Christmas Eve

Taco salad . . . check

new jammies . . . check

Christmas story read by Dad . . . check

Now off the bed kerchief and all!

Merry Christmas!!

On the 10th day of Christmas . . .

we decorated cookies!

Since I did just have a baby, making sugar cookies to decorate just didn't make the list. We got some chocolate dipped oreos, a couple tubes of frosting and plenty of sprinkles and went to town. I think Santa will be pleased with his assortment.

On the 9th day of Christmas . . .

my parents gave to me a new game!

I think playing games is such a great thing to do as a family. It is so much more interactive than watching a movie. It's much cheaper than museums, zoos, or similar activities. It brings a family together and lends itself to chatting and laughing. Two things I think families should do often.

We played the original version of this game with the boys while I was on bed rest and they loved it. We are excited to see how the new version compares. Game night anyone?

On the 8th day of Christmas . . .

We made a trip to the Mesa temple to see the lights.

I guess one down side of the warm weather is that every person in the entire state was at the temple to see the lights. At least that is what it felt like. Big crowds and small children make me nervous so I quickly snapped a few pictures as proof and put the camera away. The temple really was beautiful and the boys were happy to see the nativity and all the pretty lights despite being grid locked by people at times. On the trip over the boys got Christmas pez dispensers which were a huge hit and afterwards we hit up a Village Inn for pie and ice cream.

I'd like to say that we will make this a family tradition, but I think I will need to forget how many people were there before I consider going again.

. . . maybe if we don't go on a Monday night . . .

. . . maybe if we didn't wait until the week of Christmas . . .

. . . maybe if we went when the schools were still in session . . .

o.k. maybe I'll go again :)

On the 7th day of Christmas . . .

We went to see Santa Clause!

Not bad for a mall Santa and 3 kids 4 and under!

There may have been some bribery with a candy cane :)

On the 6th day of Christmas . . .

We wrote letters to Santa!

You know how usually when you get out the camcorder your kids freeze up and won't do any of the adorable things you have been wanting to get on camera? Well this wasn't one of those times. It's kind of long, but filled with some adorable boys. I have been amazed at how many Christmas songs the boys know and frequently sing around the house and in the car. There really isn't anything better than Christmas with kids!

On the 5th day of Christmas . . .

we made monster animals! I found these all materials included kits where the boys could make their own monster animal. Since we are not very crafty at this house I think they turned out pretty cute.

{the finished product}

We interrupt the 12 days to bring you

some major cuteness!!

see more here!!

On the 4th day of Christmas . . .

My parents gave to me $$ for toys for tots. The concept of giving and not always receiving is a bit difficult at 4 & 2 years old, but by the time this activity was over I think the boys understood that they were getting something for someone who would otherwise go without.

We went shopping at Target where Haydn picked out a transformer toy and Wyatt and Taite slept. Haydn gave the money to the checker and even got some change back which he was very excited about.

We then took the gift to Riley's work and placed it under the tree for the toy drive. Hopefully some little boy will have a brighter Christmas morning and hopefully my boys learned that Christmas is not all about receiving.

On the 3rd day of Christmas . . .

My parents gave to me water bottles with names for all three.

On the 2nd day of Christmas . . .

My parents gave to me a gingerbread house with lots of candy!

I love making gingerbread houses. I love that there is more eating of candy and frosting than actual decorating. I love that everyone works together to make the finished project. I love little boys with sticky little fingers and smiles on their faces.

12 days of Christmas!

Back by popular demand is our celebration of the 12 days of Christmas!! This should definitely make up for my lack of blogging over the last 9 months.

On the first day of Christmas my parents gave to me . . . a new ornament to hang on the tree.

Wyatt wasn't left out of the ornament giving I just didn't get a picture of it. Oops! His is a ceramic giraffe that says baby's first christmas. Each of the boys have the same one for their first Christmas with their names and the year on them.

Week 1

Why is it that when you are pregnant the weeks go by so very slow, but once this sweet baby is in your arms you blink and an entire week has gone by. So far we are all doing wonderful. Wyatt is a very content baby. He reminds me a lot of Haydn in looks and temperament. The boys love their little brother. Taite is super affectionate and always saying how cute baby Wyatt is. Haydn has been quite curious this time around. He was very concerned that the umbilical cord was still attached. Then he didn't understand why we kept covering up his fingers. When I tried to explain it was so he didn't scratch himself with his sharp fingernails, he got into his mind that Wyatt had claws.

