Holiday Season Update!

Here is just another quick update as to what we've been up to...and the best way for me to update you is through pictures...I really don't like reading super long paragraphs...I'd much rather look at pictures...it says so much more than a person can write...


Ellis and Ora watching "Up" pretty cute movie...they were really into it...


Patience has such cute smiles...she is so fun to have around!


We enjoyed Thanksgiving Day at The Rudd's...it was a great meal and slowly put everyone to sleep...upstairs was a little quite and I found Steph and Patience enjoying their nap...like Mother like Daughter!


We were running errands in Provo and Steph has never experienced In n Out...so we went through the multi block drive through and finally got our food and ended up at a Provo City park a lunch...I still think In n Out is a great out of state food...everytime you're out of Utah you can enjoy it...not sure how I'll like it now that its everywhere!


Steph and Ora decorating the Christmas Tree...its so much fun having everything up and decorated...I love Christmas Time!


Patience again resting peacefully in my arms while I catch up on a little Farmville action! :) Love those Facebook games!


Ora loves acting as mom and taking care of Patience...we've even found Patience moved around the house...a little scary...but she is learning more and more how to handle her...


I hear this muffled "Dad, i'n stuck" I didn't know where he was till I looked over at Ora's kitchen :) Super funny...so before I could help him out I need to get a picture...


This was at the Tucker Family Christmas party - My mom's mom's side of the family...they did a great activity for the small kids...gingerbread house decorating they loved it!


At the Tucker Family Party instead of Santa coming and bringing presents we were all told to bring a present...so the kids actually went up and gave Santa gifts he would take to kids in need...it was a pretty cool experience...


Ellis giving Grandpa a massage! Pretty fun that they can be so close to their Grandma and Grandpa...

We are excited for Christmas and all the fun times with family and friends this Holiday Season brings us...

Merry Christmas!! and hopefully I'll update before the New Year!

A Thankful Heart!

My cousin posted this video and I thought it was a simple reminder of the Thanksgiving Season!



I've recently started w/ a personal coach who has been really teaching me and assisting me in all types of betterment...

One of my homework assignments was to write a list of things I was thankful for! Here are just a few...

I am so grateful for:

Each and everyday I get to live and grow with my adorable family. It's such a blessing to wake up each morning and to spend all day with them...I love my wife and all she has done for our family to keep us together and on the right path!! Thank you Steph...

a loving Heavenly Father who gave me the opportunities I've had, the trials I've been given and the power to overcome...

a business partner who has helped change our lifestyle from working 8-5 to more passive income then I ever imagined...

the great opportunity to live in the United States! And especially for all our brothers and sisters who willingly give up their life in defense of this great nation!

Actually, sitting down and writing these things out in my journal really helped open my eyes to all our blessings...I sometimes forget to count our blessings and when I don't I think He hasn't really helped out...but when we take a moment and step back I realize He's given me more than I'll ever be able to repay!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving! And Enjoy your time with Loved Ones!

Life w/ a new addition

Well it's been a little over a week now since Patience has been home! It was a little interesting bring her home. Since Ora and Ellis weren't allowed in the Hospital b/c of the H1N1 scare going around...

So their first time to see her was when we came home!

Ora couldn't stop giggling. She is such a proud Big Sister. It was so fun to see how excited they were but at the same time not really knowing what to do with her!

When I put them next to her and said smile they both reached over and put their hands on Patiences' head. It was super cute!

Immediately Ora had to hold her and wanted to take her to her room to play...but we would only let her stay on the couch to hold her :)

My family was down one evening and we were trying to figure out who she looked like most Ora or Ellis? So we jumped on the computer and pulled up pictures of all 3 as newborns. Interesting how close yet how different they are. (Newborns left to right - Ora, Ellis and Patience)

Patience had to be on lights for about a week b/c some count was too high...but from what everyone said these were a new design and easier than others had to use on their kids...so we are grateful for the advances in technology...it was still really hard since we couldn't hold her too much! But we are making up for it now!

