Our 2008 Christmas Letter

I'm being lazy this year and posting our Christmas letter, rather than trying to send them all out. Enjoy!
December 2008

Dear Friends & Family,
It has been another eventful year for our family and time flies when you’re busy! We started out the year with Ethan & Aidan bouncing off the walls with excitement and adoration for their new sister, then 3 month old little Robyn Dale. Now that the year is almost over the only difference is that she joins them in bouncing off the walls. Robyn started walking in September, a month before her first birthday. She is also a little parrot who has learned many new words and a few signs. What she enjoys most is spending time with her brothers. Her favorite time of day is when Daddy comes home and she runs to the door and puts up her arms for him to pick her up. Needless to say, she, like her brothers before her has him completely wrapped around her little finger.
Aidan turned 4 in September and is always asking me how to spell different words. He has also learned his colors very well and his speech has improved vastly through the year. We had him evaluated by a psychiatrist who said he appears to have Pervasive Developmental Disorder, (which is on the autism spectrum) and ADHD. We plan to do more extensive testing with a Developmental Pediatrician. Despite his developmental issues, he is a warm, affectionate, sweet boy who loves his brother and dotes on his sister. He always has Dave and Me laughing with the things he says and does.
Ethan turned 6 in May and began 1st Grade in August. He is very bright and has no problem making friends. He is especially good at spelling and reading, (I get to take credit for those genes) but needs a little work with his math, (sadly, I have to claim those genes as well). He’s getting very good at playing games on the internet and his favorite website is lego.com where he plays the Indiana Jones game. He still teases his brother like there’s no tomorrow, but he’s also very helpful with his baby sister and makes a great “go-fer”. He’s always the one who gets Robyn when she wakes up in the morning and he’d carry her around all day if I let him.
Amanda is still the 1st Counselor in the Relief Society at church and in charge of the book club. She also has a meal group that meets once a week to exchange meals and recipes. She spends most of her spare time not cleaning or doing laundry, like a good wife, but reading, reading, reading. Luckily Dave loves her enough to let it go, (most of the time) and be content with the way things are.
Dave started out the year a little roughly. As you all know with the housing market the way it is, it’s not the best time to be a self employed real estate appraiser. He was out of work for quite a while, but we always managed to get by. Someone would always have an odd job for Dave and he found himself pressure washing driveways, or painting houses, or installing air conditioners. Someone always had something for him to do, and eventually, a wonderful man in our ward at church gave him full-time work with his handyman/contracting business. He loves working with Brother Morgan and has learned so much. He is also still the Elder’s Quorum President.
We took about a month in the summer and drove all the way to Utah to spend time with family. We stayed with friends and family along the way and ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to keep the costs down. It was a great trip and we had many memorable experiences, such as feeding the mutant prairie dogs at a rest stop in Wyoming and checking each other for ticks in Missouri. People said we were crazy to make that trip with 3 young children, but I honestly can’t wait to do it again.
In August we found out we were, (surprise!) pregnant again. I always seem to be pregnant. We are all excited to bring another amazing spirit into our already crowded home. It’s amazing how your capacity for love grows with the size of your family. We are so grateful to Heavenly Father for giving us this opportunity to have even more love in our home.
We love you all and hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s Holiday this year.
Love,
The Pickards: David, Amanda, Ethan, Aidan, & Robyn

Ethan the Bowling Champ!

So, we decided to start a new incentive program to entice Ethan to behave better. He has a weekly chart and if he does something on the chart, such as be VERY kind to Aidan, (which apparently is harder than it sounds) or set the table, or do something we ask of him RIGHT AWAY he gets a star. If he gets 10 stars in a week he gets special one-on-one time with mom or dad. This week he barely got the required stars and chose to go bowling with his dad.

Dave said he had a little difficulty at first with his aim, and bowled down someone else's lane by accident, but he got the hang of it and had a fantastic time.

Merry Christmas!

