Babies, Bellies & other Christmas photos

Baby News! But not mine--yet!
Last Wed., Elizabeth and I went to meet my sister Anne's new baby girl, Eve, who was born on Thanksgiving. My brother Taylor's wife had their first son on Nov. 7th--the same day Tim's sister Allyson gave birth to her 4th son! A few days later, on Nov. 10th, our precious little Mia (John and Mimi's 5 month old) recieved her long-awaited heart transplant--it's like a new birth, for her! On that same day, my Gma Shirley Hallmeyer passed away. I do miss her profoundly but it was a gift of joy thinking of her in heaven with Grandpa and most likely standing in line for their turn to nurture the baby who had died that day and given Mia life.

With all these babies born--I guess it's my turn next! I have just over 2 weeks till my due date on the 26th, and had an ultrasound today which determined that our little guy will most likely not be needing Newborn-size diapers! They guess that he is currrently about 9 lbs. Spencer is hoping that the baby doesn't break his own record of being my biggest baby at 10 lbs 8 oz. Only time will tell!
We've had a very busy November, and a very blessed one. I'm still not great at blogging, and still feel it's even less personal than email in a way--but it is fun to be able to record a few memories of all the happy occasions in our lives. Thanks for taking interest in our news, and sharing your with us! (Someday I'll learn how to put links on my blog to all the blogs we follow!)

DECORATING THE TREE

We were sitting for our neighbors that night--so the little guy in cacky pants is not Liz's secret twin!

They make a great team!

Christmas with little ones is so much fun!

Baby brother's Santa hat was the first ornament on the tree. We decided to try it "on" him for a photo--just in case he misses his own "1st Christmas"!

Elizabeth will love this photo someday. :)

With dinner delivered to Anne, the tree decorated, the kids in bed, Gma and Gpa Kovacs arriving in two days for Rachel's baptism, it's time to finish the zipper on Rachel's dress!

ARIZONA VISITORS!

Oh how the kids LOVED having Grandma and Grandpa visit this weekend! The girls loved the tickle wars, and the boys (and Gpa) were seriously getting into the dart gun wars while Gma and I prepared food for Rachel's baptism the next day.

Singing with Grandma at the piano was a highlight for all of us, too. Spencer and Rachel each took a turn playing, too.

Thanks for coming to visit us Mom and Dad! The kids loved finding the gifts under the tree when you had left! Levi even slept with his wrapped package! They can't wait to open them.

VISTING SANTA AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER

Rachel's Baptism Day-Dec. 6th

Rachel had a perfect baptism day.
Her smile was every bit a part of her day as her white dress.


Rachel was baptized and confirmed by her Dad.

Our beautiful girl. We are so proud of her and the righteous desires of her heart to follow the Savior. She wants to follow the Savior's plan for her, and to be a member of his Church. Rachel has been given a heart that is very sensitive to the Spirit and a strong desire to live righteously. She understands much , and as she learns to listen and seek after the promptings of the Holy Ghost and follow them, she will continue to be blessed in her life. What a precious daughter she is to us!

Spencer, Levi and Elizabeth have all been looking forward to this day for their sister. They've been participating the baptism-themed FHE nights and even participated in the baptism program, as they sang with Rachel the Primary song called "Baptism" while Gma Kovacs accompanied them on the piano. Gma Conway gave a perfect talk on Baptism and Gpa Kovacs offered a prayer.

Rachel's day was further blessed by the support of many family and friends--some of whom are pictured here.

All of Rachel's grandparents were there to support her decision to be baptized (except Gpa Conway who was sick from chemo)--even Gma and Gpa Kovacs from Arizona!

Doesn't Rachel resemble her Gma Conway? Two beautiful faces!

It meant SO much to have Gma and Gpa McDonald there, too!

Sisters In White

Elizabeth was thrilled to be dressed in white, just like her older sister. While I sewed Rachel's dress, Liz's is a hand-me down from our neighbor. She calls it her "wedding dress." Enjoy the photo shoot Grandma Conway had...

Little Mermaid

Quiet house...where's the 2 year old....?
Need I say more? :)

Spencer's Happenenings

Spencer performed in his school 4th grade concert tonight. He did a super job with all the songs on the recorder, and genuinely had a good time singing all the holiday songs.
His big news of the month, however, is his glasses! He just got them on Thursday! We had no idea until this month that he needed them--he loves being able to see clearly in school. He didn't realize what he was missing out on, either!

Spencer and his Dad built "The Black Pearl" together for the Cub Scout boat races in Nov.

