So Big, So Fast.

I just can't believe how big Smith has gotten already. This week he has started to sit up on his own, if only for 10 seconds at a time. He has also just about mastered rolling over from his back to his tummy. These seem like small things, but they are very exciting for us. The thing I can't seem to accept is how much quicker time passed with the second child.

Christmas gift

Trey's big Christmas gift this year was a potty chair, YEAH! He was very excited about it while it was still in the box. He carried it around the room for a long time Christmas morning. Once it was out of the box his excitement quickly dwindled. Too much work I guess.

So we thought we would just start with Smith. Is 5 months to soon to potty train?

Twas the night before Christmas...

I can't wait for Christmas morning! The boys don't know what's going on yet. I tired to explain Santa and such to Trey but I don't think any of it sunk in. I have done all the shopping, and wrapped all the gifts. I even made a breakfast casserole like we had as kids. I put the boys in some matching Christmas PJs and tried to snap a cute picture. Trey would not cooperate and didn't like Smith touching him. He just wanted to look at the camera. YEAH Christmas!

Mike

The other day I took the boys up to Walsburg (near Heber/Deer Creek) to visit uncle Mike at his home. Mike has lived there for a while, but this was my first trip up there. Every other week Mike works as a counselor at one of those wilderness camps for troubled teens, and he does a great job. So I guess compared to wilderness camp his place is pretty nice. And it really seems to suit his laid back personality. He lives in a 12x20 studio, well okay, it's a shack in the middle of a field. He even has a well outside for water.

Here we have the Bedroom:
The Enrty/Dinning area. We had to open the door cause the stove he uses to heat the place started to smoke.
And the TV / Pantry (food on the shelves)
Mike and Trey sniffing the cheese cake. mmm
Mike and the boys watching Wall-e.
I was really impressed with Mike's place, and the fantastic meal he put together for us. It's been a lot of fun having here nearby. We will really miss him when he moves to Portland next month. :(

A Happy Baby is a Sleeping Baby

The biggest news for me this week is Smiths great new sleeping habits. Since day one he has randomly slept for up to 7 hours. But only randomly. But normally it was more like 4 hours at a time. Which means I was getting up with him 2 or more times most nights. Blah! Last week he suddenly started sleeping through the night. The whole night, like 11 to 12 hours! It was like magic! Really I think he just started sucking his thumb, but the last week has been bliss! And he still takes 3 naps a day. I love my kids!!


Speaking of naps. Today Trey put himself down for a nap in the baby swing. He just sat down, turned on the music, pulled up a blanket and was out in minutes. If only he would do that everyday.

Trey also got his own personal "walkman" today. Really it was just an iPod, but he wouldn't let us put it in his pocket. Instead he insisted that Nate carry the iPod around behind him while he listened.

Fun Salad

Today I made "Fun Salad" for our ward Christmas Party. It's my favorite kind of fruit salad! Trey liked it too. I let him sit on the counter and watch. I also let him lick the spoon and whisk. He kept putting the dirty spoon back in the bowl when I wasn't looking. I wasn't to happy about that but it's hard not to laugh when his face is covered in pudding and cream. Fortunately, I don't think anyone from my ward reads this blog. :) Next time you need a salad for a party I recommend Fun Salad. Always a crowd pleaser. Very quick and easy.


2 cups buttermilk
12 oz. Cool Whip
2 small packages of Vanilla instant pudding mix
2 small cans of Mandarin oranges - drained
1 can pineapple tidbits - drained
1 package of fudge stripped cookies.

Mix everything except the cookies together and chill. break up the cookies a bit and mix in just before serving. Enjoy!

Good Music, Good Friends

mmmm Food

Smith turns 4 months old list week. His Pediatrician said I could start giving rice cereal, but don't expect him to really eat it at first. Surprise! He loves it! Ate the whole bowl. Some ended up on his face and clothes, but most stayed in his mouth.



Don't let his shocked expression fool you, I'm telling you he loved it!

