SNOW!

We finally got some snow! I would say it was about 4 inches or so! Noel and I played outside while it was snowing this past weekend and then the following day she and I made a snowman.






The day we made the snowman.


Here's a few pictures I just had to share. I love Noel's drawings. They are so different. She doesn't scribble all over the page she is quite strategic.
Noel and Sam are such good buddies. Noel is such a good big sister to Sam. She tries to make him happy if he is crying and I am unable to get to him. She'll dangle a toy above him and say, "Don't cry, Bud." She's too cute. Sam has been smiling a lot more. He was smiling and almost laughing at Noel today while she was dancing around in front of him.

We are borrowing a Bumbo from Sam's Occupational Therapist. He sits pretty well in it.


CUTE STORY
So every Monday night we have Family Home Evening, a.k.a FHE. For those of you who are unfamiliar with that, it's recommended in our church to designate Monday nights to an evening with the family. You have a spiritual program in a sense and you start with a song and prayer and teach a lesson on a spiritual topic you feel is important to teach to your kids, typically there is an activity, followed by a closing prayer and then dessert. Well, we've been doing well with that and Morgan and I will take turns with teaching the lessons which are at most 5 minutes long or so. Last week the topic was "Obedience" and after the lesson was taught, we both looked at Noel to see if she got it and she said, "Jesus Christ loves you." I instantly teared up. She then said something along the lines of, "You listen when Daddy says come here." We were both amazed that she actually got something from the lesson and that she understood. It was such a wonderful moment for us as her parents.

Then tonight, the topic was "Temples" and we sang the song from our church, "I love to see the temple." After the prayer and as Morgan started with the lesson he said, "Noel, Heavenly Father loves us very much," Noel then said something along the lines of going in the temple. It was so cute! She knew what we were talking about from the song! After Family Home Evening was over she then picked up the picture of the temple and was telling us about Jesus Christ and the temple. It's so great to know she listens and she gets something from the lessons each Monday night! We just love Noel. She is such a joy. She is such a sweetheart. Everyday she'll tell us she loves us and if we hurt ourselves she'll run over and say, "Awww, are you okay?" in the most concerned, tenderhearted voice.

It's great to be a parent.

Family Portraits

Last October when Morgan came home for a visit to California for Samuel's baby blessing, we were able to get our pictures taken by our friends who took pictures of Samuel in the NICU.

Samuel's cheeks have definitely firmed up since then;)

They took this one of Noel too.
I took this one of Samuel along with the two below his picture.

Noel loves her baby brother.

A lot to share

This is the first post in a series of new posts. I wanted to share with you all a couple of videos of what our children are doing lately.

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

And just a quick update on the chillins, Samuel is now 7 months old exactly so his corrected age he is 3 1/2 months old and he is as big as a 3 1/2 month old should be. He weighs 13.5 lbs and is 24.25 inches in length. He laughs now and as of the past few days he has little bouts of giggles which is so fun for us to see and hear. He rolls over and he is doing very well with his physical therapy. He has improved in the last few weeks since he was seen last and when he does tummy time he is able to hold his head up a lot better and push up on his arms better. He had his 3rd of 5 RSV shots a few days ago along with his flu shot. At that same appointment his "frenulum", the connector thingy under the tongue, was clipped. He was a little "tongue tied" and we are hoping it will help with some issues we've been having with nursing and milk supply and such. He is doing so well and we are so proud of him and how far he has come.

Noel is singing and dancing a lot. She is much more independent and it's easy to have a conversation with her because she talks so well and is so smart. She amazes me everyday. She is just over 2 years of age and loves to play at the park and outside. Her favorite show is the Backyardigans and favorite movie "Bolt".

A day at the park

Morgan, Sam, Noel and I took a walk to a nearby park a few days ago. The weather was gorgeous and perfect, in the 50's. Noel sure enjoys the park.It was fun to watch her climb up on everything by herself and go down the slides by herself. She is so daring and so independent.

She loves to hang on the bars at the top of the slides.










That night Morgan and Noel made a fort. They had so much fun watching cartoons and playing in their fort.

