Bein' Crafty

Logan modeling his beanie
Ethan (on his new bike from Santa aka The Lystrups) and Daddy
Hats I made for Joe's brother Aaron's kids
.... and some for his brother Dan's kids.....
Superhero capes for my Super Heros

I decided to go "homemade" on some of the gifts I gave this year. I've found that a little less money and a LOT more time can go a long way. I really got on this hat-making binge, making 12 hats in a few days time. I think they are so cute and fun to make and SO inexpensive! I made the boys some superhero capes, too. I figure they already fly around the house like crazies, so why not look the part??

Santa Baby

Logan didn't love the Santa at our ward Christmas party. To say the least. Good thing his big brother was sitting next to him to help him out. Can't you see the look of deep and sincere concern on his face, as he greedily digs for candy?

It was the Best of Times....

This is my family. We took these pictures the day after Thanksgiving. We had a lot to be thankful for. We still do.

A few days later, my parents' home-- the home I grew up in-- caught on fire, starting in Tommy's trailer. A fireman told me it's a miracle Tommy made it out alive, let alone with only some smoke inhalation.

It's been pretty devastating, to say the least, and I'm not even LIVING there anymore. I can't imagine what my family's been going through. They're finally moving into a rental home, out of a motel, until they figure out where to go from here.

But, this is not what I really wanted to write about. What I really wanted to write about was how thankful I feel. I'm so thankful for the generosity and concern others have shown to me and my family. The day this happened, a young mother from my parents' ward drove up, picked up all four kids (Amory, Haylee, Ethan, and Logan), took them to her home, fed them lunch, and watched them the rest of the day. This young mother has 3 kids of her own, and yet she thought nothing of adding four more.

Many others have written to me on facebook or my blog or called me on the phone, just to see how everyone is doing and if they can help, no matter how far away they are. My sweet aunt in Utah has sent care packages and purchased new towel sets, all sent to my family to help them. Everything helps to lift their spirits. Others have sent money and gift cards. Many others have brought dinners.

So, what I'm trying to say, is that even through this frustrating and sad time, I have found happiness. I feel more at peace as I view the ever-present showing of humanity around me. It's not always something we have a chance to really see until we need to. Our Heavenly Father does watch over us. It's a comforting fact, and one I am ever grateful for.

Never too late

My parents' ward Trunk-or-Treat

My kids do NOT pose well together. This is the best I've got.

(Could they look any more bored??)

I decided to finally post some Halloween pictures, just in case anyone actually reads my blog anymore and cares if I do:)

I had so many funny shots of Logan, but I'm only posting a few. They were both ninjas, and of course, they were the cutest ones around. The kiddos got SO much candy from two Trunk-or-Treats this year (plus a walk around the block on Halloween), I think it'll last a few years. Yes, I'm usually the bad mom who forgets to give her kids candy. How dare I?

Prayin' Baby

Logan loves to pray. What can I say? He's a spiritual guy!

Sweet Three

Super Why cake (I know, it looks a bit interesting:) Super Why is his favorite show!

I truly can't believe I'm a mother to a three-year-old. I don't know where the time has gone. Yesterday, I found some family pictures of us when he was just 9-months old-- a sweet, chunky (and I mean CHUNKY!) little guy. How things change! I love him more and more each day. He's such a smartie-pants and a good helper, too. He actually helps with the laundry-- sometimes all on his own! I found him, once, getting the clothes out of the dryer and putting them in the laundry basket, without me even asking. He even brought the basket inside for me! He loves learning, and he recently finished learning all of his single-letter phonics (a few weeks ago). He'll go around the house sometimes, saying letters and their sounds for the fun of it. He's even figuring out, on his own, what letters begin with certain words, just by sounding them out! He is getting older and losing his baby-like qualities, which makes me both happy and sad. Sometimes I want to bottle up my kids and keep them how they are, but then I see how fun it is to watch them progress, and I change my mind. I'm so happy he's a part of my life. I can't wait for what he becomes, and I love helping him to get there.

Our trip and randomness

The "boys" idea of a Daddy Day Care while we cleaned out Joe's dad's house in St. Anthony... church pews, door with a mirror on the back, cupboards... Perfect.
Pocatello Cousins: Chiara & Sean
Had to visit Kristy & Baby Taylynn!
Two Peas in a Pod. They will marry someday.
Had to have to moments to make Mommy nervous, too.
At the park by Great-Aunt Sheryl's house in Sprinville
Hogle Zoo fun
Proof.
Ethan LOVED jumping on the tramp with all his cousins
The Sanders cousins had CHICKENS in their backyard in Riverton, and a huge garden, too. Who knew gardens actually worked?
Backyard pool fun.
Eye see you...
Logan did NOT love the sound of the poppers on the 4th of July
No, it's NOT a binky (it's a Ring Pop:) This is what Ethan wore while we did fireworks on the 4th of July... in Glendale.... in 100+ degree weather. Perfect weather for thick, footed jammies, if you ask him.
Swimming lessons!
Discovery Gateway Museum in Salt Lake
At a park in Kanab for my family reunion.
Little Woodchuck?
He LOVES his new swing from his birthday!
Logan got a cranial band to help straighten out his skull. Surprisingly, ever since he started wearing it at night, he now sleeps through the night.... So odd, but NICE!

Number Two is Number One

Logan Bear is one. I have a one-year-old and a two-year-old. I never thought I would say that, but it's true. We had a fun birthday bash for my little one. I took him in for his one-year-old check-up, and he's so TINY! (Well, tiny compared to Ethan.) He's 23 lbs 8 oz (60th %) and 32 1/4 in (97th %). I'm used to chuggers Ethan, who weighed a whole pound more than this at NINE months. It's nice for my arms to have a break, I must say. He's such a fun boy. He's a walkin' boy now, too, since just over 11 months--though he refuses to wear shoes. He won't even TRY walking in them. He loves being outside, even if it's 118 degrees. Dirt and rocks are a few of his favorites. He hates most food, except crackers, yogurt, and sweets (which he now loves, since his party:). He's had a temper since 4-months old, but he'll love me and cuddle like the snuggly bear he is. He has a smile that kills. He craves being the center of attention, and he usually is. I'm so thankful for my sweet, Baby Logan.

Some Like It Hot

There are advantages to living in an extremely sunny state. One of them: being able to go swimming much earlier than those in other states. We got a great deal on this pool at Walmart-- 15 bucks-- and it's 15 bucks well-spent. Joe takes the boys out swimming sometimes twice a day, and we had fun playing in the pool tonight while Joe barbecued (another fun past-time when the weather's nice). I do love Arizona. I do love that we live here, once again. Joe just got hired on to SRP's help desk, and he'll be earning a nice salary. We've been waiting almost a year for this break! It has come, and I'm glad it's here. I do hope we stay a long, long time....