I Have A Boy...

...Enough said

Christmas 2009 Greatest Hits

Here are some of our favorite memories from this past month...

Taking the kids to the Christmas Village and Chloe begging to meet Santa Claus.

Chloe, breaking into tears at the sight of Santa and this being the closest Noah would get to Mr. Claus - here I thought my Santa lap sitting days were over!

Having the kids be really sick for the two weeks leading up to Christmas (Noah had a cold, pink eye, and an ear infection at one point) but them still wanting to "help" decorate anyway.Noah getting bored of decorating and instead deciding to "take pictures" with the camera.Noah once again testing the naughty or nice list idea by sneaking into the pantry to make a little mess and eat some Fruit Loops.Getting to dress these little cuties up and imagining that I could get them to stay serious and pose for a picture long enough for the camera to actually be able to focusContinuing one of my favorite childhood tradions - Joe and the kids opening Christmas pajamas on Christmas EveExperiencing little kid joy in the magic of Christmas as a parent on Christmas Day. Also, laughing at Chloe's hair that morning because she slept under her blankets all night for fear that Santa might see her. Looking at the destruction left behind by excited kids and a wonderful morning Being reminded by my three year old that "Christmas is the day we remember when Jesus was born"We had a wonderful Christmastime this year and hope everyone's holidays have been merry and bright as well.

Christmas Cuties

Here are some pictures of the kiddies in their Christmas outfits. Instead of cooperating and posing, they decided it should be a dance party, with Noah copying Chloe's every move. When you flip through the pictures fast on my camera it looks like a little dance. So here's their crazy moves:

...and here is the best picture that I could get when they weren't dancing. I love my little crazies!

The Christmas Spirit

I LOVE the Christmas season and I love and needed this video reminder of what the Christmas season is really about. Merry CHRISTmas everyone...

The Christmas Spirit

(Now if I could figure out how to play the video directly on my blog, like I have seen in others, then I would really be in business!)

Viva Las Vegas

Last week Joe was sent to Las Vegas for some training. Since neither of us had ever been to Las Vegas and we had yet to go more than one night together withot kids since Chloe's birth, we decided to take the opportunity to go spend some kid free time on this trip. Vegas really is a site behold. Aside from my relaxing days while Joe was in classes, we had some fun filled nights exploring. Please forgive the poor picture taking!

We were amazed at the size and sights of the strip in itself We knew our kids would have loved the Trojan horse in Caesar's Palace's Forum Shops

The Bellagio fountains were as cool as everyone said they are

And the time spent together was priceless!
I worried about and missed the kids a ton - our nightly conversations always pulled at my heartstrings that I wasn't there with him, but I loved getting some time to spend with my Joe without worrying about what my kids wanted or needed every five seconds. When we got home and found our kids safe and happy, we resolved that this is something we need to do more often!

Thanksgiving!

Football madness hit the Hubbard home again this Thanksgiving 2009. Competition runs on high in our family and so we loved the opportunity to get those competitive, calorie burning, pre turkey eating juices flowing and have an annual turkey bowl. We had a great time and ended with a "tie". This picture has everyone in my family except for me - I thought I had set the timer, but thought incorrectly. Oh well - it probably turned out better without me in it! Joe didn't realize this picture was being taken, but as it was the only one of all four us, it gets posted anyway.

All the grandkiddies!

Another Thanksgiving tradition took place as we celebrated the end of fall by tossing the decorative pumpkins that have adorned my Mom and Dad's porch this fall season. My parents backyard has an unfinished area that is perfect for tossing these, sometimes lit on fire, gourds. Last year, we actually found pumpkins growing from previous years. Here are some videos of our fun!

Thanksgiving really is one of my favorite holidays. I love spending time with my family just enjoying the time together without thinking about presents, or chaotic lives. The members of my family are my best friends and favorite people. I have truly been blessed in life and am grateful for all that I have - a loving family, wonderful friends, and the gospel. Life is good. I am blessed. Period.

With the end of the Thanksgiving season, comes the beginning of the season of giving! I LOVE Christmas time and love all of the things that we can do as a family. We had fun attending the Ogden Christmas Parade with my sister, Amy, and her family, DJ, and my parents. What a great time the kids had. What a great time we adults had watching the kids. What a great time of the year that I wish lasted forever. At least until I realize how cold it is and long for summer again!

PreSchool Parent Day

On Wednesday Joe, Noah, and I got to go to Chloe's preschool for Parent's Day. I loved getting to see her interact with her teacher and classmates and having her show off some of the things she has learned so far.

Joe got to help Chloe make a pilgrim hat

The kids all showed us a book they had been working on and took turns each reciting a page

Then they sang us cute little songs!We are grateful Chloe is in such a fun class with a wonderful teacher and new friends!

October-Fest

Being as we had no other choice, there was no better month to live at Grandma's house than in the month of October. We had an eventful month and enjoyed sharing it with Grandpa, Grandma, and DJ in their home!

We started the month with a Hubbard family trip to Lagoon. Chloe and Noah LOVED the rides and, even without naps and staying up WAY late, were perfect. This was one of the most enjoyable family outings we've had so far. We created and decorated a haunted house with all of the cousins:

We had silly moments with scary suckers...and scarily long socks
We got together with our friends, Chad and Kristina, and their kids, Isabelle and Christian and painted pumpkins!

We celebrated Halloween - with Chloe (requiring hair, face, and all aspects of her costume to be pink) as Thumbelina:

and Noah, as an Ewok
We got to take a picture with Gladys - Grandma's special friend that left treats daily in the month of October for all her good little kiddies. All the Hubbard cousins: Raegan, as Ariel, Riley, as a dalmation, Camden, as Darth Vader, Jack, as Jack-Jack, and Hadlee, as ToTo

While full of ups, the month also had a few downs and I know it was no accident that we stayed with my parents during the time that we did. Heavenly Father knows so much more than we, and although I wondered why the timing would work out like it did, I now know it was HIS plan and I am grateful for the opportunity we had to be there! Instead of a trick, it was a real treat! Happy October!!

Where To Start?!

Yay!!! My computer has internet again!!! I have no idea where to start, so I will start at the beginning - or the end, depending on how you look at it - the beginning of going without our computer, and the end of living in our old/first house.

Right before we moved Chloe was able to go on her first field trip with her preschool. We got to go to a pumpkin patch / corn maze / pig racing / fun place called BlackForest Farm. We had a great time. Here are some of the things we enjoyed about this trip:

Getting to have her neighbor and fellow classmate, Cadence, to play with

Picking her own pumpkin and have it picked off the vine

Tasting a carrot pulled fresh from the ground Watching cute little piglet races
Climbing up and sliding down a huge hay slide Having Daddy and Noah along for the (hay) ride - doesn't Noah look so excited?! He actually loved that he got to come with Chloe - he always wants to stay with her at preschool when I drop her off
There's a lot more to get to and I need to catch up soon, because with the holidays fast approaching, I am only going to get further behind. We are loving our new house and neighborhood so far and will post pictures of that soon too. As soon as I have the energy...