Monroe (Roe) Kurtis Hilton January 3, 2013

My baby sister had her first baby on January 3rd.  Its been so fun to be here with her through the pregnancy woes and watching her become a new mom.  I am so lucky to have two wonderful sisters that I relate to so well.  We truly are best of friends, even if we are 10 years apart.  Age truly doesn't matter!

Megan was induced as she was a full week overdue.  Poor girl!  She handled it like a champ though! I happened to be getting some tests done at the hospital the same morning at that same hospital so I popped in to see how she was progressing and say hello!  

It seemed surreal to see it was really going to happen for them.  He was coming!!  Ready or not! 

After she labored most of that day, she invited my mom, my sister, her mother in law, and I all down to hang out in the room.  She really was so calm and great about all of it.  I honestly couldn't believe how she handled it all.  It was fun to be in the room and to be a part of the excitement.  
The nurse came in and finally told us it was time!!!! Yikes!  We bid them farewell and good luck and moved across the hall waiting to hear those first cries.  

Not too much later, we heard him!  Those are the sweetest sounds ever.

The big guy was finally here!  He was wide awake and very coherent.  He was wanting to take everything in!

There really is nothing I miss more then that feeling of bringing a new baby into the world!  It's just like heaven!  And I thank Megan and Kurtis for letting me be a little part of it that night.  

I made it home just before midnight to crawl into bed next to my littles! Being a mom really is the best thing that has ever happened to me.  

Christmas Wrap Up

The next few days were spent at Grandma Mary's hotel that she got mostly so the kids could go swimming.  They had fun roaming the halls all together too.  
It was good we had a place to all meet in the middle because we got a HUGE snow storm and it was very difficult to get around!  The pool came in handy when we were snowed in. 

It's always fun to cuddle on little babies too!

After spending about 6 days in Utah with us it was time for Grandma to head back.  I think she was ready.  We wore her out!
Ryan was nice enough to help my mom get her to the airport for their departure.  She sure enjoys his company!

The next day it was time to bid Uncle Ryan goodbye.  

I can dare to say that we all enjoy his company!  He's fun to be around and were never few from laughs.  
So off to Seattle he went!  Love my little brother!

Christmas Holiday Take 2

We spent our afternoon on Christmas day doing the coolest thing ever.  We served Christmas dinner to the homeless.  It was honestly up there in my top 5 favorite things of my holiday season this year.  I think not one of us will ever forget the feeling we had by spending our day with those less fortunate. 

My good friend and her family have been putting this together for years now and we were finally able to get in on helping them.  I hope to make it a tradition and hope that we can find more ways to serve those in that same situation more often then just at Christmas. 

So lucky to have my siblings there along with me.  It made it that much more meaningful!  

The kids were so great in embracing all the children and got right in there with them and made crafts.  It was so cute to see!

Glen knew it wasn't truly a good dinner until we had a sing along so he conducted a little Christmas caroling!  I think he quite enjoyed himself! 

That evening we all met out at my sisters house and had a big feast ourselves.  It was so wonderful to spend the day with my family!  Lucky to have them!

The older I get the more and more I realize that it's not about the presents and gift giving it's so much more about just being with each other.  This DAY was perfect to me.  It's what heaven will be like (except lots more family). Serving and loving!

Christmas Holiday Part 1

This Christmas will be one that I will NEVER forgot.  The memories as I write this are still hard yet so rewarding.  Let's see if I can make it through this with dry eyes.

 

About a month before Christmas my Grandma Mary decided she wanted to come to Utah to spend the holidays with us.  This is something we "knew" was valuable and made sure that we would do whatever it took to get her to us at her request.  She is not in the best health and really desires not to get out much at all little lone the winter months along with a flight to see us. 

We all jumped at the chance though!

My dad graciously went to most of the work to get her packed and on the plane.  That is a feet in and of itself!  Good guy, that one!

My brother also flew in from Seattle and it was so great to all be together.  Always a good time when he's around. 

 

We spent Christmas Eve out at Grandma's favorite, Red Lobster. Treat was on her. It was a fun evening. I really did score with this family!  Love them all. 



