Angel Woman

Today I encountered an angel woman. While at the library self-checking out our endless pile of books I was feeling increasingly flustered by my children. Thomas was screaming to get out of the stroller. William had taken from the librarian's desk the bathroom key which had a frisbee attached and was throwing it across the room. Hyrum, bless his heart, was trying to help check out books, though only making the process longer. In an attempt to quite Thomas I undid his buckle and let him stand up in the stroller, in hind sight a very bad idea, yet it did the trick. I returned to checking out our things only to hear Thomas crying a few minutes later. I looked over and found Thomas on the ground and William trapped underneath the stroller which had tipped over when he tried to push Thomas around. I was very flustered at this point and quickly picked Thomas up, buckled him back into the stroller and placed William sitting on the floor next to the desk to wait until Iwas done. William immediately burst into a high pitched scream, very unhappy to be forced to sit. At that moment I was about to pack up and leave without our books when a very sweet lady came up to me and asked if my children could chew gum. I said yes and thanked her as she handed me three pieces. She said, "I have children too" and then walked away. She said nothing more. The gum quickly quieted William's screams and kept Hyrum occupied long enough for me to finish our checkout and leave the library. As we hurried to the van Hyrum kept talking about how the "nice lady" gave us gum. I don't know her name and I know nothing about her, yet she was my angel today. She was nonjudgmental of me, a young, very flustered mother, with three loud children. She merely saw someone in need and came to help. Today I am grateful for women like her.

"Grow Old Along With Me"

Life was busy and hectic last month when Dave and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary and I never got around to posting about how much I love and admire Dave. I'll spare you all the mushy stuff, but I do want to share something sweet he said the other day. As I was looking in the mirror commenting on how wrinkled I would be as an old lady Dave replied, "Do you know what's good about getting old and wrinkly? You'll have someone next to you getting just as old and wrinkly." I feel so blessed to have a man like Dave to grow old an wrinkly with. So, here's to six years gone by and an eternity to come!

First Day of Preschool

Christmas 2010

Another Christmas has come and gone. It always amazes me how much preparation and anticipation go into Christmas morning, only to have it pass by so quickly. Hyrum and William were old enough this year to get really excited about Christmas. Hyrum was especially thrilled to find Santa had brought him the soccer shoes and shin guards he'd been asking for ever since he saw his cousin Issac wearing some way back in May. I think he wore his soccer uniform just about everyday of our vacation. Such joy it brings to see my children happy and content with the simplest things.

We feel blessed that we could spend our holiday vacation with those we love most. I regret not taking more pictures, especially of loved ones, but I guess that means I was enjoying quality time with them instead of hiding behind a camera, right? Being with family is what makes Christmas and this time of year so meaningful. Here are pictures of some of the memories we created.

I think he'll have to grow into his new soccer gear

Making a saberthooth cast at the Thanksgiving Point Dinosaur Museum

Future paleontologist

Thomas fell in love with purses while at grandma and grandpa's house, he carried them everywhere and cried whenever we took them away

Christmas PJ's

(this is actually the first time I have ever bought my boys a new pair of pajamas)

Eating a yummy gingerbread shaped loaf of bread

Stories with Grandma Yorgason

Hyrum and William got up impromptu at our New Year's Party talent show and sang "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer." They are usually shy in front of large groups of people so this was fun to see. Sorry,we only got half of it on film.

Somehow daddy managed to get the ball past these two awesome goalies

Here Comes Santa Claus

For the past month Hyrum has been playing "Santa Claus" as he anxiously awaits Christmas. He dresses up in his red jacket, cowboy boots and Santa hat and makes toys using his Trio Blocks. He secretly puts the toys in stockings and smiles from ear to ear as he places them under the tree. After playing Santa solo for some time, Hyrum decided it was time he got some reindeer of his own. He spent one Saturday morning drawing and labeling pictures of each reindeer. He then wanted them taped to the wall with a string attached so he could sit on the couch (um, I mean his sleigh) holding onto the string while he flew his sleigh to deliver toys (neatly tucked away in his big blue Santa bag which can be seen hidden behind all the pillows). It's been great fun watching Hyrum play so creatively. This boy's imagination is something else.



(Note: somehow we didn't get a picture of "comet," but rest assured, he hangs right alongside all his reindeer friends on our living room wall)

More Fun in the Snow

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Yesterday afternoon it started snowing and it didn't stop until this morning. We got almost 6 inches which is pretty good for Albuquerque. Since we don't see snow much the boys wanted to go outside immediately. We waited long enough for the snow to build up on the lawn and then I bundled the boys up and took them outside to make a snowman. It took almost all the snow in the backyard, but we ended up with what I thought was a decent sized snowman. Then this morning when we all went out to shovel the driveway daddy built a snowman that way out-sized our little guy from yesterday. William named him "frosty" and he greets anyone who passes by our house. Dave also helped the boys make a snow cave. By the end of the morning the boys were cold, wet, hungry and crying, but it was all worth it. We spent rest of the day inside playing pirates. We made some fun telescopes and went on several treasure hunts. Here are pictures of the fun we had.