The Week of the Photo Shoots

Today started my string of photos shoots. I had one today, have one Friday, one Saturday and one for family on Sunday. Woosh. Today was Trina and family. I've included a few favorites. Such a cute family.

Last night was our big hayride/caroling mutual activity. Everyone seemed to have a good time, although the boys didn't seem to add much to our singing. And lots of straw was thrown (by the boys), etc--get my drift?!!? And I thought for sure someone would get hurt on one of the two trailers that was hooked together. But no one did. It was a good time and luckily wasn't too cold at all.



This weekend has some busyness in store. Tomorrow night is our ward party, Saturday mroning and evening I have wedding stuff for my friend Amber, then we have a family dinner on Sunday. This is a busy time of year!

The Polar Express

We just got back this afternoon from our adventure in Williams to the Polar Express. We had a fun time. We left yesterday afternoon and drove to Williams. The drive was less than desirable and not one I would want to repeat. The girls were not cooperating; it was a relief when Libby finally fell asleep. Once we got there, however, the girls did great and were very well-behaved. We checked into the Grand Canyon Railway hotel and layered up with thermals and jackets. Then we ate dinner at Max & Thelma's. It was a buffet dinner, but I think we all only had one full plate. The best part for Eliza and Libby was watching the toy train that circled throughout the restaurant. After dinner, we checked out the gift shops, then got ready to board The Polar Express. We got on the train and left soon after for the North Pole. On the way, we enojyed hot (warm) cocoa, chocolate chip cookies and listening to the story as we followed along in our book. We slowly passed the North Pole and waved at Santa and one of his elves who were there. Then we stopped and went the opposite way back to the train depot. We sang Christmas carols and had a visit from Santa Claus who came on our car and gave each kid a HUGE bell from his sleigh--like the book. After returning to the depot, we got off the train and decided to take a short carriage ride on Main Street to see the shops and some Christmas lights. The girls had a great time. I was glad that Libby wasn't scared at all (after our adventure in DisneyWorld this summer). We got back to the room and had a little trouble getting Libby to bed, but we survived and slept! This morning after getting ready, we returned to Max & Thelma's for breakfast and the girls picked out these cute dangling monkey stuffed animals from the gift shop.

Then we started for home and traveled on the 89A through Sedona, Cottonwood, Prescott, then home. It was a very beautiful drive through Sedona, although I had to watch the road so I didn't end up getting sick. :) The ride home was 100% better and the girls were great, thank goodness! We went straight to Brian's parents' house to pick up Ellie who enjoyed a fun sleepover over there. She did great and seemed to miss Brian the most. What a daddy's girl! Now it's back to the grind and trying to get caught up on the Christmas shopping I am so far behind on.

Week In Review and an Ooh La La

Picture from the office party (it was so cute to see all his older clients get all dressed up and come to the party at 3 PM. They like to get out early so they can get home early!)

I made it through the week! Thursday night was our Christmas Enrichment Night. It was held in someone's home and we had a nice dinner, visited a lot, heard a nice talk and song and that was it! It was a fun time. Friday was a crazy day. Eliza had preschool, then I took them to my sister-in-law's house, then I dropped Ellie off with a babysitter and headed to Brian's work party. It went well...he had over 120 clients come and I think they all had a great time. Eliza and Libby had a "grandkids'" sleepover at my parents' house. They had a great time making gingerbread houses, wooden nativities, icicle ornaments, etc. They were spoiled! My parents didn't get much sleep (neither did Libby), but they survived and Libby made up for it with a nice nap today.

This morning before we picked the girls up, we went to the Slippery Pig and Brian picked up his bike, and I also checked out Photomark and looked for the lens I want to add to my Christmas list. I still can't decide, but I might be closer. We got the girls and then it was on to the bridal shower I was hosting for my friend. We had a great turnout and had a good time. Eliza really wanted to stay for the shower, so she did, but I didn't think about Amber opening up those "prized" gifts that you get at a bridal shower. Well, after she opened and held up the first one, Eliza looked at me and did the thumbs down sign. It was so funny. Then after another one, she said, "She could wear that under her clothes or wear a shirt underneath." Then after yet another one, she put her hand to her forehead as if to say, "Not another one!!!" I just had to laugh.

