i HEART Edward

Last night at 7pm, I was first in line with some of my girlfriends for the 8:30 showing of Twilight. We pretty much formed the line. Not really expecting more than just a good girls night out, I got much more than I bargained for! I know this may come as a surprise to many of you, it was definitely a surprise for me, but I absolutely loved this movie! I was laughing all week long about the craze surrounding Twilight. Now I am the craze. If you are looking for me this week, I will be locked in my room with the book in hand trying to get to the next. And skipping around to aforementioned parts reading over and over. 

Thanks girls for such a fun night out! 

**Update: Well, probably nothing that most of you don't already know, but the book is even better than the movie.  Way better.  Difficult to put down. Why didn't someone force me to read this earlier?!  All those awkward conversations about twilight where I'd sit silent, now...I'm ready to discuss!!  But I do need to get my kids who are patiently (not really) waiting for me to get them up and fed! More later, I'm sure.  I know that excites you Bree.  And Alisa, find the time!

I think this pic is appropriate at this time...

Go Utes!

After watching this clip I think we will be rooting for the Utes tomorrow.

The Call.

On Friday my parents had a televised interview with President Uchtdorf and were called to serve as Mission President and Companion beginning July 1st for 3 years. A priceless opportunity.

Since I have been deemed the most emotional of the family and now (according to Mom and Bree, feel free to raise your hands in disagreement on this one siblings) the most emotionally dependent upon my parents...this has been a bit of an emotional ride for me since their first interview with Elder Nelson a few months ago. I've had moments of real struggle as I contemplated 3 years.  But as my parents shared with us some of the details of their interview with President Uchtdorf and words he spoke to them of the confirmation received in the temple, I really can't feel anything but a greater love for the gospel, gratefulness for missionary work, that same missionary work that brought my Dad to the church 47 years ago, I feel my testimony strengthened already and comforted by the Spirit. It will be hard and very sad at times, we will miss them very much, words really can't express. But I feel an excitement for all of us to have the example of my parents serving our Heavenly Father with such faith and sacrifice. Our knowledge and appreciation for service will be strong and our testimonies will grow. As Elder Nelson said, there's nothing better to help a testimony grow then little children praying each night for their grandparents on a mission. Lives will be blessed. Those are some very lucky missionaries, their work will be supported, their lives touched and their needs cared for.  I know in return they will impact my parents in a way that will forever change them. What an exciting adventure.

So now we wait...we wait to see where they will be sent. I almost feel I should put an asterisk at the end of that paragraph indicating that this new found comfort only applies if they go within the states. We'll find out in February.

We're so proud of you. We're so GRATEFUL for you. We love you so much.

Halloween Night

Halloween is quickly becoming one of my most favorite holidays!

Introducing... Dinner in a Pumpkin to Emma and Chris

A Grandma's special final touch...lipstick and blush!The frenzy of pre-trick-or-treating photos...and we were still missing a few!And finally...some Trick-or-Treating!

The Monkey Man...I finally got to experience this and come to understand Jacy's obsession with scaring the little ones. It took Emma about 1 millisecond to run as fast as she could in the opposite direction. I felt horrible at the time but by tonight I am already thinking about next year!This is where the sugar started kicking in...And this is where it had completely and fully taken over. The kids were literally bouncing off the walls . Literally.We hope everyone had a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! Until next year...

Yum-Yum

FHE Arizona Style

Monday night we met up with Alisa and Jacy's families for FHE at Westgate. It was a perfect AZ night and a highlight of the trip so far. AND a definite step in the right direction for the Shepherd FHE's. Any guesses on what dad is doing with the kids?!

Love these ladies! Love this family.

Halloween Fun

Well Bree would be proud...we've managed to stretch out the Halloween fun to 2 weeks. Here's week #1...

PUMPKIN PATCH
I was really excited for this...we missed it last year and I kept imagining a cool crisp fall day picking out pumpkins. Sadly, it was 95 degrees outside. Happily, Emma picked out the first pumpkin she saw, one for her and one for sister, and we were in and out of there in 20minutes. Would have been 10 but she discovered these tents with drums inside. I was happy for some shade.

