Happy Birthday Kayleigh!

I can't believe our little girl is 4! Kayleigh celebrated her big day yesterday. She was so excited for her birthday this year. The day before her birthday she had a friend party, her first one. She was hugely into the present factor of birthdays but she did enjoy the balloons and cake stuff too. Once I get my pictures all uploaded I'll write about the parties.

Today we took her to the doctor for her 4 yr. checkup. She passed with flying colors! She identified all the colors he wanted her to. He needed her to count to 4 (really, that's it?) and so at 21 he stopped her. It was funny! He told us everything she needs to be able to do at her 5 yr. check-up so we can work on those things, most she can already do now. She weighed in at 46.2 lbs (96th%tile) and is 44 inches tall (99th%tile). He said everyone will think she's in first grade, yeah Dr. Doug, we've been getting that for months now!

She did have to get one shot today. I didn't think she would need to so I hadn't prepared her for it. When he said she had to get one, she started to cry and did not want to get it. She of course survived though and loved her 2 suckers and stickers she got after.

For the past month or so, Kayleigh has been complaining every morning that her stomach hurts. Sometimes she even says she is going to throw up. We've kind of attributed it to being hungry because once she eats she usually feels better. We asked the doctor about that today and he said that she probably has some extra acid in her stomach and then if she has any anxiety at all (about pre-school or primary, etc.) that it could add to it because anxiety creates acid. Interesting. So, he said she could take a few Tums each morning to help her. I guess we'll try it and see if it works!

A reason to celebrate

Kayleigh is done with sleeping in a pull-up at night!! Hooray!! Finally, after being potty trained for a year and a half in the day, she is finally wearing panties to sleep in, too. I am so proud of her. She is definitely growing up! Another reason I'm not complaining, it's gonna save me $20 a month!

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New Year's celebrations

All the kids giving Nathan, my little bro, a hard time

Landon found a fun little play place under the kitchen table

The girls playing Memory

Cheers!

No, she didn't really stay up til midnight.

This year we celebrated New Years a little different. We had a mini “vacation” at my parent’s house for the three days leading up to January 1st. I got the idea when Marie told me she would be coming up to stay for a few days. I thought it would be fun for the cousins to play and I knew if I wasn’t home, I’d force myself to play and relax. It was very fun! The girls played really well together with all their new toys, coloring books, crafts, and swimming etc. Us adults had a great time playing games at night and a late night run to Wal-Mart where we almost got hit by a dumb kid driving through the parking lot in reverse. For the record, he hit our cart and was pretty clueless about it all.

On the actual night of New Years Eve we had Sukyaki and Gyoza, delicious! We watched Despicable Me with the kids, did some fireworks and after they were in bed, we watched Iron Man 2. Both movies were good and it was fun to check a couple off my list I’d been wanting to see for a while.

New Years Day we slept in till about 9:45 which is when Kayleigh got up. That afternoon we played a mean game of monopoly. Michael had only been waiting to play that game for like 2 years. It just takes so long that we don’t get around to it too often.

I really enjoyed the relaxing week with family. It was a fun way to end the busy holiday season. We are excited for a new year and all that it will bring with it. Welcome 2011.

Temple Square

Per tradition, we traveled downtown to see the lights at Temple Square. This year we didn’t make it till after Christmas, on the 26th, but hey, at least we made it, right? Kayleigh was really excited to see the nativity they do because when she had gone with Michael to the Jazz game earlier in December, they’d walked through Temple Square just as the nativity was shutting down for the night. She is always happy to see anything to do with baby Jesus, the Baby Jesus we have is her favorite Christmas decoration and she doesn’t want to take it down.

I thought it was pretty cold the night we went, so I put Kayleigh in her snow pants, hat, etc. and Landon had a huge blanket wrapped around him in his coat in the stroller. I think they both stayed very warm!

The lights are very impressive and beautiful every year. They must use millions of lights! The temple looked gorgeous amongst the lights. We went down with Mom, Dad and Nathan so it was fun to be with them, too.

Christmas Day

Christmas morning we enjoyed at our house. Michael’s parents came over to watch it all and they made it over just shortly after Kayleigh woke up. She was very excited! I was in my room when I heard her get up, go into the family room, see that Santa had come, and then bolt back to my room to tell me “Mom! There’s presents!”

Santa brought her a doll house and a Belle dress-up which are two of her most favorite things. Michael got an iPod dock which he has been enjoying. I got some new jeans and boots that I had really been wanting. I get so excited for Christmas morning as I am shopping for Michael and the kids. Every year it pays off as such a fun morning to be together and be happy. I love the spirit of Christmas, its true meaning, all the lights and decorations, music, and happiness.

On Christmas afternoon, we headed to Michael’s parents for more presents and dinner. Dinner was one of Michael’s favorites, potatoes, ham, cherry Jell-O, rolls and green bean casserole. It’s pretty good! Kayleigh had fun playing with her cousins from St. George and playing with all her new toys. Her cousins gave her Belle and the Beast in the Polly Pocket Princess set. She was thrilled! She's been wanting the Beast forever. From Suzy and Grandpa she got a little bank with money, a coloring book with princess crayons, a princess memory game and some new boots. Landon got some new soft blocks and a new outfit. Michael and I both got some clothes that we've been needing/wanting. Thanks, Suzy and Grandpa.

