A Christmas Miracle!

I just want you all to know that we have had a potty training breakthrough...it is the best christmas present. I don't want to jinx it, because it has only been a few days now, but Sierra is totally staying dry.

Here's how it went down. I was talking to my sister Sara on the phone. And she mentioned that she had been putting Brook and Chris in regular panties and just going with it. Well, I figured that if Brook and Chris can do it, so can Sierra. So I put her in regular panties and it told her that if she didn't want to make a mess on the floor she was going to have to tell me when she had to go. I am not kidding, she has only had one accident!! She tells me all the time, and today, she even when poop on the potty for the very first time ever! She is even staying dry at nap time and during the night!!

I can not tell you how happy this makes me as a mother! Ha ha ha!! THANK YOU SANTA!

December Updates

Sorry Guys! I know I haven't updated in a while, but December gets so busy for me and I pretty much slack off on the usual stuff. I did want to update some things on my cute Lilly-girl! She is 6 months now and so cute! She started sitting up on her own at about 5 months and she is getting pretty good. She doesn't ever want you to lay her down, so I stack pillows behind her because she still tips over. She hasn't quite got it all figured out, but if I spread some toys around her she is quite content to play for about 30 minutes on her own. She is so cute and loves to talk and sing to all her toys. She is such a good sleeper and takes two long naps during the day and sleeps from about 7PM to 5 or 6AM. She is so smiley and happy. She has just been a joy to have in our family. Sierra is so cute with her and always tells me when she notices Lilly doing something new (i.e. "Mom! Lilly is tasting that food! She is just growing up!") Sierra is always giving Lilly kisses and petting her head and telling her what a good girl she is!

We have been to some fun family parties. We just spent the weekend in American Fork with the Miner Clan! They are such a fun family and it is so much fun when we can all get together.

I love you all out there and I hope you are all enjoying your holidays!

Houston we have internet connection!!

Well, I finally talked Miner into moving my computer from the baby's room down into the basement. So now I can come down into my "woman cave" and post while baby Lilly is sleeping and the bonus is that I am connected directly into the internet now and it is much faster than using the stupid wireless card I was using before (it was so freaking slow!)

While I am at it, I just want to say Happy T-day to all you out there. I am definately among the thankful this year. I have so so so much. A couple years ago my mom bought a plain white table cloth and she told everyone to write what they were thankful for on it. So now she brings it out every year and we write new "thankful thoughts" and we get to read what we have been thankful for over the years. So I just want you all to know what I am going to be adding to the Thanksgiving table this year...I am so thankful for good friends.

I went to my friend Becky's baby shower and the room was just full of these amazing women. I have the most amazing group of girlfriends. I don't know how I got so lucky to end up with this group of women, but they are smart and funny and interesting and caring. They are just the BEST people. I always feel so loved and validated when I spend time with them. I think it is such a special relationship between all of us and I am so so grateful for it. Girls, heres to you!

And to all my other friends and family, thank you, too.

HALLOWEEN '08

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

I just thought my fellow blog readers would like to see my cute kids on halloween. They had so much fun. Even Lilly liked her costume. I know because I held her up to the mirror and she smiled at herself. She even smiled in the pictures. We had so many kids trick or treating at our house this year. I think because of the good weather. I probably would have gotten more, but at 9:30pm I turned my lights out. It is fun to live in a neighborhood where you can see all the kids having fun.

I hope you all enjoy the pics.

P.S. Obama Rules!! 01/20/09!!

I think I'm in trouble...you be the judge.

Since it is election season, I thought I would hold a little vote of my own. I think I have trouble on my hands, but you be the judge.

When Sierra was about three months old I had her sitting on my bed and I had the Today show on TV. Nick Lachey just happened to be the musical performing act on the show that day. As Katie Couric and Matt Lauer were introducing him they said, "...and here is NICK LACHEY!!" And my tiny baby litterally squealed with delight! I beleive her exact words at that moment were, "WHOOOWHEEE!"

Fast Forward a few years, Sierra is about 10 months and we are flying to Alaska. In the seat next to me is a little boy about 11 or 12 years old. He is going to a snowboarding camp in Alaska and he is attempting to listen to his headphones. I say attempting, because Sierra is desperately trying to get him to notice her. She is smiling and baby talking and staring deeply into his eyes. When he finally does turn his head away, she places her hand deliberately on his arm and leans way over so that she can put her face directly in front of him. If she could have spoken, I beleive her words would have been, "HELLOOOO, I am right here!!"

