Moments of the boys

The boys got caught playing games on the computer in the office. I have to say I am proud that Taft can figure out how to get on there but that makes me even more concerned because now that he can do it himself I will have to watch him that much more carefully. I am glad that are bonding though, even if it is getting into trouble. ;0)

A classic shot of Zea after he spilled some milk on himself. It was pretty funny but he didn't seem to think so.

Brett's parents have a train that goes around the Christmas tree. It whistles and everything...pretty cool! They have a hard time not touching it, can't say I blame them, but they are doing pretty well all things considered.
Okay, this was so funny. Zea has a pair of P.J.'s that zip up, so, he can take them off easier now. Well, the other day he came down the stairs like this and when I asked where his jammies where he said, "they disappeared" making the motion like this in the picture with his hands. I couldn't help but laugh. Props on creativity. This child often gets out of trouble because he makes me laugh...got to watch this one! ;0)

Nathan is learning to sit up by himself. He is pretty good but must still be supervised as he tumbles over quickly. Isn't he so cute...we just love this child and his smiles.

It snowed in VEGAS!!!

So, I was really struggling to feel like Christmas time this year but not anymore. Maureen (my mother-in-law) said the snow came just for me. I will take that and am grateful for it. Now she says I have to stop asking for it (which I didn't in the first place but am not going to complain) becasue we have had two snow day now. It started with a light flurry but by lunchtime was full-blown snow. There was enough that by 4pm we went to near by part to sled (not too great) but also have snowball fights & make a snowman (the easiest snowman I ever made). We had so much fun and I am so grateful to have had a piece of what I consider to be winter before Christmas. Another tender mercy (for me at least) ;0).

More Pictures from Utah

We also stopped and visited with some good friends in Provo, the Brown's. They have two adorable girls. So, we went to lunch and then walked around BYU campus for a while. It was a good day and fun to see them again. Hopefully, they can come and visit us in Las Vegas soon. We also visited with my friend, Kim, and her family (thanks again for dinner) but don't have pictures. Also, my step-mom, Diane, took all the girls in the family out for a nice lunch (but don't have pictures of that yet either); thanks again Diane.

Here is my Dad, brother Paul and his daughter Hannah playing the Wii (I love watching my Dad play & we got so into it that you really had to watch yourself or you'd get hit, espcially with tennis). It was a blast!

Playing on the swings in the backyard.

Reading bedtime stories with the boys. Steve and Lori, you really will make amazing parents someday! Thanks for everything!

Our trip to Utah

We went and visited my family in Utah recently. My youngest brother, Chris, left for a mission on December 10th (Taiwan, Taipei), so, we went down for his farwell before Thanksgiving. We stayed with my brothers, Steve, and his wife, Lori. They just bought a house in South Jordan. It was so fun to stay with them. It is a cute and good sized house with a huge backyard (swing set included) which my boys LOVED! Man, I want a yard. It was fun to be there and visit with everyone, especially Steve and Lori (thanks again you two). I haven't been around since they got married, so, it was fun to get to know Lori better (amazing lady...good job Steve). Here are pictures of them reading to the boys (yes, Taft was working on a battle between him and the critters up his nose...nice, huh!)

This is my cute little man after the farewell trying to get in as many brownies as he could before we noticed and he was stopped. Pretty handsome...I know! :0)

Steve and Lori playing with the boys in their backyard. You know you live in Vegas when you go to Utah for greenery and trees...it was beautiful and I finally felt like Christmas was coming. They also read to the boys and played with them. And of course, we brought the Wii and spent many nights playing together when the boys were asleep. My other brother, Paul, and his family came a couple of nights which was a blast. My Dad even joined in one night and that was a lot of fun to have us all there. Thanks for coming over everyone and making our trip so much fun.

I was not meant for races...but I finally did it!