Christmas night Nana and Grandpa came over to see what we got. It was a fun little visit before we headed off to bed. I was sad that the holiday was over, but excited for the New Year.

Christmas Eve

Singing and playing music (Kayleigh with her recorder)

The whole nativity

Mary with her very big baby Jesus

Mary (Kayleigh) Joseph (Michael) Landon (Jesus) Erika (a shepherd) and part of Phoebe who was a star

Getting ready to open presents

Kayleigh's new pizza!

Christmas Eve we went to Nana and Grandpa’s house. This year Omi (my Dad's mom)came to spend the night there so she got to be with us. We had a yummy dinner of German breads, cheeses, meats, herring salad, Czech potato salad, ham and turkey .

After dinner we sang songs together and acted out the nativity while Grandpa read the story from Luke. Often during Christmas Grandpa will pull out his recorder to play along to the piano. So, Marie thought it would be fun if the girls all had recorders to play. Thanks to Wal-Mart’s dollar section, we found some and gave them each one. Well, let’s just say it was really loud while they played, and it’s a toy we want to hide now!

I really liked doing the nativity because it helps the kids to remember why we are celebrating Christmas. Also, acting it out is what I did all growing up when we went to my dad’s parent’s house for our Christmas party. I hope this is a tradition we will keep doing. Kayleigh HAD to be Mary, so I gave up that to be a shepherd. Michael was Joseph and Landon was our little baby Jesus. He spent most of the time trying to get out of the manger, but looked pretty cute doing so.
Following the nativity we opened presents. Of course this is what Kayleigh had been waiting for. She was so excited! She ripped open her presents and was very excited with what she got. Her wooden pizza was probably the highlight for her. Grandpa also made her a nice wooden board to do her puzzles on, it's great! She got a ew coloring book and sticker book. Landon got some pretty cute puzzles and blocks, a new outfit and a new book. Michael got a Home Depot gift card, I got a card to Michael's and then we also got a lot of food storage items. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Tabernacle Choir Christmas Party

Michael and me

Marie and me

Okay, my meat was pretty red and I traded with my sweet husband.

Yes, we were once again in charge of the nametags for this big event, all 1300 of them. This year it went exceptionally smooth as Michael merged the huge file on the computer and then they were printed and we began stuffing them. The only thing I wish I could change is the fact that we are putting them together the SAME week as the concert. Needless to say, we never went to bed before 1:00a.m. that week.

The party day was fun. Michael took the day off and volunteered to stay home with the kids in the morning. So, my mom, the usual babysitter, got to come down to the Grand America with me and help set up for the night. She had a great time doing this, isn't it fun for moms to get out?!

After the set-up was mostly done, we enjoyed a delicious lunch there and then headed home. I quickly dropped her off and ran to find something I could wear that night. Why is that when you are looking for something specific, you can't find it?? I wanted/needed a new black skirt and I've been looking for awhile. FINALLY found one about 2 hours before the party started at Kohl's. Why didn't I just go there first? Anyway, found a cute outfit, rushed home to get ready and off we went back to the Grand.

Dinner was really good! Chicken and beef, potatoes, veggies, salad, rolls and dessert. My favorite part was dessert. I was so full after! I slept super great that night as I knew our job was done and I could relax now.

Lyman family party

This year we were lacking in family parties to attend! Okay, I'm not really complaining because we were still plenty busy, but I missed seeing all my cousins, etc. My dad's side of the family decided not to have a family party this year which is the 1st time we've not had one. My mom's side of the family is getting so big we kind of just do one every other year for Christmas. So, we only had Michael's mom's side of the family party to go to.

Every year it's fun to get together on a Sunday evening, listen to his grandpa say a few words, play some games and eat yummy ice cream cake made by his grandma. This year they did a few games that you'd find on Minute to Win It, that t.v. show. The best was watching Kayleigh jump around trying to get little bouncy balls out of the box that was tied to her waist! It was fun.

Concerts

Beautiful set!

Myself and my sis Me and hubby

On December 14th-19th, we practically lived downtown. Why you might ask? We had rehearsals and performances with the Bells on Temple Square as we performed with the choir, orchestra, David Archuleta and Michael York for the annual Christmas concert. Five babysitters later and not very much sleep, we survived! It was so much fun! The concerts were fantastic!! I think the dancing was exceptional this year, along with the costumes.

David Archuleta did an amazing job! We loved the arrangements he did of Joy to the World and Silent Night! We loved how he was so humble and grateful for the opportunity he was given to sing with the choir. Michael York was the narrator and he did a great job of telling a story about the Tabernacle Choir and reading from Luke about the birth of Christ.

We also got to perform on two Sunday morning broadcasts with the choir in December. It’s always hard to get up really early to get to these, but they are well worth it. It is fun to be with the choir and get to see all the people who came to visit Temple Square for the first time. One of my favorite parts of being on a broadcast is being able to sing “God be with you till we meet again” with the choir.

Michael and I have had a very fun time being in the Bells on Temple Square together. My parents made it possible for us to do it for a year, and we are grateful to them for watching our kids every Wednesday night and other times when rehearsals were called. Michael will miss it, but we feel like right now he should take a break and be with the kids on Wednesday nights while I continue. One day he’d really like to be a member of the choir, so who knows, maybe in a few years he will be.

I went to rehearsal last night by myself and I was a little lonely. Marie, my sis, who's also in the bells is on maternity leave so I'm really alone! I'm sure I'll get used to it though.