CHRISTMAS

Morgan’s parents, Mary and Gary came for a visit just prior to Christmas as well as Morgan's brother, Brian who made the trip all the way from New York. They arrived just after Morgan was finished with his finals which was perfect timing. We were definitely ready for family to come into town and we sure had a wonderful time.

Grandpa with Samuel.

There was no room for gifts under the tree when Grandma and Grandpa arrived.

Samuel smiling at Grandpa.
Noel played with Grandma for the majority of the time. Morgan and I really didn't see her or talk to her much when Grandma and Grandpa Young were here. Noel sure enjoyed her time with Grandma.

I absolutely love this picture of Noel with her Grandma.
Morgan got to play one of his favorite games, RISK.
Noel hanging out with her grandparents.
Morgan and Brian made breakfast one morning. Man, was it good.

Gary and the turkey.
Since Mary, Gary and Brian weren't there for Christmas day, we celebrated Christmas with them on the evening of Monday, the 19th. Here is our Christmas dinner. It was sooooo good.

We later read the nativity story in the Bible and sang some Christmas songs and opened up presents.




Mary and Gary opening their gifts.

We played a little bit of the wii on one of the evenings.
Morgan and Brian went on a hike the day Brian was to leave. They had a good time.
View of the valley.



We had a photo shoot with Brian before Morgan took him to the airport. Noel sure loved spending time with Brian as did we all, we don't get to see him too often.



I love this picture. Now that is some brotherly love right there.

THANK YOU MARY, GARY AND BRIAN FOR MAKING THE TRIP OUT HERE. WE SURE ENJOYED OUR TIME WITH YOU GUYS AND ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT TIME WE CAN SEE YOU. WE LOVE YOU!

In between Grandparents coming and going Morgan gave Noel a bath and I walked in to find this crazy hair-do on her head.

The day after Mary, Gary and Brian left, my parents arrived. My brother, Mikey, had been there for 5 days or so prior to their arrival and stayed with Chris and Kareena.

Noel hanging out with Grandpa.

Samuel and Grandma hanging out.
Noel and Grandpa fell asleep watching a movie on his ipad.
My brother Chris had just graduated from BYU so e celebrated with some mighty fine food along with some IBC root beer.
Congratulations Chris!
Grandma and Ty were matchy matchy.
I found Mikey and Noel in the mancave having a little bit too much fun. Noel would lay in the lovesac and Mikey would run and jump in the air and land on the lovesac next to her. They both just laughed and laughed.
He's got some pretty crazy poses.
Then Mikey started throwing my daughter into the air onto the lovesac. She was still laughing.


These just crack me up.
Morgan and his boy.
Me with my precious Samuel.
Christmas Morning. We went up to Chris and Kareena's to open gifts because they have so much more space. We had yummy cinnamon rolls my mom made for breakfast.

Samuel trying out his new gift.
Mikey opening up his gifts.
Our little happy Noel.
Morgan got Nutella!!!
My parents opening up their gift from us kids.
Noel got blocks from mommy and daddy...
and a Complete Kitchen Set. She absolutely loves all of her gifts she got this year, which was a lot. She is sure spoiled a.k.a. loved.
Kareena, Ty and Chris. My wonderful parents.

Ty and Samuel in their "My First Christmas" onesies.
Christmas dinner. Mmmmmmm. So good.
My mom and dad brought my Grandpa (my dad's father) to our place so he could meet his newest great grandchildren and so we could see him. He is pretty weak and he may not be around for too much longer. But I asked him how he was doing and he said with a big smile, "Oh, I'm chipper."

4 Generation photo. My brother Chris, with his son, Ty, my dad and my Grandpa Watkins.
4 Generation Photo.

I love these pictures of my dad with my Grandpa.

Noel gave him a big hug before he left. It was precious.
THANK YOU MOM, DAD AND MIKEY FOR COMING OUT HERE FOR CHRISTMAS. WE SURE HAD A BLAST. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING. WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU DEARLY.

I believe I took this picture when it was all over. It's a good sign that we had some fun.