Potty Training Jake

One of the big boys now!

Jake in his "train train" underpants. Every time he goes on the potty he gets to put a penny in his new piggy bank. He probably has close to 10 pennies now!

The kids got some Christmas money this year from Grandparents. So after paying their tithing, and putting some in savings, they got to take a little to Target to get something fun. The boys picked out some color changing cars. They have played with these in the bathroom sink all morning. What a treat to have double sinks in the kids bathroom. They have one for the hot water and the other for the cold. It's been a great environment for potty training!

I've been putting off the big day for Jake. Potty training my kids has always been one of the things I dread the most. It always takes months of commitment and endless patience. Jake has already been several times with success on the potty, so I decided maybe we just needed to take the plunge. He's had several accidents today, but lots of successes as well. When I told him we were going to potty train him today because he's big now, he says, "No, Mommy.... I'm 2." If he can reason, I think he can figure this out. It's been an eventful morning. Hopefully we'll have more success after his nap!

A Very Merry Christmas

Aside from Cade running a 102 fever and Jake throwing up 4 times before we could start the present unwrapping, our Christmas day was very relaxing. We just opened gifts, talked to family on the phone, played with toys, read christmas books and watched movies. It was a great day to stay home and snuggle together as a family. Thank you all for spoiling us so rotten!

Christmas Eve Nativity Pageant

This year we skyped with my parents during our pageant. We had a sick shepherd/wiseman, who pretty much just layed on the floor the whole time. Our other shepherd/wiseman kept removing his costume and taking off with the baby Jesus. All in all, everyone did a pretty fair job. Cass and Luke were the stars of the show this year playing Mary and Joseph. Hopefully at least this attempt will help them all remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!!

Christmas Jammies

Poor Cade, trying to smile. He started up with a 102 fever out of the blue tonight. How awful to be sick on Christmas!

Jake's jammie wrapper- made himself a Mickey Mouse hat

Every year on Christmas Eve we all open one gift- pajamas. I found some jammies that came with robes for the kids this year and I think they look darling! We're already for the man in the red suit to drop by tonight!

Tuckered Out

Jakey didn't make it till naptime. He just folded in half on top of Warren's arm. Note his sleeves and hands covered in cookie dough and sweets.

Christmas Baking

Cassidy making peanutbutter-hershey kiss cookies

Jakey drawn back to the fire- best of both worlds with a beater in his mouth.

This year I look a lot more like Mrs. Claus with the big belly

We were a treat factory this year. Here is the list of sweets we made: snickerdoodles, gingerbread cookies, 3 different types of fudge (choc/white choc, chocolate pecan, choc mint), peanutbutter with hershey kisses, andes mint cookies, M&M cookies, white hot chocolate, pretzels dipped in white chocolate and rolled in fruity pebbles, and finally pretzels dipped in homemade caramel and then dipped in chocolate. I love doing holiday baking once a year!

First Fire in the Fireplace in the New House

Jake was mesmerized. He LOVED sitting and watching the fire.

Then he engaged Cassidy in a game of hiding under a blanket.

The boys playing "Angry Birds" or something along those lines.

Nice relaxing morning.

Snuggle bugs

These boys sure love their sister. I love it!

Gingerbread Houses

Some of our new friends, recently moved here from Utah, had us over for an authentic Arabic dinner and some gingerbread house decorating. They have 6 boys, and my kids have the best time when we get together. Cade and Luke are in heaven! :)

Another Santa Attempt

Me trying to get Jake to stand at least somewhat near Santa for a picture

He ran out of the shot here before we could catch him.

This is as good as we're going to get.

For our Ward Christmas Party this year, we had a breakfast instead of a dinner. I liked it so much better! It was really nice to not have to worry about one more busy evening.