Gary turns 60!

Tyson's Dad celebrated his 60th Birthday this week, so we have a few celebrations... On his actual birthday we went up to his house and had dinner and cake with the family that lives close.

Then this weekend the rest of the family came into town and we had a surprise dinner on Saturday night. I am not sure if it was an actual surprise, but I think all the family being there was.

We all got together one last time this morning for a brunch. It was so fun to all be together. The kids have such a fun time playing, and the adults have a good time talking and laughing.

all the kids, minus Owen who was sleeping.

Living Desert

A few weeks ago when Jace came home we went and spent a morning at the living desert. We always seem to make it there for the lights at Christmas, but Sawyer and Mags both loved seeing all the animals during the daytime.

The giraffes were may favorite part...

we saw a butterfly exhibit

Sawyer has an obsession with coyotes for some odd reason, so the coyote was the highlight for him

10 months

This seems to be a really fun/exhausting stage for us right now. I love how much Magnolia is learning and taking in everyday. She seems to be changing so much. But she is also becoming a handful with her curiosity for anything she can get her hands on, mainly in my cupboards. She wants to only hang out on the stairs which means I have to constantly be watching her. I haven't been able to find a gate yet that works with our stairs. She is taking some steps, but I wouldn't say she is walking quite yet. Probably in the next few weeks. She LOVES food. We joke she is just like my parents dog, she will eat anything she can get her hands on, and loves anything you give her. She is weighing in at 19.5. That means a front facing car seat soon, which I am thrilled about. She loves almost anyone. She will go to anyone to be held, and gets excited when she sees people like Tyson (of course), my Mom, Baby Owen, and even the girls at the gym. Sawyer was definitely a momma's boy so this has been a nice break for me. I am already counting down til nursery! She just broke her 4th tooth. Her teething has been a nightmare for us both. She is up way too much at night, and sometimes wants to play with Tyson and I between the hours of 2 and 4 am. I want to die! She loves to cuddle and lay her head on my shoulder at night. She hates to wear bows in her hair, but I still put them in all day long. She has the most beautiful big brown eyes... she is pretty much perfect and we love her so much!

welcoming home Elder Homec

Jace came home from serving in Mexico last Thursday night, and the whole family was there. It is so great to have him back!

sawyer and I made some posters


Owen was just thrilled to meet Jace for the first time...

Its great to have all the Homec's back in the USA

Blogging article

Katie forwarded me this article that I just loved. It made me so proud to be a stay at home Mormon mommy, who thrives on baking cupcakes, throwing parties and playing at the park with my kids (or at least watching them play!).
I love to read these blogs and so many more that uplift me and push me to be a better mom and wife.

the article...

sunny day

Today was in the 80's... so I guess there are days when I am glad I live in a desert. The kids played and had a picnic outside on our new pavers that were laid only a few days ago. I can already tell that they are going to change my life. Sawyer has barely stepped inside since we got them, and I enjoyed an hour of laying out and getting a sunburn this afternoon while Mags napped. To say I am obsessed is an understatement.

2010

My top moments of this past year... in no particular order, except the first one of course.

- The birth of Magnolia. Its weird because I feel like we've had her forever, and I can't remember it just being the 3 of us, but then again I still feel like I have a newborn and should receive extra attention for her.
- Sawyer learning to love to pray. He prays every night at dinner for us, sometimes twice. And of course he says it again every night before bed. His prayers are so simple, but so sweet and sometimes so funny.
- Rediscovering my love for the gym, and a new love for their classes. I haven't really worked out since we moved here and after Magnolia I knew that something was going to have to be done. Its my new favorite thing. I love that it feels like free babysitting everyday, and I feel better about myself too.
- Tyson moving locations for his store. It wasn't a big move, just at the other side of Old Town, but the traffic has been so great, and its been a real blessing.
- Spending the summer at my Mom's house. I loved being there with my Mom, Ali, Kim and Benton. It was so fun to have a daily routine with them since I always feel like we are trying to pack so much in to a weekend vacation.
- Magnolia getting old enough to be able to leave with a babysitter. We have an amazing babysitter who my kids love. I feel like it has changed my life since Tyson and I have been able to start going out on dates again. I feel like we are in such a good phase.
- Sarah and Colby moving to our neighborhood. Its only been a few months, but its been so great to have them so close. Sawyer asks to be dropped off there everyday because he wants to play with Colby, and I love being able to to go hangout for a little while during the long afternoon hours.

Its been a great year. I feel really blessed, and can't wait for even more moments that make me happy!

my HUISH family

Lillie took these of our family over Thanksgiving...
I'm Obsessed!

this picture melts my heart

one big happy family

Christmas

The night before Christmas we spent at BJ's pizza as a family. Its somewhat of a tradition for us. And it did not disappoint. The kids were nice and easy as a present to Tyson and myself. Then we watched the new Robinhood movie after the kids went to bed. I put together toys and opened boxes so that I wouldn't spend my whole Christmas morning trying to figure out how to get Sawyers presents open and unscrewing things to put in batteries...Boy do I hate kids toy packaging!

not the best pictures with a scary flash from my phone.

