Yeah! Our garden is actually growing! I went out this afternoon to water and spotted a few new plants sprouting...EXCITING!

Here we have some strawberries...

...and some squash...for your viewing pleasure.

And in other news...Last weekend we celebrated my nephew Mikey's 1st birthday. Connie and Tim threw a great party for all of the family!

On Monday me and my sisters got together for a picnic. It was a little warm but a lot of fun watching Wyatt sacrifice his body in order to help his cousin Abbey get up on the swing. It was really cute. Oh, and yes Abbey did finally get up on that swing!

And finally, Jared had Friday off, so we woke up and took the boys out for a hike. They LOVE to hike and we could not have chosen a better day...the weather was beautiful. Our hike took a lot longer than expected due to Wyatt brushing aside all the loose cactus pieces and horse poo, but it was great fun! Good times. Here's a picture of me at 6 months...just in case you were wondering how big I am. Does anybody else's appetite like triple when they are pregnant, or is it just me? I asked Jared to order me the regular hot dog once at lunch...he asked for a bite, so I gave him one and thought to myself, "Wow! That was a big bite...I think I might still be hungry after I finish this hot dog." After I finished I wasn't stuffed, but wasn't really hungry either (because I ate so many french fries). That's when Jared decides to tell me that he actually ordered the jumbo dog for me! Wow. Thanks a lot.

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!!!