Early Christmas

Since we will be in Illinois for Christmas this year we decided to open presents today so we don't have to haul them to Illinois just to haul them home again.
Samantha quickly figured out how much fun it was to rip open presents. She opened a box, pulled out the contents, then discarded the contents in order to play with the box. I expected this, but it was much more entertaining to watch than I had anticipated.

Michael gave me this black sweater. I accidentally found it while cleaning out the car yesterday. I wore it to church and during Sacrament Meeting Samantha decided to bite off one of my buttons. Fortunately, I was able to get it out of her mouth before she swallowed it.

Samantha has sat on Santa's lap twice this week and has HATED it both times. She immediately started screaming.

We had our friends Jennifer and Jann and their girls over for dinner earlier this week. They gave us some nice presents and I knitted a couple scarves and a hat for their girls. They loved them! Samantha is also showing off her cute knitted hat!

We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!!!!

Christmas Tree

I think one of my most favorite parts of Christmas is putting up the Christmas tree. I grew up with the tradition of getting a new Christmas ornament every year. My mom would often get an ornament that reflected what we did that year. For example, I have a hiking smore for the year I went on a hand cart trek. Another year she got me a cowgirl hat because I was in Annie Get Your Gun. Whether the ornament reflected the year or not, they all have fun memories attached. I think that's why I love putting up the tree. We are going to have the same tradition with our kids and hopefully they'll love it just as much as I do!

Another favorite of mine is the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional. Growing up I couldn't wait to hear what story President Monson would tell. He has never failed to capture my attention. Samantha enjoyed the devotional this year as well. During the song, "For Unto Us a Child Is Born" she conducted the music by waving her hands and nodding her head to the beat. She didn't take her eyes of the choir. She also joined in singing every once in a while. It was adorable!!! I kept thinking, "I wish I had a camera!!!"

Happy Veteran's Day!!!

One of the great things about living in a military town is that everyone has Veteran's Day off and since it's nice out they celbrate it with a parade!!!

During the parade we met up with our new friends the Montoyas (Chris, Janae, Faith, and Gabe). We all went back to our complex to swim and grill burgers. It was a lot of fun!!!

Samantha was getting jealous that we were all in the water and she wasn't, so we decided to let her get in. She wasn't excited about it at first, but after a while she was fine as long as she could cling to mom.

Above is Faith and below is Gabe (left) and Chris. Janae was nice enough to take pictures for us! Thanks Janae!!!

Thoroughly Modern Samantha

In the past few weeks Samantha has discovered that she loves to talk on the phone. She actually likes to listen more than she likes to talk, but nonetheless she lunges for the phone when it is in sight. She does the same with the computer.

Happy Halloween!!!

We had a trunck-or-treat tonight at the church. We had a lot of fun eating dinner, dressing up, and decorating our trunk. We even got a prize for third place in the trunk decorating contest!!!

The girls sitting with Samanta are the daughters of our new friend Jennifer. We met her this week when the missionaries invited us to go to an appointment with them. We are excited that she is getting baptized and we are glad to have a good friend.

Samantha was exhausted by the time the night was over!

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Mom,

You've sure accomplished a lot in your life. Thanks! We love you and miss you!

Michael, Heidi, and Samantha

Will she ever say "mom"??!!?!?!

Samantha's vocabulary has been very limited so far in her progression. In her mind there is only one word....

Heidi has no bitter feelings towards our daddy's girl.