Merry Christmas

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving was spent with the Abbotts. Lucas and his dad and brothers usually go shooting early on Thanksgiving morning, but this year Lucas decided he wanted to sleep in and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving parade instead. It was so nice to just laze around and watch the parade. Before dinner, the Abbott men and boys played in the first Abbott Turkey bowl. They had a great time and worked up an appetite. We had dinner in the afternoon and I have to say that everything was perfect and delicious. I think it was the best Thanksgiving dinner ever. Maybe I say that every year, but it was so scumptious. After dinner, we all cleaned up. Then we had our choice of pies for dessert made by my sis-in-laws, Rachelle and Susana. They were all so yummy, we had a couple slices each. I am thankful for so many things this year. My family is at the top of that list. I'm so grateful for the blessings I have received this year.

Words of Encouragement

“If you are still in the
process of
raising children . . .
be aware that the
tiny fingerprints that
show up on almost every
newly cleaned surface,
the toys scattered about
the house,
the piles and piles
of laundry
to be tackled will
disappear all too soon
and that you will
-to your surprise-
miss them profoundly.”
President Thomas S. Monson

Halloween Time

A Witch, Boba Fett & Frankenstein set out for our ward "Trunk R Treat"

Fun with cousins at the YMCA Halloween Party


Tyrone won best costume for his age group at the Trunk R Treat

We only carved one pumpkin this Halloween. We carved it on Halloween night too. We have big plans for next year. At least 5 pumpkins.

Niamh turns 2

Niamh turned 2 years old on October 20th. She loved opening her presents and every time we sang "Happy Birthday" to her, she sang right along. She played with her presents most of the day and then we had a little family party in the evening. Niamh got lots of fun presents and some really cute clothes. I can't believe my baby girl is 2. She is a spitfire and likes to rule the house. She loves running around all day long. She loves Mickey & Minnie Mouse and Tinkerbell. She loves to sing and she loves to drink. By that I mean, she drinks most of her meals throughout the day. I can barely get her to eat anything. We love our Niamhy and are blessed to have her in our family.

Gavin at 6

September 19th was Gavin's 6th Birthday. It fell on a Sunday, so we decided to have a friend party on the Friday before. He invited friends from church and his cousins who live in town to his "skeleton" party. We had pizza and root beer, had a treasure hunt and ate Icecream cake. Then Gavin opened his presents. He was so excited and each friend was so thoughtful with their gifts. Gavin was ecstatic. On Sunday evening we had cake and icecream with family. Gavin was so excited that he got to have two birthday parties. He got so many presents and pretty much got everything on his wish list. He has been really gracious, sharing his presents with Tyrone, who insists that they are now his toys as well. These past 6 years have dragged on at times, but I also find myself wondering when did Gavin grow up so fast. He is turning into such a sweet, mature young man. He is a great helper to me and he loves learning and doing grown up things, like using a can opener. He is a blessing to have in our family and we love him dearly.

Back to School

Gavin started 1st grade this year. He is really enjoying it so far. Even though he has been going to school for a few years already, the separation this year was the hardest for me. I think the fact that he's gone from 9am-3pm every day is the main reason, but I guess I realize that this is where you start letting go as a mother. The school doesn't let you walk your child to their line on the playground. The day that I had to say goodbye and let him walk through the school gate alone was really hard for me. When I hugged him goodbye, I could feel his little heart beating a million miles a minute. I know he was scared. Each day as I part with him at the gate and he walks away, I have a flashback to when I started each new grade, or when we moved to America and started a brand new school in a completely different country. I know Gavin is going to make friends and he will be fine at school, it's just the letting go that I'm getting used to. He's doing much better with his homework already. I mentioned in a post at the end of the school year that I was considering putting him on medication for ADHD. The doctor prescribed some, but I just kept feeling an overwhelming prompting not to fill the prescription. I think Gavin just needs a little extra help and I think eventually he will catch up. That's what I'm praying for anyway.
Tyrone started preschool. He goes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I'm part of a Joy School group. It's me and 5 other moms. We take turns teaching the curriculum each week in each of our homes. Most of the ladies did it last year, so we are working on year 2. Tyrone absolutely loves it already. He talks non stop all day long anyway, but now the talking is intermingled with songs and he tells me about what he has learned and who said this and that. It's really good for him and I know he is going to be so ready for Kindergarten by the end of Joy School. It really is a fantastic program.
Niamh is almost 2 and thinks she is that already. She is obsessed with the Tim Burton version of Alice in Wonderland. She watches it from start to finish and multiple times a day. She even sings the theme music as we're driving along in the car. She talks so well and is growing up way too fast. The other day, my mother-in-law compared her to Shirley Temple. She has the silliest expressions and is always running around or dancing. We took pictures recently and when it was her turn, she posed all by herself and was even rolling around on the ground and looking at the camera. It is so fun having a little girl, I'm loving it.
~Life is really busy right now. I'm trying to get back into some sort of routine since slacking all summer long. The kids and Lucas cannot wait for Halloween, Lucas already bought Candy Corn and decorations. Football season starts tonight, so I guess I won't be seeing Lucas until January when the season ends. I'm still learning what the whole game is about. I mainly just enjoy watching the players run around in their tight pants :)