Squirrel

B called me at work the other day in a panic because she was SURE she heard a squirrel trapped in our chimney and was terrified it would escape into the family room and go nuts (pun very intended). I told her there wasn't anything I could do at the moment, so she needed to take matters into her own hands. A few hours later, she emailed me this picture of her handiwork. Not sure this would have kept a rabid squirrel out, but B gets an A for effort.

Happy Birthday O!

Has it really been a year?! That went by way too fast. I can't believe my little O is one. Anyone who knows O knows he is the most laid-back, smiley, sweet, snuggly baby ever. Man, I just love this kid.

Happy Birthday Poppers!

Nap Time

There's not a lot of napping going on anymore :(

I think it's time to take the toys out.

An excerpt...

...from D's family letter this week:

"O is turning 1 next month, which means he's getting weaned. The only experience I've ever had with weaning is when Dad would wean the calves in Idaho and they and their moms would moo themselves hoarse. I'm expecting something similar with B and O."

I sure hope it doesn't go down that way, but it's a possiblity.

Pre-Christmas and Trip #2 to Utah

The kids and I were home for less than two weeks before we hopped on a plane and flew right back to Utah. This time we were accompanied by D and it was 100 times easier and more fun.

We managed to get a pretty decent picture of the kids wearing round one of their Christmas pajamas in front of the Christmas tree this year.

The next couple of pictures shouldn't surprise you, especially if you remember this. Dallan still thinks it's hilarious to make our kids pose with different things that make them scream their little faces off.

Save me Mama!

We didn't leave for Utah until Christmas Eve, so we had our own little Christmas here in Texas that morning so we wouldn't have to haul all of our big presents to Utah and back, what with luggage fees and all. Now what little girl wouldn't be out of their minds excited to come down stairs on Christmas morning and find this scene? I'll tell you which one - C. She was unimpressed. I think it just took a little while for her to get the hang of it.

After a while there were a lot of "Ooooos"

and "Aaaaaas"

Mr. Permasmile was pretty excited though.

He LOVED the wrapping paper.

We made it to Utah and spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with the D's fam. Santa left a Curious George doll in each of their stockings.

C had fun opening presents.

What you can't tell from the previous picture is that all she could see was a cardboard box, but man did she like it.

D up to his antics again.

On Christmas evening we braved the snow in Utah and drove up to Kamas to see my family at my sister's house. We had a nice relaxing evening with them.

A few nights later, we left the ninos with my parents and met up with a few of D's mission friends and their wives. We went to a really good Italian restaurant at the Gateway called Biaggi's. We had a good time and D really enjoyed catching up with everyone.

The night of December 30th proved to be a disgusting one. C threw up 7 times between 8 pm and 6 am (along with my mom, sister, and nieces). We set up beanbags covered with vinyl tablecloths on the tile floor for C and my niece the following day.

C fell asleep in no time since sleep the night before was hard to come by. Have you ever seen something so pathetic, yet precious?

We were welcomed home to Dallas just after the New Year with sunny skies and temps in the 70s. It definitely helped ease the pain of leaving our families.

Here's to a great 2009!

Trip #1 to Utah

I went to visit my sister and her kids for 9 days at the beginning of December to keep her company while her husband was out of town. It was a really fun trip even though flying alone with my kids was about the least fun thing I've ever done.

Here is our best attempt at a cousins picture for Grandma V.

Getting six little kids to smile and look at the camera at the same time is next to impossible.

At least the little ones were cooperative.

We also got to meet my brother's girlfriend for the first time when we invited them up to make sugar cookies. I was trying to be sneaky as I snapped this picture, hence the deer in the headlights look.

It was a really fun trip and I'm glad we went. O liked it too.

C has an important announcement to make...

Twice.