The Count Down

Week 37

Sunday before Christmas

Well, here it is! I'm swollen, soar, sleep deprived, have become best friends with the potty, feel like a bowling ball and am having a lot of contractions! My next Dr.'s appointment is in two days. We will see where I am at with dialation/effacement, but I am hoping two ways; I don't want a Christmas baby and have enjoyed being pregnant again, but I also am now in the very uncomfortable weeks and selfishly want him out!

Today has been a beautiful Christmas Sunday. My parents and Dusty and Angie came to our ward in Post Falls (along with Tim and Lizzy who are in the ward, too). We had three converts receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and get confirmed as members of our church. A cute family. We went to their baptism yesterday and the spirit was SO strong. Also today, we sang lots of Christmas hymns in sacrament and had amazing Sunday school lessons. Being on the verge of having another baby and reflecting on the humble birth of our Savior, I was especially emotional and touched thinking about what my son might become and what a duty I have as a mother. I also thought so much of Mary and what an incredible woman must have been. I really hope the best for my children just as our Heavenly Father hopes the best for His and Mary knew of hers. 

Let it snow! And snow...and snow...

Jon's brother, Brandon, was in town for the day on business and ended up staying two days/one night with us because he couldn't get out on a flight! We had the biggest 24 hour snow storm since '68-'69 winter!! It was record breaking. All of school and a lot of businesses were shut down and the snow left us pretty much house bound and the boys work free for a couple of days! It was nice to have Brandon take us to dinner in his 4x4 rented vehicle (which was even tough to travel in) relax, play games and have hot cocoa!

(Below: Brandon and Jon shoveling for about the 3rd time after the first couple feet of snow)

"Uncle B" and Cade...Jonny was shoveling off the roof so it wouldn't cave in!
Cade in a snow burm...he LOVED playing in all of it!
Our house after the snow had FINALLY slowed down!
You can see how much snow there is comparing it to Cade peeping out the front door!

One funny thing...Gonzaga canceled their school today, but the basketball game was still on...? Don't ask me! So, Jon scored tickets from Dan Ross (cousin) and was able to go with Dusty (who is visiting this week) in my Dad's truck to his first game in the kennel! Fun!

Who's right?

Everyone has ALWAYS told me that Cade "looks JUST like his DAD!". Well, this official look alike meter didn't quite think so....so he IS mine afterall! Haha.

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Blank family tree - Dynasty

DR. Dr... dr...

Well, I just got back from being checked for the first time at my Dr.'s appt. and I am dialated to a 1 and 85% effaced! At least we know the ball is rolling! My water broke the first time, so we'll see how long I make it this time! 4 weeks to go at the most (I HOPE).

Bitter Cold!

This weekend it has been O degrees F at night and in the teens during the day with a bitter wind! After a very mild winter so far, it finally feels like December! Cade loved getting another skiff of snow to play in. He is really getting so big and independent.

Zoey is an outside dog and has a nice shed with a doghouse and straw, but even she gets a little too cold out there and gives us THIS face... how can we resist?

She is trained to stay on this rug, so Cade takes advantage of her being "trapped" and loves to maul her! This time, he was so sweet. I heard him talking away in the corner and I found him sitting with her, reading to her. He did this for about 20 minutes. He is such a sweet heart and he loves the pets. But we love him more!

This weekend we also enjoyed a night at the cannery canning food, some shopping together and a super fun date night with all the adults in my family that live here (and Nikell, Wyatt, Brady, and the Caudles). We went to dinner at Azteca Mexican Restaurant and to the movie "The Day the Earth Stood Still". It is a remake from a '50s movie that we watched the weekend before! It was fun to see all the changes and similarities. We love when my Dad gets excited about things like this! :) It was great. (LtoR: Jon, Brynne, Steve (planner), Tyler, Rick Caudle)

LtoR: Missy Caudle, Angie B., Mikin, Lizzy, Tim, Jon, Brynne

(LtoR: Brett, Wyatt, Nikell...missing is Jean taking the pics)

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

Last night for Family Home Evening the three of us went and picked out a Christmas tree and decorated it, listened to Mannheim Steamroller (Erickson tradition) and made goodie plates for friends. Our friends Zack, Lizzie and Austin Simon joined us later to help. There is nothing more warming than the smell of the tree, fresh cookies, and good company.

Jon was proud of his chocolate dipped pretzels. :)

Cade loved "helping" with the sugar cookies!
The Simons

One of the family pictures they snapped for us for Christmas cards. We love Cade in this one...

We love the Christmas Season and the reason for the season!

Crazy Kids

We got to watch the 3 oldest Morton kids and house-sit while Tyler and Mikin were in Las Vegas for the weekend. Cade LOVED having cousins to play with!

Cade and Ella in the tub...they loved causing mischief together...

This was our Friday night "pizza party". You think staying up 'til 10:00 was too late for them?

The kids trying to keep their eyes open for the rest of "Lion King" (Jon's pick)

LtoR: Noah, Kiah Cade and Ella
It was a little challenge going from one to four....Brynne became a taxi driver and chef! We took them swimming and to our ward Christmas party where Brynne played guitar. Kiah (who Brynne gives guitar lessons to) loved practicing with her. We had fun.

GOBBLE "TIL YOU WOBBLE!

This weekend was a fun and busy one! Thursday (Thanksgiving) we woke up early and went to watch Daddy play in the ward turkey bowl. Cade was wanting in the game the whole time! But we played catch with his little football. Jonny did great.

Later that evening we ate dinner with my (Brynne's) cousins and Aunts and Uncles at the Lee's new, beautiful home! We watched football, played cribbage and then the boys got hit with the "turkey slumber"! (Below: Cade and Jon)

Friday, Angie (Dusty's wife) stayed with us and her and I woke up at quarter to five to go shopping on "black Friday" for my first time ever! It was like bumper cars and almost all the things we got were some of the last! One thing we finally got was a new 42" flatscreen! Great deal and Jonny was happy to come home early from hunting that day to set it up! Nice upgrade from our 500 lb. t.v. that needed to warm up for 10 minutes before you could get a picture.... :)

Jon also was amazing enough to get me these these two anniversary bands put on my ring for carrying and having our two babies. The gift came a little early because they were a steal on black friday as well! Thanks, Jonny. I love you. And I love my ring!

That night, we went and watched Angie D. play in the NIC alumni game and then all the girls went and saw TWILIGHT together. It was so good and so fun to hang with the ladies! The boys got a guys' night with the kids. (Don't mind my no left eyebrow from my bandaid. Just look at Edward in the backgroud. Lto R:Lizzy, me, Angie D., Momma Jean, Mikin, Angie B. :)

Saturday was the FIRST SNOW! Cade loved playing in it! Jon went hunting and mom watched holiday movies. :) That night we had ANOTHER dinner with my family at my parent's house. It was so good! Especially Tim's orange rolls! Mm.

Sunday I had to cut up my deer with my Dad, so we got to eat leftovers and hang out with everyone again! So much food! They also finished Jon's first european mount from his mule deer he got in Montana. Turned out awesome!

Even though we had a great weekend, we couldn't be more grateful for the things we have been blessed with in our lives. We have a warm home, food to eat, a beautiful, healthy, growing family, a great extended family, we've had prayers answered regarding Spike and especially A.J. lately, we have the gospel, and much, much, more. That is what Thanksgiving is all about.