Sunday Snippets

Evelyn

1. She amazes us with how she manages to create a mess out of everything. We still love her.
2. She loves dressing up. The superman cape and my childhood apron are her favorites. 
3. She resists naps and has learned to crawl out of our crib when she's angry. 
4. I got brave and tried potty training her one day this week but realized I wasn't ready for the stress. Then today she went into the bathroom on her own and went. I guess that means we need to go for it! Wish us luck. 

Oliver

1. He has a blow out every week at church without fail.

2. Speaking of church, Janel Spencer from our ward made this cute blanket for him. She lost her husband a year ago, but still manages to serve our ward so much. It happens to be Oliver's favorite blanket lately. He sleeps the best in it--we're talking looong stretches at night.
3. He loves facing out and prefers to be on his tummy instead of laying down.

Blake

1. He has woken up with growing pains a few times in the last month. One night as Brandon was consoling him, he said, "I don't want to grow anymore." We couldn't agree more. He is in a cute, sweet stage right now. Also, he's quite the comedian and makes us laugh a lot. 

2. He went home teaching with Brandon today since his companion couldn't go. Blake asked to say a prayer before they went and said he was grateful to get to go with Dad.
3. The other day Evelyn hurt her foot playing and Blake immediately stopped playing and said a prayer to bless Evelyn's foot to feel better so they could play more.
4. He would wear PJs 24-7 if I let him. He would not change out of them for church today, so Brandon had the brilliant idea to let him wear them under his church clothes. A great compromise if you ask me.

2nd annual ice skating outing

{December 29th} We attempted to go ice skating a few times before Christmas, but something got in the way. Finally we made it last week. And my sweet visiting teacher watched Oliver so we wouldn't have to bring him in the cold. 

Ice skating is fun. But ice skating at the cutest little outdoor rink with a giant Christmas tree with my little ones and husband is one of my new favorite Christmas activities. i couldn't get over the cuteness of the tiny ice skates. It look Evelyn a little while to warm up (in all senses of the word) and want to try it, but once she did, she liked, especially daddy taking her fast. Blake liked helping her, too. 2nd annual ice skating adventure a success. Can't wait for next year! 

prompting

It's so late and I need to be in bed. I wanted to write this memory down before I forgot. So that one day when my kids read this they will realize that promptings are REAL.

I was sitting by the Christmas tree holding Oliver and just enjoying the moment. So much so, I stayed there for quite a while. I went upstairs and put him in his swing and then got ready for bed.

I had some friends in the ward come over tonight for a girls night and so Brandon was the one to put Blake and Evelyn in bed. I was about to get in bed when I felt the prompting to go look at Blake and Evelyn. I almost brushed it off because I had already kissed them goodnight before they went to bed. But I followed the gentle urge. I went into their room and looked at them sleeping peacefully. And then I noticed that Evelyn still had a long, green beaded necklace on. It's one of those cheap ones they throw out at parades, but she loves it and wears it all the time. I always take it off before her nap, but tonight we must have forgotten. I was able to take it off without waking her.

Maybe nothing would have happened, but I'm so glad I followed the prompting to go in there and look at them so that I could take off the necklace. I never would have have forgiven myself if it strangled her during the night. I'm so grateful for promptings and know they are real.

all a girl need is a doughnut

{November 24} So Festive has been a fun hobby and this year, it's grown in ways that have stretched me and allowed me to partner with some fun companies and collaborations. I try to be very selective in the projects I choose because I want them to fit within the scope of the blog and also not take away too much from my family. However, I'm grateful that I have a hobby that brings in a little extra income and that I can do from home with my children nearby.

Little Miss E got to help me with a recent photo shoot while Blake was at gymnastics and Oliver was napping. You can see my post here, but here are some of the outtakes and behind the scenes.

She took my lens cap and kept pretending to take pictures. She knows me too well. :)

st. nicholas day

{December 6} St. Nicholas Day was so much fun this year! Blake and Evelyn were so excited to set out their shoes the night before. And I wish I would have captured Blake's excitement when he saw the surprises that were left. Since it was Fast Sunday, we didn't have crepes like we normally do, but the kids were excited to eat their chocolates for breakfast along with muffins. 

St. Nicholas brought the children new Christmas jammies. They were pretty thrilled about them. In fact, I think Blake stayed in his for 36 hours straight. 

Blake's turning into quite the comedian. Oliver's hat is just a tad too small for him. :) 

I said "Cheese!" and this is what I got. Haha.

I'm feeling so so blessed this Christmas! I still can't believe all 3 of these cute kids are ours forever.

a picnic by the christmas tree!

the terrific and tender twos

Evelyn is our little doll and I've been dying for her to wear this cute coat I found on clearance last spring for $6. She wore it the first time last Sunday. While she looked pretty dang cute and sweet, there are have been a lot of tender moments lately. See the below photo. She throws some pretty great tantrums and quite honestly, I'm not sure exactly how to handle it the emotion sometime. She can be happy one moment and in tears the next. I'm sure some of these are coming from her new brother getting more attention. We'll just keep taking one day at a time. I know we'll ALL get through.