Smiling Santas

On christmas I took a candid snapshot of all the kidos. It turned out so cute. Lydia has been super smily lately

2008 Christmas Traditions

Over the last few years I have tried hard to decide what to make OUR Williams' family christmas traditions. I've tried new activities each year. Some have been a lot of fun and so we have continued to squeeze them in each year. Here are a few of the activities that bring us together as a family this time of year.

Decorations, treats, caroling, lights, shopping, receiving christmas cards, writing our family card...santas lap...

1. Delivering and making treats for our friends and family.

This year the boys and I wrapped upcookie dough sticks with a note that said "Everyone can use a little extra "dough". We delivered it with a Christmas carol (this was a new addition to the tradition for us)

2.

Dipping pretzels in chocolate

Its a simple thing but it so fun and easy

3.

Making gingerbread houses. Last year I learned from a friend how to bake my own gingerbread and form it into little houses that everyone can decorate individually. I love seeing how creative Riley and Austin can get with the candies. I was really proud of how they turned out this year. They are becoming more decerning about and very artisitic.

4. New Wrapping paper and ribbon each year. My favorite wrapping idea this year was festive colored tulle--tied like Ribbon. I put it on every thing!! and loved it .

5. Decorating the house

Putting up the christmas tree the day after thanksgiving is our tradition. Austin was my little decorator this year. I had to give up some "control" about how the tree was decorated-which ball here and how to sting the garland....The tree turned out just how he wanted it to. Candy canes everywhere!! and the star on top.

Since we don't have snow in Arizona, hanging these snowflakes in the windows makes it feel wintery

I love my Banister. being able to hang a beautiful garland and gaze into the lights in the evening really bring the Christmas Spirit

6. Christmas Lights

Mesa Temple lights are some of our favorites. We can always feel the spirit while on the temple grounds. We love to see variety of nativities each year- Austin's favoirte were the one from Alaska, China and Denmark.

Arionans get pretty creative with hanging their outdoor lights :)

After thinking about what my favorite events were from this year the list became longer and longer. We have so much to be grateful for. I is fun to reflect on our many blessings

Kevin's New Favorites

My husband is not one who "enjoys" eating out. So for him to find a restaurant that he enjoys going to and and actually looks forward to is quite a feat. I introduced Kevin to In-and-out Burger a few months back. He immediately fell in love with their simple and tasty hamburgers. I like it too, but he really likes it. When his dad came to visit he insisted on introducing him to the in and out concept , probably in hopes of having another convert.
The boys enjoy eating there too. Probably more than the hamburger and shakes they love spending time with DAD.

I'm Finally Up to Speed

Last Night I got some slack for not updating my blog more often-So today is an exciting day. My excuse for not being consistent about updating my own blog and keepingin the look wothh other friends' blog is my ridiculusly slow dial up internet connection.

Well Today is a happy day. last night Kevin surprised me by getting cabel internet all hooked up. We have a speedier connection. YEAH!!! So I welcome myself to the year 2004+ technology

So from now on I will be able to check/surf/shop/research the internet more conviently. Watch out if you are a follower of my blog you might learn more about me than you wanted to know or probably more than I wanted anyone to know about me also.

Here is a bonus Picture of our Sweet Lydia. Multi-tasking at 5 months.

Taking a bath AND doing the dishes

SERIOUSLY, SHE LIKES IT...

Grandma Guffey didn't believe me at first, But now she knows that Lydia actually likes being wrapped up like a baby burrito. I love this velcro wrap a friend gave me it keeps her wrapped up all night and actually helps calm her down after her arms have been strapped in . Every baby needs one.
Even though this looks really tight and secure, Lydia is a little hoodini and manages to get one arm popping out by her ears by the time she wakes up.

A NEW MOM's THOUGHTS

As each day goes by I become more and more in awe of every other mother I see. Kudos to all of you. Being a mohter is not an easy task. As I have entered into being a mother to a baby again I am especially appreciatative of the women I know who I can look to for support and also as awesome examples of how to be who I am supposed to be. I have a lot more empathy for mothers of more than 2 children. Although I hate to admit it, while listening to other friends talk about frustrating days of motherhood, I would say to the Lord if only He would give me a chance to have more children I would be "amazing" at it, I could do a really good job I promise..". Well, he is giving me a chance and I'm so sure I am living up to the examples of my friends.

