Clementines

This year Ethan discovered something that he loved. Every year I buy Aaron clementines for the holiday season. This year Aaron shared them with his son. Ethan loved to smell them, and also loved to suck the juice out of them. That he got from his mama.

Wendy found this cute reindeer outfit for Ethan to wear. It was SO CUTE. He didn't like us to put the hat on, but I couldn't resist.

Ethan kept trying to look at the antlers.

Christmas Eve 2008

This year for Christmas Eve we spent the evening with Aaron's family. Aaron loves going to Nate and Devanie's because they always have wonderful food, and last night was no different. We arrived a little after three and the snacks were plentiful. We were able to play a couple of games of pool, talk, and be with family.
We had a good ham dinner around 6 and then it was playing with the kids and doing the nativity story. Ethan had a fun time playing with his Daddy and Aurora. At the end of the evening Santa even showed up to talk to the kids. We had to leave early because Aaron has a very bad cold. He seems to catch everything lately. Poor baby.
The kids loved having Aaron swing them and then throw them on the bed.
Aurora was so sweet. She loved whispering things to Aaron and playing on the stairs with him and Ethan.

Aaron being his normal silly self with Santa.


Ethan was very scared of Santa. Maybe next year he will be more comfortable with him.



Ethan and Mama had fun flipping on the recliner. I love his I ate Santa's cookies shirt. It looks so good after he eats and when his belly sticks out.

Kids say the darndest things!

This afternoon Ethan was eating his "nack" and watching a show on the television, and his Daddy was working on his computer. Everything was peaceful and quiet until Aaron farted very loudly. Ethan sat straight up looked at Aaron and said POOP!
It was pretty hillarious. Kids do say the darndest things.

Bone Chillin' Cold

It is officially winter here in Utah. It has been snowing and it is FREEZING!!! I hate being cold, but the worst part about it being so cold is that Ethan and I don't go "ou-side" very often. We try to have a fun time in the house, and when Aaron gets home the party can begin.Ethan loves his Daddy to push him around on his car. I don't know how Aaron does it he makes it look so easy. I have tried, but it is very difficult.

Memories

This past weekend Lizzy came to hang out with me before she returned home for Christmas. I was so excited because I had a fun Saturday planned. We went to Sandy, through the snow covered roads, to my friend Denise's house. We had planned a scrapbooking afternoon so I could work on all my pictures. I got 21 pages done (thanks to Lizzy) and I was totally excited. Then we were able to go to dinner with Kathy. Dinner was good and the company was even better. It's times like these that make me wish we could live closer to the people we love. After dinner we went and saw Twilight. I didn't go in with high expectations. Some of the shots were strange and the makeup wasn't very good, but hopefully they will do a better job on the next movie.
The most hillarious part of the day was when I received this texed from Aaron: I just had to pull mac-n-cheese out of Ethan's nose with tweezers! He got pissed when I told him NO (while putting the macaroni in his nose) and then he got very nervous. Poor guy. Stupid dad
I laughed so hard that I couldn't even tell Lizzy and Kathy why I was laughing. Hopefully you will laugh too.
Thanks Denise, Kak and LaLa for hanging out with me. I really needed the break. And special thanks to Aaron for having a wonderful day with your son and not complaining.

27

On December 6th I turned 27. This Birthday was a little depressing for me. I know everyone is saying "oh stop complaining" but it was difficult for me. I just feel like that cute girl is gone and now I am becoming an old woman. But thanks to my wonderful family I ended up having an excellent birthday. I got some great gifts, and thoughtful cards, and this sweet laptop that I am typing on now. Aaron and I went to dinner with Kathy and Dan, then we went to the Christmas tree festival, and who can forget Cold Stone Icecream to top off the night. All in all I had a great birthday and I guess I will just have to come to terms with getting older and try to live each day to the fullest.
Getting my new CD (Miranda Lambert)
Ethan helping Momma opening her gifts.
Ethan having a tantrum while I opened my gifts.

Decorate!

Last Wednesday Ethan and I went to my work to decorate the office and have lunch with the girls. Ethan was such a good helper. He helped me hang the ornaments on the tree and he pointed out all the lights and the colors. It was so much fun, that I became excited to decorate our own tree.
So Sunday we turned on some Christmas music, got out our 16 dollar tree and our 20 ornaments and went to town. Ethan loved pulling the tops off of the ornaments and showing his Daddy the LIGHTS!!!! We had a wonderful evening together and our little tree is just perfect for us. We hope all of you have decorated your trees and are enjoying the season.
Ethan loved looking into the ornaments after pulling out the top.
Ethan giving Daddy a Christmas Kiss. AHH how cute.
Ethan putting on the ornaments.

65th Wedding Anniversary

On Saturday Nov. 29th my Grandparents celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary, and we were lucky enough to be able to celebrate with them. I sure do love them and am glad they are still around for me to call up and talk to. Thanks Marion for organizing everthing we really appreciated it.
Ethan, Alice, Grandma Gowers, and Lizzy
Ethan, Aaron, Grandpa Gowers, Grandma Gowers, and Alice
Abu, Grandpa Gowers, Grandma Gowers, and Josie
John, Grandpa Gowers, Grandma Gowers, and Rada

Thanksgiving 2008

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving here at the Nothern Stout home. Lizzy (LA LA) drove up from BYU Tuesday afternoon and helped Aaron finish the last of his projects and some things that I wasn't able to get to. My parents arrived late on Tuesday night and Lizzy and I picked them up from the airport. I was very happy that they could arrive so early in the week.
Wednesday my Mom and I started the Thanksgiving Day preparations. We made rolls, and 4 different pies. I was so excited to learn how to do these things because I have never made pies or rolls before. I would have to say that they turned out beautifully. Rada, John, Abu, and Josie arrived in the wee hours of Thursday morning. We ate later that evening so the early arrivals could sleep. The dinner was beautiful, simple, and delicious.
Aaron was able to carve his first Turkey, and it was finger lickin good.


Ethan loved eating pumpkin pie. He even asked Grandma Nelson to get him a piece out of the fridge and Grandpa Nelson willingly helped him eat it.

Ethan loved the new red ball Gandma brought him.

He loved to hangout at the bottom of the stairs and have Grandpa throw the ball up the stairs and laugh as it came back down.

There are so many things to be thankful for this year, but mostly we are thankful for our supportive families and friends and for the gospel to lead and guide us in our lives. We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving just like us.