Finally, tonight we had a Christmas party hosted by our good friends in the ward. It was nice to go and not be in charge!

Whooosh! Now on to the next thing: a full day of church and such, then Monday we are off on the Polar Express.

Getting Through

I finished writing and all the boxes are sealed up and ready for the Fed Ex man to come get them tomorrow. Yay! It feels good to have that off my back.

Another big project is almost done, too...My Christmas cards are about ready to go out! When Eliza and Libby go out front to play every afternoon, I take my chair and stool and assemble. I just have to tie some ribbon on part of it and mail them off. That will feel great to put those babies in the mail.

Tonight was mutual and we spotlighted one of our girls. So our class played Apples to Apples, ate cookies and watched a video montage of photos of her. It was fun, but I did feel old--the girls hadn't heard of Waco, Texas (they pronounced it Wacko), they'd never heard of Schindler's List, and they didn't know who Demi Moore was. Am I really that old?!?!

Now if I can just get through Friday and the weekend. I'll be relieved when next Monday comes!

Moving Along

Not a picture of our tree but rather of boxes that I have to write up before tomorrow night!

Boxes waiting for me when I got home from our trip


Brian has Eliza and Libby at his parents to watch the Suns' game so I can get some writing done. So I've been busy, but I need a break so I decided to journal.

I got in to see Dr. McWhorter and he said the way the baby is sitting is causing a pelvic tilt (is that like what Elvis does?!!), making my right leg a hair shorter than the left. So after some popping, painful massage with his "massager" and some great massage and pressure, he said he got a "release" and it should be better. It has been better today so I hope I'm healed! :)

Today we headed to the mall to get my friend's bridal shower gift for Saturday, so I am glad that is done. I think I am mostly ready for that on Saturday, too. If I can just finish my writing deadline by tomorrow night so I can ship off the projects on Thursday, I'll be good!

All right--I'd better get back to work as I enjoy the tree lights, sugar cookie candle and Christmas music.

Busy Week Ahead

I don't know how much updating I'll be doing this week--it's going to be crazy busy. Tomorrow I have a couple of errands to do along with try to get into the chiropractor to see if he'll walk on my back. Not really, but something for a little relief. Tuesday I will be shopping for a bridal shower gift for my friend Amber and the night is packed, too. Wednesday is mutual, Thursday is Enrichment night, Friday is Brian's party at work he hosts for all his clients and Eliza and Libby have a sleepover at my parents, and Saturday is the bridal shower I am giving for my friend and a Christmas party to go to at night. Whoosh!!! But I can make it through!

This weekend went well. Brian did his "bell ringing" service on Saturday morning and he said it went well although he said he about froze to death in the shade. Brian and I went out that night and did some Christmas shopping, but I am a terrible Christmas shopper. Every place we went I thought, "Oh, let's wait; it might go on sale, etc." So we didn't get a whole lot bought and I'm sure I drove Brian crazy with my tactics. We did get to eat at Babbo's, so that was tasty.

And church went well today. Libby was so cute this morning before church. Eliza had gotten her scriptures in a little purse to take and so Libby wanted to do the same. A few minutes later she came in with some in a little purse and said, "Now I can do 'Scripture Power'!" She was so excited, but they didn't end up singing that song today in Sharing Time. After church we had dinner at my parents' house and it was delicious. We also watched the Christmas Devotional. I always love the music, although I'll have to go back and read the talks since watching it with kids around makes it hard to concentrate. I did like President Hinckley's outfit though--he looked like a preppy college student--so cute!

OK--gotta go. Here's to a full week!

