Thanksgiving, big news!

I'm a little behind on my blogging, (obviously!) but we had a crazy few weeks, starting with the weekend of November 20th, which was our 10 year Anniversary! Dustin wisked me away, to Salt Lake, where we spent 2 blissful, kid-free nights at the Marriot. We had so much fun being together and talking with no interruptions ( "mommy I need more chocolate milk" and "can you start Diego?" and "can you tie this string to Lightnin' so he can pull Mater?" is usually what we are listening to at our house). We saw New Moon on opening day with all the rest of the screaming idiots, although NOT at midnight this time. I loved it. Although it's really not right that Jacob is hotter than Edward. Oh well.

We got all of our Christmas shopping done, including a big present for me: the 27" iMac I've been lusting after for so long. (No, that's not the big news. Keep reading...) It's not true what they say about money not buying happiness. This computer is such a joy! Thank you so much Dustin, you spoil me so much! Love you! Also, thanks so much to Grandma Josie and Grandpa Jay for babysitting, you're the best!

The next weekend was Thanksgiving, so we were on the road again, headed to Smithfield for Chambers Thanksgiving. We are getting big with quite a few active kiddos, so we went the church route this year. It was so perfect, the kids ran and played and didn't break anything.

Quite the Feast!

Hudson and Kade, little buddies.

Kennedy with her placemat, the kids worked on them while we finished up the food.

The best part about having the church? The multiple games of Lightning (Dustin was the champ) and Volleyball. So fun!

Here are all the Chambers Grandkids with Grandma Marcia.

See why we need a church?

My favorite part of this weekend was telling the family that there would be one more little one around next Thanksgiving.

That's right, I'm pregnant!

As of today (Dec 18) I'm 13 weeks along. My due date is June 22, 2010.

We couldn't be more excited, and thankful!

(I'm also feeling pretty yucky...but getting better, I think, so bear with me on the slow blog updates...)

Our pretty girl

Kennedy brought home her school pictures on Friday, and I have to say, I'm delighted!

I think they turned out so darling!

I can't believe she is seven, she is just getting too grown-up. She is definitely my easy child right now, the only time she gives us much trouble is when Hudson has finally pushed her too far...I can't believe how well he can push her buttons, it's probably his greatest talent...

She is so helpful and happy, and I can't believe how smart she is. She is reading at a third grade level right now, and loves to read to herself in bed at night. She is almost finished reading Heidi (an easy version, but still!) and her next selection is The Secret Garden. I love that she is reading all of my favorites from when I was young. She is always so excited and happy when she gets home from school, full of stories and loves to tell me about everything in her backpack and what happened on the bus that day. I really hope she keeps that enthusiasm her whole life!

And just for fun, here is a picture of me I found the other day, at Kennedy's exact age. Wow. I don't think she looks anyhing like me. Good thing she has a good-lookin' Dad...

Shelli, circa 1987...I'm sure this was taken after several recesses...

Our Happy Halloween...

The kids had such a ball this year, and didn't they look adorable? Kennedy was a baseball player (thanks for the costume, aunt Lori!)

Hudson was - surprise, surprise - Lightning McQueen (thanks for sharing, Will!)

They both LOVED their costumes...

Dustin took requests and completely thrilled the kids with his awesome pumpkin-carving skills...

We went to Kennedy's school Carnival on Friday night, and even though it was crowded and loud with long lines, they loved it.

Kennedy surprised us by totally rocking at Twister! So cute!

They each got their face painted...

(Hudson's is a car. Obviously.) I don't think one of his edible prizes made it into his bucket that night, they all went straight to his mouth!

On Saturday, we went trunk-or-treating at our church. The kids had almost as much fun handing out candy as they did collecting it.

Hudson was so adorable, you can't imagine the joy he experienced all night, watching treat after treat falling into his bucket. Or taking his sweet time picking out a treat...

After trunk-or-treat, we went "real" trick-or-treating in our old neighborhood. They loved running up and down the sidewalks with their old buddies. (I was too busy chasing and laughing to take pictures of them...bummer.) I was so proud of both of them, they each said "thank you" each time, and Hudson even remembered "Happy Halloween!" most of the time.

I think there is almost nothing more annoying than the kids who say nothing as they grab a handful of your candy and run off. I'm sure the fact that I threatened to take away their buckets the first time I didn't hear a "thank you" helped my kids remember...