Ellis excited at the chance to feed Patience. Steph has found its so much easier to pump and then feed Patience w/ a bottle...I guess she was being used as a human Binky and she wanted to share the feeding opportunity with as many people as possible. :)

So far things are going great! Ora uses SilverSoft before and after school and even though sickness has gone through the school we haven't had anything in our house! SilverSoft has been an answer to prayers! And we are super excited to announce its currently being tested against the H1N1 virus. We'll have results back within the week!

http://www.silversoftforskin.com

Also wanted to thank Brant Jarrett for letting us put SilverSoft into their store Boardgame Revolution at 411 E 1400 So in Orem...they have great deals on all types of games. Perfect for the Holidays!

http://www.boardgamerevolution.com

Our Newest Family Addition!

About 2 weeks ago Steph went into her weekly visit and found out she was measuring 2 weeks early. So we were all hoping she would come early.

Week by week we waited to hear we could deliver early! And each time the doctor would remind us, even though Steph was measuring so big it would be up to Mother Nature if she would deliver early.

So began the walking, raspberry tea and other home remedies to induce labor naturally...

...Nothing seemed to work...

So finally the Dr. gave us the OK to head into the Hospital...only to be told Steph wasn't 39 weeks and to go home and come back at 11pm...(this was Thursday)

As we were about 1/2 to the hospital (a good 45 min drive) they called and said we couldn't come in they were full... so of course Steph was a little emotional... we grabbed a hotel and rested for the night.

We checked in at 8am Friday morning and they started the drip... things didn't start happening until 6pm when the Dr finally was able to break her water...

She finally delivered our beautiful Miracle at 8:46pm...after only 1.5 pushes!! So fast the Dr was startled and was saying "SLOW DOWN" :)

Patience Jean Hill

Born Oct 30th, 2009

Weight - 9 lbs

Length - 20 inches

As she came out we were all trying to guess her weight...we all guess 12 ounces less than she actually was...

Here is a partial family photo...unfortunately b/c of the Swine Flu scare going around the Hospital has restricted visitors...and No Kids under 14 are allowed in! So as of right now Ora and Ellis have only seen their sister in pictures! Sad, but tomorrow when we go home they'll get to see her...they are so excited!

Our wonderful Dr. Cox...she is amazing!

Dad sharing a moment!

Grandma Rudd's and Mom's Twin was born...amazing how the 3rd child of each family seems to look identical to their mother... Looks, Blood Type, Personality...really crazy!

Getting washed!

Patience is saying, "Oh thank you so much for combing my hair, it was so messy and I was so embarrassed..."

Aren't I beautiful? :)

Sleeping on Dad's chest while mom took her nap. I love these moments!

Relaxing and enjoying "Me Time" it will only last for a little while before Ora and Ellis take the rest of my time :)

We are so excited to have her here! She has taught us so much and she was just born!! It will be so much fun learning from her as she grows!

More photos to come!!

Oct Update!

It's amazing how time flies! Oct has come and its an exciting month!


Our kids keep getting cooler and more hip! :) Ellis and Ora love playing with each other and Ora keeps dressing up Ellis all the time. He's a great brother and really loves his sister!


Ellis helping us with the Halloween decorations. Also you'll notice he isn't wearing diapers anymore...

We were playing in the park one day and Ellis came over without his diaper on...so I decided to let him run around naked for a little while...well when we went inside I tried putting a diaper on him and he wouldn't let me...so I offered him a pair of Ora's underpants...and he was so excited to wear them...

Potty training wasn't suppose to happen until after the baby was here...but Ellis wanted it differently...he was a great learner! After 2 days he was done!

He hasn't had an accident for quite sometime and has learned to even stand up and pee...he hardly misses!!

He is growing up so fast and becoming quite the young man!

*****

Ora is loving pre-school and brought home her first book this last week! I'm so excited my little girl is reading! I can't wait to start sharing Jim Rohn and Napolean Hill with her!

Now that she is reading and learning so fast...It's exciting to see how she carries herself. She is walking taller and really turning into a lovely lady! But don't tell her that she is still, "Princess Ora"...


Well, since we have the baby on her way...Ora and Ellis were sleeping in a full size bed which wouldn't have allowed room for the crib...so I built them bunk beds...they love them...

I was pretty excited about doing it since now they can have something I've actually put sometime and sweat into!

We are really growing out of our 3 bedroom place...we are currently saving again for a downpayment and have our sights on a house that is 4 bedrooms upstairs...so we are working hard to get in by Jan 2010!!

We'll keep you updated as soon as the little one arrives! Steph is measuring 3 weeks ahead of schedule...so it could be anytime or we could have a 9-10 lb baby on our hands!