"Seriously So Blessed"

Anyone heard of this blog???  Well, I read it this morning and I have to admit it is... seriously so funny, but I could see where they they were coming from.  Some of these blogs and holiday cards can be a little much.  I'll be the first to confess, I tend to put our life's highlights not "lowlights" into my blog and holiday letter because I feel like SERIOUSLY who wants to read about someone else's bad life... unless it has a funny twist of course.  Trust me, I in no way try to sugar-coat life.  I am am optimist though and truly feel most things aren't worth getting that down about.  I try not to give negativity a whole lot of my energy.   I don't mean to make light of any of very sad or difficult situations.  I know some of these cause real suffering and I have empathy for those in these very tough situations.  My sister was bothered with me the other day because I don't share my problems.  She said my life seemed "bullet-proof".  Seriously, I don't have any huge problems going on.  At least nothing that warrants gabbing about.  My life is not "bullet-proof" and believe you me I have had plenty of ups and downs (like everyone else).  I could complain a ton about the injustices of my life or I could... count my many blessings... name them one by one (that was for you, lds friends ;-))  and move on.  Check out seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com if you want to laugh and if you are lds you may find it even more seriously so funny!

When We Get There We'll Scream YES!!

We travelled through a blizzard this year for our yearly "Polar Express" tradition, but it was well worth the adventure once we arrived.  It was freezing cold and we were happy to board the toasty warm train headed straight to the North Pole :-)
The kids lined up in front of the window waiting to get a glimpse of Santa and his reindeer.
Two happy boys!  Our Soren and his lifelong buddy Ben.  Ben wanted to hold his hand, which was so cute.
Hang on to your hats we're almost there!  After the trip we went and sat on Santa's lap... Soren wants a race track and Dylan wants a Star Wars set this year.  Next year between us and the two other couples we went with, we will have FOUR more babies with us!!  I can't even imagine!

Snow Pictures

Part way through the storm it looked like this.  Michael just called and said we may get ten.. yes TEN more inches this week.  D is SO excited for ski lessons.
D on the side of our house.  He's hoping Daddy will build him a snow fort.
Snow, snow, snow every way you go!  Here's the pile in front of our house.  The boys are worried it's going to melt.  I don't see that happening for a loooooooong time...

Snowed In

Yes, you could say that.  This is the third day of school cancellations and while that may sound scary, I'm getting used to it and kind of starting to enjoy it.  I told D today that I was so happy he was home and I'll miss him when he goes back!  Homeschool anyone??  Luckily, Christmas break starts Friday and we'll have two whole weeks where we can just hang out, go shopping, make treats and snuggle by the fire watching movies.  My two boys had their "well child" Dr. visits this morning and both are WELL.  Both little string beans, but both as healthy as horses.  D shot up 5 1/2 inches over the past year and a half!!  I thought his pants had been looking a little short.  And my littlest continues along his own curve, but also grew almost 3 inches since his last visit!  We won't talk about weight... let's just say my kiddos grow up and not out.  One day they'll be grateful :-)  The Dr. suggested instant breakfast, but I think I could pour straight cream down their throats and they'd be exactly the same.  They eat a ton as it is!  My husband and I were the exact same way.  The third little bean in my belly is doing well.  I know I keep forgetting to mention her.  Sometimes I forget I'm even pregnant!  She's been kicking up a storm lately and my OB says she'll be just like the boys- a tiny little feisty thing!  I can't wait!!  The boys have both been able to feel her kick, which they loved.  

I'll post some pics. of our monstrous snowstorm soon.  We probably have about 2 feet out there right now!

Happy Anniversary!

To our good friends Susie and Matt.  I know they are holed up in their cabin right now with their two sweet girls and probably getting tired of all this snow, BUT we want you to know we are thinking of you and hope you have a beautiful day... maybe even a little romance ;-)  You guys are such a wonderful couple.  We hope your day is special!

Love, The Skaggs Fam.

In the Land of Snow and Ice!

We have a freezing cold storm that hit last night and is supposed to come again and bring a TON of snow... we're crossing our fingers!  The boys have had a blast all morning riding their truck through the snow drifts and down our icy road.  The littlest has NO fear on this thing and would probably drive it off a cliff if we let him... (no, all you Grandmas reading this, we would never let him :-))
D's new ski outfit (minus one glove ;-))  We hope he and Daddy can get up to the mountain soon for some skiing and snowboarding this year!  Think SNOW!

The Big Test...

D had his belt test for Tae Kwon Do this weekend and passed.  He worked so hard and we're so proud of him!  Way to go D!
He broke this board with a side kick on his first shot!
Prepping for the big moment...
Waiting so patiently... which is a big part of Tae Kwon Do.  It's hard for these little guys to hold still for even a minute, but they did it!  Well done Mister!!

Birthday Party Pics.

The best part of the day was definitely the birthday juice box!
The prized car!  He played with this all day and even took it to bed.
One, two, three... blow!  He was so excited for his cake and blew all the candles out on the first shot.  It was an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins and I have to admit it was really GOOD!

Happy 3rd Birthday sweetheart!!

Bad Bug, Good Bug

Our almost 3 year old little bug!  Happy Birthday to you!

