31 for 21: Pumpkin, Apple, Oreo

Another Halloween party for the books,

with a birthday to boot!

You see, I'm super creative.

Samson enjoys his "loves" from cousin Bree.

Kecia turned 25 on the 22nd (right???), so we celebrated with a little mint oreo cake, made by yours truly. It's the only thing I can't screw up. Bree took care of blowing out the candles.

Ever tried caramel apple bites? Perfect for eating and decorating! Because what would caramel apple decorating be without cinnamon sugar, crushed chocolate candy, and popcorn! (Ok, no one else tried the popcorn but me. Surprisingly delightful.) And who doesn't love polka dot apples?

Bree and Ava taste testing the treats.

Lyla and Sam had some bonding time and shared a toy...

...until Sam swiped it. Such a bully!

It's semi depressing that this boy loves his daddy more than me.

On the other hand, I adore the admiration they have for each other.

31 for 21: Grandpa GreenThumb

Check out Tadd's gramps, he's a star!

I hope one day Tadd gets bitten by the pumpkin bug, and starts to grow his own giant pumpkins! His dad and brother are also expert pumpkin growers.

31 for 21: A Fantastic Halloween Party

My mom can put on one meeeean party, and she spared no creativity with this one! From games, to treats, to punkin carving, to costumes, it was a smash hit!

I'm still mad that in the tattoo parlor Tadd wouldn't let me put two eyes on the back of his head.

Since I was terrible at documenting the event, go here for more proof of a funfetti time!

Babes Addie as a "dat" (her word for doggie)

We're winners. Winners of pickled heads.

31 for 21: Thirty Years Ago...

...these two tied the knot, and boy am I glad they did.

I'm so lucky to have such incredible parents who love each other, and their kids. I have to say that for the set they were handed (six girls - #5 born, and #1 turned 6 two weeks later), they sure did a bitchin' job raising us; we all turned out pretty dang good.

We were raised in righteousness and ever-present love, which I hope to high heaven Tadd and I can also do.

I love:

Their quirks

That I'm most definitely a product of the both of them

My relationship with each of them

Their independence

The example they set for me in so many ways

Ma and Pa, do I say this enough? I love you both more than you'll ever know!

31 for 21: Albeit Overkill...

...I like it.

Master/Guest/Powder Room/Full Bathroom

Megan, where is your artwork?

31 for 21: End of Summer Picnic

Vivian Park

KFC

Cool fall breeze

Good company

Fresh air

As upset I am that fall is here, and clearly leading us into winter, I'd have to say this picnic was the perfect way to "welcome" (said with bitterness) in a new season. We very much enjoyed ourselves!

Mazie, Roman, Shaley+1, Lyla Lou, Ellie, and Camme

Lindey+1, Me, and Madilynn

Madi, Sammy, Lyla and Steve

Miss Aves

31 for 21: Urban Outfitters

Have I shown you my ode-to-my-son necklace?

Oh I haven't? Well, behold...

Oh, you need a better look? Of course, so silly of me.

I love it. But why would someone ask me, "what's the 'S' for?"

31 for 21: "If I Only Had a Heart"

I WAS going to post only one picture as a "sneak peek"ish thing, but I cannot resist.

Cannot.

OH

MY

HELL!

Could a tin-man-costume-wearing-infant BE any cuter?

And what a darling pumpkin-girly too!

31 for 21: Must Drink More Water

Diet Coke may as well run through my veins, I had all of 16 oz of water on Friday.

Fall break called for a little Cox-Cabin time. We joined the family Friday night, had dinner in Park City, and enjoyed each other late into the night. No sleeping over for us, we haven't gotten comfortable sleeping just anywhere with an infant. Something to eventually master!

Uncle Kris snuggling the babies

Out of 21 people, 11 of us were wearing stripes tonight. Wackee!

As in Wackee Six, which is a must-play.

And should become a Cox Cabin tradition for sure!

31 for 21: The #2, with a #2

I encourage my clients to get their hair cut every 6-8 weeks, so who am I to wait 14 weeks to give my son his second cut? The nerve! (Lindey: "for your nerves!")

The unsuspecting client

(Spa scent from WalMart is DISGUSTING. Don't waste your money. You're welcome)

I just couldn't leave his bald spot alone, something had to be done!

(representing Apple, thanks to Marky!)

He's surprisingly calm, and has the most hilarious hairline.

Just so you know, blending a one guard into a two guard on a practically bald infant's head is basically a waste of time.

31 for 21: Witchy Fudge

Gardner Village on a Wednesday

In honor of the daddy

Grandma insisted that Samson got to sit in his stroller instead of in his car seat inside the stroller. She needed him to see all that was going on. He was ever so grateful, and had the time of his life laughing at the trees.

Such a happy boy.

Addie is so obsessed with him, and it's the cutest thing. She loves to give him love pats and kisses. Although they may be a little rougher than her mother would like, we've got to train him not to be a wuss.

Grandma also wanted him to discover the grass on his bare fetes. I should really pay attention to more things like this, so my boy can learn.

Other discoveries of the day:

Target Up & Up diapers suck. Just ask my mom.

Traffic at 5:00 also sucks.

Heath Bar fudge is deeelicious, even though I don't like fudge

31 for 21: I, Like, Make Stuff

Such as these. An idea my SIL, Lindey, found! Yes, it is possible to print straight onto fabric from your home printer. After a few trial-and-error attempts, we figured it out, and my printer prevailed!

P.S: In the Provo area, embroidery hoops in the suggested sizes are hard to find! I made do with what was around.

