First Snow

 The first big snow came! It was several inches, probably 6 all together, and was amazing. There is something about the first big snow that gets me so excited. We pulled all our snow clothes out and went outside to test out the sled and shovel the driveway. 

 Lyla is king of the rock

It is always a new experience each year for the kids as it seems they forget all about the snow in between. Lyla loved being out there and was having a blast. Mac was still unsure why we were standing out in the cold in clothes that we can't move in but still was a good sport and indulged Lyla and I for a good half hour. 

Thanksgiving

 Josh's parents came to UT this year since all 3 of Josh's brothers are all already here. (Ty still on the mission) We had it at our house and was a lot of fun. We ate an enormous amount of snacks and munchies while we waited for the turkey. We also played Wii bowling and looked at the black Friday ads. 

Before dinner was even served Lyla conked out on the counter. She was pooped out and slept through dinner. 

 The turkey is done! Josh did a great job preparing the turkey and turned out delicious. 

Here we are all ready to eat. A friend from Russia, Ira, (bottom right) also joined us since she was visiting the USA and didn't have anywhere to go. It was a great day, relaxing and delicious. 

Josh, Ira and I went out that night to cash in on the black "friday" deals at Target. We got a few things for the kids for Christmas and introduced the madness and fun to Ira. 

16 Weeks Pregnant

I have made it to the 16th week, feeling better for the most part, but the midday sickness and exhaustion is not all the way gone yet. I have had the best pregnancy I've had yet. I have felt nauseous here and there throughout the day but mostly just super tired. I try and take a nap every day while Mac is sleeping and Lyla is having "quiet time". It has been a nice break though to not be super sick every day all day. I still get my weekly migraines and hoping they will go away in the next month or 2 like they did with the other 2 pregnancies. I thought it would be fun to see a collage of each baby at 16 weeks. I felt like I popped out really quickly and was much bigger than the 1st two but looking back I guess I'm not THAT much bigger after all. 

Swimmy

Our kids want a dog. I can't handle a dog and 2.5 almost 3 children, so we went with the next best thing, a fish. OK, so its not even close to a dog, but it just sounded fun. So we went to Petco and let Lyla pick out our fish. She chose this one and on the way home we asked what his name should be and she thought for a few seconds and came up with "Swimmy". I thought it was an adorable and creative name. He now lives on our kitchen counter and gets fed only once every 2-3 days which Lyla was completely disappointed about and thinks it should be 2-3 times an hour. It has been fun though and we are enjoying our small needless pet.

Meet Swimmy:

Halloween

We carved pumpkins a few days before. The kids had fun getting the guts out. Lyla did a great job helping me outline her pattern and did a little bit of cutting.

We went with Mary Nelson and her family again this year. We were the Mario clan, and thought it came together nicely. Lyla especially enjoyed Halloween this year and ran to each house giggling and laughing with Quinn. At each house she would turn around, hop off the porch and then shout "MOM! Look what I got!" and then run off to the next house. It was so much fun to watch her get excited. 

Mac on the other hand got super excited to get the candy and then sobbed between each house because it had to go in his bucket instead of directly into his mouth. He got about 10 pieces but after that I made him stop and after a few houses of not eating the candy right after he just threw himself on the ground crying. We just laughed, gave him a sucker and put him in the stroller. That was the end of his trick or treating experience for this year. We'll try again next year :) 

Mac's sad face. Its the most pathethic but adorable thing I've ever seen

 Mario was a good theme for us because Lyla got to still be a princess (Princess Peach) but also went along with the family theme 

Mac's overalls from the DI were a little short...at least the hat turned out cute! 

Our "spooky" front porch

New Baby Announcement

A few months ago we went out to dinner and I had gone to the restaurant beforehand to give them a special fortune cookie for Josh. We ate and I got up to make sure they were going to give it to him and when I got back they were already setting it on the table. Glad I didn't miss it! He opened it up, and read this fortune:

He just kind of stared at it and then said "wait a minute"... So I asked him "did you get a good fortune babe?!" and then he smiled and laughed and said "ha! I really thought that was my fortune and thought that it couldnt be true because May seemed too far away." But after I asked him about it he quickly realized it really WAS his fortune, and got all excited and gave me a hug and kiss. It was funny, we had a good laugh about his confusion. 

Fast forward about 2 months later (today) and we are sitting at the dinner table finishing up and I leaned back against my chair with a full belly. This is the conversation between me and Lyla that happened right after that: 

Mom, your belly looks big. 

You're right, it does. You know why? 

Stares at me. 

Because there is a baby in there! We are going to have another baby. 

We are!? 

Yep. 

So are we going to still keep Mac? 

BWHAHAHAH

Yes, we are still keeping Mac. 

She smiles, yeah, you're right, he's not a baby anymore. 

She must have been thinking we can only have one baby at a time but since Mac wasn't a baby anymore it was ok if we got another one. haha

She continued to lift up my shirt and check it out and think about the possibility of there being a baby inside. Then says: So if you stand up will the baby just come out? 

No...it wont come out for a long time. It has to get a little bigger. 

Hm, ok. 

That was about the end of the conversation. It was really cute and sweet and I'm excited to talk about it with her more as we find out if its a boy/girl and about being a big sister again. She seemed genuinely excited and loves babies so I think this is going to be fun for her.  

Yay for #3 coming in May :) 

Zoo

 Aunt Penny invited us to the zoo this past Thursday since the boys were out of school for fall break. It was perfect weather and all the animals were either eating or moving around. It was great. 

Mac checking out the monkey swinging around. Jace and Justin took care of the kids the entire time. They loved it, and I loved it even more! 

Eagle's nest!

One of the best parts of the day was the polar bear swimming around right up next to the glass over and over. He came up right next to the kids faces and it was really fun watching him play. 

By the end of the trip Mac was getting pooped out and laid down on Justin's shoulder. What a sweet little boy. He really doesn't know Justin that well even but had no problem with him carting him around and holding him. 

Lyla's Dance Recital

Last night was Lyla's second dance recital. (New teacher this time). My Mom came, Dad was in Scotland, but Cindy also came. See below video for the real deal. 

 This last picture is by far my favorite. It is hard to get Lyla's real smile instead of the "cheese" smile and I think this picture captures her more natural smile. She felt like a princess and you could see it on her face. 

Pumpkin Patch w/ Preschool

Once a month Lyla's preschool goes on a field trip. This month it was to the pumpkin patch. I like going to see her with her class and McKay always enjoys being with the kids and doing whatever fun activity they have planned. 

When we got there we hung out on the tractors. They had about 10 different ones to climb up on and play on. All the kids loved it. 

Then we went through a corn maze, and after got on the back of a hay ride to hear a story from Mrs. Laurie. She is such a great teacher and so sweet with the kids. 

 Lyla is the second one in from the teacher. She loves to hear books which is great since just a year ago she wouldn't sit to hear even half of a book and now requests daily for a mountain of books to be read to her and she will also 'read' them to herself. 

Picking out some pumpkins. Mac got tired of walking so we scooped him up into the wheelbarrow.

Lyla still loves it when she gets to go to school and is always excited to tell me about what they did. It is so fun to watch her grow and learn.