Plans are for changing

Well, I just got back from a nice little vacation.  Geren and I had planned on traveling to Utah together on Friday after work to go to conference.  But then  I found out that he was driving up separately with a friend and decided to go up earlier, because I can! (such are the benefits of being a stay at home mom). 

So, the kids and I embarked on our journey on Wednesday morning.  It was so nice to be able to be in charge and the freedom of being able to do what ever my little heart desired.  I first headed to see my sweet former mission companion, the incomparable Darci, and her bundle of sweetie children.  Then I decided I would head north and visit my old stomping grounds in Ogden and visit some relatives there.  i was having a difficult time deciding who I would go visit.  I found myself praying that I would be able to know where I needed to go.  It was then, (about 15 minutes outside of Ogden) that I had an epiphany! I realized that my wonderful sister Jennifer lived only 2 hours away from Ogden (in Idaho)..... So, I kept driving! Even though I had left all of my luggage at my in-laws house in Utah, we stayed in Idaho until Saturday afternoon.  (I had to go to the store for diapers and extra clothes for the kids.... and a car charger for my phone.)  

Oh what a fun time we had.  It is fun to do fun things when they are planned. BUT there is something so exhilarating about random changes to plans that makes things even more fun and exciting!  (I think my husband would disagree with this opinion, by the way). 
Here are some pictures of our journey.....

 My lovely niece (one is missing in this picture) and nephews

 The Gorgeous Maiya (she has decided this on her own.)

 My sister and I (We never claimed to be super models... we just are naturally :)) 

 I thought it was funny how Scoob was resting on the back window. I took this while I was driving ;)

 We stopped at the Discovery Museum in Salt Lake and had lots of fun! Unfortunately Quincey got a rope burn from sliding down this rope.

 Pretty Maiya with the balls (her favorite)

 Q in the first aid room getting ice for his rope burn.

 Enjoying the helicopter with the ice pack.  Even though right after I took this picture, Q got hit with the helicopter steering lever in the face, and we decided to call it a day. 

I loved Conference.  My favorite talk would have to be President Monson's from the Priesthood Session.  I enjoyed learning more about the importance of agency and choice and Satan's desired role in my decisions.  I made a stronger resolve to involve the Lord in my choices. 

Well, so here I am back to our good ol' home.  (I do love our home).  And when I count my blessings it is high on the list. Also, I love my dog Scooby.  Okay, I can tell I am getting tired.  Until next time. 

Pumpkin Season!

One of my favorite things about fall, is.... it is Pumpkin Time! I found this recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins.  And they are SO EASY! Only 3 ingredients, and I thought they were super fabulous.  And apparently, if you leave out the chocolate they are just 1 WW point.  (But, the chocolate makes it super yummy... of course)

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Makes 24 muffins

Ingredients:
2 boxes Spice Cake Mix
1 29 oz. can Pumpkin
1 12 oz bag chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Mix all ingredients together.
Spoon batter into lined muffin tins. (You can fill them all the way to the top, they don't rise very much.)
Bake for 22-25 min. or until an inserted toothpick comes clean.


Happy Fall every body!!!!

Swing Set!

We had a special swing set given to us from some friends in our Ward.  And it just so happens to fit perfectly in our yard and has 3 seats for all 3 of the kids!!! What a great addition.  The kids are loving it. 

Pre-school!

This was Quincey's Spiderman pose. 

Maiya had to get out her back pack too!

Yesterday was Q's first day of Pre-school! He really enjoyed it and talked a lot about it after. I did feel a little bit of a pull on my heart strings as we pulled away.  I guess this is how letting go feels like, huh?  I am glad it is gradual.  It's hard not to worry a little how they will do.  How many positive reports you will receive, (and how many negative).  But he was super excited for school and I am glad that he gets this opportunity to learn.

Q's Nightmare

Last night Quincey woke up crying around 3 am and came into our room.  He was saying, "No Mom, Don't do that! It's my Transformers present, and you opened it.... don't do that Mom!"
Well, that is quite the scary dream! Someone gave him a cool present and I opened it for him.  I will try to contain myself in real life.

Special Stake Meeting

Yesterday our Stake had a special visit from an Apostle, Neil L. Andersen.  It was a great experience for Geren and I, because we got to sing in the choir.  It was so neat for me to be able sit up front so close to Elder Andersen.  He kept turning around while we were singing showing his huge smile and giving us thumbs up. 
 It was also nice because I got to sit through an entire meeting without ANY interruptions! I am so thankful for some good friends of ours for watching our kids at the church for all 4 hours!! (The choir had to be there 2 hours ahead of time to practice before the meeting. )   
Well, my son was not having it with his mom being up on the stand the whole time.  So, my friend, Melanie, had to keep him outside because otherwise he would run through the crowd and come to get me.  While they were waiting outside they saw Elder Andersen pull up, but Quincey was still fighting to get inside, so she told him that she really wanted to stay here so that they can meet him, and that he was here to teach us about Jesus.  When Q heard this, he stopped fighting for a second and said in a defeated tone, "Okay, you can go see Jesus." How considerate of him!
She of course clarified who they were actually meeting.  And he got to shake his hand. 
After the meeting Quincey ran to Geren and said, 'Daddy, you make me so happy.'  We love our little boy. 

Maiya's Princess Party!

Well, I do realize that I have taken a bit of a break from my blog.  My last real post was 2 months ago! I've never taken that long of a break before. And I don't really have a good excuse for it.  Except for the fact that after almost 5 months of 2 or 3 dr's appointments per week, I am not really tied down to anything right now and I have been enjoying the freedom.  (on second thought... that is a pretty good excuse). 

Well, while I was on my 'blog break'.... Maiya turned 2!  I know, crazy right!?!  She really enjoyed her princess party. She felt so special, and still likes to tell everyone how great it was 2 weeks later!   

  She is such a big girl and I am loving her big girl stage.  I love piggy tales.  She loves Barbie movies, Tinkerbell, and Princess anything.  She amazes us daily with all of her new words and phrases, and her sweet little personality (and not to mention the sour side too)... she can be quite sassy when she wants to be.  She's had to learn to be feisty to defend herself from her big brother. But, I like that side of her too.  She loves to color and to draw, and is quite good at it.  She already holds a pen like I do when she draws.  She even cuts with scissors. 
Here is a video of her blowing out her candles.  She just figured it out all on her own!  I also love her little squeal at the end.