Home

We are finally home and it feels so good! Yesterday morning we got all packed up and in the car ready to leave and the car wouldn't start. Nice. Luckily we found a nice man in the parking garage who had some cables and got us going again. So we got a little later start, but it was a start nonetheless. The girls did okay. They had some very rough stretches where I was ready to fly or walk home, but we made it. I drove for a while, too, so that was a nice break from having to entertain the troops in the back. We ended up going through Vegas and it was a different drive. It was pretty in St. George (where we got to see the temple) and through the gorge, but in Vegas we hit some traffic. I would have no desire to live or visit there--not because of that but because of the atmostphere. It went fairly quickly from Kingman to home and we finally pulled in around 11. We all slept well and are glad to be home.

Today I've been trying to get caught up and back into a routine. Eliza had preschool, so that helped get us back into the groove. I was also greeted this afternoon with a mound of boxes that I need to write up next week for another book. The bad thing is that my lower back has been hurting like nothing else. It hurts to walk and sit down. I've called my chiropractor, but he doesn't work on Fridays. So I am hoping he'll call back to suggest some relief until then. I feel like an old lady, but it doesn't feel good. :(

I can't believe it's Friday though. Feels like a Monday, but it's nice that it's Friday and the weekend already!
(I can't post all the photos I want, so I will do that in another post.)

Baby It's Cold Outside

Today was such a chilly day. Frigidly cold. It was in the single digits. But the good part is that it didn't snow and the roads were clear enough for us to do some things. The girls spent some time at the Clubhouse and Brian and I got to go to some fun places in Salt Lake and surrounding areas. The girls had a great time playing and having fun toys to play with instead of being cooped up in the room or out in the freezing cold. They did lots of art, made a necklace, played, danced, etc. Brian and I didn't get to do everything we hoped, but we went to Tai Pan Trading, Gardner's Mill, Quilted Bear and Distribution Center. We had a fun time.

This evening we all went to Wal-Mart looking for VHS tapes for the TV in the car, but wouldn't you know they only sell DVDs. And so do the grocery stores. We found a Blockbuster and they had a few. So on the way home the girls will be watching Eloise, The RM and Santa Clause 2.

Now it's bedtime and we come home tomorrow. Did I mention how cold it is here?!?!?! It is fun to visit, but we definitely couldn't live here. Brian and I were talking about why or how people enjoy living where it snows in the winter. I'm sure people wonder how we could live somewhere so hot, but we decided that you don't need anything extra for the heat. Just a good AC and you're set. But dealing with the snow, you need special clothes, tires, scraper to get ice off the car, driving skills, etc. Not to mention it takes so long to get everyone bundled up and it's hard to carry things (diaper bag, children, bags, etc) when you are all bundled up And to do it everyday would get so tiring. So when I am complaining of the heat, I'll just be glad I don't live in cold country. I love to visit, but that is good for me!

I didn't take any pictures today, so here are some random ones from the week. Happy Wednesday.

Snow Day #2

Today was a lot like yesterday. It wasn't snowing this morning, so we got ready and drove to the outlets here in Park City. We got to go to several stores, but while we were in the Nike Outlet, it started snowing pretty good, so we decided to head back. Brian did great driving in the snow, but it is always a little nerve-wracking. I couldn't live here and do that all the time. We made it back safely and Ellie got a long nap. The girls played in the snow this evening and we heated up a frozen pizza that we had bought. We aren't getting to do all the stuff we were hoping to, but it has been fairly relaxing. We are hopeful we can make it down to Salt Lake tomorrow if it doesn't snow any more.

Snowed-In (Kind of)

This morning we woke up and it was snowing. And it has snowed all day long. But to start at the beginning, Ellie woke up in the night and threw up a few more times, so we were up pretty late. She finally got to sleep for good at about 1 or so and slept until 9. She has been pretty well all day, just a little weak and hasn't eaten a ton. This morning we still couldn't get our hot water working (it has been an issue from the beginning), so they moved us to another room. That took a while, but we are glad for hot water and warm rooms. After we got into the new room, we got ready and Brian stayed with Ellie while she napped and I braved the cold with the girls and walked in the snow up Main Street. We dressed warm, so it wasn't very cold but the snow falling on our faces was cold. They had a great time though. They made and threw several snow balls, did snow angels and played a lot in the snow as we walked up the street. We only bought a treat at a candy shop and I was shocked when he told me the total. Eliza got a dipped pretzel, Libby got a chocolate/caramel turtle and I got two individually wrapped caramels. It was $7.50! It was good though. Luckily they have a trolley and we caught a ride back to our hotel.

