Best Weekend

Last weekend is what we consider the "Best Weekend". It is the weekend before Chemotherapy and Andy is feeling his best. We always try to fit in as much as possible since he feels good. Of course he still has his bouts of nausea, but overall he feels well. So here is our weekend:

I started off with his actual birthday. We didn't do too much celebrating since we had celebrated the weekend prior--but we did open presents

 And eat birthday cake- Jane really really wanted some. Soon enough love bug, soon enough :)

 Lucas gave the cake a thumbs up

 First thing Saturday morning we bundled up and headed to the park. 

 Lucas and Daddy played Football- notice the snow on the mountains!

 Jane and I just watched the boys play

 Can you tell Lucas loves his daddy?

 After showers and breakfast we headed to Scheels to see what the big hype was all about. Notice in the background the "Fishy Tunnel". It was overall a pretty cool store, having every item ranging from Hunting Gear to Designer Jeans. Unfortunately it was PACKED... so we decided after an hour or so to hit the road. In a few months when everyone else in Utah isn't also trying to see what the big deal is we will venture back :)

 Instead we headed to our other favorite Sporting Good store- Dick's. Lucas was so excited to play "Skee Ball" with Daddy. 

 I am obsessed with him in his helmet. I can't wait for T-Ball!

 After all our adventures mommy was ready for some Lunch. Of course we went to Hires for some burgers. YUM! 

 Sunday brought us Lucas' Big Boy church outfit. I was obsessed, 

 Sunday evening we went to Aunt Traci's for dinner and dessert to celebrate all the October birthday's. Sadly, this is the only picture I got. These two cuties are only 2 weeks apart! They are best friends already!

Bompa House

Lucas loves John and Jane's condo in Salt Lake. In fact, love would be an understatement. When we told him we were going to "Bompa's House" he starting jumping and ran to get his shoes. And then the entire drive up he was screaming in delight "BOMPA'S HOUSE!" I think it is the mixture of the elevator, seeing the Salt Lake Temple, and being able to see the Utah Trax from the window. We loved seeing cousin Nick (and sadly didn't get a picture with him!) and spending time with our Bompa and Grandma.

Bompa bought a special train set that can only be played with at the Condo. Lucas was in heaven. Grandma even made some "Mail packages" out of yarn and cotton balls for the train to carry.

 Mommy and Janie

 Lucas, Mommy, and Janie

 Happy Girl!

 Jane has now started giving kisses. Love them.

 I love this picture. Such a sweet baby.

 Tummy Time. Where's my bow mom?

 The Jane's playing Peek-a-boo

Playing Choo-Choo's with Grandpa

 Tunnels

Elder Uchtdorf's talk about Making Memories was our conference favorite this weekend. We have decided as a family to take our camera everywhere and really make memories everywhere we go. It doesn't matter if it is at a park, playing trains at home, a big family vacation or family dinners. Everyday we need to make memories and document them. Today I think we did so. We love spending time with our friends and families. We especially love spending time with our Bompa and Grandma and look forward to spending lots of time with Grandma Tracy and Crampa in 9 short months this June!!

Date Night

For Andy's birthday we went to dinner with the Hinckley's at Sundance Tree Room. None of us had been there before and it was so much fun. We figured it out that the last time we went to dinner without any kids was when Danielle was pregnant with Preston! Over 5 years ago! We had the best time talking, laughing, crying and eating some yummy food. We sat at dinner for over 2 hours and enjoyed one another's company. I am so grateful for their friendship. After they left today Andy and I told each other that at some point we need to live by them.

This morning they came over for breakfast and conference. I wish I would have taken more pictures! The two little kids were napping and the three older kids we were trying to entertain so we could listen to conference. Danielle made the cutest conference packets for the kids filled with treats, coloring packets and crayons. I love every minute we get to spend with them and are forever grateful for their willingness to visit us!!

We love you Hinckley Family!!

6 Months ~ 2 years 9 months

Jane is once again one month older! I honestly wish babies stayed babies for longer than they do. Jane is at such a fun age. I love love love both Lucas and Jane's ages. They are interacting, sleeping in the same room (mostly), and we finally have a good schedule. Yes, things get thrown in the mix between Andy's treatments and such, but for the most part we are "normal"!

I really wanted to do all of Jane's monthly pictures in a white onesie, but the day she turned 6 months she was already dressed and I loved her outfit. So alas, 6 months she is dressed. I'll probably regret this later... but oh well!

