It's Christmas time again.

We have all been pretty busy these last few weeks. Mike has been gone for most of the last week and a half studying for his last set of finals!!! Come Wednesday evening we will be jumping full force into the Christmas festivities!!! I can not wait.

We have done a few things already, we decorated our teeny tiny tree (which I think looks pretty darn cute!) we wrapped all our presents, we made goodies for a bunch of our neighbors, we've been singing a lot of Christmas songs, and watched a few Christmas movies. Seppi and I have read a Christmas book every day in December (thanks to the library!). Seppi is so stinking cute, everytime he sees a baby he says "its the baby Jesus." and he says "they brought gifts for the baby, gold deblunes (courtesy of Jake and the never land pirate show)and myrrh" and I always help him say frankincense!! I love that he is getting into the true spirit of Christmas. We are trying hard to teach him that Christmas is not all about presents and St. Nick, even though those things are a lot of fun!

Seppi is so expressive and fun right now, he is full of energy! Everytime he sees Christmas lights he says, with a huge amount of enthusiasm "it's Christmas!!!" I can not wait to take him to see the lights on Temple Square (after Wednesday! ha ha)

Mike has been such a great student, he is so smart, and he has been working so hard, we have been so blessed while we have been in school. It has truly been a LONG haul and we are so excited to start a new chapter in our lives, although the unknown and change is a little scary. He still has 2- 8 week internships and they are all set up, but the class work and all the final exams are just about done!
Finals weeks have always been a little stressful for the whole family but we seem to make it through every time. Seppi and I have been able to keep busy with playing with friends (Seppi is quite a little social butterfly, he is such a good friend and he makes me so proud, he is not afraid to reach out and play with new little friends, in our court). I started reading again during nap time and bed time, which it such a wonderful outlet for me! and have been making a few things for Christmas, I really enjoy making things.
We have been truly blessed, I have to say it has not been an easy year for us (truthfully one of the harder ones), but I can see the Lords hand in our lives and so I feel like I can not complain, we have all been healthy, fed, clothed, blessed with warmth, and wonderful family members willing to step in at any time. We have had the blessing of the Spirit in our home, which has truly been a blessing.
We are excited to welcome a new year, ready to let this one come to a close- knowing that this next year will be full of adventure and change.

Seppi Tales...

1st story- 2 weeks ago Jeseppi and I slept over at my mom's house with Kris Kris (my sister) and Hailee (her daughter). In the morning I was getting ready for the day in the bathroom and Seppi comes around the corner holding a dead mouse in his hand saying "look mommy a mousy" I didn't know how else to respond except by SCREAMING!! I grabbed his arm and flung the mouse out of his hand, right as Kristi turned the other corner and we almost hit her with the dead mouse. The next thing I know Seppi and Hailee are crying and Kristi and I are Screaming still. I had to explain to Seppi that the mouse was dead, which made him cry even harder, and he said "No he's sleeping." It was TRAGIC. Now Seppi walks around saying (sometimes to complete strangers). "and mommy SCREAMED the mouse, but it was dead." and then he laughs.

2- In August Jeseppi and I went with Sabrina (my sister) and her two kids Alex and Ben to the Dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point. We all had a fantastic time and Seppi absolutely loves his cousins. Well, it is now December and just about everyday I still hear "But, we went to the Dinosaur Museum with Alex and Ben, and the Super-Soraus was GIGANGIC." (Gigantic). He will even tell the cashiers at the grocery store. It has made a lasting impression on him. One night I was helping him say his prayers and it was around General Conference time and I tried to have him say "We're thankful for the Apostles" but instead he said "Thankful for the Fossils, at the dinosaur museum, with Alex and Ben." HA HA HA HA