For those who don't know I decided in Philly to sign up for the St. George Half Marathon (Snow Canyon to be exact). I knew it would make me keep running through the move & without my running buddies (and dear friends) when I got to Las Vegas. I am really glad that I did...I most likely would have stopped running. Although I am not sure I am destined to do these races. Okay, here's the story. We left Las Vegas at about 5am to get to St. George in time for the race. We signed-up at a High School and then had to catch a bus that shuttled you up to the top of the canyon for the race that started at 9am. The last bus would be leaving at 8:30am.
Well, because I am nursing Nathan I was in the car nursing him at about 7:45am (so he would be good for the duration of the race). I heard an announcement but was in the car so didn't make out what it said. There were buses there when we arrived so I wasn't worried but when I got out of the car (at 8:00) and took this first picture, said good-bye to my family and ran off to find the bus. Well, people were lined up but there were no buses(apparently the people were for the 5K race). I asked where they were and a lady said that the last bus left and 8:30 I told her it was only 8:10...then it hit me...that blasted time change. For those who didn't know, a little over a year ago I trained with some friends for a half marathon in Philly. We went down for the race the night before, stayed in a hotel and everything only to wake up and be told that because of the snow (which was there the day before also but they didn't want to cancel the race then) it was cancelled. The re-race was on the same weekend of my brothers wedding, so, I had the shirt but never actually ran the race. My friend, Megan, and I (Jordan was sick and couldn't run with us...sad) made up our own 13 mile loop around Kelly Drive (in Philly near the museum where Rocky ran up the steps). We finished on the steps. It was still an accomplishment but I wanted to actually participate in an organized race; this was supposed to be that.

So, after freaking out (like I lost a child as Brett told me), crying and trying to find someone who was working the race. I found a couple of ladies that were still at the registration table. One lady asked if I would like to run the 5K (which is what everyone else was lined up for). Without meaning to, I yelled "NO"! Then caught myself and said, "Sorry I just trained for the half and this is the second one I am going to miss". Another awesome lady said she would drive me up there. Well, we hopped into her car, drove up the canyon and found the race. But because the race had started already she could only take me about a mile away from the start. I ended up having to run up the canyon a little over a mile before I turned around, re started my own watch timer and left back down the canyon. I was the hardest run I have ever done. When they told me 6 mile downhill I was just worried about my already bad knees; not the fact that my quad's would be on fire. I had trained well, I thought, for this race. I had already run 11 miles 4 times before but running down a canyon is VERY different. I caught up to the other runner in 30 minutes and slowly made my way from being last...that was encouraging. The canyon was beautiful & I did make it through the whole race although I had to stop a couple of times because I was so tired (it didn't help that I just ate a cereal bar and yogurt for breakfast before). It was a great feeling to finish it and I loved having my boys there to cheer me on when I made it to the end. I really would like to do one again and this time actually be there for the gun shot at the beginning, eat a large breakfast before, and only run the 13 miles (unless I am doing a full marathon but I don't think that will be happening...I want to do a Triathlon with my sister Julie next). The best part is that I finally have a half marathon shirt I have actually run, not just trained for. ;0) Seriously, though, it was a great experience and felt awesome to accomplish. I honestly couldn't walk up (and especially down) the stairs for almost a week afterward (thanks to my downhill canyon sprint I did to try to catch up with everyone). I still finished in 2 hours and 5 minutes (not including the uphill run but in spite of it also), so, I am happy with the events of the day and especially that my boys are seeing me getting out, being active & setting goals for myself and accomplishing them. Thanks to everyone who encouraged me to do this and believed that I could. Thanks again to Jordan, Melissa & family that called me that day to wish me luck; it meant more than you know. I missed having my running girls though, Megan, Jordan & Melissa! Maybe someday...;0)

Halloween

Here is our family with their cousins (Brett's brother and his kids...he is the celtic warrior with his son). Zea was once again the dragon & Taft was an elephant but not just any elephant...he was Ernie's Dad (if you know his stuffed animal he as ALWAYS had you would know what I am talking about). Brett was Seabass (dumb and dumber) or a farmer with is pumpkin...Brett was going for Seabass.