This evening we ventured out hoping to go to the outlets, but we made it about a 1/2 mile and turned around and came back. It was just too wet, snowy and slippery. Maybe tomorrow. So now we are waiting for dinner to be delivered to our room from La Casita. Can't wait for Mexican food!

Pictures from Today

Here are pictures from today.

Trip Update Day 3

**It's not letting me upload photos, so that will be in another post. Ugh.

Today was a good day in theory. We drove to Salt Lake and decided to do the whole Temple Square thing. But before we even got out of the car, the girls were not behaving very well. After some stern talkings-to, we went first to the visitor's center, then took a brief tour of the Conference Center. Neither of us had been there, so it was fun to see and go on the roof. The artwork in there is sure amazing. Then we drove around a bit and drooled over the houses up on the mountain. Then we did a tour of the Brigham Young house. The girls seemed to enjoy seeing all the pioneer stuff and eating a lemon drop at the end. They used to give "horehound" candy, but they said that they would find them all over the place--like under couches, etc--because most people don't care for the taste. Finally we went to the church history museum and that was fun for a little bit, but there is only so much museum and "looking" that a 3 and 4 year old can handle. Brian and I are already wondering when we can go back just the two of us. We think it will be soon--or at least we would like it to be.

From downtown Salt Lake, we drove to Draper and killed some time looking around at houses. Oh my. There are some amazing ones up on the mountain. I included a picture that we hurried and took of one gigantic home. It took two camera frames--it didn't fit into one. Then we went to American Fork and visited my friend Margie that I met about 14 years ago at EFY. We have stayed in touch through letters and now e-mail ever since. We were at each others' weddings and have visited a couple other times, but it is mostly through e-mail. So it was great to see her, her husband and two boys. They had a family dinner with her siblings and families along with home evening. We watched a neat short film called Money or Mission. John Lyde who Margie was friends with growing up wrote and directed the film. It was a great movie with a good message. It was also fun to see/meet her brother-in-law, Sam Payne, who is a great folk singer. It was a fun time at her house.

On the way home, Ellie didn't seem to be feeling well and she threw up in her seat. Yuck. I am not sure if it is upset stomach or car sick (we came home through Provo Canyon). She threw up once more in the room (after we got her all bathed, of course), and she seems to be feeling better. I hope that is the end of it.

I guess that is all from today. I think tomorrow we'll spend in Park City so we can see how Ellie is feeling and so she can get some regular naps.

Pictures from Day 2

Day 2: Family Fun

This morning we got up, got ready and headed back towards West Jordan. We stopped at Wal-Mart in Park City to get a couple of items, then we stopped at Marie Callendar's to pick up our food for the reunion. We still had a little time, so we went to the Quilted Bear in Midvale (I think). Oh my. Talk about cute stuff. There was so much to look at and so much I wanted to look at. We are going to go back when we have more time. It was fun.

From about lunch time until about 7:30 we were at the Trimble Family Reunion. It was held at a church building in West Jordan. It was fun to see Brian's grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and all of their kids. I had seen most before, but it had been a while, so it was great to see them all again. We started with a turkey lunch with lots of sides. Then we had some games (trivia games about his grandparents, guess which grandchild is in which picture, and the kids "bobbed" for donuts. Eliza and Libby really enjoyed that. Libby was so good and cute to keep her hands down and to not touch her donut. She followed the rules perfectly! She was cute to watch. The guys played many, many games of bump out (basketball), then everyone played volleyball. I held my own for being 7 months pregnant! I guess it's a compliment when someone asks, "Did you play in college?" Makes me feel good. After it was over, we grabbed a bite to eat and came back to our room. Now all the girls are sleeping and I will relax for a little bit. Yay! (We left the camera in the car, so I will add pictures tonight.)

