Toddlers

Conversation at dinner last night.

Heath says, "So girls are you getting excited for the Superbowl?"
Saydee: "Silly daddy, this is a plate"

Man, as much as I adore babies, I really think toddlerhood is my favorite age. Like any age it has its pros and cons which seem even more magnified and extreme in toddlerhood. Our kids are so so adorable and funny and sweet. I just want to squeeze them all day. But then there are the horrors of potty training, and outrageous stubbornness and fit throwing. We usually hit exhaustion by noon. But our days are filled with hugs and laughter.

Pals

So our daughters are now at the ages where they play together. And we're loving it.
Most of the time they are so sweet to each other and protective. I loved having close siblings growing up. And I can foresee much fun and mischief coming our way...

Chatter from the backseat

A few days back we were driving to a Friend's house for dinner. We had pulled up to a stop light beside a semi truck which sparked Saydee into yet another entertaining one-sided conversation.

"Wow, that is a big truck. That truck is not going to fit at our friend's house. Mom, you have a big head. I have a very big head too... But, I think I can still fit in our friend's house."

Warmer Days

Ah, finally a bit of free time. We are pretty much settled back into our Illinois home and are loving the predictability of our lives again. The girls are happy and adjusting well, but missing their cousins much. I'm back teaching few classes a week at the Y and trying to whip myself into shape.

This blog sure has taken a backseat these last few months and this post should catch me up with the exception of Christmas, where I regrettably took no pictures. I did steal these cute pictures from Eilisa's blog so when I print this year's blog I'd have something. Thanks Eilisa! Santa personally visited all the Tree Grandkids at Grandma Nese's house. They felt very special.

Tyson thinking of his wish list

Saydee was a little braver this year and even gave Santa a hug

Elli had to have her Momma there too :)

We missed quite a few main events starting way back in August. So if anything these summer pictures will fill you with anticipation of warmer days.

Our sweet boy Tyson was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in August by his Daddy. He was very excited and the church was packed with loved ones from both sides to support him. He sang solo "Teach Me To Walk In The Light" and did an amazing job. He wasn't even nervous. We our so proud of Tyson for deciding to get baptized and for the amazing example he is to us all. He always tries to be thoughtful and to do the right thing. We love and miss him so much!

So far our trip to the west has only been documented with pictures of our Knight side. So all the following pictures include our Tree side. We had so much fun spending time with our family.

In August we had a Tree family camping trip up a canyon near Roosevelt, including Grandma Nese, the Lance and Jen Family, Nic and Cyndi Family and us. We missed Tysha, Eilisa, Casey and Maddy. But we had a great time.

We took a beautiful hike to some amazing caves but could only go in so far because it had flooded with water.

One day while visiting in Portage we took a trip to first dam in Logan where the girls got to feed the ducks and play around with Grandma Nese and Aunt Tysha.

Parade in Tremonton. It was fair days and we had alot of fun riding rides and hanging out.

We all got together at Grandma Nese's house. Bryson was trying to revive a dead Sara.

I was able to get a shot right before he told me "We lost her!"

The kids were sent outside with icecream. A little while later we went out to check on them and found all the kids sitting on the 4-wheeler waiting for Uncle Nic to give them a ride.

School Christmas Program

Saydee and I got to go see Shylee and Alli's school performance. They were adorable and they knew all the Christmas songs so well! They were both very well heard, so sweet.

Winter Weather

Our 4 little kids at home

November

Our time here in the west is fast coming to a close. Heath will be with us in mere days and we are all giddy with excitement, especially me. As happy as I am to get back to our home in IL and some sense of normalcy, there will be much to miss here. Bitter sweet yet again.

I had high hopes of blogging and journaling this precious time with family and friends here. I should have had my camera out every day. Oh well.

November was an especially busy month. The last two months we've mostly spent in ID living with my sister Renae, her husband Scott and their 4 cute kids. I got to be here for the building and moving in of their beautiful new home. very excting. As a bonus Isaac and Kietra recently moved to the same area and live a stone's throw away. It has been so fun getting to know Kietra and little Gabi whom I'd never met. Love 'em. Man, I'll miss everyone here and I wish I could have seen so many of you more.

Thanksgiving was great. Mom, Dad and Breanne came for a few days. And we had our delicious feast at Renae and Scott's new house. Perfect timing. Isaac, Kietra and Gabi made the long trek from down the street. And Scott's parents, Allison and Charlie were able to be with us too. It was so wonderful to have so many beloved people together in pretty tight quarters. We had a good time.

Wish Tyson could have been with us, but he had a blast with his Mom's side of the family in Disneyland. We're very excited he'll soon be joining us through the holidays. And we're so sad Heath wasn't here either. But soon!

Mom's birthday gift to the girls was tickets to Princesses on Ice. It was amazing and we desperately want to go back sometime. Loved It!

Of coarse we had to have a conjoined Princess Birthday Party. How rare and wonderful to all be together in the same area for a week of celebrating our little girls.

Saydee turned 3 on the 5th

Gabrielle turned 1 on the 7th

Alli turned 7 on the 10th

Renae made these cute little princess cakes.

Michael felt so special to be the one and only prince.