Santa's Lap

I think these pictures are self explanatory.

The Weather Outside is Frightful

2 pairs of pants, 1 shirt, 1 sweatshirt, 1 wintercoat, 2 pairs of gloves, 1 pair of pink snowbibs, 2 hoods, 1 hat, 2 pair of socks, and some princess snowboots later, Lilly was outside helping her dad plow the neighborhood after we were dumped on overnight. (about 7 inches)

Lilly loves going outside to help Nate but her favorite part is coming in and sipping her hot chocolate after.

Woah! What happened!? seriously?!

My baby turned 1 yesterday!
We had everyone over for french silk pie, warm cookies, and milk. She was sung to twice, opened gifts, kissed and held all day long, talked about, reminisced about, and she was completely oblivious to it all.
--------------------------------------------------------------
She is now walking, attempts running, nods yes and no to let you know what she wants, eats solids, sleeps all night, waves hi and bye, jabbers on the phone, loves her blankie and binky, enjoys watching baby einstein movies, has 6 teeth, size 4 shoe, wears size 24 month pants, size 4 diapers, sports piggy tails, gives kisses, says "moo", and when she smiles we have to replace a fair amount of light bulbs in the room. Loves to Megan!

Early Christmas with the Hulls

( F.Y.I. These pictures are totally out of order)

So Nana, Papa, and Uncle Cordy came for an early Christmas/Megan's first birthday before they flew out to Houston. We opened gifts and ate Texas Roadhouse and had a sleepover.

-----------------------------------------------

Above: Lilly fell asleep on Nate while he was reading her a Christmas book. What was so cute is, Nate didn't know she had fallen asleep so he was still reading the book to himself. :)

The girls in their Christmas dresses after church. Our sacrament meeting was amazing! The whole ward seemed to come together (or the ones with musical talent that is). The whole hour was music numbers by the primary, choir, and solos. It was perfect!

Now that Meg is walking, sitting in church is proven difficult. She was so sweet toddling around in the halls in her little dress- I could just eat her up! Lilly sits really well in sacrament. If she starts to act up we just threaten her with not being able to go to nursery and she straightens out instantaneously.- Love it!




I miss my family already. I love our little sleepovers and being with them in the morning. Mornings are my favorite part of the day. I love chatting with my mom as she is getting ready and feeding my dad breakfast. I even love watching Cordy take his morning bolus. I am hopeful to have EVERYONE together next year for the holiday, and I usually get what I want, so everyone start buying plane tickets!

Megan was all up in the boys business as they were assembling the Barbie Dream House.

Lilly loved opening presents, and opening everyone else's too.

The 'Intervention' was a success. I bought my dad some 'cool' denims and they look SO super hott! ow!

Nana had plenty of help opening her present and that was a success too. whew!

Music and the Spoken Word

Sunday morning some of us went to Music and the Spoken Word at the Conference Center. We listened to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (which was heavenly btw) and watched as the program was broadcasted live. Thanks to Leslie and Cory for watching the girls!

Later we all left and went our separate ways. We took Lilly to Build a Bear, ate lunch, and came home. The weekend was super fun! (Even the part when I dug poop out of Megan's butt) :) Can't wait til next year!

Discovery at the Gateway

Saturday morning we caught the train and went to the children's discovery museum.
Parker climbing the rock wall.

Piper, Lil, and Tandi in the 'birds nest'.

Lilly harvesting the crops.

Through the window of the kids house where Lilly was busy making lunch in the kitchen.

Lilly and Parker the Horse shopping in the market.

Checking out. This was her favorite part.

Bossing all the boys at the construction site.

For $8.50 a person, this place was so much fun for Lilly. She bawled when we left. The 'pretend' stuff is her favorite. I loved watching her do things that she has probably seen me do a thousand times before. We will be going back for sure!

Lights at Temple Square

We just got back from a fun filled weekend in Salt Lake with the Merrill family and I think I speak for everyone when I say, "I am pooped!"

Friday we all arrived and ate at the Olive Garden for dinner.
Megan ate more than Lilly both nights we were gone. She was seriously putting it away.






We walked to Temple Square after dinner to see the lights and nativity. There is definitely a special feeling you have being around this sacred building with your family.

I borrowed this kangaroo pouch from Tonya and Megan LOVED it! I loved it!

After seeing the baby Jesus in the nativity outside, we went inside to sit around the Christus statue and listen to the words of the Savior. I couldn't help but sit there and think, one day, we will be back in his presence, sitting around him to hear his words just like this! It's so comforting to know who you are and where you are going and how you can get there.

Warm Cookies

By the look on her face, you would have no idea she is cutting 5 teeth right now....
I am seriously considering foregoing a birthday cake this year and having everyone over for warm cookies and milk.

Have I mentioned this little tike is walking and FINALLY sleeping through the night (more often than not anyway). Honestly, we cannot get enough of this love lump!

Disney On Ice

The Merrill clan packed up for a couple days and headed to Salt Lake for Disney on Ice. The kids loved it.

This happen to be my birthday as well. Yes, the big two-four smacked me harder than I thought it would.

My Butterflies

Getting our hair done before putting costumes on.
Sadly, this is the only pic I got of her face- and she is in mid-blink...

Lilly was lucky to wear her costume to three different parties plus Halloween night. This is Lil and her teacher, Miss Sheri (Cinderella).

Trick-or-Treaters. Megan slept through the trick or treating but Lilly LOVED it. It was so fun this year to watch her get into it.