Fast Forward into the future a little farther...Sierra is now three and we are in Las Vegas to visit my sister Erica and her new twins. As we drive down the strip, I am pointing out various landmarks to Sierra saying, "Look, there is the stratosphere, see how tall it is..." And from the backseat in I get her reply, " YES! VEGAS HERE US COME!!!"

And finally just this morning I get this gem...I am getting Sierra dressed and I put some pink and purple striped tights on under her denim skirt. She ran in to show her dad her new striped tights. I happened to say, "Those tights are just like dancers tights!" And she looked and me and said, "No Mom, I not going to be a dancer. I'm going to be a rock star!!"

So Ladies and Gentleman, I think the polls are showing strongly against me. The teenage years...I can only imagine!

Potty Training Anyone?

I can not handle potty training! I am totally dying. I have tried everything (sticker charts, prizes, begging and pleading, two weeks of intense potty work, games, you name it!). My sister is training her two year olds and my three year old REFUSES to potty train. I can barely get her to sit on the potty. I bought her her own little potty, got her all excited about it, she peed in it twice and now has completely stopped peeing on the potty all together. I think she is holding it in when I sit her on the potty and then immediately pees her pullup or diaper as soon as I get it on her...What am I doing wrong? I have tried and tried not to yell at her or get frustrated with her--in fact, I have been very nice, but I am ready to not be nice anymore and just lose it every time! I am also thinking about just putting her in panties and cleaning up after her for the next few days and seeing if that triggers any potty sitting time!?! I mean, she is THREE! How old is too old? Does anyone have any suggestions?

Just can't stop thinking about how upsetting it is...

I don't normally discuss my policial views. Mostly I think we should all consider ourselves extremely blessed. We live in a country where we are able to CHOOSE...not just politically, but rather we are able to choose in general. We can live where we want, work as we want, become educated as we see fit, worship as we want, travel as we desire...and so on and so forth. I am aware that these options are not available to many people in other parts of the world. I try to do my part. I am a registered voter, and I regularly take part as such. I do have my own opinions about politics, but in general I try not to get into debates with people who feel differently than I do because, most importantly, I feel that as americans we have a duty to vote. Too many good people have given their time or their lives to give us the opportunity to have our voices heard...

But I digress, I can't stop thinking about the vice presidential debates from last night. I can not understand how any self respecting woman could watch Sarah Palin last night and still vote for that ticket. And I listened to the pundits talk about how well she did and that she "killed it." Honestly, that is not even what I am talking about. She showed that she can discuss previously studied topics in an appropriate manner. She did fine with that. What I am talking about is her complete lack of professionalism. If a person (Sarah Palin) were to go to a job interview (which basically is what the debates are, aren't they?) and talk to the boss the way Sarah Palin talked to the American People last night, and if she were to wink at said boss, and smile patronizingly, and only answer the questions that she chose to answer...omitting answering the most difficult questions, or avoiding questions all together...I ask you, do you think she would get the job? If you went to a job interview and behaved in that manner would you expect to be hired?

Is this Sarah Palin who we want representing women in the United States? Is this the best we can do? I find it hard to beleive. I can appreciate coming from a small town, and I can appreciate being a mother and a stay-at-home mom. I can even appreciate her wanting to represent her own views. But I don't want any cute little quips and quotes, I want someone who, as a woman, is going to speak in an educated and professional manner. I want a woman who can comand respect not only for her stance on policies but comand respect for the position in which she is desiring to uphold.

So Sarah, I know there are people out there who will think you "killed it." But for me, I took an interest in you, I wanted to see what you had to say, I wanted to believe you could do it. I wanted you to change my vote, but it seems you did indeed...kill it. And with that I say, "Good day to you, I say, good day."

The Single Life...

Well, Miner finally comes home from Alaska on Monday. It will be good to have him home. He has been gone for three weeks! I have been home with the kids, here are two conversations I have had with Sierra in the last two days. They can kind of explain what it has been like for me.

Me: "We don't use our toothbrushes to comb our hair!"
Sierra: "I just needed to get my hair a little wet."
Me: "Where did you get the water?"
Sierra: "It's not water. I just used my mouth."

And also this gem that came about yesterday...

Me: "Why didn't you tell me you had a dirty diaper?"
Sierra: "Because...(giggles) pooping in my diaper is my new favorite thing. I hide in Daddy's office and nobody can smell me!!"

