~Deck the Halls~

The week after we got back from Thanksgiving seemed like the perfect time to decorate our own little home for the Holidays.  Even though the kids had just decorated Erin and Ryan's house the week before they were still buzzing with excitement to decorate every room in the house, especially the tree.

Cordy is at a wonderful age where she ooohhs and ahhhs over every beautiful thing and loves "sparkly!" decorations. 

Topping off the tree with our sparkling star.  

Let the Christmas season begin!

~Science Center Fun Before Goodbyes~

Our last day in Pittsburgh brought us to the Science Center.  We got there right when it opened to we pretty much had the SportsWorks center to ourselves were the kids got to try out all sorts of cool things and have a great time with the family.

Once we had our fill of the running around we headed into the main building where the kids got to learn about all different types of robots.  The girls really liked the thermal imaging robot.

They also had many different famous robots on display.  With Alec's new love for Star Wars, you better believe he was excited to take a picture with R2D2 and C-3PO.  

Not long after we had to say goodbye to Grandma Shannon and Grandpa Steve.  Sad.  After a quick lunch Alec wanted to go take a tour of the submarine docked outside the science center.  The girls opted to stay inside where it was warm and play with Erin so Nick and I took Alec out.  I must admit I found myself feeling quite closterphobic in only a matter of seconds, and I am shorter than most men and there weren't many people inside.  I found myself feeling a bit panicked about how we would be getting out and was happy when a worker told me their was an exit on the other end and I wouldn't have to walk all the way back through.  As cool as as the submarine was, all three of us agreed we would never want to actually go on one for more than a few hours.  We like the sun and the sky too much.

There are soooo many different levels and exhibits at the science center and being the Saturday after Thanksgiving the place was packed.  We probably could have spent a few days there, but as it was we had a wonderful time and were all ready to leave when it was time to go.  After a decent nights sleep we got up the next day, thanked and hugged Erin and Ryan and made the long (but worthwhile) trek back home.  Back to life.  Back to reality.

~Not Your Typical Black Friday~

The morning after Thanksgiving is typically one spent shopping for amazing deals, but this year that was not the case.  My pregnant tummy and my pocket book just weren't up for it so we slept in and then headed out to the botanical gardens there in Pittsburgh.  It was nice to see all the green plants and flowers.

In the center of the building they had a really cool model train display up that the kids really enjoyed.  Most rooms had some sort of festive decor up.  I thought it was neat.

They also had a market place for kids to do some pretend grocery shopping, thinking about what kinds of fresh produce they would like to buy.  It was a total hit with the kiddos.  They probably could have stayed there for another hour but eventually other kids showed up and we needed to let them have a turn too.

We tried to take a quick family picture of our little family in front of the fake fireplace they had set up, but Cordy was exhausted, Alec was starving, and Elyssa was being crazy.  So while Erin and Ryan took Elyssa to a dinosaur museum the rest of us headed back to the house for naps and lunch.

 After everyone made it back the kids had an awesome time making Christmas sugar cookies with Grandma Shannon.

 Erin and Ryan made the switch from Fall decor to Christmas and the kids were thrilled to help them decorate the tree.  

 I did make it over to Crate and Barrel that evening with Erin to pick up a few things on sale that I can't get around here since we don't have the store locally. Over all it was a fun day with family, much better than dealing with a crowded crazy mall or Target. :-)

~A Pittsburgh Thanksgiving~

After a long drive to Pittsburgh, we were excited to see Grandma Shannon, Grandpa Steve, Erin and Ryan!  After a yummy dinner the guys went to see a movie and the kids and I fell fast asleep.  The next day was Thanksgiving!  Alec really wanted to go for a hike with Grandpa so off they went to explore away part of the morning.

