The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

 We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It was so great to have Tanner back. I tell Tanner that almost daily. If you want to appreciate your husband more have him leave for a few months...it does wonders. For the first week after he was back Mariah would panic a little every morning when he would leave. "Is he coming back? Why is he leaving?" I think she has realized that he is going to be here for a while. He is such a great help and so fun to have around.

At the beginning of November we made a Thankful tree. As you can see by the leaf placement, we let Mariah and Chet decide where to put their leaves. Some of my favorites were Bugs (Mariah), and Chicken (Chet). They also wanted to put Turkey down almost every time but I tried to get them to come up with some other things.

We had all but one of Tanner's siblings and their families at our house for Thanksgiving. It was so much fun! It snowed that weekend so there was lots of playing outside. We had so much fun visiting, playing games, singing at the piano and eating. And I didn't take pictures...

I was able to take Mariah to see the Nutcracker here in Logan. Her favorite part was when the clowns came out of the lady's dress. She did great the whole time. The very end she started to get a little grumpy because she was exhausted from the last couple days playing non-stop with all of her cousins.

 So happy! One second later...

Sleep is really important for a three-year old. Obviously she just couldn't handle the stress of a picture. 

That Sunday my Brother in Law gave our new nephew a name and a blessing. I'm so thankful that we live close enough to be able to go to things like that.

 Mariah and Chet love Baby Seth. They have been really good with him too which makes me happy. It's all good practice for when their brother arrives. And I love my dad's bear paw hands. Those hands work hard. 

This makes it look like that is my baby. But my man is still crammed up in my belly. I just really love my mom; you can't get better than her! And I love Seth's fist in the air. 

 Mariah and Chet loved setting up the Christmas tree. As Tanner did the lights Chet said over and over, "Yew (you're) doing gate (great), Dad!". They loved hanging up the few ornaments that we have. Our tree is a little bare but we love it anyway. First thing in the morning they race to plug the lights in. Christmas trees are so magical.
We've been listening to Christmas music and Chet says, "This is my favyet (favorite)!" to almost every song. He does love singing Jingle Bells although he only sings the phrase "Jingle Bells" over and over. I try to be patient with it because his enthusiasm is so adorable.
They love to watch all the different Christmas videos that are on Mormon.org. And I do too. It brings such a great Spirit to the season.

 Britt and Mike got to go to a military ball and I thought they looked so dapper that I insisted on taking a picture. I put them in front of the tree thinking that would make a nice backdrop. Too bad the tree is so little...it's the thought that counts right?

And we got to watch Seth! He was asleep for the first hour and Mariah sat right by his car seat anxiously waiting for him to wake up. Chet kept bringing him toys and shoving them in his face. I wonder if Seth was just pretending to be asleep for protection. I wouldn't blame him. Mariah was so excited to get to feed him a bottle and did a great job. 

We went and saw the lights at Temple Square as well. We got there right when the lights turned on so it wasn't too busy. It was so beautiful.

 We forgot a stroller but Chet was more than happy to ride on Dad's shoulders.

We then went to the Grand America Hotel to see their window displays and gingerbread house. At the end the kids were given a cookie. When Chet talks to strangers he often mumbles. He thanked the man under his breath and after telling him to say it louder, he shouted in an obnoxious voice, "Taaaank Yoooouuuu!!". It made us all laugh.

We have loved this Christmas season. Now to get this baby boy here so he can enjoy it with us...

The Best Halloween Ever

Around the month mark of Tanner being gone Mariah started to miss her dad badly. Most nights ended with her crying for daddy. It was pretty heartbreaking. One night Tanner called me and said that he had a four day weekend...the wheels started turning and before we knew it he had bought a plane ticket to SLC. We decided we wanted to surprise Mariah and Chet.

This video isn't the best quality but I want to remember this moment. Mariah had tears in her eyes when Tanner picked her up. It was so so special. And Chet reacted just like his dad would have to a surprise like that. "Hi dad." Though he did keep telling him that whole weekend, "Me miss you dad.".

Friday morning we went up Logan canyon and went on a little walk. 

 Family selfies are challenging. This was the best we got. 

 I missed the red and black memo which is a real bummer because this would make a great family photo. 

It was bitterly freezing cold but Chet decided he did not want to wear his coat. Little stinker. 

 That night we carved our pumpkin. Mariah wanted a spooky face and helped Tanner pick out the design. 

My older sister is amazing and one year made Peter Pan costumes for her family. Luckily we have the same genders in the right order so I just borrowed her costumes. And I'm so glad I did.

 Cutest Peter Pan I ever did see. He refused to try this costume on before Halloween so I was a little nervous the day of but he didn't even put up a fight. 

 Mariah loved being TinkerBell and she was so cute. 

 Trick or Treat! Chet now will say "Ding Dong, trick or treat!" and then hand out imaginary treats to all of us. We went to maybe a total of 8 houses and Mariah and Chet were happy with that. Aren't toddlers great that way? They were excited to be at the house for the Trick or Treaters that came. 

 Captain Hook in a toddler sized hat...he totally pulled it off. 

