The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

A special thanks to Mr. C for stopping by on Christmas Eve Eve (two days before Christmas *grin*). Bryson was very excited (though he's a little 'deer in the headlights' in this picture), Dallin did better this time on Santa's lap (at the mall he was thoroughly freaked out), and Eli....

Eli was so overcome with emotion, he couldn't keep them in. He obviously loved Santa.

Christmas Eve we went to my sister Kim's house and had yummy finger foods, watched a Christmas movie (though I can't remember what one) I think there was a game on for the big boys.... and we periodically checked online to see where Santa was at the time. We got home late, but let the boys open a few presents before bed- they each opened their pillow (they love pillows for some reason, so I made them each a pillow.... Buzz Lightyear for Bryson, and Diego for Dallin) and a Thomas train... Dallin especially loved his train. They both went to bed with their new pillow and train, only to be drug out of their beds a few minutes later to set out the cookies for Santa...

Christmas morning, Bryson was a few steps into our room before he remembered what day it was... we managed to hold him off maybe three minutes before he could be restrained no more. It took a little while to wake up Dallin, especially while keeping Bryson out of the presents. It was so fun to open presents with the kids- they're just so excited about everything. I'm pretty sure though, that Dallin would have been perfectly content with his Thomas train. We'd take turns opening presents, and by the time it was Dallins turn, he'd be in the other room playing with Thomas... every stinking time! It was very cute though. After presents, we had our good friends (who happen to be our neighbors) over for a late breakfast. Last year we started the tradition of crepes and colorado omelets, and continued it this year, despite Nathan's 'diet' (I use that term loosely).

It was especially fun this year to teach my children about why we really celebrate Christmas. Bryson is old enough that he can understand it a little better, and it's so wonderful to see him learning about Christ and to hear his questions (and answers) about Him.

Snow happens

but this is ridiculous. It started snowing last Wednesday, and pretty much hasn't stopped since. The worst was on Thursday- we got 24 inches in as many hours- it literally snowed ALL day Thursday. Nathan shoveled the driveway on Wednesday night just before we went to bed so it wouldn't be as bad in the morning..... ya, he got stuck backing out of our driveway...
It took three neighbors to get him unstuck (and me actually putting the car in gear while they pushed, instead of leaving it in neutral while pushing on the accelerator....).

The view from our front windows... it has been so beautiful because everything has stayed so white- since the snow is so deep and fresh snow just keeps on falling, even the roads are still white and beautiful instead of muddy.
I so want to go sliding down the slide. I can't believe Bryson hasn't yet... I don't think he could make it out to the swing set alone though- the snow is too deep.

Our back porch. Yes, that's the railing... CRAZY how deep the snow is. Dallins new favorite 'snack' is snow. I open up the sliding door, scoop some into a bowl, give him a spoon and he loves it. I love it also because it's not sticky, doesn't stain and doesn't leave his fingerprints all over everything he touches after eating- too bad there's no nutritional value.

Ten months old!

Look at all those teeth! A bit lopsided though... there's three on the top with no sign of the 4th to balance things out, and 2 and 1/2 on the bottom...

Under Where?

When Dallin was ready to move out of his crib and into his big boy bed, it was all his idea- we followed his lead and he did great... well, the other night after baths as Dallin was getting dressed, he pulled out a pair of Bryson's underwear and insisted that he wear them. Daddy put them on over his diaper... smart Daddy *grin* But the next morning, Dallin wanted nothing to do with a diaper. I went with it for a little while, but really, I am not ready to potty train Dallin... he's not quite ready either, but he's more ready than I am. He's stinking cute in his unders though...
Here he is jumping up and down yelling 'big boy! big boy! big boy!' He kept his underwear dry for a couple of hours- with me right next to him , but I had some stuff I had to get done- so I wrestled a diaper on him- he was over it real quick fortunately for me.

He's been going potty on the toilet on and off for a few months, and has even pooped on it a few times... he knows what to do on a toilet, and what it's for, and has flushing down of course, but has little concept on conveying the need to use the toilet, or how to get his pants up and down... several mornings a week he wakes up dry though, that's a plus. So we'll work on some things over the next few weeks and then maybe we'll tackle potty training full time after the holidays. *groan*

Thanksgiving

A little over a week before Thanksgiving, Nathan's sister Laura called to let us know she was coming for Thanksgiving! As she lives in the Caribbean *drool* I almost think she spent more time in traveling to and from Spokane than she actually spent here- regardless, we had fun having her here and Eli was so excited to finally get to meet her.
Nathan's sisters Laura and Emily with Eli

Cousin Karlie loves babies, and is constantly trying to mother Eli so she takes a little abuse from him in order to get close...

Cousin Jesse is 5 months older than Eli- and showing off his walking skills..

What would Thanksgiving be without a little motorcycle riding? Ya, my family is a little redneck.

Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the delicious spread or any other family... I got my camera out for a few minutes and then forgot about it. Suffice it to say, it was a wonderful day spent with family, we were surprised by the first snowfall of the season and I ate too much.

Mama's helper

Bryson's favorite favorite part of helping me bake...

Pretty sure more ends up on his face than in his mouth...

Dallin vs. Stocking Hanger

Poor Dallin is so accident prone...
He decided to pull one of the stockings off the mantle... as he was looking straight up at it- hence the giant knot/puncture in the center of his forehead. Pretty sure he's not going to do that again.

Mmmmm Carrots

Nothin' like trying out those new chompers on a giant carrot. The only drawback was that it was a little cold right out of the fridge... but it kept him plenty busy while I canned some applesauce.

Convertible

Tonight Bryson rode home from our church Christmas party with Aunt Emily. They arrived a few minutes before the rest of us. Being the fun and imaginative kid he is, he wanted to wait in the garage to 'surprise' us. Afterward, Emily recounted part of their conversation to Nathan and I... (fyi: Nathan's dad restores old Mustangs)

Emily: If you could have any kind of car, what would it be?

Bryson (without hesitating): A red Mustang, but not one like Papa has... one that you can jump in and that when it rains, you need an umbrella.