Zoo Day

On the Thursday before Christmas the kids (minus Spencer with his double ear infection) headed up to Waco with Shauni & her kids to go spend a few hours at the zoo.  (yep...you can do that in the middle of December when you live in places that don't ICE OVER).  It was a great outing.  The kids ceased their holiday whinning, epounded large amounts of energy, and saw the animals roaming about.

Some of the cutest butterflies ever!

Isaac was very concerned about the proximity of the bear in the background.  None of us were really convinvced that the two meager strands of barbed wire and mini ditch offered much protection.  Thanks Shauni for a great outing!  We had a LOVED it.

Somedays...

I think I can't take anymore whinning, tattle telling, screaming, running, slamming doors, etc.  And other days these three are each others best friends.  This day  in particular they insisted on holding each others hands, walking around the house, and playing.  My sanity needs more of these types of days!

 I can't get enough of these sweet moments!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

2010

Ben, Rebecca, Natali, Isaac, & Spencer

Podiatry Cheese Balls

Every year the podiatry department has a annual Christmas Party.  We were able to get a great couple in our ward to come over and babysit our kids so we could go out and enjoy some adult conversation.  It was nice.  Not as fancy as I had hoped for, but it was break from being home and my normal tasks, so I enjoyed it.  The real nice part was that I was finally able to meet some many of these people that I hear my husband talk about.  I enjoy being able to now assoicate a face to the stories I hear.

All the residents, minus one.

(Front: Colby, Jason, Ben, Dale, Stacey)

(Back : Lou, Dan, John, Tyler) missing Lacey

At this party there was a white elephant gift exchange.  I won't confess what we brought, it was pretty lame.  We left with one of those GIANT tubs of Cheesy Balls from Sam's Club.  Guess who LOVES cheesy balls!  He was a mess when he was done, but it was so funny to watch him eat and keep asking for MORE.   Man he sure is cute right now.  He is saying more, car, shoes, and thank you.  Gosh I love his little face!

Kid Biz

This Fall Natali particpated in a fun singing group called Kid Biz.  They met once a week to practice, and would do performances around the community on the weekends.  She loved it. And I loved seeing her perform.  

Her last performance was at the train station.  I took Isaac along so he could enjoy the trains!  And he did.  They could even climb in and explore the engine.

December Happenings

Not that anyone else has noticed, but I realized it has been awhile since I have posted about anything.  We haven't been overly busy, but just enjoying holidays and the fun activities that come with it.  We started the month by attending the annual Temple Christmas Parade.  There were lights, fire trucks, a lot of random cars with people waving, and eventually Santa (and the Jazzersise ladies)!!!.  The kids snuggled under blankets and sipped hot chocolate and ate cookies courtsey of Frosts.

We've been enjoying doing our daily adevent calendar which has different holiday activites for us to do each day.  We've made Christmas cards, baked and delivered cookies, driven through Christmas lights, etc.  This particular day the activity was taking silly pictures in our Santa hats.

(Isaac didn't quite get the idea)

We attended the ward Christmas party.  I was aked to participate in a group of girls that played bell chimes as prelude music.  I know what your thinking....and yes it was as awesome as you imagine.  And no, you can't ask my husband...because he wasn't there to see me!  Sad, I know!

Natali asked for shoes with "springs" for the 2nd year in a row, and Isaac asked for Cinderella.  I quickly interupted and reminded them they wanted Pillow Pets.  Let's make sure we give Santa the correct requets, right!?!  

Natali and I had a mommy daughter date.  We ate at Golden Coral, she had won a free meal there from school and requested that we go.  After, we headed over to watch the Nutcracker perfromed by a local ballet school.  Natali thought it was AWESOME!  It was general seating and she picked our seats, right in the front row.  She waved to all the girls, and I thought several times that she was going to run on the stage herself.  She thought the part when it "snowed" was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!

We've had fun starting some fun traditions of our own down here in Texas.  I've been asked if I miss the the snow during the holidays, and the answer is..."NO"!  I love that we are out and about in December and still enjoying morning walks and afternoons at the park!  

Kids

My Little Monkeys ...

...I sure love em'.

Family Picture

2010

Got our family pictures back.  LOVE how they turned out.  Hopefully at least one of them will be gracing our Christmas cards this year. (pretty sure it's impossible for ALL of us to be looking at the camera at the SAME time) This picture will not however be making the cut.  Although, it's a pretty accurate depiction of who runs this house now a-days.  I'd like to say it was me...but who am I kidding.  The day I brought Natali into this world also marked the end of my reign as ruler!  All hail mighty Spencer.  (expect Isaac...apparently he's plotting and revolt)

Thanksgiving

I have no pictures of any of us on Thanksgiving, just the crafts that contributed to our gathering and feasting.  This year we were able to celebrate Thanksgiving with great friends, fabulous food, football, and the all important black friday shopping!

The company was wonderful.  One of the many perks about being in Texas (besides the wonderful weather during this time of year) is getting to be here with friends.  Serioulsy we are pretty lucky.  We all contributed to the meal and I have to say it was pretty AMAZING.  The nice thing about splitting it up was that all of us brought something, so no one felt totally overwhelmed.



Shauni made it all look professional with her table settings, and I contributed my knock of Pottery Barn mayflower name plates.  Not to shabby.

Earlier we made these cute little turkeys to go on the kids plates.  They didn't last long.  And I also brought along my "pumpkin turkey" to use as the center piece for the kids table.