And afterwards, home to count the loot and have hot cider and popcorn. What a perfect night! I love Halloween!

Funny story...

The week after the SLC birthday festivities, Dustin's sister Kim and her kids came to visiit for a few days, and we had an absolute ball. Unfortunately, Dustin had the flu that week and spent the entire time in bed. Poor guy! (Tip: at first sign of a fever, get to the DR and get some Tamiflu. Kennedy got it last week and we got her started on it right away, and I couldn't believe the difference.)

Anyway, while we were cruising the DI for treasures, Hudson ran head first into the front of a cart while pushing a toy car in each hand. He started crying and I was loving him, when Paige says, "Shelli, he's bleeding!" I pulled him away from my chest to see blood GUSHING down his face. We ran to the bathroom, akwardly, with my hand trying to keep it out of his eyes. He was kind of freaking out(because there was blood all over his hands) and a worker followed us in with a first aid kit. I got the blood mopped up and the bleeding stopped, and it turned out the wound was pretty tiny. Anyway, the employee really wanted to help, so this is what he came up with.

Seriously.

So we walk out of the bathroom with this huge gauze pad taped to his bloody hair. Nice.

I really didn't take enough pictures of this fun cousin's visit, but we did take Kennedy out to breakfast on her actual birthday, and the girls were just too cute to not capture...

Gracie, Paige, and Kennedy. Silly!

Birthday time!

I'm a little slow, but here it is! This time of year is birthday time around here, with Hudson and Kennedy celebrating their big days within about a week of each other. We made them share a weekend of fun, and they didn't seem to mind too much...

The fun started on Monday, September 28, which was Hudson's birthday. I can't believe my baby boy is three! He is such a nut, he keeps me laughing and/or fuming all day, everyday. Last night, after we asked him to pick up his toys in the living room, he hopped off the couch and said, "but Mom, you can just go around them, see? Like this! We don't have to pick them up!" And he walked in circles, stepping over and around everything. Hmmm. Is that cleverness or laziness? I'm not sure.

Anyway, Kennedy was out of school for Spud Harvest, so we took him out to breakfast at his favorite place, McDonalds, and then to KMart to pick out a little something...he picked another little Lightning McQueen, of course. He has many. He picked one exactly like one he already has. Whatever, it was his birthday.
That night, we met Grandpa Jay, Grandma Josie, and Jenna in Pocatello for dinner. Kennedy had been planning to stay a few days with them over her break, and somehow Hudson got worked into the deal. They went to Utah with Grandma and Grandpa and I went back to Rexburg till Thursday. Can I just say: Ahhhhh. What a lovely couple of days to catch up and have date nights. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa, Jami and Jenna!

Thursday night we drove to Utah and celebrated my niece Katelyn's birthday in Smithfield. She turned three, too. It has been fun to have her and Hudson so close. She is such a little princess!

Friday morning we headed to Lagoon for Frightmares. It was such a blast. The lines for all of the rides were pretty short, so the kids had a great time doing the kiddo rides over and over. We even talked scaredy-cat Kennedy into a couple of the bigger rides, and she loved them.

This was still one of her favorites, though... :)
I love these classic kids rides. There are pictures of me and my brothers riding them at the same ages!

Hudson loved everything. He would've gone on every ride he saw.


There were creepy things in costumes wandering around, and I went up to this one to show Kennedy it was OK, they weren't really that scary. When I jumped and squealed after he burst out, Hudson says, "Next time I come, I'm gonna bring a gun and shot him." Should I be worried? Or flattered?

The next day, Saturday, we rode the FrontRunner train from Ogden to The Gateway in Salt Lake City. Grandma Josie, Jami, Jenna and Preslie, Cortnie, Grandma Marcia, Cristen, Trina and McKenna all came with us, and Jill and Tayler met us there. I loved it, it was so fun! It was a little crowded on the way back, but still a good time.

Cortnie, Jami and Kennedy on the train.


We took the kids to Build-A-Bear Workshop, which was a huge hit. Kennedy has wanted to go forever, and we've always said "maybe sometime for your birthday." This year she called us on it, and it was so fun!

Here they are stuffing their "friends"...


I couldn't believe the darling clothes and accessories (the shoes are something else!) for the stuffed animals. Kennedy took her decision very seriously, and spent a long time finding just the right outfit for her horse, and getting it all dressed up!

