A few weeks of firsts

Okay, so it has been a little while since I've post but for good reason. The kids are sleeping, I just got done with edits and I thought I'd fill everyone in on life with the Skinners.

Its been a few weeks of firsts around here. So, here we go.

First First:
I had my first craft show with the girls! It was a lot of work and a lot of fun and I am really glad it is over. I made lots and lots of yummy, yummy treats and food. I am so grateful mom came up to help me or it never would have happened! Thanks mom!



Second First:
Mom and dad came up for Thanksgiving with us! It was so much fun to have them here! The kids still ask when they are coming back. Some of the highlights of their trip...dad and Seth went shooting (but we won't say who won), Logan and Papa got to feed the geese across the street, mom's help with the boutique, Chloe took her first steps and of course the big feast with the Wilkins!



Third First:
Chloe turned 1! We attempted Black Friday and so by the time we got home I didn't have much time make a super cute cake. Poor girl ended up with the ghetto looking flower out of cupcakes. I'll do better next year, promise! She got a little horse bike thing, a stroller and "dolly doll" (as Logan calls it) from Auntie Ashley and Uncle Colt, cute dresses from grandparents, and outfit from Sas, a sock monkey from Baby D and her dad decided she needed some cars. That's right folks....I finally got a little girl and we gave her cars for her first birthday. I know, I know.









And for the Fourth First:
We went to help Santa the other night for Logan for Christmas. On our way home Seth decided we all needed Dairy Queen. We usually get our blizzards and get an extra cup and spoon for Logan and share. This time we got Logan a cone and the extra cup and spoon for Chloe. The only part the pictures don't tell is the "mmmmmmmmmmm" that came after every single bite!





So we leave for Arizona next weekend for Christmas and are so excited! We get to see some friends that we haven't seen in forever and get to be with family. The kids are super excited to have someone other than mom and dad to play with too! Hooray for this time of year. We love it!

Tagged

Okay Rachel, I don't know if you meant me when you said Courtney but I figured what the heck right! I'm not a very interesting person but here it goes.
7 Random Facts:

1. I'm a night person. I am more motivated at night and usually run off of about 5 hours of sleep. I get more done!

2. I have broken both arms (at different times thankfully) and a toe. Laugh if you want but the toe hurt worse than the arms!

3. I LOVE to take LONG, HOT baths almost every night. I read, make grocery lists, and sometimes fall asleep (don't worry, if Seth hasn't heard from me in about 30 minutes he comes checking).

4. I love to go grocery shopping! It is so rewarding to see how much money you can save! I love the grocery store!

5. When we grow up and settle down in a place I have only made two requests (so far). I want chickens and fruit trees, all kinds of fruit trees!

6. Brownies are my biggest weakness. If I see them I want to eat all of them by myself in one sitting. Its horrible!

7. I am a huge list person. I make lists all the time and for everything! Most of the time I try to work off of them but usually end up falling way short due to spending time with my family which is so much better anyway!

Wow, that was hard! I tag whoever wants to play (somebody please play)!

Family Pictures!

So, last Thursday I informed Seth we had scheduled to get family pictures on Saturday (this is the only way to get him to agree to do it) and my good friend Teri did them. I LOVE them! I think we got some really great shots and I'm so excited! Family, take a preview of your Christmas presents! Thanks a ton Teri (and Darrick for coming along and being such a good sport)!!! Now, I know this is a ton of pictures but I loved them all!

Halloween Fun

DISCLAIMER: I have two children.... a boy and a GIRL!

Okay, so we started off the frightful fest with dinner in a pumpkin and carving pumpkins with the Carlsons for FHE on Monday. What a blast! Four kids under three, two dental students that are like kids and two moms that just want to hang out...... bound for chaos! We had such a blast. The bigger boys did the carving, the little boys and girl did the destroying and the moms just hung out! What fun!


