Santa Claus is comin' to town

The tree is up, the presents are wrapped, the house is decorated, and we are more than ready for Christmas to be here. We are ever so (NOT) patiently counting down the days until the 24th when we make our long drive out to Utah to enjoy the holidays with our families. Until then, I am attempting to find things to fill our long and car-less days while having a fun and festive time with the kids.

Daddy is MIA at school all day every day as he is taking exams for the next two weeks. He's a hard worker, sometimes getting up at 2 or 3 a.m. just to get a little more studying in! I don't know how he does it, and I'm glad it's him and not me :) Although, we really miss him being able to enjoy the festivities of pre-Christmas with us. Also, he takes the car to school, so we are pretty house-bound. Still, the days are ticking down and we'll soon be going home. We can't wait!!
I took Kassidy and Korbin to go see Santa at the mall last week with some friends. The set up was adorable, like a winter wonderland, and all Narnia themed. They had a huge dome with fake snow to play in. Fun and a mess! We were cleaning fake snow out of crevices all day. Unfortunately, they wouldn't let you take your own photos, and they wanted $20 for a 5x7 picture. Being a tightwad with no money, I had to pass. So standing in line is as close as we got to a picture :) Kassidy loved Santa and he was so sweet!

Cotton Corner

Kevin's very talented big sister made us this adorable little hat. I LOVE it!!! It fits my little football head boy perfectly :) If you're interested, she started an etsy site. She sells custom hats and bows and more. Check it out, they'd make great gifts!

www.etsy.com/shop/cottoncorner

Good helpers

My kids love to be on the bed when I bring in a warm batch of laundry right from the dryer. They are great helpers and Kassidy helps bury her brother under the clean clothes. He loved it so much he decided to take a nap right next to sister's clean undies :)

Can you spot the kids?

Thanksgiving

Since we didn't have enough time off school to travel home, we had another Thanksgiving here in sunny California. We invited Kevin's sister Kelli and her family (she was a trooper to come since she just gave birth 5 days earlier!) and our friends the Tabish's ended up coming too. It was a wonderful day full of delicious food (yes, I cooked), good company, Christmas movies, playing with friends and cousins, and playing games. It gave me a warm cozy feeling and felt like being home. I guess home really is where you're surrounded by friends and family :) Here are a few, ahem, (a lot) of pictures.

My little helper and I preparing the bird.

The boys, Kevin, Scott and Andrew.

Cute Jen and Korbin.

Best buds Kassidy and Sara.

Cory and the newest addition to the Marchant/Fletcher family...Braxzyn! Only 5 days old.

The kid table. These 4 played together so well all day!

Watching Elf and playing Boggle.

More turkey (aka rice cereal)!

Doesn't Kelli look so good for just having given birth?

Here's to many more wonderful Thanksgivings with the people I love!

Another post below.

Kelli's new addition

Kevin's sweet big sister Kelli just had baby #3 last week and we couldn't be happier! We were lucky enough to get to see them in the hospital and have the two older boys come stay at our house for a couple days. Kelli's family just moved out here near us a few months ago. It's nice to have some family close by!

New baby boy was 9 lbs 3 oz and 22 inches long. We like 'em big in the Marchant family! He and Kelli are both healthy and doing great. Kelli and Cory named him Braxzyn K. Fletcher. Big brothers Treyson and Cayden are really excited. Congrats Kelli!

Korbin looks GIANT next to newborn Braxzyn! And he's only 4 months old :)
Waiting in the hall with my kids so we don't crowd the small hospital room.

Things I look forward to:

Disclaimer: I truly love being a mommy and everything that comes with it. This post is all in good fun and highlights some of the things we mommies go through every day.

Things I look forward to when my children are grown:

*Taking a shower without having a conversation with a toddler in a princess outfit on the other side of the glass.

*Eating a meal and not hearing, "But I don't like this!"

*Sleeping through the night!!!

*Going to the bathroom alone (I don't even shut the door because someone always comes and finds me )

*Being able to quickly run into the grocery store for a gallon of milk without having to unload the kids. It's quite the production.

*Having a clean house that STAYS clean!

*Going to the movies with my husband again.

