Family Pictures ... well kind of

We decided that we wanted to take some family pictures in the snow. This is how they turned out.

It might have helped if Austin wasn't sick and the wind wasn't blowing such a bitter cold breeze. Oh well, we'll try again later.

Christmas Fun

We had a great Christmas this year. We did so many things before Christmas that we were really in the Christmas mood when it finally did come.

We had a surprise visit from Santa during a Christmas party at Grandma and Grandpa Scooter's house.

Wyatt was even brave enough to sit on his lap. Although, he wasn't quite sure what to think of him.

Hayden sat on Santa's lap for the 1st time in 5 years.

As for Austin - he would have nothing to do with Santa this year.

Before the party we all went for a ride on a wagon pulled by this big work horse named "Dolly".

We were even able to make it to Temple Square.

It is too bad that Christmas comes and goes so fast. We love this time of year and the opportunity we have to spend it with our family.

Accomplishments

We have accomplished 2 big things so far this month. The first is Austin is now a "big boy" and not a "little boy" anymore. He was potty-trained in about 2 days. I gave him a little "incentive" as my friend calls them. Santa is going to bring him his own special "big boy" present. It worked what can I say. Now I wonder what kind of "incentive" I can use to help him stop whining?
Accomplishment #2 is that Hayden is reading. He has read 5 whole books by himself in the last week. I love watching him do it. He gets so excited when he sounds out the word and then all of the sudden something clicks and he figures out what it says. His face lights up and it is amazing to see. He is growing up so fast and I'm already missing my little Haydo Potato.
Sorry, there are no big accomplishments for Wyatt this week. He still keeps me running and on my toes. At least he didn't try to throw any socks in the toilet this week. Instead, he's determined to knock every last pine needle off of our tree. I love you Wy-zie!

I love to see the Temple at Christmas time

We do have 2 other children. They just refused to cooperate taking any more pictures. These are the only ones we got on our camera. I need to get the others from my sister-in-law.

Oh Yummo!

Our little Wyatt is so independent.

He refuses to let us feed him, no matter how messy!

He will find some way to get every last drop!

Even if it means drinking it!

The rest of the story...

So, if any of you have me on your facebook, you already heard part of this story. It started last night whenColby and the boys got the Christmas tree ready to bring into the house. I was shopping at Michael's (by myself) and loving every minute of it. When I got home, Hayden reported that they had found 2 dead mice in the garage. I began to question Colby about it. He then went on to tell me that they had actually found 3. I was so grateful that they were caught in our garage and not in our house. Well, later that night I reported that we had had problems with mice in our garage, but not in our house. I knew right then that I had just stuck my foot in my mouth. I always curse myself. So, this morning when I went downstairs to fix breakfast for Colby and I, I made sure to turn on the lights before I stepped on the floor. (I just had this feeling) Anyway, I saw nothing. As I was cooking at the stove I kept hearing this scratching noise behind it. I kept telling myself that it was just Colby upstairs that I could hear. Colby left for work and I thought nothing of it again. 2 hours later while I was getting ready to start doing the dishes while the boys ate their breakfast, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a furry thing run out from under the door of the pantry. I looked again and there it was - a mouse. I started screaming and jumped up on the cupboard and pulled my legs up under me. It ran into the living room and I thought - "what do I do"?!? I grabbed the phone and called Colby (it just happened to be within arms reach). I knew he would save me. As I was talking on the phone, it ran back into the pantry. I was screaming on the phone, and Colby was laughing at me and telling me to give the boys some hammers and let them get rid of it. I told him that he had to come and take care of it or I would be there in the same spot when he came home for lunch. The whole time the mouse is running around the kitchen because I keep screaming. Finally it ran behind the stove and did not come out. Colby made it home in record time (about 12 minutes). Although he has yet to catch our furry friend, he saved my day. We found a small space behind our stove that goes out into the garage. Colby set 3 different traps and put a dryer sheet up against the crack. We have not seen the mouse since. He had better stay out if he knows what is best for him. I am so grateful for my Knight-in-shining-armor. He knows his wife too well to not come to her rescue when she is a damsel in distress.

A great gift

I just watched a you tube video on one of my friends blogs. (Sorry I don't know how to put it on my own blog). It reminded me of one of the greatest gifts that my Heavenly Father has given me -the gift to create. Without this wonderful gift, I would not have my 3 little boys to fill my day with laughter, frustration, tears, joy, happiness, sympathy, love, and humilty. I am so thankful that my Heavenly Father has trusted me enough to allow me to have these 3 beautiful gifts.