THE PARK-AND OTHER STUFF

We sure do love the park!! In fact, the park is one of the reasons we decided to even purchase our home. It's a pretty big deal to have a park within walking distance of your house (at least we think so). Well, last week after making a quick stop at the local Water n' Ice for some good ole' Thrifty bubble gum ice cream, me and the boys stopped at the park. I happened to have my camera with me and was glad that I did! It turns out that my little guys weren't the only ones having fun at that park this particular day...This grandma proves that the park is for all shapes, ages, and sizes!! I first spotted her getting ready to slide down the slide, but I couldn't get my camera out in time. Wyatt and Luke couldn't stop watching her. Wyatt kept asking me what she was doing.Much to her daughters dismay she decided to try out the tire swing. The best part was when she was getting out! I'm pretty sure I had just as much fun watching her as she did playing.

Our attempt at a garden--take 2

So, you probably don't remember last year when I blogged about our garden. It's OK. We got like one squash out of it. Well, this year is going to be different. Check out that cool garden box that Jared and his dad made for us! I am expecting lots of vegetables from this one... And lots of strawberries and tomatoes from this one...

So that next time I can bottle some of these...but from our garden.And finally, here we are at a Coyotes hockey game last week! Go Yotes (that's what they call out--sounds funny to me). I have only been to one other hockey game years ago, and I wasn't much of a fan. But, this was actually a really good game and we had a good time with Jared's brother Ladd and his wife Janet.

So these past few weeks my sister Connie and I have been on a canning crusade! I'm not sure what's gotten into me, but I have this huge desire to can anything and everything in sight. Lucky for me I have an awesome mother-in-law who has all of the stuff I need to make this possible. Last week Connie and I canned meats (ground turkey, roast, and chicken). We also did some pinto beans. This week we mastered the art of canning butter (we failed the first time but made it work the second), and we made our first batch of strawberry jam. Did I forget anything, Connie? Oh, I just forgot to mention how much fun we've had...It's been great getting together with my sister (and you too, Carrie!...I forgive you for breaking my jar). It's feels good following the prophets council to be self-reliant and to get our food storage! Next up...a garden..so I can bottle some of those fresh veggies! The possibilities are endless. I love it.

I'm a week behind...but what's new! Last weekend was a very special weekend. I had been looking forward to it for a long time. (and no, I am not talking about the Superbowl) My brother's adopted baby girl, Stella, was sealed to Cam and Jenny on Saturday and then given a baby blessing that Sunday. I was grateful to be in the temple Saturday and to witness that sealing! It was beautiful. I have only been to one other sealing between parents and a child...and those are my favorite! Stella is so lucky to have such wonderful parents who love and adore her. I love the Gospel and am so thankful for our temples and the ordinances performed there. My brother Cameron gave such a wonderful blessing on Sunday. Although my boys had been through most of our church already...I was grateful to be there too. It was a beautiful weekend for us!

My siblings from youngest to oldest...Carrie, Connie, Me, Cam

Why God Made Little Boys

God made the world out of His dreams Of magic mountains, oceans and streams, Prairies and plans and wooded land, Then paused and thought "I need someone to stand On top of mountains, to conquer the seas, Explore the plains and climb the trees. Someone to start out small and to grow, Sturdy, strong as a tree…" And so, He created boys, full of spirit and fun, To explore and conquer, to romp and run. With dirty faces and banged up chins, With courageous hearts and boyish grins. When He had completed the task He'd begun He surely said "A job well done".

Looks like another cute little boy for the Williams family, and we couldn't be happier!! I do have to admit that I felt a tad bit disappointed that I wouldn't be able to use those 3 dresses that I bought, or decorate her room like I planned, but yesterday I went out and bought a couple of really cute blue things...so I'll be just fine. Unfortunately for Jared, I am looking forward to decorating another boys room and have already started researching the possibilities. Speaking of Jared, he was totally relieved to find out we were having another boy. He admitted that he was feeling worried that it might be a girl...because we all know how those dad's are so protective of their little girls. The more I thought about it the more I felt grateful to still be the only girl in the house. I would surely welcome another female, but it's nice knowing that I'm still the queen of the house. Now if only we could think of a name...

