White Christmas

We thought that it would be a white Christmas for us this year--we are going home to Utah/Idaho for Christmas after all. But, we were a little surprised when the white Christmas hit us here in Vegas. It snowed on Monday--pretty good I might add, enough to make a Utah girl proud. Then it snowed again on Wednesday shutting down several roads and even part of the interstate. Clark County School District even closed today. Native Vegans didn't know what to do. Garrett was so excited to go play in it--that was before he realized that it would be cold. He got all bundled up and we opened the door he took one step outside then came back in, shut the door and said, "It's too cold for me to play outside." We've been in Vegas wa-a-a-y too long. A couple of nights ago a few families in our ward got together and had a little Christmas extravaganza. We had a traditional Christmas dinner and sang songs, played the Christmas chimes--big hit with the menfolk by the way. To top off the festivities the kids re-enacted the Nativity. It was a little wild. "Mary" didn't want "Joseph" to be by her. She kept leaving him. The shepherds--a.k.a Garrett and his BFF Jason, wanted to use the shepherd canes as swords. The wisemen or in our case wiseman for lack of participants brought gifts of trains, screwdrivers, and building blocks instead of gold, frankincense and gold. Toward the end "Joseph" thought he would liven up the story and whipped out his guitar. Good times. Good memories.

Tis the Season

Isn't Christmas the best?! I love the food,lights, decorations, the cooler weather (for those of us in the Vegas, it is a welcome relief). We put up our Christmas tree this year--a fake tree. I know, totally lame. We have had bad luck the past several years with real trees. The conservationist in Ryan agrees that it is the more environmental thing to do. Garrett and Morgan don't know the difference and had a great time decorating the tree even though it's fake branches aren't so prickly and you don't leave the experience with a itchy rash from all the times you were poked by the pine. Oh' memories. I'm sure that all moms think this, but I am totally serious when I say that I have the two cutest kids in the world. They wore their Christmas outfits to church today and looked so adorable, I had to blog it. Garrett was totally stoked to wear a tie like dad. He has been asking for weeks if he could wear it. Garrett is Ryan's biggest fan. He loves his dad. Morgan--so ridiculous how cute she is. Her little fake fur around the collar and sleeves of her dress were too much for me to handle--to die for cute!! If you know me you know that I shop in outfits, a trait that I am sure Morgan will appreciate and gain as she gets older. What could be a more appropriate shopping excuse than the dire need for a new Christmas outfit? Ryan asked me this morning if the kids ever wear the same thing to church twice--ha! But when your kids are a cute as mine they have reputations to maintain. :)

Thanksgiving

This year we have so much to be thankful for--but don't we every year? Morgan is the biggest blessing that we received in 2008. She is such a sweet little girl. Her smile is perfect and her laugh is contagious. Morgan and Garrett are little buds and love to be next to each other--I hope their friendship lasts a lifetime. We flew up to Utah/Idaho to spend the holiday with our families. We had a great time. Garrett rode the 1920's fire truck in the Preston Festival of Lights parade with Ryan and Grandpa Mike. He went on a wagon ride with Grandpa Andersen and his boy cousins. He rode the battery-operated 4-wheeler with Brandt and Ethan--we miss them! He went swimming with Grandma Lottie and Hailey Bug at the hot springs. Morgan also went to the parade but had to watch from the sidelines. She looked adorable all bundled up--it is just as important to look good as well as stay warm. She got to spend a whole morning by herself with Grandma Andersen--a rare treat to spend time alone with grandma. She tormented Gavin (who is twice her size, but not age). She would chase him down with her super-speed crawl and he would cry. Ryan was able to get a ski day in. Both kids went to the movie with most of the Andersen crew--we took up more than one row. One more thing to be thankful for--Ohio State beat Michigan for the 5th time in a row. Hello!! Two whole graduating classes of seniors who don't know the sweet feeling of beating your arch enemy. Too bad maize and blue. Maybe you need to try a 3rd coach. Keep up the good work Tressel.

Happy Birthday!!

We recently celebrated Ryan's birthday. It was a big hoopla--you know how we Lower's roll :). We sang "Happy Birthday" as Ryan blew out the candles from his birthday tart--no cake, just a fruit tart. If you know Ryan, you will understand. We ordered pizza from our favorite pizza place, made a birthday card, hung up a Happy Birthday sign--you know, all the traditional stuff. I let the kids pick out some gifts. Garrett picked out Spider-man cologne and Morgan picked out some socks--easiest thing she could fit into her mouth. Garrett also helped dad "open" his presents. Morgan had a fab time getting tangled up in the balloons and trying to play with them. Her hair is priceless in the balloon pics because I had just taken her pigtail out--not quite as crazy as Peck hair though. We love our Peck cousins!
Ryan is now officially an old man who will always think of himself as a state football champ. We love you Ryan. Happy Birthday!!

Game Day

We had a wonderful Halloween. It started off a little shaky because we have been focusing on potty training Garrett this week. I just about lost my mind but Garrett pulled through for me yesterday. It is a little difficult when it is 86 degrees to feel like it is fall and get into the spirit of Halloween. We went to the ward trunk or treat--Morgan loved seeing all the costumes, Garrett hated it. But, when we went inside the church for the games and spook alley he was loving it. Then we went over to Trish and Caleb's for more trick or treating. This is when Garrett's true character took over. He was totally on cue. He was a little crack up. He was saying funny/cute things to all the people at the houses we went trick or treating. Of course this earned him extra treats at most houses. In case you wondered what a football loving family dresses up like for Halloween--an Ohio State football player and cheerleader! What else would they be? Halloween was a hit in the Lower household. Bring on next year.





Ryan and I went to Columbus, Ohio last weekend--without the kids. We had a fabulous time. Stayed up late, slept in, went out to eat without diaper bags, sippy cups, or toys. It was wonderful. Of course we really missed the kids and were excited to get back home. The Ohio State football game was a heart breaker and I wanted to push a couple of loud-mouth Penn State fans off their bench but I did keep myself composed and kept that thought to myself. Ryan and I were able to get one picture in front of "The Shoe"--nickname for Ohio Stadium. It was taken prior to kickoff. That is why we still look hopeful. Oh' well. The Buckeyes, like the South, will rise again!!

Crazy Day!

So you know the type of day where you have 101 things to do and not enough time to do them in? Today was one of those days. We are leaving for Columbus, Ohio tomorrow and I am in charge of everything--you other moms know what I mean. Anyway, during the mayhem that was my day, a couple of really cute things happened with my kids that I had to blog for grandma before I could complete my list of, "Things That Must Get Done Before 4:00 pm Tomorrow." Morgan tried and loved her first lollipop. Totally loved it. Sticky gooey all over her face and hands but loving every minute of it. Then we got a package in the mail from Grandma & Grandpa Andersen--I know that it was all grandma but I thought that grandpa needed some love :). They just got back from Europe. They brought back a few gifts for the grandkids. Morgan got a totally darling pink Barrett and pink purse from Paris. Garrett got a sword and shield from Rothenburg, Germany. How cute our my little European children? So even hard days can have happy endings!!

Morgan's first Piggies

Today was a big day for our little girl. She wore her first little piggie to church. She doesn't have enough hair for two little pig tails yet so we had to make due with just one. She look so adorable. Morgan was the talk of the ward--she was so sassy. She looked more like a little girl than our little baby. Ryan didn't like it. He said that it made her look too grown up and he wasn't ready for her to start dating yet! :) I think we've got a little more time with her still. Morgan does have a little love interest in the ward though. He is an older man. He is 13 months old and his name is Ryan--she must be looking for a man just like her dad.