Holiday Hustle n Bustle

With Elena understanding how great treats and presents are the holiday season has been a blast this year. Halloween was lots of fun, and Elena still talks about all the candy she got and how she wants Halloween to come back. Although the newly placed Christmas tree and presents have temporarily distracted her. Elena was Minnie Mouse for Halloween, so we got to put on makeup and she has never left Natalie's makeup alone since. She got to trick-or-treat two times, at the Denver Zoo and the Ward Trunk or Treat. By the end she finally started to say trick or treat. The next two days were spent gorging on candy (with some help from Natalie). Mike detested the candy obsession, but he knew he would have to sneak it past both Elena and Natalie if he wanted to throw it away.



Mike finished the quarter at DU very successfully. His finals were the week Harry Potter came out, so we waited a couple days to go see it. While we waited we had fun with our own wizard in training. Elena now loves finding sticks to wave around while saying "stupify". We really need to teach her more spells...


We stayed in Denver for Thanksgiving, and spent the first Thanksgiving without family. We got together with some friends in the ward and had a surprisingly lovely feast. We did almost burn our first turkey, but fortunately that is only almost. The day after Thanksgiving was one of the best. We got to put up all the decorations then spent the evening in downtown Denver. We got to take the light rail, or "train" as Elena likes to call it and enjoyed free ice skating, music, lights, watched figure skaters and got a free Santa pictures. The best part is probably the fact that Elena liked Santa. She smiled for pictures and actually sat on his lap without mom and told him what she wanted for Christmas, which was pink sunglasses.

Natalie is a whale, it is crazy to see how much she has grown in the last few months. No she does not wear this shirt everyday, but it makes it easy to see her belly so that is why she has the same picture on in most of her photos.
18 weeks
27 weeks

31 weeks

I am a spiritual 2 year old

Today I sat reflecting on my parenting experiences and pondering those of our Heavenly Father. At mother group someone mentioned how it is hard for us to understand why 2 year old's will throw tantrums or get upset and cry over silly things. I have often tried to remind myself that for a little child loosing a teddy bear (etc.) really is traumatizing and that I should not trivialize their struggles. Too often when these circumstances arise "get over it" crosses my mind. Later, as I sat there trying to think of my Savior and Heavenly Parents I found my thoughts being pulled into whats for dinner, what groceries to buy, about my legs that ache and pool with blood. My temporal concerns are so completely trivial to Heavenly Father and my own eternal existence and yet I am so greatly affected by them every day. He extends understanding, strength and love at every chance He can. How do I dare withhold understanding and love to my child over her own trivial matters? That is not the only way I am a spiritual 2 year old. Elena cannot give me anything I cannot get my self. She can't even do chores. But, my life sure is a lot easier and I am a lot happier when she listens (and obeys). Honestly, is there anything I can give my Heavenly Father or Savior? No. The only thing that I can do to show appreciation for all they do for me is to be obedient. If ye love me keep my commandments. It is rather silly that as we get older we somehow think we are more productive and have more meaningful concerns and problems then children. I am sure Heavenly Father looks down and chuckles at my temporal nature. Sorry if these thoughts are abrupt. Elena woke up and I cannot keep distracting her from the computer with chocolate chips...

Awesome Autumn

Since our last blog Elena traded a bike carrier seat she got from grandma for a tricycle, which although she adores, her legs are a little too short still (Elena is still wearing some 12 and 18 month clothing!! My tiny girl). She still sits on it and sings her elmo "riding a tricycle" song.


Natalie hit the third trimester
And we've been trying to enjoy the festivities of fall. I found this candle holder for 5 dollars, and we made these cute spider webs for 1 dollar a piece. Now I will just wait for my candy corn lights to go on sale and I will feel like I actually have something to decorate for Halloween.


Mom and Elena went to a pumpkin patch, where we enjoyed the most wonderful apple cider donuts. It was like drinking apple cider, but better because you could bite into it.

Instead of a hay ride we opted for the carriage ride- it was a little cleaner. These horses are 2000 lbs each! They were ginormous. Elena got to pet the black one too.
Where did my apple cider donut go? Oh... my stomach... Just yesterday we had friends over and carved pumpkins. Yes we do know they wont make it til Halloween- but I couldn't resist. Either way we don't trust them outside by our door (sadly) so we figure it couldn't hurt if they rotted before Halloween. Our friends were smart though, they saved one for later.



And my favorite thing- I made hot cocoa mix. Unfortunately they didn't have any thing besides Hershey's regular cocoa so I am a little disappointed in the chocolatey flavor, but I had a stroke of genius while making it. I had combined everything besides the cocoa, and the thought occurred- what about french vanilla? The grocery store, like it so often does, didn't have what I wanted-Stephens French Vanilla, so I tried to make it! I just added extra french vanilla pudding mix and vwallah- you had Stephens Family French Vanilla. This doesn't even need to be made with milk to make it extra delicious. If anyone else wants to make their own cocoa maybe I will post the recipe. This week it will finally be cold enough to actually drink it too. Denver does famously have snow fall on or just around Halloween, so I guess I am just preparing.