Juggling new responsibilites has been a huge challenge for me lately and I am not sure why. I guess I will just take one day at a time, trying to be a little better each day.

Everyday I write a little 'to Do' list for myself and on it I have to write down, morning prayers and scripture study, otherwise the day goes by and I have not set it as a priority. TOday I was a bit frustrated by the long list of 'To-do's' and I couldn't decide which task to do next. I was grateful this afternoon to look at my to-do list and see 'Morning prayers' still not crossed off. I was reminded by the spirit, even in the afternoon, to kneel down and say my morning prayers asking my Heavenly Father for help.

Thank Goodness for tomorrows to be a little better. :)

THIS IS WHAT A HAIR BOW IS FOR...

I've been advised by several friends with girls that I need to train Lydia early whith a bow on her head every day so she will get used to having her hair done. I've taken this to heart and each day really enjoy picking out what bow she needs to wear. A big flower or a bow or a tiny headband..there is just too many choices. It is really cute after I have chosen what she is wearing for the day Austin give me his two cents. He will say " That's really a cute outfit mom, don't change her all day". Or saying "I really like the other outfit better, especially with this bow" HOlding up an equally cute choice.

I love how Austin takes a protective role over her.

But aside from being a bow being a cute accessory it also works great as a sleep aid. She wiggles her head back and forth so the headband scrunches down over her eyes. She squeels for a minuet but eventually she's asleep. AMAZING TECHNIQUE.

Baby Ist Photos

Lydia At 3 weeks old

"Baby's Got your Nose"

I think it is so cute how Lydia keeps her fist SOOO tight. Her little thumb gets caught in there and it totally looks like she's playing a joke on you where the person holds your nose in their hand when it really is their thumb. I think you get the idea...

LYDIA SMILES LIKE AUSTIN?

So you ask "who does Lydia look most alike? Austin or Riley?" I think She looks an incredibly a lot like Austin . When she smiles big I see Austin's round head and cute cheeks. Just add a bow to austin's and you have Lydia. What do you think

Lydia 10 weeks and Austin 3 months

Every Girl Needs A Tutu

"Every Girl needs a tutu" I take this sentiment seriously now that I have a beautiful girl.

When one of my good friends gifted Lydia THis totally cute tutu I became super excited to save it for her for when she got big enough to wear it and dance around the kitchen floor to her favorite music. I wasn't sure quite how to pack it not really wanting to squish all it's fluffyness, so I just stacked it solo ontop of all the suitcases in the back of the van. What could happen to it up there?

When we arrived in Flagstaff we stopped for a minuet for a quick potty stop and a bit of gas. The wind was blowing strongly and as the side door was open and the back hatch was lefted up ...whoosh out went the tutu flying through the air. I thought for sure it was gone for good and that looking for it was just a waste of time. When Kevin saw how disappointed I was that it flew away he was determined to find it. we searched through the sage brush and walked down a few ditches until we found it caught and camofagued by some sagebrush.

Everytime I Look on the wall and see the tutu hanging there waiting for Lydia to grow up I cherish the moment that Kevin went to huge lenghs for something very simple That was meaning for me and our new Daughter.

We are learning together the differences between Girls and Boys. GIrls need Tutus

Baby Lydia Pictures

Lydia has changed so much in the last 6 weeks. Today marks the official 7 weeks old date. She weighs 9 lbs. I'm sure she is starting to see better because she will follow with her eyes when I move from one side to the other. When she is content she smiles at me. I Know this is not Gas, she knows who I am and recognizes my voice. Ahh.. 2 months is great!! The last few weeks have been a whirlwind and I have not taken a lot of time to relish being a mother of an infant again. when I see these milestones from her I am able to step back feel the joy of being a mother. The responsibility is huge and I often have to remind myself to take note of the small things so that I can recognize my awesome blessings. SHE is A Miracle.
We went for a walk in the park one sunday afternoon. She is sitting upright in the stroller whith out the car seat. I love how full and fluffy her cheeks are getting.