My little Breakdancer

I hope this video of Luke makes you laugh as much as it does me. He loves for me to take videos of him on my phone. Last night he wanted one of him showing off his break-dancing moves. So funny!

I love this kid...

We survived Christmas

and I'm living to blog about it. I have a bunch more pics on my camera that I need to download- but here's just a few from the weekend. Luke LOVED Christmas this year. He had a great time opening his presents plus everyone else's. hahaha

my 3 boys

Happy with Tayo

christmas at nana's

opening presents

rockin' dads new shoes from Santa

Also this weekend- Jack learned to roll from his back to his front! He's getting there! here's the cute video!! oh and please ignore how retarded I sound on it b/c 1- I did end up with a bad cold over Christmas and lost my voice and 2- I'm an excited mom- so I get a little TOO animated. sigh...

Gingerbread Train

I won't lie- it's been a rough week with Luke. He's battling some serious asthma and coughing fits and he's been kinda a nightmare (who am I kidding- he's been a TOTAL NIGHTMARE- just ask my mom). I'm blaming it on what I call the Christmas Crazies. I'm actually anxious for it to all be over in hopes we get our sweet Lukey-Boy back.

On Monday mom and Luke did put together his first ever Gingerbread Train while I was at work. I have to say- it makes me totally Laugh Out Loud every time. Mom said he did all the decorating himself. She just glued the big pieces together for him. So for your view pleasure (and yes, those are headless GI Joes stuck in the icing)....

i think this is my fav one. hahaha

Less Than One Week

The excitement of Santa visiting in less than a week is mounting in my house- is it in yours?

Luke and the Guitar

My future rockstar

just click on the text above

Check-Up

Weighing in in this corner, at 16lbs, 2oz and 25 1/2 inches long- is JACK JAMES!

Not bad for 4 months.

We also got the green light for fruits and veggies and rice cereal! Baby Bullet here we come! I cooked up some organic sweet potatoes and broke out the baby bullet tonight. I made a batch, freezing most of it- but thought I'd give Jack a taste. At first he LOVED it- then, not so much. I am going to blame it on being tired and a little cranky from getting a shot today. We'll try again tomorrow...

4 MONTHS

He's found his feet and is a drool machine, but his smile will melt your heart! Will let you all know how much he weighs this weekend. We have his 4 month checkup on friday!

the rest of November

I don't even know how it's December- let alone only 20 more days until Christmas. Time has FLOWN by! What's happened since my last post? Let's see- we survived Florence. Barely. My mom was a total saint going on that "trip" with me and the boys. I went for work, so I had little time to spend with them. We ended up having little to no internet service and NO cell service unless we stood in the middle of the parking lot. Thank goodness it had a cool indoor pool! The last night there Luke got really sick- so i think we got like an hour of sleep total (maybe even less for my mom).

After that came Thanksgiving. My in-laws were in town for that whole week- so it was busy and fun times with them. Luke loved having them just downstairs so he could go down and visit whenever he wanted. And with Aunt Jaime, Uncle Kelly and Stella (the dog) here for a few days too- he was in HEAVEN.

We (the hubs and kids) went to my mom's for the turkey dinner- and then my sister-in-law Jen's house for games to meet up with the rest of the Ausborn-Strabyrd-Merrill Clan.

Gary's Perfect Turkey

Auntie Kel- the human jungle gym

Jack with his ladies

The boys with dad and their auntie

Jack Snuggles

Luke Stories

The Ausborn-Strabyrd-Merrill Family Photo

And now- well, we're just getting ready for Christmas. I need to get my Christmas cards designed, printed and in the mail. So if you want one- email me your address to hckdesign@gmail.com! But the tree is up and the lights are on the house (thanks husband!). I'm going to need a LOT of this over the next few weeks:

NEW LOOK

I know, I know. it's been forever since I posted (sorry aunt corriney!!). But the blog did get a new look today. what do you think? :)

Surviving Seattle

I believe it started some time in 1994- the Ausborn/Terry Thanksgiving tradition. The two families living in Salt Lake City, away from other family and friends- decided to do their own Turkey Day together. Even though the parents live far apart now- the kids have kept this tradition going. Jaime (the hubs sister) was saying that one year there was just her and Lauren (a Terry) eating together.

This was my third time going and I think it was my favorite (although we were missing one of the Terry Girls- Allison and that made me sad!). We had lots to celebrate! Ellen- the eldest Terry sib- was recently married. I missed the festivities b/c I was 9+ months pregnant with Jack and the trek to Seattle would've been just too much. So I was exited to see them and hear all about it. AND we got to dine in their beautiful home! So lovely and beautiful. Joe had even started a cozy fire in the fireplace. It was perfect. The ever lovely Lauren (a Terry) was there as well- the baby and toddler whisper. The kids LOVE her. She really knows how to talk to them and everything. The newly engaged Jaime (an Ausborn) and Kelly were also there. It was fun to talk wedding with Jaime and get excited for August 2013. I have to say- over the past year I have really loved watching the relationship between Luke and Uncle Kelly grow. Kelly has such a great imagination and patience- Luke just adores him. It's super cute to watch. So much love there.