On Friday, we dressed the kids up and headed to the ward party. This is where the disclaimer comes in. I didn't want to spend a lot of money on costumes that they are only going to wear once. I just couldn't do it. Also, I didn't have much time to be too creative so this is what we got. Logan a hunter and Chloe................ a hunter! I know, I know, I finally have a girl and I dressed her like a boy! Its a good thing she is so dang cute. We did the trunk or treat thing and Logan went to his little friend Ethan's car. Ethan's dad was dressed like a pirate and growled the part really well. Ethan's mom warned him not to scare Logan but he ignored her and did it anyway. Logan flipped. They tried to double up his candy but to no avail. We headed home after that and on the way tried to explain to Logan that he was teasing him like daddy does. The story ends happily. Logan still like trick or treating and says he had fun and at least once a day since then says, "Mom, Ethan's dad scare me huh but he just teasing me. I tell him Sunday it okay." We unfortunately missed him on Sunday but will be looking for him next week!

All Grown Up

So, we've been a little busy this past week. For some insane reason I decided to start potty training. Yeehaw huh. So, the week before we talked about it all week, made a sticker chart, filled our M & M jar and bought the coolest unders out there. Can I just tell you I have one awesome kid! He has done GREAT and loves it! Now, we still have accidents, of course but only like 1 a day and he is just telling us instead of us asking him all day long. I know we aren't out of the woodwork yet but we can at least get out of the house! Woohoo! To top off our week of what I would call success, when Seth dropped him off at nursery today he told him he was going to his class and would be back later to pick him up. He looked at Seth and said, "Daddy, I not cry today" and walked in without a problem! My little boy is a kid (I'm tearing up as I write this) now! It is comforting to know that even though he is getting so big when he is sad and hurting (like tonight) he still wants me to rock him and sing. I am beginning to treasure these moments more than ever.

Photography Blog

Okay, so some of you have been asking about my photography blog. I really enjoy photography I have put together a blog but have been a little nervous to share it. However, word is out and instead of everyone asking for the address, I've decided to post it. Keep in mind I HAVEN'T been doing this very long and I am very much an AMATEUR! This work in progress hobby is really a ton of fun! I love taking pictures and trying to be somewhat creative (my sister got all of my mom's creative abilities). So, please keep that in mind and try not to be too harsh! Anyway, enjoy!

Courtney Skinner Photography

CRAFT BOUTIQUE!

So, this is for all the girls in Colorado! We are having a craft boutique on Nov. 22! If anyone is interested in having a booth let me know! This is going to be tons of fun! If you aren't interested in having a booth but want to shop for Christmas or just for you I'll be posting a flyer later!

Could I have picked a better time?

So, it was 5:30, dinner was in the oven, Chloe missed her late afternoon nap, Logan was wired and I decided since Seth just walked in the door I'd take pictures of the kids. Yeah right. Chloe cried, Logan kept running away and welp, we got a few good shots but not what I wanted. We still don't have a cute one of them together. A work in progress I guess. My favorite one is of Logan with his back to me and his shirt up. I was sitting on the grass frustrated because Chloe was crying and Logan just ran away again. I heard him say, "Mom, picture of me" and I turned and that is what I got. What a character that boy is. He brought us all laughs (except Chloe of course, who was still crying) and made me realize that the pictures that tell a story are the best ones to have, even if it is his backside!

Joy School Daddy Night!

So for Joy School we had a Daddy Night so the dads could see just how smart their kids really are! We cooked out and then did a SHORT program with the kids. They all said the pledge, did their name song and each group did a small song. I was so proud of Logan! Generally, he is terrified of audiences and I was expecting a meltdown. However, he got up, sang the song, did all the actions and clapped for himself at the end! He even did the Hokey Pokey with the older group! He may not have his colors down but this kid is coming out of his stage fright! Woohoo!

Seth's New Ride

So, Seth is trying out a scooter he got from his cousin. He filled it up for $2.50 and will get 100 miles to the gallon. Worth it? Yeah baby! Anyway, he's had it parked in the garage since August and has been saying all week he was going to ride it to school. Welp, today was the day. I go walking in the morning with some girls and as they were approaching with their strollers, he was trying to leave. His comment, "Shoot, I gotta go before they see me!" Too bad honey, they saw you and one even asked who the stud on the bike was! ;) He obviously won't ride in the winter so we'll see how long it lasts! This is probably as close to a Harley as he'll ever get!