The past few days...

have been eventful. We have had some lows, but mostly highs, I can't even believe it!

Low--I got THE worst food poisoning of my life on Friday night--I was up every half hour between 12:30 and 4:30. Wow, it was wicked (in a bad way)

High--I just found a new tv series--Downton Abbey, thanks to my grandma and mom. I'm not sure why I'm such a sucker for these old English types, but I love them!

Highest High--we are well on our way to having two potty trained buddies! We started last Thursday and both are doing great. Both are now going on the regular potty (cleaning out those little ones is ten times worse then changing a diaper!) and are having few accidents. Scott stayed dry one night and they are sometimes staying dry during nap time. I am not one to try and do underwear during sleep time, I figure that will come :) (This is Scott. When he goes, it is at least a 30-45 minute ordeal)

It was a blissful weekend--I think Kate stayed in her pajamas all day a couple of the days (I think I might have every day!) (Austin, Kate, Scott)

Scott left, Austin right

My new best friend

This just made my winter SO much better. I always get cracks in my cuticles that make me dread this dry part of the year. I have so much love for this stuff, it deserved a post.

A visit to Idaho

I didn’t realize I was so homesick for Idaho. I was. It was SUCH a fun visit. I wish it could have lasted a week longer. We started by going bowling with a bunch of my extended family. I’m sad I didn’t get pictures of everybody! The kids got a kick out of it. This is Scott bowling.

They all loved to give each other moral support (A, K,S)

Grandpa Durtschi helping Austin bowl

After bowling lost its luster, the kids went back to the small rides. (Addie, Austin, Olivia, Ethan behind)

After bowling, we went to Aunt Heidi’s and it was so fun to visit with everyone! No pics though!

We went to Brian’s house a few times and Kate fell in love with this little chair.

This might look dangerous… (Austin)

No one got hurt though and the kids were happy, so we couldn’t complain!

S, A

For New Year’s Eve, we went to Gma and Gpa Durtschi’s house. Grandpa went down and watched “Babies” with all the kids—all the kids were entranced for a good 20 minutes! (Scott on the left)

We stayed a bit longer then everyone and played games, (S, A)

I should have gotten more, but man it was a great trip. Thanks ZM for letting me stay for a week, we loved it!

Other Random Decembers

We started (and quit again) potty training. It went much better this time though. I think we’re getting closer (Scott left, Austin right)
Picture taken out, sorry Scotty :)

Had a visit with Whitney and Joe (favorites in the kids’ eyes)

Caught some sweet moments—these two love getting in bed together. Oh, I love it! Austin left, Scott right
Austin left, Scott right

Do boxes ever lose their fun? I don’t think so!

Watching my pretty girl grow up

Catching the kids playing ALL THE TIME in here. It is under the coffee table between the couches. I just hope there are no spiders down there! (Austin, Scott)

Scott, Austin

Scott front, then Kate, Austin back


The kids are growing up. Austin recently started saying prayers all by himself. It is so sweet. He talks so much and also talks in this funny voice when he is being serious, it makes me smile every time.
Kate is loving school so much and is tolerating dance. I think we will try sports next year :)
Scott is still our jolly happy boy. He makes everything light and silly.
All love reading books. They’ll sit and have me read for 45 minutes if I will! I hope they continue to be book lovers like their mama. All three also ADORE babies. Any time there is a baby around, they want to be holding, talking, etc. They also have been just loving each other. They always are hanging out, running downstairs and sneakily trying to start a movie to watch together, or just playing in boxes (best free entertainment ever). It makes me so happy. I just hope it lasts!

Christmas Day

This was my favorite Christmas Day I can remember. I loved it. I loved that Christmas was on Sunday. The kids woke up around 7 or 7:30 (I was up before them—typical me though, I always was the first one up in my family growing up). We went and looked at stockings, then had a nice breakfast, then went to church.
I LOVED having church on Christmas. We had some songs, a couple brief talks, then more songs. I wish Christmas was on Sunday every year!

I can see the question in your mind—which present was the favorite? It was the $1 Walmart flashlight each got in their stocking. (Austin)

Scott

Austin

Scott, I love that starburst made him so happy!

What can I say, I have a weakness for silly putty!
The boys LOVED these Wedgit blocks, they played with them ALL DAY!! (Scott)

Austin

After church, we came home and opened a couple more. This is Austin playing with his lego tractor.
Scott, Kate, Austin

Kate was SO excited about this Rapunzel doll.

Scott

Austin (gift from neighbors that spoil my kids rotten)

Scott

Christmas was so great. I am so grateful for that time of the year to reflect on the Savior, his life, and his Atonement for us. I loved teaching the kids about it and I love the constant reminders all around!

Christmas Eve

Guess who took pictures this year!

These two are such pals

We did Christmas Eve with the Lewis family and it was so fun! The food was delish and the company was better! We were in charge of doing the nativity story. Jeff read. Kate was Mary…

Scott was Joseph, and Ash was the donkey (we didn’t assign the parts )

Austin decided to sit this one out!



Then we came home and did our own thing—the kids each opened a couple New Years Eve presents, then put out cookies for Santa, reindeer food for the reindeer (Kate made it in her preschool) Kate was hoping that Santa would leave her a cookie like she did last year

And they actually fell asleep…

Austin

Scott

It was so nice to be around family and then come home to our own beds. I love Christmas!