Mischief Maker

Fiona is a little explorer these days. She opens all the cupboards, but decided to climb into this cupboard and tried to shut the door. She also seems to enjoy upsetting her sister--the sibling fights have begun. Fiona started walking a bit more last night. She was very proud of herself.

Visiting Nemo and Dory

We finally visited the Aquarium in Sandy. Moriah was very excited to see Nemo and Dory.

Waiting a few minutes for the Aquarium to open.

Riding the huge frog. Fiona was terrified of the frog.

The sting rays felt like slippery leather--very weird.

The scary eels

Poor octopus--I did not realized that you were not supposed to do flash photography around it.

Moriah was fascinated by the scrub pad on a pole cleaning the tank.

One tired Fiona that loves to point and wave. Moriah and Fiona wave goodbye to Daddy every morning.

Bike Riding with Grandad

I would jump out at the girls as they rode past, and they would laugh.

The Accordion

Evan's mom played the accordion, the guitar, and the piano with the girls. Heaven!

Moriah teaching Grammy how to play. She is a fast learner.

Disclaimer--Moriah did not break this guitar even though she helped break my dad's.

Thanksgiving at our House

Our first Thanksgiving at our house was a lot of work and I had so much help. It was fun, but I think I will go home for Thanksgiving next year;-)

Evan carving the Turkey we soaked in a brine before cooking. Evan was so much help with everything.

My favorite part of Thanksgiving is munching on the uncooked stuffing all day. My mom always makes her stuffing out of homemade bread. I had to do the same. Moriah and Fiona were fans of the uncooked stuffing.

Some of the spread--yams (Evan's mom made), salad (Melinda and Brandon), homemade ranch (Aubrey), strawberry-pretzel jello, cranberry salad (Melissa), gravy, Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls (Melissa), two pumpkin pies, pecan pie, cherry pie (Melissa made all the pies)

Moriah and Macey reading books with Grandad while they wait.

The little kids table

The group--Fiona, Evan's parents, Melinda and Brandon, Evan and I, my friend Melissa and her little Henry, and Aubrey

Melinda's friend Michelle also came

The little girls watching Nemo while we finish eating.

Early Christmas presents--musical instruments and The Polar Express book

We Love Music

The girls love music and dancing. Our favorite song is "In my arms" by Plumb. We twirl around and then I toss them in the crib. We make Breezy join our dance parties to the same song over and over again. I think Evan might hate the song now . . .

Moriah will often ask me to take her picture so she can see it on the camera, but she usually does not wait long enough for me to take it

Gorgeous Girls Love Drama

Our girls may be gorgeous, but they also have a flare for the dramatic. Fiona and Moriah had fruit loops in little cups this morning. Suddenly, Moriah is running down the hall screaming, Fiona took my fruit loops. Moriah is practically in tears. Fiona is smiling. Oh, it is just the beginning.

Too Much Partying

Moriah loves Tuesday dinners with her aunts and uncle and Brandon. Tuesday night was our worst night of sleep in a long time. I think she had trouble calming down from partying with some of her favorite people.

Fiona coming to get Moriah.

The fun is contagious!

So much movement--the pictures are blurry.

Moriah striking a dance move.

Fiona has her two top and two bottom teeth now. She has also started taking a few steps here and there. She still likes crawling way better, but we are working on convincing her that walking is a much better way to move.

Sorry, this video is sideways, but it is Moriah's favorite. The girls love dance parties these days. Moriah also loves watching Brandon tickle her.

*pictures and videos complements of Breezy

Fiona's Love for the Bath

Fiona has always loved the bath. She enjoys the bath with Moriah, but they usually have some fights over space and toys. So when she gets the bath to herself, she is happy as a clam even without water.

*Photography by Breezy

Park, Nap, and Chocolate

On the bike ride home from the park, the girls fell asleep. I love seeing my girls asleep, but my heart sinks when it is not in their beds. Most likely they will not remain sleeping in the transfer to their beds.

Of course, these two did not remain sleeping beauties so we ate chocolate together. Moriah asking for more and Fiona happy that Moriah shared the deliciousness with her.

The Stairs

Fiona has decided that climbing the stairs with Moriah is a fun activity. I wish they would not grow up so fast or that I would do better about cherishing the moments with them more.

My Clean Floor

I finally cleaned my floor, but it will not be clean for long. I feel like she might be saying, "Muuuuuuuhaaaaaaaa!"

Raking the Leaves

Moriah helped Daddy make more room for the leaves in the dumpster.

Fiona not pleased with this whole experience.

Best friend Michie, Like Fishy

Michie finally returned from Ohio and stayed with us for a couple of days. Her husband, William (aka Buff or Puff, Moriah's nickname for him), defended his thesis at BYU on Friday. I had so much fun talking, laughing, eating good food, taking care of our children together, and running together in the snow like old times.

