Happy Halloween

King twins and Haynie twins...I can't wait till they can play together!

Oma, Opa, Shauna and us.

HAYNIE FAMILY

What better way to celebrate halloween then to visit a grave yard?? I'm sure Landon and Lydia would have loved halloween too. They would have been at the perfect age for dressing up and trick or treating.

I personally don't like halloween. But, I love how much kids love it. And so...ENJOY my sugar high dragon boy!

So many choices...

A little pre-halloween fun! What a goofy kid Elliot is.

Utah's first Snow

I guess Elliot forgot how cold snow is because all he wanted to do was PLAY! Notice, he has a boot in his hand, but not pants or boots on his body. What kind of mother am I?

Happy Snow Day!

An average sunday afternoon

I was in the mood to take pics and what better time then on a rowdy Sunday afternoon during a full family wrestling match.
I loved catching everyones expressions. I didn't have time to edit any of these photos, but figured if I took the time to do that it would be another month before they made it to the blog.
I sure love my family. THEY ROCK!

Diesel & Brooklyn

My mom

Sharli & Mckenna

Tyrali

Sharli

Erin

Andy

Mckenzie

T.J.

Derek, Carter and Tanner

Whitney, Elliot, Carter and Hayden

Somehow Whit and Diesel were the target of all the wrestling. That's probably why they're the favorite Aunt and Uncle. :)

Fall is in the air

The picture screams fall to me. A coat on, wind blown hair, and a small cold weather tear resting on his eyelid.
I love fall. It is by far my favorite season. The changing leaves, the changing weather, the upcoming holidays, the fresh start of a new school year, sweaters and hats, socks and gloves. It all warms my heart!!

We are throughly enjoying our stay in Utah. There is nothing like being surrounded by family during my favorite time of year!

I just finished a photography class with the guy who took our family photos last January (the pic on our header) The class was awesome! It was a great way to learn the basics of my camera.
Here's to quality picture taking....now I just need a photoshop class to refine my editing skills.

This was taken before the class, but I still love this shot.

WELCOME HOME ELDER DAVIS

I LOVE YOU!!

Wonderful Weekend

The First Presidency of the LDS church

I'm not sure if there is anything better then relaxing on the couch with a pen and journal in hand, listening to the most inspiring and inspired people on earth. What a breath of fresh air. I have always loved General Conference, but this weekend I was especially moved. There was so much good information and so much that applied directly to my life. I have so much to work on.

There were several themes that seemed to stand out to me.

#1 LOVE. This seemed to be repeated and repeated in every way and in every aspect of our lives. From loving our spouse and kids to loving our neighbors to loving God and understanding His love for us. Dieter F. Ukdorf said...(I'm paraphrasing) What we think, what we do and what we LOVE is the person we become. What do I spend the day thinking about? What do I spend my time doing and who and what do I love???

#2 SERVICE. "What did you do for someone today?" - President Thomas S. MonsonI really want to start asking myself, my husband and my son this question at the dinner table. It should be something I'm spending my time thinking about. "Mans greatest happiness comes from loosing himself for the good of others." -David O. Mckay.

#3 THE BOOK OF MORMON IS THE TRUE WORD OF GOD.

Jeffrey R. Holland's talk was so powerful and moving. The spirit consumed me and testified to me that what he was saying and what I already knew and believed was TRUE! Christ's true church that he organized while on the earth was lost with the death of his Apostles. There had to be a restoration of his gospel and that was completed through a man named Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ. He was commanded by them to translate a book that is a second witness of Christ. It would work with the Bible to declare Christ as our Savior and Redeemer. What a wonderful blessing to have more instruction from God. I know this book is true. I feel wonderful every time open it to read and study. I know it changes lives for the better and has certainly changed mine.

#4 PRAYER

Direct access to heaven is better then any modern technology we have today. Through prayer we can accomplish a testimony of all of the above. We can recieve personal revelation and be a tool in God's hand to better the lives of people around us.

#5 REVELATION

Modern day revelation exists because GOD LIVES. (Russell M. Nelson's talk) God and Jesus Christ reveled himself to the prophet Joseph Smith because this is his ONLY TRUE CHURCH on the earth today. He actively guides his church today. That is why our church is called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.

#6 Parenting ("Intelligent use of agency requires knowledge of the truth."), Family, Consistancy, Recognizing the Holy Spirit, Integrity, Self Control....I could go on and on.

Such wonderfully inspired leaders of our church. I hope I can review my notes often and be better today then I was yesterday.

If you haven't watched conference yourself yet, go HERE.

91 years and counting

Happy Birthday to my Grandpa Larsen who just turned 91 years old! This man is so wonderful! He's full of one line jokes, goofy songs about the garbage mans daughter, and endless gospel doctrine.

He's known for his encouragement in creating large families and finding a way to support your family by being our own boss. He's generous, kind and loves so deeply.