He and his buddies, Matthew and Kaleb, all pretty much cleaned house with their catarmans--and boy are they proud of it!

Spencer proved to have excellent wind-blowing technique and came in 2nd overall for the Bears!

Dec. 2--Tim turned 35!

Tim started off celebrating his big 3-5 bday with a gruelingly fun Saturday of paintball with his buddies. That grin you see in the photo is left over from the day before! I loved hearing about how much fun he had.
Sunday, the 30th, we continued his bday party with a turkey dinner just for him (we went to my mom's for Thanksgiving, so we didn't get to have any leftovers.) Geting home from church at 4:30, we had time to eat, and to sing to him and "help" him blow out the flaming pie, before we rushed off to choir practice for the kids (they had a part in a church event last week), hometeaching for Tim and a song rehearsal for Enrichment night for me. Later that evening, we did finally get to eat a piece of the pie, and give him a few gifts.

PHOTO OF THE DAY- "BEST DAD AWARD"

"Cornered!" (and defenseless!)
I love this photo. The kids' current favorite activity is dart gun wars with Daddy--that and "wrestle" time. Tim has also taken up reading the Narnia series to the kids. It's cute that I have to remind him sometimes that it's time for the kids to go to bed--they get so wrapped up in the books!
I just want to add a peronal note to Tim to tell him what a great Dad he is. He is the BEST--he is good at being playful, great about teaching the kids, and so supportive of me. The kids all adore him--almost as much as I do. Truly, Tim, you are my single, greatest blessing and our relationship brings me so much joy-straight to the core of my being. I hope that you felt my love and the kids' love for you on your special day.

Rachel's 8th Birthday -- A "Recipe" for Success!

Rachel and I had fun planning out the details for her "Cooking Party" together. She had a perfect party with her cousins, friends from Primary and siblings!

Rachel's cake is an "Apron cake" that matches the one she is wearing.

Chef Rachel!

Something must have been in the pizza sauce!

What's a party without a best friend to share it with?

Rachel and Kalani

What would life be like without cousins! Rachel is blessed with the best! She only wishes she could see all of them more often!

Peyton, Alisha, Rachel & Savannah

This game was called "Blindfold the Chef"--a timed exercise to see how many marshmellows each person could transfer from bowl to bowl within 30 seconds.

This is the apron I sewed for Rachel. She will definitely be able to "grow" into it! It is sentimental because I made it from a fabric remnant I received from my Grandma, Shirley Hallmeyer, who passed away on Nov. 10. She was a well-reknowned cook herself--and seamstress. I hope Rachel always feels a connection to her!

Making pizzas!

Photo of the Day

Five? kids on momma's lap? Poor kid underneath!

(Reading Bible stories on a lazy Sunday morning.)

Quote of the Day

Last night, Tim and I went out for a movie and a bite to eat. This morning I found him in the kitchen with a fork and a big smile as he said, "I ate some of your 'date' food! It was good!" Do you remember your parent's bringing home leftover"date" food, when you'd been left home with a sitter?

What's really funny about the picture are all the things in the background, from Spencer and his current favorite book, to the fly-swatter in Levi's left hand! How/when did he get that down?

Runner-up Quote from Rachel as her Dad had just asked her if she hit her brother: "What, he hit me? It's the Golden Rule! Do unto others..." :)

Happy Halloween

We had a perfect night of trick-or-treating! Even the weather cooperated! Spencer was a zombie convict, and Levi and Elizabeth were a space boy and girl (costumes that were labors of mom's love throughout the month of October), and Rachel was a cowgirl and wore some of the clothes I used to show my pony in. Tim was an 80's hunk, and I was a ghost. Fun times!

Trick-or-Treat

First, we trick-or-treated at the church's trunk-or-treat, and then in our neighborhood. All the kids had a blast, but it was especially fun to see Elizabeth learn all about

Trick-or-Treating for what was essentially her first time out!

Favorite Elizabeth moment #1: Her pre-trick-or-treating, no-nap-that-day-meltdown screeching to a halt the first time a candy "plinked" into her pumpkin bucket! (See smile in photo.) #2 At the trunk-or-treat at church, Elizabeth walked around in a daze and I heard her say to herself..."I gotta lotta candy from the CHURCH!" It was like she thought the sky was falling--what had gotten into the grownups around here?! #3 By the end of the night, one could here Elizabeth's shrill "Trick-or-Treat" at every door-louder than all her brothers and sisters put together. She really got into this Holiday!