Happy New Year!!!!

We just got back from a great time in Las Vegas with all of Mike's family. It was nice to see everyone and meet the newest cousin, Dallin. Nicholas had a blast playing with all his cousins and Mike and I were glad the baby cooperated and didn't come early. We checked out the strip, went to a show, saw all the animal habitats at the different hotels, and went the aquarium. While we had to bail on the Hoover dam trip (traffic was too terrible), we did get in plenty of family time together and were so happy we decided to make the trip. Now we're just anticipating our little boy's arrival sometime in January. We'll keep you posted. Happy New Year!!!!

Merry Christmas!!

  

 

 

 

 

 

We had a wonderful Christmas at our house.  Mike and I loved seeing the joy on Nicholas’ face as he found his Santa presents and then opened up all his other ones.  Cheerio didn’t like wearing his Santa suit but he enjoyed getting a Christmas crocodile.  We were so blessed to be together as a family and can’t wait until next Christmas when we will have another boy joining in all the holiday activities.  Now off to Vegas to see Mike’s family (and hoping little one will stay put until January…don’t want any surprises on our trip : )  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Have a Beary Merry Christmas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrie’s latest creation – polar bear cupcakes!  Merry Christmas!

Cake Time

 

 

I finished up the last course in cake decorating last week (3 1-month courses in total) and have put some of what I’ve learned to use.  The top cake is the final cake I made for my fondant/gum paste class and I was happy my mom was here to share it with us (her favorite color is yellow so that’s why I chose that design).  It was a lemon cake with raspberry mousse filling.  The bottom cake is what I made for our ward Christmas party.  It was chocolate with peppermint filling and icing.  Thanks to my sweetheart for supporting me in this learning process…he does admit the end products are yummy : )  For me I’m taking a little break (the baby doesn’t need any more fat and I’m tired…each cake probably takes about 12-15 hours).  All fun though!

Temple Hill

 

 

When my mom was here, we decided to go see the Christmas lights at the Oakland Temple.  Nicholas loved running around the grounds looking at everything and we enjoyed going in the visitors’ center to see some wonderful pictures and listen to some great music. 

Now I Know My ABCs

 

Last week, Nicholas passed the ABC test he and Mike had been working on since September.  He had to correctly identify and say each of his letters..and he did!!!  Mike motivated him with the promise of a good toy, and Nicholas worked his way to getting it.  Of course, we upped the motivation the last week by buying the toy and leaving it in the garage until he could do all his letters.  We’re so proud of him!!!  The next step is to work on numbers and then work on the lower case letters.   Thanks sweetheart for all the time you spent working with him and yeah Nicholas….you’re such a good student already : )  We love you!!!

He’s A Thinker Already : )

 

Here’s our little boy thinking in the womb.  We went to a 4D ultrasound yesterday and got to see lots of pictures of him.  He must be thinking “how do I get out of here?”  because he’s a week ahead of schedule.  We can’t wait to meet him and welcome another sweet boy into our family!

Thanksgiving Feast

 

Grammie and I went to Nicholas’ Thanksgiving Feast at his preschool this week.  They got all the traditional foods and then made some pilgram hats and turkey placemats.  We had fun listening to them sing songs and read a Thanksgiving story.  Nicholas loves school : )

My Boys!!

 

I’m so proud of my boys and can’t wait until our next one arrives!  Mike would say this is a rare shot since Nicholas and Cheerio are definitely “mama’s boys.”  But this goes to show that Dada is important too- check out those smiles (Cheerio’s smiling in spirit).  I love you to pieces mices boys, you make my life the best!!!

Happy Halloween!!!

 

Our friend, Mary, has a much better camera than we do so she sent us this picture she snapped of us trick or treating.  Mike and I finally got to wear the outfits we bought while we were in Egypt and Nicholas got to be a great white shark.  We had a great time dressing up.  We hope you all had a fabulous Halloween!!!

