So fun to have Mimi, Poppi, Stephen, Courtney and Eloise come to visit us for a weekend!
Sophie was obsessed with Mimi and I am pretty sure that baby never walked- she was carried everywhere (which is no easy task). Savannah loved having a dress up buddy in Eloise and they tried on all of Savannah's "beautiful" dresses and costumes. The boys went golfing and the girls went to dinner. All in all a great, but too short, weekend.
On Saturday we went to the Boise Temple open house. Jayson and I never saw the older one but we all just ooed and ahhed over all the beautiful stain glass, paintings and furnishings within the temple. I am so anxious for the temple to be open again! It was fun to show Savannah all the beautiful things within the temple, but I am pretty sure she was most fascinated by the paper booties we wore over our shoes :)
On Friday, October 12th I learned that my dear friend Courtney England Cope's 18 month baby had drown in a hot tub at their vacation home in Southern California. Courtney and I have been close friends as long as I can remember. We grew up in the same neighborhood and ward. We danced at the same studio and on the same high school team. Our lives have been on a similar path. We got married around the same time and had both our babies within months of each other. I love her like a sister.
I couldn't believe this devastating news and was just sick for Courtney and her family. I have spent many nights rocking Sophie and giving extra hugs and kisses to both my girls. I read and reread all the scriptures about the salvation of little children and really had my testimony strengthened and renewed. Courtney has been a beacon of strength through this terrible time. She has shared her testimony with so many and shared our Savior's plan of happiness that families are truly eternal.
My friend buried her sweet baby in CA where they live, but did a memorial service in UT. I knew that I had to go and see her. It was really difficult to see all the beautiful pictures of his perfect baby face and hug Courtney's parents and Courtney and Gordon. They are such special people and will forever be blessed to have a little angel in heaven.
Jayson came with me (a week after his surgery- bless his heart) because I just couldn't bear to be separated from my family. It was a super short trip leaving Friday afternoon and coming back Sunday afternoon, but I am so glad we went.
Alta Friends
Sending hugs and kisses to Max
There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about Courtney and her family. I ache for her and wish that I could take away her pain. I know that I can't, but that because of our Savior's atoning sacrifice He truly knows how she feels and can help to heal her broken heart. I am so grateful for latter day apostles who are inspired and that Elder Bowen spoke in General Conference 5 days before the accident about exactly what Courtney and her family would later need to hear.
Jayson played indoor soccer for 20 minutes or so about a month ago.....
He forgot that he is now 31 and not 18. After 3 weeks of a knee bothering him, he got an MRI and it showed a bucket handle meniscus tear. He had surgery on Oct. 19th. Everything went great with his surgery and he got to enjoy a few days of couch sitting/tv watching. He has healed great and is already back to his normal self.
While he was down and out Miss Sophie was very helpful feeding him and helping him get a drink.
This girls is at an absolutely darling age. I could just eat her up every day!
She still has her baby chub, but thinks she is as big as her sister, so she runs after Savannah with her jiggling cheeks and chubby thighs.
She talks all day (we're not always sure what she is saying) She can say so many words, I won't name them. She did recently say her first prayer. Savannah has been on a prayer strike and while Jayson and I were trying to get her to say it, Sophie just piped up and said (copied Jayson) the whole thing!
We can't believe she is getting so big/old. She is just such a baby to me. Although this age is hard, I am just really trying to enjoy every minute of her, because I know it won't last forever.
Sophie is obsessed with her big sister and every morning when she wakes up she asks where "Nana is?" or she will just march upstairs to her room and wake her up.
Weight: 26 lbs 87%
Height: 33 in 83%
Head: 18 in 85%
Poor Savannah woke up with a stomach bug one morning.
She snuggled with us in bed and then had a "cough spit" (aka throw up)
She continued to be really sick all morning, so we snuggled up on the couch and watched
Cinderella 2x though. Once I thought her tummy had settled down we headed to Walgreens to get some soda and crackers. I knew I had finally reached motherhood when I was driving while reaching back holding a bowl for her to get sick in :)
Naturally, Sophie had to have crackers and soda for lunch too.
Sometimes sweet Savannah sneaks out of bed and comes downstairs.
This time she was so quiet we didn't hear her.
Good thing we checked on her before we went to bed :)
Daddy woke Savannah up before he left for work (6:30 am) and gave her a birthday surprise of 5 tiny horses. She thanked him and went back to sleep for an hour and a half! Much to her mama's relief :)
Birthday breakfast was a cinnamon roll on the counter- she was in heaven
Our good friend Owen wasn't able to come to her birthday party later that night so he came over earlier to help decorate and give her an early birthday gift. Such cute friends.
(Don't mind Owen's feminine shorts- after so much excitement there was an accident and he needed to borrow some clothes. As I was searching Savannah's drawers I realized we are not very gender neutral- it's all girl around here. Owen was a good sport and didn't seem to mind :))
Birthday girl got to help mama make her cake and cupcakes
Her unfortunate cake
I wanted to do a "fancy" cake, but learned in the process that the store bought frosting doesn't do very well when piped :) And with absolutely no sugar in the cupboard, this is what we had.
Good thing she is 3 and was thrilled to just have ponies on her cake.
Shrine to our Savannah
Birthday girl all dolled up for the party with her special balloons from daddy
She couldn't quite take her eyes off the balloons to smile for the camera
My pretty girl just moments before her birthday meltdown.
She accidentally let go of the balloons right after this.
If I wasn't frantically jumping in the air, it would have been a good picture.
Waiting for friends to arrive
This munchers probably had 5 cupcakes. Every time I looked at her she had another one in her hand.
Daddy saved the day and replaced the fly away balloons
Blowing out the candle
All her friends
(and Sophie with her frosting goatee)
I was surprised at how well 3 year olds could swing at the Pinata
I was a little nervous to do a birthday party for a 3 year old and wondered if it would be worth it...
It was! Savannah was so sweet and just LOVED having all her friends over to our house.
Jayson and I have been soooo excited to giver her the birthday gift we got for her. A little preface...
Savannah began her love affair with all things pony/horse when we bought the movie Spirit around Easter. Any time she goes to a friend's house, she comes home and reports if they have ponies or not. She points out all the horses as we are driving and was thrilled to pet a real horse at Grandpa Howdy's. We have many a pony at our house with a few My Little Ponies and a few dollar store horses. But we didn't have...
a ginormous rideable horse
Yes, it has slept in bed with her every night since
she got it.
