Eliza's Noodle Nose

We have been going through our old home videos and burning them to CD. When I saw this one I bust out laughing and thought all should enjoy in this hilarious moment. Watch the nose closely.

Eliza's Firs t Talk in Primary

3 Sundays ago Eliza gave her first prayer in Primary. She was very excited about it, but we were a little worried she might get nervous once she got in front of all the kids. She proved us wrong. She marched right up there and bowed her head and said her prayer. She blessed Liberty, all the kids, and her mom. It was a little quiet but she did a great job.
Then the next week she was asked to give a talk. We practiced 3 times at our house, even in front of all her dolls and Grandma Pigeons) and she seemed ready. She was just as confident as she had been for her prayer. She talked about being a child of God. She showed a picture of herself and then her mom and dad and then said, "Did you know we have a mother and father in Heaven too?" She then gave a scripture (with a little help from her dad) talking about this.
She is doing great a great job at going to "Nursery with the big kids" (aka Primary).

Liberty's 1st Birthday

Liberty turned one this last Thursday. We started out with going in singing Happy Birthday and acting really happy and excited. She new something was up. We then took her out to the kitchen and gave her the first birthday gift of the day...bananas (what else?) her favorite food. She was very excited about it and even tried to eat the peel. The rest of the day was pretty low key. Eliza and I made her a cake during her first nap. We went to Costa Vida for lunch and she got to play on the kids toys a little. Then while she was taking her afternoon nap Eliza and I frosted the cakes. Eliza got to decorate her own cake and I decorated Libby's. Eliza also decorated the house. Eliza was so excited the whole day. I'm not sure Libby knew what was going on. Then when Daddy came home we had a party! We ate dinner (rice and peas of course were on the menu, favorites of Liberty's) and then played games with the balloons. Then we sang Happy Birthday to Liberty and let her blow out the candles with a little help from Eliza. Then my favorite part...she got to eat her own cake at will. She was actually pretty neat though and didn't even get very messy. She tried a little frosting and liked that and then ate some more but she didn't eat too much, since her tummy was probably filled with rice and peas. Then off to the bath we went. After getting all the frosting out of her hair and getting some yummy pajamas on we opened presents. (Eliza was dying for this moment and had been waiting all day.) Eliza gave her gold fish, a princess plate, and one of her dolls. Mom and Dad got her a book and a doll (it was a the doll she chose at the store the night before, it was the doll that received the most snuggles and hugs from her during the choosing process, it was a tough choice). It was a great party!
I can't believe Liberty is already one. Time really does fly. I am so happy she is a part of our family. She makes me so happy. She is such a loving girl, always giving hugs and kisses. I sure do love you Liberty and I am so glad that Heavenly Father sent you to our family.

Libby's love for Desitin

Ok I don't know why she likes it so much but if she is ever gets a hold of the Desitin, she opens it up and tries to eat it.

We keep it up high away from her but Eliza stores her jewelry there and sometimes she takes it out and sets it on the floor. Anyways it is definitely an issue. We called poison control as instructed on the tube, but they said it was fine. That was a relief.

Anyways, why she loves it remains a mystery but when you take it away from her she screams bloody murder and you can tell that Desitin tube is something she treasures. You silly Libby!

New Year's Eve

...and the rest of Christmas vacation was spent in Ogden at Grandma and Grandpa Pigeons (Stevenson). We had a relaxed New Years Eve with Sarah, Ted, Drew, Grandma, and Grandpa. We started out the night right with some yummy pasta (what else!). A tortellini recipe I got from Uncle Ryan that we just love. Then we opened Christmas presents which probably made the night extra special for Eliza (I kind of like this tradition). Then we celebrated the New York New Years with Eliza. Our kids went to bed and we played games. (Yes everyone, including Grandma and Grandpa, it was like a miracle!) And we loved it. It was kind of a long game and during it midnight passed. I think we heard some fireworks and said, "What was that?" and after thinking for a bit we realized, oh it must be midnight. We were all really into the game and tired so I think we maybe kissed and that was it. Dad ended up winning the game and it was a great night!
The next morning we woke up and were supposed to go shopping without the kids while the boys watched the kids (and a football game) I was worried which would get watched more. We stopped in at Grandma Brunetti's first and while at lunch she had an accident. We spent a while there showering her and cleaning her up. Then we went shopping. Ironically, the shopping was a little dull and actually helping Grandma was the highlight of the day. It was nice to have all of us helping out a woman who we love so much. Everytime I visit her it humbles me and makes me greatful for all that I have. It also just puts life into perspective so much. Most of us will reach this same path someday and what a humbling phase it is.
The rest of the days were low key. We hung out with Chelsea, Adam, Jenn, and Dave at the "Rager" (this is what Rob called it) party at Adam's one night. Yes another football game. Another night we went to dinner with Ted and Sarah. Yes another football game was supposed to be viewed. And the rest was spent with Grandma and Grandpa just playing with the kid. We feel so lucky to have family who we love just spending time with doing the simple things.