Yup. And there is my life in a nutshell...Miner I hope you get home soon!

Lillian's Blessing

The Miners

Susie and Lilly

The Girls

Lillian McLaine

We had Lillian's baby blessing last Saturday (I had previously written Thursday, but that was a mistake! Whoops! My bad.) We took some family pictures and they just turned out so good! I just have the best looking family ever! Most of Miner's family came up and my family were all here so we had quite the crowd. It was a really great day. I can't tell you how great it feels to be so loved, and have such special people as part of my life. I know that so many families have problems out there, and I don't know why I am so blessed to be a part of such a close and loving family. It just feels so good that we can all be together and have such a good time. Guys there are a lot of you, but I don't know what I would do without even one of you. Thank you so much for being here and sharing such a special day with Lilly. XXOO to all of you.

Don't Feed the Animals!

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Four days....One pair of undies...

Well, I just wanted to thank my Mom and Dad for letting me crash and trash at their house this weekend. For those of you who don't know...a word of advice, just follow your premonitions. Friday, my Dad called and said, "Why don't you come spend the night and go to our ward breakfast in the morning." And I had a feeling like I should just stay in Logan, but I couldn't help thinking, "MMMM...PANCAKES!"

So I figured WHY NOT!!! Then I had a feeling like I should drive my Pathfinder down, but I figured I might as well take Miner's truck (even though it hadn't been driving all that well lately) because I had the dog...so, I loaded the kids and all the crap and the dog in the truck. And then I thought, I should take some extra clothes just in case. But then I thought, that was just more crap I would have to haul, so I didn't...and the truck broke down on my way to my parents house, OF COURSE!

So I left the truck in Morgan and called my mom to come get me and the kids. The dealership had to order a part in and it didn't come until MONDAY...so now, my overnight trip turned into a three night trip.

Luckily, I have great in-laws. Bonnie and Roger drove up to my parents house and picked up the dog, so I didn't have to deal with him all weekend. (Thank you so much for that, I owe you guys big time! You can both add it to my tab!)

The breakfast WAS really good. They had very yummy ham and pancakes! And I did get to spend the weekend visiting with Sara and that is always fun...and I did play cards with my Dad and Go-Go. I am pretty sure my Dad cheated since he won by, like, a hundred points!

Now, you might think my story would end here, but you would be wrong. On Monday, I went to pick up my truck and I got to the dealership and everything was ready to go. So we unloaded the car seats and the crap and the kids from my mom's car and loaded them up in the truck. We said good-bye and my mom began driving away. I start up my truck, and the check engine light comes back on. I DIDN'T EVEN MOVE FROM THE PARKING SPACE!!! So, I jump out and flag my mom down, and go back in the dealership...it turns out my truck is still broken...so we unload all the stuff and the kids and load it back in my mom's car...and I have to wear the same pair of underwear for one more night...I know TMI, but hey, no one is forcing you to read the my blog!

So let me just reiterate, if you have a premonition to bring extra clothes on an overnight trip, you should probably bring 'em....consider yourself warned.

Livin' the Dream...

Sara gave all the girls this purple lip gloss at the twin's B-day party...Sierra LOVED it!!

Here's my Chubb-o baby! Lillian gained 3lbs and grew three inches in two months!! She is in the 95th percentile for her height/weight!!

My Dad is baling hay in Woodruff. My sister Sara and I got to drive out there, it was so pretty there. Plus, we had fun, because we left all the kids, except for Lilly, with my Mom.

There they are, gathering the candy like little fiends...Yeah Summit County Fair! A good time had by all...

I don't have much time to post, because I can hear Lillian waking up. But I thought you all would enjoy some pics. XXOO, Suz

My Gosh! My Baby turns 3!!