3- Last week Mike needed a little space to get ready for a big test so Seppi and I went up to Bear Lake, where my other sister lives, Jami, we went up with Kristi and Hailee, and Jami has 4 kids. Well, the whole 3 days we were there, we literally vegged out and watched TV.. (totally a little vacation that we needed). So, one day while we 3 sisters were vegging on the couch and totally being the greatest mom's that we are (ha ha). The 3 toddlers were having the best time playing together. Seppi found a fisher price shopping cart and decided to RIDE it down her stairs, Probably seemed like a fun idea at the time, right? So, we hear the BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM, just like you would hear if they just shoved the shopping cart down the stairs and thinking that's exactly what happened, none of us even really budged from our cozy locations. UNTIL... We heard the CRASH and the CRY that came later at the bottom of the stairs. YUP, that would be my little man! ha ha. I couldn't figure it out, so I asked him, "Did you get into the cart and ride it down the stairs?" he just said "YA, I did, I went BOOM BOOM BOOM- CRASH- and bumped my head, OUCH." Now he tells everyone this story as well.. and laughs and laughs about it.

4- Seppi and I sing pretty much all day long! He loves the Tangled songs and lately he really loves church songs too. He'll sing almost all the words of "I am a Child of God", "I Hope They Call Me on a Mission", "I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home", "Give Said the Little Stream", and "I Love to See the Temple".. So, the other day I was driving us home, and we pass the Capital building all lit up at night and Seppi says, "Mom look the Temple, The Temple is the Holy Ghost" (because the song goes "The Temple is a Holy Place", but he's learning about the Holy Ghost too and so He got a little confused." Any way just down the street we saw the actual Temple and I told him that that was the Temple.. He's so observant and learning SO MUCH.

5- So the other night Mike taught the FHE lesson on the first Article of Faith, he did a great job, he had pictures to explain and teach about each person in the God Head and we all repeated it several times, He really is an excellent Daddy. So, then a couple of days later, Seppi and I were at the Dollar store picking out Christmas Wrapping paper (they had all the Christmas stuff out, just like every other store..) and Seppi see's an angel and says, "mom, You're an angel" and I said "oh, thanks, you're an angel too!" then he got this thoughtful look on his face and says, "but, you're not a God." and I said "no I'm not a God" and he said "and, I'm not a God" (speaking about himself) and I said "nope, you're not a God." He's really picking up on the things that we are teaching him and it is so fun and rewarding to see!

THERE ARE BILLIONS MORE STORIES.. But, I think I've written enough for one day. Seppi is such a fun Kid, I am such a lucky lady to have him as my little buddy. I Love every ounce of him and am So thankful that I get to be his Momma and teach him something new every day.
We really do have a great family and despite the hard days, we are all really happy because he have each other and because we have a firm foundation in the gospel to build upon. THIS HAS GOT TO BE A GOOD LIFE!!

Can't Believe it.

WHY... is there Christmas music on the radio already? and in every store??
I feel like the Thanksgiving holiday doesn't get the attention it deserves.
Don't get me wrong I LOVE Christmas, but I can not allow myself to listen to Christmas music or watch Christmas movies until The DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING..
Then it goes full force. I have several Christmas presents already to go, But I will not allow myself to wrap them until after Thanksgiving. That helps me get into the Christmas spirit, when it actually Christmas time.
Thanksgiving is a great holiday, why can't we just celebrate that first? ha ha.
I went to the library and checked out a bunch of Thanksgiving books for Seppi and I to read, and He is totally enjoying running around gobbling like a turkey!
Thanksgiving always makes me reflect on what I am thankful for and helps me put my mind and my heart in the right perspective so that I really can enjoy the following holidays, remembering all that I have been given.
So please go right on with Christmas in your own way, but give Thanksgiving the whole month of November first!

Who needs there own backyard to enjoy a perfect fall day?

Yesterday Mike and Seppi took a little walk to get the mail. A couple of minutes later I hear Loud screams and laughter of pure joy! Mike calls me and says "come on out here with us, you won't want to miss this, and bring the camera!!"

There was a HUGE pile of leaves all raked up for us ready to play in! Who would be able to miss such a fun opportunity to play in them? NOT US!

We had leaf fights, (even Seppi threw them at us!!) we jumped into them from the tree branches, we buried each other in them.

We had a lot of fun. It was a fun spontaneous thing that we did today. I LOVE DAYS LIKE THIS.




Look how sweet Seppi is. He's giving Mike kisses here, He always kisses our "boo boo's" better now, and is our personal Dr. He has the magic touch to make anyone feel better!

