Happy New Year???

I have to say that I am usually more than ready to welcome a new year. Normally, I look forward to starting fresh and anticipating what a new year will bring. But this year, I am still exhausted just thinking about everything that has happened in 2010 and I am not ready to start over again. Not that next year will be as hectic as this year, chances are it will be less hectic, but it could also be worse! Only the future will tell. But I guess 2011 is going to come whether I welcome it or not. Here are some of the highlights from 2010:

**Warning - the rest of this post is very boring to read but I have to document it so I can remember:)**

~In January, we announced that we were pregnant, and most of the month revolved around that, a wonderful time. We also turned on our turbo boosters trying to finish the basement before our approaching deadlines...

~In February, we found out that we were having a GIRL!!! AND... Nate sprained his ankle severely (for the last time) while playing basketball, and that pretty much set the theme for the rest of the year...

~In March, Nate hit the big 3-0! Both boys started soccer. Nate was Spencer's coach (which automatically made me asst. coach), Preston turned 4! After reviewing the calendar, it appears Nate was out of town 3 of the 4 weeks in March and in his "spare time", he vigorously continued work on the basement while hobbling on one good foot.

~April revolved around doctor appointments for both Nate and I, soccer games, Nate was also put in the Elders Quorum presidency, he also did volunteer tax assistance every week Feb-April, and we topped off April with NATE'S SURGERY!!!!(work on the basement came to a screeching halt, fortunately we were done with the big stuff).

~May is a blur of Nate groaning, sleepless nights (due to the groaning and pain med. regiment), narcotic Rx runs (Never thought I would be I.D.'d so many times:), doctor appointments for both of us, soccer games, Spencer's preschool graduation, and yet another week in the hospital for Nate due to blood clots. Once Nate went back to work officially, I became the family taxi and had to drop him off and pick him up from work several times a week plus take him to the doctor and physical therapy (thank heavens soccer ended in May).

~June's theme was "DR. APPOINTMENTS". Besides Nate's weekly blood test appointment, he had check-ups with the surgeon, and physical therapy 2-3 times week (still no driving). I had 2-3 doctor appointments each week rotating between my OB, and non-stress tests with the perinatologists. I did however manage to organize enough help to get the basement ready for carpet!! (Yay)

~July started off on the right foot with LAURYN'S BIRTH!!! One of the best days in the history of our family. And Nate officially started driving again the day before she was born so fortunately... I didn't have to call a cab to bring me and the baby home from the hospital. Nate was out of town for the middle of July but got home just in time to start his MBA program at the end of July.

~August was a welcomed break from doctor appointments! Spencer started Kindergarten (which was a rough week but turned out ok). The boys also went on a Father & Sons camp-out which they all LOVED (their daddy was finally resurfacing after months of recovery)!!!

~In September, Spencer turned 6, Aunt Kaelynn came home from her mission, Preston started preschool, and we had Lauryn's blessing. Unfortunately... soccer also started again:)(at least we weren't coaching this season).

~October, Nate was out of town, Nate was out of town, and Nate was out of town. I vaguely remember hauling two little boys and a newborn around to soccer games, and practices each week all by myself. My mom had a knee replacement which turned out to be 100 times better than we had anticipated (whew!!). AND... Spencer accidentally shattered our glass top range and we ordered a new one but there is a nation-wide backorder and we are still waiting for a new stove... And we had to replace the transmission on the Honda...

~In November, Nate and I celebrated 9 years of marriage! And Nate was out of town for pretty much the rest of November... still no stove... And the Honda's brand new transmission started acting up...

~And finally December... Nate was out of town for the first 3 weeks of December but made it back just in time for the big event I have been dreading... I turned 29 AGAIN:(!! The Honda got yet another new transmission (fortunately the new one was still under warranty for the most part). But we had a wonderful Christmas and now we are to 2011!

I think I am dreading having to start over on our insurance deductible more than anything:(. I am thinking about making a run to the ER today just for the heck of it... just to get my money's worth. And we still have no stove...

And that's a wrap! (I hope)

Christmas 2010

Looks like Santa found our house...

Santa must have received his letters because he brought exactly what was asked of him... The Cars "thing"...


A blue scooter and a green scooter...


And "Toothless" from How to Train Your Dragon.


Along with some other dragon friends.


Spencer also got the movie How to Train Your Dragon, some books, a game, and a watch among other things. And Preston also got a marble race game, Toy Story 3, a watch, and a few other goodies. The boys also got tons of surprises from Grandmas & Grandpas.

Daddy is putting Lauryn excersaucer together.


