Merry Christmas!

Hi everybody! It's been a while since I wrote, so I figured I'd get on and update. I don't know why the font is underlined and I'm not quite sure how to remove it, so I hope it's not too aggrivating. We've had a great couple of months. We spent Thanksgiving with my family here in Ely. It was absolutely awesome. Kyle and Joy came to stay with us for a week and we couldn't have had more fun. It was really great. Joy and I spent all day on Thanksgiving day cooking together and that was awesome, too. We have missed them so much, it was great to be able to spend that time with them. Audrey also came up and spent Thanksgiving weekend with us. We had so much fun. The kids all have such a great time spending time together.

We've had a great Christmas today, as well. It sure has been busy, but we've enjoyed ourselves. Kris and Lindsay have been visiting, so that's been nice. They're only about five weeks (maybe 6) from becoming parents, so that's pretty exciting. We're so excited for the kids to meet their cousin Adelaide. This has been a great year for Jackson as he's really been able to understand things this year. I couldn't hardly get anything wrapped beforehand because he was always wanting to give me a hand. He got a great tool set so he can help his daddy fix things around the house. Audrey was with her mom most of the day today, but she did get to come over for a few hours and get her presents. She has a birthday coming up next week. She turns 6 on Tuesday...I can't hardly believe it. Layla had a good Christmas, as well. She got mostly clothes, but she was cool with that.

Things are going well with Al and I. We're coming up on our third wedding anniversary next month, so that is pretty great. Erica has moved in with us. That's been pretty fun. The kids really love it. She's been babysitting them and they absolutely love it. She's an awesome aunt and they love her to death.

Other than that, things are pretty much the same. I think I'll leave this post at that because I'm absolutely exhausted...thus explaining why this post is somewhat incoherent. Love and miss everyone, check out the pics below!

Jackson on Christmas morning
Jay in his and Audrey's new Gator

He loves the tool set Santa brought

Gort on Christmas morning

Layla and Mamma, just waking up

Our sleeping Christmas Eve Angel

Doesn't she look beautiful?

Our sweet girl

One of my most favorite pictures

Our sleeping princess

Beautiful sisters

Good grief...I need a nap!

Just a few of the trucks Jay got for his birthday

Story time

Crazy Girl

My novice cake making attempt

The Beautiful Fairy Princess

I wonder if there'll ever be a picture of the three of them all looking at the camera at the same time.

Our Grumpy Monkey

Ely's cutest bumblebee

The Goblins

Isn't she beautiful???!!!

Grandpa and Jax, reading his FAVORITE book

Gort and I...the only two Rebel holdouts

Crusin' the mall

Laylers and Gort, the cutest girls at the game

Layla, Daddy and Grandpa checking out the game

Layla and her Uncle Kris. He'll make a fantastic Papa in February!

Jackson and "Aboo" hanging in the hotel room


So, in my last post, I spoke too soon when I said that we had eradicated the sickness from the Armstrong home. Two weeks ago, I came down with the flu and it was horrible. I think the only thing left from that is a perpetually stuffy nose. Jackson had another fever last week, but it went away after one day. So weird. Maybe he's getting his two year molars. In any case, he has an appointment to see the Ear Nose and Throat doctor that did Audrey's tonsillectomy (sp?) in mid December. We'll get to the bottom of this fever thing if it kills us. Poor little dude.

Anyway, we all seem to be well now, knock on wood. We've had a few crazy weekends! Last weekend, we were in Provo for the BYU/UNLV game. The game was alright, but you all know me...I could really care less. We did a lot of shopping and saw Kris and Lindsay. She's getting the cutest little tummy...can't wait for February when little Adelaide gets here for her cousins to play with. So, we had a fantastic time. It was so much fun to get out of town for a little while and sleep in a hotel (my absolute favorite) even if we were rudely awakened on Friday night due to some high school debauchery (thanks, Ryan. Go take a nap so you're not too tired to drive across town later. Just kiddin' bro. Love ya!). Not even Jackson yacking just before Delta could put much of a damper on the weekend.

On Sunday, October 26th, Jackson turned 2. I was feeling sentimental and wrote a note on my facebook page, if you'd like to check that out. For now, I'll just say that I can't believe our little guy is two years old. He's such an awesome kid. He makes our lives so happy and we don't know what we'd do without him.

So, this last week was crazy too. Work, kids, household chores...eek! Thursday, I drove to Alamo to pick up Audrey. We were all supposed to go as a family but Albie had to work unexpectedly. So, mom and dad took the little ones and I hit the road after work. We had such a good drive. It was so nice to have that whole drive together, just to talk and hang out.

Friday was Halloween! And I must say, we had pretty much the cutest fairy, monkey and bumble bee in town! We went to the carnival and then Trick-or-Treating. The kids had such an awesome time and made quite the haul with all their candy.

Last night, we had Jackson's party and all I can say is, I wish I had bought stock in Tonka beforehand. I think he got ten different trucks. And books about trucks. And puzzles about trucks. This kid does love trucks. We had such a great time, surrounded by family and friends.

So, all in all, we're doing really well. The kids have done really well this weekend together. They sure are cute. I wish I could just tape record the conversations Audrey and Jackson have. Too cute. And miss Layla is cuter than ever. Just when I think she's just as absolutely as cute as she can get, she gets even cuter. Al has been doing well. He finished our wood stove and it looks awesome!!! And it's very toasty as well. And has saved us a fortune already in heating oil. I'm doing well, also. Just hanging out with kids today...my very favorite thing. Oh, and making beef stroganoff for sixty people. That's been fun. Everybody take care! Love ya!

