Pumpkin Party

In the true spirit of fall festivities, we spent our last Family Home Evening carving pumpkins! We took the kids to the store to pick out the perfect pumpkins and I made the mistake beforehand of telling Gibson he could have whichever one he wanted. Well, as soon as we got there his heart was set on one that must have weighed, oh - 80 pounds. Forget it! Who wants (to pay for) a pumpkin that big?! It took some doing, but we finally swayed his affection to a much more manageable one although it was still a little heavy for him to carry! So we bought the pumpkins, along with an electric carving knife that Lu couldn't live without (after all, it IS a power tool!) and headed home for the carving party. Fast forward through a couple of tantrums, an entire newspaper being strewn throughout the house, and Lu spending an hour on the phone -and finally we begin! Gibson would NOT touch the guts of the pumpkin. I tried, I really did. But his obsession with keeping his hands clean is just too much so he just watched. Georgia was way past her bedtime, but she was a good sport. All in all, it was a great FHE - and the electric carving tool WAS pretty awesome. Touche, Lu.

I Believe In Christ

My mom read an article a few days ago about an artist named Mark Mabry who has created an exhibit of photographs portraying the life of Christ. On the website, there is a slideshow that has been put to music. My sister showed me this slideshow today, and I have watched it several times this evening. I have felt the Spirit so strongly while watching it, and my testimony has once again been renewed of the purpose and sacrifice of my Savior for me. I know that He lives, and I feel His influence in my life every day. I encourage you to view this slideshow and pass it along. Just click on the link below...

http://mabrystudios.typepad.com/reflections_of_christ/

Big Mommy

Actual conversation between Gibson and I on the way to tuck him into bed:

Me: I love you so much.
Gibson: I love YOU so much.

Me: I'm so proud of you.
Gibson: I'm so proud of YOU.

Me: You're such a big boy!
Gibson: You're such a big mommy!

Both: Hysterical (but hushed) laughter. Man, it was cute!

Georgia's 1st Birthday

My, my, my. Our baby girl is no longer a baby! On Saturday, October 11th, we celebrated her first birthday! Just like with Gibson, I spent several minutes being very emotional. Here are the emotions I was feeling:

1. Sadness. She was just barely born, and here she is walking and getting into things and doing big-girl stuff! Where did the time go? I want my baby back, baby back, baby back....

2. Incredulity. What???!! Baby back??! What-ev. Babies are just way too much work. Thank goodness she is out of the needy baby stage. No more sleepless nights. She can stand up while I put her pants on, which is so much easier. No more formula. A front-facing car seat. Table food. This is the life!

3. Sadness again. My baby! She doesn't need me anymore! Today she can walk towards me, but tomorrow she'll be running away!

4. Reality check. She won't be running away from me. I mean come on, she still poops her pants! If she runs too far or too fast, she'll get a rash!

5. Admiration. Dude. She's gorgeous and funny and sweet and girly-but-not-too-girly. She is clever and smart - just enough like me to make me smile, and just enough like her daddy to make me laugh out loud. A true marvel of genetics.

6. Gratitude. What a choice blessing to have this precious little daughter in our family. She is one of Heavenly Father's daughters whom he has entrusted in our care. I will try and savor every moment with her and enjoy watching her learn and grow! Oh, how I adore my beautiful baby girl!

New York, Baby!

I just got back (okay, it's been a few weeks, but I've been busy!) from a fabulous week-long trip to NYC. I went with my sister and her husband, and my parents. We had a great time and saw just about everything there is to see! The food was amazing, the city was right out of a movie, and all in all it's a glittering and colorful and out-of-this-world place to be. I got to go to lunch with my dear friend Anica Maggard, who I haven't seen since I got married! She is living in Connecticut and working as an aesthetician/makeup artist. It was the highlight of my trip to see her and visit for a couple of hours. **Anica, you're fabulous! You are a friend for a lifetime and I am so grateful for you and the influence you have had in my life! I hope ALL of the drag queens in Manhatten hire you to transform them! You rock, sista!** Lu got to stay home and be with the kids for the entire week, which he said was really hard but really fun. Welcome to motherhood! He sent me pictures and videos every day, which was fun but made me homesick. Luckily, we all survived the week! The kids were both excited to see me and wouldn't leave my side for days. Okay, that's not entirely true. Gibson was happy I was home and he wouldn't leave my side; Georgia couldn't figure out who I was for a couple of days which only hurt my feelings a little bit. Anyhoo, here are a few pictures from the trip!

Here I am, a little swollen but whatever, on one of the bus tours we went on! We went on a few tours, and had a few hilarious guides. What a great way to see the city!
This is the site of Ground Zero, where they are busy working on construction for the new WTC. It's bustling with activity, but there is still a very reverent feeling here.

The Statue of Liberty!!! I have to admit, I got teary when I was here. I was in complete awe of her and felt so grateful for all of the freedoms and liberties that she represents. We are so blessed to live in this chosen land, and I hope I never take it for granted.

The view from Rockefeller Center of Central Park. Wow!

The Naked Cowboy! I wanted to get a picture, but right as it clicked the car drove by. We had a good laugh when we saw the picture - what timing!

Gibson's Self Portrait

Gibson came into my office the other night before bedtime and gave me this drawing he had done. I asked him who it was, because it's obviously (?) a face. He said, "It's me silly!" I was very impressed that he drew such a detailed picture! What a prodigy! Haha!

Gibson's First Day of Preschool!

It's a fact. Gibson is officially a "real boy." On Tuesday he got to go to Preschool for the first time! He opted for a Spiderman backpack rather than Transformers, and wore it for 2 days straight before he actually needed to. His class is at the American Fork Rec center (it's so close I can see it from the backyard). He is actually in the 4 year old class, but so far he's fitting in great! He loves stuffing his backpack with the "projrects" he makes and singing the fun songs he's learning. I'm just amazed that he's so big. Only 2 years to kindergarten!