At 6 months Jane:
- Has the best belly laugh. (video below)
- Loves Peek-a-boo
- Is starting to love solids. So far her favorites are squash and applesauce
- Loves Lucas. He loves to play with her and anytime he is in the room she is giggling
- She loves to watch football. She obviously doesn't get this from me.... but whenever there is a game on she is glued to the TV.
- Is SO tall. She is in 6-12 months clothes, but even some of the pants are too short
- Still has a weird sleep schedule. She was sleeping through the night and then I moved her into the kids room. She was doing well, but still wakes up at 5 to eat.
- Is just the sweetest thing. She is happy all day everyday. Takes three naps, 2-3 hour nap in the morning and afternoon, and a power nap before bed 45-1 hour.
- Nicknames: Janie girl, Janie, Little, Riddler, Lovebug

And I wanted to mention Lucas for a minute. He too is the sweetest boy. He still loves trains, cars, and recently Lion King. He is the best big brother and never wants anyone to be hurt or sad. He always asks, "You OK?" And if you say no, he breaks down in tears because he wants everyone to feel better. If something is lost he will say, "It's OK, I find (pronounced fine) it." Or if something is broken he will say, "It's OK, I fix it". It is so sweet, Instead of saying I have 2 trains he will will say "I have an engine and the caboose".

He is slowly weaning off his naps. I have a love hate relationships with his naps because I love having the time to myself in the day... but if he takes a nap he is up until 9. But if he doesn't take a nap he does down willingly right at 7. Sometimes 6:45. And he still sleeps til 8.

One day last week he got in trouble and was put in time out around 5:00. I left the room and when I came back this is how I found him. Fast asleep. I let him sleep for 45 minutes and then I woke him up so he wouldn't be up all night. Doll baby.

Here is Jane laughing... I was just giving her my list of things to do and she thought it was hilarious. She laughs like this all day.

Thanksgiving Point

Do you know the the Hinckley family? If not you should introduce yourself. They are the most generous, loving, kindest, supporting friends you will ever meet. A month ago Danielle and I decided to surprise Andy for his birthday. So after driving up with their three kids they popped in to "surprise" Andy. And surprised he was!! He couldn't believe they were actually on our doorstep. The best part about the Hinckley's is that all four of us get along great. We all laugh, tell stories, tease and share a love of travel and food. Today we went to Thanksgiving Point to have fun with the kids. It is all decorated in Halloween gear and the kids loved all the pumpkins.

 First stop was the Dinosaur museum. All the kids had fun in the exhibits running from place to place.

 When you ask Lucas to say "Cheese" this is the face you get. Classic. You will be seeing it a lot this post :)

 Posing in front of the Dinosaurs... did you know I don't really believe in Dinosaurs? Yes Eric and Andy give me a hard time. Another story for another day.

 Baby Jane just hanging out in the stroller

 They have this awesome "Digging for Dinosaurs" exhibit. The kids loved it. 

 I love these two. Audra and Lucas are 3 weeks apart. They are showing each other the Dinosaurs they found

 Meet Preston. The oldest of the kids. He is the sweetest boy. At one point he had found 6 Dinosaurs and he tells us "I gave 2 to Audra and 2 to Lucas so everyone would have a Dino" So sweet.

Outside photo op

 3 of the 5 kids. The younger 2 were napping. 

 After a yummy lunch Andy met up for the fun. These two have been best friends since grade school. 

 Lucas and Preston running. Love those boys.

 We headed to Cornbelly's for some Halloween fun.

 Say "Cheese!"

 They have these things called Air Pillows. It is a giant pillow on the ground that you jump on. The boys were in heaven jumping.

 They also loved the giant slides. Lucas even started going head first!

 Jane went on her first slide

 She wasn't quite sure about it.

 Family photo op

 Cow Train. Not pictured is Lucas freaking out as they are leaving and begging me to come with him. So I jumped in thinking I would fit. WRONG. My butt was half in half out. I thought "No big deal, we just are going to go around a few times" WRONG again! This train went around the corn maze on a 20 minute ride. I almost got out and walked next to Lucas it was so uncomfortable. But alas... we made it :)

Overall everyone had a great time. We all enjoyed the fall weather. We got home and crashed hard. Lucas slept for 3 1/2 hours, Jane slept for 2 1/2 hours, I slept for an hour, and Andy is still sleeping... just kidding. But he slept too! Stay tuned for the next adventures of the Hinckley's and Coons!