It's the Most Wonderful Time Of the Year!

I have been asking Hyrum for a real Christmas tree this year since last Christmas!  All we have right now is a 3 foot fake tree which is all good and fine but I never felt like it was REALLY Christmas because it wasn't even a normal sized tree.  To make a long story short, Hyrum said we could get a real tree this year!  People said that it would cost about $40 so that's what we were expecting but when we got ours, we got it for only $23!  So we were quite excited about that.  Hyrum went to pick up the tree during Kyla's nap and she woke up as he was bringing it up.  We set it all up and decorated it while listening to Christmas music and now it feels like Christmas!  Growing up, we had a fake tree (although I do remember sometimes when I was younger we got real trees) and I missed the smell of pine.  Everytime I walk into our apartment now, the scent of Christmas pine is all around and I love it!  Even though there is no snow on the ground yet in Rexburg, it feels more like Christmas and the more excited I get!  For Family Night last night we made sugar cookies and I've been wanting to make peanut brittle...both fabulous Christmas goodies.  Here are some pictures of us decorating!

Kyla and Hyrum putting the angel on top of the tree

Kyla and I putting decorations on the tree.

 

Our fully decorated tree
 

In other news, I went to the dentist last week and found out I had 3 cavities which I thought was pretty good for not being at the dentist for almost 4 years.  Plus being pregnant twice does a lot to your teeth!  Yesterday I had the cavities taken care of.  The dentist didn't give me any medication for 2 of the cavities and I didn't feel a thing so that was kinda crazy.  The last one he did was painful so he gave me some novacain right when I said it was hurting.  I never thought that I would ever get a cavity taken care of with out medication...I guess never say never!  I must say I feel much better now about having my teeth cleaned and all the cavities taken care of.  Now if only I can be brave enough to set up a time to get my wisdom teeth out before they start bothering me.....

Thanksgiving

I have been wanting to post for quite awhile about Thanksgiving but haven't seemed to have the time to do it!  We had a great break.  My dad actually came up to visit with us for the week and we had so much fun!  He arrived late in the evening on his birthday so we didn't do too much then but we decorated our house with birthday banners and balloons.  Kyla was already in bed when he arrived so she saw him Wednesday morning.  Usually she has to warm up to people and gets pretty shy if she hasn't seen someone in awhile or if she doesn't remember them but she didn't even hesitate when she saw her Grandpa Harvey!  She ran up to him and gave him hugs and kisses. 
On Wednesday we went up to Mesa Falls.  There was a little snow and ice on the roads but we made it safely and took some pictures.

Kyla laughing at Grandpa

That evening after Hyrum got off work, we celebrated my dad's birthday and took him out for Chinese food and bowling!  We all did pretty bad....I actually won which tells you how bad we did but we still had lots of fun!  Kyla bowled for Hyrum and she got strikes and spares and did the best overall I think!  She's a natural. :)

 

  

Grandpa helping Kyla bowl (notice the ball pusher she used.  She did so good using this thing!).  She's clapping and so proud of how well she did! :)

 

Grandpa and Kyla

 

All of us at the bowling alley

I didn't take any pictures on Thanksgiving day but to give you an idea it was crowded, loud, and lots of fun!  We went to Hyrum's grandparents house where most of his family was.  We had about 37 people there total and there were about 5 long tables put together in the basement.  It was about 30 feet long!  There was plenty of food for everyone and we all got so full!  Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Denney for hosting such a wonderful meal and for putting up with so many people!   We relaxed most of the day with them by chatting, playing outside, playing games, watching movies, etc.  

Friday we helped Hyrum's parents decorate their house and tree for Christmas and my dad and I did some family history work.  We then had a Santa Clause marathon. We watched all 3 Santa Clause movies while Hyrum's mom and I scrapbooked!  We didn't do any shopping which I wished I could have done, but in the end, glad that I didn't. 