 

 

The next morning the excitement continued.  Lots of fun presents and smiles all around. 
My parents and Grandma came over and had a breakfast casserole with us.  My Grandma just loves to watch the kids open their presents.  They love having her there to watch too.

This bathrobes were the hit for both of the girls.  Bess especially loves hers and wears it just about every night.  Grandma Berger sure knows how to spoil! 

December Busy-ness

I took this picture on Dec. 14th.  This was such a solemn and gloomy day with the Connecticut school mass shooting.  As I watched my little children so innocently enjoy popping popcorn I couldn't help but not be grateful for these little ones.  They are my life and I can't even begin to imagine what those parents, grandparents, and siblings are feeling over their loss.  I really held them tight that day!

Carter and Bess started out the Christmas spirit with a bang at their piano recital.  They again did awesome and had a fun time memorizing their songs.  Aren't they just so cute?!

This little fart found a present EARLY!  Crazy thing is she knew just which one was hers all wrapped up under the tree.  I heard her wake up but gave her a few minutes to come find me, it took her longer then normal so I went to go find her.  We met at the top of the stairs and she was so pleased with herself!
I guess she picked a good one because she hasn't taken this off since.  Thanks Papa and Nana Sue!

These next pictures are awful but I had to document us doing our tradition of Grand America Scavenger Hunt.  We always do dinner before at the Little America Cafe and then cross the street over to The Grand America Hotel.  
I can dare to say that the kids were very thrilled that there was just enough flags for them all to have one  to cross the street.  May have been Maggie's whole highlight of the night!

The kids had a little program at the school to bring in the holiday cheer.  They each sang 2 very fun songs.  They were very prepared for this day! I think I could have got right up there and sang along with them with all the times they practiced at home. 

We love watching Bess dance!  & she loves performing!  She now does Jazz and Ballet so we got to watch her dance to a couple different Christmasy songs.  (she prefers Jazz)

Oh these girls! How could you not love them?  They are so funny and the conversations I get to eavesdrop on on the way to lessons is just priceless.  BF's FOREVER!

November Happenings

Believe it or not, November flew by for us.  Lots going on I guess?!

They opened a huge massive Scheels here and it's so fun to visit.  Lots to do and entertain the kids with.  We can never go in for just 20 mins, we end up staying at least 2 hours.  

The ferris wheel is a huge hit! At least for the kids!  These parents aren't too fond of the long line waiting to get on it. 

These pictures may or may not be on 3 different occassions, because that would be really embarrassing. 
I think we should sign them up to do some acting gigs?! or maybe acting classes? You be the judge!

I was lucky enough to be a parent volunteer with both kids on their field trips.  
With Bess's class we headed downtown to the City and County Building and to the Salt Lake City Library.  

Here's my group of girls.  Cute, outgoing, spunky little things!

The 4th grade class is studying Utah history this year so we went to The Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum and The Church History Museum.  
I learned some great things about going on this trip with Carter.  First off how well behaved this kids is (or maybe just when I am around?).  Love him!  
Second, he's great company.  I enjoy spending one on one time with him.  He's easy to carry on a fun conversation with.  

Bess is a doll but our experience on her field trip was much different.  She's a bit.......DRAMA!  I think she does better when I am not around.

Speaking of school, Carter also completed a fun autobiography book report this month.  He chose Neil Armstrong. 
He had to make a poster and present it to the class dressed as Neil.  I think we did a pretty good job, he and I.  I generally leave these things up to Glen. 

I happened to be at the school at the right time and popped my head in his classroom right at the end of his report.  He did Awe.Some!

The 2nd grade Feast!  Cute little pilgrims and Indians enjoying a pre-thanksgiving treat!

We also enjoyed much of this month spending time holding this cutie!

We had a bit of a different Thanksgiving this year.  We spent our weekend in Boise at daddy's Hotemple (as Maggie calls it).  

We had a semi-ok Thanksgiving dinner at a golf course there.  It was kinda sad not to have all the yummy left overs that you get when you make your own dinner, but we were all together so that's what mattered the most!

Maggie enjoying the pool and her bum enjoying her swimsuit!

We miss Glen when he is gone during the week!  He's a good guy to have around! 

And that there is a wrap! (Maggie playing dead)