Merry Christmas

I've been sufficiently nudged by a dear friend, who reminded me that this is the only link some people have to our lives. Oops. I guess 8 months of not posting doesn't do anyone much good.

This has been a great year for us.

Will is still with his company, working doing...something. I still don't really get it, and he still can't really talk about it. He likes it, they like him. He still plays basketball and football as often as possible, is frequently taking over the world playing his DS game from 2 years ago and warms my heart when he plays with his kiddos. He has a level of patience unknown to most mankind, especially me. We love our papa, "ga-ee" and husband.

Marcus is sprouting like a weed. He'll be 3 in early January, but astonishes us with his shoe size and clothing. I daily feel for my mother and her trying to find clothes for me. Marcus loves all things Yo Gabba Gabba and Diego. He is excellent at puzzles and is really quite good at drawing too, if that can be said of a two-year-old. Marcus gets to start pre-school through the school district next month as he needs to continue speech services. We love all the "cute" ways he says his words, but he is REALLY hard to understand. Luckily he's pretty immune to repeating himself over and over. He will be going to school 4 days a week for 2.5 hours. I'm excited for him to learn and do new things. I'm not so sure I'm ready to have a kid in half-day school for the next 4 years though.

Lauren is definitely NOT sprouting like a weed. She's still our petite little thing. She'll be 2 in March and is *just* under 20 pounds. She's a smart little cookie, and is extremely good at getting Marcus' goat. Lauren has quite cute little curls and a fiesty personality. She began receiving Occupational Therapy in January and began walking this October. She loves to sing and loves anything Dora but especially Boots. We love our little munchkin, especially when she tries to tickle us.

I am doing the stay at home mom gig, and loving it. I find my me time while singing with the Cherry Creek Chorale and stealing moments reading books. I've loved getting a Nook this last year and taking all my favorites with me, wherever I want to go. In the last few days Will and I have found "Words with Friends" and love that it can take weeks or an hour to finish a game. Either way, it's fun.

If you happen to be reading this, I hope you have a Happy Christmas.

Oh goodness. Two kids are each a year older. Marcus hit 2 on 1/9 and Lauren turned 1 on 3/12. Marcus had a REALLY lame birthday, as Lauren had RSV and we weren't letting anyone come over. So it was ice cream and yummy food with the 4 of us. Lauren got to celebrate twice, but was definitely more interested in the frosting than the cake both times. She much prefers the cake-pops I made. They are yummy, so I'm not faulting her there. Lately Marcus has:

1. stopped saying "thank you" but says "welcome" in place of either word. Sometimes I think he says it for sorry too.


2. out-grown almost all his 2T clothes and has graduated to 3T. He is also wearing a size 8-9 shoe. He's so tall, lots of people think he is older than he is. I have a feeling this will be how his life is from now on.


3. Loves, and I mean LOVES Monster's Inc, Finding Nemo and Cars. He also really likes "Go Go" (Go Diego Go), "Go-gwa" (Dora), "Gon-Gon" (Barney) and "Baba" (Yo Gabba Gabba).


4. He is getting speech therapy 4 times a month and while he is saying more, it sure is a challenge to figure out what exactly he is saying. I don't think speech will be ending any time soon.


5. He sings throughout the day. I just usually can't figure out what he's singing.


6. He has croup today. Sad for all of us

Lauren has recently (well, in the past 5 months)-

1. cut the top four teeth (with the fourth one coming in today)


2. gotten tall enough to need size 6-9 clothing, although she's still only 15 pounds


3. claps! She has such delicate little hands, it's awesome to see her clapping them


4. can turn her body around at almost quarter turns


5. says "dada" "bubbles" "ball" "clap" "more" "all done"


6. is a stubborn little monkey who won't drink from a bottle, cup or sippy cup. Apparently I'll be nursing for a while longer


7. started therapy in February to start getting better body strength. She has low muscle tone, so we're working on building that and getting her to strong to be able to crawl and eventually walk. I'm SO happy she's only 15 pounds

Will has

1. gone to New Mexico for the New Mexico bowl and see BYU play there


2. gone to both Ft Collins and Colorado Springs to see "the Jimmer" play basketball


3. gone to the Pepsi Center here in Denver to see Jimmer play in the NCAA tournament


4. gone to a Dodger/Rockies game with the whole family, kids were surprisingly good


5. worked hard and taken such good care of us


6. a trip to Alaska planned for the summer in which he will be gone for 9 days. 9 DAYS!! We'll see if the children are alive by the time he gets back

Alisha has

1. loved singing in the chorale I joined last August. Such a nice thing to get away once a week


2. read books (The Hunger Games finally)


3. finally got new pictures of the kiddos taken last Saturday. When they are done, you'd best be believing they will be gracing this blog.


4. booked her tickets for a trip to Chicago this summer. Hopefully Will will be able to handle the kids for the 4 days/3 nights.

All in all, that is what is happening in the Morrell household. Maybe I'll be better next time

More Marcus

I don't want to forget things, and I don't even know where my journal is. So:

Marcus has started spinning. And dancing with his arms flailing about.
Says "more" even when you have the next bite on the spoon already waiting for him.
Says "Love you" and it might be the cutest thing ever.
Says "welcome" and "thank you"
Blows bubbles in the bathtub. Actually, I'm not sure where he learned this, but it sure is cute.
Really likes "pretties" headbands, bracelets, hats, sunglasses. What kind of dress ups do you get for boys? He would LOVE them.

Lauren has started "ba ba ba"ing all the time. She is still the sweetest little creature, but will let you know if she thinks she needs more attention. Still my little peanut wearing her 0-3 month clothes. She won't roll over (not can't, won't) but is starting to sit like a pro. And if sticking your entire fist in your mouth was an Olympic sport, she'd win gold. No contest.

The "I love you" video per request!