Hello from Park City

We made it to Park City. We left this morning at about 8:30 and got here at about 8:30. So it wasn't too bad. The girls did pretty well. There were a couple times that were a little hectic, but overall they did great. We borrowed a friend's TV/VCR for the car and that was heaven! They went through all the movies we brought, so I told Brian we are going to invest in about $30 worth at Wal-Mart for the way home. It will be worth it to me to have some peace. Along the way we stopped in Page for lunch at "Old McDonalds" where Ellie had her first French fry and seemed to like it. The girls all feel asleep at various times along the way with Ellie and Libby sleeping for the longest stretches. :) We took a little stop in Beaver at the Cache Valley Cheese Factory where we got some ice creams. Eliza had pumpkin, which she loved and Libby and Brian both had Chocolate Peanut Butter. And I enjoyed a little of each one. From there we drove to Park City. It is quite cold. We are going to have to bundle up. Brian said the forecast is like 16 degrees for the high with a snow storm. Great. I guess we'll do what we can do.

Our condo is very nice and will be very roomy for our stay this next week. The girls have their own room and Brian and I have our own room with a big living area and kitchen connecting them both. My favorite part is the huge jacuzzi tub in our room. It has like two seats in there. I can really spread out in there!

Bye for now--I need to get some sleep.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today was a fun, full day. Brian went to the turkey bowl this morning and the girls and I hung out at home. They loved watching the Macy's parade and seeing the Little People, 12 Dancing Princesses, High School Musical, Hannah Montana, Jojo, etc. They also loved watching the dog show that came on after.

For lunch we went to my brother's house and had a nice Thanksgiving meal with my parents, too. The food was delicious and the pie turned out soooooo yummy. It is very rich, but I would definitely make it again. The kids had fun playing outside after. After being there a while, we came back home and got ready for my mom's side of the family to all come over for our annual get-together. We munched on some food and treats, played some games and had our ornament exchange. The food was great and the games were fun. The kids especially enjoyed playing BINGO. And we all got some very cute ornaments. Brian got a glass ball basketball and I got a so very cute decoration that my aunt Deb made. It's an assortment of found objects (bingo card, old greeting card, JOY letters, jingle bells and a vintage glass ball ornament and you put a glass dome on top of it. I will take a picture when my camera is done charging. Eliza got a very cute ladybug with jingle bells on it. Libby got a black high heel shoe and a glass-blown carousel horse ornament because of the Disney World trip and Ellie got a cute pig with high heels. Very memorable.

Now I am on to packing. Going into cold country is hard to pack for and it takes up a lot more suitcases!

Ellie is One!!!

Today was Ellie's birthday. She is a big one year old. Today for some reason she seemed all of a sudden older--just acted older--walked more, talked more, etc. She is growing up! Eliza did say sadly, "Ellie doesn't look one to me." I don't know what a one-year-old should look like, but I guess Ellie doesn't look one. She seemed to have a good day though. I didn't go to aerobics as I was trying to get some things done around the house. Eliza had preschool and Libby spent the afternoon with my parents. One-on-one she is a gem, but when she and Eliza or she and Ellie or even her and I have been together lately, it is not pretty. I think it's her terrible threes, but she is difficult. I hope it ends soon. Seems like I get through one thing and the next thing starts. My patience has been tried beyond measure lately and I am not doing well with it. I keep trying though.

Tonight after dinner my parents came over and Ellie got to open her presents. She got a Little People castle, pull along thing for the little plastic balls she has, a push walker thing that converts into a car you scoot on and some books. She was happiest though sitting on an empty box. ...doesn't take much to make her happy.

I just got finished making a pie for Thanksgiving lunch. I hope it tastes as good as it looked as I was making it.