She loved her first Christmas! She also got a baby doll (I couldn't resist:), a pillow pet, and some clothes.


Nate scored some new clothes, his first bluray, Inception, and some dress shoes.

And this is all I wanted in my stocking...

(This is the stocking my parents brought me home from the hospital in.)

But I also got some DVDs, boots, and some new stools for the kitchen.

And here's SOME of the aftermath...

Another successful Christmas in the bag!

The Timeout of ALL Timeouts...

The other day, I gave the boys haircuts and then Nate put them in the shower. A few minutes later, Nate went to check on them only to discover that Spencer had emptied a mostly full bottle of conditioner down the drain (fortunately it was just Nate's cheap conditioner:). I heard Nate ask who did it and Preston immediately responded that Spencer was the culprit (they LOVE tattling on each other:). Then Preston followed the tattling with an enthusiastic punishment for Spencer... which was, and I quote...

"Spencer - YOU are going to have to go to timeout! AND you don't get any treats! AND you have to get in your bed! AND you don't get to play any games! AND you don't get to watch any shows! AND you have to go to the dentist! AND you have to go to the doctor and get a shot!!!!

I think Spencer was relieved to find out that Preston is actually NOT in charge. Whew!!

Santa P.S.....

So I know I've already discussed this topic thoroughly... but I couldn't resist posting this. Preston made another letter for Santa at preschool and I couldn't stop grinning when I saw it. It's a drawing of his "blue scooter" and his "Cars thing" (A Cars twirly ramp thing). I sure hope Santa gets it right... I don't think Preston could be more specific....

Check out the spelling:)

How you can tell when your husband is out of town too much...

This is the conversation I heard my boys having the other day....

Preston:"Hey Spencer, will you pretend to be Daddy and I will show you what I made at school today?"

Spencer: "Sure!"

Preston: "Ok. Hi Daddy, look at this picture I made! It's all about ovals!"

Spencer: "Wow Preston. Great job! I love it."

A Family's Love...

The other night I went to the annual Christmas Box Angel ceremony. This was the third year I have gone and in some ways I can't believe it's been that long. As December busily passes by each year, sadness and grief seem to steadily creep in. Christmas time is always harder, and surprisingly it seems to get harder each year.

Having Lauryn here is such a blessing. We love her so much and as we fall more and more in love with her, it is that much more painful to realize all the opportunities we are missing out on with Addelyn. I can't help but think of all the "what could have been"s. If Addy were here, she would be turning two this Christmas and there would be a whole mess of pink under our Christmas tree on Christmas morning. Her stocking wouldn't be hanging there empty, and our house would be filled with that much more laughter and joy.

I try not to focus too much on the "what could have been"s, because that makes it too hard. But I think the reason Christmas seems more difficult each year is because my boys understand more and more as they get older, the depth of our family's loss. Spencer loves Lauryn so much and it is really only now that he understands that he should have two little sisters... and he doesn't. He adores Lauryn and he can't help but miss Addy now that he understands the love that he holds for his sister Lauryn.

Watching tears run down his little face as he looks at pictures of baby Addelyn, rips my heart open and intensifies my grief that much more. And as his tears start to flow, I hear him softly say, "But I didn't want Addy to die." Witnessing my children's grief, is as hard for me as losing Addelyn. Because not only am I sad for myself, but I am sad for my children and their loss too.

But I guess if nothing else, maybe this trial that our family has been given will teach my children to be more understanding of others' grief, and loss. There is a lot of sadness out there and I hope that through our struggles and growth as a family, my children will learn to love more fully and understand that Life is a precious gift.

We wish you a Merry Christmas Addy.

Dear Santa,

I have always laughed at how different my boys' personalities are. And how unpredictable they can be. Spencer is usually very quiet, reserved, and shy. And Preston is a high spirited, enthusiastic ball of energy. However, they are unpredictable...

This year when our opportunity to see Santa approached, Spencer was surprisingly excited to sit on his lap and tell him what he wanted for Christmas.



Preston however... threw a fit, ran and hid under a chair and couldn't even be coaxed out with the sweet bribe of a blue candy cane. So... this year he just wrote Santa a letter:)...

(Dear Santa, I would like the cars thing and a blue scooter. Love, Preston. And the envelope says: To Santa at the North Pole)
To each his own:)...

A Snowy Search...

A couple of weeks ago we ventured to Vernal to cut down our Christmas tree. I was a little anxious about the trip because Lauryn doesn't love riding in her carseat and it's a good 3+ hour drive to Vernal. But she was SO good! She did not cry the entire trip. The most we heard from her was a little whimpering on the way home because she needed her diaper changed and she was tired of being strapped in her seat. I couldn't believe how good she was.