I'm proud to say we made it to almost December without sick season catching up with us. This could be a record! We are now all in recovery from a number of not so friendly bugs. Soon we WILL ALL BE WELL AND FREE OF YUCKY BUGS!!! Tomorrow we are celebrating our littlest's birthday even though he officially turns 3 on Dec. 19th. These three years we have had with him have kept us laughing... and cleaning quite a bit. He is such a character and so mischievous, yet such a sweet little snuggle bug all at the same time. Looking at him you would never believe he was capable of the following: Bleaching our brand new master bedroom carpet with blemish cream, flooding our bathroom so bad that the water came out of our house and onto the deck below, coloring on nearly every surface of this house, cutting his pants with scissors, ripping apart any book he is left alone with, covering himself from head to toe with Mommy's VERY perfumy lotion and spreading it all over the bathroom floor and these are just a FEW of the highlights!! While he keeps us on our toes, I never known a more affectionate little guy. He's too cute... I can never stay mad too long. If I do seem frusterated he'll always say with his arms around me "Mommy, you happy??" How can I say No to that! He's my Mama's Boy and I love him to pieces!

He Passed, He Passed!

Ok, my husband is not one to toot his own horn, so I'm tooting it for him... he passed his IBHRE (don't ask what it stands for) test!!! The hardest test he's ever taken in his life for work. Many people do not pass and he studied so long and so hard for this. I am SO proud of him!!! What an amazing guy :-)

Nature Babies

My precious little niece Miss Alyssa. She is the most active baby I have ever seen in my life! This was the one time she sat still.. just long enough to snap a picture, then she was off to explore!
My sister, Lauren and my sweet little nephew, Andrew. We don't get to see them enough!
The boys are going fishing. They used their sticks to catch leaves (fish) floating by and had a ball.
My handsome little guy with his fishing poles.
I thought this picture looked like one of those old fashioned boys like Tom Sawyer, just sitten' by the creek pondering life... or frogs :-)

We had a wonderful visit with all of our family and friends at Thanksgiving. We are so grateful for all of you! The visits went by too fast, but hopefully we'll be able to see my sis. and her babies again this spring.

Turkey Day is Upon Us...

So, here's our "Cassawary" ( I have no idea how to spell that), but it's an Australian bird that's very VERY dangerous and can't fly and is as big as the teacher!!  The kindergarten class put on a darling and very informative presentation for Thanksgiving all about Australia.  They have learned so much and so have I since their teacher was in Australia for an entire year.
Smile for the camera.... DO IT!!
This one has thoroughly enjoyed kindergarten.  I give a lot of credit to his great teacher, who is always amazing me with her ideas for the class. 

I am so grateful for her this Thanksgiving along with so many other blessings... how do I even begin?  A baby girl coming soon, an amazing husband and two beautiful boys, relatives we never see who get to spend the holiday with us, the best friends on earth, our HEALTH and the joy of living in a beautiful, friendly community where we feel so at home.  Thank you, thank you!!  We hope you all enjoy your holiday and are able to be with  those you love.

Two Little Gentlemen

We were lucky to find an amazing photographer to take some family shots downtown.  Here's our biggest... as you can see he's writing up a storm these days!
And our littlest (soon to be middlest!) with his sweet smile.  His 3rd Birthday is right around the corner.  I can hardly believe it!  I love it though... these really are my favorite ages.  I love babies, but when they start talking and having a little personality it is too cute.  Their innocence and wisdom blows me away all at the same time!

One more from Eleanor

Beautiful ocean at La Jolla Shores... it's calling me

And another favorite from Eleanor...I have to remind myself of this one A LOT ;-)

Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Fun in the Warm Warm Sun

This weekend we went down to the Valley of the Sun for some warm weather and to visit friends. The first friends we saw are the proud parents of twins, Will and Kate, born at 27 weeks gestation. They are now 31 weeks and doing great! They are so beautiful and look just like miniature newborn babies. They even have a little hair! It was so great to see them. They are such a miracle!
We took the kids to Encanto Park, which is HUGE and so much fun! Soren wasn't sure about all the rides, but he had big brother to protect him!
We got to each lunch with our other great friends at one of my favorite Valley restaurants.... Postino. It is modern, fresh, Italianish Americanish??? Hard to describe, but sooooo good!
One ride everyone loves... the carousel!
And we came home to this!!! Yes, that is snow you see in our front yard! We drove through a blizzard to get home the night before and this was the beautiful sight the next morning. We love the seasons, but thank goodness warm weather is always just a short drive away :-)

The Verdict is in....

It's a GIRL!!!! We had our ultrasound today and everything was perfect. We are so excited to be adding a girl to our all boy family. The boys are super excited to have a sister (suprised me!). The boys will share a room with bunk beds, which they already love, and we'll be painting the nursery pink! Thank you all for your congrats and well wishes. We feel so blessed!!

Favorite Quotes

I love quotes and love to share my favorites. This one in particular always gives me strength in challenging situations:

We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot.
Eleanor Roosevelt

I also love Eleanor Roosevelt. What a deeply inspiring woman. I will try to post many great quotes from her along the way.

OBAMA for yo' MAMA!!!!!!

Yahooooooooooo!!! I'm am thrilled to say Barrack Obama is the next president of the US! What an exciting night it was. It brought tears to my eyes to see the pride on the faces of the black AND white communities. People were crying, hugging, laughing all together. It was almost surreal. I think we are going to get back on track and see an America many of us have never seen before. I'm so proud of our country right now. More to come....

Another BLog comin' your way!

So, some of you may know... this is my 3rd attempt at blogging. I like the idea of it, I like reading other people's blogs... even stalking other people through their blogs. I just can't seem to find the time to stalk myself! So, this time I'm going to really really try. To introduce, we are a little family consisting of one loving, hardworking mom, one handsome, hardworking dad, two energetic, creative and sweet boys and one little pea on the way! We are happy despite stressful times and love nothing more than being together. Our favorite "togetherness" includes: hiking, biking, going out to eat at delicious restaurants, travelling, watching movies with popcorn, making forts, catching bugs, reading stories while we snuggle and the ever popular BOYS NIGHT during which I get to retreat for some much needed relaxation!
We find out the sex of our pea November 10th. I will let you all know that day!