Our first play-date

We finally had our first play-date with friends. We had their cousin, Liam (in blue), over & a little boy in the ward, Garrett (in red). They had a great time. They really needed it & enjoyed themselves. I have realized just how unique it was in Philly to have so many families near us with children the same age as BOTH of my boys. It sure made things easier to just go over to someones house and both of the boys had a playmate. They play with their cousin quite a bit but Zea often just ends up doing his own thing. They are doing fine but it has been another adjustment.

Ward activity...oh yeah!

I had to document the first ward activity in 2 1/2 years that I have gone to where all I had to do was bring a pot of chili. It was SO easy. I didn't even have to arrive early. ;0)

What we have been up to...everyday stuff

Zea was dancing in the office with Grandpa who was playing 80's songs really loud and enjoying every minute of watching Zea dance. He really is such a great Grandpa; he adores his grandchildren!

Just goofy time with brothers. I love moments like this when I hear the boys playing together and laughing hard. These are the moments I wish I could permanently etch into my head to never forget. I am trying but I have already realized things I had forgotten but didn't want to. I am already missing these years with all my kids home and young. I really hope I enjoy them to the fullest.

Grandpa is teaching Zea how to play nicely with a dog. This is their dog, Lily. She is so kind and gentle with the boys. Good thing or Zea would have been bitten for sure by now. I think he thought she was a stuffed animal that moved and he could kick or hit her without it hurting her. He is much better but it was a hard lesson to sink in for him when we first arrived here.

Brett has volunteered to help around the house while he is looking for a job. Here he is building shelves for his parent in the garage. I guess since we are not paying rent we won't charge them. ;0)

The boys were playing outside while Brett worked on the garage. They LOVE the rocks but they are learning that they have to put them back where they got them because they are not just randomly there...it is part of the landscape...they are getting it.

Wii time!

It has become quick the popluar family activity to play the Wii that Brett got for graduation. It really has been a blast because everyone can play together. In fact, don't tell Brett I told you but it has happened a couple of time that we has been beat by his 3 or 4 year old son...and he was really trying. ;0)

Baby Nathan update

Hangin' out with Grandpa.

Here are some cute Pictures of our little man. He is growing up so fast. He has those huge blue eyes that just melt you and a smile that is completely contagious. We sure love him & wish you all could see him growing with us.

Transportation upstairs while doing laundry. He didn't seem to mind. :0)

Hanging out with Grandma in the garage while Dad built shelves & his brothers played.

His first haircut...yes, I finally cut the baby mullet off.

His cousin Zack. Two of the three Clayton boys that were born within a month of each other. At Christmas we can get one with Collin (number three) in it also.

Viva Las Vegas

Taft wanted to hold Nathan in the hotel room at the airport where we stayed the night before we left. Well, Maureen (Brett's mother), me & the boys stayed there. Brett & his dad were already on their second day on the road...thank goodness I didn't have to go with him.

Our last flight out of Philly (as residents at least). It was quite the adjustment to land & see no trees (but palm trees), open view, & especially the sun hitting us right in the eye (I haven't had that for a long time...too many trees in Philly). I felt quite homesick driving to his parents house but after a nice prayer that night, getting my husband back, & time we are doing well & starting to feel at home again. We still miss the people though...that can't be replaced. What a great time in our lives that we will ALWAYS cherish!!!!

Saying good-bye...it stinks!

The Cassell's (Melissa, Helen & Jim...we missed Chris & grandma Helen).
Our last day in Philly we checked out and hung out at Melissa's house until it was time to return the rental care. It was fun to be with everyone but sad also. We miss you all so much (including all the people that are not in these pictures of my last couple days).

The last run

This was my last run in Philly...it still makes me want to cry to say that. We missed you Megan. I will forever miss those runs & you ladies. You have meant so much to me and so have our (sometimes rediculously) early morning runs. Thanks for being such great friends & being patient with my asthmetic self. ;0)

Zea's 3rd birthday & datenight

It was our turn for date-night & it was Zea's birthday, so we combined the two. We had a fun bar-b-que with their friends and our neighbors. We miss you all & our date-nights!

You just have got to love those MASSIVE costco cupcakes.

Our Philly baby (love the Eagles jersey) with our Philly neighbors, the Cassell's, we miss you guys!