Setting up Christmas!

Yesterday and today our family decorated for Christmas. Yesterday I did the inside except for the tree, and when the boys came home from the hockey game Jon and Ethan decorated the tree. Ethan loved to put up the tree topper and hand Daddy the ornaments.

Today Jon put up the Christmas lights outside, the candy cane lights, the blow up snowmen, and the Ferris Wheel. Ethan enjoyed watching his Daddy on the roof and waiting for Daddy to inflate the snowmen. I know it seems a little early to decorate for Christmas, but since we have a fake tree (since Ethan's first winter) we can decorate as soon as possible. Since Ethan loves Christmas so much, why not celebrate it and enjoy the decor for a month or so!

28 weeks!

Yesterday I hit the 28 week mark. The time is going by very quickly. Reid is measuring a week ahead, but so far my due date has not changed. I still feel very good...just big. Jon began to take down some of Ethan's baby items to see if we just needed to wash it or trash it. So far everything looks pretty good. The bassinet is in beautiful shape, the swing, and car seat. The only thing that looks a little too loved is the bouncer so far, which is funny because out of all the other items it was the least used. Ethan seems to be getting excited to meet his little brother. He is talking about him more and more. I know that he is going to be a wonderful big brother. Well, only 12 more weeks to go!

Go Ducks!

Today Ethan & Jon were able to go to an afternoon Ducks' game. Thanks so much Amma & Poppa for the tickets. Ethan had a wonderful time. He liked how there were so many people wearing the same jersey as he was. He also enjoyed the hot dog, popcorn, and diet coke that Daddy bought him for lunch. He also was intrigued by the fact that there were two players wearing his favorite number 8! And one of the number 8's actually broke their stick. Jon said that Ethan enjoyed watching the entire game and never tired of it. I am glad the two of them were able to have a wonderful afternoon together!

Thanksgiving: Turkey Day!

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday. You get to spend a whole entire day with family and get to eat the most amazing food ever! Ethan loved the turkey. Mommy loved the mashed potatoes, gravy, and stuffing, and Daddy loved the sweet potato casserole. I am so lucky I have amazing Aunts and a Mother that know how to make the most delicious Thanksgiving meals. They really are a highlight of my taste buds' year! The morning began with the three of us making some cheesecake cupcake desserts to bring to my Aunt's house in Lakewood. Ethan liked to add the ingredients to the mixing bowl. His favorites were adding the egg and vanilla extract.

We had a wonderful time at my Aunt's house. It took Ethan awhile to warm up to everyone, but by the end of the evening he did not want to leave. It was a great Thanksgiving, or what Ethan called, Turkey Day!

Poppa showing how to make different letters with the noodle!

The wonderful cooks in the kitchen!

Ethan playing the piano with his face!Ethan watching a tractor video with Aunt Louise and Brandon!

Overcast Tuesday

What would a 3 year old like to do on an overcast Tuesday? Well if you are Ethan, it would be wait for the rain to come. After I got back from my glucose screening this morning, I asked Ethan what he would like to do today. Yesterday we went and saw Bolt, which he loved. So I thought, maybe paint at Paint a Memory, go to the bookstore, go to the park...but no. Daddy had told Ethan that it was going to rain today, so Ethan wanted to stay home and wait for the rain. He loves to stand outside with his ducky umbrella and feel the rain hit the umbrella. So that is what we have done today....wait. But what do you do while waiting?....We made a turkey hand print for Thanksgiving and blew bubbles for an hour. He is still waiting for the rain. Hopefully it will come before it gets dark. He soooo loves the rain!

Small World has Reopened!

Yesterday we took Ethan to Disneyland. Ethan was looking sooo forward to this trip because finally after 10 long months Small World was opened once again! Ethan loved it! The only difference that I saw was the new boats, the canal, and newly painted characters and set. But it didn't matter, Ethan was beaming from ear to ear. His favorite ride is back opened and he could not be happier!

We also had a few firsts yesterday as well. Ethan went on Storybook for the first time and the Columbia. He liked both of them. Especially when the cannon went off on the Columbia. He felt like he was on a real pirate ship!

Second Ultrasound

On Thursday, I had my second ultrasound appointment. Jon & Ethan met up with me. Ethan was very happy to see his little brother again. Although, he had to hold my hand and kiss me over and over again and tell me it was okay. It was sooo cute how he was trying to take care of me. We are now 100% sure Ethan will have a little brother...thank goodness! It would have been so difficult to tell him otherwise. Reid is measuring about a week ahead in all areas. My due date based on the ultrasound is February 13th, but I doubt my doctor will change my due date...we will see.

