Big Boy! Big Sunday

It has been a Big Sunday for us! Matt taught (which he just loves) and G stayed in sacrament for almost 40 mins (aka: a ton of work for us)! Three different times during sacrament Matt & I just looked at each other and laughed because who could have EVER

imagined us...our little family circus!!! We feel so blessed but are just amazed at the chaos that ALWAYS accompanies our two monsters.Liam was assigned the scripture in Primary and he memorized it yesterday and was just as jazzed as could be to tell everyone! After dinner & bath we took the boys (pjs and all) to the church so Liam could practice on the microphone (and I could video him). He got right up there and without thinking twice did a PERFECT job. Matt & I congratulated him and said "ok....i guess that's it." We thought he would need a little more practice but as usual he proved us wrong!

Well today didn't go quite as smooth. He got up to the microphone and asked Matt to stand by him and just looked out at everyone. Matt picked him up and our friend who is the primary chorister stood next to them and asked Liam to just look at her and tell her the scripture. He did it but when he got to his seat he was upset that he didn't say it in the microphone. Another friend of ours in the primary presidency, told Liam that he could have another turn after the talk was through. Sure enough he walked right up by himself and with the biggest smile ever talked right into the microphone and recited the scripture. It was so cute because he was so proud of himself. I am so grateful for Primary and how it gives children so many unique

opportunities to grow spiritually & emotionally. He learns something new every week. Sometimes it will be something he says in a prayer, or a question/statement while driving in the car....but its priceless and we are truly blessed because of the two hours he spends learning about our Savior and gospel.

Here is a clip of the rehearsal & some pics from today.

Tears

Liam started school today & I can't believe that I'm so emotional. I've had him in some sort of school since he was 2 so I should be able to handle this better. We had a great morning cleaning up the house and playing. Liam picked out a new star wars shirt for his special day & said "the kids will love this, I look cool!" Matt and I were so worried that Liam would refuse to go without me and things would get ugly. He got dressed without a fight & even let me fix his hair. We said a little prayer before getting in the car and it took everything I had not to TOTALLY lose it.

I'm still amazed everyday that I have been blessed with my boys and get to be their mom. I can't imagine that I'm actually capable of this! I am so grateful that I get to try each and every day & wouldn't change it for a single thing.

Here is a pic of my big 4 yr old...my Liam! I love & am so proud of him.

Big C

Yes it is summer, but our lives have been Crazier than ever! Matt and I thought that we had parenting some what under control but the last three months have been absolute chaos! Our George has been giving us a run for our money. If its dangerous, challenging, and will an any way bring tears to our eyes.....George does it all day long!!! The kicker of the whole thing is that at the same time he is sweeter than sweet. To keep my sanity I joined a gym, DASH and decided to take on their Obsidian Challenge. 12 weeks later, George is easing up (or its the calm before another storm) & I'm 8 pounds lighter....hooray for me! I never thought that I would enjoy working out this much.

Matt finished his residency last month and we found out that we'll be staying in Utah for his fellowship in GI. He has started his new role of Chief Resident & we are trying to get use to him being around so much :) So things have been busy and I feel like I've not blogged about so much, but honestly I haven't had a moment to breathe.

Today we decided to head to one of our favorite places on earth *Big Cottonwood Canyon* for some family fishing. Matt of course caught a gorgeous native Brown on his first cast & I actually caught one before heading home with the crew. Life is great, we are blessed & I LOVE being with my BOYS...all 3 of them! Liam has to pet and kiss every fish we catch, its so cute. Enjoy!

boys & their DOG

I can honestly say that every kid needs a dog. Lately I'm constantly finding each of my boys cuddling, laying on, hugging and even singing to our dog Ari. Just during the last two weeks George has really become attatched to her. He has said "Ari" for a while now but is now pointing to her and saying "Ari doggie" or just "doggie." If we happen to go somewhere without Ari, Liam will say "mom, we 'freegot' Ari-girl" and will ask me multiple questions to ensure that she is comfortable at home. Matt & I have loved watching our little monsters genuinely love our dog & are so glad for her added dynamic in the fam.

cousins

Its no secret that I escape to AZ a ton, but my escapades have taken on new meaning. What was once a need for HELP, sunshine and babying by my mom, has turned into the joy of seeing my boys with my sister's kids. Matt & I didn't grow up with cousins near by, watching Liam & George absolutely adore their cousins is priceless! My boys benefit so much from the tlc, chaos, sharing & just plain togetherness. I hope they can always feel this close and loved by such awesome peeps.

Loser

I've been a total LOSER about blogging. I seem to use every free moment to try to clean up after the family (well that is what it feels like anyway). The boys and I spent three weeks in AZ for the holidays & Matt and Ari joined us for a week of it. There is nothing better than AZ in December. The weather couldn't have been better. We spent the majority of our time outside enjoying the sun. We also purchased our 1st Odyssey. I say 1st due to the fact that there will be more in our future because they truly are the BEST car ever. Liam is still trying to decide what to name it...right now I think its Leia but we'll see what he decides. George is walking! He took his 1st steps on Christmas morning and every once in a while decides to walk to various objects, but has realized that he get places faster by crawling. My Liam is a sunbeam, I can't believe that he is old enough to be in primary. Matt has turned in his applications for a GI fellowship so we are back to square one...we have no idea where we will be living in a year from now but are excited at the many possibilities! George is crying...no time to blog enjoy the pics:

Happy Thanksgiving

I can't believe that I'm actually posting this picture for all to see, but OH WELL! Hope everyone had a happy turkey day. As most of you know my household has been infested with H1N1. George tested positive last Sunday and since then I've had super bad cold symptoms and as of yesterday so does Liam. We were all immunized and have been sick, but not as sick as we could be. My sweet, sweet Matty had H1N1 last June but now he feels like he is getting sick again...icky. So here is the story behind the picture.

Yesterday started off as any Thanksgiving Day would. Liam and Matt were chopping veggies, I put out the rolls but the entire time we cooked everyone was coughing and sneezing all over the food. It was actually pretty funny! We really had an H1N1 dinner. Here is the kicker....how many of you have a husband that can make Thanksgiving Dinner by himself? I'm proud to say that "i do." Matty made stuffing, yams, a small turkey from scratch...not to mention he creamed the potatoes perfectly (I'm a little picky about my potatoes cuz my mom makes the BEST EVER). Get this, he cleaned everything up too! That alone made my day. He set the table, got out a little sparkling cider and lit some candles. We were all in our PJs and snotting everywhere but it was the tastiest dinner ever and I couldn't be in love with my Matty more than I am right now. He is a perfect husband, amazing father & a caring doc. This will go down as one of our best turkey days ever (and it was Georgie's 1st)! I am so thankful for my family. The germs, temper tantrums, poopy diapers, boogers, sleepless nights, kisses, funny stories, two of the sweetest smiles around, walks to Maverik, family prayer, wrestling and my Best Friend!

p.s. we got a new dog! we love mastiffs and could bare being without one another minute. this is Ari! Our friend, Tina (who found Oddie & Jessie for us through Mastiff Rescue) resently taken Ari back from her previous owner for neglect and now we have a gorgeous baby girl to call our own!