Las Vegas etc.

We were able to spend last week in Las Vegas thanks to my Mom and her timeshare. My Mom, Cayden, Marcia, Jocelyn, Matt and I all drove down last Friday... all of us in one van, thank goodness for portable DVD players and the Nintendo DS!
We had a fabulous time going to the Aquarium, Circus Circus, Treasure Island, the M&M factory and the swimming pool. Obviously it was a very kid oriented trip but we had a wonderful time. Jocelyn loved every minute of it. Unfortunately the weather wasn't as nice as you expect Vegas to be, it was a little chilly and very windy but we did manage a little time at the pool. Jocelyn loved the water, by the end of the trip she had almost mastered swimming with the water wings. I will enroll her in lessons again soon. :)

Yesterday Jocelyn went to Myah's 4th birthday party. They had a princess castle jump house and Joss had the time of her life bouncing and climbing the ladder to slide down. She has talked about nothing else since we left. Thanks Misty, Zach and Myah!

Congratulations to Marc, Terah, Lexie and Brodie on the birth of the twins Gabrielle and Danielle. I can't wait to meet my new nieces!

I start training for the Census next week, yeah!

Pictures will be posted as soon as I figure out how to get them off our new camera! ;)

Jocelyn is 2!

Jocelyn on the Dora Big Wheel that Matt and I got her. She loves it!



Jocelyn celebrated her second birthday yesterday. She woke up and opened her presents from Mom and Dad and then we went to the toy store to spend her Birthday Gift Certificate that Toys R Us sends out. Later in the afternoon we went to see the Princess and the Frog. She slept for all but the first ten and the last two minutes of the movie since she had refused to nap earlier in the day. We finished off the night by going out to dinner with my parents to celebrate Jocelyn's birthday and my Mom's birthday which is next week.





Today we had Jocelyn's birthday party at the Little Gym and it was wonderful! She had a fabulous time with all her friends and cousins. Thank you to everyone who came and made her day special. I think all the kids had a good time and the Little Gym did an awesome job hosting.

I am amazed that Matt and I have a two year old. It seems impossible that that much time has gone by since she was born. She is an amazing little girl and the light of our lives. She is starting to sing songs, she tries to sing her ABC's and potty training is going pretty well, most of the time she can count to 5 correctly, she is speaking in sentences and is so expressive! I can't believe how much personality she has!

Her two year old stats: 37" tall (off the charts) 29.8 lbs. (90th percentile)

What Jocelyn is loving right now:

Her binky
Her lovey
Max and Ruby
Harold and the Purple Crown
Where the Wild Things Are
The Little Gym
Bubbles
Anything she can do outside
Going to the nursery in Church
Her Dora Big Wheel
Balls

Changes

Unfortunately, Matt was laid off from Crum Electric last Friday. We have made some adjustments and are hoping we can manage with the pay cut. I think I should start my job with the Census soon which will be so helpful in tiding us over until Matt can find a new job.

Although we will miss the paychecks from Crum, Jocelyn and I have been enjoying having Matt home with us. Last week we went for walks, to the zoo, story time at the library, built snowmen and spent tons of time blowing bubbles during the mild afternoons. Matt has a long 'to do' list that he hopes to accomplish while he is off work.

Another set back for my family, my Dad is closing the shop next month. His head mechanic turned in his two weeks notice to open his own shop and is taking the other two mechanics with him. After going over all the options we have decided that the best course to take is liquidate inventory and close the shop. My Dad has had the rug completely pulled out from under him by his supposed friend and business partner and we are all feeling a little helpless. Matt and I will do whatever we can in the next few weeks to help ease the transition. Hopefully in the end it will be for the best and Dad can enjoy his retirement.

Jocelyn will be two in less than a week - so hard to believe! She is so excited for her party and asks daily to make sure that certain people are coming. She is talking in small sentences and her pronunciation gets better all the time. This week at Little Gym she walked the balance beam all by herself without holding on to the bars - she was so pleased with herself!!!

Matt and I bought Jocelyn a fish tank a couple weeks ago in hopes that the white noise from the filter would help her sleep. Fat chance, but she loves feeding the fish twice a day and telling them good morning and good night.

January so far...

Matt started school this past Monday and is a little overwhelmed but excited. He is taking three classes, English, Math and Economics -- nothing too exciting but they have to be taken. I am so proud of him for going back to school and pursuing the career he wants.
I am getting over a cold which I seem to have passed on to Jocelyn. I also had an interview this morning for a part time job with the US Census. I got the job and should start in the next few weeks. I have mixed feelings about this but am hoping that by working until August (when the job is over) we can be where we need to be financially and I can go back to being mostly a stay at home mom. I will continue to work at the shop and the Jazz games.
Jocelyn and I have also been attending story time at the library - she loves it! They sing and dance and play instruments, there are about 15 other little kids her age and it is free... what more can you ask for?

Counting down...

It's almost Christmas and I am so excited! This year is going to be especially wonderful since Jocelyn understands what is going on. She has loved opening the doors on her advent calender and is eyeing the presents daily.

Matt had his second round of shots in his knees yesterday which will hopefully last at least another six months. Unfortunately the epidural he got in his back last week lasted only for a day. We are hoping to get a second opinion on the whole back thing in the next couple of weeks.

On a more positive note, Matt has enrolled at Salt Lake Community College and will be starting classes in January. He is going to be teacher when all is said and done - I am so proud of him for going back to school and pursuing his dream.

Remember, if Christmas isn't found in your heart, you won't find it under a tree.

~Charlotte Carpenter

Happy Holidays!

Thanksgiving

It is Thanksgiving morning and before I start to run around around getting things ready to go I thought I would post about what I am thankful for.


I am thankful for Jocelyn who is the light of my life and for Matt who is my best friend, my rock, and the love of my life. They both make me happier than I ever thought I could be.

I am thankful that Matt and I have the most amazing families. They are always there for us and tons of fun to be around.

I am thankful that we all have our health.

I am thankful that I have a job... even though I need another one.

I am thankful that I get to look outside each day and see the beauty of the mountains.

I am thankful that on Saturday Matt and I will have been non-smokers for 1 month.

I am thankful that the Lord is in our lives and has blessed us so much.

I am thankful for love, all kinds.

It is overwhelming to me how much I have to be thankful for - and when I start to look at all the good things in my life the bad things seem to just fade away.


Happy Thanksgiving.

Conversation

This was the conversation between Jocelyn and I last night...

Me "I love you baby girl"
Joss "Love too"
Me "That's sweet, thank you"
Joss "Welcome"


It just warmed my heart!