Christmas 2009

Christmas was an absolute ball this year! Christmas with kids is just so much fun. I get excited simply because they're excited. And I love Christmas anyway, so it's not like I have to try to get in the mood for it or anything.:)This is how Christmas Eve began (well, the actual evening anyway).....with another fat lip. I think somebody was getting a little bit excited and he kept getting himself into trouble. Anyway, he was supposed to be sitting in the corner on his stool and he couldn't sit still and fell over and hit his face. I cuddled him and gave him a cold washcloth for his bloody lip and then set him down to go finish dinner. Five minutes later, this is what we had. Poor, excited boy!! So....ignore the fat lip in the rest of the pictures.:)

Gramps came over for dinner on Christmas Eve. The kids had fun playing with him until he went home.

Haylee playing with a Christmas tree ornament as usual. This is why our play pen is set up. She began trying to pull the tree over and open up all the presents, so..... BUT, I just can't get over how pretty she is anyway.

I can't say enough how much I am in LOVE with this picture of these two. I caught it perfectly for once. They're so cute together. Hunter likes to boss her and mother her and take care of her. He also steals her new dolls and takes care of them and sleeps with them. Daddy's going to love that, I'm sure, but he's so nurturing and sweet and I love it.

Opening their Christmas Eve jammies. It was a tradition in my family and I loved it, so we carry on with it. I usually get them for Kyle and I too, but I never got around to it this year.

Modeling their pajamas. I tried to get them all to match and was actually somewhat successful. They looked so adorable! Granted, I always think my kids look adorable, but whatever.:)

It was so funny when the boys came out. They'd been asking for this Jeep for a long time. Hunter made sure to tell Santa that he wanted it. When he first saw it, we got a big "Ahhh!" and then he leaned back on the couch and said, "Cool...." He wouldn't touch it. It was so funny. THEN he had to check and make sure the battery was good before he'd even sit in it. He's such a boy.:)

Mommy helping Haylee open her present from Santa. She wasn't interested in helping except with the bow. She was so cute anyway though! And yes, I look tired.....probably because I was.

There's the excitement we're looking for! Haylee wanted that Jeep so badly.....the purple van she got from Santa wasn't nearly as cool apparently.

Haylee oohing and aahing about the doll she got in her stocking. She makes this face all of the time....and I LOVE it! Anything exciting happens and we get the "Oh" face from her. It's hilarious and incredibly cute. She was having fun at this point, but she quickly got overwhelmed. I had to open most of her presents and then put her down for a major nap. The boys were up at 7:30, so I woke her and probably shouldn't have. But I didn't want her sleeping through her first Christmas!

Testing out the new Jeep. Hunter was excited to be in control of that thing and I think Tanner was wondering why it was actually moving.:) Ah, such cute boys!

If those aren't faces that are happy to be driving a Jeep, then I don't know what are. And I love Tanner's new Lightning McQueen sweatshirt. He got it from his Great Grandma (my Grandma) and I just love the eyes on the hood (which is funny because I always swore that I would never let my kids have ANY character clothing.....obviously I gave that up a long time ago. ha ha). He looks so cute in it.

Tanner's turn to drive. This involved a lot of jerking and lack of turning, but it worked out fine.:) He'll learn. I think Hunter's scared to ride with him though..... They both LOVE this thing so much. Good thing Santa pulled through.

We got the boys toy guns from us. I've been adamantly against this for quite some time. I didn't want them learning how to use the real ones, but I gave up because they've been begging for them forever. Anyway, they instantly had to go and "shoot those darn birds." The hatchery has a huge bird problem.....due to the free, fresh fish dinner availability.....and Kyle's always off scaring birds and shooting at birds. The boys like to help in these little endeavors and they're very excited to have their own guns for this purpose. We also have a problem with woodpeckers. They're going to "get the darn birds that are making holes in our house" too.:) Oh boy.

On Christmas day we went over to Kyle's sister, Aricka's house for dinner. Here's Hunter playing X-box 360 with David. He was shooting some sort of wild beasts. Exciting.... But do you notice the video game face? You couldn't talk to him, he couldn't be bothered. He's only four and the curse of the boy who can't put down the controller is starting already. My older brother would be so proud.

Oh my. A Jeep that looks just like Daddy's. Kyle's already tried to steal it for his collection multiple times.....despite my lectures that the Jeep belongs to his son.

Tanner opening his present from Gramps. He was so into it that I couldn't even get him to look at me for a picture.:)

Moving on.....Xbox 360 to the Wii. The kid's addicted. Poor Tanner wanted to play, but isn't really old enough to understand what to do. Hunter was barely getting it which just exasperated poor Tailor.:)

We had a wonderful Christmas. I love this time of year.....I'm sure I've said that before. I love the peace that comes with the season, I love the lights and the happiness, I love the giving and thoughtfulness of others. Not as much a fan of the getting, but to give, someone must "get." It's a wonderful opportunity to bring smiles and service to others. Our family is abundantly blessed, with the birth and life of our Savior being the most valuable. I hope that as the years go by and my children are "spoiled" by those who love them, that I'll be able to teach them the immeasurable value of the real reason we celebrate this holiday. Merry Christmas and God bless.