Sawyer was great, and slept in until about 8:00 so we could lay in bed and get ready for our lazy, tummy stuffing day!

Santa brought...
Sawyer: Star Wars guys, Darth Vadar and Hans Solo, because Santa couldn't get Luke Skywalker anywhere. A Harry Potter doll. A collection of little horses. Candy. And, a Rocketship!
Magnolia: Books. Cell-phone. Ball toy!
Tyson: Freezer Mugs. Socks. Candy. Work clothes. A Laker Ticket.
Brooke: Workout socks. Candy. A beautiful new setting for my wedding ring.

it all came and went too soon.

Christmas Party at Carolyn's

My favorite night of the year... Carolyn's Party. It was so fun this year because Sarah's whole family was there, and Anne and John came too. Normally we are a little light on numbers from my Dads siblings. We had the traditional prime rib for dinner. Popped the much anticipated poppers that held a 100 for me this year. Listened to the Polar Express and the Scriptures. Watched a very simple tie exchange. And, opened gifts. Sawyer had a very Star Wars Christmas. Carolyn got him a big tent, and a clone commander helmet that talks and changes his voice. He was more than excited! He slept in his tent the whole time we stayed at my parents. The only thing missing was Tyler, Kim and Benton.

showering Lillie

Lillie is having her little baby in the morning, so this shower is a little old news, but I still thought I would blog it anyway for future memories...
We did a western themed shower that was so fun and yummy. Chili, Cornbread, Cowboy Caviar with Chips, Texas Sheet-cake, and Berry Cobbler were there to enjoy. And then Caramel Corn for a take home.

Rachelle was planning on coming out from AZ for the shower, but last minute she couldn't so she came out the next day for a little girls weekend. It was so much fun to sit around and chat all afternoon like old times. We went to dinner and then shopping one night.

celebrating Christmas

We have been trying to take advantage of anything Christmasy that comes our way this year, but our luck has not been the best with it.
One night we went to the Marriott to look at lights, get some hot chocolate and ride on the boat. Well, apparently it was a slow week so Starbucks closed early, and there wasn't much there in terms of lights. Luckily they felt bad for us and let us ride the boat even though it was past hours. Mags loved it and made little noises the whole time.
We have been to the mall to sit on Santa's lap (the picture of Sawyer), and Old Town La Quinta did a Christmas tree lighting where Santa was also.
We tried to go to the desert lights one night with the Biesingers, but we got all the way there and it was closed to the public for a private event. I was so sad, that is my favorite thing to do each year.

my new little nephew

Owen Homec was born on Thursday night, so Tyson and I got to go visit and hold him last night for date night! Oh, he is so cute and little. Magnolia feels bigger than ever all of the sudden. Sarah looked amazing for just having him, and they are already back home. I can't wait to go over everyday and get my fill of a baby again. And, Sawyer has never been so excited. Its pretty much all he has talked about for the past 2 days. He thinks they are going to start playing together in forts right away...

This little doll is already eight months. Seriously does it only go faster with each child? I feel like my time went a little slow with Sawyer, but I feel like I was just in the hospital holding her as a newborn. I totally understand why people think they are done having kids and then change their minds. Not that I said I was done, but I am sad how fast she is growing up and it makes me feel like I need at least 2 more.
Mags started crawling about a month ago. She is obsessed with the stairs. She doesn't actually crawl up them, but she goes over to them and plays were her toys in the bottom stair. Its like her own space away from Sawyer. She is saying mama and dada all the time. I doubt their is any meaning behind it, but there are still words flowing out of that mouth of hers. She loves to clap when we say yay, and nod her head when we say no...or when she is done eating food. She loves my dinner so much more than her own. I think I was much more regimented with Sawyer. She gets so excited when Tyson walks in the door at night, and when Sawyer walks in her room first thing in the morning.
I just love her. She is my little girl!

day of Thanks

We had such a nice Thanksgiving, my whole family was together at my parents this year. The morning of...the boys played croquet (which they normally do on Christmas Day), and the girls started cooking. Kim and I tried a new recipe for stuffing from the Pioneer Woman that I was obsessed with. It wasn't as much of a hit with everyone else, but if it was up to me it would be in the rounds from here on out. After dinner we all just hung out.
The rest of the weekend was spent doing our usual... eating, shopping, and watching movies that Collins has gotten somehow. We also watched a whole bunch of episodes of the buried life, which is my new favorite show. I LOVE the boys!

Some pictures of the family

Kim took the picture of my Mom and I, where I was pretending I was showing off our table-scape, as if I am Martha or something.

A proud moment in the Homec/Huish family. Sawyer ate his first Hot Wing. I think Tyson was more excited than if he won an award.