It always amazes me how much organization and prep work goes into pulling of an event like this, and how insanely quick it all seems to be over.  But despite the fact that we are both over 24 hours + away from our families, it was a nice day.  It actually got chilly which helped with the holiday feeling.  Shopping was fun, and eating left over pie even better (just kidding, nothing is funner than shopping).

I am grateful for so many things.  Health, family, a residency program, and most important the gospel.  It's what helps to keep everything in perspective and keep me on the right track.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Black Friday

I went. I saw.  I was in bed at 6 am.  It was AWESOME.  Nothing says "Happy Holidays" like standing in cold lines outside and plowing down your fellow neighbor.  Bring it!!!  Happy shopping.

SNL Black Friday

Don't Be Fooled

Don't be fooled by those sweet kissable cheeks and that "oh so sweet" smile.  Today Spencer morphed into a Sunday MONSTER!  It was one of those days that makes you swear that you will NEVER have another baby...ever!  That kind of day when you wonder why on earth you even try to go to church with multiple small children.  That kind of day when you finally surrender the white flag (because the child is crying so hard you are pretty sure he is about to make himself throw up), and one parent takes the MONSTER child home for a nap out of pure respect for the nursery workers.

Thankfully post nap he was slightly better.  Half MONSTER, half sweet Spencer.  Whenever I asked for kisses I got a nice whack to the face.  He launched his fork off the table repeatedly all while crying until I gave it back.  He cried while Ben was on the floor trying to play with him and every time I changed his diaper (what a mean mom)!  What's the deal...maybe there are more teeth coming in.  I swear that boy has been teething for MONTHS I tell ya!

Hallaluejah for bedtime, and rest for both MONSTER Spencer and mom!  Hope tomorrow is a better, monster free day! :)

Final Halloween Picture

At our ward Halloween Carnival they had a photo area set up.  I'm so glad they did.  We actually got a family picture.  We're not all looking in the camera, but hey, it's better than nothing.

(and for the record I am NOT a Ute fan...it's a Steve Young 49er's jersey...I wouldn't want any confusion)

Guess Who...

It's MUSCLE MAN!  Cute Spencer Chase really got into the Halloween spirit this year.  He LOVED dressing up and while "trunk or treating"  he kept sticking out his hand waitinf for people to put candy in it.  It was TOO cute.

Spencer also hit the 18 month mark this last week.  Big KID!  He went in for his check up.
Stats...Height: 30.7 inches & Weight: 24 lbs (I think the doc said 25%)   ...that's teeny for Fluhman babies...

Spencer finally decided to walk at around 17 months.  He is still a little wabbly, but enjoying his new found mobility.  FINALLY!  Thank you Spencer.

Music Makers

Every Friday a SUPER talented girl in our ward puts on a Music Makers class.  It's wonderful.  She could charge big bucks, it's that's awesome, but (thankfully for our bank account) she doesn't!  Today we went and the kids dressed up in their Halloween costumes for some singing and trick-or-treating.

Two of the cutest lil' pumpkins!

Cowboy Isaac

Natali was SO excited when I told her she could dress up for school!  
(please ignore the pb on her face from breakfast)

Thanksgiving Program

On Thursday Natali performed in the her first school program.  It was Kindergarten and Fourth grade.  They presented an array of Thanksgiving songs.  A little premautre, maybe.  But was it cute, SURE WAS!

Natali in the turkey shirt they made at school.

Preschool Time

Once a week I swap kids with a friend and we do our version of Joy School.  I LOVE it.  When it's my turn, the "teacher" in me comes out and finds great satisfaction in planning activities and the organization of it all.  When it's my week off I get the chance to go and volunteer in Natali's classroom.  This week we did some fun Halloween-ish activites.  My favorite was making SLIME.  The kids couldn't get enough.

Isaac

Abbi, our special visitor for the day!

Ryan

Elle

Halloween Fashion Show

Today we did a trail run of our Halloween costumes, minus hair and make up.  We had a mini Halloween Parade through the house.  Fairy, Pumpkin, and Cowboy!

(All three kids have been this pumpkin)

***Halloween Preschool Ideas***

I found this site so EXTREMLY helpful I just had to share.  Over at Oopsey-Dasiy she has complied a "packet" full of halloween ideas to do with your kids.  She has it all ready so all you have to do is download the packet and print off the stuff you want to use.  Head over there a take a look your self!  The teacher in me is in HEAVEN.  

HALLOWEEN PACKET 

Packet compiled by Oopesy-Dasiy

Halloween Prep

Despite the fact that it doesn't feel like Fall here in Texas we are getting ready for the on slaught of festivities and feasts.  This month we have been getting ready for Halloween.  When I went to get out the decorations to decorate the house I realized I really don't have much "Halloween" stuff.  More of just "Fall" and pumpkins.  So I found this little project to make.  A black burlap wreath.

For FHE we painted pumpkins.  Always a favorite.  We let Spencer watch.  He was slightly frustrated.

 (Spencer got a hair cut shortly after this picture was taken)

We had some cute friends invite us over for a Halloween Haunted House party.  It was so fun.  It's always nice to hang out with friends and spice up a typical Friday night at home with a movie.  (majority of photos stolen from Shauni's blog...thanks Shauni!)

The men building the houses...serious work.

The kids are anxioulsy awaiting more Halloween fun and getting dressed up this year.  At least once a day Isaac goes through the list of what everyone is going to be.  He feels it is important to share this information with all cashiers and random strangers we see in the stores.   Silly boy.