I did learn that I have been saying Michie's name wrong. She never told me because it did not bother her, but thankfully I know now. I have been saying Mee-shee, but it is Mishee like fishy. I have been having the hardest time adjusting. I have been saying it the wrong way for too long. We miss you, Michie like fishy, William (aka Buff or Puff), and Henry!

Marshal Arts Tournament

We experienced our first marshal arts tournament on Saturday. Chandler is in a marshal arts class this semester and even joined the Brazilian Jujitsu club at BYU. Evan, Moriah, Fiona, Kimball, and I went to watch his first tournament. I was so nervous for him. I mostly walked the halls with Moriah and Fiona because the girls were not enthralled by the fighting, but it also helped ease my nerves.

On Tuesday, Chandler let me experience some of of his moves. Moriah got upset about seeing Chandler knock me down to the floor. I thought Moriah would get upset at the tournament, but apparently she is just protective of her mom, maybe Chandler. We did not get to see his match. We were there for two hours and people were hungry for lunch. Chan thought we had an hour and half before his match so we went to get food. About 20 minutes after we left, he called to tell me his match would be soon. Kimball, Moriah, and I hurried back in a snow storm. We ran inside. I thought I saw Chandler fighting so I ran over and yelled, "GO CHAN," only to realize it was not him. I found him on the side lines. We had missed his fight, and he had lost. If only we had been there to cheer him on, he would have won:-) He won his consolation match, though.

I was super sad we missed his match. All that nervousness, and I did not even get to watch him. Maybe it is for the best. I might have struggled watching my brother in a fight especially without Evan. (Evan is a true BYU fan and was watching the football game when I returned to the competition.)

Chandler before his match--a little nervous

The Tournament was at UVU's activity center. There were usually three matches happening at the same time.

Another picture of the ambiance of the tournament.

Chandler after his first match

Way to try something new and compete in it, Chandler! I enjoyed watching a few of the matches with you as you explained the play-by-play.

The Bedtime Choo Choo Train

Our bedtime routine can take close to an hour with scriptures, teeth brushing, fluoride, bathroom, "bed clothes" (as Moriah calls them), prayer, and talking about the day. I finally became brilliant. We started pushing Moriah and Fiona around in our laundry basket, also known as our choo choo train, to all these different bedtime stations. Instead of finding anyway to stall bedtime, Moriah is so excited to go in the train to the next station. She has even started saying her own prayers, which are wonderful. (She often blesses all her stuff animals and her bed.) After she says her prayer, the train turns into an airplane and Moriah gets to turn off the light. Who wouldn't want to pray when they get to fly?

The choo choo train has been the wagon the past couple of nights. Fiona and Moriah loved playing choo choo train together.






I was not fast enough to get the two girls smiling and looking at me in the same picture.

The Swing Set

The swing set has been a long project. Evan first removed the wood shed. He finally removed the concrete ramp to the shed. Then we finally moved the swing set from our neighbor's yard to ours. Now, we just need to put sod in where the shed stood.

Another achievement of yesterday--Evan and Chan made a blooming onion. It was kind of a disaster with trying to coat it and then fry it. The oil boiled everywhere. The lesson of the day--just do onion rings. The onions rings were tastier and easier.

Another Awesome Autumn Photo Shoot with Aubrey

Aubrey took an awesome autumn photo shoot of our family in the Provo Canyon. I am horrible at eliminating pictures so you will have to let me know which ones are your favorite.

I know this is very cliche, but, wow, our backs are so beautiful.


Ooh, look at that "wonderwear!"




I love this picture of everyone but me. I think I was talking and hurried into a smile.


I love this picture, but it is not as cute of Fiona.


I love this picture too, but Moriah is a little bit cut off.


Our beautiful girl


Trying to keep the tickle monster away.


The wind blowing her hair while she has deep thoughts.


"Alright, I will smile for you, but this dress is getting a little short."




"Am I done?"


I also love this picture, but Moriah's smile is a bit cheesy.


I think this picture is funny--CHEESE!


Another funny one--Moriah's crazy eyeballs.




The Mr. and Mrs.


"Finally, they put me down so I can explore."


Cute little Daddy's girl


I love the toes.


Fiona looking at the camera. (I am not sure which one of Evan and Fiona I like best.)






Another Daddy's girl


The beautiful scenery

Falling Leaves

When we got back from our bike ride, Moriah was so excited to find the leaves falling from our tree. She began picking the leaves from the tree to help.








While we were busy enjoying the leaves, Peaches, our neighbor's cat, entered our open house. When we went inside, Moriah exclaimed, "Get out!" She ran to tell me that there was a cat in our house. We had to get the cat out from under my bed. I am glad Moriah noticed the cat in our house.

Bike Riding

I finally used my jogging stroller as a trailer. Moriah likes sitting on the bike the best. We rode to a park in Provo Canyon, but I ended up just pushing her around on the bike.


Fiona finally woke up.