Proud to be a Cougar

Byron came home today and told me about Brandon Davies' dismissal from the BYU Basketball team and suspension from school because of an Honor Code infraction. Both Byron and I are BYU graduates and I worked full-time for the Honor Code office for two years after graduation. I had a really wonderful experience there and saw first hand how much compassion and support there are for those who have made some bad choices. The Honor Code Office and Dean of Students work so hard with each individual to help them overcome their choices and get back on track. A big part of that is accepting the consequences of the individuals actions. The Honor Code is a major part of being a BYU student. Everyone knows about it, what it is and what's expected of you. Each year, every single student has to meet with their ecclesiastical leader to review the Honor Code and attest that their lives are in harmony with it. No one forces you to sign the Honor Code, no one forces you to be a student at BYU. It's a choice and it's a privilege. I am so proud to know that the University Byron and I love, feels honor and integrity are more important than a possible NCAA title. And this is coming from a MAJOR basketball fan. I wish the best for Brandon Davies. I know there are many people working with him to help him through this difficult time. I still have high hopes for Jimmer and the team going into the end of the season and the tournament. I'm so proud to say...I'm a Cougar!

a visit!

my sister, Ashley, and her little boy, Zach, flew up from Orlando a few weeks ago for a visit. we had SUCH a great time. it was so fun for me to be able to just hang out with Ashley. two of the kids weren't feeling their best during the week so that really slowed us all down and we got to have lots of fun just haning out around the house. Ashley caught some beautiful pics of Zach and Kylene.

come visit again!

Connor's 5!

on January 21st, Connor turned 5! that seemed like a big birthday to us and i guess to him too because when he woke up in the morning he asked if he was 5 yet; when i told him he indeed was, he jumped up in the air and asked if i was impressed with how high he could jump now that he was five. i told him to count me impressed!

we had a few neighborhood friends over for play, pizza and cake. Connor had a great time and felt really special, but as the night wore on, i could tell he was starting to not feel very well. we found him in his pj's in bed waiting for a story after we were done cleaning up. he said now that he was 5, he could put his pj's on by himself. that's what i'm talkin' about.

we sure love this little/big boy!

Happy Birthday Connor!

Christmas 2010

so many have wondered why i've been away from blogging so long. i would tell you now, but it would sound like complaining. you can call me if you'd like and ask, but all you'd hear is a long tale with a lot of complaining. i'd advise against it if i were you. so here we are, good attitude in hand, back and ready to share what we've been up to the past few months.

we had a really magical Christmas this year. this was the first year Connor was really THRILLED about Santa and all the wonder that brings to a child's mind. he woke me up every morning for a week before Christmas thinking that this just might be the morning Santa had come. when that morning finally arrived, i think it was just what he had been waiting for. Santa brought a lot of dinosaur toys, books and a new scooter. when we wouldn't hold Connor off any more from opening up presents under the tree, i went upstairs and woke up our sweetly sleeping Kylene. she was groggy and snuggled up into me as we came downstairs, but as soon as she caught a glimpse of her new baby and stroller she pushed away from me and said, "Down! Down!"

we had a breakfast of homemade cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate and skyped with Nana and Grandpa. then we loaded up the car and headed to S. Carolina to Mimi and Papa's house! it was so fun to arrive there on Christmas day and be there with Logan, Codi, Staci, Theresa, Bev and Maw Maw and Paw Paw. the kids couldn't believe there were even MORE presents to open and Connor got the thrill of his day when he opened up not one but TWO remote control dinosaurs from Mimi and Papa. he had asked Santa for some but Santa must have known that Mimi and Papa had that in store for him.

we got snowed in the next day (Christmas miracle!) and had a great time hanging out and playing Wii.

the best part to Byron and I was that we were all healthy this Christmas. to us that was the best present of all.

one of my most favorite families so far...

