Oh, the lights at Temple Square.......Serene

It finally was warm last night and so we called Grandpa and Grandma Green and made plans to go to Temple Square. We went to dinner at the Little America and then rode trax, also known as the "fast train" per Dylan, to Temple Square.

We were all bundled up and I never heard the words, "I'm cold," which was my intent with the over abundant outdoor attire.

The boys loved the giant gingerbread house at the Little America. The lights are beautiful with the snow and we spent most of the night walking around Temple Square. Dylan loved the nativity and when we went inside to see the Christus he told Mike, "Jesus was a baby down there and now he is a man in here." I did not take the best pictures, but I do think we created good memories.

Green Grandchildren...

Every year for Christmas, Grandpa and Grandma Green put a picture of their grandkids at the top of their list. It has been a fun tradition and it is cool to see the way the kids change. This year we had Jeremy Pexton, a photographer in Lehi, take the photos. He did a great job and is inexpensive. He took a ton of photos, but I will just post a few favorites.
My sister in law, Cami, and I loved this one because the kids were done and we told them that we would not be going to McDonalds if they did not cooperate. For those concerned, they did win a trip to the happy place. I am biased, but in my opinion I think these kids are adorable!

Is it Christmas yet?................

Our home is full of anticipation for Christmas. Dylan has been counting down the days on an advent calendar and still he asks Mike and I the same question every day, "is it Christmas yet?" Since I have been bad at the blogging thing lately, I thought I would share some of the photos we have taken during the busy month of December. We have been having a blast enjoying this time of year. The boys loved the lights at Thanksgiving Point and Christmas in Utah. We have been in the house for the past week because Dylan had pneumonia and Mike and Tate had the flu bug....Merry Christmas! I must say it was nice to be home because our home feels so comforting with all the decorations and the spirit of anticipation. Dylan has loved the Christmas movies, especially Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer (love DVR). Tate has opened one gift and loves sitting in the basket near the fireplace under the stockings waiting for the jolly old man to come down the chimney.

The best thing I ever bought has to be the train that goes under the tree. Dylan loves trains and has passed this love on to Tate. The boys are always playing with the train.

Every chance I get I am in the kitchen making candy. My Grandma Rowley made the best candy during the holidays and I found her recipe and then my friend Jen showed me how to make the fondant and dip the chocolates. Thanks Jen for all your secrets in the candy making arena. I am enjoying making the candy and our family and friends are enjoying the taste. We would love to see all of you during the holiday season. Stop by and we will even give you homemade dipped chocolates. Have a Merry Christmas and may the love for our Savior be in your heart.

Guess who is walking?...FREEDOM

Our little man Tate is now walking all over the house. He looks so adorable and because he is a short little guy he looks like a puppet. Dylan is so excited that Tate is walking and is always saying, " come on Tate walk to Dylan." Notice how he has already found the TV remote. Yes, he is a male for sure.

Family Photos..........

Our last family photo was taken before Tate was born and we have been wanting a new family photo. My sister, Toni, is an awesome photographer and so we wanted her to take our photo this year. As you can see, Toni is very talented and Dylan smiled at the camera for her (he has a hard time with other photographers). If you want an awesome photo session check out Toni's website @ http://www.m2mphoto.com/ Thanks aunt Toni...you did an awesome job. Now we have to choose our favorites which is a tough decision. These are just a few photos that she took.

It must be Santa..........

While we were in Parowan we went to a Christmas parade and then the boys were able to sit on the Jolly Old Man's lap.
Dylan has a big list this year. He wants a Bumblebee Transformer, a bowling set, and a race car set . He was very serious and made it a point to tell Santa, very plainly, every item on his list.
Tate was the typical one year old who cries on Santa's lap. Although, he did enjoy the candy and peanuts that Santa gave him. It reminded me of being a child and getting a brown paper sack with peanuts and homemade chocolates from Santa on Christmas Eve at the annual ward Christmas party.

Thankful Thanksgiving...........

This year for Thanksgiving we went to Parowan. We spent Thanksgiving day with Grandpa and Grandma Rowley, Colby and Toni's family, Chase and Nick. My mom gave us the opportunity to go around the table before we ate the big feast and to state what we are thankful for. This was memorable for me as I am grateful for many things in my life. Especially, for family and to be a wife and mother. It was a great day and we had a wonderful time.
The boys love to be with their cousins, Reagan and Payton, and they all liked to climb on Grandpa.
The men had their annual competitive basketball game with cousins and we all laughed at what occurs before and after the game(family secret). My mom, my two sisters, and my niece went Christmas shopping in Las Vegas on Friday and I have not laughed so hard in a long time. We had a blast! Thanks for the wonderful holiday Grandpa and Grandma Rowley.

