I took this video of Baden three years ago. I thought he was so grown up at the time, but now as I watch it I am overwhelmed at how fast time goes by. The last few days I've had the Charles Dickens quote on my mind "I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach." Thank you Baden for being my first, for being patient with me while I learn how to be your mom, and for teaching me to live and love with enthusiasm. I love you!

Avery has learned to stand and crawl in the same week! If this seems strange to you, remember that she has been scooting around up until now! Nothing makes the boys giggle like their little sister crawling like a normal baby! I promised my mom that I would keep Avery from walking until her return from Africa (so she won't miss the big moment), but it will be a close call. Avery wants to walk - hurry home mom!

Last night Jeremy and our boys went to a Utah Jazz signing party! Coach Sloan and Carlos Boozer were nice enough to take some pictures with the kids!  They came home with two hats and a basketball filled with signatures!

A Big Congratulations to my brother-in-law Joel for passing the BAR exam!
(not that anyone was surprised!)

~ And congrats to you too April, it's a team effort! ~

Family Business

(a family home evening tradition)

- Baden is excited for his first SEP conference on Monday

- Gavin LOVES to play at Owen's house

-Avery got a new tooth (her 3rd) and crawls on her hands and knees. (it's a big deal)

-Jeremy and Chrissy were given new church callings on Sunday. Jer is the Young Men's President, and I am the 1st counselor in primary. This is my first time in primary since I was 11!

High: Halloween

Low: Saying goodbye to previous callings.  

Owl Cookies

My nanny Melanie Taught us how to make these cute cookies when I was a kid.  I love passing this tradition on to my kids. 

1 c. brown sugar packed

3/4 c. butter softened

1 tsp. vanilla

1 egg

2 1/4 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate, melted

1/2 tsp. baking soda

chocolate chips

cashews

In a large bowl, beat brown sugar and butter with a mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla and egg until blended. Beat in flour, baking powder, and salt until well blended. Place 1 c. of dough in small bowl and blend in melted chocolate and baking soda.

On plastic wrap, press half of light dough to form 10x4 in strip. Shape half of chocolate mixture into 10 in. roll. Mold sides of light dough around chocolate and wrap in plastic wrap. Repeat with remaining dough. Put in fridge for 1 hour.

Heat oven to 350. cut dough into 1/4 in. slices. Put two slices together and pinch corners to make the face. Stick on chocolate chips and cashew for eyes and beak. 

Bake 10 min. until edges are golden brown.  

Happy Halloween! 

We had a great time at all of the Halloween parties this year (the more opportunities to wear our costumes the better)! The Boys chose their costumes based on the weapons that came with them - obviously. Baden chose to be an army soldier (which came with guns and a knife and an assortment of gadgets). Gavin chose to be Prince Caspian because it came with a sword that turned out to be taller than him. Avery was a lion, and a very cute one, as long as she had a lollipop in her mouth! Poor Jeremy, who hates dressing up, let me pick his costume this year. We were pirates, and Jer was a REALLY good sport! Love you Jer! 

My Grandma invited us to a halloween party at her care facility, which was so fun. I love my grandma! She lost her sight a few years ago and needs a lot of assistance for everything. She was also a good sport at the party, and came out in her wheelchair to enjoy the party.  I watched her sit in her wheelchair with a big smile on her face while

 she enjoyed the sound of the children's laughter. I can't imagine I would be as patient given her circumstances, and I love her dearly. My cousin Bethany and my Aunt Debbie also were there. Aren't families great!   

Happy Birthday Grandpa Lund!

We Love you!

Friends

We had a perfect Halloween this year. The sky was cloudy and gloomy all day, and a few hours before Trick-or-treat we had a light rainstorm which brought out the smell of the fallen leaves. You can see in the picture of Katherine and me, that as the night got darker the sky turned positively spooky. We had such a great time at trunk-or-treat, visiting with great friends and admiring each others costumes.  Isn't baby Amy the perfect picture of Halloween?