Happy New Year

We went to Kari's annual New Year's Eve party and it was great fun. All the kids (except the new babies) even made it until midnight. Amazing! However, that doesn't mean they were happy when we got home. I couldn't wait to get them in bed.

The New Year's party is always a good time with yummy food and a fun puzzle.

It's been a tradition as long as I can remember that we start and finish a puzzle before midnight. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! Who are we to break tradition.

A Little Girl, a Baby Doll and Mommy's Make-Up

Elizabeth's Blessing

Elizabeth was blessed at church this morning. I was so nervous that she would cry the whole time, but she didn't make a peep. Corey always gives my children really beautiful blessings. I am so grateful for my husband and his worthiness to bless our children. I don't think we take advantage of preisthood blessings nearly enough. Anyway, here are some things I remember from Ellie's blessing:
Ellie was blessed with a kind heart, desire to serve, to look to her siblings as righteous examples, to study the scriptures, to follow her mom and Aunt's (Alisha) for examples of missionary service.

Favorite Christmas 2008 Moments

Isabella looking at the tree on Christmas Eve.

Ethan discovering Santa Clause brought him the Nintendo DS he has been asking for for 2 years.

Izzy's reaction when she realizes this present is a baby doll. She doesn't have many of those, so she was thrilled.

I love this picture because Izzy loves Ashlee and Topher, but she isn't showing it here.
That little girl wears her emotions on her sleeve.
You never have to guess what she is feeling.

It's rare that Corey and I get a photo together. I love this one for it's imperfections: It's off center, we look heavier and older, but we are still so happy.

My all time favorite picture of Christmas 2008:

Ethan is crying because I accidentally "popped his arm" trying to help him get onto the Lazy Boy.
Elizabeth is crying because I am not holding her.
And Izzy is trying to shove a battery up her nose.
I was just trying to take a stinkin' "Night Before Christmas" picture.
I gave up trying to get them happy and in frustration snapped the picture.
Corey laughed. I laughed. And not to delete it. This is real life!
Oh, the memories.

Ethan finds out about Baby Wickern

Alisha, Corey's sister, and Adam are expecting their first baby! Alisha sent a post card with the baby's first ultrasound picture on it to let everyone know. I hung it on my fridge and waited for Ethan to see it. I couldn't stand it anymore so I just showed it to him. This picture is his genuine reaction when I told him the picture is Alisha & Adam's baby that will be born in July. He was so excited! I don't think he understands that Adam & Alisha live in Rexburg so we won't really get to see the little Wickern addition much, but it's still exciting as heck!! Adam & Alisha are going to be the perfect parents!

Successful Potty Training? You tell me!

This is Isabella wearing the seat of her little potty. Apparently it's a great hat! I had just given her a bath and was helping Ethan wash his hair when I turn around and see Izzy running down the hall wearing only this toilet seat. What a hysterical site to see!!
Izzy will sit on the potty every time I change her bum, but she has yet to do any "business" on it. My goal is to go full force after the new year. For now, I am just getting her used to the idea of wearing panties and using the potty. Oh, the joys of potty training. Ethan was trained pretty early, so here's hoping Izzy follows in his footsteps. We shall see. Either way, it makes a great hat.

A Rare Happy Moment

My Beautiful Baby

Elizabeth: 3 Months Old

This is a rare non-colic moment.

A Sweet Moment

Seriously, does it get anymore precious than this! I was busily crafting away at the kitchen table when I heard Ethan whisper loudly, "Mom, look." Without looking up I did the typical mom thing, "Ok. One second." He again whispered loud, "Hurry, mom. Look!" I sighed a heavy sigh and looked and this lovely scene was before me. Ethan wanted me to see that he was reading to his sister. This precious site called out to my inner photographer. I hustled to find my camera and capture this rare moment of Izzy calmly laying on Ethan and him actually enjoying her company. Then I remembered something my mom used to say to me and my siblings, "You will be each others best friends one day." She was correct! My best friends are my siblings and I look forward to seeing them weekly, if I can. When Izzy and Ethan are older and fighting and not really being able to stand each other, I will pull out this photo and say, "You will be each others best friends one day; just like you used to be." They will most likely respond like my siblings and I would: roll their eyes and continue to think that their school chums will always be their only best friends. And they will be wrong...very wrong.
I tend to joke and whine about the troubles a toddler and baby can be, but then Heavenly Father grants me moments like this and it's all worth it. My children are blessed to have each other and it's times like this that makes me think they are starting to understand that a little.

"Liken the Scriptures"

Last night Ethan woke up at 3 am refusing to go back to sleep because of a nightmare. Therefore, he was up all night. Izzy has a killer cold and 102 degree fever. Corey jammed his finger in a basketball game yesterday and has been on some serious painkillers. Due to all these unfortunate events, I missed church once again! I missed last week because Elizabeth and I were up all night. Believe it or not she has been a gem the last two days (thank heavens for the Levson prescription). After watching all I could of the Disney Channel, I asked Ethan to choose one of the Liken The Scripture movies. They are all wonderful!! He chose the one about David and Goliath. I LOVE that one! I admittedly sing along with the movie and enjoy myself.
Funny story about this one. Goliath is played by Thurl Bailey who is a commentator at the Jazz games. We took Ethan to a Jazz game and afterward we went to see them film the post game show. Ethan saw Thurl Bailey and whispered, "GOLIATH." We were fortunate that he got to meet Thurl Bailey and get his autograph. Now every time we attend a Jazz game, Ethan looks for "Goliath."
Anyway, all these movies are fabulous. I want to eventually have them all. As of now I own, about 5 of them. I really appreciate how they make the scriptures come alive for Ethan (and myself).

Mary, Mother of the Savior

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. Reading about the Savior's birth in Luke 2 is absolutely inspiring to me as a mother. My favorite scripture of the event is Luke 2:19:

"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."

As the shepherds were proclaiming the birth of the Lord, Mary was pondering her sacred feelings as a new mom. I never appreciated the feelings of Mary before I had my own child. Think of all the things that she must have been feeling and holding so close to her heart. She was the mother of the Savior! As overwhelming as it must have seemed, just as with any mother, I am sure unimaginable peace and love filled her heart as she looked upon her newborn baby. Knowing of Jesus' divine potential, she had a daunting task. I would love to meet her and talk with her about motherhood. She would be a great wealth of knowledge, I am sure! Truly she is "blessed...among women."

Family Picture Time

Elizabeth (3 Months)
This is her blessing dress.

Isabella (20 Months)

Ethan (6 Years)

Our Family
Nov. 2008

Thank you to my Jenny-friend for being such a fabulous photographer. I highly recommend her for all you Wasatch Front dwellers. She is a fabulous person and a wonderful photographer.