giving thanks

This thanksgiving was a really special one. We have so much to be thankful for! Our family has been blessed in ways I never imagined, and we were surrounded by loved ones this year as we hosted our first thanksgiving at the Stayner Home. 

I am thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ that has been restored upon this earth through his prophet Joseph Smith and allows us the amazing gift of repentance, growth and being able to live eternally with those we love. I am thankful for a father in Heaven who loves me and knows what I need and is always watching over me. I am thankful for my brother, and savior Jesus Christ and his infinite sacrifice for me. I am thankful for family, for a wonderful, and strong husband who's faith, and leadership is a light and example to me, for two BEAUTIFUL, healthy children who melt my soul and leave me craving them every night after I tuck them in bed, for parents, brothers and sisters and in-laws that are amazing examples and friends through thick and thin, and for faithful friends that really care. I am thankful that despite our trial of unemployment and financial strain we are able to pay our bills and provide for our family, For the principle of tithing, for the beautiful home we are so fortunate to live in and for an amazing support system (ward) surrounding us. I am thankful that the Lord knows ME, and my every need, and provides. I am thankful for life, love, and everything wonderful in this world.

how can I resist

These cute faces make me melt.

we call him buddha... can you see why?

Smith has an obsession with glasses. He calls them gwakees.

I finally got around to taking his 18 month pictures for my mother in law. She has a picture of all her kids and grandkids at this age with a black background. Its so hard to get Smith to sit still on a back drop but a chocolate chip cookie did the trick. then I just had to photoshop out some chocolate :)

forgot to mention...

That Smith loves fall leaves...

oh and that Mollie is engaged!

We sure love Adam (and Mollie) and are excited for their January wedding. I got to take them out and do their engagements but couldnt help snapping a few of Smith while he played in the leaves too.

i love you Smitty Stayner

a hot halloween...

We have made it a tradition for two years in a row now to go down to St. George for Halloween and enjoy the warmer climate. trick-or-treating is so much more fun when you dont have to bundle up! This year we went to my parents ward trunk-or-treat at 3pm and we were sweating bullets! It was in the 80's which isnt the best costume weather. poor Miles was wearing velor pajamas, a turtle neck, a scarf, gloves, and a hat for his costume. He didn't stay in it for long... After that we headed over to the Wilkeys for a pizza party and enjoyed some of his king size candy, drinks and chips that he was giving out to the entire neighborhood, then headed out trick-or-treating in their cool neighborhood. 

I learned a few very important things this halloween:

1. Don't try to make 4 costumes in 1 day. 

2. a one year old + itchy fur undies= temper tantrums= a last minute costume fix

3. trying to lose baby weight and Halloween candy do NOT go hand in hand

I hate snow but...

I will tolerate it because it makes my little guy happy! Smith built his first snowman this week, and now he looks outside at him and says hi! (he also sometimes says "nose" because he is fascinated by his carrot nose)

I cant get enough of this little face. He has been smiling so much lately and has the cutest laugh that always gives him hiccups. 

Monkey!

We took the kids to the zoo on Monday morning. It was the PERFECT day to go! The weather was great and all of the animals were out. I loved seeing all of the baby animals. Smith loved the Monkeys. Every time we would see a new animal he would ask for the monkey again. He kept saying MONKEY! 

Miles slept pretty much the whole time. He woke up just long enough for me to snap a picture, and then he was back to sleep.

puke and a party

Smith was really excited that we found a new way that he could hold Miles... until Miles threw up on him... then all hope for a good picture was lost. I tried so hard to have him hold him again so I could get them both to look at the camera, but I guess if someone threw up on me, I wouldn't want to hold them either.

My best friend Amanda's little girl turned 2 last week and had the cutest little movie star birthday party. Smith had so much fun! Ellie was the first baby in the "baby boom" so now that she is two, smith will have a cousin or close friend turn 2 every month until March when he then turns two!