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I can't believe my little girl is three! We had so much fun at her party. We threw her a beach party with some of her cousins, and some of her friends from the neighborhood. We have the cutest little girls that are Sierra's age in our neighborhood. They all play together really well. I just love my Sierra so much. For all of my friends (and Erica) about to have kids, it just changes your life in so many ways. It is just the most fun I have ever had, to see my girls grow and change every day and every year. It keeps getting more and more fun, too. I love talking with Sierra and seeing life through her eyes. I just believe children are a special gift, I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do. I am so proud to be a mom. I have been given two of the most beautiful girls. I am so blessed and so lucky. Sierra has learned to do so much this last year, she just talks ALL THE TIME!! She is a little motor-mouth! Even her nursery teacher told me, "Boy, she just talks and talks!" She makes up dances and performs them for me and Miner. It is so funny! If I catch her on video I will have to post it, because she is so funny. She loves her "movies" (which is watching Dora or Mickey Mouse cartoons on t.v.). She loves swimming and running through the sprinklers. She loves Mac Mac and Cheese, and Peanut Butter Sandwiches. She is very "lonely" when Dad goes to Alaska, because she "misses him so much!" She loves to help mom with Lillian and gives her tickles and kisses on her nose. She loves to draw especially with sidewalk chalk. She loves Mom to draw her a Hopscotch! She loves playing with her cousins and visiting Nanny and Papa, and Grandma and Grandpa Miner's. These are just a few of the things she loves and has learned this year. We just measured her and she is 35 1/2 inches tall!! I just can't wait to see what this next year brings for her. Her mom loves her SO MUCH!

AHH Memories...

My good friend Becky did this on her blog, and I posted a memory for her, so I guess now it's my turn. Just leave a comment with a favorite memory you have of me. If you leave me a comment then I will go to your blog and leave a memory for you, too. Thanks.

July ALREADY?!?

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Happy Birthday to Me!

Well people, tomorrow I turn 31! Can you believe it? Trust me I don't look it at all! I am still totally fabulous, even after two kids. You may ask, what are you planning on doing for your big day...well, after I throw the big parties in New York and L.A. I think I will hit the scene in Vegas! I hope you will all be there, it should be a good time. If P-diddy and Jessica Simpson show up, it will be a rager! So get your party on, people! XXOO Suz

Lillian McLaine Miner!

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The Prayer

Sierra said the prayer at dinner tonight. She said it all by herself without me helping her. She said, "Heavenly Father. Bless our bodies. Bless Dad in Alaska. Bless my sister come soon. Bless mom have baby soon. Name Jesus. Amen." It was so cute. I was so proud of her!

Indiana Jones...

So, Miner and I went to the new Indiana Jones film last night. It was pretty good. It is just one of those fun movies that makes you feel nostalgic. There was some cheese factor to the movie, but I think that is part of the fun, so I liked it. I like all the subtle humor in this movie, in fact, one of the funniest jokes I didn't get until I got home and started thinking about it...so pay attention. Plus, you just have to love Harrison Ford!

P.S. That theme song is a catchy tune. I have been whistling it all day today...

The Story...

I had to post this because Miner and I have just giggled about it. Tonight when I put Sierra to bed, we read a bedtime story and when it was finished Sierra said, "I have a story to tell you." So, here is Sierra's first story...

One day at lunchtime, there was a moose and a racoon in the garden, and that naughty racoon shot that moose dead. The End.

Maybe I am doing something wrong as a parent...you be the judge.

Trying to get back to normal!

Well, I apologize to all you loyal readers, but since I returned from the Oregon Coast I have been dealing with an ear infection and an upper respiratory infection and a pregnancy, so you will just have to get over the fact that I haven't updated my blog for a long time. I just don't even know what is going on in the world right now. Seriously, though, when was the last time you heard of an adult getting an ear infection? I think I maybe the first case of this I have ever heard of, but I have had one, and let me tell you all, I can totally sympathize with kids who have this condition! No wonder all they do is cry and pull on their ears, because that is all I wanted to do, no foolin'! At one point during the night I thought my brain was going to explode. Question: How did people live before antibiotics? Answer: They didn't, and I know why!

So, anyway, I am getting better, I feel much better, I am trying to get back to normal, but according to WebMD it could be WEEKS before my hearing returns to normal...in fact, it said that if my hearing was not normal in 3 TO 4 MONTHS, then I should consult my doctor! If you want some good advice, don't get an ear infection.

And in other news, WHO ARE THESE LOSERS VOTING ON AMERICAN IDOL? Because Jason Castro should have been gone long ago, and yet, he continues...even though Andrew Lloyd Webber AND Neil Diamond, both told him he was a no talent, idiot...how does it get worse than that? Who keeps sending this guy to the next round? And seriously, can Paula Abdul show up sober for once? Was she totally out of her mind? I am completely disillusioned this season....I may have to stop watching this show, just for sanity sake.