she's TWO

On Friday, when I went into Kylene's room in the morning to get her up, she was standing up in her crib with her blanket shoved in her mouth waiting patiently for someone to come rescue her. Wearing purple polar bear footed pj's, tossled hair and bright eyes she smiled and said, "Hi Mommy!" I picked her up and twirled her around tickling her and giving her kisses and said, "Kylene, you're two! I love my two-year old girl!" Throughout the day I couldn't resist sweeping her up and holding her close and giving kisses and remarking on what a beautiful little two year old we have. When I brought her downstairs Connor said, "Happy Birthday Kylene, you're 2!" After talking about why Kylene was two, Connor said, "Mom, I don't want Kylene to be 2!" When asked why not he said, "I want her to stay our little baby." Sigh, true.
Mimi and Papa (Theresa and Bev) came to North Carolina around lunch time and the kids were THRILLED to have them here. They treated us to dinner at Olive Garden and then we came home to have ice cream and cake with a few neighbor friends.
Byron and I got home from the restaraunt before the other four and we were able to set out Kylene's new tricycle so it was the first thing she would see when she walked in the door. When she entered the house and saw it, she squealed, put her hands up in the air and yelled, "Hooray!" Exactly what we were hoping for. Connor took on on a few spins around the kitchen as she giggled with glee.

Mimi came through with a slew of beautiful new clothes. I'm holding a fall dress Theresa made. It's gorgeous!

We finished off the night with our favorite chocolate cake and playing with friends.

Kylene shows a lot of personality and can switch her mood from a scowl to a big cheesy grin in an instant. She says, "Wa" for yes and sometimes we feel like we're on a Charlie Brown special, "Wa, wa wa wa wa wa". {Remember how the teacher used to speak?}

She loves being involved in whatever the big kids are doing and is thrilled to be included in anything and everything. Kylene continues to adore her brother and Connor will sometimes ask, "Why does Kylene do whatever I do?" She loves being tickled and chased around the house and will egg people on to do both. Her favorite food is pizza and she'll come running if the word is ever mentioned. We think she is simply wonderful. Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

haLLoWeEn eXtrAvaGaNza 2010

a few days before Halloween this year, my neighbor and friend Jesica commented that Halloween was becoming just about as busy as Christmas...agreed!

the weekend before Halloween, my parents came and visited from Indiana for four days. We had SUCH a great time with them. We went to the Museum of Life and Science, to our ward's Fall Festival, to Southpoint where my Mom bought the kids beautiful new Sunday clothes, out to eat at a Mexican restaurant we had heard about, carved pumpkins, make apple pie, cinnamon rolls, hot chocolate and the kids played, played and played some more with Nana and Grandpa. They both wanted to ride in the car with them wherever we went and apparently came up with new games to play while on the road. One game involved the word "boogers" a lot. Guess who came up with that one. :)

{our little family at our old ward's Fall Festival. Byron and I were a couple from the '50's though most people thought i looked like myself and that Byron looked like a missionary.}

we decorated Halloween cookies with our friends Dana, Abby and Sydney.

Connor with his best buddy, Jaxton.

both the kids really enjoyed the pumpkin carving process and loved saying "ooh, gross" when pulling out the innards.

on Saturday we went to a free Halloween event put on by a local church. we think it's a great event with free food, and lots of activities for the kids. there was music pumping the whole time with who we think is the minister as the DJ stopping the music at questionable parts to pose some religious questions. Example: "Has anyone ever heard of me, myself and I?" What does that sound like? That's right the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost." continue with thumping music. It felt a little like brain washing. :)

{Kylene dancing to the music. that girl's got rhythm!}

{yep, we've practiced that stance A LOT at our home recently}

our little group ready to trick-or-treat.

our monkey can barely contain herself.

the first door!...no one home, boo.

trick-or-treating in our neighborhood was so fun. the neighborhood was alive with activity with lots of the adults dressed up as well. many neighbors had set up their trick-or-treat candy up outside waiting to great their little guests. we're now working our way through the candy...