Noing

It's been "noing" a lot around here, as Jason says it. One of the down-sides to home ownership we've discovered: shoveling your own snow. We were pampered the first three years of marriage by not having to shovel our walks. We're quickly making up for it now, especially since we're not in Provo anymore, which doesn't get much snow comparatively.

I love this picture of Jason in his snow suit. This typifies what Jason often looks like when we get set to go, especially with the bear and pacifier, his two favorite objects. He thinks they need to come along everywhere. We usually let him bring the pacifier, but we try to leave the bear at home since we don't have a spare. Jason is a good sport about getting everything on because he knows it means he's going outside. And he loves tromping around in his boots.


Jason also loves to wear Kyle's hat. I bought the hat in Bolivia to give to Kyle.

I am Thankful

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. It was our turn to be with the Hunsaker side. In the Hunsaker family, the rolls are the least favorite food to make. I figured it was my turn to make them, so I plucked up some courage and volunteered to give them my first try. I must say Kyle and I did a pretty good job. We were like rock-stars for having made them ahead of time and saving all that dish-washing time.



Jason got hungry before the appointed feast time, so he had a Thanksgiving feast of bananas, cheese, and rolls. Not bad. And then we put him down for a nap and enjoyed our feast. Notice in the picture that he is on a stool and not in a high chair. He is becoming Mister Independent and enjoys eating like a big person. He also enjoys climbing on the table, not like a big person.


In attendance were the Cleggs, Robbins, Karren, and my parents. We'll actually have Thanksgiving dinner part 2 this Sunday when Mitch and Heather get back and everyone else is in town.



We have so much to be grateful for: a house, Kyle's job, good parents, supportive families, crazy Jason, health, indoor heating, mashed potatoes, raisins, swings, diapers, running water, lotion, temples, and much much more. I am particularly grateful to have a husband who is so good at helping me with cooking and cleaning. I am so lucky!

Holiday Fun

A few of the fun things we've done during these holidays (sorry if it is a bit of a travel log, but I want to remember):

1. Tour Sweet's Candy Factory. The tour itself was really interesting. The problem was Jason. Once he figured out exactly what we were seeing (and it didn't take him long to notice candy), he tried to get at it the whole time. Three samples were not enough for him. He wanted something in his mouth the whole time. I had to physically hold him back throughout the whole tour. I was worn out at the end and pampered myself by buying some salt-water taffy-- peppermint flavor of course.

The lighting in the picture is bad, but you can sort of see the hair nets we had to wear during the tour. The up side to Jason's drive to get at the candy was that he forgot about the hair net and let it be.


2. Friends party at a cabin in Heber City. Danielle invited us to her parents' cabin. Kyle and I were jittery with excitement for this party because we got to leave Jason behind in the care of his grandmas. It was magical: child-free, lots of snow, awesome food, fun games, good conversation, incredible decorations, and even a bit of sliding down the road on the way home. Newlywed games never do get old, do they? Thanks for hosting, Danielle.


3. Jazz game against New Orleans. We won! Kyle, who remembers every game we've attended, says we are starting a new winning streak. We had a long streak from the time we were dating where the Jazz won each time we went, but that ended in a playoff game against the Lakers. Now we can start a new streak. I am glad I have Kyle to keep track of this stuff for me.

4. Radio City Rockettes show with Holly. Pretty amazing. I am glad there is still a national production that isn't afraid of acknowledging that Christmas is about Christ's birth. It is fun to have a girls' night out every once in a while. And we didn't feel bad about leaving our husbands behind because we let them watch the BYU football game in peace earlier in the day.

5. Black Friday. Not so fun, but worth mentioning. I had my first experience this year of going to Walmart's midnight shopping on Black Friday. Not Worth It. At least not for what I was getting. I'd rather pay two extra dollars for the toy and keep my normal sleep patterns. It has taken me a while to get my normal self back. I must be getting old.

6. Jordan River Temple. I have an awesome new friend (Shauna) and we swap babysitting so we can both make it to the temple each month.

We're looking forward to more fun stuff, including Kyle's work party, skiing, BYU basketball game, temple square, and getting together with family.

Three Down!

I passed my third CPA Exam! That means there is only one left, which I already took. I should get my score back in the next three weeks. Hopefully I passed.

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

For Halloween we dressed up as Dorothy's worst nightmare: lions and tigers and bears. The only problem is most people thought I was a mouse or a cat. Nope. I was a bear.

Before trick-or-treating we had a birthday celebration for my oldest sister Brooke. I made a graveyard cake for her. On the tombstones are the words "Happy Birthday," among other Halloween phrases. Yes, birthday cake on Halloween was overkill. We didn't eat any of it that night, but I still wanted Brooke to feel special.



Kyle and I had a blast trick-or-treating with Jason, despite the pouring rain. We went out at the worst possible time, but how were we to know it would stop raining an hour later? We had a huge umbrella all three of us fit under, so we still had fun as we watched Jason's eyes grow larger and larger with each handful of candy that was thrown into his bag. I'm just grateful he hasn't yet figured out where I hid the bag.

Happy 26th Kyle!

Twenty-six years old and still as handsome as ever. I still have moments when I think, "How did I get so lucky to marry him?"

I hope you had a great birthday, Kyle. I put a lot of heart into this awesome ice cream cake.



Thanks to Curtis and Linda for making an awesome Sunday dinner as well as taking us out to dinner. Kyle and Quinn shared the Sunday dinner since their birthdays are so close together. Don't the little boys look cute in their matching Halloween shirts?

First Snow Flakes

I am in trouble: Jason loved being out in the snow. He figured out how to eat it all on his own. At least I can get him to keep his hat and gloves on so far... Aren't they cute? I found them at Old Navy. Grandma Linda made the awesome jacket for Kyle when Kyle was one year old.

Now Kyle and I have to differentiate three types of "NO."

1. "no" meaning no
2. "no" meaning yes
3. "no" meaning snow

We'll probably be on this neighbor's swing all winter long.