October
We celebrated Sam's 3rd birthday on October 13th. Our good friends the Melanchuks even drove over from Seattle to help us celebrate. Sam had a Bob the Builder party. I just happened to have a Super Saturday to attend that day, so Chris got stuck with all the decorations and set up. He did a great job.
Halloween also came and went. Sam was as you may have guessed Bob the Builder. Charlie was an elephant. And Chris claimed to be a "wealthy Mexican land owner." His words, not mine.
We were able to go trick-or-treating at Chris's office and then to our ward trunk-or-treat. We ended up using most of the candy the kids got at the office and the ward party to hand out to other kids. We were left with very little candy, so we think it worked out pretty well.
November
Thanksgiving happened. That's pretty much all I can say about that. We spent hours in the kitchen making food, ate it in 5 minutes, and felt stuffed for the rest of the day.
We did start potty training Sam that day. He is now officially potty trained. I know there are different motivational tools to use to get kids excited about the potty like a sticker chart and what not. None of those really did it for Sam. What got him was when we told him that when he went poo poo and pee pee in the toilet and then flushed it, it would go down the pipes, into the ocean and the fish and octopus would eat it. Yup that's what got him to go consistently. Whatever it takes. He now says funny things when he goes poo though. Things such as "mom let's look at my poo poo together" or "I went poo poo 'cause Jesus told me too." I love my child.
Earlier in the month, Chris and I took our first ever vacation away from the kids. We went on a Caribbean cruise. Ooh la la. Our stops included Haiti, Jamaica, Grand Caymans, and Cozumel.
It was very easy to tell the Europeans from the Americans. Speedos are just not a good look for anyone.
Haiti was okay. The people in the market were very aggressive when trying to get us to buy their stuff. It was kind of scary.
Jamaica was scary. I just didn't feel comfortable being there. Not sure why.
Caymans were awesome, other than when I got attacked by a wave and almost drowned, but I digress.
Cozumel was, well we didn't actually see Cozumel. We decided to take an excursion to the Mayan ruins in Tulum. The trip to Tulum started out with a torturous 40-minute boat ride to the mainland. The waters were so rough that the boat workers had to pass out barf bags to everyone. It's quite a site to see people passing their barf bags down the aisle to be thrown into the garbage. I managed to keep my breakfast down until the last 5 minutes of the trip. After that, it was very long bus ride to Tulum. It took about 3 hours to get there and we only spent about an hour and a half there. I think it was worth doing once, but I probably wouldn't do it again. The ruins were awesome though. I felt like we were seeing a part of Book of Mormon history.
December
We kicked off the Christmas season by going to the annual ward Christmas party. Of course Santa made a cameo. Sam did great sitting on his lap but was a bit shy. Charlie wanted nothing to do with the man in red.
We went to Pocatello this year for Christmas. We had our own little family Christmas at the hotel first, then Christmas with my family later in the day. We drove home to Spokane Christmas night and celebrated with Chris's family a couple of days later. Three Christmases...not too shabby. Of course, the boys got spoiled.
January & February
January and February have been survival months for us. Chris is in the thick of busy season and not home much. He was out of town every week starting the last week in January and then works most of the day on Saturday. But, we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
Sam became a Sunbeam this year. I can't believe it. A Sunbeam. A Sunbeam. He always comes out of class on Sunday saying something cute like "Mom, I have a spirit. Can you see it?"
He also started soccer and is taking a music class. (I think I signed him up mostly for my sanity.) He has done surprisingly well. It's been good prep for starting pre-school which he'll start in the fall. First a Sunbeam, next a pre-schooler. Where was I when he grew up so fast? Did I also mention that he can totally navigate the computer? I swear I'll be asking him for help when he's only 5.
Charlie also is now officially in the nursery. Hoorah! However, this means that I'm usually in the nursery....that whole separation anxiety thing. Him, not me. He also talks up a storm and repeats everything we say. I'm pretty sure he has a crush on Dora and Kai Lan and at any given time you can hear him saying "D, D, Dora." He loves to give kisses and hugs but he also knows how to put on a really good show thrashing about on the floor when he doesn't get his way. Gotta love the kid.
March
We decided two just wasn't enough, so we're adding another boy to our brood. He's due July 23, but based on my history, he'll be here sometime in August. Chris and I are very excited to be having another boy. My sister-in-law said we were just following the "Skidmore Probability Rule." 3 out of 4 of our kids will be boys. Chris has two brothers who both have 3 boys and 1 girl.
When we ask Sam what we should name his little brother, he gives us answers like Applebee or Garbage Can. They roll right off the tongue, don't they. At any rate, we are very happy and can't wait to meet our little Garbage Can.
As Biz Markie puts it, I'll see ya all later. Bye bye.
Here are some highlights of things Sam has learned or said. Most of the "bad" stuff he learned from us, his parents, so what does that say?
Oh, how I love my Sam.
Proof that I actually got on the tube. 
Chris going for his first ski ride of the day.
Hamming it up for the camera.
Shannan and Shane taking a break after a long week. This picture says it all.