The boys were SO excited! They had been counting down for this event like it was Christmas Eve.

It was one of the snowiest years we have seen. There was probably 3+ feet of snow on the forest floor. But it was really fun.

Here are the boys hanging out in the hotel room the night we got to Vernal. Spencer wasn't feeling very good so he just took it easy.


But by the next morning, he was feeling well enough to throw snowballs at all of us.


It was not hard to find enough snow to put together a descent size snowball...


Lauryn stayed warm and toasty!


On our trek through the forest, it was not easy for the boys to walk in snow up to their shoulders. But we think we've spotted a winner...


And the finished product...

Now Christmas can come.

Spencer's Wrath...

This is the "note" Spencer left us on his bedroom wall yesterday after we made him sit in time out.
I think we've all learned a lesson. (yes it's ink, scratched into the drywall)

Hippos and Hair-dos...

Preston had "H" day at Preschool and he made a hippopotamus out of dough. Then his teacher baked their hippos for them. They were so cute. All the way home in the car, Preston insisted that I take a picture of him and his hippo. So why not blog about it! Preston said it was the best hippo he's ever eaten!



And today... Lauryn is stylin' her very first pony! It is SO cute and her brothers can't get over it.



I think she loves it! She had already pulled it out once within an hour or so. I hope she doesn't make that a habit:).

Lauryn's 4 Month Stats...

My baby girl is already 4 months old!!!
Here's how she's doing:
Weight: 13 lbs. 6 oz. - 50th percentile
Length: 24 1/2 inches - 75th percentile

Her tear ducts were clogged when she was born. And her clavicle was fractured when she was delivered (the cord was tight around her neck so the doctors were in a bit of a rush to get her out). And she has had a small hernia near her belly button that they have been keeping an eye on. But as of today:

Tear ducts open: check
Hernia shrinking: check
Clavical healing: check

So she is doing great. She loves playing with her hands and grabbing toys. She is eating some solid foods now. She doesn't love rolling over because her clavicle is still a little tender. But she is almost sitting up and she loves to sing and talk all day long. Her giggle makes us all grin from ear to ear and we are loving every minute of it!

Here are some requested pictures for Aunt Andrea!


I am loving squash!


Not so much the rice cereal...


I love to play...


And chew...


And I LOVE my big brothers!


I chill...


And I can't get enough of my bath time! (Us girls love our tubby time:)

A Look Alike...

Spencer has been trying to convince me that the little girl on Charlotte's Web (Dakota Fanning) rides the bus to school with him everyday. I have tried to convince him that it's not the same girl, it's just a little girl that looks like her. But he is convinced it's her. I hope he doesn't ask her about Wilbur...

A Spooktacular Week...

Wow what a week! I feel like we beat Halloween to death with a stick!
But we had fun doing it...

We started off with the Monson family party... Lauryn and I missed out because we were sick. Spencer the Fireman, Nate the Baseball Player, and Preston the Police Man.

Nate said it was a blast. They ate a scary dinner and played lots of fun games.

Here is Preston in his Preschool Halloween Program. It was so cute. And Spencer had a big party/parade at his school too but I forgot my camera (surprised?).


Next up we had our awesome friends over for a ghoulish evening....

Bobbing for apples (Myles, Jordyn, Kyler, and Mekinley)


Preston is a winner!


Playing the Donut game... (Olivia, Preston, Kyler, and Hunter)


Enjoying the sweet reward...


Thanks to all of my wonderful friends for taking care of Lauryn while I attempted to host the party. (Aunt Bri, Lauryn, and Marlee)


Next it was off the the Martin Family party...

My brother hosts the party in his state-of-the-art garage every year (is it still called a garage if it has French doors and a heater?). We have to have it out there because we get messy! We eat delicious food and then carve the heck out of some pumpkins!

Spencer kept asking me all week when we were going to "crave" our pumpkins. He was SO excited.


Lauryn enjoyed watching the crowd...


Preston was loving it...


Spencer's masterpiece. I just drew the face that he wanted and he carved it ALL BY HIMSELF! He did so good.


The kids Jack-o-lanterns: Lauryn's, Preston's, and Spencer's

And here is one of my pumpkins...


And here is my Jack Skellington...


And last but not least... Trick or Treating!

Lauryn was our Little Ladybug...


And here are our little Trick Or Treaters!


Whew! Another successful Halloween under our belts. Until next year...