I'd rather be a mother than anyone on earth

Bringing up a child or two of unpretentious birth. . . .

I'd rather tuck a little child all safe and sound in bed

Than twine a chain of diamonds about my [carefree] head.

I'd rather wash a smudgy face with round, bright, baby eyes

Than paint a pageantry of fame or walk among the wise.

-Meredith Gray, from The Beauty of Motherhood

Princess at the White House

These pictures are meant especially for grandma's. There are a lot of pictures of Kate just standing around being herself. Some would find this boring and overdone, but only a grandma can truly appreciate it. You've been warned!

We went to the White House Christmas tour last night. It was especially nice because they had all the decorations up and also, if any of you have ever been through the White House you know cameras aren't allowed, however at Christmas they are. It was really fun. As you will see it was very beautiful and much more exciting than just the regular tours.


Kate was the only young child there. She was "the bell of the ball" if you will. She had on her Christmas dress (because we had to dress up) and everyone loved her. She kind of becomes a ham when people watch her and she acts it up. Other times she is very shy. She was a little of both last night. People kept calling her "Princess" because of her dress, which in that setting looked kind of like a ball gown. Her dress was gold and it matched the decor so she looked extra special.

She is incredibly hard to take pictures of because she won't hold still. However, when Uncle A.J. tried to take pictures of her she would just stand still and smile at him. One time she started blowing kisses for him. It was really cute. Unfortunately he got way better pictures than me.

Chris loves taking pictures too!

Being shy.

This is the big Christmas tree for the White House. Gorgeous!

This is her on the front step of the White House as we were leaving. If any of you have ever been to Disneyland and taken pictures with the any of the Princesses there you'd notice that they hold there hands a special way. When I saw this picture I noticed Kate is doing the same thing. I think she is practicing.

We also got to take a unexpected tour of the West Wing. This is when we were going inside. We've never been on this side of the White House. We got the see the Situation Room which I didn't know really existed. We saw the Oval Office and some other really neat things in the West Wing.

This is in by the Rose Garden where that famous picture of JFK is taken. Under the colonnade.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Candy!

Kate and I made chocolate dipped pretzels for our ward Christmas party. Why we were making them she snuck one off the paper. Oh boy! She loves chocolate. She would take a bite and then go "mmmmm". It would crack me up. I think loving chocolate runs in her blood.




We saw Santa Claus at our ward Christmas party. Kate didn't really like him. Hopefully he'll still visit her this year.

Jelly Belly Buddies!

One of Chris' favorite treats is jelly beans. I, however, can't stand the flavor or texture of them. He got them for his birthday and had been saving them for a time when him and I could sit down and enjoy them together. He loves them so much that he loves to have someone else savor them with him at the same time. I can not even begin to explain how much joy this brings to him. Anyway after I tried to choke down a couple I told him I was done. He was obviously disappointed. Then looking around he called Kate over and let her try a little piece of his. Needless to say because of the pics she loved them. I was so happy that he now has someone who truly treasures jelly beans as much as he does. Now I don't have to suffer through anymore taste testing either.

Fall Feels Like Home

We have really enjoyed Fall. It is so beautiful here. After living in St. George for 5 years is was nice to have 4 seasons again. The leaves changin color makes it feel like I am 6 again living in North Ogden. I love fall. There are trees as far as your eye can see here, so you can only imagine how amazing it looks when they all start to change. We will miss fall, but can't wait for Christmas.

We went out to pick pumpkins. It was our first time doing it and we had fun being out there in the wide open space. It may become a family tradition.

Kate got a lot more into it than I thought she would. She was excited about all the pumpkins around. This one she was trying to carry.

Kate and Chris at our Ward Trunk-or-Treat. Kate made a hall and now Chris has a bag of candy to take to work with him.

We also went to a Halloween party at Diana's house.

This is Diana and Bella. The Bumblebee and the Cat.

Liz and her little angel Charlotte.

Little Devil, Jack!

Heather and Bella.

