Exhaustificated

This is the word my mom uses when she is exhausted. After this week I am officially exhaustificated.

Between loads of laundry, packing for 4 weeks of vacation, getting ready for Christmas, wrapping, and packing up Christmas... and getting all things squared away for the wedding... I am ready for vacation to begin.

Andy keeps asking me if I am excited for California. Of course I am excited, but my reply is always, "Once we are on the road I will be excited". I never realized how much time/energy is spent when you have to have Christmas elsewhere. Topple on top of that 4 weeks worth of outfits (don't worry, we will be doing wash), the wedding, and my mom coming home there is lots to do!

I just finished packing all our clothes, shoes, books, etc... Now all I need is to clean the house (tomorrow's chore) and pack up the last minute items--blankies, sound machine, toiletries, etc...

So even though I am exhaustificated I am getting excited for our trip!!

I haven't taken any pictures this week... but I made a Shutterfly book of Lucas' first year and found these gems. Love my boy!

Lucas' Birthday Dinner

Instead of having a birthday party this year we decided to go to dinner with family and cousins at Frank and Finnas--Lucas' favorite. We had so much fun eating chips and guacamole and hanging out.

Lucas my "Big Boy"--This was before we went to dinner. He is so big!

Family of 3 1/2

Cousins Owen and Lucas

They came out singing Happy Birthday. Lucas immediately put his hand over his ears

The he realized ice cream was involved and started smiling :)

Everyone! (Lucas is sitting next to me... too short so he isn't pictured)

Lucas got a new remote control car from his cousins. To say he loves it would be an understatement! He wanted to take it to bed so we compromised and it is laying next to his crib.

 Doesn't he look so big here?

Happy Birthday Lucas!!

23 Weeks

Here I am at 23 weeks. My first "bump" picture this pregnancy.

Things are going great. Baby girl is right on track and I am feeling great. I am only craving chocolate and pickles (not together) and I want diet coke all.day.long. I savor the "one" diet coke I get and look forward to it every afternoon.

Happy Birthday Lucas!

Today Lucas turned 2! I cannot believe my little baby is now 2. It seems like just yesterday he was came into our family and soon we will be welcoming number 2! :)

This morning when Lucas woke up Andy and I went into his room together singing, "Happy Birthday". He started jumping and knew something was up. We scooped him up and took him downstairs. Andy and I decided a month or so ago to buy Lucas this ride along train. Lucas love love loves "Choo-choo's". As soon as we were downstairs Lucas yelled, "CHOO CHOO!" wiggled out of our arms and went running.

Upon closer inspection he was a little shy, so he got on the floor to look at it from afar:

Not a few seconds later he took it for a spin!

He then opened some presents from my parents and grandparents. I think it is safe to say he loved his new fire engine.... Because for the rest of the morning, afternoon and night it was tied to his hip. Literally.

He also loved his blocks... I especially love this picture because you can see Andy's awesome beard. He is in the Nativity and has been growing it out for the past few weeks.

This morning I made homemade monkey bread (Lucas favorite) and we sang Happy Birthday. Lucas didn't want to blow out the candles, he wanted to hold them.

Notice Lucas' new "Choo choo" dining set and silverware. His new favorite.

After breakfast we got ready and took him to his first movie. We saw the Muppets and I Lucas loved it. We let him pick out his own treat and was in heaven and the huge bag of fruit snacks offered. He sat and watched while eating popcorn and fruit snacks. His favorite part was the singing and he would get up and dance. It was so cute! We lasted about an hour and 10 minutes. Pretty good. I'm sure if it was Winnie the Pooh or Toy Story we could have made it longer.

All in all we had a great day! Lucas is honestly one of the sweetest boys around. Tonight as I put him to bed he gave me a big bear hug where he squeezes really tight. Then he kissed me and fell asleep. Love that boy! I am sad my baby is not really a baby anymore, but I guess everyone grows up eventually!

Happy Birthday Sweet boy!

Magical Forest

Tonight for FHE we headed to the Magical Forest. I have never been before and it did not disappoint! The Hinckley's invited us along and the kids had a blast. Between the popcorn, hot chocolate, funnel cakes, 5 rides on the choo choo train, and all the lights we all had a great night!

Danielle, Preston and Audra

Lucas on the "Choo Choo"

Carousel Rides!

Lucas was very excited for the carousel!

Pointing at all the lights... it was pretty cold out so we bundled up!

Sweet Audra

Lucas eating popcorn for the first time. He loved it!

Lucas and Daddy

Pointing at the "Moooooon"

This is going to be out new Christmas tradition. So much fun!

Lucas Henry- 1 year, 11 months, 4 weeks

I do not have a 2 year old yet!! I get one more week with my "baby"! I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating his first birthday. I bought Lucas a tie and matching suspenders for Christmas, but brought them out a few weeks early so he could enjoy them all month long.

Here is my 1 year old! (+11 months, 4 weeks)

We were told that we are keeping our 1:00 church schedule for next year. After explaining to our Bishop at tithing settlement that I was not so thrilled with our time... I decided that I needed a new game plan. Last week Lucas took a nap from 4-7... screamed for 2 hours, went to bed at 10... then his entire schedule was off for three days. So today with 10 minutes to go in Sacrament I strapped Lucas in his carseat, drove around for 10 minutes and he was out! Then I came back in and held him through Sunday School and Relief Society. He didn't get to go to nursery, but at least now he is napped and happy! And I enjoyed church :)

Ashy

Today is my sissies birthday. What do people do without sisters? I honestly could not get through most days without her! Everyday we text, call, FB, and email. From the little things--to what we are eating, how much weight we gain during pregnancy, words of encouragement, fun new purchases, TV show reviews, EVERYTHING! Some times we go a couple days without talking and we always have to have an hour long conversation to make up for it. I'm sure both our spouses get tired of our nightly bedtime conversations... especially because the whole time we just giggle. But I wouldn't have it any other way!

so HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASHY!!! We love you and can't wait to spend FOUR WHOLE WEEKS together in just a few short days. It is going to be crazy... but so much fun.