Our Trip to N.Y.

We visited New York City after Jason took his oral boards in Philadelphia. Wonderful Grandma Taylor came for 6 days to watch our boys while we saw the sites, ate amazing food and went to shows.


It just so happened that the Jazz played the Nicks at Madison Square Garden while we were there. The Jazz played an amazing game -- taking the lead by 20 points then letting it slip to within 2 points in the fourth quarter. The Jazz did win, but really tried hard not to!


Jason on our tour of ground zero.


It was so much fun hanging out with Tally. She and Taylor are living the life in NYC for a year while he attends NYU.


The Best Cup Of Cocoa In The World! Tally recommended we visit The City Bakery to try the cocoa. In Tally's words: "It coats your stomach as it goes down -- just like Pepto Bismuth!" This cocoa was soooooo good. The homemade marshmallows were amazing, too. We didn't need any lunch after this breakfast treat.


Central Park was gorgeous. The leaves had turned and we actually got to experience Fall!


One of my lifetime dreams came true: I got to see West Side Story on Broadway!


Crazy Time Square -- quite a bit like Vegas, lots of crazy people, tourists and bright lights.

Happy Halloween from the Guys!

Our gang had a great series of Halloweens. From the Fall Festival to the trunk-or-treat, to the Springs Preserve Haunted Festival to the actual Halloween night -- we trick-or-treated the month away. It was SO GREAT having Jason home. Last year I got the guys dressed up over and over again, and hauled them all over the place by myself. This year I relaxed at home, chatting with the neighbors and giving out candy. Ahhhhh, I love having a husband home!

Our Halloween Party Tradition Continues

Way back in medical school (never thought I'd be writing that phrase) we had a tradition of throwing a Halloween party with the Allreds. We had costume contests, karaoke and silly games. This year Jen was inspired to bring back the tradition. We had so much fun! Here we are dressed as Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney. I couldn't believe how easily Jason transformed, just by graying out his sideburns. Also, thanks to Emily for the amazing red suit! Check out the Swasey blog for more fun pics.

Jack's Big Debut

Jack Taylor just made his debut on stage as "Jack Chomper, Sanitation Worker" in Kitty Ward Elementary School's production of "Cloudy With a Chance of Pumpkins." Based on the children's book "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs," the production was cute as can be. Jack was a bit nervous, but said his lines clearly and with great expression. I asked him if he had fun on stage. He said, "Kind of." Hmmm. Not sure if the drama bug is quite for him! Many thanks to Grandma Skidmore for transforming Uncle Jeremy's old 6th grade Ghostbuster costume into a garbage man suit for Jack!

Fun On the Farm

I need to move to a farm. We visited the Staheli Farm Pumpkin Patch in St. George and the boys had a blast! They just played and played and played. They slid down slides into a corn pit, rode on tire swings, went for rides on the "cow train," and got lost in a corn maze. We were so worn out that we opted out of the pumpkin patch visit and bought our pumpkins from the store. Thanks to Geneva for making the reservation. This will be a Fall tradition for us!








This sign cracked me up. No "fowl" language. I wonder if they meant to spell it that way?

Primary Program Sunday

We survived the Primary Program! We were asked to sing "My Eternal Family" -- Jason singing a small solo, then me, then Jack and Dallin. We had all of the boys up on the stand, Carson and Cameron squirming around, Cam trying to grab the mic, etc. But, Jack and Dallin did sing all by themselves! Bribing them with a new video game worked its magic!

Goodbye Ringo!

Yes, there was a real boy down there under all that hair. We were grooming him to be one of The Beatles, but decided the time had come to pull out the clippers. Friends have asked why we let his hair grow so long. Those friends need to spend about 5 minutes with little Carsie to learn that he is wild. It was for his own safety that we kept the scissors and clippers away from him.

Carson enjoys climbing on the kitchen table and counters now. He then runs back and forth playing "keep away" from you. He also loves splashing in the toilets, pulling all of the DVDs out, messing around in the garage and running in the street. Ahh, 1-yr-olds!

Our Bikin' Boy

Dallin is a totally smooth bike rider. He loves to ride and usually wears sunglasses. Today as he was getting ready to ride, we found out why. Dal said, "You know what Grandpa always wears when he goes bike riding? Sunglasses!" Dallin is strangely like his Grandpa Skidmore. They are both great at mechanical things -- Grandpa can build and fix anything and Dallin is getting a reputation as a "great lego car maker" according to Jack, Jake and Cole. I don't think Dal could keep up with his Grandpa on his bike yet, though.

Back to School . . .

Jack and Dallin have completed 2 weeks of school! Dallin loves kindergarten, especially riding the bus. Jack is in 1st grade and is a member of the W.O.W. drama club. He goes to school early 2 days a week to, in his own words: "Draw pictures and read lines from books, you know, Hollywood stuff."

A Camping We Will Go!

Cameron dished these pancakes up all by himself -- our little short order cook!

Missing Teeth: 1, 2, 3!

The Tooth Fairy's been busy at our house during the last few weeks!

Daddy Home!

Jason Is Home!!!

It is amazing -- we are a family again! I feel like a huge burden has been lifted off my shoulders. The knot in my stomach is now gone and I am a nice mom again. Jason flew in Saturday night, Jan. 10. I took Jack and Dallin with me to the airport. We got a special pass to go through security directly to the gate. We made it just as Jason was walking out the gate. The boys ran right to him yelling, "Daddy!" Then Dallin said, "You were gone for so long, dad." Jack was just elated! He loved being at the airport, especially riding on the tram to the terminal.

Cameron and Carson got to see Daddy the next day. Carson loves everybody, so it was hard to say if he recognized Jason or not. Cam was a bit shy at first, but as soon as Jason started making crepes Cam warmed right up to him.

We are so happy and feel complete!

A HUGE thank-you to all of our family and friends who helped these past four months. I could not have made it without my wonderful moms (& dads), my sister Lindsay, and friends like the Allreds, Chuggs, Carters, Dains & Thorntons. I am so grateful for my ward family -- for all of the free babysitting, meals and opportunities to escape for a while. THANK YOU!