Max meets Father Christmas. warning. obsessed mom takes many pictures. also, I can't get my banner to shrink to size.

Last night, Kesha and I took Boston and Max to meet Santa at the Christmas tree farm. The boys were working late on a deal together, so we thought, why not. The dialogue went a little something like this:

Wow. Santa. That's some beard. Mom, I hear you calling my name and I know you want me to look at you and smile for a photo...

but I just...can't...seem... to break... my gaze. Yes Santa, I have been a good boy, and I want to tell you what's on my list, but I am feeling a little transfixed...

I do not find that funny. nor is it helping.

seriously mom? seriously?! If I look at you will you shut up? You're killing me. Where's Boston?

I don't know about this guy, cuz. What do you think?

He's fantastic! Can I take him home with me?

Well, sniff, I, sniff, hate him!! [fighting back tears]

suck it up you big baby. he's definitely bringing me more presents.

gee mom. thanks for the rescue. an hour later.

they call it the holiday rush, but please...

slow down!

Today I was in the parking lot at Old Navy, getting ready to get out of the car. Get the purse, grab my drink, all the while talking to my mom on the phone. I looked up, and to my horror, there was a silver civic, backing out of her parking spot, within an inch of a little boy who was no older than  two and a half. The boy was running away, as best as he could, but the car was backing just as fast. I saw the car bumper litterally kissing his back the whole time. He must have screamed, because his mom, who was putting the stroller in the trunk, turned around, grabbed him, and stopped the other car. It all happened SO fast. I didn't even have time to open my door. The mom and driver exchanged brief apologies, driver never even leaving her car, and then drove away. Um, crazy?! Finally locating my brain, I ran over to make sure they were okay. The little guy was crying and saying "mommy, I scared! I scared!" The mother was crying even harder than the little boy. I asked if they were alright and she said, "We're fine, just scared. I just wasn't watching him." 

Part of why this scared me so badly is because this wasn't two people acting recklessly, these are mistakes we make every day. The driver checked her rear view mirror, but the boy wasn't visible, being shorter than the hight of the back of the car. The mom was just putting away her stroller and took her eyes off him for one second. Should she have put her baby in first? yes. Should the driver have taken special care to watch for children? yes. But we are guilty of this kind of thing all the time. 

It was so close to disaster. If the little boy hadn't seen the car, or if he had tripped while running, if the mom hadn't turned around when she did, it could have ended tragically. So while you're out hurrying to get the last presents purchased, just remember, slow down!

nothing better than a belly...

especially this one!

[me and Rach!]

Please excuse all the photo plugs, but I just finished a big fat load of editing. Now I just have to catch up the blog! Just before Thanksgiving, I got to take pictures of my ADORABLY pregnant cousin Rachel, who is having a baby girl in February. She is due on Max's birthday! It has been so fun to watch Rach and Chad go through the whole baby prep thing together, they are such a sincerely sweet, in love pair. They are going to make fantastic parents. I just can't get enough of them!  [click on post title to see the rest]

Dear Santa,

I just discovered some amazing websites I hope you are familiar with. www.giggle.com and landofnod.com- have you heard of them? I found some really rad toys that would be intillectually stimulating and fun for me, and they have a modern vibe, so my mom won't mind them floating around the living room so much [remember the jumparoo?]. Plus, they are eco friendy, using milk based paint so I can chew away and not worry about lead. The wood animals are made by mentally challenged adults and the proceeds go to benefit them.Your elves don't need to make them! See? Everyone wins here. Anyway, I have been a pretty good baby this year, I don't poop up my back so much, I've been eating all my baby food, and I have been sleeping like a champ. So if you wouldn't mind sticking one [or more] of these bad boys in my stocking, it would be a dream come true.

the green one is for me!

I could let my girlfriend play with the pink one, I think its a total chic magnet.

This mobile would be an excellent addition to my nursery, and would help me sleep like the little angel that I am.

Ooooh, faaaaast! I think I would look great driving that silver one. But I know what you're thinking. Not old enough for my own car. Maybe when I turn one?

Just think of the things I could build and the people I could throw these at...

Thanks Santa, you're the best.

Love, Maxwell

When she showed up wearing this hat, I knew we were in for some fun...

