"Probably," "Actually" and "I guess"

Emory is so funny. He's been obsessed with the words "probably," "I guess" and "actually" lately. Everyday phrases from him include:

"Actually, I don't like that anymore actually" or
"Actually, I don't need a nap Momma"
"McKelle doesn't want that probably"
"I had too much dinner I guess"
Mom: "Emory don't eat your buggers" Emory: "I like that probably"
"Those hot air balloons are going to church I guess."
"This road is real bumpy. We need Bessey I guess." (Bessey fixes roads in the movie Cars)

He's pretty cute.

Cute little fireman playing dress up at a friends house 

Emory trying to get Momma out of bed

McKelle wants to be just like her big brother

If Emory has crackers, McKelle needs crackers. If Emory wants water, McKelle wants water.

McKelle wants to do everything her big brother is doing. The first thing she says after waking up, "Emmy?"

The cutest little girl playing dress up at a friends house! 

This girl loves her "doggy bear" 

FHE with Ashes Ashes and hide and seek

We have a tradition now. After FHE we play Ring Around the Rosies or Ashes Ashes as the kids call it. It is the cutest thing to see McKelle get soo excited about it. She grins from ear to ear and giggles while tensing up her little body. She loves it...as long as we do it her way. We did a few normal rounds the other night then suggested we do it fast. She did not like that!  She started whining and didn't want to participate that round. Then, we suggested doing it slow. Again, she didn't like that. She refused to participate again and walked right out of the room crying. Silly girl. Even after I suggested that just mommy and McKelle do it, she didn't want anything to do with Ashes Ashes anymore.

She did perk up during hide and go seek, Emory's new favorite game. We each take turns counting then switching between hiding in McKelle's room and Emory's room. McKelle will stay in her hiding spot until the person counting walks in the room. Then, she walks out of her hiding spot and reveals herself. Emory has a better understanding of the game and will stay hidden until you find him but I don't think he fully grasps the concept of staying quiet while in hiding since he's giggling the whole time in hiding. Oh well. Its my favorite night of the week and I think it's safe to say it's the kid's favorite too.

Emory's a sunbeam!

I can hardly believe Emory is officially in Primary! A couple of Sundays in December, the older nursery kids would go into Primary for singing time and sharing time. I asked Emory how he liked it and he said he'd rather go to nursery and play with the toys. I guess I would too :) But this made me a little nervous for how the transition would go in the new year. However, even after all his talk about wanted to go to nursery, when the time came to drop him off in Primary, he walked right in and sat down with no problems at all! I was relieved. He always comes home with a cute little art project and seems to enjoy it. It's fun to see him starting to recognize the other kids and develop friendships with them.


*disclaimer*
Emory has been in Primary for a month now and today we had some issues. He came out of singing time twice to "go potty" and because he "missed his dadda." :| grrr  He even wore a tie for the first time to church today to help him feel like a big boy and that didn't seem to help.

Happy new year

Mesa temple lights

We took Jared and his family to see the Mesa temple lights after a dinner at Cafe Rio. This star above the nativity had 10,000 lights. 

Family in town

Jared and his family came into town on Monday. It was so fun to host and share some more memories together. Their whole family stayed in the bonus room and it worked out pretty well. Mom & Dennis slept on a mattress downstairs in the dinning nook and Dustin slept on an air mattress in the family room. It was a little crazy but totally worth it. Dustin, Jared, Jeremy and I took the older kids to the gym a few times in the morning.  Emory & Zachary walked out of the kids basketball play area and said, "I feel stronger now." They wanted to be like the older boys who were lifting weights.  

Uncle Primmy is the best. He loved teasing Emory and taking pictures with McKelle. 

McKelle and Emily were really cute together. They played together a little bit. McKelle is tall and petite and little Emily is just so round. She's adorable. She loves sucking her thumb and putting her finger in her belly button. 

Emily loves sucking her thumb and pushing her belly button. 

Emory shopped for hot wheels trucks for Troy and Zackery. He was so excited to give the presents to them so as soon as they walked in the door he handed out the gifts. If the present didn't seal the deal for a strong friendship, their matching batman shirts sure did!

Smile!

Girls and their shoes. 

They need their necklaces on too! 

Love this girl! 

Troy is the sweetest boy. He's talking so much more and is also much more social.

Aside from Costco and Walmart trips, we shopped, went out to Breakfast, went to the gym, relaxed in the hot tub and enjoyed too much food. 

Hawkins dinner

We planned a dinner with Mom's family one night. Her three living siblings all came and several of their kids came as well. Jon Kovalsky and his girlfriend even drove up from Yuma. We had 25 people over which is the biggest crowd we've hosted in our new house. Surprisingly, it all worked out great! It was really fun to visit with my Uncle John who I have not seen in years. After the dinner Jon and Asor stayed the night for a total of 15 people sleeping at our house. 

My mom's brother, John, and his two daughters and grandson

My mom's sister, Valerie, and boyfriend

My mom's sister, Corrine, and husband, Gary, and youngest son, Dallas (and Troy :))

Hawkins Kids 

John, Valerie, Denice, Corrine

Our little family :)

Jon Kovalsky and girlfriend, Asor

Jared's Family. 

Zackory, Jared, Emily, Holly, Troy, Kaylee 

Kaylee, Gpa Denny, Gma Niecee, Emory, Uncle Primmy, Zackory 

The whole gang!