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"