Hudson picked out the cutest Harley stuff for his bear. The bear even got matching chaps from Grandpa Jay later that night...

Hudson was pretty tired by the time we were through, but he wouldn't let any one carry his "Cub Condo."

It was so fun for the kids to be able to share this fun day with their cousins!

Tayler, Kennedy, McKenna, Preslie, and Hudson (it was nap time...we are about 10 minutes away from a major tantrum at this point).

We also got talked into doing Chuck E. Cheese that afternoon. Definitely not my favorite place, but the kids seemed to love it...

Grandma Josie was nice enough to let us all come back to her house for cupcakes that night and the kids had lots of fun playing in the bouncy house. These kids were so completely spoiled by everyone they know this year, we are so lucky to have such awesome family and friends. Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate!

Good Tri, Kennedy!

See Kennedy finish a Triathlon of her own!

So proud with her medal...

On September 26th she competed in the first annual River Rock Youth Triathlon here in the 'burg. She did amazing!
She didn't decide for sure to participate until pretty much the night before, and she was a little nervous. I was really curious to see how she'd do. As I learned this summer, you need a little competitive drive to finish these suckers, and she hasn't shown much competitiveness until just this past summer in soccer, and not too much then.

But she's got it. Oh yeah, she's got it.

Notice she still has her bike helmet on for the first of the running pictures? She was trying to pass one of our little neighbor boys who had passed her on the swim, and ran out of the transition area before I could get it off of her. Dustin caught her and she finished without it. It was pretty cute.
Words can't really express how proud I was of her. I was nervous for her swim, she's not a very strong swimmer yet, but she didn't stop. They sent the kids out in waves of 10, and there were 4 or 5 life guards in the water with them. The guards were so cute, it wasn't a timed event, so they helped the little ones out and made sure they were having fun. Kennedy grinned almost the entire time!

When I was helping her dry off and get ready for the bike, she said "Mom, I didn't know how COOL this would be!"

Exactly.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Sunday was my Dad's 53rd Birthday, I can't believe it! We had the funnest surprise party for him. My mom brought him up to Snowbasin resort, where we were all there waiting for him. Dustin and I brought Grandma Webb along from Lewiston for the day trip. We were so happy to have her come with us, and she was so grateful to come along for the adventure! She is such a neat lady, we loved having ride back and forth from Ogden to visit and catch up.

We rode the gondola up to the lodge at the top for a gorgeous, delicious buffet. It was so much fun! The views were awesome, the food was amazing, and the company was the best!


Grandpa was so happy to have all of his grandkids there to celebrate...

The ride to the top was so fun! Kennedy and Preslie were scared of the heights a little bit, but the rest of the kids had an absolute ball!

Tayler and Kennedy are obsessed with Jami right now....sorry, Jame. Stop being so cool and maybe they'll leave you alone a little.

I think this picture is so funny, you can see how Kennedy and Hudson both felt about the gondola ride...

Jenna, Preslie, Nate and Cortnie

Here we are in front of the lodge at the top...

The buffet, the buffet, the buffet. It was the stuff dreams are made of. Creme Brulee on a Buffet = Dessert after each course. Heaven.

Hudson loved looking out the huge windows at the mountains below. These pictures really don't do it justice, it was breathtaking up there.

The lodge had big open rooms downstairs with comfy seating, so we hung out some more and gave Dad his presents. He was moved to tears by the little bragbook of his grandkids that I made for him. He is my favorite person to make presents like that for, he appreciates them so much! I love you, Dad!

Of course one more group shot with the spectacular scenery before we rode the gondola back down...

We spent over 5 hours at SnowBasin, it was so much fun! If you haven't been there and you can go, GO. It's great.

We stopped at Grandma Josie and Grandpa Jay's on the way home for more food and visiting, and just look at the surprise they had for her grandbabies...as if Grandma's house needed any thing more to make my kids beg to go there...

It was a fun weekend with all of us together, except Garret, who had to go to St. George for work training and couldn't be there. We sure missed you, and were so happy Trulie and Jace came anyway. We went to the park Saturday in Smithfield with some of the Chambers cousins, and it was so fun! I have just LOVED this summer because I feel like I've got to see our family so much, it has been great. Dad, thanks for the great reason to party some more. We love you so much, you are such an amazing example to all of us. Hope you are having fun on your Harley trip, we can't wait to see you again next weekend!