My Birthday Haircut

Dave was so sweet to arrange for me to get my hair cut for my birthday. I've been wanting to forever, but it isn't really in our budget, so this was really sweet of him. (He doesn't understand about paying a bit more for a really good cut, since he cuts the boys' and his own hair). What a great husband I have!

What do you think?

Robyn's New Thing

Robyn has discovered a love for accessories. She brings me shoes and hats and waits for me to put them on her. Girls are so much fun!

This is What an 18 Weeks Pregnant Fattie Looks Like

Ethan just took this picture of me so you can all take joy in my hugeness, (that's right, I'm only halfway there). The diet starts AFTER Christmas!

Our New Baby

Well here she, (we think) is! We just had the ultrasound today. Isn't she pretty?

Thanksgiving

So, how was everyone's Thanksgiving? We went down to Miami to spend it with Dave's parents, grandparents and 2 of his siblings and their families. I brought the camera down, fully intending to use up the entire battery with all the massive amounts of photos I'd be taking, but it stayed in the van the whole time. So you'll just have to take my word on what went down. It was pretty much a typical Pickard Family Thanksgiving, but we all enjoyed ourselves and my gravy actually turned out AWESOME this year, which was a plus. I also made 2 pecan pies, sweet potato casserole, (with probably quadruple the amount of marshmallows required) green bean casserole, and a very moist and delicious turkey. Luckily I didn't have to make everything. We played a few games all together, watched a LOT of TV, and just hung out. On Saturday night, after we put Robyn down Dave and I went and saw Twilight, (again for me, but the 1st time for Dave). I enjoyed it a lot more the 2nd time and even Dave said he didn't hate it. (What a good husband I have)
So what did you all do?

Halloween

Okay, for some reason we neglected to take ANY pictures for Halloween, but at our church's party and trunk of treat they were taking photos of everyone and we finally got it back, so here it is! I may not have mentioned it before, but I also won the "most original" prize for my chili, (Cashew Chicken Chili).

Costco Cheese Pizza

Is there anything in this life better than a steaming slice of costco cheese pizza? No, no there isn't.

Aidan & Robyn Love to Play!

Aidan and Robyn are best buddies and play together most of the day while Ethan is gone at school. They both love cupboards and boxes and the dishwasher.

Yummy Recipe

Title: Chocolate Pie

Ingredients:9 inch pie crust - regular-baked or graham cracker or meringue.
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1/4 cup sugar
2 large symphony chocolate candy bars-the kind with almonds and brittle bits is good.

Directions:Melt bars very carefully in microwave. Stir until smooth and starting to cool.Whip cream, sweeten with sugar.Carefully stir chocolate into cream.Spoon into pie crust and cool.
Number Of Servings:6 to 8

I made this yesterday and it was SO GOOD, I thought I'd share the knowledge. I word of warning, it's VERY rich.

Things You Don't Want to Find in Your Baby's Diaper...

I was changing Robyn's poopy diaper today when I noticed something that didn't belong. That's right, my baby girl swallowed a lego cowboy hat! Who knows what else she's swallowed that I haven't caught. My house isn't exactly a "sterile" environment, (to say the least). Has anyone else found anything interesting in their babies' diapers?

Robyn's Birthday Extravaganza!

Okay, the title suggests a lot more grandeur than actually took place. It was just us, eating ice cream cake after dinner. She really enjoyed it, though. We also gave her her first doll, which she carries around saying, "baby, baby, baby" (that was one of the other words she says I forgot to add).

Robyn is 1 Today!

It's hard to believe a year has gone by. It seems like I was just pushing her out of me, (that may be a gross visual to you, but it was such a beautiful experience for me). Robyn is 1 today and she is the sweetest, smartest, funniest little girl in the world. She's been sleeping through the night since she was about 5 months old, (my boys still don't do that) she eats her vegetables, and she hardly ever cries. Every day when Dave comes home from work she waddles over to the door as fast as she can saying, "Dada, Dada!" and puts out her arms for him to pick her up. She is already walking and saying many words: Mama, Dada, hi, bye-bye, night-night, uh oh, more, yes, no no no, go go go, (if I think of any more I'll be sure and add them). She loves to play with my tupperware and if any crayons are left within her reach she'll eat them. She loves her brothers more than anything and would rather hang out with them in their room than do anything else. Our whole family has changed for the better since she's been in our life. I give her full credit for "taming" Aidan, (anyone who knew him before and after her birth can attest to this). I am so grateful for the oppertunity to raise this amazingly sweet spirit. I love you Robyn!