His profession was a Urology Physician, but his hobbies were a huge part of who he was. He did everything in his power to make his family happy and succeeded.

His legacy continues to live on as we cheer him on to his 100th year.

Here's to you Grandpa and all the ways you have shaped the person I am today!

I LOVE YOU!

Bye Bye Binkie

While we've been dealing with his previously noted sleeping issues, I thought it would be a great time to get rid of the binkie too. I'd rather not visit Utah again with the curse of the binkie. Actually, I've loved the binkie - probably more then Elliot. It's the only way to get him to sleep when we're anywhere besides home. It's the calming mood setter on the way home from a busy day. It's the security blanket that fits in your pocket. Can you tell this was hard on me?

But, we did it. You can read the journaling for more info on the wonders of the "Binkie Fairy"

So long best friend. I guess it's time to grow up. :(

Ladder 13

Yesterday we got to visit the Indianapolis fire station - Ladder 13. It was really neat to get to see the trucks up close and see the firemen dressed in their full suits. They said that often times, during a fire, kids will run and hide from the firemen trying to save them because they are afraid of them in their full get-up. Elliot was pretty nervous at first, but did get brave enough to give him five and pose for a picture. Hopefully this will ease his fear of the firetruck sound that we sometimes hear at night.

The kids got to actually get in the truck. Elliot was in heaven. He didn't want to get out.

The kids in our Scrubmates club.

Scrubmates is a group organized to support the spouses of IU residents. They have tons of fun activities and get-togethers. What a sweet resource for all us lonely resident wives.

Thanks Scrubmates - the fire station was a hit!

Is it Halloween yet?

Just a little halloween rehearsal. What a cute chubby dragon.

Just how strong is your CURIOSITY?

1 hour? 2 hours? 3 hours even? Try a 3 1/2 hour wait in the blazing hot sun surrounded by a ghastly amount of people just as crazy as we were. If we would have realized sooner what we were in for we might have turned back, but our overpowering CURIOSITY to find out just what was inside the Disney train and figure out why whatever was in that train would drag so many people into the hot sun to wait in a line all evening long kept us there entertaining ourselves and making friends with people around us as the time slowly passed and the line crept on.

After it was all said and done...was it worth it? I have no problem admitting my curiosity's weakness - J.R. however was not so quick to admit defeat. He said he enjoyed it and thought it was time well spent. hummmm......I'll let you guys be the judge if you decide to wait it out like we did. Good luck with that :)

They had carolers trying to entertain the hot and tired crowd.

Sorry, they just can't compete with the Sun Valley carolers.

About half way and total worn out.

Poor Elliot got blisters on his sweaty feet so, off they went.

I was too hot and tired to care.

FINALLY. Just steps away from being inside.

A peek inside.

Getting ready for the 3D sneak peak of the movie.
It does look really good. We'll definitly find time to go see it.

Hess Fam

On yet another trip to Columbus to "deal" with our rental property we decided to make a quick stop at the Hess home. It was great to get to catch up on life after dental school, see their beautiful home and of course love on their sweet baby Jacob.
Thanks Mike & Beth for a nice visit! Miss you guys!

Brandon and his g.friend also stopped by at the same time.

Sleep Trouble

My 2 1/2 year old has started some new and not so pleasant sleep problems. I was hoping a mom out there might have had a similar situation and have a suggestion.

He has always been a very easy sleeper. Went down super super easy with our regular routine. But for the past couple weeks is having serious issues. He seems terrified to go to sleep by himself. I have to be lying next to his crib on the ground for him to settle and fall asleep. This is only at night. During naps he goes down with just a slight struggle, but eventually lets me talk him into sleeping by himself and does fine.
Because night time is the bigger problem, I've tried night lights, music, stuffed animals....I can't think what else to do to help him sleep alone again. I would be fine if it is just a phase, I am willing to sleep on the ground each night and ride it out, but I'm worried that I'm encouraging a bad habit. I want him to know he can trust me, but also know I sleep in my bed and he in his.
I think he's afraid of the sound of motorcycles, firetrucks or loud cars that occasionally are heard at night. Maybe a white noise maker to drown out those night time noises. But, do I continue to sleep on the floor while he adjusts? How long before it turns into a habit?
He also will wake in the middle of the night - probably after better woke by the loud car noises - then we have to start all over and it can sometimes take up to an hour for him to fall back asleep.

Any suggestions are welcome and encouraged.
Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Has anyone dealt with this? What should I do? Any good book suggestions on toddler sleep problems? I hate having bedtime be so traumatic and exhausting emotionally for both of us.

Food for thought

First Day

It was Elliot's first day of Pre-Preschool last week. I may be crazy for putting him in so early, but I'm looking forward to the 2 hours of free time and he's looking forward to the kids and change of scenery.

What a handsome fella!