Trick Or Treat

We had great weather on Halloween and Nicholas couldn’t wait to go out trick or treating with his friend Thomas.

 

Let’s just say Cheerio does not share my love of Halloween, but he’s a good sport.  We took him around with us and everyone got a kick out his hot dog costume.

 

Thomas and Nicholas couldn’t contain themselves…they were laughing and running from house to house like crazy. 

 

Is your pumpkin getting heavy?  Mine sure is!

We had such a fun time going around our neighborhood.  Sigh, another Halloween is over.  Next year I’ll get to dress up 4 boys (Mike, Nicholas, baby, and Cheerio)….couldn’t get any better.  HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Halloween Treats

Every year, I always make Halloween theme foods.  Mike must’ve caught the spirit because when Nicholas and I woke up this morning, we found these cute faces waiting for us at breakfast.  Even Cheerio got a few bites of waffle and whipped cream in his bowl : )  Yummy!

 

When I asked Mike and Nicholas what kind of cake they wanted, they both agreed on lemon.  Nicholas wanted the piece with the spider on it.

 

I got this idea online to make meatloaf rats.  Doesn’t sound appetizing, but they turned out pretty tasty.  The meatloaf was wrapped around a cube of cheese so when you cut into them, it oozed out. 

 

Meatloaf “rat” on “lice rice” and spaghetti squash “guts”.  I know, I know…but the boys loved it.

 

Hmmm, this looks weird but tastes okay, what is mama up to today?  I used every dish in the house, but I had fun making a Halloween meal for my boys.

Halloween Parties

 

 

I dropped Nicholas off at school on Thursday and he didn’t want to wear his costume.  When I picked him up later, he was in his costume (peer pressure starts early : ) and had a bag full of treats to take home.

At our church Halloween carnival, Nicholas loved playing all the games.  He and Dada made a good golfing duo.  They knocked over most of the targets.

 

 

Nicholas’ favorite…the duck pond (anything with water).  He loved fishing for his prize.

We saw our friends, the Berryhills, at the carnival and great minds must think alike because both our boys were dressed as sharks.  And check out what a cute mermaid Kate made.

Pumpkin Carving

Nicholas picked out our pumpkin face this year and had a blast helping carve it.  Dada was working late but made it home just in time for the eyes.  And we have to say our pumpkin was the sweetest smelling on the block because Nicholas picked out scented candles to put inside : )

    

School Carnival

Nicholas had a Halloween carnival at his preschool today.  It was perfect since it was rainy outside…good day to be inside playing games.

 

Picking out a prize from the duck pond game…good catch Nicholas!!

 

Dada had to help him during the cake walk, but they landed on the right mat the first time.  Imagine those odds….thanks Mister N.

 

Much happier with the results of the cake walk than actually doing it : )

At the craft table, Nicholas put this turkey together all by himself.  Mike and I were so impressed by how well he did with no help.  What a smart boy!!

Halloween Is Coming

Well, you all know that Halloween is my favorite holiday.  I love decorating, making all the goodies, and finding costumes for my boys.  We started early this year by making some spider cookies.  Nicholas was a great helper and he didn’t even sneak any m&m “eyes” while we were making them : )  I’m not a fan of black licorice, but we pulled the “legs” off the spiders when it was time to eat them.  Fun times with my boys (Mike was in charge of the legs : )

 

Tri Pics

 

 

 

On Top of the World

Well, is this the picture of a happy boy or what?  We put the finishing touches on Nicholas’ bunk bed this weekend and bought some new mattresses for it.  Now we’ll see if Nicholas can adhere to the rule of no climbing up there when we’re not around.  We may have to take the ladder back off until we get over our paranoia of falls : )  For now though, Nicholas is happy to put all his stuffed animals up there and “rest".

  

We Love Mail

My mom sent a package this past week with the robe that she made for Nicholas.  As soon as we opened the box, Nicholas had me put it on him.  Thanks Grammie, it will keep him cozy on chilly days!