A Few Things You Might Not Know...

Did you know that...

Christian is my technical support guy for the blog, like the new music... that was all Christian. For a long time I didn't even know how to add a new post so he set up a link from an email for me. All I had to do was click. Thanks for keeping things running, C!

I hate following recipe directions. Well really I hate and hardly ever measure ingredients. I guess that is why I am horrible at baking, just ask any neighbor or better yet ask Christian who is exactly opposite and it drives him nuts.

I love to watch the Bachelor, yep I don't miss an episode. I don't know why I am obsessed with those shows, I think all the drama is dumb, but I still watch it every week. I am voting for Teanley this time.

I am horrible at taking tests! When I was going through the PTA (physical therapy program) I had a teacher who knew I didn't test well so some times she would do an oral test just for me. Then on one of her tests I was the only one in the whole program who got an answer correct so she brought me a license plate cover and announced it in front of the entire class. So I am way stressed because I have to take a PTA test to become licensed (they just changed the laws in UT requiring everyone to be licensed) so wish me luck as I relearn everything. I get nervous just thinking about it!

When I was 24 I had my tonsils taken out because they found holes in my tonsils, I can't believe I was 24 when they finally figured that out! I for sure recommend getting them out earlier.

Just had to get a few things out in the open :)

Here You Go Christian...

My top 5 reasons for not updating the blog:

• CHRISTMAS!
• Spending time with family: We are so glad some of our favorite people were able to come for Christmas!
• Spending a week recuperating in the Valley of Sun.
• Coming home to a lot of primary stuff to do!!
• and lastly painting an entire apartment!

We loved having Kate here for her first Christmas! We hope you all had a wonderful one as well!

This Christmas was so much fun for Benton, making it all that more fun for us! On Christmas Eve we were driving home from Grandpa's and Benton kept looking out the window looking for Santa flying in the sky. We can't wait for next year.



The day after Christmas we spent the day at my brother's house having fun in the snow. We loved watching our Texas cousins play in it for the first time. Preston came outside tasted the snow and said: "it tastes like water!" For those that didn't know I served my mission in Arizona so I have a sweet spot for all the cactus and pure desert. I would move to AZ in a moment if Christian would just say "yes". I got out of the car and saw these two playing, just look at christian on that motorcycle.
This little miss loved being out in the sun too. So nice to not need a coat, hat and gloves when you are outside!



These two had a great week together and who doesn't want to swim on New Year's Eve?

Don't mind those way white legs, but did think it was fun dipping those little toes in the water.
We went to this cute train park and when we pulled up my dad reminded me he took us all there when I was about 7. We wish there was a train park near us.
There is a little western town just outside Scottsdale and we found this store "Suzanne's Hot Stuff." They have the hottest spices and dips around.

All in all it has been a great month!

Kate's First Laugh

What do I do this boy?

Today he was told he couldn't come out of the bathroom until he picked up all of the bath toys he dumped everywhere. I gave him a minute or two to work on it and came back in to check on the progress. Instead of cleaning the toys he emptied my cupboard and drank some Ora Gel. He tried to wipe it off his tongue as he realized it was numbing his whole mouth. I called poison control and he should be fine. I guess I need to hide the numbing products better!

Go Cougars!

*This post has been hacked by me (Christian). Hopefully, Suzanne won't notice until after the game. Originally, Suzanne had a big BYU picture at the top, but I couldn't let that happen :)*

We are a house divided 2:1.
Christian Utes
Suzanne Cougars
Benton Cougars
Kate TBD

We took Benton to a BYU game a couple of months ago and now the boy is a cougar fan through and through . Christian even has tried numerous times to persuade him to be Ute, but it always ends up with Benton crying saying "no utes daddy, GO COUGARS!!"

We are excited for the game tomorrow, GO Cougars!

Grateful For...

I am...

• Grateful for a husband that can save me from going crazy (especially when I have a child thriving in the terrible twos)
• Grateful for quiet moments feeding Kate
  
• Grateful for Kate's new ability to smile and brighten our day
  
• Grateful that I live 10 mins from a temple and can slip away for an hour and find peace
• Grateful there is an end to raking leaves
• Grateful to have good friends, neighbors, and family in my life
  
• Grateful for easy to make pumpkin chocolate chip cookies that always seem to work out even when directions aren't followed perfectly
• Grateful New Moon is out and we have a baby sitter lined up
• Grateful Benton can sleep through Kate when she cries at night
• Grateful that Benton LOVES his sister and doesn't want to send her back, just yet anyway
• Grateful to not be pregnant and back to being active again
• Grateful to be in the primary and to hear the sweet primary songs
• Grateful Christian won't be in school forever...just a few more years, hope we all survive :) And
  
• Grateful to be a family of 4
  

Hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving week, I know we will!

I Love Days Like This

What can be better than a beautiful fall day, Christian done early with homework, and 2 happy children? We took advantage of sunlight and took a quick hike up to Ensign Peak. What made it even better was meeting a senior missionary couple out enjoying the hike as well. They have been married for 60 years and are turning 80 this year. I hope I have as much energy as they do when I am that age.