Saturday morning my dad left.  It was so fun to have him here and Kyla was really sad to see him go!  He was so cute and good with her and Kyla loved spending so much time with him!  Thanks for coming to visit us Dad!  We love and miss you.  Hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving!

Happy Birthday!

The end of the year is a busy time for us and seems to go by pretty fast. Hyrum's birthday was a couple weeks ago, mine was yesterday, then comes Thanksgiving shortly after, then it's Christmas, New Years Eve and Kyla's birthday!

I had a great birthday and Hyrum always does so well making me feel special and loved on my special day.  We did most of the celebrating on Saturday and had some family come over for some brownies, ice cream sandwiches and games.  Hyrum took me out to dinner earlier that evening to Olive Garden which was delicious!  We've only been there once or twice since we've been married and haven't ever been to the newly built Olive Garden in Idaho Falls together so it was a special treat.  We were so stuffed by the end that we both felt sick and didn't eat anything until the next morning.  It was great and even though you feel miserable being so full, it's totally worth it for the good food! :)  You know what I'm talking about right?....the same thing that happens during Thanksgiving...?  Yeah, it's fabulous!

On Sunday, my real birthday, we just relaxed and Hyrum's mom made dinner for us over at their place so that was nice!  Unfortunately, I was in pain 1/2 the day as I experienced sharp back pains anytime I moved or walked.  I think it was the sciatic nerve in my back being pinched or crowded or something.  Gotta love the joys of pregnancy.  Luckily, I feel much better today so hopefully it'll stay that way for awhile at least :)

Anyway, here are some pictures of my birthday and the amazing gifts Hyrum and Kyla got for me!  Thanks so much to everyone who made my day so spectacular!

Everyone who came for brownies,

                                ice cream and games                                    

This is a HUGE beautiful clock and an inside water fountain.  I've been wanting things to decorate my home and these add so much!  I cried when Hyrum surprised me with the wall clock.  :)  I also got a way cute purse, some gift cards, chocolate covered raisins (my fav!), scrapbook paper and a pattern and material to make my own cute handbag!  Plus you can't forget all the "Happy Birthday" facebook comments and phone calls to top it all off. Thanks again to everyone!

14 Weeks

That's how far along I am already!  I absolutely can NOT believe how fast it has flown by.  We had doc appt #2 today and heard the heartbeat for the first time.  Everything looks and sounds great!  I have another appointment in Dec and then January will be the time we'll find out the baby's gender!  We can't wait! :)  Here's an updated pregnant picture.

As for everything else, it's going good!  We have been listening to Christmas music early this year to get Kyla excited for it and so she can start learning some fun Christmas songs.  After Hyrum came home from work today we turned the music up loud and started having a dance party!  Kyla loved it and had so much fun slow and fast dancing with Daddy.  Here's a picture of the 2 being so silly.

 

And here's another fun one of the 3 of us!  Who do YOU think looks the silliest?

(By the way, Kyla has been doing the fish face for quite awhile, although in this picture it doesn't look quite as cute or good as the real deal!)

 

Primary Program

I forgot to get a picture of Kyla in her beautiful princess dress (as she calls it) today.  She wanted to wear it today because she was in her very first Primary Program for church!  For those of you who don't know what I'm even talking about, it's where the children of the ward get up in front of everyone and say a line that they were given a couple weeks previously (about Jesus, church, etc) and sing songs.  Since we are in a married student ward we mostly have nursery age primary children (ages 18 months-3 yrs) in the ward as well as babies and the stake still wants the young ones to be in a program.  Watching primary children are always so cute and so sweet; it seems to always touch my heart and always brings tears to my eyes.  Anyway, since Kyla is only 22 months like most of the kids in our ward, (we only have about 5 children that are primary age) they have the parents come up and help sing with them.  Hyrum and I both went up and helped Kyla sing 3 songs.  It is so fun to see her grow up and interact with other children around her. She has been becoming less shy around other people she doesn't know since she has been getting used to Nursery.  She knows most of the words to I Am A Child of God and did so well singing it with the other kids although she sang it really quiet.  In fact, she has been singing this song around the house for a couple weeks now.  She'll just be playing with her toys and start singing, "I am a child of God and he has sent me here..." like 10 times in a row.  Kyla truly strengthens my testimony of the Gospel with those words alone.  How true it is that we are ALL children of God and I hope that Kyla can come to learn how true those words are and know for herself that she is a very special daughter and child of God.