All the gang. My personal favorite is the monkey, Sophie, in the brown outfit.

We attempted to take pictures with Savannah, Bella and Kate.

Kate wouldn't have it. She threw a monster tantrum about it all. Everyone thought it was so funny. They call her a soprano when she screams. She's loud!

Clothes Horse Already??!!!!

The other day I found Kate walking around the house like this. She would fall over and drop everything and then get back up and pick everything back up and keep walking.

It cracked me up. Especially the shoe in the mouth.

Happy Halloween!

I hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween. It is one of our favorite holidays. And now that it is almost over I am psyched for Christmas! I know I am jumping ahead a little, but I can't wait.



Kate was a Lady Bug for Halloween!






A couple of Sunday's ago Kate and I made some pumpkin cookies. I always remember as a child getting to lick off the cookie dough after it was mixed. It always tasted better this way. I let Kate have her first go at it and she really liked it. Her dad just rolled his eyes at all the mess. We had fun though!

What's New?!

Drum Roll......................Kate's Walking!



The other day Chris and I were in our bedroom talking while Kate was in our living room playing. All the sudden we look out the door and Kate is walking into our bedroom. We just sat there in pure shock. Since then she hasn't looked back. She finally figure out that she can get around with those two legs and is loving it. She falls all the time but still keeps getting back up. I don't know about the rest of you but this has been one of the hardest things to watch her do. I hate watching her fall time after time. I really have to hold myself back from not picking her up every time she falls. I think it is reflect of what is to come in the future. Just watching your kids make mistakes or get hurt and not being able to help it and knowing that this is what they have to do to grow. Ahhh! Parenthood!

I just love this picture. She is staring so intently

Thanks for the Birthday presents. We thought we would post a couple of pics to so you could see that Kate is really enjoying what she got. These are Kate's Babies that she got from Aunt Melynda and Aunt Jay, and Diana. She really likes them. She even tries to feed them with their bottle. Thanks for the sweet presents. She got really spoiled for he Birthday from everyone.

This is the couch Kate got from Grandma Smith. She loves it. We weren't sure if she would take to it, but she like having her own special place to sit.

The other day I was getting ready so I put in a show for Kate to watch while I did. I set her on her couch and gave her a drink. I came out to check on her and this is how I found her. I couldn't resist this moment, so I snapped a couple pictures. She really does love this couch. She reminds me of her dad. I figure that is where she learned it from. Doesn't she look comfy?

The Rest of Our New York Trip

Chris was up in New York for the U.N. General Assembly. Kate and I went up to join him over her birthday. This is about the rest of our trip. And just as a warning it will be like going to history class. I can't resist. I feel like I have to share with everyone who hasn't yet gotten to see all this neat things. Sorry! Chris wants me to add that because of him the Croatian President returned home safely.

The last day Kate and I ventured down to Lower Manhattan. We braved the subway and made it there in once piece. We didn't even get lost. This is a fun park we found right in the middle of town.

These two pics are of the oldest church in New York city. George Washington used to go to church here when the Nations capitol was in New York City. They still have the pew that he sat in every week here.

This is also the church that was one of the main refuge after the 9/11 attacks. Workers came here to get supplies, food, and have someone to talk to about their experiences. This also worked as a make shift memorial at the time for those that were missing and gone.

Right when I turned the corner of the church I could tell where the towers used to stand because there was empty sky. There are a bunch of tall buildings and then nothing.

This is there plans for where one tower stood. They are going to make it into a memorial area for people to go to.

On the other spot they are building a new tower. It will be as tall as the other two towers.

These are all the names of those who were lost on that day here. It reminded me of the Vietnam Wall Memorial. It just keeps going.

Looking down into the area.

I think this is Ellis Island.

An old fort that used to be New York City defense.

This was one of my favorite things to see. We just stumbled upon it but it was very neat to get to look at.

Baby Kate was so tuckered out after a long day. We couldn't even wake her up to change her clothes. She was a trooper through it all.