And the grand finale...Happy Birthday Indie and Scott!

Tomorrow will be the official end to the holiday season for us, which starts at the beginning of November with Annicka's birthday followed two weeks later by Park's birthday, Thanksgiving, my birthday just before Christmas, Christmas, New Year's, Indie's birthday yesterday and ends tomorrow with Scott's birthday. Can we say HUGE SIGH?

Indie turned two yesterday and I can hardly believe that my baby is two! Yes, he is still my baby! We are waiting for #4 to come along, but it just hasn't happened yet, and until it does, he's my baby. We went swimming and out to dinner afterward with Scott's mom. I think I've become the queen of low key birthdays. Indie has some funny eccentricities. He still doesn't talk much, he says a few thing regularly, but his speech hasn't quite blossomed yet. He does, however, jabber like he is saying something. When we pick him up from nursery he talks to me like he's telling me everything that went on while I was away. He loves to be upside down and regularly throws his head back when I'm holding him so that I'll hang him upside down. And the he'll want to stay there for 15 minutes. He loves to pretend to be asleep with his eyes squinted shut. Last night when it was time to brush teeth I laid him on the ground and he squinted his eyes closed and when I said, "Indie, wake up! It's time to brush teeth!" he smiled with his eyes still closed. We sure love this kid and are so glad he is part of our family!

Now for Scott! Tomorrow is his birthday and I just want him to know how much he means to me. He is the perfect husband for me! He is so mellow and laid back it's almost ridiculous, but it is exactly what I need. He has been amazing since I was called as the Relief Society President. Whenever there is a food order I need to do or have signed by the bishop, or a meeting I need to go to, or visits I need to make he takes the kids without question or complaint. He has even become the Presidency babysitter, watching one of  my counselor's kids when her husband is out of town. I love to watch him play with the kids and I love it when he takes them to do something one on one. Happy Birthday, Scott! I love you! You're my favorite husband, ever!

The Tornado

Ever since we finished the basement the dynamic in our house has changed, let me illustrate.

 This is the tornado that hits the basement everyday.

 And this is how clean our living room stays. I think I'm in love! 

I wish I could claim credit for how beautiful our living room looks, but I can't! My friend Amber has been AMAZING! We went estate selling together and then to Tuesday Morning's afterward and this is how it has come together! The couches we got for $500 together and they are brand new!

The light fixtures, $80 for the pair. The top one hangs over the front door and the other one is the main light for the room. Aren't they beautiful? There are still a few things we need for the room, but they will come in time. I LOVE how it has come together!

Christmas....finally

 Christmas was a good and busy one this year with family, and, thankfully, a rather quiet one with my calling. Festivities began on the 18th with lunch at my dad's. The 19th was dinner and a white elephant exchange with Scott's family. Christmas morning was just us and the kids to open presents and Scott's mom and his brother's little family for breakfast.

 As soon as this slinky came out Indie had no desire for opening any more presents.

 And of course Park and Annicka really enjoyed themselves.

 

 All the kids in their new Christmas PJs. And of course Indie is pant-less. I can't seem to keep pants on this kid to save my life.

Christmas day my mom and step-dad got into town and we had a big sleep over in our basement with all of my siblings. What fun for the cousins!

Snowman

 The Tuesday before Christmas we had a huge storm that dropped about 8 heavy inches. Of course it had mostly gone by Christmas, but that day we made a giant snowman. That's right, the kids and I, no Scott involved made this huge snowman. Don't ask me how we got the middle up, I must be Wonder Woman or something. I love his 10 foot arm span.

Christmas is in the air...

 The last few weeks have been busy and fun! Here are the kids at the ward Christmas party with Santa. We were thrilled when Park wanted to actually sit on his lap. Last year he wouldn't even think about it. Indie...well, let's just say we didn't even try with Indie.

 This last Monday we had a combined family home evening with our next door neighbors making "gingerbread" houses with graham crackers.

 This is one of our neighbor boys, Sam. I just had to put this one up, it was one of the best pictures I took that night.

 And then the other day it was pretty warm outside, and being the terrible parents we are, we let Indie out into the backyard while Scott was grilling up some steaks. That's right, he is shoeless AND coatless. Scott came in the house for a few minutes and when he came back out Indie had settled himself into the snow and was shivering and eating to his heart's content. Let me just say, while this was happening I was out doing some of my Relief Society president responsibilities. To be fair I was the one who let Indie out, but Scott was in charge of watching him after I left.

It is finished.

 Our basement is officially finished! We got new carpet in yesterday and we even decided to replace the carpet and paint upstairs as well! We've been working hard over the last several months and we are thrilled with the outcome. Here are some of the before pictures:

 And the after! We are working on getting new furniture for the living room upstairs and once that is all decorated in a few months I will post those pictures.

The carpet is a chocolate brown flecked with tan and it is amazingly plush and comfy on the feet! A far cry from the cheap carpet the builders put in. We have an additional three bedrooms, a bathroom and this ginormous family room. We have lots of plans for this room including surround sound and a pool/ping pong table...but that is a little down the road for now. Right now the most exciting thing for me is that ALL of the toys are now in the basement! I couldn't be happier!

Happy Birthday, Park!

 For Park's birthday we went bowling as a family!

 The kids loved it!

 And even Indie got in on the action.

 Park got "Toy Story 3" and some airplanes.

 And since Park never eats his cakes we decided to go with cookies this year!

Happy Birthday, Park! You are always making us laugh and I love your zest for life! Everything becomes a game and joke when you are around! We love you!