It's a nice day -

for a white wedding. My sweet husband made this collage of all the McDowell brides (so far).

My sister Bre just married Chris Mortensen last weekend. Their reception was more of a 'celebration' as I like to call it. We all wore shirts with McDowell or Mortensen on them (depending on whose side of the family you are on) including the bride and groom. President Cathcart introduced the bride and groom and the rest of the family over the loudspeaker while we ran through a human tunnel as the suns game music was playing. It was a lot of fun - the whole celebration was. It was just a big party. Congrats to Bre & Chris.

2010

How we're spending the new year . . .

We spent Christmas in Thatcher and had a wonderful time

Hudson is cruising all over the place on all fours. He loves to go into his brother's room and play. He's been pulling himself up on everything and anything and is starting to walk along the furniture. He will be 1 in March and I have no doubts that he will be walking by then.

Cooper loves to wrestle with his dad. He's into the phase where everything is a question. "Why, Mom?" is his most quoted phrase. He can spell his name and count to 13 (random, I know) and he just grows more every day. He's a really good big brother and when he's not driving me crazy he's a really big helper.

Randy and I are doing well. Randy had over a week off from work over Christmas, so I was spoiled having him home all that time. It feels like I don't get to see him that much during the week, because he works so much. In this economy, though we're grateful for the work. I spent this past weekend in Glendale at my sister Bre's bridal shower. I wish I had pictures of Bre opening her presents (it was pretty hilarious) but I was too busy talking and laughing. After the shower I had the opportunity to attend the Performing Arts for the Glendale Stake Youth Olympics. There were some outstanding performances this year - I was really impressed.

Anyway, that's how our year is going so far. I hope everyone is having a great start to 2010!

Weddings

My sister, Lindsay, got married on Friday to Disraeli Rangel in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. The sealing was very sweet. We all had lots of fun hanging out and celebrating their marriage. The reception was especially fun thanks to all the food and dancing. Congratulations, Linds & Dis!

Temple Lights

We went to see the Temple lights last night for Family Home Evening and they were beautiful. It was even kind of cold, so I'm starting to feel like it's Christmastime. We saw the nativity displays they have from around the world, which are awesome. We also saw the Christus presentation. There were quite a few people there last night and we had to wait to see the presentation, but Cooper wouldn't go home until we saw Jesus. :) I'm not sure if that was my favorite part of the night or when we walked by a young missionary talking to this woman about our Prophet. He was so excited as he explained to her that we have a living Prophet here on this earth today. His enthusiasm and sweet spirit made me smile. How great would it be if everyone had that attitude about the gospel? It reminded me of how lucky I am to have the gospel in my life.

When we got to the Temple, I'll admit I wasn't in the best mood. Hudson was crying, Cooper kept running off and getting lost and people kept bumping into me. One kid in a stroller even shouted at me to "Move!" Seriously.

By the time we left though, I felt peaceful and happy. Much more in the Christmas Spirit than when we arrived. The Temple is such a blessing and I am so grateful for it.

Merry Christmas!

Quick Update

As I'm writing this I suddenly remember that our family is joining another family from our ward for dinner and FHE tonight, so this will be quick.

Randy and I celebrated our 5th anniversary on the 20th. Crazy, I know. The boys slept at my parent's house for the night, so Randy and I were able to go to dinner and sleep in a little the next morning. Although, Randy had to work a few hours on Saturday morning and my internal alarm clock is set at 6am for Hudson's morning feeding, but it was nice to wake up and not have to worry about the boys.

My sister Lindsay's bridal shower was on the 14th. My sister Brooke, Anna Mae and I threw it for her. It was a lot of fun and Anna Mae went all out with the food. Yum! Thanks to everyone for coming! I can't believe the wedding is in less than 4 weeks. I'm so excited for Linds and Dis! With their wedding in December and my other sister, Bre, getting married in January I'm going to be busy every weekend for the rest of the year. Yipes!

The boys are doing well. Coop is a fireball of energy. He never stops. He would give the Energizer Bunny a run for his money. Hudson is 8 months old now and scooting around the floor on his tummy. I'm just waiting for him to figure out he can move around on all fours. Then I'll have 2 boys to chase after. I wouldn't have it any other way, though. :)

Thanksgiving is just a few days away and I can hardly believe it! That means Christmas is just around the corner, also. Time flies! Anyway, sorry this post has no pictures and is so rushed. Hopefully, my next post will be better. Happy Holidays to everyone!

Happy Halloween

Cooper was Wolverine this year

and for Hudson's first Halloween he was a dalmation puppy dog (he was too big for the pea in a pod costume that Coop wore his first Halloween)

He gave me my ears . . .

that I might hear the magical sounds of things