Welling Halloween Party
This was definitely not a disappointment! Everything was so great and I was excited to be able to celebrate Halloween with friends before heading out to Arizona to celebrate with family! Emma was excited to finally wear her costume out and I couldn't wait to see my butterfly and caterpillar together! Thank you Welling family. And a special thanks to Emma for being the party photographer!

TRUNK-or-TREAT

Arizona, Arizona, Arizona!! I love coming here. As much as I do come here, it has been 10 years since my last Halloween in AZ, yes...I am old and that became crystal clear at the parents Trunk-or-Treat when the little girls I remember as toddlers were very unfamiliar teenagers. Nonetheless, it was a great night. This is Emma's first year getting to actually Trick-or-Treat and she was not let down, either was I. As cautious as she is with strangers...if she had to go up and say those 3 magic words to get a piece of candy, she was going to do it. She followed her older cousins around and was amazed at all this candy that was now hers. I was amazed at my baby who is now officially a big girl.

Taylor and Emma Happenings

Taylor rolled over from tummy to back about a month ago, so we were excited when she finally rolled back to tummy last Monday. And if she's not rolling over fast enough, thankfully she has Emma who LOVES to give her a little help!

Thanks to a friend who lent us the BUMBO!  I think it is so hilarious, all head with some feet sticking out.

I LOVE this pic of Tae.  Mom gave me this bear for her last Christmas, Emma quickly claimed it and it became "Mr. Bear", but when no one was looking, Taylor got some snuggling time with it and I think may claim this one thing back...evenutally!

Well I can't have "Taylor Happenings" without mentioning her being so sick.  She has spent over 2 weeks now with such a horrible respiratory blahhh.  Her long tongue has come in handy though, licking away the yummy drainings from her nose!  

What else? Still totally uninterested in actual food but she is sleeping through the night and going to bed at the same time as Emma!  We have our nights back!  And btw, as a follow up to a previous post...I definitely prefer nighttime sleep.  She really has become such a content little baby, not real eager to move on to the next step.  Easy to smile.  LOVES her sis.  Wish I could just have a whole day to snuggle her!

We LOVE and adore you, Tae!

What's going on with Emma...

LOVES to be the big sister...I've been thinking a lot about this recently and how much she has changed and had to deal with change over the past 5 months.  She went from my baby to a big girl so quickly.

However, with that have come more and more pre-teen moments

But she never lets us down...always entertaining and making us laugh

And it's a miracle!  Emma is going to Nursery...HAPPILY and by herself!!  It wasn't more than a week before when I left her yelling, I have to throw up.   It's truly amazing.  Big shout out to her teachers who will never read this...but they are the best.  I've heard she now follows them around hugging their legs telling them i LOVE you so much!  

First day of Music Makers...

Imitating our reactions to her taking pictures of us!

I can't get over how much they soak everything in.  Many times I hear her repeating conversations we've had and she LOVES to ask me a question but answer it before I can in what she thinks is my tone of voice...this can either be very funny or very scary. I LOVE this picture of her strolling her doll all while making sure to shade her with a blanket from the sun.

What else, you ask.  She LOVES cartoons.  LOVES new books, watching pictures and playing with friends.   LOVES her choo-choo puzzle.  I have a love-hate relationship with this puzzle.  Since receiving this in July, there hasn't been a day that's gone by that this puzzle has not been requested.  Multiple times.  Do the math! But it's been fun to watch her learn letters, animals, and how to put a puzzle together.  She LOVES to whisper in our ears and speak in 3rd person and is becoming very very sneaky.  LOVES to dance and sing the Hokey-Pokey.  LOVES to ask for 2 more minutes.  LOVES to help Mommy and go to the park with Daddy.  And LOVES story time while snuggled up in bed. 

We LOVE you, Emma!

If you haven't noticed yet, I absolutely LOVE having 2 kids.  I really really do.