I JUST LOVE THIS PICTURE, I HAD TO SHARE IT.

More Halloween pics.

Buzz Light-year to the rescue!!!

Last week "the mom passe" got together and went to the family Halloween party they had at the U.
It surprisingly was a TON of fun. Here are all the little friends that came with us.

Seppi was able to get some good Trick-or-Treating Practice here. He'd say "Trick-or-Treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat." That is as far as I was willing to teach him! ha ha. and then He'd politely say "thank you SOOOO much! and wave goodbye."
He truly got into the Buzz light-year costume! He'd say "Where did Seppi Go?" and I'd say "I don't know, all I see is Buzz light-year" and he'd poke his head out of the hood and say "here I am mom!" LOVE THIS KID!!!
He would also say "Buzz light-year to the rescue" and "to infinity and beyond" as he ran off into the distance.
(Running is a favorite of his lately, he's getting fast).



There was tons of little craft tables (which were not a hit with my little space ranger). He was all about the candy! He has completely adopted Jerry Signfield's saying "get candy, get candy, get candy"!!!

Seppi, Knox and Maylee Just waiting to get going!

Seppi and Maylee, right after they had their faces painted.


This lady would not paint a rocket ship on Seppi's face, SAD.. So, instead he picked a frog. Ha ha. totally fun, but had nothing to do with his costume.

And Pony rides. I could not BELIEVE that Seppi wanted to go ALL by himself, He did not want me to walk beside him. He really is growing up so fast.


On Halloween we went Trick-or-treating around mine and Mike's neighborhood that we both grew up in with a bunch of Seppi's cousins and my siblings! Lots of fun, What a BEAUTIFUL night! Those pictures will be coming soon!
P.S. This Buzz light-year costume is what kept me busy making while Mike so studiously prepared for his Doctoral Project! (which by-the-way went very well for him!!- such a proud little wifey!)

FALL BREAK!

For Fall Break, we went to Heber with some friends from the village, the McFarlands. They have a little boy, Knox, who is just a little younger than Seppi and they play so well together. Chelsey and I get a long really well and Kenny and Mike have found their golf match. (they are both about the same level and its a friendly competition when they play!!)

They Boys went Golfing and the Girls and the kids went on the Heber Valley Railroad. I am sad to say that it did not exceed my expectations.. But it was still fun!

We went on a nice long ride and the train to a little pumpkin patch, the kids got to pick a pumpkin and decorate it and then we boarded the train again for a ride home and they gave us cookies and hot cocoa.

We all went on a little hike to "CASCADE SPRINGS" it is beautiful there and more of a walk so the kids could be free and hike on their own two legs!!

Here is a picture of the gang.

Knox and Seppi were running around everywhere, they LOVED IT!! They saw fish and loved the sound of the water moving down the rocks.

Isn't this a cute picture? I love these boys.

its crazy to think that this was Mike's last official break while he's in school. The end is in sight and it does not seem real.

We also went Swimming, played a lot of games, had a BBQ, and went out to dinner. It was a wonderful little weekend and it really felt like we "got away from it all."
Thank you Heather for letting us stay at your place!

General Conference

This last weekend, was General Conference. We decided to just stay home this year and do our own thing as a family. It made a HUGE difference. Mike and I felt like we got a lot out of it, and quite literally it was the BEST conference yet.
I made Seppi a basket full of fun activities to do, so, he really enjoyed it too. Monday morning, he asked for "general connfrance" (he says it SO cute!). But it was over, He wanted MORE!! He was really excited to see President Monson and even repeated several things he said. (I think Seppi could be his biggest fan!)
We were also able to go out to lunch with our friends (the Kinghorn's and the Bassets) who we don't get to see very often, it was a great treat to see them!
On Sunday between conferences we went to Sugarhouse park and fed the ducks and Geese! We had a great family weekend.

General Conference really spoke to me this time. I came with several questions and I truly felt that every one of them was answered, how cool is that? There were several talks I needed to hear.
Favorite Talks:
1- Pres Uchdorf in the Saturday Morning Session. (my notes:) "You matter." "You are not invisible to Heavenly Father, He will not forget or forsake you, he is your father, he loves you and you matter to him." -This talk just made me feel good, I think we all need the reminder sometimes that we are Heavenly Fathers Children and that he loves us and really does care about us. When we have times of trial He is there, and he will help us.