And I was Wendy. I realized the day of that with my pregnancy gut I could have made the perfect Smee. It could have been so great, a lot cooler than a pregnant Wendy. Oh well. 

The weekend was not long enough and we were sad to see Daddy go but it helped knowing that in two weeks he would be home for good! 

While Dad's Away...

Going without Tanner for two months was real rough, we are pretty attached to that man, but thanks to wonderful family and friends we survived. And now for a serious photo dump.

My little brother Tyler got home from his mission a week after Tanner left. All of my siblings were together for several days and it was wonderful. Mariah and Chet loved playing with their cousins.

 Making moon sand with Aunt Tiffie

 Bonnie got really sick a few weeks after this picture was taken and died. We sure are going to miss that sweet sweet Bonnie Belle. 

 Tea party in the backyard. Grandma decided it would be a good idea to put a sugar bowl out so the kids could decide how much sugar to put in their tea, thats what Chet is scooping in this picture. Needless to say that bowl was empty by the end of the party. 

 We celebrated Brittany's birthday. Trey was very helpful in blowing out the candle. 

 Chet was in heaven, but he was bummed that he didn't have his cowboy hat for the ride. 

 A week or so after this my Uncle Paul and cousin Ammon were getting ready to ride and they gave Mariah and Chet rides on their horses. Chet began talking about his cowboy hat so my Uncle Paul took his off and let Chet wear it. That night Mariah thanked Heavenly Father for Uncle Paul in her prayers. Goes to show that its the little things in life that really impact a child. 

 Helping Grandma bake bread. That girl loves a little fiercely as of late. 

 Checking out the Catfish at Scheels. It really liked Mariah. 

 On the drive home from the temple my mom decided to give Mariah and Chet Hot Fudge Sundaes. There was a mess, but thats what Grandmas are for I suppose. 

 After finger painting with pudding. 

 I took some selfies to send to Dad one day. I never include myself in the picture but I'm glad I did this time. I cherish the pictures I have of my mom and I together and I hope my kids will too. 

 Watching Grandpa build a fire. Two things: Mariah's hair is amazing, and she loves to stick her hands down her pants. Not to scratch...just to hang out. Maybe she doesn't know where else to put them? 

 My cousin Ammon sat at the little kids table one night with Mariah and Chet and they were in Heaven with the attention. 

 There were lots and lots of four wheeler rides. This was on one with Auntie Em. One night after a dinner up the canyon Mariah decided she wanted to ride down the canyon with Grandpa. Even though it was dark and cold. So we bundled her up and off they went. 

 Kite flying

 My mom used to make these hollyhock dolls with us when we were little. It's fun to share the same tradition with your own children. 

And more kite flying. 

Playing at the park

Followed up by an ice cream cone. My mom just had to buy cones for the kids sitting behind us when she saw how excited they were about our cones. She's awesome like that. 

One night my dad was teasing Mariah and asked her is she wanted to go sleep in the Semi that night. Mariah decided that would be a great idea. We all tried to tell her how it would be dark and she would be all alone all night but she insisted that she would be just fine. "I won't be scared mom. It's fine." I knew in reality she wouldn't be just fine though so luckily Grandpa was able to make a compromise. Instead of sleeping in the truck she and Chet could go with him when he picked up a load the next day. Mariah was so excited to pack a lunch and ride in the big truck. Grandma went along too so that made me feel better. And now Grandpa has learned that you can't use empty threats with Mariah because she just might take you up on them. 

One of Mariah's favorite past times lately has been looking for gophers whenever she finds a hole. 

We went back to Logan for a couple weeks so I could go to a doctor's appointment. Marshall and Lisa watched Mariah and Chet so I could go to some wedding receptions one night. They sent me this picture:

 On one of our many walks. Chet was so cute holding his hands like that. 

 Mariah loves our neighbors' cats and oddly enough they seem to like her too. At least they don't run away. She carried this cat like that for quite a distance. 

Another kitten tried to adopt us. I was actually tempted to keep this one. It was so uncatlike. And you could tell it really loved Mariah. 

 Mariah and Chet made my bed for me one morning. I really wanted to fix it but I knew that would just break their little hearts. They were so pleased with themselves. 

 We went to the pumpkin walk again and our favorite thing was the free cookies. 

 One Sunday night on the phone Tanner casually told me that he thought I should use Elder Cook's talk for Family Home Evening. I thought it was a great idea and understood better why when we got these flowers in the mail. Mariah and Chet were so excited about the flowers from daddy. 

My sister had her baby as well so we got to see sweet baby Seth and spend more time with Grandma. 

After Halloween we headed back out to the ranch. 

 Lipstick with Auntie Em. Mariah felt so posh. Em gets a little stuck on songs and while we were out there it was Hello by Adele. And now Mariah requests that song. At least she has good taste. 

 It snowed! And the first thing we did that morning was go out and build a snowman. 

Yes, I know you all are jealous of my snowman building skills. Mariah was adamant that we use raisins for the eyes and smile and a carrot for the nose. And Chet insisted on sticking the stick on top of his head. Whatever makes them happy. 

I am so grateful that we have been living close to family these last couple of years. It has been such a blessing for our family.