And check this out! Festive, eh? I smack my face on it any time I use the front door, it's pretty gigantic. Don't mind the painters tape...just working a little curb appeal.

Of course I only copy people, such as this chick, with my handicrafts (I can't get myself to say I'm crafty because I'm not, nor do I wish to be more so). Thanks for the tip off, Erika!

31 for 21: Do You See What I See?

I spy with my little eye...

A tiny baby who needs to see his mommy while she gets ready or he'll most often freak out.

Well, 'ello there gov'na!

31 for 21: Tis the Season to be Layering

Sleeper, swaddle, sleep sack.

Whoa, alliteration.

And don't worry that I go in to check his temperature at least six times after I've put him down, and adjust the settings of his heater and both fans, which I'm convinced he needs for the white noise. OCD much?

31 for 21: Out Like a Trout

Tadd said this once, and I liked it. Like when Katy Perry kissed a girl.

31 for 21: Not My Kids

...but too adorable not to share

I'd frame the top right picture for my own home.

Cool dude Jack Rockwell

Crazy, dimpled Van Ethan

Beautiful, chubby Violet Caroline

Courtesy of Roger Ruth Photography

31 for 21: Parks and Peyote

One last warm afternoon

Three sisters

Two babies

Starburst

Pretzel M&M's

Stroller walk to the neighboring park

Lounging on the grass

Watching a doggie play frisbee

Pleasant sisterly conversation

Elderly Indian smoking peyote

Yes, elderly Indian smoking peyote.

What a way to ruin a textbook "la-de-dah" outing.

Samson was frightened, but couldn't help sneaking a smile. Just a happy, happy boy.

31 for 21: For Joanna

A teensy request...

surely I can accommodate my childhood violin teacher!

31 for 21: This is How we Do it

Spare yourself. Don't peek into my closet, or Samson's, for that matter. The organization and color coordination may make you gag. And then...in rooms I don't care about? Mayhem. We like to keep things interesting around here.

31 for 21: Quatro

Our little dude is four months old today.

Time flies.

And it yet it creeps by.

Tadd was just saying today that he looked at my "Walk with Angels" post, and he swears it was three years ago that I was pregnant. I swore I would never forget what I felt like when I was pregnant, but oddly enough I've forgotten. It's this evil pregnancy amnesia (as my mom calls it), and it's seriously cruel. I'll be with child again one day, I'm sure, and then it'll all come flooding back to me. Gag.

But...good news is, I got this little Samsonite from it all. And he rocks. Rocks, I tell you.

Evidence of such, below.

Weight: 15 lbs. 4 oz.

Length: 26 in.

Head: 17 in. (I have no idea if this is normal or not)

Tidbits I love about Sammy:

The nose-crinkle when he smiles really big, resulting in the little "X" wrinkle on the bridge of his nose

How he babbles in his crib when he wakes up (usually)

His craziness in the bathtub

His adoration for his daddy

Those wide, brown eyes

The smell of his breath (is that weird?)

Squeal, squeal, squeal

Like clockwork...messy diaper #1 of the day

When he's feeling needy in the car, all he needs is to hold my hand

The 10+ hours he sleeps at night

His immediate 2+ hour nap right after he wakes up and eats between 7 and 9 (dear blog post, please don't jinx this)

Those smiles, giggles and laughs

He loves having his face tickled, tends to calm him down and can put him to sleep

That pouty lip when he's about to reeeally cry

How he can get Tadd to full-on belly laugh

How's he found his thumb, and ohmyhell, it's adorable when he goes to town on it

Likes eskimo kisses

What a champion errand buddy he is

The way he flexes his itty bitty feet when he stretches

P.S: I heart him

31 for 21: Happily Ever After

This "singlegirlinethiopia" ain't single no more!

One of my besties got married to her sweetheart yesterday. I forgot my camera at the temple, so no photos of the happy couple together, just this happy couple directly below.

Celina and Adam happened to rent a house in our ward! Yay, friends! It's no secret that Tadd and I as a couple aren't the most social of humans, so I'm glad to have some built in friends in our ward.

Celina was absolutely glowing, and I just couldn't be happier for her! Adam is such a sweet guy, and I'm convinced he and Tadd are going to get along famously, making our hang-outs with the newlyweds even better.

Doesn't Tadd look like Hitler? *gasp!*

The luncheon was at Spark, and she had a great photobooth corner with some silly props. You bet Sammy looked smashing with a mustache in the polaroid pic we took for Celina's guest book.

Note: Although not on purpose, kale pre-bloomed is a seriously fantastic plant for bouquets.

Ma, thanks for letting Samson watch you while I attended the sealing!

31 for 21: Buddy Walk

The Buddy Walk is something the Cox family looks forward to every September. I've actually never been, so I was glad I could be a part of it this year. Samson was thrilled as well.

There was a program before the walk by the lady from Signing Time, which the kids absolutely loved. Some kids were called up on stage to help her sign her songs from her videos, and it was adorable. It's incredible how quickly kids catch on to signs, and how well they can keep up with her. I took three years of sign language in high school, and could only pick out a dozen signs. it's pathetic how little I remember! The way she teaches on her videos, I'm sure these kids won't forget their new signs anytime soon!

Can't wait for these two to be best buddies. Lyla already grabs his hand when they are laying next to each other.

I adore Bree's cheesy smile

Most of the Cox and Clapier families

Oh, Andrew. Classic.

Bree and Lyla's team name was X-tra Cute Cousins, referencing the extra chromosome. Clever!

I really enjoyed this event, and will join the family in looking forward to it next year! And I'm thrilled I have a new sleep shirt!