Santa and Snow

Earlier this week we took the boys to City Hall for the annual Christmas Sing Along.  It's a fun event that the city puts on, where you come to sing Christmas carols, eat cookies, and see Santa.  For the past few weeks I've been trying to prep Owen about what we would do, and why Santa is nice and not scary.  (Because for the past 11 months when you ask Owen about Santa his response was "Santa is scary.")  Luckily it worked!  When I asked him what we were going to do he had it down: "I will sit on Santa's lap, tell him what I want for Christmas, Mommy takes a picture, and then I get a cookie!"

Porter, on the other hand, was not so sure about it!

Owen & Porter watching Brad 

The next day we got our first big snow of the year!  Of course Owen wanted to play in it.  After 20 minutes of  gathering hats, coats, boots, snow pants, gloves, etc.-  they were ready.  Poor Porter!  He could hardly move!

Owen had fun making "snowballs".  The snow was so powdery it fell apart as soon as you threw it, so he changed his game plan and started eating it.  

Porter loved it at first!  But then he had a hard time walking, so he spent most of his time crawling. 

They had fun for about 10 minutes, then the novelty wore off and the cold the best of them!  We hurried inside for some hot chocolate and blankets. 

Lights on Temple Square

We decided to "beat the crowds" and head to the lights on Temple Square a little early this year.  Ha.  It was just as crowded as ever!  After a slight 'what were we thinking?' moment, we remembered that we couldn't do anything about it and quickly got over it.

Owen especially enjoyed it this year!  It was so fun to watch him take it all in.  He loved the fountains, the concert in the Assembly Hall, and the outdoor nativity.  He really wanted to go see the statue of Christ in the Visitor's Center but the wait was about 30-45 minutes and we just couldn't do it.  We will have to go back after the New Year and see it again. 

What a great way to start the Christmas season!

Farewell November!

Between a teething toddler (6 weeks and counting...), a spirited 3 year old, a very busy husband, and quite a few family heartbreaks, November was a tough month.  Luckily things are beginning to look up, not necessarily because any of the circumstances have changed (Porter is still teething, Owen is still 3, Brad is still busy, and so many that I love are still hurting)-- but because the spirit of the season has arrived in my heart!  

One of my callings in my ward (I have 4 right now, if you're keeping track, but that's another story) has given me the opportunity to write and put together our ward's Christmas program.  Reading through the scriptural account of our Savior's birth, specifically the faith of those Nephites who had held fast to their faith for so many years and who were willing to die for it, has been such a strength to my faith.  What a great reminder that even when things are tough and when so much sadness is happening around me, ultimately God is in control and all will be well.  

"And it came to pass that [Nephi, the son of Nephi] went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people, yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their faith in the tradition of their fathers. And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord all that day; and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying:

“Lift up your head and be of good cheer..."

Some of my favorite moments of November were casual family moments, spending time with the 3 people I love the most.  

The boys loved crawling through this over and over again.  One of the few moments they played well with each other... still holding out hope for more moments like this!

Owen discovered Nintendo Wii this month.  His treat at the end of a day would be 20 minutes of Mario with Dad.  I don't know who enjoyed it more, Brad or Owen!

Owen wanted to help Porter with his bottle one morning.  Reminded me of this picture, just 1 year ago:

We couldn't wait until December, and brought out all of the Christmas decorations just before Thanksgiving.

Porter loved "helping" with the Christmas lights.  Actually, he really just wanted to do this the whole time:

We ended the month with a great Thanksgiving with Brad's family.  I didn't take any pictures, but I'm hoping to get some from family soon.  

It was unseasonably warm that weekend, so we took advantage of it and went to the Herriman Pond on Saturday to do a little "fishing".  

 Look at those handsome guys! 

Oh Owen, you keep me on my toes but I sure do love you!