Elyssa had a great time building a magnatiles tower that touched the ceiling with Ryan. Poor Cordy just happened to be the one to knock it down on accident and it scared her to pieces. Then the kids made treasure maps with sharpies, scissors, and old paper bags before heading out for some test drives with Erin and Ryan's mini Mini Cooper.  We learned there is a very good reason why small children don't get to drive cars.  :-)

After some nice naps we all got ready for the big feast.  It was fun to have my cousin Scott, Tiffanee and their little girl, Aspen, along with my cousin Jared and his beautiful wife, Chelsea all there to celebrate with us along with Ryan's brother and a few of their friends.

Erin and Ryan were wonderful, gracious hosts for the occasion, and had everything set up perfectly.  

 I'm not usually a big fan of traditional thanksgiving food, but I must say all the food I ate was delicious!

 The entire table, full of family and friends, a reminder of so much that we have to be thankful for this day and every day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

~8 Years~

Eight years ago today we made the ultimate leap of faith, marrying for time and all eternity in the Jordan River Temple.  We were so VERY young, but we were responsible and dedicated to making our marriage work.  I still count my lucky stars that Nick is everything I thought he would be and more.  Despite the realities of life and humanity we are making this marriage work.  Happy Anniversary, Nick Parkinson!  I love you to the moon and beyond!

~ Baby #4 is a....~

Boy!

The day I had my ultrasound I told the kids that when I came to pick them up from school I would bring blue balloons if it was a boy and pink balloons if it was a girl.  They thought I should bring purple balloons if it was a girl and green balloons if it was a boy.  Well that worked out well for me because when I tried to get helium balloons from the store I found out there is a world wide helium shortage.  Since I wasn't about to pay them to blow up a balloon with their own air, I ran home and looked in my own personal stash of balloons only to find green and purple.  Thank goodness those kids were set on green and purple instead of blue or pink, eh?  

Cordy was very excited for her balloon.  When I was waiting in the preschool pickup line for Elyssa I held up the balloon and showed her.  Her jaw dropped and she started dancing around all excited.  When we picked up Alec later in the day and I held up the balloon he looked confused for a minute and then a big smile spread across his face.  Another brother!

Though I didn't have any reason to worry, I was still relieved to see a healthy, growing baby boy on the ultrasound screen.  We are all very excited for his upcoming arrival at the end of March.  :-)

Now, what on earth are we going to name him???

~Pigtails~

Who does the very best pigtails in this house?  Daddy dearest of course!  

I am always so impressed that he is not only willing and patient enough to do it, but that Cordy sits still better for him than she does for me.  His parts are always so straight!  If given the choice she picks Daddy to do her hair every time.  

~Magical Moments~

On a rare morning when Elyssa didn't have preschool and was feeling pleasant, I walked in on the girls sitting under a blanket on the couch with a stack full of books to read together.  This is one of those moments that just makes my heart happy.

Of course as soon as they saw me taking pictures this is what they did.  

It always makes me so happy to see my girls getting along.  

~Chopped again~

Most mornings are a struggle when it comes to Elyssa's hair.  She cried and screamed every morning about having her hair brushed.  That is actually why we started experimenting with braids.  When you braid your hair right out of the shower you can usually keep them in for a couple days and don't have to have your hair brushed out as much.  Still braids can be time consuming and just aren't always an option.  

Elyssa started brushing her own hair, taking her time not to pull, but finally one morning even that was too much for her and she ended up in tears.  That evening she finally decided that the daily tears and tangles just weren't worth keeping her hair long.  My dear friend, Miss Katie, came to the rescue the next day with a super cute haircut.

Mornings are much easier now, with a quick comb through and a clip before heading out the door.  

"It doesn't hurt to brush it, Mom!"  

Music to my ears.  :-)

~Elyssa's Creations~

The magna-tiles my kids received for Christmas and Cordy's birthday this last year have been the gift that keeps on giving.  This is easily the most played with toy in our house.  On this particular day I was brought into the living room to discover the completed Empire State Building.  "Look Mom!  It's even taller than me!"  Elyssa was so very proud.

It must be noted that Cordy did not help build, but she did restrain herself from knocking the tower down Godzilla style.  Elyssa was kind enough to let her be in the picture even though it wasn't HER creation.  :-)