Tayden Says....

"Thanks for the PJ's GG Packard. I love them."

Merry Christmas

You know you've had an awesome Christmas when you come home and your house looks like this:

(Yes, that is a new dresser! We got a new bed set for Christmas. I'll post pictures after our little bedroom makeover is complete.)

When all was said and done, our house had transformed into a war zone. It took a few days to get back to normal, but it was awesome!

We had such a blast at Christmas this year. It was great spending time relaxing and spending time with our families. Speaking of which, my brother and his family flew in from Texas for the Holidays...without anyone knowing. It was THE BEST surprise ever. It was so wonderful having my whole family together. Now, if only I could convince them to stay.

To be honest, Scott and I just had too much fun opening gifts with Tayden that we didn't take many pictures at all. But most of them would have shown this happy little boy.

Even with an awful cough and runny nose...he was all smiles....most the day.

It was so contagious, the smiles not the cough, that Scott had to get in on the fun.

Daddy and Tayden playing in the tent.

We are so blessed to have such wonderful families. We got spoiled, as we do every year... but I especially love just being together. I love spending the day surrounded by people you love celebrating the birth of our Savior. It is great to have Tayden with us and can't wait to have his baby brother with us next year. I could say it over and over and over, yet it would never be enough... but we are truly truly blessed.

I had to add a picture of Taydens 'happy face'. I told him to show me his happy face for the camera, and this is what I got. haha. Plus, don't you love his new converse shoes?

He knows how to rock it.

Hot Tuna

Having a toddler is an adventure. I love it. One of the joys at our house is finding random things in random places. Such as this:

Tuna in the dryer.

Among other things like:

*Cars in my pillow.
*Measuring spoons in the bath tub.
*Wooden spoons in the toy chest.
*Watches in the dirty clothes.
*Footballs in my closet.
*Popcorn in my purse.
*Cars in the Christmas Tree.
*Library cards in the vents.

Yes, these have all happened. (Thankfully, not on a regular basis.) But the best part is....I always know where to look. I seriously love being a mom.

Time for Change

This past October conference I was in Texas with my family and wasn't able to watch conference. No excuse I know, just simply the reason I didn't. I have taken it upon myself to read a talk daily along with personal scripture study while Tayden naps. I have felt myself slip in the "seminary answers" of life the past little while. Things such as personal scripture study and prayer. So, I am determined to get back on track and be the person that I need to be. Not only for myself, but as a wife and mother as well. With that said, as I have been reading the talks I have felt an overwhelming sense that the P family needs to be engaged in weekly family home evening and daily scripture study. We do pretty well at night time prayers with Tayden, but could be more consistent. I am noticing how scary the world is and want to spiritually prepare my children the best I can to make the right choices. I know it is up to me to instill in them the importance of our Savior and his gospel. I know its not up to me alone, but I am a firm believer it starts in the home. I want to give my kids every advantage that I can. I want my kids growing up in a home where the gospel is practiced not just preached. I want my kids growing up knowing that their mom has a testimony. I want my kids growing up with a testimony of their own. Its going to be a challenge with an almost 2 year old and new baby, but what better time to start than now? So our new goals 1.) Weekly FHE. 2.) Daily scripture study. 3.) Consistent family prayer. I know this will be one of the best choices we will make for our family. I felt the change immediately after the decision was made and the goals were set. It will improve our life in every aspect.

Please leave a comment if you have any personal experiences or suggestions to share about FHE and family scripture study. I love to hear your input and could use a few good ideas to really get the ball rolling.

I am excited for the good things to come.

Oh and guess what? 12 days until Christmas!!!

Gingerbread Houses

It's that time of year for gingerbread houses. Tayden and I attend the library every Tuesday for 'story time' and this week we had the special treat of making gingerbread houses. I was a little concerned Tayden would be covered from head to toe in frosting, but he actually did fairly well. It was a fun making the little house together and made for a great morning.


Tayden actually working on the house, before he found out the glue was frosting.


It was all over after that. Yum.

The final project. Awesome right?

A quick side note: Have you ever looked at your child in complete awe and wonder? That happened to me tonight. I was getting him ready for bed and helping him put his PJ's on. In the process I started folding his jeans and all of a sudden I realized how BIG his little jeans are. I looked at the Master of Disaster and my heart melted. When did MY BABY grow up? He is almost 2! TWO YEARS OLD. Crazy. In the midst of my emotional mom moment, I let him stay up a a little longer than usual. In his extra time of freedom he managed to melt my heart even more. He loves football. By love I mean is partially obsessed. And by partially I mean completely. He 'plays' football on a regular basis (yells "GO GO GO", runs and then dives on the floor). Tonight, while he was playing football, he rolled over looked at me and we had this little conversation:

Tayden: MAMA, I ducks.
Mom: What?
Tayden: (louder and slower) I ducks.
Mom: Your ducks?
Tayden: (attempting me to get up) I ducks.
Mom: Oh, you're STUCK! (first time he has ever said that)
Tayden: (huge grin) Yeah, I ducks! (followed by the cutest laugh you have ever heard). Again!
Mom: Okay, again!

It was small and simply and took less than a minute, but I cherish little moments of actual conversation. Not just naming things or telling us what animals say what, but an actual conversation. He is growing up to quickly.

I LOVE being Taydens mom.
He's the best.

Dare I Tell...

... where I got this wonderful little skirt?


Dying to know? .... see it here:

I'm no expert, but I had fun with this one.

Winter Wonderland

There is just something about the snow this year.

Its a little bit beautiful.