Unless the sun is shining I can't find any motivation to want to do anything. Well, today, FINALLY...the sun is shining. Hopefully all the snow will be gone some time today. I am so ready for warmer weather and to get outside and enjoy being active. Until then, I will take adantage of the motivation the sun brings to me and update my blog and then MAYBE I will clean the bathrooms...

In January I braved the bitter cold and went outside with the kids. They made snow angels and had fun throwing snowballs at me.

Also in January we celebraed Lexie Lulu's third birthday. She wanted a mermaid birthday cake. I don't do cake decorating--but Macey's does. It was yummy!! She had fun opening presents, what kid doesn't?

Caden got presents too.

I know, my kids are so spoiled.

It is just so much fun watching them have fun.

Lexie's favorite present was her tiger. She LOVES tigers. She even says that her name is tiger. She has a whole family of stuffed and plastic animal tigers. They go with us everywhere and she sleeps with all of them.

In February, we had a combined b-day/baptism party so my parents would only have to make one trip up to the big city. The girlies are all cousins and have close birthdays and one was baptized. That all equals one big party.

In February little Lulu had to have her tonsils and adenoids out. They were ginormous and were causing problems with her breathing at night. I was so nervous for my baby to have surgery. She just seemed so little. She did awesome though.

We were at the hospital bright and early in the morning. 6:45 a.m. to be exact. I am not a morning person, I need my beauty sleep. Justin's Aunt Carey was there (she is the head nurse at Payson hospital) and it was so comforting having a family member who could be right next to Lexie and taking extra good care of her.

She was so brave. She let the nurses do what was necessary to get her ready and she didn't even cry. When she woke up in recovery the first thing she asked for was mom. We were able to go and be with her and that is when I felt so bad and started wishing I could reverse time and not have her tonsils out. She was crying, coughing, and clasping her mouth. I picked her up and just sat with her on the bed. The nurses gave her 1/2 a dose of morphine for the pain and she was able to sleep. Later I switched holding Lexie with Justin. Once we were able to get her to drink some juice we were able to go home.

Doctor's orders: only soft foods and liquids for the next week.

Caden was eating a granola bar and Lexie was determined to have one too. (Day of surgery) I thought that the way she was screaming couldn't be good for her throat so I gave her a granola bar. She ate the whole thing!

For the next few days trying to get her to eat and take her medicine was a pain in the rear. I had to bribe her to take her medicine. I am glad all that is over.

p.s.

Lexie is sleeping much better. No more sleep apnea.

The Holidays Are Over

Well, the holidays have come and gone.

We have been busy and lazy.

I planned on getting caught up on my scrapbook. That didn't happen.

Oh well, later.

Our holiday time was spent:

Making sugar cookies.

The kids pretty much just ate the frosting.

Christmas just isn't complete unless a trip to Temple Square is made. Justin made an impromtu suggestion to go see the lights one evening. It was cold, but well worth it. Christmas Eve Justin's family has a tradition of going to the cemetary and lighting candles

for our loved ones .

Our traditional McMullin Christmas Eve party. Complete with Santa.

Lexie got her mermaid. Caden got his dump truck.

Christmas morning was a success. We did have to wake the kids up though. Before long I am sure we will be wanting them to sleep in.

New Years eve was spent in Castle Dale. I didn't get any pictures of our adventures while there.

Now on to enjoy all that 2010 will bring our way.

To begin the new year I have a new church calling, which I feel inadequate for. And to top it off I have been told, today, of a sacrament meeting speaking assignment in a couple weeks!!

At least I have some time to prepare.

San Diego Continued

DAY 3: This is the day we got to go to Sea World! We were there a bit before the park actually opened so we had a chance to see the big whales. Caden was a little unsure about these huge fish. Lexie loved them.

This is how we get group pictures. At least Justin is paying attention. ;>

The Shamu Show! Amazing how a person can train a humongous fish!

The Budweiser horses. They are so gorgeous. This one is named DJ.

To end the day we went to the Seaport Village. It was neat seeing all the big ships. There were cruise ships, sail boats, and military ships.

DAY 4: We began our journey back to Utah. We drove along Highway 101 so I could enjoy the ocean as much as possible. It was a bit rainy and windy that day so we didn't play outside much.

Have I said that I love the ocean yet? Man, I love the ocean !!!!!!!!

We made it to Las Vegas and spent the night there, at the Luxor. We did walk along the strip to see the water show at the Bellagio. The kids were tired and cold and kept wanting to go back to the "triangle" (Luxor). They were some tired little kids. They were really good though. That is such a long drive for an adult let alone a child.

P.S. I am contemplating about making my blog private. So, if you want to continue reading I will need your email address (please).

Thanksgiving in San Diego

I am always bugging Justin about going on trips. I love to travel, he, on the other hand doesn't. This year he finally gave in and told me to plan a trip to Sea World. WOW! So I did.

I wanted to fly, Justin wanted to drive.

We compromised.

Since Justin was actually going on a trip--something I wanted to do. We drove--Something he wanted to do.

Day 1: we drove to Mesquite and stayed the night there, at the Casablanca.

Day 2: (Thursday) we drove to San Diego. Our first stop--THE BEACH!!! I love the beach. Caden was a little stink. He sat on the towel crying and wanting to go back to the hotel. I didn't drive all that way to sit at the hotel. We just let him pout on the towel. The rest of us played in the cold water, built sand castles, and looked for sea shells.

Being in a large city I assumed there would be plenty of restaurants open for Thanksgiving dinner. I was mistaken! We ended up having dinner at Denny's. Not so good. I told Justin I would make him a Thanksgiving dinner when we got home.

I will post about the rest of our trip tomorrow. Pictures take a long time to upload and I need to attend to some fighting kids.

A pumpkin and a tiger

The kids had lots of fun on Halloween. We went to visit Great Grandma and Grandpa Kearl, Great Grandma Gwyn, and Grandma and Grandpa Harmer. Then we went trick or treating around the neighborhood with Aunt Toni and her kids. I love watching the kids have so much fun being in their costumes and running from house to house. But...I ended up having to carry Lexie. So, trick or treating wasn't so much fun anymore--for me.

Simple Pleasures

Isn't it great to be a kid! There is wonder in everything. Those were the days, nothing to worry about. Why are we always in such a hurry to grow up? Oh well, time goes on and we have to grow up. At least I get to enjoy the childhood of my kids and remember when I was little.

...Until something so very tragic happens...Lexie fell in the water so we had to go home.

p.s. If in any of the pictures it looks like Lexie is wearing a tail. She is. Once we bought her tiger Halloween costume she wore the tail and the bow tie day and night.

Nothing a little shopping can't cure.

I typed this post a bit ago and was debating about even putting it up. I am a weirdo I know. But here is what is going through my mind....in pictures. My family has gone camping and we were supposed to go too... :(

But Justin's work decided that they needed to work tons of hours 7 days a week.

So I get to stay home by myself with this... Plus I can feel my winter blubber packing itself around my middle... So, I went--without kids-- and did this... Now I feel...