Playing on their iPhones together- LOVE

This post wouldn't be complete without a mention of the FOOD. OH THE FOOD! It was all amazing and I seriously dream of Joe's Mashed Potatoes. They are heaven. It really was a great meal!

THE REST: The travel. As you all know I was VERY nervous about traveling up to Seattle with Jack. But you know what- he was amazing. He slept the entire time except when we stopped to get gas or use the bathroom. He'd wake up- I'd nursed him- and then once we were on the road he was asleep again. BOTH WAYS! Luke, too, was super great- watched a movie on his portable dvd player, napped or played with his GI Joes. So cute!

Our Itinerary was as follows:
Friday- left around 130pm. Got into town around 5pm. Dinner at Bucca de Beppo (amazing and walking distance from our hotel. crowded- but great food). 830pm visit with Aunt Jaime and Stella the Terror (sweet, sweet dog- hates the kids. hahaha). In bed at 11pm.
Saturday- woke up too early. Breakfast. Pool Time. Showers. Seattle Children's Museum. Mommy got Starbucks to survive. Naps for everyone but Mommy. Dinner at Ellen's around 430pm. Got lost getting back to the hotel. Bed by 11pm.
Sunday- 3am woken up b/c Luke wanted to sleep with Mommy and Jack. In a full size bed. cramped for Mommy- boys slept until 830am. Packed while eating snacks. Lunch. Headed home. Home at 4pm.

*PHEW*

The boy and I leave tomorrow for my work trip to Florence, OR. A 4+ hour car ride for them. I am blessed to have my mom come with me on this trip- as I can't leave the boys home. Chris has a early morning work schedule and I'm still nursing Jack- so they're coming with! Another adventure awaits. WISH US LUCK.

Highlight pics of our trip:

Jack's First Hotel Room!

Mommy and Jack at dinner

Seattle Children's Museum

Seattle Children's Museum

Seattle Children's Museum- sleeping!

Jack and Auntie Lauren

Jack and Aunt Jaime

Jack and Auntie Ellen

Saying Goodbye to Seattle

First Road Trip

We are taking our first road trip with both the boys up to seattle for the long weekend. I am more than a little nervous. I will make sure that I post all about it when I get home. But until then- Seattle- you've been warned!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Happy Birthday to the most amazing mom ever. The boys are sending you lots of slobbery kisses and hugs today. You are our sunshine. LOVE YOU!!

COME OUT THIS SATURDAY!!

Come support the amazing Beanie and Bird at our 6th Annual Holiday Bazaar!

HALLOWEEN

Cinderella and Iron Man w/o the mask

For the best pics- head over to beanie and bird. My sister-in-law has the good shots. We have a great family tradition of having dinner and then trick-or-treating in their neighborhood. It's perfect size for the kids, and we know most of the neighbors! Hope everyone had a great Halloween!

http://beanieandbird.blogspot.com/

happy halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone! Pics of our fun adventures tomorrow- but for now...

this is how I get dinner done

and Jack loves it!

hanging out

One of the many perks about being on maternity leave and Luke starting preschool were getting to see my super sweet sis-in-law and my adorable nieces (G & L are in preschool together- so cute!!). We'd usually hang out at least once a week, ending up randomly at each others houses after school for lunch and playing. Besides the usually reasons, I think this is one of the things I will miss most. Hanging out with M and the girls is relaxing b/c the kids love to play together and Jack LOVE LOVES his Auntie M.

If you would have told me 10 years ago that my brother and I would both be married with kids the same age- I would have laughed hysterically at you. It just wasn't in the cards. Or so we thought. Little did I know that we would be here! I am blessed to have an amazing brother- but I wasn't counting on ever getting a super-awesome thoughtful sweet sister. Hear that M?! I LOVE YOU!

Today is one of my last fridays off and I got to spend the afternoon hanging out with M and the girls (I have next friday off- but I have some work stuff to do, so it's not the same). I will totally miss them!! Here is a few cute shots I got...  Gotta love the iPhone- I don't know what I'd do without it!

G & L eating some O's before school

the younger two

Jack with his Auntie M

somehow i didn't get an Addy pic- so this one is from last weekend!

Luke- 1 block from their house

11 weeks and back to work

I have offically been back to work for two days. It's actually been kinda fun. Almost.  I am lucky that they're letting me come back to work just 3 days a week for the first two weeks. It's been nice to ease back into it. Although my first two days I've had mom here- so tomorrow will be the first BIG TEST. I have to get all 3 of us out the door no later than 730am to make it to daycare and then me to work. WITH Luke's swim stuff as he has swimming right after work (this is his last thursday, he only has one more class- thank goodness!). I am a little nervous about it...

Let's see- what's been going on the past week with the littles? Jack is getting more animated every day. He really is a happy baby and his smiles and coos will melt your heart. Luke has been enjoying school and today they went to the pumpkin patch. His first field trip!! I wish I had pictures- but I was at work. I do however, have a pic of his pumpkin that we painted. He wanted a scary face... hahaha gotta love that kid!

11 weeks