2-Elder Ardern in the Saturday afternoon: about Time, he said "let us be as quick to kneel as we are to text" Sometimes I text people too quickly (mostly my sisters) when any tiny little thing bothers me, or I need their opinion on things, and I know that Heavenly Father can answer my little questions too. I should go to him before I go to everyone else in the world. Although I don't think its bad to ask my sisters for advice either! (They probably could use a break from ALL of my stuff going on these days).

3- Elder Hales in the Sunday morning session. He talked about answers to prayers and waiting upon the lord. He said,(again my notes, not a direct quote) "To WAIT means to hope, and trust in the lord." Which also includes to have patience, endure, have faith and diligence. often times when we have tribulation it makes us patient...
For some reason every trial I have involves patience, I must really need a lot of patience. But, I have learned recently and again from general conference that my timing and the lords timing are 2 completely separate things. I will plan things in my life and they never happen the way I plan. I am sure the lord chuckles a little every time I plan things in my life and says, "Why do you keep planning out things? I know what's best for you, and when it's best, just be patient and things will work out better than you could ever plan." I am sure there are many things that He knows in my near or not too near future that need to happen before things that I want can happen. (this talk was probably my fav.)

4-Sister Elaine Dalton's talk, Sunday Morning: "The to best raise your daughter is to love her mother." This was a great talk, Mike said it was his favorite.

5-President Monson's talk Sunday Morning: "The 10 commandments are not suggestions." In an ever changing world it's nice to have one thing in my life that is consistent. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is not an easy church to belong to, but it is the true church on the earth today. It is comforting to know that despite the views of the world- of immorality, bad manners, and a complete disregard for God, we will not change our standards.
In this church, I find peace from the world, I find safety and security. I know that the standards of this church is for my personal benefit, to keep me from doing things that will harm myself, my family and my spirit.

There were so many more talks that I really liked and really got a lot out of. I just couldn't write bits of every single one!
I am grateful for General Conference, and for leaders who teach us how to be better followers of Jesus Christ. We are all human, and I Love that our leaders who we look up to are all on the same team, we are all in this together.
President Monson's last talk talked about this. He said "we are all in this together and we all have a part to play." I pray that I can play my part well. Sometimes I feel like I complain to much when I am going through a trial. That I'm not "baring it well" I hope that I can be better in this and "play my part well." I'm sure trying!

The Champions!!

Two Champions need to be named here today..
#1. Jeseppi! He has been trying to be potty trained for about 2 weeks now and today has reached a big mile marker! He is actually getting it now! It is very exciting. I am a very proud momma! Way to go Seppi!

(Seppi on his Cars potty watching "little Einstein's" his new favorite show.)

#2. Mike! He has been studying non-stop it seems this entire semester. Tomorrow he has a great big test and next Wednesday he presents his Doctoral Project.. AHH. He's so smart and he'll do fine, but its just a lot going on right now.
He says this semester is probably going to be like that the whole way through. So, I'll get my husband back when its all over in December! ha ha. Just keep pushing through sweets. The end is in sight!


This is the latest with the DePola's. Other than Me, I just finished working as a Nanny a little less than 3 weeks ago. Its been an adjustment for sure, but I am liking being a stay home mom with Seppi. I know that this is where I need to be right now.

Orderville Canyon in Zions

Last week we took a little vacation to St. George to visit my Grandma and Molly (Mike's sister). On Thursday we went on a HUGE hike in Zions with tons of water and several short repels. Mike did some research and talked to a few friends who had done this hike in the resent past and they all thought it would be ok to take a 2 year old in back pack.



So we went out and bought Seppi his very first harness and thought we'd give it a try. I felt much better about taking him after that.

Seppi did AMAZINGLY. He was happy the entire time and even slept for about 45 minutes to an hour.

Seppi tried to repel and he was really close to coming down on his own but at the last minute decided against it and Mike repelled with him.

