“In all of living, have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.” Hinckley

Hannah took her first step on December 6th, two days before she was 9 months old. It was to my friend and counselor Aubry Suds. (We're so sad they moved away. ) This makes her our fastest stepper. Heath took his first step when he was 9months & 3 weeks, and Houston took his first step the day before he was 10 months old.

On the day of her 10 month birthday I would say she officially preferred walking 100% over crawling. She just looks so tiny toddling around. It's super cute!

She loves wall sockets. I have a feeling she may figure out how to pry the covers off soon.

We went to visit Aunt Lillian & Uncle Doug one evening and had dinner with them. They had brought some homegrown grape juice with them from Montana and served it at dinner. During dinner Heath leaned over to me and said, "Mom.... this grape juice is SO good... It's not bad for you is it?"

Let's just say it was SO good it was bad. mmm....

"You don't know what's good for bad." (anyone name that movie?)

Hannah LOVes to watch out our front door. This is her favorite place in the house. Every now and then a person will walk by on the trail outside and she'll start squeeling and trying to talk to them (they're too far to probably even see her) She also calls for Daddy to come home. "Dadadadadada"

Hannah uses 4 words right now. When she's sad she calls, "Mamamama" When she wants to be held she says, "Hanananana" (I realized I usually say Hannah when I'm picking her up.) When she's happy or when Matt is near and she wants his attention she calls, "Dadadadada"
When she's walking she says, "GogogogogoGo!"
When she's concentrating really hard she buzzes her lips.

One day I was turning Curious George on for the boys. Heath said to me,
"Mom, Curious George is one of children's most beloved characters."
Wonder where he thought up that one? Maybe he's heard it once or twice.

Hannah still sucks on her top lip with her tongue hanging out.

One afternoon I was replying to some emails for my calling in church. Heath came into the room and was telling me something and I'll admit, I was only half way listening to him at that moment. He stopped and said, "Mom please wake up." Sorry buddy. I'll do better next time.

We measured and weighed the boys.
Heath is 47# and 45.5''
Houston 41# and 41''
one pound for each inch on that boy.

Houston came into the kitchen one day and declaired,
"Mama." (since Hannah started calling me Mamamamama, Houston has been calling me Mama. I think it's pretty cute.) "Mama, I'm going on my mission now."
He then walked into the living room and picked up a ninja mask made from a piece of fabric with two holes cut out of it. He folded the mask in half, stuck a lego into the center, and said, "Here I am at my mission." *SWING* the lego went flying.
"There's the guys getting the King's sheeps. I'm Ammon."

I wonder if he thinks that is what Uncle Johnny is doing on his mission right now.

This is from a story about a valiant, faith filled missionary in the Book of Mormon. If you'd like to read it click HERE.

This little girl absolutely LOVES the water!

Heath was flossing his teeth.
"Mom, I think I had a hair ball in there.... do people get hair balls.... yep see that white thing, it was a hair ball." (I'm pretty sure it was a piece of some rice)

One day I called to Houston. He came running into the kitchen and declaired,
"Mama! You don't say my name Houston, it's HoustIN."

"Oh sorry Houston."

"No Mama. You just don't say it right."

After we set up our tree Matt set up his little remote controlled train. The kids had SO much fun, as did he.

At first Hannah didn't seem to know what to think. After a few minutes though she was chasing it around and around.

Such a happy little bum.

Her shirt, given to her by Grandpa, says, "Who needs Santa, when I have Grandpa." So true. : )

Yesterday Heath said to me,
"Mom, do you know why good guys always win in stories?"
"Why?"
"Because Heavenly Father helps them. And Heavenly Father is powerful. Satan has power too, but Heavenly Father's power is the strongest so he will always win. Jesus has his power too, so he helps them too."

Santa at our ward Christmas Party! They were so excited!

We had Uncle Johnny this year for Christmas. The boys helped me paint him a Christmas tree to hang up on his wall. All the cousins made and sent him ornaments to "hang" on it.

I think one of the things I love the most about Christmas is the fact that I can make all kinds of Christmas projects for gifts and not feel guilty that I didn't keep up on all my other "to do's" because these crafts have a deadline. I don't know that it will ever feel like Christmas if I purchase any gifts.

My big projects this year were this beard hat for Johnny in his Aggie Blue, a new stocking for Hannah, some ships for Matt, a necklace for myself (from Matt), and

this scarf. Houston was so proud to wear it for me while I took a picture. It's made from goat hair that Aunt Lillian and Uncle Doug dyed and spun.

This stitch is called a broomstick stitch. I'd never tried anything like it before and really love how it turned out.

We got to spend a glorious week home with our families for the week of Thanksgiving.

Sterling & Dallin pulled out the old Nentendo64 so Heath & Houston could play some good old Banjo Kazooie, Wave Racer, & Mario Cart. Since this was the first time they've ever played video games they were pretty stoked!

Our boys love watching their Uncles do their hair, and always want 'cool hair' while we're at my parent's house. Dallin is always so good to help them out.

One little Indian Girl.

Grandpa and Matt did them some Black Friday deal hunting. We were able to get the boys their Christmas Presents for free!

Heath & Hannah Indians. Houston wanted NO part of this... and he let us know it. : )

What Thanksgiving trip would be complete without some hunting and shooting. Matt was able to sit out and hunt 3 days. Sadly he didn't see anything, but he had a good time none the less.
The boy took Dallin's pellet gun out and shot a target in the pond. I think Houston was more excited about putting the pellets into the gun, than actually shooting it.

Ahh, Sunshine!

We enjoyed some glorious weather while we were there! Hannah loved running around in her walker on the big black top. We still aren't 100% sure what color her eyes are...

Every time we go home I remember how much I miss being away from the city.

Hannah was pretty fast.

All Lilly wants for Christmas this year is her two front teeth.

Lily, Houston, Bertie, Heath

Hannah & Bertie

Now this was Matt's kind of vacation. He doesn't love so much doing nothing for a break, but this break he got to hunt, work on the tractor, help winterize the garden, and do some plowing. I'm sure he worked on other things too that I wasn't aware of. He kept busy. : )

Sweet little Hazel was just barely 2 weeks old. I just love her sweet little squishy face! Such a sweetheart. Amy is such an amazing Mother, so patient and loving. I'm so glad that I get to learn from her.