Ethan's 3 year old Pictures!

About a month ago, Jon & I ventured out to the portrait studio for Ethan's 3 year old pictures. I had many fears going to this photo appointment. Some were: Would he go into the room? Would he kick over the light like last time? Would he hide or cry? To my amazement Ethan did very well. He walked in very cautious, but when he was asked to pose he posed, and when he was asked to smile he smiled. I could not believe what a difference a year made. A year ago I promised never to take him to a portrait studio again and last month I took it all back. Jon & I are thrilled with how well his pictures turned out, and we had to share.

Our 12 Year Anniversary!

Twelve years ago today, Jon & I began our lives together! We were friends for many years and actually were in the same 5th and 6th grade class, but our relationship truly began November 21, 1996. I can't believe how fast those twelve years have gone, and I could not imagine life without him. Happy Anniversary Jonny. Love You!

Tree Lightning at Dos Lagos

On Saturday evening we took Ethan to the tree lightning ceremony at Dos Lagos. We listened to Christmas Carols sung by different choirs, saw Santa and Mrs. Claus, and got to see the huge Christmas tree in the middle of the plaza light up. Ethan loved the music and loved counting down for the lights to appear. This is the second annual tree lightning there and we have gone both years. Ethan just loves this tree the whole entire Christmas season and when it is gone he still talks about it. He is a kid that definitely loves Christmas time.

During the Christmas Caroling

The tree lit

Mommy & Ethan looking at the tree

Ethan & Daddy by the tree

Mommy & Ethan by the tree

Good-bye Old Friend

This is going to be extremely hard to put into words. This evening my parents had to make a hard decision to put a beloved friend and family member to rest. S (yes his name's S) has been a constant in my life. He has always been there since the day I was born. S was more than a horse. He honestly acted more like a big dog at times. You could ask him, are you hungry S, before dinnertime and he would neigh and nod his head up and down.Or in his younger years, he was known for licking you from time to time. S was a very mellow horse. I learned to ride him at a very young age, and my parents who are very protective, soon let me ride alone because he was so calm and gentle; however when you would ride him down to the riverbed he became free. He would run and run and run. He loved the riverbed and loved to run in the open space. Another thing S just loved was to eat the apples off the apple tree right next to his corral. There were many springs where we would go up to the tree and all the apples were gone. He honestly could not get enough off them.

S was more than a pet he was part of our family. For 29 years (my entire life), S has always been a part of my life. I knew that when I woke up each morning he would be up there in his corral (except for the one time I forgot to lock the gate and there was S at our back door). Even now not being at home, I always knew he was there. Ethan would go up every Thursday to help his Poppa feed and give S water. Ethan has learned that S is apart of the family and S has become a part of Ethan routine at my parents' house.

Good-bye S. You were a great part of my life and I'm glad that you a were a part of Ethan's life as well. You lived a long life, 39 years (almost to that Guiness Book of World Records). I will miss you very much. I have so many fond memories of you that I will treasure always. Good bye old friend. We will truly miss you!

Congratulations to a Wonderful Couple!

On Saturday, November 8th, my brother got married! Christine is a wonderful girl and makes my brother unbelievably happy. The happiest I have ever seen him. The wedding was beautiful and every detail was perfect and match their personalities to a tee. Who else could have their first dance be a Metallica song? It was sooo perfect for them. I know that they will have a wonderful marriage. They are perfect for each other and are so much like each other. Congratulations Scott and Christine I know that you will both be forever happy together. Love you both!


The kiss!


The family!


Christine & Scott with Mom & Dad



The Wedding Party!



During their first dance!


Cutting the cake... we all know how Scott just loves cake!


Mother & Son Dance


I know that Ethan is the spitting image of Jon, but I also think my genes skipped a generation. Isn't there such a resemblance?


Ethan with his Amma, Auntie Christine and Uncle Potty!


Ethan & Taylor dancing away!


Best Buddies!

After the Rain, came a Disney Evening!

After the rainy afternoon, we decided to head off to Disneyland. Ethan had a blast as usual. We went into Playhouse Disney for the first time. Ethan loved watching some of his favorite characters come alive right before his eyes. He was amazed. He refused to sing or dance however; he is such a shy boy. We had a yet another great time at Disneyland!

Ethan wearing his Disney pass...he is proud of all his pins he is collecting!

Mommy and Ethan on Winnie the Pooh!