Crazy days of Fall

I guess I should be doing some cleaning rather than updating the blog, but I suppose the toilet can wait 20 minutes to be scrubbed. I vowed I'd take today to catch up with some chores that have been neglected, but it's been nice to have just kind of a relaxing day as well.

The sickness in our home seems to have cleared up, so that's nice. However, we didn't have Audrey for a visit this weekend as planned because she has been sick. She was in the Emergency Room on Friday night getting IV fluids to get rehydrated. We spoke with her yesterday and she seems to be feeling better. Poor little munchkin. We were all so disappointed when she couldn't come, but we're looking very forward to Halloween when she'll get to spend a few days with us.

Al has been putting in the tile for the hearth that the wood stove will go on. I must say, it looks just awesome. I was a little skeptical at first as my living room was not the first choice I would have made for his debut tiling project, but it has turned out so great. I should never have doubted my amazing husband. He just seems to be one of those people who are good at whatever they decide to do. So, it's still needing grout and trim, but the bulk of it is complete. Next weekend we'll do the pipe and hopefully have it up and running by Saturday night. That's nice because the weather up here has really been turning. It's gotten quite chilly up here lately. We took the swamp cooler down yesterday and put the hoses and lawn mower away for the winter. Kind of sad. The last watermelon of the year is long since gone and I'm watching the leaves out my window turn red and yellow and fall to the ground.

Jackson is doing well and we're gearing up for the big two year birthday. We're going into Provo that weekend to see the UNLV/BYU football game, so that should be fun. I think ours will be the only kids wearing red t shirts with blue hats. Anyway, Jay gets funnier and funnier every day. He has been on a kick lately where he's always "fixing" his bike. He gets down under his tricycle with his little pliers and says "Change the oil" or "Fix the brakes". He lays under there for hours with his little tounge hanging out a la Grandpa Roberts. It's the cutest thing ever. I'll have to try to get a picture.

Most of the pictures I have of the last few weeks are of Layla. This is not because of any favoritism, just because I can't get the little blonde monster to look at the camera. So, we do photo shoots with our beautiful girl. I can't believe how big she's getting. I even sat her in the Bumbo chair today and she sat there like the biggest girl. Of course, then Jay had to get in it as soon as I got her out. Crazy kid. Layla has been talking up a storm. She has the sweetest little spirit...laughing and cooing all the time.

As for me, I'm doing well. Feeling good and working away. The office is off to a REALLY busy start for October, so that's very exciting. September was good, but a little slow. Oh, Sept. was life insurance awareness month, so I hope you all went out and got yourselves and your families covered. Anyway, I'll post a few pictures of the last few weeks, then I can hear that cleaning calling my name...better get to it.

Look at those eyes! I never would have guessed I'd have a blue-eyed baby!

She has a mad cow-lick that I have no idea how to tame, but it sure is cute!

Isn't she just beautiful?

Smoochin' daddy!

Isn't the look they both have on their faces the most hilarious thing? Hehe!

Little Layla, sitting in her Bumbo. Jay supplied the toys.

And more toys.

She's saying, "Seriously dude, do you really think I want all of your crap piled on me?"

Jackson never misses a chance to act like a ham!

Mamma's smiling sweetheart.

It sure has been a busy couple of weeks! Mostly busy taking care of all the sickies in our house. Just after we came home from our vacation, Jay came down with a tonsil infection. He was so sick, poor little guy. We took him to the ear, nose and throat specialist who said we need to keep a close eye on things, given Audrey's history and how sick Jay was all last winter. We'll see how that turns out. So, as soon as he got well again, Al got sick. He's not sick often, but when it happens, it's pretty bad. He had the worst cough ever and still worked his 12 hour days. I felt so bad. He finally seems to be getting over it, though. Jackson has been super stuffed up the last few days so I'm doing everything I can to fend off another 104 degree fever.

The mine had a family day on Friday and Al took Jay to see the "BIIIIIG TRUCKS". He sure did have a great time. He loves everything about his daddy and wants to be just like him.

Other than that, nothing too major has been going on. Al has started to build the hearth for the wood stove. I'm excited for that because it's already started to get pretty chilly in the nights up here. We're going to St. George to see Grandma Roberts next weekend, so that should be fun, too. Today, we're just hanging out. We worked all day yesterday helping Dad and Mom with the house rennovations, so we're having a relaxing sunday today. It's quiet days like this, spending time with my babies that make me so thankful for how much God has blessed my life. Jackson is so smart and funny and Layla is so sweet and happy. My husband is so awesome and takes such good care of us. Thanks for reading! Enjoy the pictures!

I think one of the major reasons for the Colorado trip was to get Layla a Bronco's outfit. Haha...just kidding. Kind of.

Here they are last Sunday. All ready for the game!

I know this picture is blurry, but I just absolutely love it. She looks like such an angel.

Is that the funniest, "I just woke up, what the heck do you want?" look???

She always looks so frightened when I take pictures of him holding her. I think she's worried he's been talking to his uncle Kyle, getting tips on being a big brother!

Oh, I did forget to mention, we're having a family birthday dinner for Jackson on November 1. I know it's about a week late, but we wanted Audrey to be able to be there. It's nothing major, but we want all the family to know about it on the off chance some of you could make it. So, on Halloween, we'll take our little fairy, monkey and bumble bee Trick-or-Treating and then Saturday, we'll do dinner of Jackson's choosing (which will probably mean Hamburger Helper--or "Croni" as he calls it--he loves that stuff) and what I hope will be a dump-truck shaped cake...we'll see how far I can stretch my meager creativity. Have a great week, everybody!!!