Check her out! [click on post title to follow link]

sink time

Max got a little sink bath with Kenzie and Nana, and he thought it was fantastic. He could not get over how cool the faucet was!

Family Weekend Megapost

This weekend, my Mom, Dad and Mackenzie came to visit! The boys went to St. George to go golfing and the girls stayed home with the baby. We had so much fun! Here are some highlights from the weekend:

It snowed more- LOTS more! We got about eight inches and everything looked so pretty! We decided to let Max check it out up close and personal this time. Nana was happy to do the honors. 

we could not get him to take his eyes off the snow! he was completely mesmerized!

I had to share this one. what on earth is that face?!

Mackenzie and Nana are completely obsessed with Max. They literally fight over who gets to sit next to him in the car and whose turn it is to hold him, based on who has had the longest turn. it is so funny!

Kenz was on a mission to finish Harry Potter and apparently, Max was helping. These photos are NOT posed. I got out of the shower and found them in my room like THIS:

On Mackenzie's birthday, we started off with a yummy breakfast at home. Buttermilk pancakes(notice the lovely "15" shaped pancakes I made her! And yes. I did make a 14 first. Is she REALLY 15?!) and vanilla syrup with French Hot chocolate, this new recipe my mom introduced me to and I am now in love with. We essentially made chocolate mousse and put it in steaming hot milk. You have NO idea what you are missing until you try this stuff. Friends, come on over for a taste!

Later, we met up with Lyns and ran around to do some MORE shopping. We also went to dinner and went bowling! I scored a 63. How that is possible, I don't know. I would like to point out that I had two strikes though. Lets just say I lack consistency.

Me and Jord. Serious bowlers. Jordan, something is missing in this picture... what is it!? ha!

Me and my #1.

Kenzie surprised Tessa at school, pulled her out of P.E. and everything! It was so funny to watch her reaction. Her expression in this one is priceless!



Max's new favorite game: We discovered that peek-a-boo in a crib is 1000 times more fun then regular old peek-a-boo. We all took turns playing, and Max never once got tired of it. He laughed his head off every time!

first snowfall

Today we had our first little snow storm here in Farmington! I was so happy to finally have some white to cover the ugly brown mountains. Max thought it was pretty intruiging. Either that or he liked the sound of his hands hitting the window... hard to know for sure. So I snapped a few of Max watching his first snowfall, funny that I didn't take any pictures of the actual snow... Moms have such one tracked minds!


{talking to the snow}

{pat, pat, pat!}

Happy Thanksgiving!

Love the Kettle Family

attempt at family picture...

We are celebrating this Thanksgiving in Rexburg with the Kettles! Even though I miss all the Rands, we always have so much fun with all of Danny's sisters and Max's adorable cousins. Here are a few highlights...

Max was actually happy playing by himself during dinner- which almost never happens! He always wants to eat when we eat. It was so nice to sit down and enjoy all the yummy food. These pics are actually after dinner. He thought he would help look for some good deals in the day after Thanksgiving sale ads.

I was a little upset at first when we couldn't find any pie tins and I was in charge of pumpkin pie. So we made pumpkin pie bars! I was sad that it wasn't going to look pretty, but it ended up looking ok in the end, and it tasted good, which is what counts. Right?

The Kettles ALWAYS have a football game before dinner, and all adults are required to play, unless you are pregnant or the designated babysitter (which is always Sandy, Danny's mom). I of course played better than ever and as always, I scored a touchdown. I am happy to report that this is our third Kettle Thanksgiving and I have scored at least one touchdown every year. And no, I am never modest about it. We always have special beanies for the occasion that Dan makes for us (Danny's parents own Kettle Embroidery). We look extra good in yellow and black, I must say.

Here I am guarding Missy, who was no match to my God given raw football talent.
Danny and Scott ready to throw down!

Max and Lil snuggling this morning.

This year I am so thankful for so many things. We have such amazing families, and we are so glad that we have our own little family now. Max brings us more joy than we ever could have imagined. We are thankful for two little businesses that are really picking up. We are so lucky to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives. We hope to remember all of our blessings and be more aware of them, especially during the upcoming Holiday Season. We hope all our friends and family had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I use natural light because...

one: I can't afford studio lighting.
two: IT DOES THIS!

check out all six {C}children