Christmas was so wonderful this year... well, it is EVERY year. But this one was special because we had Sam with us this time.

We started the season with a visit to Temple Square to see the lights. It was a cold night, but Sam seemed so happy to be out walking around and looking at everything. He kept giggling & squealing.

I really didn't think he would enjoy much of Christmas day except for playing with the ribbons or eating a scrap of wrapping paper here & there, but he seemed to have fun. We started it at home with breakfast and opening a few gifts, then went to the Thunell's. Grandpa Steve put together a Raido Flyer scooter for Sam. He absolutely loved it. His own set of wheels! I'm kind of worried for when he turns 16!

After second breakfast and getting spoiled we headed up to the Hogge's for dinner and a few more gifts. Grandpa Larry had been hiding out in his garage a few days before Christmas, and on Christmas day we found out why. He had made two beautiful wooden rocking horses. One for Sam & one for Tyler (Sam's cousin).

Sam sure has some wonderful Grandparents! Thanks so much for making the day so memorable.



Visiting Temple Square.



J.M. had Sam strapped to him. They helped keep each other warm.



It was a chilly night!



Christmas morning, helping Dad unwrap his present.



Can't wait to see what it is!



The paper & ribbons are always more fun to play with, right?



One of Sam's favorite toys! We put him on and he didn't want to get off!



Thunell Family (ALL of us!!) on Christmas Day.
Back: J.M., Monica, Andy, Erin, Meagan, Benji, Steve
Front: Tresha, Sam, David, Rachel, Jami




At the Hogge's for Christmas. Grandpa made this rocking horse for Sam.



Where's the Weebus?



Two days after Christmas we had a "girls day". It was very exciting: trip to the D.I. (where we found some amazing treasures), Lunch @ my place (but made by everyone else), then a trip to Deseret Book & Dist. Center. It was tons of fun to spend time with my Mom & sisters. It doesn't happen very often that we're all together. (we missed you Missy!)
(Picture: Mom, Angie, Tresha, Callie, Joni)



I was in the kitchen doing something and looked over to see what mischief Sam had gotten into because it was quiet all of the sudden. He'd found a book and started looking at it! I almost cried it was so cute!



Can you find the Binki?



Just scootin' around.

Hope you all had a wonderfull Thanksgiving! Ours was great. We spent the majority of the day with J.M.'s family. There's alway's something exciting going on at the Thunell's. We loved the day. Nothing is better than a day with family, topped with tons of good food.




Thanksgiving Day, at Ryan's Park.





This one's for our Dentist (Grandpa). We're brushing BOTH his teeth every night!





I love seeing this when naptime is over.

This is called taking Johnny (jump-up) to the max!

It's true, every baby eventually learns how to crawl, even if you don't teach them. It's a bitter-sweet moment! But the sweet definately outweighs the bitter. It's so amazing watching them learn and discover things.

Happy Halloween / Thanksgiving!

For Halloween we thought it would be cute to dress Sam up as his favorite animal, Chance!




Sam and Chance switched roles for the evening.




With Grandma Jami.




Great-Grandpa Van & Lorene.




Lets go Trick-or-Treating!!

We love the pilot jacket! Thanks Carl & Lisa Mackley!

We had to catch some of the beautiful fall color on camera.

This is up Logan Canyon, at the Limber Pine Trail.

Exactly how many binkis does a baby need??

No one can get the kid laughing like Dad can! (well... maybe Uncle Andy!)

SAM



A face only a mother... and father, and grandma, and grandpa, uncles & aunts, friends & cousins, the bishop & his wife, and the stranger walking by with his dog... could love!





This picture reminds me of a story. A couple years ago our family was all together eating and JM came back to the table with a brownie on his plate. Our little niece, Maggie, nestled right up to him and while eyeing his plate asked, "Is that chocolate?" We won't talk about the rest of the story or it might make Uncle Corey feel bad. Anyways, if Sam could talk, I'm sure he would have been asking me a question like that, because that's the look he had on his face.




Words can't express how much I love these two guys!!!!!!!
Holy COW, they're CUTE!




His favorite sleeping position. (I have other pictures to prove it!)




Can you believe that THIS used to be....




THIS??



AND IN OTHER NEWS

So, I know you all are thinking, "does she ever take any pictures of anything else besides Sam?" And the answer is, "Not if I can help it!" But I did manage to find some other things that may be interesting on a blog. (But not as cute)




We've been working on remodeling our bathroom. When we moved in 3 years ago the first thing I wanted to get rid of was the blue bath tub and matching sink in the bathroom. Well, we've prettymuch redone the entire house EXCEPT for the blue tub and sink. But slowly, it's coming to pass. Finally. This is a picture of the old cabinets and counter top.




This is a halfway picture. We're still working on the floor, trim, drawers, backsplash, paint, and, yes... the tub. But it looks better, don't you think?




Here is Chance. This is where Chance spends about 50% of his life. He can't bear to leave the top of the stairs because - what if John Michael comes home??? This is the most optimistic creature I've ever seen. The other 50% of his life is spent at JM's feet, sleeping or chewing something.



LOGAN TEMPLE GROUNDS

I gave up the best job in the world to be a Mom. Then I discovered there was a better job... being a Mom. I wouldn't give up staying home with Sam for anything. But at times I do miss working on the Logan Temple Grounds. I miss the quiet, peaceful times where it was just me and a bush to trim or a weed to pull (yes weeds do grow even on temple grounds). The guys I worked with were amazing.


I went back a few weeks ago to say 'Hi' and take a look around at what changes have been made. I had to resist the temptation to sit right down and start deadheading the flowers! Anyways, here's a few pictures I took.




Zinnia with a butterfly.




Osteospermum's that looked like they could have glown in the dark.




Another Zinnia with petunias.




This is a trail the guys made off the south end of the parking lot. Most people don't know it's there. It's beautiful in the spring when the trees and the ground covers are blooming. Sam is up the trail a ways, you can kind of make out the stroller.




One of my favorite places on the grounds. "The Bride's Bench"









Well, OF COURSE I had to end with a picture of Sam!! I've just got so many to share!

Thanks for visiting our blog!

Favorite Photos

A day at the Lake.

No, he's not crying. Look close, he's SNEEZING! I pushed the button on the camera at just the right second! This is why you always need a rag within arms reach at all times when you have a baby around.

Discovering his toes!

This is my new favorite picture! A pilot in the making. The other day J.M. suggested that Sam & I come with him on an airplane ride down to Spanish Fork. At first I thought the idea was crazy! Then I thought it would be fun, then I just got really nervous because I knew we would end up going, but I was worried (as every mom gets). Sam loved it. Actually he just thought it was a nice, long car ride with a built in sound machine. He watched me, made some faces, then fell asleep.

"Johnny Jump-Up" time!

Not quite tall enough... but it's perfect mouth level.

At the Aquatic Center with Dad. Check out those rolls!

Drying off and getting warm with Gramma Shaun.

"The Squealing Samus"

4th of July

Now that the 4th of July is long gone, I thought I'd post some pictures!We went to the Hyrum Parade with the Thunell side of the family, then to their house for the traditional picnic afterwards.

At the Hyrum Parade with Gramdma Jami.

"Mom & Me!"

This is J.M., Sam & Uncle Andy at the Thunells for the 4th of July backyard picnic.

I couldn't get Steve & Jami to hold still long enough to get a good picture, so we'll have to make do with this one!

Dave and Maggie hogging the hammack.

Aunt Rachel with her favorite nephew. :)