Happy Halloween

Stewart has been on a Toy Story kick lately, always wanting to watch "Buzz"! We would have made him be Buzz for Halloween, but he even calls Woody "Buzz" so he didn't really know the difference. Lily was excited to be Jessie because they both had red hair, makes it easy on momma. No elaborate wigs this year as opposed to last year. And we all know Paul likes an easy costume so evil Sid it was for him. I, of coarse, am at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to costume creativity and the time that goes into it. This year I didn't want to walk around in something that was thrown together in 10 minutes (again, see last year) so I opted out of dressing up this year. Or, I tried to pass as Andy's mom, either one. 

The kids are reaching a fun and magical age where they understand the excitement of holidays and are so thrilled for the little things and traditions that come with them. I am already crazy excited for Christmas this year.

But back to Halloween, we went over to the Brown's for the second annual pre-trick-or-treating pizza get-together. Then the kids ran from door to door, especially Lily, no one could keep up with that little girl.

Stewart wasn't quite as thrilled as Lily so I took him home to help me pass out candy and put him to bed after a long, exhausting day for him. Lily, on the other hand, kept Paul out till dark. When she came home we cozied up to finish Hocus Pocus, dumped out the candy and admired her hard-earned candy loot.

Dear Daddy - We Carved a Pumpkin!

"I miss you! I love you! I carved pumpkins today. I play with Gunner today at the spooky adventure. I drew a picture and then I did another one by myself and then it was really fun to carve it and draw it. Stewart's been naughty today? I been good today. Um, I miss you really really really much! Um, one more thing..do you miss mommy? I love wearing my costume and I love when you wear your costume and Stewart. Hope we have fun at trick-or-treating!" -- Lily

Stewart is TWO!! - And Memorial Day

My little baby boy is no longer a baby, he is a little boy! Although I don't think he quite understood what was happening, he was so happy the whole day. I mean - who wouldn't be when you get new toys and play at the park, and are surrounded by cousins all day. May 27th turned out to fall on Memorial Day this year which was so fun to have Paul home all day and be able to celebrate with the family traditions we do every year. Stewart opened his gift in the morning which was a little lawn mower. He is always so fascinated when he sees people mowing the lawn and he always follows Paul or I around the yard when we are using ours. But now he thinks it is pretty awesome that we has one of his very own. 

Then we were off to Logan to the Stewart family reunion at the park. Despite the warmer temperatures and the brightly shining sun, it never fails to be windy and chilly in that covered tunnel. Every year I wish I would have thought of jackets. Next year they will be packed for sure, even if it says it will be 80 degrees!

I am so excited that Stewart and Paul have each other as little buddies. They were out in the field or on the basketball court playing for hours. Paul is such a patient, sweet daddy and I couldn't ask for anyone better than him to help me teach, raise, and have fun with our kids. Stewart's already getting the frisbee throwing down. Can't imagine how good he will be in just a few years. 

Then we headed to Centerville for some Heslop family time and a bbq. Lily was in heaven playing "Life" with the big kids. She was even doing quite well :)

Last but not least for the day, was the cake! Stewart was SOO incredibly proud of himself that he blew the candle out all by himself. Probably safe to say it was the highlight of his day. I had grand plans to make a cute basketball cake, but a few disasters later and a long busy day, he ended up with a lopsided-circular blob. I kinda felt like a terrible mother because of the crazy pressures and expectations we mothers give ourselves, especially on our childrens' birthdays. But I decided to move past it because for one, Stewart could care less at this point and two, there is always next year!

Easter Weekend

Our Easter weekend was perfect this year. We were busy with extended family, neighborhood, and our own little family celebrations, but it was just the right about of busy. We started off Saturday morning with a neighborhood Easter egg hunt in the park. Lily was a bit timid and not very aggressive, just like her little personality, but to my surprise, so was Stew! Maybe he just needs another year to really understand the concept, but it was fine by me because the less candy we come home with, the better. 

Stewart happened to find a treasure of an egg (I think I have been watching too much Jake and the Neverland Pirates, because in my head I can hear Captain Hook saying "treasure of an egg"). A BASKETBALL Easter egg...he was in heaven. Once he found that precious egg, he could care less about all the others laying in the grass up for grabs. He just threw his special egg around making shots.

Then in the afternoon we made our way up to Hooper for a little hot-dog roasting pot luck and egg hunt. By this hunt, the kids were a little more enthusiastic and ran all over that yard.

Sunday morning the Easter Bunny came later on in the morning. Paul had fallen asleep on the couch downstairs (staying up way too late because of some exciting/intense business meeting coming up the next day). But, the Easter Bunny made his way back to our house while the kids were locked in our room watching a show :) They loved seeing the eggs in the their rooms, they were jumping up and down! The Easter Bunny also brought them cutie little Sunday clothes, painting books, and of course, balls!

Then Paul got to go on his annual savanger Easter hunt. Either he is getting smarter, or my poems are getting better because he knocked it out much faster this year.

Then, we got to top it all off by going to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building for church! Danny and Holland blessed their little Desmond. I haven't been in the building for a while but it brought back amazing memories of taking pictures with my brand new husband on our wedding day. I am so grateful for the Savior and his Resurrection and Atonment. How blessed I am to be able to live in Heaven someday, despite all of these flaws I currently have. So grateful for my incredible family, and to have the true gospel in my life. 

Be My Valentine

Lily was IN LOVE with Valentine's this year with all the hearts and pink and sweets; she was in heaven. We started the day with a yummy waffle breakfast complete with strawberries and syrup. Later we exchanged some little gifts, I made Lily a heart pillow out of some scrap fabric from her baby blanket and Paul got the kids some little treats. I love having a day that we can celebrate our feelings for those that we love. And I LOVE my little family!

I would like to say that Stew is wrapped in a pink and red towel due to the festivities of Valentine's Day, but, he is usually wrapped in girly towels (some day I will get him his very own boy towel).

Lily read "Lilly's Chocolate Heart" book to Paul. She has been practicing the past couple of days and just about has the entire thing memorized. She is very proud of herself, and so am I!

Christmas 2012

The long awaited Christmas morning was finally here! Each year I get older, I do a smidgen better at getting a good nights sleep. Although Christmas morning isn't quite as magical as it was when I was a child, there is something ingrained in my head that makes it impossible to not wake up at least 5 times Christmas Eve night. But, I am progressing each year!

I was so excited to get the kids up and out of bed to see what amazing things Santa had blessed us with. However, it didn't go quite as planned.

They were both whining and uncooperative at the top of the stairs, neither of them wanted to go down! I was so bummed, I almost wanted to bah-humbug it and go back to bed. But I knew once they saw their stockings and presents the tears would have to go away.

We had a great Christmas, Santa was so good to Stew and Lily and knew just what to get :) Stew got his very own ukulele, Jake and the Neverland Pirate toys, and some yummy treats. Lily got a Belle doll, lots of Disney princess toys, magnets, and a scooter.

We gave Grandma & Grandpa Stewart and Grandma & Grandpa Heslop personalized videos of the kids sending a Christmas message and just being kids at the park. It was so fun to see how much they appreciated the love and time that went into their gift.

Children make Christmas so magical and I am so bless to have the most beautiful kids to spend every single day with, especially Christmas Day!