Moving on, I do have some really great pictures from our trip to the Oregon Coast, and of Baby Animal Days, so I will try to post them, unfortunately, I think my computer has some kind of virus, so it may take me a little while to get them posted. I am only 5 weeks from having my baby. I think Miner and I finally decided on a name for her, we are pretty sure we are going to name her Lillian McLaine Miner (we are still debating the spelling of McLaine, McLayne, McLean?), but the name stands. I guess you could vote for your favorite spelling, and help us out a little...unless you have been voting on American Idol, then please don't because you probably don't know your head from your---you know what, anyway.

One of Sierra's funny quirks...

Apparently, I have Crocodiles living in my house. Sierra came to me a couple of weeks ago and told me, "Mom, the Crockers are hun-gee!!" She was very adamant about this and now at least once a week we must feed the crockers lots of food. So I find little piles of food all over now which can only mean one thing...the crockers must have been hun-gee...

Some more Easter Pictures!

Easter was so fun! I did an Easter egg hunt around the house in the morning. Sierra especially loved that the Easter Rabbit hid and easter egg on top of the T.V. If you ask her about Easter, that is what she is going to tell you about! She loved Easter, and like Christmas, it is taking her awhile to get over the fact that it only comes once a year.

My Sweet Sierra!

8 Things I love about Sierra:

1. Sierra is so funny. She actually tries hard to get me to laugh. We have so much fun together.

2. She is such a good kid. Everywhere I take her people always comment to me how good she is. I can take her with me to the salon when I get my hair done, and she will just sit there and watch a movie and have a snack, and talk to the girls at the salon. It is so cute! And she never cries or acts out, and that is a long time for a kid to just hang out! But it is like that wherever we go. She is just a good kid.

3. You have to admit, as far as looks go, she is a dang cute kid! Maybe it is vain to say you love your child because of their looks...but COME ON...SHE IS CUTE! She can make the cutest little faces!

4. Sierra has a Dora/Diego obsession. She goes around the house and "rescues" animals that are in "trouble." And she has a jump rope that is her "lasso rope" and she uses it to climb the furniture and rescue items that have fallen under the bed! It is so hilarious. I have actually heard her in her room playing and she will say, "Pepper (our dog) come quick. We have to rescue the tree frogs (or some other animal)." Then she will run from room to room looking for the tree frogs and yelling, "backpack, backpack..."

5. Sierra loves her friends in the neighborhood (Olivia and Carly). She tells me everyday, "Me miss me Carly. Me need me Carly come play my house." It is so cute to see her social side, and to see her develop her friendships.

6. Sierra loves the "Biggest Loser!" It is so funny. When ever Miner or I turn on the T.V. at night she asks if "Loser" is on tonight!

7. Sierra is a really good performer! You guys should see her. The girl can twirl like nobody's business. And she makes up her own songs to sing! She is awesome!

8. And finally, Sierra is such a girly girl. When I put her new Easter dress on her, she told me she looked like a princess. It was so cute. She didn't want me to take her dress off. She wanted to where her princess dress all day. What a sweetie!

An Easter Slump?!?

I think I am in an Easter slump...I just don't have that much going on. I would love to say I have something really exciting to write, but the most exciting thing I have done is order 101 Dalmations and the Little Mermaid from the Disney Movie Club! Miner is planning a "boys only" weekend to St. George, and I have to admit, I am totally jealous! I think I need a "girls only" weekend! Let me know if there are any takers out there.

Rose and I took our kids to the Target photo center to get some Easter pictures taken...let's just say it was a fiasco! Also, let's say that the girl taking the pictures was entirely unhelpful, and next time I will just go spend the money for Kiddie Kandids! Rose and I were totally wiped out afterward and sweaty!! Kids were all bawling, hungry, and tired, except for Jack he had finished bawling and was just sitting there glassy eyed in a total "I've had it" stupor!! I wish I could say the pictures were so worth it, but after we waited FOREVER, the kids just looked kind of pissed! And quite frankly, so did Rose and I! I just can't understand why, as a mother, you get this unnatural urge to go have your kids pictures taken? But we have all experienced this, because we all have those pictures of us as kids dressed up and posed and looking just plain pissed!! HA HA HA! And I don't know why I expect that this time it will be different, this time they will not make me wait 2 hours, this time the girl behind the camera will be an actual professional, this time the smile will be REAL, and afterward I will be so proud and not sweaty....note to self...this does not occur in the real world.

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall...