I am a child of God,
And he has sent me here,
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear.

Chorus
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday

I am a child of God,
And so my needs are great;
Help me to understand his words
Before it grows too late.

Chorus

I am a child of God.
Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do his will
I'll live with him once more.

Chorus

Happy Birthday Hyrum!

November 3rd has always been a very special day for us.  It's not only Hyrum's birthday but it's the day we got engaged.  This day 4 years ago Hyrum proposed to me!  I can't believe how fast the time has gone.  He totally surprised me.  Although we knew we were going to get married, I didn't expect him to propose on HIS actual birthday!  It was so memorable and a day we'll never forget.

So yesterday we just celebrated his birthday.  After he got off work, we took Kyla to Gma/Gpa's house and I took Hyrum to a progressive dinner.  We had breadsticks at Pizza Hut, Main course at Bajio and then dessert at Dairy Queen.  We also went to see the new Batman movie which was fun since we haven't seen a movie in the theater for awhile.  He opened his presents in the car and I definitley spoiled and surprised him this year.  I got him 2 Wii games, a wireless controller and Kyla got him some candy.  After we picked up Kyla and put her in bed we played his new games and then went to bed ourselves.  It was a fun day and I think he would agree.  Happy Birthday Hyrum!  We love you!

*Since I forgot my camera on our little outing we took a pic on our phone so that's why the quality stinks.  But it'll do.*

Halloween

We had such a fun Halloween! Here's some pictures of our day.

Here's Kyla being a really cute lion, although she kept smearing her makeup and had black all over her face by the end of the night. :)

Hyrum and I aren't really into the whole dressing up thing for Halloween (we think it's fun for kids and getting Kyla ready, but not for us) but we decided to pull something together last minute for our ward party. 

 

*This picture is awesome because Kyla's giving us a "who are you?" look.  She knew it was mom and dad and actually laughed at me while I was putting on the makeup and wig but I think she was still a little worried.  

 

What do you think...scary huh?  We were pretty ugly hard core rockers.  It's the last thing anyone expected from us...although no one knows how wild we really are! :)  Okay, maybe not that wild, but we're pretty crazy nonetheless!

Here's how the day went.  In the morning I took Kyla to the public library where they had a Halloween story and singing time and then the kids got some certificates, candy, stickers and coloring pages.  It was fun and Kyla's favorite part was seeing a kid dressed up as Buzz Lightyear...her favorite hero as of now!  Afterwards, Hyrum's sister Heidi and I went to surprise my mother in law at work.  She's a 3rd grade teacher so we got to meet her class.  There was even another Kyla there so it was fun to meet her.  After that I took Kyla to Walgreens where they were having a free photo shoot.  We get a free 5X7 photo of Kyla in her costume.  I haven't picked it up yet but I'm hoping it turned out alright seeing as she didn't even crack a smile.  haha.  At least she was still cute!  We had a ward Halloween Party that was really fun and then took Kyla to see all the grandparents and do some trick or treating.  She LOVED it! She would say "Tick o Fweet" and then say "Dank you" so it was fun to see her get the hang of how it all worked.  She got a pretty big stash of candy and ate way too much of it before bed...oh well, that's what Halloween is for right?!  After Kyla was in bed, we invited some friends over and watched Monster House until midnight then were exausted and went to bed.  It was such a busy, but fun day.  We definitiely enjoyed it though!  Hope everyone had a very Happy Halloween!