I'm an Aunt! (Again)

My little sister, Cara just had her first baby, a boy named Sawyer John. He sure is a cutie, but what else would you expect from his genepool? He was born in the same hospital Ethan was born in, in Orem, UT. Wish I could have been there!

Robyn's Favorite Chair

Robyn loves to climb pretty much anywhere, but she especially loves this little rocking chair. It always makes me nervous, because it's moving the whole time she's climbing into it, but she has fantastic balance, (those are Hunt genes). :)

Camping at Kelly Park

We went camping this weekend at Kelly Park. It's pretty close to home, which was nice. We met some friends of ours from our ward there, Brother and Sister Morgan. Dave works with Brother Morgan. (The camper is theirs, you know WE weren't traveling in something that swanky) We had a lot of fun. Ethan and I went swimming at the springs on Saturday, (mercifully we didn't see any gators) and we did a little hiking, (mostly to and from the springs and the playground). It was beautiful weather and cooled down a bit at night. We enjoyed the company and just relaxing. Robyn was very good, but grew tired of being locked up in her stroller for so much time, (whenever I let her down she'd eat fistfulls of dirt). She slept great in the tent though, since we brought the pack n' play and even napped for us. Hopefully we'll go camping again soon.

Husband Tag!

This is the first time I've done one of these new fangled "tag" thingys on here, but I got it from Nat and it was a good one, so here goes!

1. Where did you meet? Volleyball night at Mikaela's old singles ward, (no, I wasn't there to play, just to hang out with my brother, Sean and check out the cute guys)

2. How long did you date before you got married? Just over a year.

3. How long have you been married? 7 & 1/2 years, I can hardly believe it.

4. What does he do that surprises you? He'll watch old fashioned chick flicks with me if I ask nicely, (probably knows it's a good way for him to get "lucky")

5.What is your favorite feature of his? His pretty blue eyes, his sense of humor, his strong arms.
6. What is your favorite quality of his? He always does whatever it takes to take care of his family, he has a strong testimony, he is a great daddy who lets his kids crawl all over him and he never lets me stay mad at him, (I sometimes hate that, too).

7. Does he have a nickname for you? He usually calls me Puddin' or Puddin' Pop. :)

8. What is his favorite color? silver

9. What is his favorite food? He really likes sushi and his favorite restaurant is The Melting Pot, (really yummy fondue) but he also loves a good steak and seafood of all varieties.

11. What is his favorite sport? UFC, (he likes to try out new moves on me, but I always win because, since I'm a girl I'm allowed to bite and pull hair and go for the "restricted" areas if I have to)

12. When and where was your first kiss? In his old basement room at the Provo house he rented with a bunch of Islanders. He had just eaten a chocolate covered macadamia nut and I had politely declined, because I knew we were about to kiss.

13. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? We love to watch movies, I know it's boring, but it takes so long to get through a movie when you have a bunch of kids running around, that when you actually do, it makes it even more worthwhile.

14. Do you have any children? 3 little monkeys and one more on the way.

15. Does he have a hidden talent? He's good at just about everything he tries. He once made a really nice table with some hardwood I think he found at a dump. I'm also told he plays the juice harp really well, but have yet to see him do that.

16. How old is he? 34 and getting older and older as we speak :)
17. Who said "I love you" first? He said it like, a month after we met. :)

19.Do you think he will read this? Most likely.

I hereby tag everyone who reads this!

Brilliant Baby Walking

Robyn has been walking for a couple of weeks now. It is now her main form of transportation, (as opposed to crawling). She still falls down a bit, but is undeterred and never fails to "get back on the horse" so to speak. She is 11 months and still changes and grows every day. I feel so lucky and blessed to have my amazing children and to have another one on the way. I hope I can grow and learn to be a better mom so I can begin to deserve them!