Don't I Look ...................Innocent

Tate is in a STAGE. Yes, he is the cutest baby around(Mommy and daddy's opinion.)But, he has a mean streak. Last night while changing his diaper, he took a toy helicopter and threw it at me. It chipped my tooth and cut the roof of my mouth. All this before Thanksgiving and family photos next week. Of coarse, the dentist is booked and the tooth aches like crazy.
Here is a picture of the toy that has been recalled from Tate. He is also into EVERYTHING! I run around the house picking up his latest disovery. I do have a wonderful husband who response was, "ya honey, I think I need to take you out to dinner or something." I would agree! I had to take these cute photos to remind me how sweet Tate can be even though there is pain and agony associated with motherhood. Like every mom says, I hope this stage passes by soon.

Welcome Home Elder Rowley.....or Uncle Nick

We welcomed Uncle Nick home from his mission this past week. It is so good to have him home again and it has been really touching as Dylan has watched him closely and has caught a glimpse of a missionary. We were not going to make the drive down to St. George, originally, when he came home from Argentina. However, Dylan kept asking me to take him, "to see Nick get off the plane." I was talking to Jenn and telling her about my brother coming home from his mission and that Dylan keeps asking if we can go. Jenn convinced me to go down and now I am so glad we made the 5 hour trip. I loaded up the boys and drove to Parowan on the spur of the moment @ 4 pm on Tuesday. We stayed with Grandpa and Grandma Rowley and then traveled to St. George on Wednesday and met up with all the Rowley family. Nick's plane was supposed to arrive @ 12:30 pm. However, his flight was delayed and postponed until 3:45 pm. We all went to the park and ate lunch and the cousins played with each other. When we all arrived @ the airport the flight was delayed until 4:15 pm. I thought my mom was going to need a massage or something because the flight kept getting delayed and she was so anxious to finally welcome home Nick.
When Nick arrived it was awesome. He hugged my mom for such a long time and I thought that must be how Our Heavenly Father longs for our reunion with him someday. There was about 25 members of the Rowley clan at the small St. George airport.
We all went to dinner and then the boys and I stayed the night in Parowan before making the trip home on Thursday. I am so glad we went now and Dylan confirmed the fact that we made the right choice by going when he said, "Mom what do I have to do to be a missionary." It was the perfect opportunity for Uncle Nick to tell him about serving a mission and Uncle Nick took the opportunity to do so. I am thankful for a wonderful brother who has set a great example for my boys. I know Dylan watches closely. We went back to Parowan on Saturday for his homecoming address and then returned on Sunday. It was great to see everyone, I only wish that we lived closer. Thank heavens for DVD's and the radio. The boys were great travelers.

Oh no, is it snowing again?

I live in Utah and I am not a fan of snow. Dylan, however, loves the snow and keeps asking Mike and I to take him skiing. We are hoping to be able to take him to Brianhead when we go to Parowan for Thanksgiving. I was tagged by Amanda. 4th picture in 4th folder. I tag Lindsey, Jenn, Chelsey, and Amy.

My funny boys.........

Dylan found the camera today and decided to start taking pictures.

As you can tell, Tate was not sold on the idea and so Dylan then layed down by me on the floor and insisted I take a few of him and I. My silly Dylan. I guess he was bored and I thought the pictures turned out pretty funny.

I had to take this cute picture of my funny boys, using Dylan's idea of course.

Check out our M&M pumpkins

At my work they had a pumpkin carving contest and I fell in love with these pumpkins that were M&M's. So I used my creative copy cat techniques and we painted our pumpkins like M&M's(with permission of course).
Dylan was amazed at the pumpkin seeds. He really liked helping daddy carve a face on one of the pumpkins.

The Pumpkins looked awesome on Halloween night

Happy Halloween.........

Our family was the three little pigs and the big bad wolf. We had a blast dressing up and going trick or treating around our neighborhood. Mike was a great sport and Dylan loved that everyone dressed up.


Tate made the cutest little pig and he also liked the candy!

It's the GREAT Pumpkin Patch.........

Tate was excited about the stick that he picked out. How do you carve this thing?
I just loved this picture.
Dylan found the perfect pumpkin. He was so thrilled to finally be at the pumpkin patch.

Give me more cake....PLEASE

Tate was skeptical about his cake..


and then he discovered that it was chocolate and LOVED IT.

Daddy gave him some.
Dylan gave him more.
And this is the result of too much cake! He loved opening his gifts and it makes us even more excited for Christmas.