I love this time of year!

Wow I feel like I hardly ever blog any more...I keep putting it off hoping that I will have good news to include in a blog, but not this time :) I love this time of the year when the snow if falling, and Christmas is just right around the corner. It is usually pretty hectic, but this year is pretty laid back and it has given me more time to think about the Savior and what this holiday is really about. Here is a little recap of what we have been up to lately. We had a great Thanksgiving dinner at my parents house with lots of family, it was great to see so many people!

My dad, uncle, brother, brother-in-law and Seth went shooting the morning of Thanksgiving. My cousins adorable little kids and my kiddos sat at this "special" kids table and had so much fun together! It was my aunts bday so we had bday cake along with our pumpkin pie...Hallie decided to pull up a chair and watch the cake until we cut it...it was so funny.

The day after thanksgiving, my wonderful grandmother made gingerbread and Dallin was invited to come decorate a gingerbread house. It turned out great, but unfortunately fell off the counter because his little sister was trying to pick the candy off of the house...

This was his most favorite part of the whole house...

Since Hallie broke Dallin's gingerbread house, we decided to make new mini gingerbread houses out of graham crackers. Hallie enjoyed licking the frosting while Dallin decorated his new house.

This past Saturday, we attended the annual Southwick family Christmas party. We had a yummy dinner, got to visit with lots of family, and there was a fun visit from Santa. Dallin got a fun book about dinosaurs with some dinosaur toys and a candy cane.

Hallie got a princess book and magna-doodle as well as a candy cane.

Hanging out while we were waiting for the flaming snowball contest (huge family tradition) to start.

Family picture with Santa!

Its hard to believe Christmas is only a few weeks away, where has this year gone?!?

Halloween and Hallie's Birthday

I can't believe my baby turned two today~ I was watching her open her presents and was thinking that she is the same age Dallin was when she was born! Time has flown by. We didn't do a big party this year since she is still so young, but my sister and brother and law spent the weekend here (thanks guys) and our good friends came over to have cake and ice cream with us. I wish I had taken more pictures....I will post better pictures when i get professional ones taken!

This past Thursday, we went to the Dr for the kids well checks...I can't believe how much they have grown. Here is there latest stats...

Dallin: 4 years old

Weight: 44.75 lbs (95.5 percentile)

Height: 43.5 inches (97.4 percentile)

Hallie: 2 years old Weight: 29 lbs (70 percentile)

Height: 37.7 inches (99.94 percentile)

(her height is literally off the charts...no wonder why she has already grown out of some of her fall clothes)

HALLIE'S BIRTHDAY

Riding the horse my parents gave her for her birthday...she LOVES it! Hallie getting ready to blow out her candles on her princess crown cake made of cupcakes... We went to the park on Thursday while we were waiting for Seth to finish at work...Dallin and Hallie were sitting like this while they watched the ducks swim! I love that they are such good buddies! HALLOWEEN

Carving pumpkins for family night...

We had a last minute costume change and Hallie insisted on wearing this unicorn costume, so when Dallin found a matching horse costume, he had to have one too...They looked pretty cute though. Hallie just held on to the head of the unicorn for dear life while she was trick or treating...

Can you see how thrilled they were to be taking pictures...haha HAPPY BIRTHDAY HALLIE! WE LOVE YOU AND ARE SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE YOU IN OUR FAMILY!

Save a life!

So I don't typically support causes on my blog and such, but this one is very near and dear to my heart. Our little Hallie turns two on November 8th. What was supposed to be an amazing day when she was born went very wrong. Long story short, I am alive today because of those individuals who donated the blood that saved my life. After seven blood transfusions and a few bags of plasma, I have a new understanding of the gift of donating blood and saving a life. There is a shortage of available blood right now in our country. We have the opportunity of donating blood and literally saving a life! In memory of what our family went through two years ago, I have decided that each year on Hallie's birthday I will donate blood to save the life of another. I ask you to take an hour of your time during the next week and donate your blood and save a life! :) Jen

Happy Birthday Dallin!