*Actually having a date night that doesn't include little people :)

*Not feeling like a milk cow (sorry boys, but it does happen).

*Having nice things and not worrying about them getting broken.

*Not having to watch Dora, Super Why, Sesame Street, and EVERY Disney movie ever made.

*Having nice things, not disposable things.

*Reading a book in one sitting. Right now I get about 10 minutes at a time while I'm feeding Korbin.

*Watching an entire movie without having to pause it.

*Not having to carry a humongous diaper bag everywhere I go.

All in good time Robyn, all in good time.....

He's an eater

I am tired. This is to be expected since I have a 4 month old. But seriously, kid, why do you have to wake up every 2-3 hours! Korbin was a great sleeper last month. We were getting 6-7 hour stretches. It was bliss. So what happened?! I know, he's still young and trying to get into a routine. Maybe he's having a growth spurt. Who knows. But I am tired.

My solution was to try and fill up his little tummy to capacity so hopefully he'll sleep a little longer. I need this for my sanity and so I can be a good mommy the next morning.

The plan didn't really work. He still wakes up about every 3-4 hours now. But man, isn't he cute eating his rice cereal? On to plan B...a live in wet nurse.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

I have truly been blessed in my life. Not only do I always have the essentials (food, water, shelter, safety, transportation, etc.), but I have been blessed with what I consider to be the most important thing, which is knowledge that my Father in Heaven loves me wants what is best for me. I know without a doubt that we are his children and that we can return to live with Him again. I know that we were sent here to be tested and tried, and sometimes life is inexplicably trying, so that we can be better people. We don't always understand all that happens to us here, but I have faith that our Father does know. He will always be there for us when we feel we are ready to talk to Him.

I'm feeling especially thankful during this holiday time (what is it about this time of year that makes everyone so much nicer and happier? I wish it were more like this year round. ) for my faith. It has sustained me during difficult times in my life. I haven't had anything heartbreakingly difficult happen to me like some people. I have my health and all my family is still alive. I am mentally sound (I think) and my children are adorable and healthy. I have an education, a home, a husband who loves me unconditionally, and amazing friends. I live in a free country and feel safe walking outside my door. And this is just scratching the surface of all that I have and am thankful for.

Most important in this list of things are the people I have in my life. Where would I be without them? I feel that life would be most depressing if I thought this was the only time I would see them, during this short existence. I know that I will be with my family and friends again in the next life. I know that through the blessings of the temple, I can be with my family for eternity. I feel truly comforted by this knowledge. Elder Dallin H. Oaks (he's a general authority in my

church) says we need to have "an attitude of gratitude". I encourage you all to keep this in mind, not only during this month, but always. I'm also grateful for the technology that allows me to share my thoughts, feelings, and testimony with anyone who cares to read it.

the many faces of hAlLoWeEn

Remember this?

(Jessie the cowgirl)

Well, come actual Halloween day she changed her mind and wanted to be this...

(Snow White, posing very dramatically)

And three days later she's decided that Halloween's not over, it's "on", so we're still wearing costumes at our house. Here's the most recent:

(she's Astrid from "How to train your dragon")

Yes, our girl has a mind of her own, and much like her mother, she's very indecisive on her apparel for the day :)

We had a wonderful Hallo-week here in sunny California. Fun all around!

Here's Korbin, checking out his cute buddy in grandma Jennette's mirror. Don't you love the little rat tail hair patch that's still left?

What is this stuff?

Until next year!

Ward Halloween party 2010

Our ward held a Halloween party this year since Halloween happens to fall on a Sunday. I guess they're not usually a "celebrate the demonic holiday" ward, so I was very grateful for the festivities :) We invited our non-member neighbors and Kevin's sis and fam who just moved out here. Kassidy had a blast, and despite the pouring rain outside, the trunk-or-treat was moved into the halls of the church and it was a big success! The primary also hosted some carnival games, making the night a huge hit!

Here's Kassidy the yodeling cowgirl and Sara and cupcake baker. Could there be any two cuter girls? Don't answer that any other way beside no because I will argue that you're WRONG!

Korbin/Woody and aunt Kelli. Kelli's due with boy #3 in 3 weeks!