Twilight Book Club Meeting this Week!

We're finally getting back to book club this week with our long-awaited Twilight Party! This is a reminder to anyone who lives around me and wants to come. It's going to be Thursday night at the church at 7:30. Come, bring a snack to share, (if you want) and anyone you know who loves Twilight.

Feeling a Little Pregnant

Other than the missed period and the 2 posative pregnancy tests, I haven't had many symptoms. I've been super tired and had to pee a bit more than normal, but that could easily be explained away to being really thirsty, hence drinking a lot, and the fact that I have 3 very active kids who keep me on my feet all day. I was actually seriously considering taking another pregnancy test, just to be certain, (but I didn't want to waste another one). Anyway, last night and all day today I've been feeling a little queasy, which is usually the extent of my morning sickness, (fingers crossed) so I guess I'm still pregnant. I have my first apointment with the world's greatest midwife, Michelle at the end of this month. I'll keep you all updated!

Happy Birthday to Aidan!

Aidan turned 4 years old today, (his Aunt Julie shares his birthday). We didn't do much, because he still doesn't really "get it". Ethan & I did make butterfly cupcakes from SCRATCH which tasted awesome, (even though I did sneak in some whole wheat flour). When I was a kid I always begged my mom to make these for me and she would bring them into my classroom at school. They were always a big hit, and they were tonight as well. Aidan loves chocolate, but he scraped off all the cream, but Ethan ate, like 3 of them with the cream. I won't mention how many I had, I'll just remind you all that I'm eating for 2 again...

Robyn Playing in her Brothers' Room

Robyn cannot be contained when her brothers are playing in their room. She HAS to be with them. They are more entertaining to her than anything or anyone else. She disappeared for a little while today, so I thought I'd go check on her, but Aidan was playing with her and all was well. Once she saw that I had the camera, though, she took the part of a true Pickard and came to pose for me. There's a really good shot of her cute little teeth in here. Enjoy!

Riddle

Okay, what do you get when you mix poor, bored, and irresponsible? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
All right, I'll tell you. You get a surprise pregnancy! That's right folks, Robyn is not even 1 yet and here I am pregnant with baby # FOUR! Thank goodness Robyn is the world's greatest baby, or I would be drowning my sorrows in expensive chocolate I can't afford. As it is, Dave and I are actually really excited and just hoping Heavenly Father knows what He's doing. Our little bundle of joy is the size of a sesame seed right now and will be arriving around the beginning of May.

Cute, Cute Girl and Her Amazing Tricks

Robyn is 10 & 1/2 months old. She waves and says "Bye bye" and a few other words. She also has taken a few unassisted steps in the past week or so and is a fantastic dancer with great rythim. As you can see, her cuteness is unparallelled.

Utah Trip

We were lucky enough to be able to go to Utah for several weeks, (longest. roadtrip. ever.)

Here are a few of the highlights...

Dishwashers

Ethan & Aidan wanted to help me wash dishes yesterday, and since it's not likely to be a common sight, Dave grabbed the camera.

Kangaroo!

Aidan climbed up Dave and wormed his way into Dave's tee shirt and said, "Kangaroo!"

It was so funny, but then, most things he does tend to be pretty funny.

Happy Mother's Day!

Take 2

Happy Mother's Day--Take 1

These were our best attempts--we quickly realized it wasn't going to get much better. So to all the women in our lives, Happy Mother's Day! We love you and are thinking of you.

Robyn With Hiccups

Field Day!

Ethan just had Field Day yesterday and had a blast. Here are some hilights!

Aidan Singing

Aidan likes to sing a lot, but usually loses focus when I turn the camera on. His hair is really bushy in this video because he hates having his hair cut and cries the whole time, so we do it rarely.

Robyn in Her Overalls

Anita got Robyn these overalls for Christmas and they finally fit. Here's some cute pics for ya!