Pumpkin Patch

 This is kind of a funny little carnival that has popped up just down the street from us each year we have been here. Last year we didn't even go, but this year we decided to give it a whirl since Lucy was a tad older. We went on the wrong day, because it was so cold and windy and we weren't dressed for it (except Molly) but Lucy was amused and lets her wishes known that she would like to return every time we pass it on the street (which is a lot ...unfortunately). 

 Never could get a really great picture, but we were here. 

 Lucy loved the petting zoo most of all. She loved to watch, touch, and pet the animals. 

 She was captivated by this little bunny. 

 Thank goodness for petting zoos so we never have to have pets of our own. 

At one point there were so many kids running around, that they far out numbered the amount of animals. It kind of reminded me of a human farm. I wanted to enter and start petting all the little kids and chase and poke them like they were doing to the animals. (That's a joke). 

Queen of lounging... (not me, Molly... although I can see where she gets it)

 Molly loves to lounge. She is the loungiest girl I know. Currently her over sized stuffed elephant is her favorite cuddle partner, but pillows, her stuffed chairs, couch cushions, sister, mom or dad are always great places to lay back and take a rest. She will find her favorite toy and lay back and examine it for several minutes. I think it's a good quality to have. 

 Lucy sharing in on the resting although she rests only when a movie is playing. Otherwise, she's much more get up and go personality. 

This is my favorite spot that Molly chooses to lounge. If you lay down she wants to be there with you too. Now you can see where she gets it. 

She's a tad obsessed...

We try to be pretty conservative with our screen time, but regardless Lucy loves to play her games on the kindle and Dad's phone (which she calls "Lucy's phone). I do take comfort in the fact that all of her games are educational. She is a pro at all shapes (her favorite is the hexagon), letters, numbers, and can pretty much tell you every letter sound and what letter any word begins with. I'm always impressed with how much she absorbs. She catches on quickly to songs too. She sings all day long. It is LITERALLY, music to my ears! 

Because of Lucy's new found interest in shapes, we made a shapes dinner. She helped me put it together. She actually loves to cook with me. I couldn't be happier about that. Shapes for dinner was a complete success. Naturally the cheese triangles were her favorite, but she tried everything and ate a lot! 

James my heart

Just a warning: This is a mushy post. It's not really meant for other purposes than to one day be printed in our family blogbook and let our children know how much their mother LOVES their father. So skip it if you want, but I just had to get some thoughts down that were in my head.
We were at the park today with the girls and took this and other pictures. Honestly I think it is the first pictures we have taken of just the two of us since the day Lucy came into our lives. Which isn't really a good "picture" of how it really is. Because as much as we love our beautiful girls we do love each other too. (Even more than we love our kids, if we are being honest). I have been thinking a lot about our love today after taking and looking at these pictures. It was once just the two of us, and we loved it, but I think we both knew very clearly that we were meant to share our love with others that would enter our lives early in our marriage. We have NEVER regretted that decision. Quite the opposite, we can't imagine our lives with out Lucy.. and shortly after, Molly. They enrich our lives and love for each other on a daily basis. I love James. It is not a chore to serve him. I love it. And he is so good to me. So here's to our love!

Lucy's new talent: blowing bubbles.

 Lucy learned how to blow bubbles on her own! It's liberating. 

 The two girls that I watch brought some bubbles one day and Lucy watched them do it over and over again, and finally figured it out herself. Her only problem was spilling the bubbles. But we fixed that problem... (see two pictures below)

 These were just too cute of Matty and Lucy to not throw in somewhere. 

 SPILL PROOF BUBBLES! 

 Greatest invention ever and Lucy's new favorite toy/obsession. 

 To sell this product even more, here she is jumping on the tramp and blowing bubbles. Not a spill in sight. Just a dang good time. 

So thank you spill proof bubble inventor, you are our new hero!

Molly's Birthday Party(s)

 We were in St. George on Molly's Birthday, so I brought all the treats up to Grandma's on Sunday night. 

Molly was not a go-getter with the cake dive.

She did a little better when sister came to show her how it was done. 

Overall a bit of a let down. Good thing she's cute. 

We had a little family home evening party with our friends. 

Molly and Desmond... future wedding video material.

Desmond brought over his ball pit to share with the party. 

Hit of the night and everyday until Desmond takes it home. 

Don't know why this picture loaded this way. But cake dive number two was equally if not more disappointing. Molly seemed repulsed by it. I guess she doesn't like cake. 

Again, Lucy trying to help. 

Desmond even got in on the action. 

I know none of this meant much to Molly, but it was fun to celebrate with family and friends. Me and Lucy are always looking for an excuse to throw a party. 

I love to see the temple

 We were in St. George this last weekend. When we are there on Sundays we like to catch Sacrament at a convenient hour then head up to the temple grounds for the rest of our Sabbath day worship hours. I actually love it and the experience always promises a rich spiritual learning experience for all of us.
It was a beautiful day and it was so nice to be outside. We also had the place to ourselves most of the time. I love that Molly can walk and move around at her leasure. She still likes to put things in her mouth, but mostly just sticks and dirt... which is less of a choking hazard than small rocks which used to be her favorite, so we give her her freedom and enjoy ours as we sit back and watch.
We also visit the visitor's center each time we come. I don't like to take a tour each time but I do like my kids to listen to the Christus presentation and feel the spirit and the love that comes from the words spoken. Both of them were very reverent this time as we listened. When it was over I leaned over and asked Lucy "Who is that?" She responded, "Jesus Christ" I then asked, "Do you know any songs about Jesus Christ?" She responded, "I am a child of God." I started to tier up immediately. The song of course does not have the words "Jesus Christ" in them but she was able to recognize that the love of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are the same. And the words she sings in that song mean something similar to what Jesus Christ means to her. I am amazed at how much she takes in and how aware she is of the lessons we are trying to teach her daily. I am so thankful for the primary songs to help us teach her those principles. Lucy loves to sing and if there is one thing that she can catch on to, its a catchy tune.
Speaking of primary songs, we visited my mom's ward and it was their primary program. Lucy loved to stand up on the chair and sing right along with those primary kids, the songs that she knew. And the songs she didn't know are on our list to learn.
It was a lovely Sunday and fitting that it was Molly's birthday as well. I sure do love my family and I am so thankful for the covenants James and I made and the restored priesthood keys that sealed us all together for eternity. What a blessing and a comfort that is in our lives. Now the big job of teaching our kids to do the same and enduring to the end. Here's to forever!