie, with her eagle eyes, spotted something amazing in the dark on a fence post. We turned around to get a picture, but not having a camera with us, were only able to snap a few blurry cellphone shots (the dark didn't help either). The boys were sure excited to see this barn owl, though. He hung around, diving in the grass several times looking for mice. Finally, he caught something and flew away.

Dear Dax

Dax has become the middle child. I often think about how I can help him not live in Mark's shadow and not try to be the baby like Seth. I can see that Dax has been the most affected by the changes in our family. He has come to terms with Seth and loves to hug him and try to make him smile. Dax always wants to be like Mark and wishes he could do all the things Mark does--and one day Dax will. It's hard to make him wait.

But while I post about Seth and Mark, I want you to know that Dax is special to me, too. Dax is the child who says, "Thanks for dinner mom," every night. Dax is the one who asked to have his preschool teacher over to play. Dax is the one who wants to help his dad do ANYTHING. Dax is the one who learned his letters and sounds by age 2 and already recognizes quite a few sight words at 3 1/2. Dax is the child who will read Little Critter books for hours on end. I find him in his room reading quite often. Dax is the one who knows all the words to Nephi's Courage and sings them constantly.

I could go on and on. Sometimes Dax and I have our differences--okay, we have lots of differences, but Dax is a sweetheart and is genuinely kind to others. He is funny and is already the class clown. He is my challenge, but I know he is amazing. I am grateful to spend some time with Dax.

For Randy

Seth: 4 months already?

Four months old and lovin' it!

Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday I was cursing Seth (still in the womb) for making me have contractions when I was having a scheduled C-section. Then all the drama came, and life has just gone by so quickly.

Seth is learning to reach and grab for things. His brothers are fascinated by this and cheer him on all day long. Seth also loves to blow spit bubbles. He is constantly spitting/drooling and I change his soaked through shirt more than once a day. Seth knows how to laugh, but is very stingy at what he laughs at. He will usually give a little guffaw, but to get a real laugh you better be doing something doggone funny. Seth talks in squeals now which is very entertaining. I think he wants to be heard above the noise of the rest of his family.

Spitting, as usual.

Seth is such an easy going, calm baby. I wake him up constantly from his naps to take his brothers places or pick them up. He always has a smile for me. Dax and Mark really enjoy playing with him and it is fun to see them bonding with Seth. He is always trying to look at his brothers wherever they are in the room. Seth knows his name and will turn and look at you when you call him. I am so grateful that Seth is part of our family and I feel truly blessed that he is here.

Playing with dad and Dax 

Seth comes on all our adventures and loves them!

Seth is trying so hard to grab the camera. 

He loves his dad!

Mark's Halloween Recital

Mark wore his vampire costume for the concert.

Mark has been taking piano lessons for one year this month. He had a Halloween recital last week. Mark gets so nervous, but he did a great job. He also won the practicing contest -- he didn't miss a day for two whole months. He received a large candy bar and a piano pen. We love that Mark enjoys the piano. Sometimes Randy and I have to bite our lips so we don't yell, "Stop playing the piano." Anytime he walks by the piano, Mark plunks out some song that he is working on.

Mark is receiving his practicing award.

 Here is the video of his performance.