The Christmas Season Thus Far

Santa came to our Ward Christmas party again this year. Hunter usually wants nothing to do with that, but he was waiting this year. He needed to tell Santa he wanted a Jeep.....and he did. Sorry the pictures of Hunter and Tanner are blurry. Hunter likes using my camera now and he changed all of the settings. I took multiple and couldn't figure out the problem. Finally did, so Haylee's is clear.:)

Tanner didn't tell him anything, but he did get his treats, which is what he was after, so it worked out fine.:)

I wish the previous ones of Haylee had turned out. She was just staring up at him like he was the most interesting thing she'd ever seen. Too cute.

I was just testing the settings and it worked. I ended up really liking this picture.

CLASSIC. So glad I caught this.....

All bundled up, ready to go out.

I know you're all looking at this picture and wondering why there's a dog (even if I do own it) in my house, on my carpet. This is not normal for me, I know, but it got really cold and Sugar's water dish froze solid. Our heat lamp needs a new bulb (which we haven't found yet) and so she hung out inside for a few nights. Haylee couldn't have been more thrilled. You just say the word puppy and she gets excited. Anyway, Sugar army crawled all the way over to her to say hello. Then when she realized what that little bundle of joy was capable of, things changed.

I suppose she figured if she didn't make eye contact, Haylee might go away. Yeah, Sugar, you wish.

The boys, of course, have to be in any picture they can. Gosh I love my kids!

I love that cheesy grin. I think Sugar liked it just fine too until her paws and nose began getting repeatedly poked. It's actually pretty funny. I hated pets, as previously stated, but Sugar IS really well behaved. Haylee chases her and pokes her and Sugar doesn't even run.....she just army crawls in a circle and turns her back on her. Of course, then Haylee just crawls around to her face again, but Sugar's so patient.

Haylee's play pen is generally used as her bed when we travel. We don't, or should I say didn't, have any use for it at home.....until the Christmas tree. Some sort of magnetic-like force simply draws her to the lights and packages the second she's set free. So, she spends more time in the play pen than she'd like. I think she got tired of it.....

My attempts at a cute, little Christmas photo before church this morning.....didn't exactly go as well as planned. Haylee wasn't having it. The boys were excited though because I finally put gel in their hair like Daddy's. I actually never planned it, but both boys had bed head this morning, which could not be cured.....only downfall to evening bathtime.

There she goes.....just not when everybody else is ready.

Moved her to the floor.....suddenly all was well.:) (Even though her hair looks slicked cause it was still wet. Ugh, well, at least I tried). Anyway, isn't she pretty!? Not that I'm partial or anything.....

I like this one. At least she only looks a little bit mad. And we got Tanner's squinty eyes, but I love those eyes, so I don't care.

Anyway, we have a house full of excited kids. I love this time of year. I love the entire season. There is just something truly magical and peaceful about Christmas. I love sitting in dark rooms with lit up Christmas trees, driving around looking at Christmas lights, smelling all of the 'homey' and wonderful smells, and just the general pleasantness that seems to overcome everyone. Oh, and I LOVE Christmas music. Favorite this year: Hilary Weeks' 'Christmas Once Again.' Excellent album. Just as good, if not better, than her first Christmas album. I could listen to it all day.....and trust me, I do.:) I love the peaceful reminder of the Savior's birth and life. There's nothing more important to celebrate than that. I've always been "obsessed" with Christmas time (which is what my Dad would laughingly tell you), but I honestly hope that my kids inherit that quality. There are a million reasons to love the Christmas season! I hope you're all enjoying yours.

Eye Goop Victory

Haylee's changing so much lately that I wanted to document a few things before I forget. First and most important, she's not going to have to get surgery done on her eye! She's had a blocked tear duct since birth. Tanner had one too (and so did I, I guess), but his opened up at four months old. Haylee's would not open up, so the pediatrician gave me a referral for a pediatric opthamologist in Yakima. As a last ditch sort of effort, she prescribed some antibiotic drops just to see if it would help. Drum roll, please......and after two days her eyes cleared up. This means no more goopy, crusty eye. No more sore eye from Mommy scrubbing the gunk out every day, multiple times. Basically, happy Mommy and happy baby!! (Plus, I wasn't the least bit thrilled about a baby of mine having surgery, so I'm quite relieved).
She's also learned how to do this. That's right.....she can stand up in her crib. Time to lower the mattress. Although I'm not sure why that's even necessary. I mean, I've only had one of my kids flip out of their crib......that's a 33% negative rating......odds are still tilting in my favor for Mom of the Year.
In these pictures you can also see her black eye. Well, sort of. You can see the cut at least. That was from the dump truck to the eye. The following day (after these pics), Hunter was trying to carry her and turned around and slammed her forehead into a door frame. That left quite the bump and bruise.....on the same side of her head. Glad this all happened after her check-up. They already think I beat Tanner, I'm sure. Oh, and did I mention that Hunter actually lifted her onto the couch and then watched her fall off head first the day after the door frame incident? Oh, I didn't? Well, can you blame me? The only reason I'm even confessing now is because my blog is private and CPS can't read it.