It's hard to believe 4 years have already gone by since we had Dallin. I look at his baby pictures and can't believe how grown up he is :( This is him on his birthday, October 24, 2005. He was born at 6:57am after nearly three days of labor. He weighed 10 pounds 4 ounces and was 21 inches long... Now look at my little man, he is so grown up and such a smart little kiddo.

For Dallin's birthday, he wanted to go bowling with the fam...It was so nice to be able to spend the afternoon together celebrating his birthday and having fun.

Aunt Lindsey is an awesome massage therapist and brought her table up this weekend. Dallin was treated to a little massage, he loved it, thanks Linds, you are amazing!

Hallie of course needed a turn to have a massage, and Dallin of course wanted to help. Hal was so funny, she crawled right up on the table, crawled under the sheet and laid down with her hands in the perfect place...I am afraid she likes being pampered already!

Lindsey is my little sister, we don't get to see each other much, but it was so nice to have her and her husband around for the weekend, thanks for coming up!

Seth and I attempting a picture...

The girls... Me, Mom and Linds

Dallin loves his Aunt Lindsey

Brian, Lindsey and my dad...

My mom helping Hallie bowl, she loved it!

It was a tiring day...I went to get Seth for dinner and found him and Hallie asleep on the bed, so sweet!

Dallin, I hope you had an amazing birthday! We love you and are so grateful for your sweet spirit in your home! Love you little man!

The Zoo and Golfing

Before the weather gets much colder, my friend and I took our kids to the zoo one last time. Dallin and Hallie just love Ashlee and her little girl Emree...it was fun to spend the afternoon with them...thanks guys!

I have been friends with Ashlee since we were the same age as our daughters...Its fun to see Hallie and her daughter Emree play together now~Dallin, Hallie and Emree

Posing with the Tigers...

Dallin riding the carousel.

Yesterday we were able to have an early birthday celebration for Dallin with his cousins, Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Mitch. Dallin wanted to go miniature golfing and we ended up having a blast and the weather was perfect. Thanks for celebrating with us guys!

Summer, Dallin, Logan, Carolyn, Hallie, Mitch and Seth

Dallin and Summer...I thanks is so funny that Dallin is taller than her, but she is 2 1/2 years older than him :)

One day we will have a good family picture with everyone smiling at the camera, but this is the best we could get while we were golfing:)

Sam & Cody's Wedding

Despite the disappointment of the BYU game this Saturday, we had a wonderful weekend in St George with Seth's family. His little sister Sam was married and we are excited to welcome Cody to our family! Dallin is thrilled to have another boy around! They were married in the St. George Temple on Friday the 18th. It was a beautiful sealing and a very hot day! They then had a yummy luncheon where they showed the video that I made for them...I think it turned out pretty good, i think, and I thought they enjoyed it! Then that evening we hung out at the reception. It was a very long day, but so fun! We are so excited for Sam & Cody and wish them the best, congrats guys! Here are just a few of the pictures from the day ( they aren't in order) Sam had frosting all over her face from the cake...it was a mess!

She loves her Daddy!

Grabbing something to eat... The bridesmaids (minus 1)

Hallie keeping herself entertained Smart girl, she found slippers to wear at the reception.

My kiddos just hangin' out!

Sam & Cody watching the video I made for them...

Saying a few words at the luncheon...

Dallin enjoying his sparkling cider after a toast to Sam & Cody.

Dallin and Summer walking around the temple...he looked so cute in his tux! Hallie playing in my high heels

Aunt Sam & Uncle Cody with all the kids

Grammie and Grandpa with the grandkids

Me and my little man!

The Southwick Family

The Swine Flu!

Its been awhile since I have posted anything so I thought I would write a little update. Seth's company isn't working out so well for us, so we are contemplating staying in Utah a few more years while Seth does his Masters. He is also searching for a new job in the mean time, so if anyone knows of anything, keep us in mind :)! I started classes this week since we are staying in Utah...I have a pretty easy schedule this semester, but it will be lots of papers and such. This week Seth, Dallin, Hallie and I all got the swine flu! Let me tell you, it is the worst sickness in the world, especially when most of your family gets it at the same time. Anyway, that is all that is going on with us for now...hopefully we start feeling better soon before we head to St. George for Seth's sisters wedding!