Thanksgiving Weekend

For Thanksgiving we had originally planned to drive to Colorado Springs to spend the holiday with Jason's parents. Jason only had Wednesday-Sunday off from work and since it is at least a 12 hour drive, we decided to drive through the night on Tuesday so we would have plenty of time to spend with Jay and Leslie. Jason's parents, however, were a little leery of our plan and with Brooklyn being sick we all decided to meet in Utah for Thanksgiving! We had a great time.

Brooklyn and Grandpa Jay

Daddy and Carson talking to Aunt Emily on Skype

Great-Grandma Hileman and Brooklyn

Brooklyn and Grandma Leslie

We had a great Thanksgiving feast and did some shopping on Black Friday. We got to spend some much needed time with Jason's Grandparents and even played a game of Ticket to Ride (Grandma won - wink, wink). We ventured to downtown SLC and spent a little time at City Creek Mall and then went to Temple Square to look at the Christmas lights. Carson was in awe with the water fountains and the lights. He thought it was so cool! I love Temple Square, but when you add Christmas lights it becomes a new kind of amazing. The Nativity in the center of the reflection pool was beautiful and watching the kids take in the awe of the lights was so fun.

It was also Grandpa Hileman's birthday while we were there so we stopped and got him a cake and sang to him. Carson loves to sing "Happy Birthday" and Grandpa even let him help blow out the candles.

It was fun for the kids to get to spend time with their grandparents and great-grandparents. Carson went to the park with Jay and Leslie, and we spent lots of time playing with blocks.

On our way home, we stopped and spent some time with Zach and Haleigh. We went to see "Wreck it Ralph" with Haleigh and walked around the mall. We rode Trax down to the Gateway Mall, which Carson thought was AMAZING. He thought it was so cool that we got to ride the train, not just watch it. Haleigh had to go to work so we went to eat with Zach at Joe's Crab Shack. It's tradition!

 

We had a great Thanksgiving week and have so much to be grateful for. 

Fire Department

On Tuesdays our local fire department gives tours of the fire station to kids. My friend, Julia, set up a tour for a group of us to go look at everything. Carson was beyond excited. He loves firetrucks and was really excited to see them.

Carson just climbed in his lap while he was talking to the kids about fire safety. 

He had such a blast! He got to climb in the fire truck and the ambulance and look around. He explored everything he possibly could. He wasn't ready to leave when it was time to go! Hopefully we can go again in a few months so he can see everything again. I want him to be familiar with firefighters and police officers so that he will know they are there to help him if he ever needs it. I think today was a great start!

November Update

Although it feels like we have been busy around here this month, I can't really think of anything specific we have been doing! The kiddos are growing, which needs to stop, and Jason is busy with work and school. 

Brooklyn is getting bigger and bigger every day. She has such a funny personality. She knows what she wants and when she wants it!! She is also incredibly strong. If she wants out of something she will find a way out. 

 Jason and I got to go vote together this year. I got very into the politics this year and followed the election very closely in the months leading up to the big day. Unfortunately, the candidate of our choice did not win. As disappointing as it was, we can feel good about voting for a candidate who has the same moral values that we have and know that at least we did our part.

 We spent a few days at the park this month. Although it was a little chilly, it wasn't too bad. Carson loves the park and I know it is going to be hard for him when he can't go this winter. We took advantage of every day we could.

 My poor baby girl has had a rough few months. She has had an ear infection since the beginning of October that we can't get to go away. Because she was on antibiotics, she got Thrush, which is extremely painful. She was a miserable little girl. The medicine she was on makes her mouth turn purple, so we called her the purple people eater. Carson got so used to taking his little sister to the doctor that he knows exactly where the stickers are and will crawl up and get them himself.  Pretty sad!

 Brooklyn wore her hair in a ponytail for the first time at 5 months old! It's pretty crazy that she has enough hair to do that. I love it!

 Carson has found that he can now put things on his little sister's head. I have found her wearing many different "hats" these days. She really doesn't seem to mind.....even when he puts his undies on her head.