Our Return to the "Mother Ship"

Before Christmas last year, Matt told one of the partners at the firm that we were headed back to UT for the holidays, and her reply was "Oh, you are returning to the Mother Ship." I guess that is true with most LDS people. Utah has become my 2nd home although I haven't forgotten my roots in Bama. Speaking of Alabama, they are playing UT in the Sugar Bowl...if anyone wants to meet us in New Orleans on Jan. 2nd. We are hoping to get tickets, although I think I would rather stay home then take two kids to the game...so again, if anyone knows any sitters in New Orleans, I would be interested!

Instead of going to Ut for xmas, we decided to take a trip back in November. My mom flew here first and was able to fly out there with us. I insisted that we fly S. West and should have been more careful when picking flights. Our flight went through Oakland and we were on the plane for 6.5 hours. It didn't say where we were flying through online, so I was pretty much in tears as I looked at my children upon learning we were going to be on the plane TOGETHER for that long. I looked at Will and said, "Mommy is worried and sad. I need you to be really good on the plane." Will's reply was, " I am going to be really bad, mom...you sad?" We finally made it to UT and all I can say was that I guess the kids could have been worse. While there, we were able to be present for my brother in laws surprise 39th birthday party, my mother in law's birthday dinner, my nephew's baby blessing, and my nieces baptism. Unfortunately, I thought I left the stove on and ran home during the "talk" portion of the baptism. It turned out the teenagers didn't show up for their talks and therefore I missed the baptism. Things like that seem to happen a lot in my life. It was a pretty jam packed visit. It was a lot of fun seeing everyone and we have already planned a trip to come back out in Jan. I was going to wait a little while longer, but then I found tickets for $125 round trip and that included taxes, so I couldn't resist.

We are excited, however, to have our first Christmas in our own house. Matt's sister, Tammy, is coming to visit and on the 26th we are headed to San Antonio for a few days. We are hoping to spend one day at Sea World and the other's on the River Walk, the Alamo, and hopefully shopping at the outlets. I just got a very part time job at Pottery Barn, so I am looking forward to the outlets there.

Abby is now cruising ALL AROUND THE HOUSE and can stand on her own for about 3 seconds on a good day! She in now 9.5 months old and at her 9 month check up, she was in the 50th % for weight, I think around 50% for height and 30% for head circumference. She especially loves trash cans and bathrooms. She is still such a sweet little baby. The other day, we were telling Will that "DUDES" are boys and that "DUDETTES" are girls. He was ok with the boy part, but he said that we should think of another name for girls. He then told me that we were going to call girls "sweethearts." Will is still a fun and energetic little boy. He is almost always happy, but is still a little hard to manage in open spaces..malls, airports, etc. We love them both dearly. Sorry this sounds like a Christmas letter. Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!

November trip to Utah!

Happy Late Halloween!

I know this is a little late, but I guess late is better than never, right? Our Halloween was pretty low key. My mom flew in that day and we had plans to go to the Trunk or Treat at church, but since our church is about 25 min. away and given the fact that Matt didn't get home from work until 6:30, we decided to just take him around our neighborhood. Will was pretty fascinated with the whole idea, but we had to keep reminding him not to say, "Trick or Treat, Smell my Feet." I apparently must have said that a few days before Halloween. Abby was happy just holding her one candy wrapper for the entire 45 minute stretch.