Too Big

Marilyn is TOO big now...see?

The PE

Well, remember that huge test Tom has been studying like a total maniac for? It's over...here is Tom with his registration paper.  He looks happy, however, it was really hard and we won't know if he passes until December.  He left on a Thursday night and drove up to Salt Lake with some other work guys who were taking the test.  They had dinner and stayed in a hotel.  The test was 8 hours on Saturday.  I am so proud of Tom! I hope he passed, but the point is...he did his best and it was alot of work for all of us! I will never forget the morning after the test, we got up and went to breakfast.  We spent the whole day together and I could feel the tension gone.   We will find out around Christmas...YAY FOR TOM!

Marilyn's New Hobbie

Apparently I have been sewing a lot for the new baby lately.  I walked into the sewing room and this is what I found.  She had a complete HEART ATTACK when I told her Mommy had to help her.  I mean there is a needle not to mention a machine that could eat a hand right off! Well, I guess I can only hope she turns out to be a better sewer than I am!

Our Friends, the Fullmers

To celebrate fall and see our good friends, we went to a fall festival with the Fullmers. Marilyn was SO excited all day to see Ayden and baby Aleah. It was so fun! There were animals and pumpkins and slides and ponies made from tires and a fire. It was great!

Marilyn tried to touch the turkeys...it didn't turn out very well

Marilyn and Ayden talked the whole time, I couldn't understand most of what they were talking about, but it was really cute to see them chat and play together!

These were the horses made from tires...adorable right? They swinged (swang? swung?) around and around and it was adorable.  Mar loved it!

This is one of the only pictures I got of Jake and baby Aleah...sorta a terrible picture, but there were there!

They must have known I was coming, the rocking chair thing rocked. I am telling you, being 7 months pregnant and walking around all day long is tough...

Marilyn LOVED this fire, she loved sitting on Tom's lap looking at the stars and the fire.  It was such a great night, it was cool and fall like-not to mention JJ and AA are ALWAYS good company!

Grammie and Far Far

Grammie and Far Far came to visit and for some reason I didn't have my camera out or something...(which is horrifying).  We loved having them come.  They got here on Friday and we went to our ward talent show on Friday night.  I sang a duet with my friend Adam, it was fun.  Any song that starts "Alabama Arkansas, I sure love my Ma and Pa", when my parents are in the audience, rocks.  The next day was a blur, we did everything! Fabric shopping twice, talked a lot, went to Kneaders for lunch, Marilyn showed off all of her toys, my Dad and Tom went on a bike ride, we got an ice cream cone and at dinner at Texas Road House.  It was a jam packed day.  Any time I get to spend with my parents is special, so I am especially grateful they were able to come for a quick visit.  I can't believe next time we will see them all together Baby Jeff will be coming! Crazy...


While Grammie was her she convinced Marilyn to let her braid her hair.  Since Marilyn screams when I try to brush it after her baths, so I was pretty surprised that she went along with it...but here it is!
It is freaking me A LOT that Marilyn is big enough to have her hair braided...she is too big

Elmo In Play Dough

Tom and Marilyn made this Elmo in play dough.  Pure talent? I believe so!

The Thai Chili Pepper

This is a Thai Chili Pepper.  Some pepper like this are classified as the hottest peppers on the planet.  We grow them in our backyard in a pot.  Since one could say that I like my food significantly less spicy than Tom, meaning I hate most spiciness, he grows these so he can add them to dinner to add a kick.  We have tried and tried to tell Marilyn that we do not eat these peppers.  One time I told her that her face would melt off if she did, she looked at me with a "Mom, you're really weird" look and walked away.  So we try our best, but as many of you know the only way to learn is to try. 

One day I hear Marilyn screaming bloody murder outside in the back yard.  I run to her aid and I see her scratching her tongue and spitting all over the place.  She is screaming "Mama OUCHIE OUCHIE" At first I don't know what is happening, because this is abnormal behavior.  Then I realize she is holding this pepper.  If you look closely at the picture, you can see her teeth marks.  I gave her a drink and eventually she returned to normal Marilyn, but it was a traumatic experience nonetheless.  We learned a valuable lesson though, don't eat Thai Chili Peppers from the plant, ever, no matter what.  Now she walks by the plant and furrow's her brow and says "Yuka" and keeps walking.  That's my girl!

Uncle Max

If the name Uncle Max seems less that popular for the last two years in our casual conversation it's because he has been on a mission in Australia! Since Jeff got home, we have been anxiously awaiting Max to come! 

Max did get to meet Miss Marilyn before he left to become an Aussie, but she was only this small...adorable? YES! But her spunk had not grown in yet.  Tom and Max are pretty close so he has been especially excited to head up for the big homecoming! We had prepped Marilyn pretty excessively so even in her prayers she would say "Unca Max is ission, airport my friends be there" (by friends she means cousins).  The day had finally come! We woke up early got all decked out in our driving to Salt Lake Outfits (which were our pajamas).  We were off! Marilyn did awesome in the car, we listened to Dora the Explorer about 10 times and before we went crazy we were there! Upon arrival we realized that his plane was an hour delayed...which turned our hour and a half of waiting into two and a half.  We found ways to entertain ourselves, but it made the reunion a little sweeter....cause we were pretty bored. 

Marilyn LOVED these glasses and made everyone put them on...

June and Marilyn just loved coloring ALL over this amazing poster Grandma and Grandpa made

Pretty amazing that there are 4 babies on the way in 2012! They were all represented on our shirts! We loved sitting in the airport sharing pregnancy highs and lows while all the kids ran around like crazy in the airport!

There were a few pretty resounding games of ring around the rosies. 

Then it was time to gather by the stairs, where a freaky airport worker told us all horror stories about how children get caught in the escalators.  So we held our kids and our breaths and waited for the moment. 

and there he is! He looked so great, so happy.  He looked the same as he did before.  For some reason I was legitimately concerned he would be different and as a result of that hate me, but I am happy to report that he is happy healthy and darling as ever! (Sorry for calling you darling Max, but you are)

WELCOME HOME MAX! We are so happy to have you home, we missed you like crazy and are excited to hear about your adventure in Australia and to see what you do next.  WE LOVE YOU!