Snow . . . lots and lots of snow

Nothing quite like waking up to this! This is pretty rare around here, so we're documenting it with plenty of pictures.

We hit the powder pretty early (as you can tell from the snazzy hairdos)

We weren't as prepared as I had hoped, so we made some boots out of shopping bags. Don't worry - we stayed in the backyard.

Putting the final touches on the snowman

taking it in

Happy Addie.

Feeling Ambitious

Handy

Not so handy

And now it's finally done (despite all the help)

I know . . .

It's about time I posted something.

And yes, I am posting Christmas pictures in February.

Christmas Eve stories, featuring

Mary, Mary,

and Mary.

Olivia sampling Santa's cookies. I think they were good.

Christmas morning - happy chaos.

Bye Bye Terrible Twos

Megan is 3!

Does she look any older?

Memorable birthday moments:
refusing to open her presents after begging to open them all day.
getting a Christmas tree
almost burning down the cake - oops

Happy Birthday Megan!

Thanksgiving

We celebrated with our friends, the Mordocks, from the other side of the state. Good food, perfect weather, and PLENTY of football all made for a great day.

It's especially nice since they make some killer mashed potatoes.

Addie and Jake became fast friends.

Megan and Audrey were friends . . .

most of the time.

On Friday they had time for a quick (and frigid) trip to the beach before they left.

We love our Thanksgiving tradition - can't wait until next year!

Are you kidding me?

Addie, "Mom, why is there a fountain on Olivia's head?"

Halloween

Addie - Scary witch

Olivia - Sweet ladybug
Megan? Not in a picture taking (or costume wearing) mood that night.

Our trick-or-treating friends

In case you're wondering . . .
Yes, Olivia is wearing sandals because it was probably 85 degrees that day.
Yes, her pants do clash terribly with her costume . . . but she's the third child.
Yes, Megan is wearing a church dress - a hand-me-down from Nicole, to be exact. Her princess costume was "too scratchy". Whatever makes her happy.

Pumpkin Carving

After school scavenger hunts

produced this.

They were pretty pleased with themselves.

Big 10

10 years ago we tied the knot.

And 10 years will teach you a lot, like . . .

Apparently salsa is its own food group (at the bottom of the food pyramid),

Pillows do NOT belong on the floor,

Cornbread with tuna gravy is not a delicacy, and

A piano really can fall out of a truck if not tied down securely.

And Aric has learned to address me as "Sally" rather than "Dude", and to think twice before saying things like,

"I think you should give birth without an epidural EVERY time!"

Not only has it been educational, but pretty adventurous too. We've lived in 5 states, survived two deployments, and had three kids. Maybe things will calm down for the next ten . . . but probably not.

First Fall Cook Out

" mmm, mmm, mmm!"

The Washington Trip

Olivia and her wild hair (new headband compliments of Aunt Brina)
Lots of girl cousins, lots of "gumping" time

Some coloring

The table no baby can resist

Thanks for having us Mom and Dad.

Birthday Boy

Birthday Highlights

Quick trip to Wilmington

Family pictures - memorable, but not exactly fun (Megan is still 2)

Watching the BYU game - memorable and fun

Cherry chocolate cake with improvised candle. No pink cupcakes. Yum.

A day at the beach

and just in the nick of time.

The deployment that wouldn't end...

just did!

In just the first day, Megan is already learning new vocabulary. "Dad, What's 'dude'?"

And Olivia decided to pop her first tooth in honor of the big day!

Welcome Home Aric!

Success

Addie was still smiling when I picked her up, and she informed me that "School is more funner than watching a movie"
Do they teach grammar in Kindergarten?

It's Official!

Addie's a Kindergartner!

And Megan cried, "I want my Addie" all the way home.

Walking (sometimes)