Anyway, aside from the fact that she can't escape torture and injury for even a day, she's an absolute delight to have around. She's so darn cute and funny. Daddy's totally smitten with her.....well, we all are. She giggles and "talks" all day long. She follows her brothers everywhere and it's so cute to watch. I'm not sure why she's seeking out all of the painful experiences she KNOWS are awaiting her, but it's cute just the same. I've discovered three of her most prominent talents. First.....eating. She's so good at it that every time seems like her first (You know, she acts like she hasn't eaten for 9 months). The girl can pack it away. Second.....dancing queen. She rocks out with the best of them. And third (but not because it's the least important).....slap boxing. She slaps and pinches and grabs everyone in any place that will hurt. Then if you say, "Ow!" or "No!" she turns her bottom lip into a pout and starts to cry. She's quite good at this, so you're almost afraid to even correct her or say that it hurts for fear of what's coming. I think she plans this. Oh yeah, and she has 5 more teeth about to come through. We're just betting on which will come first (I think all 5 at once). This probably explains why she won't sleep for longer than 30 minutes at a time unless Mommy's snuggling her. Do you think I feel guilt when I eventually just give up and move her into my bed? No. The answer is no.

Oh, at her check-up they forgot to give me her stats (Hunter's four year check-up was the same day and they didn't give me his either, but they did say he was about the 40th percentile for everything). Haylee has slowed down some they said and is 75th percentile for both as well. I don't have the specific numbers though.

Anyhow, all joking aside, little miss Haylee is my little angel. She's so good and sweet and pretty! I can't imagine not having her around. I love her so much!

Thanksgiving 2009

Our family.
Playing cars with Grandpa.
My four nutty, but lovely sisters (Emily, Kim, Katie, & Wendy) tearing bread for our stuffing.
Evan & Haylee playing together. Evan's 5 weeks older.....and like 5 times as big.:)
Uncle Matt and Haylee. Let me just say right now that it's going to look like I never brush my daughter's hair. It's not true. She just pulls out all of the accessories AND this west side humidity does not help AT ALL. She goes all curly and crazy (those are my delightful genes).
Silly Evan.
Taking a nap with Aunt Kim.
Playing with Grandpa.
She loves Aunt Emily. Emily can really get her laughing.
Me and my wonderful Mom.
Pretty cheeseball.
Tanner getting into all of the Christmas decorations......what else is new?
Looks thrilled, doesn't he?
Decorating Grandma and Grandpa's tree.
Me and my brother, Dan.
Tanner actually under the tree. This kid is crazy.
The tree we cut down this year. We'll probably decorate it Monday.
Hiding under another tree while Daddy cut down ours.
Just love this shot of my handsome Hunter.

We spent Thanksgiving with my family over in Chehalis. All seven of my siblings and their families were able to make it. That doesn't happen often, so it was exciting. We spent a lot of time chatting, playing games, and eating, of course. We also got to help out with decorating my parents' house and we cut down our Christmas tree to bring home. We even managed to take pictures for our Christmas cards. So productive.

Anyway, as for events of importance. Kyle thinks he broke his hand playing in the Turkey Bowl. Chehalis ward plays Adna ward on Thanksgiving morning on my old high school football field. Apparently it gets pretty ugly.....and so is his hand, so what a coincidence. Do you think he'll go to the doctor though? Yeah, the answer is no. Anyway, I missed that excitement as I was off on a shopping errand that was unplanned yet very fruitful. Let's see, we discovered that Tanner's love for Christmas lights extends beyond praying in gratitude for them......he likes to kiss individual lights as well. Not sure why, but he thinks he's being sweet so that's all that matters, I guess. We got the chance to go see "Blind Side," kid-free (thanks to my parents watching the kids). Good movie. I'm not often impressed enough with a movie to recommend it, but this one I would. Oh, and we found out that our kids have another cousin on the way. Joey and Sarah are due in July with #2. Congrats to them again! Anyway, all in all, it was a very fun trip. It always flies by too quickly, but we were so happy to get to see everyone and spend time with them.