Our New House

Just thought I'd post some pics of our soon to be new home here in St. George. It is almost finished and we should be closing by the end of the month. Kade and I are so excited to finally be getting into a home after almost 2 years of renting down here in St. George. It's been a challenging process deciding on a house and took a lot of patience waiting until the housing market down here finally reached a level that we could afford. It's also been an interesting process choosing the finishing colors and such on the house. The home is a spec home by a local builder and since we decided to purchase the house before it was finished he has let us pick most of the finishes including the tile, carpet, paint, etc. I had no idea what I was getting myself and Kade into! It is so stressful trying to coordinate colors and stay in budget! I'm just crossing my fingers that it will all come together once it's finished.

5 months and growing

Ethan is growing...and not just in size, he is also growing attached...to me...and only me. I know I should be happy about this, after all, he recognizes me and loves to just stare at me with the cutest little smile, just like the one in this picture. The only problem is, he wants me all the time now. Gone are the days that I could leave him in his bouncy chair while I clean the house, get ready, play with Kellin, etc. Now, whenever he sees me walk past him without picking him up or stopping to play he lets out the most agonized scream imaginable. I'm not kidding, hearing him I'd swear he was loosing a toe or finger or being circumsized! But, as soon as I come back into view, he stops, smiles and begs me with his round eyes to come back and play with him. It breaks my heart to hear him scream, so now I just wear headphones all day! Just kidding! I'm sure this is one of those developmental stages that will soon pass - I just hope it passes soon. On another note, we have started feedling him baby food which he seems to be enjoying and so far he likes peas (yea!), green beens (yuck!), carrots, sweet potatoes, rice cereal and bananas. Now if I could just get him to take a bottle!

New Years!!

For New Year's this year we were in California staying at my sister Vivian's house. We were invited by my sister Joyce to go to a six course dinner at a very nice restaurant. We had so much fun trying the gourmet food and enjoying the festive atmosphere. After dinner, we went back to Vivian's house and celebrated the New Years playing music and visiting.

Christmas 2007 in California

We spent Christmas in California at my sister Vivian's house. We had a great time visiting family and enjoying the beautiful, windy California weather. We drove down on Saturday before Christmas and returned home on New Year's day. It was one of the most enjoyable trips we have taken in a long time and although we didn't do anything extravagant, we really enjoyed each day. It really felt like a vacation should feel. Kellin had so much fun meeting his aunts, uncles and cousins. Everyone loved meeting baby Ethan for the first time and watching him smile and giggle. It was good to see my Amato family and reconnect with some of them that I haven't seen in a few years.
One night we went to Downtown Disney and although it was cold (brrr!) we had lots of fun listening to music and looking in all the shops. We stopped for dinner at a little pizza place because all the restaurants were packed with all the Christmas Disneyland crowds.











Kellin enjoyed a cotton candy ice cream cone at Laguna Beach. I'm sure everyone thought we were crazy giving him an ice cream cone in the cold weather but he loved it, so who cares?!

We went to Dana Point harbor with my sister Vivian and my brother Lenny and his two kids, Annie & Mack. We enjoyed the crisp air and walked along the shore. We even saw a seal sun bathing on a rock. Kellin had so much fun with his cousins!




Kellin and his cousin, Becky, watching TV in her new Barbie Jeep on Christmas Eve at Uncle David's house.

Kellin putting out Graham crackers and milk for Santa on Christmas Eve.

Kellin checking out his Santa gifts on Christmas morning.


Mommy and Kellin helping baby Ethan open his gifts from grams & papa.

Family Christmas Party

The weekend before Christmas my family came up from Las Vegas for a little family Christmas party. Grams & Papa brought Zach & Jacob, Tanner & Aubrey and the Muir family also came over to our house. We made smores in the backyard on our fire pit and had hot chocolate & cookies. Grams read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and papa told the Christmas story from the bible. The kids made reindeer food and then we sang a few Christmas songs. We also played "Apples to Apples" and had a lot of fun. It was fun to get together and visit, and I know Kellin loved playing with his cousins. We missed Shelley, Val & Whitney from the Throckmorton family, Jeff (because he had to work) and the Hendrickson's (because they live way far away in Alabama). It was fun to all squeeze into our tiny little house, but hopefully someday we will have a house big enough for everyone. Thanks to everyone who came!

Mary's 29th Birthday

On December 12th we celebrated my 29th Birthday! It was a fun night spent with Kade and the boys. We went out to dinner and then had cake at home. Kade got me one of the best gifts yet - a skydiving gift certificate to Las Vegas Skydive! I can't wait!

If we had a Girl!

I couldn't resist!