Well, I have hit an all new low in self-esteem this morning! Mom, if you are reading this you may want to skip it, because I am about to share "too much information." I was looking in the mirror plucking some stray eyebrow hair, when I look down... I have a small mole on the lower left side of my face. Now, I have never really thought about having it removed, because I actually kind of like it. I have always thought of it as my "Cindy Crawford Trademark" if you will...So, I am looking in the mirror and HOLY CRAP there are two long dark hairs growing out of this now disgusting growth on the side of my face!! I immediately begin frantically plucking every hair on my body!! And how long have I been going around with this??? And no one has ever even said anything to me!! I am so horrified. I may never show my face in public again! Now, all I can think about is how gross I am, and that it has to be a sign of aging when what I used to think of as a kind of beauty mark was actually telling me I am a wicked old witch!! How incredibly depressing!

P.S. I am totally having it removed!

And There IS a Time to Dance!

So anyway, if you will remember our mailbox got knocked down by a snowplow several weeks ago (refer to earlier post for pictures), and when I called the city to report it, they said sorry we don't pay for mailboxes. Well, this is not just some plastic piece that you shove in a 5 gallon bucket of cement. We actually paid to have a nice stone mailbox built and it was quite expensive, so I told the man down at the city that wasn't going to fly for me. He told me well, "you can go petition the city counsel." So last Wednesday, Miner and I got to go down to city hall for the old town meetin'. And literally, all I could think about was that scene in Footloose where Kevin Bacon quotes the Bible...and then they tell him he can't have his prom within city limits, so they all have to cross the tracks to have a dance... Well, the wellsville city counsel was A LOT like that, and they still told us they weren't going to pay for our mailbox!! So here's to you Kevin Bacon, I still love your movies, and they feel much more relevant to my life now!

Consequently, on another topic, for those of you who aren't following the Judd Ranch Blog, my baby sister, Erica just found out she is having TWINS! So Congratulations Erica and Landon! I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm glad it's you and not me! Love you guys!

The Miner's Cabin

Sierra and Cousin Gabe

Sierra and Cousin Emma

The snowsuit!

Having Breakfast

So Happy!

Pulling her own sleigh!

Hard day's work...

So we went to the Miner's cabin in Hoble Creek Canyon this weekend. We had so much fun. We did lots of sleigh riding. Sierra loved it so much. She even told us she had to do it by herself! She was so brave. I didn't think she would do it, because it is such a big hill, but once she saw her older cousins going, she was unstoppable. I am just so amazed at how much she has grown up, especially in the last 6 months. I don't know how many of you are around two year olds much, but they learn so much so fast. Sierra has changed so much. It makes me sad and happy at the same time. At least, I will get to experience it all over again with little girl number two!

Now the other cabin story, So Roger brought his dog Sitka and we had Pepper...they were so naughty!! There are all these wild turkeys up there, and they killed one and then preceeded to try to tear it apart. Next day, they chased a deer until it couldn't run anymore. Roger and Miner were chasing the dogs and when they got to them the deer had been run ragged and was trying to defend itself! Those dogs were going to kill it if Roger hadn't gotten to them when he did! And this is in the same week that Pepper killed our neighbors pet cat! I am so horrified! So now Pepper has to be tied up when he is outside, at least until the snow melts and he can't escape our yard anymore...I swear he is going to get shot by some farmer up here!! So he is in doggy jail now because he is so naughty...He mopes around and hangs his head...he is such a good actor, we should put him in movies...

The Christmas Beard and Other Stories...

So at Christmas time, Miner decided he was going to grow "The Christmas Beard" and he was going to continue the growth until after the New Year when he went back to Alaska. The picture you see here is the final product. When he got back from Alaska he decided it was time to shave the beard, but since he never has really been one for facial hair he wanted to try out some other "looks..."

"The Goatee"

"The Fu Man Chu"
(ok, this was pretty funny!)

Let's just say these looks didn't make the cut! I am happy to announce Miner is back to his regular old face now and doesn't he look good! He is now the Miner we have all come to know and love. But don't worry all you facial hair fans out there, he did say the Christmas Beard was going to be a tradition he planned on continuing so look out Christmas 2008!

Meanwhile, we decided it was time for Sierra to get her own "Big Girl Bed" and so we bought her a new twin bed. It's really cute in her room and she LOVES it. She sleeps in it and likes it! She has been really good. It is so hard to see her grow up sometimes, but it is also so neat to see her get excited about being a big kid. I have to say, I love that little girl so much, she is just the best.

