Merry Christmas

After all the festivities were over today and the children were nestled all snug in their beds, visions of what they got and get to play with tomorrow dancing in their heads, I found this beautiful video on our church’s website.  At first, I regretted that I hadn’t shown it to the kids earlier today—I thought that I had lost my chance—Then I realized what the message of the video was—that we can keep the Spirit of Christmas with us always.  So, I’m going to show show it to them first thing tomorrow morning—and I wanted to share it with all of you now:)  MERRY CHRISTMAS ALWAYS!

YOU

 

You are two…..

 

You…You are caring and kind.  You

love to show affection, share smiles, and give kisses.

 

You….You are curious and busy….You love to find it, open it, close it, read it, turn it, pour it, twist it, (You get the idea I think) and sometimes you drive Mom a little bit crazy, but she secretly admires your determination and drive.

 

You are an ENTERTAINER…You sing, dance, laugh, play, giggle, roar, tickle, poke, tease….if I am ever wanting to have some fun, I just have to watch you for half a minute.

You are a COMMUNICATOR….I used to get excited when you said a new word—Now you and I have conversations all the time…you wake up each morning with a cheery, “Good Morning Mom!  I want some yogurt?”  and then continue to chat with me throughout the day.  I love talking to you.  I love learning about all the things that are in your mind.

You…You are a sister.  You fill a special place in our home.  You jump on the tramp with your big brother, play school with you sisters, and TRY to change your baby brother’s diaper.  We are all so happy you are a part of our home.

 

Mommy remembers when we brought you home as a little baby—now you love to pretend you are a mommy yourself. 

You are two—and we love you!!!!!  And Ella, I cried a little when I wrote this post—you are a true miracle in our life.

It’s Beginning….

 

Thanksgiving was lots of fun, but it’s history man!

 

Where did it go?  I don’t know, but something else is coming…. (Who am I talking to by the way here?—I have no idea.)   

 

Trimming the tree—literally.  Dad, Angie and Logan braved the arctic weather of the White Mountains to chop this baby down by the way!

Trimming the tree—figuratively I guess

Hanging the stockings by the bookshelf with care—because we live in AZ and don’t have a fireplace—still have to add names and buttons to them though.

Making those houses that will sit on top of the computer desk until Christmas Eve or so as they are slowly and stealthily destroyed by hungry passersby.

It seems to actually look like that goose is getting fat after all—wouldn’t that be cool if that was really how you could tell it was Christmastime—“Mom!  The goose is getting fat!  Get out the ivy and bows!”  This really is a nice time of year though and how lovely that the weather lately is reminding  us it IS winter—even the Valley of the Sun. 

 

Postscript:

We think that the magic number for Conner is four—months that is.  He seems to (please knock on some wood with me) be getting over these hurdles he has had in his first few months of life.  After we finally got him over his gassiness with a new formula he got broncialitis—well, during the tail end of his breathing treatments he started to have acid reflux.  So now we have him on medication for that and the kiddo has really blossomed.  He seems so much more comfortable and relaxed and happy—it could also be that he is getting older, but whatever it is is super!  And he is also starting to laugh—oh the joys of the gurgling belly laugh!  So, we will hope and pray that no more little ailments come his way—he truly is a sweet tempered and loving boy and it is so fun to see his personality just shining through. 

 

Confusion made less

I thought this looked really neat. What a wonderful way to get excited about studying the Old Testament, which is always such a daunting task. I think it is so wonderful how our church leaders create these great resources for our families to benefit and study from. Check it out!

And just so my post is still fun, here's a few pictures of "the babies," which we have realized is how we classify our children--the babies, and the big kids. I wonder how long those categories will stick--when they are all older and going to a movie together will I be like, "Hey Ang, can you drive the babies?" Anyway, here they are:

Rico Suave Conner Ella trying REALLY HARD to smile for Mommy

Affection and acceptance

Hope everyone is enjoying December!

Zoo

My sister Melanie who lives in Flagstaff came down here to the desert while her husband was out of town.  So, since my other sister Becky and I both live here, we all went to the zoo together with all the kiddos.  We have a membership so we go fairly often, but the new DRAGON exhibit enticed us to return.

 

It was a very nice day and good times together. 

How do babies sleep like this?????? 

 

Mel’s baby boy Etienne is six months old so Conner and him are super close in age.  Fun!

 

 

 

What a poser!

 

 

Here’s another poser—this lady baboon couldn’t get enough of the camera.  Geesh!

 

 

Since this exhibit was brand new on the day we went, the zoo was pretty packed.  We actually had to stand in line to see these guys, but it moved pretty fast. 

 

And here she is in all her glory.

 

We realized that this situation was screaming for a photo op.

 

Ella LOVES her Aunt Becky.  She is always coming over and playing with the kids and stuff and lots of times when we pull up in the driveway from somewhere Ella will say, “Aunt Becky?  Aunt Becky?” hoping she will be there.  We are so blessed to have her close by.

 

You know how it is..one person decides to take a picture through the hole in the cave, and then before you know it…well, you can see for yourself here what happens.

 

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!  Can’t wait to get out of town and have fun in the White Mountains…I better finish up that packing. :)

Every once in a blue moon…

I tend to really get into Halloween.  The last time it happened we ended up as The Peter Pan family.  (In case you are wondering who I am, I was the dog Nana—yeah, I usually get stuck with whatever leftover costume works in somehow.)  Sunny was Wendy and Angie Tink.  Why was Jack Peter Pan instead of Captain Hook? Well, because Logan already had the pirate costume!

It was fun to do  a movie theme,  but definitely more work than our usual preparation, which involves my saying, “Okay kids, Halloween is in a few days/hours/minutes.  Find your costumes from dress up and what not.  I bought a family make-up kit so let me know what you are.”  After a few years of a break from Halloween creativity, this year we decided to try it again.  Here’s the end product:

My awesome sister decided to join us as the Wicked Witch of the West—she totally went all out huh?  And yes, yet again I am not a main character, but simply a “citizen of Emerald City”.  And yes, I had to explain that many times to people during the night.  Conner was also a citizen with me, or a munchkin I guess.  He was basically just a cute baby in a blanket.  Well, here’s some more pics of the cast:

 

We had two fun nights of Halloween fun—Friday we went to a Fall Festival in Chandler, and then on Saturday our ward Truck or Treat and trick or treating.  It was fun to see Ella through it all—she was sort of scared at the Trunk or Treat, but by the end of the night she had definitely gotten the hang of it!  Something about getting candy from strangers brings out the cuteness in kids I think!

Now that Halloween is over it’s time to start prep for Christmas right?  And now we have officially entered the joyous “sugar season” that basically lasts until February—oh what joy and rapture!  Hope everyone had a fun and safe Holiday—if you have any chocolate in your goody bag that you don’t want I’ll be happy to relieve you of it.:)