I am excited for Thanksgiving. It ought to be a fun day. I am actually glad we will be traveling on Friday, so I don't feel like I have to be out shopping. I was at Bath and Body Works today splurging on Spicy Gingerbread 3-in-1 and they said they open at 4 AM on Friday. Insane. The toy store opens at 3. Even more insane. I for sure won't be there.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Happiness Post

Things that are making me happy lately:
--hearing the bell ring at Wal-Mart. It made me walk a few paces faster though thinking that Christmas is coming soon! And on Dec. 2nd Brian has to be the "bell-ringer" at the Safeway by his office to help out with Kiwanis Club. :)
--getting a ton knocked off my to-do list today
--a clean house
--getting Christmas decorations up
--channel 941
--getting some house decorations up (not Christmas related)
--Ellie turning one tomorrow
--Thanksgiving is this week!
--yummy smelling candles in the house
--an Auto Gold to make my car smell good
--being able to still wear my regular clothes
--York Peppermint Patties--seems like one jumps into my cart wherever I am
--the thought of getting Christmas cards in the coming weeks
--Eliza decorating the tree for me (I'm sure Libby will add to it tomorrow)

I'd better get back at it.
Happy Thanksgiving.

Slacking

I am slacking on my posts lately. So here is an update on what is going on.

I am sitting in the chair next to our Christmas tree as I type this and I am loving watching the glow of the lights. Now we just need to decorate the tree and put everything else out! That should happen this week.

First of all, I can't believe this Thursday is Thanksgiving. I am excited, but it has come so fast. And I also can't believe that on Wednesday Ellie will turn 1. It doesn't seem like a year ago that we were in the hospital having her. Time sure does fly.

I have been doing a lot of home projects lately--mostly with the girls' clothes. I went through all their closets and drawers and put away their summer stuff and got out the winter stuff. I boxed up all of Ellie's clothes that she is too big for and it won't be too long before we get them out again for baby girl! I told Brian it hasn't been long enough in between. Oh well--what do we do now? Only 3 more months and she'll be here. But it feels so great to have the clothes gone through and organized. I also went through and was very picky with what I kept. If it had a stain that I put up with while Ellie wore it and I still haven't been able to get it out, it went in the trash. And if I didn't really care for it or was a hassle to have her wear, it went into the DI pile. So I have a bunch more nice clothes for them that just didn't work for us. I got rid of a bunch of socks and newborn/infant shoes. I've kept them because they are so cute, but my girls just never wore them unless they were like those little Carter's cotton ones that velcro.

Libby finally earned her bike this week. She cruises on it around the neighborhood and loves riding it.

I feel like my patience has been tried lately by 2 cute girls, so one morning in family prayer Brian said, "Please bless Mom that she can be patient." Later that morning I must have been getting frustrated because Eliza said, "But Mom, Dad prayed that you would be patient and you are not being patient." Oops! I thought it was cute.

I have also done some photo shoots this past week, so I am including a couple images from those sessions.

This week will be big with Ellie's birthday, getting ready for and on the actual Thanksgiving Day, and then getting packed and heading to Utah. I hope I can get it all done. I have my to-do list written out and ready to go!

So here we go!!!

Season of Giving

Our ward is having a big Deseret Industries drive to fill their shelves by December 1st. I guess they are very low on items. so on Sunday night Brian and I went through our closets and made two huge piles to donate. Then for family home evening , I talked to the girls a little bit from the scriptures about helping the needy and being charitable. Then I said we were going to go into the toy room and choose some things that they think another little boy or girl would like to have and we would donate that to DI. At first Eliza put on a sad face and said she didn't want to choose anything, but when we got in there and started talking about it, she was finding things right and left. They were so cute and chose some Disney princess figures that they thought another little girl would enjoy. I loved it because Eliza picked her favorites and thought another girl would like it best because they had "sparklies" on it. I was proud of them for being so giving. Yesterday morning Libby came in with a little toy baby bottle and said, "Let's give this, too." I am glad they are thinking of others.

In other news:
I have a massive to-do list this week before Thanksgiving and on into December. We are trying to get ready for Ellie's birthday, Thanksgiving, our trip to Utah, Polar Express, my friend Amber's bridal shower and wedding and then Christmas!!! It is coming so quickly.