"Having a drink of juice in bed"

"Couldn't be more happy"

And finally, CAN YOU BELIEVE HOW MUCH SNOW WE HAVE HAD! Because I can't! Of course, I would get pregnant and not be able to snowboard the year that we have the most incredible snow! These pictures are of the snow outside our house, there are about 5-6 more inches predicted to fall in the next couple of days, too! I love Utah!

So the snowplow hit our mailbox and knocked it over...and then the city told me they weren't going to pay for it. Luckily, I have a Miner to take care of the situation. Husbands are so handy like that. First, Miner had to dig it out, though, because it was completely buried with snow!

Here's me. Again, LOOK HOW MUCH SNOW WE HAVE!

So anyway, that is my picture update. I just love my house and my family, we have so much fun. I just wanted you all to know I am one of those lucky people who just has this happy life. Maybe we don't have it all, but we have it pretty good. If it snows like this next year, when I am able to snowboard again...then I will have it all!

My little girl is so cute!

I just have to post this quick story, because my Sierra is just such a sweetie. We were riding in the car yesterday and she was getting a little sleepy, but hadn't fallen asleep, yet. She just kind of sat up in her carseat and said, "Mama, when me sister coming?" I said, "Well, your sister will come in June." And Sierra said, "Mama, me happy."

She is so sweet. She is such a good little girl. She also told me yesterday that she "wasn't a tiny tiny baby anymore" and that she was a "big girl." She said she was "taller, taller, taller" and could "reach high, high." Isn't that cute? It is so true though. It makes me want to cry, but she is just growing up.

I love her so much, we have so much fun together. I am just the luckiest mom!

Wild Weather!

I don't know what has been happening at your houses, but I think I experienced my first hurricane...no joke! We had the strongest wind and hail at my house that I have ever seen in my life! The wind was rattling our windows and just howling outside. It was blowing snow so hard we couldn't see the railing on our deck! Miner and I were watching out our front windows and Miner said, "What was that that just blew past our house?" We had to open our front door to see because it was this big thing blowing down our street. It was someone's window well (the big metal part that they put down inside the basement windows). It had literally blown someone's window well down the street! Garbage was flying all over the place...I felt like yelling, "Auntie Em! Auntie Em!" It was crazy.

Then the hail started! And it POURED out of the sky! And the hail was huge! I wish I would have thought to turn my video camera on, because that would help the tale telling...but it was all happening so fast. Even Miner was amazed! We just stood there at our window and watched it. Actually, we kept going from window to window saying, "Do you beleive this?" Anyway, it hailed so hard we couldn't see our neighbors house and it is about 20 feet from our side windows!

It was like that all night, the wind was just howling, it kept waking us up, because it was rattling our windows and howling so loud. I was nervous that it was going to break our windows. Today there are shingles and garbage all over our neighborhood. It has finally calmed down, but there is another storm in the forcast for Friday!

Sierra kept telling me,"Mom, storm coming! Wind scary!" She still doesn't want to go outside today, even though it was a fairly nice day today, she tells me, "No, scary!" and shivers!

Miner left for Alaska today for 10 days...so if anyone has anything fun going on let me know! That is if I can even get out of my house!

It's a Girl!!

Well, I had my ultrasound on Thursday and the verdict is...it's a girl!! I am SO excited! I wanted a girl so bad! Miner and Sierra were a little bummed because they both wanted a boy. Sierra cried when I told her it was a girl, but then I said it would be her sister and she seemed ok with it after that. She even told me she wanted her sister NOW! So I guess we have to come up with some girl names. I talked to my nephew, Tyler, and he said he liked Tyra. Then he said he was thinking about Sierra's list of names and he said we couldn't name the baby Diego, because that was a boy's name. BUT, he said we could still name it Scooby, because that could be a girl's name. He said he was hoping for a boy because he wanted a Shamus. Oh well, I may be the only one that wanted a girl, but my vote is the only one that counts anyway, so there.
I just can't wait to have two little girls in ponytails and curls all dressed in pink!! HOW CUTE WILL THAT BE! Anyway, I couldn't be more thrilled. I knew it was a girl the moment I saw her come up on the screen. I was just like, "OH, that is a girl!"
Anyway, I have been feeling her move around a lot lately, and now that I feel better I am starting to enjoy it. I do feel a bit frumpy, but I guess it is all a part of being pregnant. I don't care what anyone says, maternity clothes aren't cute...
I got my girl, though, my life is complete!