Indeed it was..

Christmas and the New Year were both very merry in the Williams household.

I love the holidays with kids. Christmas is so much more meaningful with excited little ones running around. Here's what we did...Christmas morning my family came over for a delicious breakfast. That night we visited Jared's family. We celebrated the New Year over at Jared's parents house, along with some siblings. We ate a breakfast dinner (one of my fav. things to do), played some games, and then watched a movie. After the holidays we thought it would be fun to go up to Jared's parents cabin in Heber and enjoy the snow for a weekend. It was lots of fun! Wyatt loved sledding! It was nice having Jared home for awhile...we had fun going to dinner with family, seeing movies, shopping, playing games, seeing the temple lights... I am a little sad it's all over...and a little relieved as well. Now we move on to planning vacations and for baby #3!!

The girls...Connie, Christine, Carrie, Jenny(we didn't plan the "blue" theme either!)

My siblings....Cam, Me, Connie, Carrie

Modeling a new coat (as if you needed an explanation)

I had to post this so you could see how fashionable Cam and Jenny's Stella is!

Worn out after a busy Christmas morning!

CABIN PICTURES

1 WEEK from tomorrow....It will be CHRISTMAS! Just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

WHAT HAVE WE BEEN UP TO?...

Thanksgiving 08'

This year we enjoyed a quiet and relaxing Thanksgiving. We joined Jared's parents over at their house for an early Thanksgiving lunch. The food was delicous and the company was even better! The boys had a great time jumping on the tramp and I couldn't resist putting the sequence of pictures with Luke. If you can enlarge the second picture of him it would be fun. His face is hilarious! Wyatt bounced him all over that trampoline and Luke thought it was great! Later that night (after our naps, of course) we dropped by the Francom's to see some of my family and then we visited with Ladd and Janet and their family for the rest of the evening. Aw, don't we just look all fat and happy?

Yes, we are dorks. I'm suprised Jared even did this pose with me. He's not much of a poser. So, we are now the proud owners of 2 very scary guns. Jared never knew he was such a gun-lover, but he is. I think it's a good idea to have one for protection, but I really should learn how to handle it if I'm gonna protect anyone. So, we decided to go shooting on Friday after Thanksgiving. We had a great time! I don't think I shot any targets, but I still felt pretty cool. Yeah right. Just a great picture of Lukey Lou. I thought about posting the one with his naked buns...but this one is cuter...almost.On Saturday and Sunday we decorated the house. Yes, I did get up on our roof again this year. Sorry, no pictures. I was feeling a little more confident until Jared had me redo the lights like 4 times. He told me, "It's not a big deal!" How would he know? I'm so afraid of heights that my knees get weak and everything. The house looks great, though! The boys really wanted to help decorate, but they ended up eating all of the candy canes off the tree in the end. Wyatt kept asking me why we had all of this new stuff around. So, Monday night we talked about the meaning of Christmas. It was a good reminder for me too. I love Christmas!!Luke got some new pajamas and he was so proud. He still isn't talking much, but he babbles a lot and points to his pj's all while prancing around. He sure is growing up fast.I had my first ultrasound today. I still can't believe we will have another baby! It's so amazing to have this perfect little 3 inch baby growing inside of me. I can't wait to meet him/her. Funny story...I was telling the ultrasound tech that we have 2 little boys so we were hoping for a little girl this time. I could've sworn she said, "it's a girl." I said, "it's a girl?" and she said, "no IF it's a girl..." I felt so dumb. I swear, sometimes I still feel like a first-time Mom. I'm so happy and giddy when I have doctor's appointments...I forget everything I already know...like if I'm only 12 weeks along they can't tell what I'm having yet. It's so hard being patient.