SNOW DAY and a not so big SNOW MAN!!!

We woke up on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and found about 6 inches of snow outside. It was fresh and beautiful. I love being in it if it is for some fun activity, like skiing, snowfort building, sledding, etc. but that is the extent of my love for it. It makes a pretty picture outside my window in the morning, but that is it. I hate the cold and wet of it. IT IS SO COLD!!!!
I don't want my kids to turn out like me in this respect so I bundled them up along with my 21 year old brother-in-law (Tony) and took them outside. We had a blast (because it fit into the fun activity category)!!!

I taught Sammie how to make a snow angel. At first she wasn't quite so sure, but then that is all I could get her to do. And she was quite the angel.

Eston learned how to catch snowflakes in his mouth. (obviously that would be the first thing since Eston loves anything involving eating.) He just loved tromping around in it. And would follow Uncle Tony wherever he went.

I must admit we originally went outside with the soul purpose of building a snowman. I told myself that this would be the year of the snowman. MY snowman!!! This may come as a shock since I have lived in Utah most of my life and been surround by snow for at least four months of each year. I have NEVER (to my best recollection) built a snowman. Snow fort, yes. Snow cave to sleep in, yes. Snow man, NO!!! I think the idea of getting my hands cold for something that only paid off for looks just didn't seem worth it. So this was supposed to be the year of the snowman. Tony laughed when he found this out. To my dismay the snow would not pack. I tried and tried and all I got was powder trickling from my hands. So we settled for the next best thing and called it good.

I still need to make the real deal one day. I have now gotten the bug out of my system. So maybe next year can be the year of the snowman.

BATMAN!!!

The Original Batman!!!
Spencer Pedersen 2 years old (The blonde one)

Batman Revived!!!
Eston Clinger 1 year old (the only one in the picture)

My little (not really so little anymore) brother Spencer received this costume on his first birthday (along with his friend Andrew). He wore it for several years, off and on. I am constantly told by my family how much Eston looks a lot like Spencer did when he was this same age. I was helping my mom clean out her closets and found the ever so trusted and heroic suit. Eston LOVES it. He runs around our house with this cape on for most of the day. I just LOVE having a little boy. (It's a nice change from playing princess all day.)

BLUE BABY got fired!!!

BLUE BABY began when Sammie had her first Christmas. Sammie's Great-Grandma slipped it under the tree with the rest of the stuff Santa brought. My first impression of BLUE BABY was that it was so old school and not the cutest thing. Sammie had other dolls that I thought were cuter and I tried as hard as I could to include the cute dolls in all form of play, hoping Sammie would hit it off with them and be BFF with it.

However, to no avail, Sammie imprinted (for those Twilight fans) with what we have loving called (and made one of the family) BLUE BABY. BLUE BABY goes on all trips with us and never missed a nap or bedtime in the evening with Sam. She was so devoted to her BFF that they were inseperable. In fact one time we went camping, and the germaphobe that I am left BLUE BABY in the car. Matt had to walk about 5-10 minutes to the car and then back again in the dark all because Sammie was lost with out BLUE BABY. I have developed over the last two years a LOVE - HATE relationship with BLUE BABY

For the past month Sammie has been a scared kick. Any noise sound scares her and blue baby has been there to calm the storms. Apparently the table have turned against BLUE BABY. For the last couple of nights, Sammie has said no to cuddling with BLUE BABY, but wants her on the bed still within her reach. Kind of a sad moment for me, but I figured it would pass. Well, I think it is officially the BFF's have broken up this morning I walked in to Sammie's room and found this:


It reminded me of Toy Story when Woody got demoted to the toy box. My heart broke and I suddenly realized how much I loved that dumb doll. I hope this is just a phase and that the two can make up. I don't know if I can handle this break up.

Imaginary Friends are IN!!!

Sammie has recently let us know that we now have a pet dog. The dog's name is Lucy (we have tried to change it to Spot) and is about the size of a matchbox car. Lucy is pink in color and comes to play usually when driving in the car and while shopping at any stores. We were at IKEA and Sammie was in the back of the cart holding the little paper tape measure that they give you. All the sudden we turn around to see her dangling it out of the cart and telling Lucy that she is a good dog and to "come here, come here gog." If any of you are in need of your own imaginary dog, IKEA is apparently the place to go. I haven't thought about imaginary friends (or pets) since DEBA followed us every where we went in the DEBA mobile when we were young. I'm just excited that I get to have a dog finally without having to worry about the allergies, buying food, and cleaning up after it. This is great! THANKS SAMMIE!!

4 Amazing Years and So Much More to Come!!!

TODAY!! Yes, Today is mine and Matt's 4 year Anniversary. I have to brag about my man.
The past four years and the 4 months before that have been more than I could have imagined. I love Matt more now than I did then (and that was a lot). It has been LEGEN . . .(wait for it)

DARY!! ( I had to throw that in for him. I know it was corny.)

Matt is an amazing father. Sometimes I wonder if I have three children instead of just the two. Matt is usually creating more chaos than Sammie and Eston. But I love his eternal 3 year old personality. He is always willing to help and loves reading to the kids before bed every night before they get tucked in. He is a hard worker and never goes half way. He gives everything he does his best effort. He treats me well and I love him so much. He is always the one taking the initiative like saying I Love You first, asking me to marry him, asking what's for dinner (things like that). Matt is my best friend the person I get most irritated with, but the one person who all they have to do is smile at me and I forget why I was irritated in the first place. I look forward to his calls everyday just to check-in and make sure that I am having a good day. I love that he laughs at my quirkyness even if what I request from him seems completely out of left field and makes no sense to anyone in this realm.

Matt thank you for our two beautiful children, and for making it possible for me to be at home with them everyday. Being with you is easy and I still get so giddy at just the thought of him coming home at the end of the day or whenever he calls me. I love that I can still go weak in the knees after 4 years and that I can do anything with him beside me.

I am excited for year 5 and all the years after that.

I LOVE YOU BABY!! and your little toe too!!

NEW YEARS EVE 2007

We had a great last minute New Year's celebration. Late Sunday night we decided to invite over just a few other couples to ring in the New Year with us. It was a small crowd. Small enough that we each probably could have had our own Martinelli's bottle. We put the four kids down for bed and then sat around and played games and an adult conversation. I kinda forget what that is like. It was really nice just being able to hang out with Matt and not have kids to chase.
The funniest part of the night was the count down. Everyone was so enthralled with Guitar Hero that we looked at the clock and realized it was 3 minutes after midnight. All I have to say is thank goodness for TIVO. We hit rewind and Celebrated New Years 2 or 3 different times. It was funny to those of us who were there. That and it might be the last time in a few years that most of us stay up till midnight Mountain Standard Time. We might just have to start celebrating it as it is going down New York time and then be in bed by 10:10 our time.



We wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope that 2008 is a Great one for everyone.