Pharmacist Daddy and Woody

Power Ranger cousin Cayden, Cupcake Baker Sara, Cowgirl Jessie Kassidy, and Giants pitcher Lincecum Lauren

Kass with the cute spider she made.

My aunt and uncle with Korbin.

Good times! Thanks FF 3rd ward :)

Pumpkin Patch

While looking for a fun playdate activity to do this week, we came across the most adorable pumpkin patch in Suisun Valley. We spent a wonderful 2 hours there and the girls had a blast! Here's a peek:

Sitting on a pumpkin throne with a stick scepter

Love these kids!

Hanging out, just the boys :)

Getting lost in a kids corn maze with only left turns :)

Pumpkin bowling at corn cobs

Waving atop the hay pyramid. Aren't they cute?

We have great friends and love doing things like this with them.

I love fall!!

The sewing bug

I lucked out this month when my friend bought herself a new sewing machine. The old machine made its way to my hands, making me feel like it was an early Christmas. I've been wanting a sewing machine for a while, but haven't wanted it bad enough for it to be my entire Christmas or birthday present just because I wasn't sure how much I would actually use it. Lucky me, I now have one for free! It's work great and I'm determined to teach myself to sew.

Except for my 8th grade TLC class (remember that?), I have zero sewing experience. Well, my little yodeling cowgirl stated that she wants her brother to be Woody (from Toy Story) for Halloween. I couldn't see how I was going to be able to find a very miniature cowboy costume for my 3 month old, so I decided to take a whack at sewing my own. It's been a lot funner than I expected and a nice release from a busy day being mommy.

I still have a long ways to go, but I'm learning from my mistakes and having a good time doing it! Thank goodness for the internet. I've been able to find tutorials and free patterns for lots of fun projects.

Here's Kassidy's costume, and NO, I didn't make it. But I did make her a trick-or-treat bag out of Korbin's left over fabric.

Korbin's cowboy vest and badge

I had so much fun with the vest that I decided to make Kassidy an apron so she can help me cook. The pattern is really cute. You can't tell, but it's an orange paisley print. Don't look too close or you'll see all my mistakes :)

Here's to many more late night sewing projects!

Things I say daily

Wow, I'm struggling with my blogging lately. No particular reason. I've been having one of those months where I feel super busy, but when I look back I can't particularly see what I've done to be so busy. Eh. Maybe it's having 2 kids. Whatever.

Anyway, lately I also feel like a broken record and have realized that I repeat certain things MULTIPLE times a day. Here are just a few I've noticed (mommies, these may sound familiar):

*I love you

*Do you need to go potty?

*Get out of Korbin's face!

(Kassidy has a bad habit of getting right in her brothers face and making obnoxious noises)

*You're my buddy!

*Play nice

*Let's go!

*Hold my hand

*We missed you (to Kevin when he comes home)

*Hi baby (to Korbin)

As you can see, my day is filled with scintillating conversation. I really do enjoy my days with my beautiful kids. Korbin has been such a wonderful baby! He's so relaxed and easy going and doesn't require much to keep him happy. I've really enjoyed having him around these past 3 months. He's my sweet little man!

Blessing Day

We blessed our sweet baby Korbin yesterday in Spanish Fork. We came home to Utah for a little vacation (thanks to a Jewish school with lots of random holidays :)) and decided to do it where most of our family could be present. It was such a beautiful and special day for our family. Kevin gave an amazing blessing! Lets just say I'm excited to see what Korbin's going to do with his life because he was promised some pretty neat things. I hope he lives the way he should so we can see all those blessings come to pass.

We had a great turnout from our family and friends and were so grateful for all the sweet support from everyone. I took a bazillion photos and don't want to post them all here since it takes forever. So here are a few and I'll put the rest on good old facebook.

This is Korbin and his cousin Swasey. She's only 3 weeks younger than Korbin and he looks HUGE next to her!

After church--here's the new Marchant clan!

Korbin is so lucky to have a daddy like Kevin! I hope he follows in his daddy's footsteps :)

Grandma Marchant

Grandma Shelly, Korbin, and Great-Grandma Hicken