After what was the most difficult pregnancy I have been thoroughly blessed with a healthy and happy baby boy. No jaundice and so far no reflux!! He has only lost 7 oz since birth and since I have mini sumo wrestlers anyways we are not concerned about that. I am working on getting Christmas cards and birth announcements done so if you would like one please make sure I have your address.

Wyatt Riley

I feel like Dori from 'Finding Nemo' going around the house singing "I did it, I did it, oh ya, ya, ya!" The fifth and final member of our family entered the world on December 2. Weighing in at 8 lbs 7 oz and 20 1/2 inches long. He is healthy and happy and I am on the road to recovery, so all is well.

{The first bath}

{cozy and warm after}

Colby and Jessica get super huge props for moving in for a few days and taking over as parents for Haydn and Taite. They shuttled Haydn to preschool, brought them to the hospital several times to see the baby and their mom who missed them tons. What would we do without them!!

Both of the boys are thrilled to have baby Wyatt here. The main question I have gotten is why he has a funny belly button.

{Proud Papa}

Thanksgiving

It definitely was not a traditional Thanksgiving at our house, but I think it was one I will treasure for a long, long time. It is the last holiday we will spend as a family of four. We didn't have the traditional big turkey meal, but we spent the day together with the people we love most.

First off we got to have Riley home on a Thursday, a Thursday!! We started the day with Riley's fabulous blueberry pancakes and watched the Macy's parade. This is a favorite of Riley and me, but we figured the boys would watch a few minutes get bored and go off to play. We couldn't have been more wrong. They loved the whole thing. They cheered for the floats and big balloon characters and danced along with all the bands. It was so funny to watch. They were thrilled to see Santa at the end and can't wait for him to make a visit to Arizona.

After the parade we got out the Christmas decorations. This was also a huge hit with the boys. I can tell that this Christmas is going to be so much fun for both of them. They are already singing Christmas carols and spotting Santa and Rudolph everywhere we go. Lunch was a gourmet menu of chips and cheese and chocolate shakes followed by naps and football.

We ended the day watching Polar Express in our jammies. It was a wonderfully relaxing day spent with the people I am most thankful for.

Happy Birthday Haydn!!

Haydn turned 4 yesterday and he couldn't be happier about it. As luck would have it his birthday landed on a day he has preschool so he was able to party pretty much all day long.

He took the snack to preschool and also a special birthday treat. He got to wear his birthday crown all through preschool and couldn't have felt more special.

After preschool we went out for lunch. We usually take the boys to breakfast at McDonalds for the birthdays, but with preschool and a doctors appointment we didn't have time in the morning so we hit "Old McDonald's" as Haydn calls it for lunch.

A couple weeks ago I asked Haydn what kind of cake he wanted for his birthday expecting a pretty general response. Apparently he had already been thinking about it because he responded that he wanted a lemon cake with R2D2 and blue frosting. I was fully prepared to head to the local grocery store and see what options they had for Star Wars cakes, but Riley had a different idea in mind. He got the crazy idea in his mind that he could make a R2D2 cake and that is exactly what he did. Isn't it awesome! And from the look on Haydn's face you can tell that he loved it as well! What a great dad to stay up way too late frosting and decorating all by himself.

My grandparents and Colby and Jessica came over that evening for cake and ice cream and presents. I think it is safe to say that this is one spoiled boy. Hopefully we can get him back in shape before Christmas decides to invade.

I know I say this every year and probably will for the rest of their lives, but I really can't believe he is 4! Haydn is the best big brother. He frequently tells us how much he loves his family. He loves to learn and asked to make sure that now that he was four he could still go to school. He is still 'totally into Star Wars'. He has started saying phrases like,

"That is totally awesome!"

"Wow, cool!"

and

"You rock!"

Haydn we love you so much and hope you had a great day!

37 weeks . . .

Ready whenever you are!!

Halloween

The boys had a fun halloween. The weather was beautiful and they were so excited about their costumes. Haydn was a fire fighter and absolutely loved wearing his boots and hat. He continues to wear them daily.

Taite was a construction worker. He loves tools and couldn't be more thrilled to be able to play with all the new tools that went along with his costume.

The boys also went to the ward trunk-or-treat. Riley got some great pictures of Taite having fun. Let the record show everyone had a lot of fun and are excited to go again next year.