2010 Christmas Card

So we tried going and getting a whole family Christmas card this year and well... it just didn't quite work out so we attempted to just take a few cute pics of the kids (and of course, Lennox) and putting them on a card this year. And of course, we had to add the candid shots of Austin crying and trying to get out of the picture all together and Jax trying to climb up on Rio so he could stand up and her wonderfully dramatic self reacting to that. (We love it!!)

Perhaps, next year we will be able to get them all at least facing one direction and not wanting to crawl out of every shot taken or pull of their shoes or look at the snow or start crying for one reason or another.....

You get what I'm saying.... - little cuties!!!

Here is our 2010 card - it's cute enough I think :)

I don't think that's how it works sweetie!

So our sweet grandma Bonnie (Spence's mom) brought over a new toy for the babies now that they are mobile - they are all crawling and walking around things but not walking on their own yet. So... she thought that this toy would get them moving even more in the upright position :)

Austin of course just took off and walks all over the place (even over the other babies if he has to) and pushes his way through - so cute! He is one strong little guy!

Rio doesn't want anything to do with it at the moment. She sits down the second we put her next to it - such a silly girl - she'll get it soon I'm sure.

And Jax... oh Jax! He is so dang cute! The first time we put his little hands on the handles... well...you'll see!

Reminiscing...

So these last few days has been very thought provoking and humbling to think of...

Exactly one year ago yesterday (the 5th), my water broke suddenly after 30 "no issue, great weeks" of pregnancy and I was unexpectedly admitted to the hospital. Spence and I were scared half to death about an early emergency delivery as the terrifying stories of the NICU and preemie babies was given to us.

I can't believe an entire year has passed and today we have these amazing little people in our lives! We are so lucky and blessed! I absolutely love them with all my heart and soul and cannot express in words my gratitude to my Heavenly Father for their lives and their safe and delayed delivery into this world last year. I know that without His help and the help of His priesthood, that wouldn't have happened and I couldn't be more humbled by His love and watchful care in our lives. What a great time of year to reflect on Him and His Son as we celebrate Christmas in a few weeks.

We love you Jax, Austin and Rio - our lives couldn't be any better than with you 3 in it :)

Happy(iest) Thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

*All the babies on grandma & grandpa Morris' floor* - (have I mentioned that Austin is crazy crawler these days - seriously! all over the place - we love it!) not the best lighted pic but it was the only one we got of all 3 of them

*Uncle Marc, Aunt Kisty & Uncle Funky (Andrew) with Jax*

*Cousin Gabe feeding Austin - seriously - how cute is that?*
*Cousins Luke, Anna with Rio and Ella at grandma & grandpa Anderson's*

*Family Photo - will they ever all be looking?* ha-ha

I absolutely love Thanksgiving - it is one of the favorite holidays of mine. I think because it is much less crazy and busy than Christmas feels like. Plus, it is a great day to verbally express how grateful I am for everything to everyone. I didn't get a chance to thank everyone yesterday so I will send a weak thank you here to all my friends, neighbors and family who have helped us this year with the babies and while I was pregnant. We seriously could not have survived without you - from the late(early) night feedings, to the spontaneous visits in the middle of the day to help feed the babies, the many meals (especially the ones for Spence while I was gone last Dec), the clothes for the babies, the diapers and formula, the prayers (most of all), the words of advice and love, the concern and phone calls, the constant and always help at church and everything else that I know you all did for us. I love you and am so, so grateful to have you in my life - there are no better people to have be in all of our lives. We are truly blessed and we know it! Thank you so much!

We have the best family ever! Spence's fam is so great! I don't think there has been one week pass by when at least half of his family has been over here helping with the babies at least once a week. And they are still willing and offering to come - how amazing is that? My family is fabulous as well - my parents are here at least once or twice a week as well and whenever we see my sister and her fam, her kids are so excited to help and play with the babies as you can see from above. They are THE sweetest kids! Lastly, I have to thank my sweet Spencer for being ThE bEsT dAd EvEr! He is so fun, loving and sweet with them. I love you!

*We hope you all had a great holiday*

LATE...but here is other October fun

Here are some other October fun things we did with the kids. We made it to Gardner Village quite a few times this year - I love that place, especially around the holidays... they always make it look so cute and fun! Plus, we had our wedding reception there so it holds a special place for me as well. Here are a few pics with some of our favorite and cutest friends.

*Crew, Jax, Rio, Austin Cash & Easton and Bronson*

*Our great buddy: toppling McKay (SO CUTE!) & the trips*

*This is so typical of them and I love it! - Jax so serious trying to figure out why I put him on a bale of hay, Rio with her tongue out trying to lick anything she can (notice the hay in her hand)and Austin just smiling away being as relaxed as possible*

*Mommy & the babes next to hula hoop witch*

We also had Halloween of course last month and I couldn't resist doing a "3" type of costume for them while I can and won't have any verbal objections. And so thanks to Melissa, I found these great and adorable costumes for my little 3.

My mom and I took them to trunk or treat one night and we had two family gatherings as well. One for Kristin's bday and the other with my fam on Halloween night. So here are a few more pics of them in their costumes. And yes, I have the greatest husband in the world who doesn't object to my ideas of a family theme. And as you'll see, my costume didn't go the way I had hoped...until about two days before Halloween I was going to be the grandma or little red riding hood. That is, until I realized those aren't the same nursery rhymes as what you'll see below. Silly mommy :)

*Who's afraid of the big, bad wolf?*

*Grandma & Grandpa with the 3 little pigs*

*Rio had to make sure she represented the "female pigs" so she has a little bow in her ear, then Jax and Austin* - some of us didn't want to keep our pig feet on very well :)

What a great holiday! This is probably the only year, I can get away with putting the boys in pink costumes without complaint. I can't wait for many more... my heads already turning with more 3-type ideas!

First 10K - for mommy that is!

At the beginning of October I did something I've never done before....Thanks to Melissa and her summer of 10K's example, I signed up to do my first 10K. I felt like I needed the motivation to get moving on exercise again and the best way for me is to have a set goal in mind. I do love to run and so I was so excited to get started but I totally lack motivation at times so thanks to my friend Chelle and her motivation, I did it! Chelle doesn't even look winded in the pic - thanks again Chelle! You're the best running partner!

It was so much fun and I am planning on doing many, many more this next spring, summer and fall. 10K's are great for me because like I said, I love to run but I don't love to run long distances - there won't be any marathon's in my future :) (at least I don't think so right now)

Anyway, thanks again you two!

Our first WF trip

The first of many...

*Me & Austin with the horses*

*Me & Jax - the pigs are HUGE*

*Spence & Rio with the goats - daddy's fav*

I love this place - especially in the fall when it is cooler and the leaves are falling. I have been there a number of times with my "other 3 kids-BNC" (as I like to call them) over the years and will continue to go there often I'm sure with these guys.

Anyway, we had such a beautiful October and the weather was SO nice most days that we took advantage of it one day and went with daddy too. What a great day! I know and understand that they are too young still to enjoy it really but I figure it is at least a change of scenery and fun things to look at even if they don't enjoy the full fun of it yet. This was just one fun outing we did this last month so I'll keep posting the pics and info.

They are all doing so great and are just getting so big! They LOVE to stand up and walk along the couch - I can't believe it! In a few months, they are going to be MOBILE!!! Yikes! (but I can't wait)