Week in Review

We have had a really busy week. But like always, I am terrible at remembering to take pictures, so you will have to use your imagination. My youngest brother Dave got married over the weekend. Thursday we had an open house in Mapleton. There were a lot of friends and family there and everyone had a great time. The only picture I took the whole night was this one of the food table.
Dave and Emily got married in the Bountiful temple on Saturday morning, and had a luncheon in Mill Creek Canyon. It was my first time to Mill Creek Canyon. It was beautiful!
My parents, all my brothers and sister and their families made it out for the wedding. We are all really spread out these days. This was the first time in 3 years we have had the entire family together. I think the last time was Dave's mission farewell.

Later that day my sister blessed her baby Alaina. But I didn't get a picture of her... The only picture I got was Smith and his cousin Logan. For some reason a lot of people (including family) have a hard time telling these two apart. Tuesday we had Thanksgiving Dinner at my house. It was so much fun. Trey and his cousin Wila are pretty close in age. Seems like Trey is usually fighting with her, but I did manage to get a couple photos of them playing together.
Before dinner we dressed all 7 grandkids in there Christmas PJ's and had some pictures taken. They turned out so cute! The photographer was great. See more.

Jealous Much?

Usually Trey is really good with the baby. Mostly he ignores him. Lately he has started getting a little jealous from time to time. Today I tried to strap the baby into the sling so I could carry him around the house with me. The second I strapped Smith in Trey started pulling on his leg and patting the floor. So I took Smith out and gave Trey a turn.

He loved it!
Trey is twice the size of Smith so I didn't last long with him in the sling.

Trey didn't take it well when I took him out and put Smith back in. "Please, Please"

4th and 4th and 6th and 6th

I've been tagged twice with similar tags. 4th and 4th and 6th and 6th. I'm at work so I don't have many of my own photos here, but I do have a lot of photos that family members have emailed over the years. Both the photos ended having holiday themes. This was a very fun tag.

4th Folder, 4th Photo: my niece Lizzie at Easter time.
6th Folder, 6th Photo: my niece Iris at Christmas

I'm looking forward to seeing both of them next week.

I tag Teri, Jeremy, and Heather. (and any of my family that hasn't been tagged already)

Saying Goodbye

On Friday morning Nathan's captain and close friend Lin Dally past away unexpectedly. Nate first met Lin six years ago. He was his captain when Nate was an intern for Provo Fire. They remained friends after the internship. A few years later we were very excited when Nate was offered a full time position with Provo. Lin has been his captain ever since. It is hard to put into words how much Lin has meant to his crew. We could not have asked or a better teacher, captain and friend. We will cherish the memories we have of him.

We have had a difficult week trying to come to grips with this sudden loss. Today we were finally able to say goodbye. I counted more then 50 fireman that came out today to honor Lin at his funeral. Nathan and several members of his crew were asked to be poll barrers and stand in the honor gaurd.

I have often heard the fire service called a brotherhood, and have always felt it was an accurate description. Today left no doubt in my mind that it is true. The out pouring of support from this brotherhood was almost overwhelming. For those that have never been to a fireman's funeral (and I pray you never have to) I've posted some pictures from today. I know I'm a little bias, but I think it's kind of special.


When the casket was brought out of the church it was preceded by bagpipes, and an members of an honor guard that carried his helmet and two axes. All the fireman dressed in their Class A uniforms and wore a black band over their badges.When poll barrers brought the casket to the hearst they paused. Dispatch sounded the tones and gave a last call for Captain Lin Dalley.

A fire engine draped in black lead the precession through the city. Several other rigs from Provo, Springville, and Utah county fire followed.
The funeral was in Springville. As we entered Provo city two trucks, with their ladders extended, were stationed there.
The on duty fireman stood on the road side and saluted as we passed.
Provo Fire dept escorted the funeral precession to the freeway. We drove to Bountiful for the graveside service. There we were met by Bountiful Fire dept. They escorted him the rest of the way to the cemetery.
Again the fireman lined the road to honor Lin when the casket passed by.


After the grave was dedicated the helmet was give to his wife.
The men on Nate's shift.
Lin will be deeply missed.

Lin Dalley