Sledding with Dad

After Christmas week up in Twin, we came back to Provo for a couple of days. Although visiting family was lots of fun, it was nice to be back in our regular environment. It was like a vacation away from a vacation. During this we did a little bit of sledding. We spent one afternoon sledding in our front yard (who needs a hill when you've got a buff dad?). Another day we went to Rock Canyon park. Eliza was so much more into sledding this year. She went down some really big hills and loved it, even when she fell off and scratched her nose. What a trooper! We did some slow sledding with Liberty and she seemed to like it and let out a few laughs. It was nice to have some time with Rob when he was not so busy.

Sitting on Santa's lap

Here are a few shots of Eliza and Liberty with Santa at our ward Christmas party this year. Eliza was so nervous to meet Santa and kept trying to remember what she wanted for Christmas. We finally got her to remember that she wanted a doll. She jumped right up on his lap and indeed told him she wanted a doll. Liberty on the other hand...well the pictures can tell the story.
(So this obviously happened before Christmas, sorry about the order mix up.)

Christmas 2008

Christmas this year was at the McMillens. We first went to the McMillen Christmas party at Aunt Chris' house. It is always so much fun to see everyone. Miller and Rob always turn into teenagers again when they get together with all the cousins. It is definitely one of the highlights of the Christmas season for him. While we there a big snow storm hit. We decided to go to church there in Boise because traffic was so slow. Unfortunately, by the time we got out of church, the roads were even worse. Rob drove very carefully and got us to Twin Falls safely, but it had taken us 5 hours to do so. We decided not to drive back to UT for his work and Stevenson family party. So we hung out up in Twin for the rest of the week and play (and a little work since Rob still had to do his job.) Eliza was in heaven. I think her and Kennedy played dress up about a million times and didn't go to bed before 10:30 I don't think once. Liberty found a new best friend as well, Kaiden. Wow is he going to be a good big brother!
Well actual Christmas day was crazy and fun. (Photos aren't the best, still working out the kinks of our new video recorder.) The excitement just shined through Eliza's face. She loved the doll that Santa gave to her. It cries and makes sucking sounds when it has its bottle and binki in its mouth. (Later in the day Eliza decided it wanted real water in its bottle...Well it worked it didn't cry anymore. When I told Eliza it was broken, she said "that's OK, mom". I think I was more heart broken then she was. Luckily it revived after a couple of days; I think the water finally dried up.)
Liberty enjoyed herself by ripping paper off her presents, but I'm not sure she really enjoyed many of the gifts until she got home and now she loves to play with them often.
Santa gave Rob a hunting knife which cam in handy for the duck and goose hunting he did while we were there. (How did Santa know that a knife is a gift that all men love?)
Sawyer also got a special gift...A PUPPY! and said, "This is the best Christmas ever!" He is a cute little puppy. Stephanie however, is not sure he will be surviving due to his large tummy. But Bob is sure he will make it. And Rob said later, "Do you understand now the love my family has for those kind of dogs?" Yes honey I do. He was super cute and I like him most of all because he lives outside (there will be no more inside animals for me after those cats peed on my carpet, except maybe a fish since Eliza has saved up her money to buy one, what a push over I am).
Anyways the night finished off with an excellent prime rib dinner at Alicia's and Eric's house. It was a great Christmas and I am so greatful for the McMillen family. They are such loving people and know how to make each other laugh!

Making Ginger Bread Houses

So I am way behind so I am just catching up on all the fun things we've done this holiday season. During Thanksgiving break we went up to Twin Falls and Eliza made Ginger Bread Houses with Kaiden and Kennedy. It was so much fun and so much mess (I'm not sure how much Grandma appreciated us doing it at her house), but it was fun to have an activity for the kids to do (thanks Grandma for being understanding). The kids needed some help building the houses (which even with our help were still a little unsteady) but they decorated them all by themselves (can anyone say sprinkles!). It was fun.

We also found out that Aunt Brandi is having a baby!