The Holidays...

Well Christmas was great for us except for the touch of flu (yuck!) Our cute lil boy ran upstairs and saw all the presents and came back downstairs with his eyes as big as saucers and said, "Guess what?! Santa came and left us presents! Come see!!" Since it was 8:30 am we agreed and headed upstairs. We did try to have breakfast and tell about the birth of Jesus but that did not last too long because we had one eager boy wanting to check everything out. He was so cute we didn't resist at all.

So, the tearing and throwing of paper ensued and Jordan had his presents open in record time where as Lexi was enthralled with her baby doll and required assistance (according to Jordan) to open the rest of her presents.

He was satisfied to play with his presents when i told him it was probably time to move them to the play room- he needed encouragement- so Casey went first and wanted to know what had been moved into the playroom. That caught Jordan's attention and we had Lexi's kitchen and Jord's workbench covered. They loved them and did little else that day than just play...




So after a little candy and really i mean like two pieces Jordan makes a mad dash to the bathroom where the lil guy promptly donated to the porcelin thrown...He and i pretty much stayed down and out for the rest of the day:(



He had enough energy to play however and by the end of the morning Jordan was playing with Lex's doll and Lexi was playing with Jordan's pirates- GO FIGURE!





We have had fun outside as well- Lexi doesn't like the snow at least while it is touching her hands but likes to say snow with a soft s so it sounds like NO. She is talking a lot more and has learned about 'hot choco' which she will request around the clock! She has also started to say pee-pee and we take her, sometimes she'll go and sometimes she won't but i'll take what i can get from a 19 month old.

Jordan still is going to preschool and loves it even more after the christmas break. He always wants to know what day it is, to know if it is a preschool day or not. He never ceases to amaze me what a smart kid he is, he sure takes after his daddy. He also now is a sunbeam and is so excited to have his cousins in primary with him especially Cole who is in his class.



Casey's 34th birthday and New year's eve hit us next and once again someone was sick - Lexi this time, with a urgent visit to our pediatrician that morning. So she and i stayed home and the boys went to G'ma and G'pa Fitts' house for festivities. They came home at 11:55pm and celebrated the New Year with us.





The lastest thing we have done was a little picnic in the artic! It has been so cold here! But the kids have had cabin fever- so we made a lil stop at Mickey D's and here is the picnic pics at Wheeler Farm...






We hope that your Christmas was wonderful and that 2010 brings you all you deserve and more.

Next post will be about our trip to California- hence the Beach Party Background! Don't be jealous- i'll think about you while I am there.

Thanksgiving, Christmas and plenty in between

I should be officially fired! Good thing i don't get paid to update my blog- but then again maybe i should -so i would do it!! We had Halloween. Kids were super cute. We were Tigger, pooh, piglet and Christopher Robin. November flew by and Thanksgiving was here before i could blink. It was the Fitts year and we had 36 (?) people down in Randy and Susan's basement. Randy and Susan did such a great job of cooking and Heather decorated the table beautifully. The only problem we had that day was remembering to feed the kids (oops). Everything was so good and it was so wonderful to spend time with family. That really hit on November 28th when our brother-in-law died tragically on his dirt bike. The funeral was beautiful and my sister in law has been a wonderful example in showing her testimony of the plan of salvation. It's amazing what can happen in the face of tribulation. We have spent many nights with the family; going to temple square lights, playing games (curses- is pretty funny), and marveling in the warmth of family love.







Somewhere in between all that, the kids and i celebrated Christmas with my family- Yes! all of us (well except Casey). My sis was here from North Dakota with her family and we got some good family pics along with an unbelievable Christmas dinner. We even got an early visit from Santa and he gave us all gifts. About a week after that we celebrated 5 Years together.... yes... you read that right. We have been married for 5 years.



A couple of other things we have done is see extended family for my cousins wedding and reception. Celebrated Casey's brothers wedding on November 6th. and so many things i'm sure i'll forget something.
It has been a busy time like it usually is around this time of year- but it has been family based and I am so thankful for the atonement of our Saviour Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation. M. Russell Ballard visited our Stake Conference and really focused his talk on technology and the time we spend on it - he said we should be giving the Lord equal time and focusing on following the promptings of the spirit.

Merry Christmas to all of you this time of year as we celebrate the birth of our Savior and Redeemer. I am thankful for all of you- you have all touched my life and have made me a better person for knowing you. Thank you!!

On a Witch Hunt....

Today we made the annual run to Gardner Village to see the witches and see all the cute lil shops. Here are some pics of the 'witch fun'. 6 of the cousins weren't there because of school but the younger ones had fun looking at the witches, playing the jelly belly game, and trying to fall in the pond. The moms of course got to take pics, avoid kids getting wet, and taste an ear wax, a baby wipe, and a booger flavored jelly belly (um yuck). Overall, we wore our kids out and had fun. We missed those who didn't get to come.









disclaimer- i took most of the pics and then realized my lens was super dirty and had tons of fingerprints (small ones) so sorry if the quality stinks!

Pumpkin Patch and Green Tomato Pie

Our Annual Pumpkin Patch Trip took place last monday and we had fun picking out pumpkins and going through the corn maze. Jordan liked it lots better this year, it could be because he actually got a nap in or it was warmer. For whatever reason we sure are grateful for the Hezseltines. Thanks.








They also have tractors there- so fun for the kids.







I recently made a green tomato pie and casey labeled the taste as tomato soup with cinnamon. The crust was my favorite part.



Jordan and Lexi have also been in fix-it mode so this is them fix-in! The last pic i had to throw in there- Lexi takin on her brother! haha





Just some cute chocolate pudding faces. Jord wanted me to make pudding so i fixed layers of chocolate and pistachio and then put a halloween oreo in it. It was lots better than green tomato pie and so much cuter and of course i didn't take a pic but they enjoyed it.

Farewell Fair Weather, Hello Unpredictable

Isn't life amazing! It is always throwing a curveball and especially since I liked things planned - I also like to do things spontaneously.

That is why I am loving my kids right now. Both of them are great sports when mom decides to run to the park or the store or whatever. I can't tell you they are good the whole time but it is wonderful to have 2 kids that understand what you are saying to some degree.

We have been to the zoo lots...
We went up to the cabin and stayed the weekend with 15 kids there. Saturday was fun making witch hands - the kids really enjoyed that. (I forgot my camera or it was downstairs or something)
We've spent a lil time with G'ma and G'pa Hinkle.
JR started preschool and loves it most of the time. He is like his dad however, and does better once he is there. He doesn't like getting ready for it.
Lex is starting to talk and hit her bum when she goes potty. She is saying new words ever day! She says Jordan and mommy the most but she loves to see daddy. She hums herself to sleep. She thinks she is a big girl and climbs up on the stools and then falls and just wants her momma. She is fun loving and finally turning into a cuddle bug.

The following pics are just some things i finally got around to uploading...




Lex the witch!


Jordan's 1st day of preschool - it didn't take him long to crash.



I went to go pick him up and he was so excited he couldn't stop talking after preschool.



Jordan volunteered at our ward magic night - he loved it. and all of a sudden everything is M*A*G*I*C.


G'pa & G'ma Hinkle took Jordan fishing at a trout farm. They caught our dinner and he loved it. This is all ready to be cooked.



love letters from my husband.



I love getting in the shower with this to look at it.



Lexi trying to curl up in her carseat after she crashed. Silly girl.