It's a Wonderful Life

We went to Laughlin Park in Stockton this week and came upon this.  It reminded me of the pit in Parks and Recreation (that show is totally underrated by the way).  Except instead of trying to fill in a pit with a park, Stockton has turned a park into a pit!  I'm hoping they are planning on installing new playgrounds.  If not, I'm calling Ms. Knope.

Well, Halloween is over!  I really like Halloween, but I'm almost happier when it is over, because that just means more fun holidays coming up! Erik left on Monday for a work related trip in San Diego (he went straight from there to his hunting trip in Colardo).  Before he left, I made him dispose of our Jack O Lantern.  I had no idea that these guys couldn't hold up a week in the Visalia warmth.  We left ours out in Idaho for like a month, so this came as a little suprise for me.  I was so grossed out/fasincated that I had to take a picture. On Wednesday night, I decided to drive up to Stockton with the boys and Maverick.  Our 2 1/2 hour drive turned into 4 hours with all of the stops we had to make.  But we finally made it.  Friday night was my parents' ward trunk or treat.  Can you tell what I am dressed as??  My Mom snipped of a branch from the lemon tree and I came as a "pumpkin"  I figured green on top, orange shirt-- goo...

Wyatt's actual birthday was on the 2 oth . We didn't do much other than cupcakes after dinner since we already had his party. Wyatt has so blessed this family for the past year. He has a sweet and very fun loving personality. He loves to dance and listen to music. He loves playing with his brother. Any toy that Jackson has is the one Wyatt likes best! :) On days that Jackson has preschool, I can see how excited Wyatt gets when he finally has his brother back. He's still not the best sleeper around, though he has improved. Right now, he goes to sleep at 7:30 on the dot (I'm very grateful for this!). He wakes up usually twice a night to nurse, and then is up at 6:45 or so. He takes just one nap, usually for about an hour (this is what I would like to change). He doesn't like to eat regular food too much. He does like bananas, raisins, some cereal, and sometimes yogurt. Frankly, he's more interested in moving around, which he does A LOT! It's like he's trai...

Since Erik is leaving this coming Monday for TWO WEEKS we decided to do our pumpkin carving for Family Home Evening this past Monday . I love being a Mom at Halloween time, because its pretty much strictly a kid's holiday. All of the traditions are so great, and Jackson is really into Halloween this year. Showing off our gooey hands. Can you tell Jackson likes to be clean? He kept saying, "Can I wash my hands now?" He did like handling the carving knife though-- scary!! The finished products. No, I am not a professional pumpking artist. Last year, newborn Wyatt fit right into our pumpkin . . . . . . this year not so much. In fact, he hated even having his foot in there!! On a side note, I've discovered how tasty pumpkins are to eat. Rachel Ray was on the TV the other day, and she showed how to prepare sugar pumpkins in the oven and it looked so good. I went out and got a couple -- yum!! Hopefully I won't turn orange anytime soon.

This week I've taken a cue from the weather, and have had a case of schizophrenia. One day we are all happy, I feel in control, and like a good mom. The next day, just getting us all ready in the morning completely wipes me out, and I wonder if my kids are doomed for life :) I know a lot of my attitude corresponds directly with my sleep and that was been sorely missed this week. A bad cold has slowly creeped up on Wyatt which never makes life easy! On the weather front, we've had cool, rainy, breezy, hot, steamy, and foggy. Now for some consistency please??? On the rainy day, it was fun to go out and splash around with Jackson. There's nothing like puddles to make me feel like a little kid myself. On Thursday, we took a trip with Jackson's preschool group to the pumpkin patch. Even though it was very steamy and hot that day, it was great to be there. I never went to one in Idaho, so this was my first pumpkin patch since I was in CA myself! Wyatt was pretty peeved I ...

Can you believe it? It's already time for Wyatt's 1st birthday!! We had a lot of fun celebrating it yesterday. It was wonderful being able to focus on and love my little baby :) I made this "shrine" for Jackson's 1st birthday too. I just think its so amazing how much changes the first year of life. I'm sure I'm going to want to keep this on my wall way too long, and Erik will finally have to rip it down, but I just love walking by and admiring him! I guess Wyatt heard we were celebrating his birthday early, because he learned how to walk right in time. He's been walking on his own for about three weeks now, but in the past week and a half or so, he's gotten much more skilled. Go Wyatt! We loved having family at his party. Erik's sisters were always really nice to come up to Idaho for Jackson's parties, and Kaitlin and Kelsey were there for this one too, which was so great. This was also the first time our parents were with us for one. Erik...

Every six months I look forward to General Conference so much. I always end up enjoying it too, but I must say it never quite meets my expectations (this is all my fault by the way!). It seems like I'm just trying to keep the kids quiet enough for me to listen or arguing with Erik over whose turn it is to change a diaper, that it never actualizes like it did in my head (OK it's not always this bad). Anyway, this time around I decided to way lower my expectations and be in charge of the kids for both morning sessions and Erik be in charge for the afternoon sessions. That way we could at least focus on half of it. It turned out so great. The talks and music were uplifting and rejuvenating . I'm looking forward to bit by bit watching the morning sessions now. This made me realize that if I lowered my unrealistic expectations on other things I would probably enjoy life more! :) Between sessions on Saturday and Sunday, we had lunch at the park. I am so loving this beautiful wea...