We saw cows, tons of butterflies, squirrels, birds and a rattle snake.. (thankfully the snake was still sleeping and we managed to walk past with out disturbing it or it disturbing us... I'm very afraid of snakes.)


There was only 1 part of this hike that really scared me. it was a slide into a big pool of water and the water was deeper than all of us. We didn't know how to get Seppi down that obstacle.

But Mike is a very smart guy and we figured something out and Seppi was safe. After that there really was no obstacle that we couldn't accomplish.

This hike was about 11 miles and it took us 9 hours to do. It was a great day, but I was a little delirious by the time we were done, ha ha.

Good times

VOTE FOR Seppi!!!

I put Seppi in a contest to be a Model for the next Season of clothes for The Children's place. Please click here
PLACEkids Model Search
and find Jeseppi and vote. To find Jeseppi type in Corie.depola@gmail.com under the search by email section.
It would awesome and fun if he won.
Thanks for your help.

A SPECIAL FAMILY OCCASION!

Yesterday, August 4th, 2011 my sister Heather was married to her husband Troy Wynn in the Provo Temple.


These 2 are such a special couple because they waited many years to find each other. Everyone in both families were married and started their families much earlier than these two, but they were patient and kept searching, until yesterday all their waiting had finally paid off.



It was also very special to both families because after they were married, both families were able to say that every person in their family was married in the temple. Not very many people can say that, so that holds a special place in my heart. The joy in my parent's eyes (their "happy tears" as they would call it) was priceless. I have never seen them so proud of their children than they were yesterday. It made all the temptations and stresses in the world seem powerless for a while because I knew that we were where we should be. I am extremely grateful for my parents' and older siblings examples in my life that has kept me on the right path. I know life isn't easy or fun sometimes, but it's those kinds of experiences that puts life back into the right perspective and helps me realize our purpose here on earth is so worth it!


Thornock Family- minus Stacy and Jake's family (We missed you)




Both Families...





I am so grateful for my BEAUTIFUL, oldest sister.




I am so happy to have another member in the family to add to our Thornock clan! I am so glad we didn't scare him off with all the craziness of 16 grandchildren and 7 other couples in the family. We are so excited to have him in our family and can not wait to get to know him better throughout the years.

(Almost ALL of Heather and Troy's neices and nephews)



This was SO wrong to do at the Temple... but we just HAD to cool off somehow... it was a very hot day.



Congratulations Heather and Troy, we are SO happy for you guys! Welcome to the family Troy.

SILLY GUMBO NIGHTMARE

Seppi LOVES Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He doesn't watch it all day long, but when I am preparing dinner or he needs a tiny 20 minute break we'll turn on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and he'll sit still and watch intently while I can get a little something done. Thank goodness for ON DEMAND.
So there is an episode that he has watched maybe 4 times "Pajama Party" I believe it is called. In this episode Goofy tells the "gang" a "scary story" about the SILLY GILLY GUMBO, the actual story is very brief but it scares Goofy pretty bad and then for another 10 minutes they try and figure out what differnt sounds are because Goofy is afraid it's the Gumbo.
Well Seppi's imagination sure has caught fire these last couple of months, he pretends he's a dr, or a chef, or an elephant, he also pretends he can see "the monster in the water." Anyway, he's been pretending that he can hear the Silly Gilly Gumbo he'll say "whats that noise?" and I'll ask "is it scary?" and He'll always say "no, its not scary, it's not real." To which I'd say "thats right its not real."
Well last night at 1:43am (or so) I heard an awful scream and cry, Seppi's first nightmare...
I came into his room and gave him a hug and he said "SILLY GILLY GUMBO- SCARY"
He's never done that before, but it obviously has been on his mind a bit too much.
I am so mad that Disney JR. would have something that would give him nightmares.

Anyway beware of that episode...

Shoshone Falls, ID

Okay, Check this out! these Falls are HUGE, I couldn't believe how many there were and how wide spread they were..

Mike's signature picture with him pointing into the distance of something awe inspiring! He's teaching Seppi to carry on his tradition..


Seriously I am so glad we went to see this, it was so cool!


Good times, and even a beautiful rainbow as a cherry on top!