Here Comes Santa Claus

For the past month Hyrum has been playing "Santa Claus" as he anxiously awaits Christmas. He dresses up in his red jacket, cowboy boots and Santa hat and makes toys using his Trio Blocks. He secretly puts the toys in stockings and smiles from ear to ear as he places them under the tree. After playing Santa solo for some time, Hyrum decided it was time he got some reindeer of his own. He spent one Saturday morning drawing and labeling pictures of each reindeer. He then wanted them taped to the wall with a string attached so he could sit on the couch (um, I mean his sleigh) holding onto the string while he flew his sleigh to deliver toys (neatly tucked away in his big blue Santa bag which can be seen hidden behind all the pillows). It's been great fun watching Hyrum play so creatively. This boy's imagination is something else.



(Note: somehow we didn't get a picture of "comet," but rest assured, he hangs right alongside all his reindeer friends on our living room wall)

More Fun in the Snow

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Yesterday afternoon it started snowing and it didn't stop until this morning. We got almost 6 inches which is pretty good for Albuquerque. Since we don't see snow much the boys wanted to go outside immediately. We waited long enough for the snow to build up on the lawn and then I bundled the boys up and took them outside to make a snowman. It took almost all the snow in the backyard, but we ended up with what I thought was a decent sized snowman. Then this morning when we all went out to shovel the driveway daddy built a snowman that way out-sized our little guy from yesterday. William named him "frosty" and he greets anyone who passes by our house. Dave also helped the boys make a snow cave. By the end of the morning the boys were cold, wet, hungry and crying, but it was all worth it. We spent rest of the day inside playing pirates. We made some fun telescopes and went on several treasure hunts. Here are pictures of the fun we had.

Happy Birthday William

My (big long sigh), how time refuses to slow down...William is now 3 years old. I haven't felt like he was any older until just today when I realized he will be a Sunbeam in Primary at the first of the new year. Woahhhh, that just can't be real! My little "Wee Wee" isn't my little "Wee Wee" anymore. In fact, if I try to call him "Wee Wee" (he called himself this before he could pronounce his name) he quickly corrects me by saying, "My name is not Wee Wee, it's William." This boy definitely is his own person in every way. He knows what he wants, how he wants it and almost always insists on doing it himself. He is crazy, silly, animated and adventurous, yet soft, sweet and cuddly at the same time. His giggles brighten our home and remind us to slow down and enjoy life more. We love our William and know that he was meant for our family.

Here are some fun things about him at this stage of life.

William....

• loves to play dress ups with his big brother, fireman being his favorite (a pair of cowboy boots, red jacket, plastic dollar store fireman hat and a ride-on truck that's missing the front two wheels and steering wheel)


• can count to 20 and higher at times (missing a few in between)


• still loves watching Curious George on PBS


• has a comfort blanket which he chews on constantly (why he thinks it tastes good is beyond me)


• graduated from his tricycle to a two-wheeler with training wheels (now I can't keep up with him when we go for walks)


• is a total daddy's boy


• finds enjoyment in cutting paper (or anything he can get his hands on) into tiny pieces


• plays football, basketball, soccer, baseball, tennis, and golf in the backyard on a daily basis


• loves to catch bugs, including moths


• is potty trained


• makes the funniest facial expressions while talking


• is full of life!!!

Here's a little video highlighting the past year of William's life:

Just another one of those days...

You know it's been a rough day when the sister you visit teach (ie, strengthen, uplift, ease burdens) says as you're leaving, "Let me know if you need anything today."

Photoshoot

One year old and as cute as ever....

Primary Program

Today was Hyrum's first time being in the annual Primary Program. Since our ward has over 200 primary kids, he didn't have a speaking part, but he had a special singing part. All the Sunbeams got to go up on the stand and sing "I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." He was so proud and happy to be up on the stand, he practically yelled the whole song. During his special part as well as all the other songs he sang with rest of the primary, we could hear his voice above all the others. I know it's really not that big of a deal, but we were two proud parents today!

Oh, and on a side note, during the program a big black spider made it's way across the wall, over nine rows, to where we were sitting. Dave stood up in the middle of the meeting and with a tiny tissue I gave him, slammed the spider against the wall. He's now known amongst fellow ward members as the "spider slayer."

After church I captured this video of Hyrum (and William) singing/yelling his debut.

We later found out it was a jumping spider. Isn't she a beauty?

Cochiti Lake

Cochiti Lake, a canoe, family, friends and food...can life get any better? We don't think so!

On labor day we spent time at Cochiti Lake with Don, Teresa, Addie, Violet, Eric, Sarah, Will and Lilly. We got up at the crack of dawn so we could rent a canoe and make it to the lake in time to get a covered picnic table. We arrived at 9:00 and got the 2nd to last table (whew, that was close). The shade was well worth the early wake up! We had a great time rowing the canoe around the lake, playing friendly games of bocci ball, eating yummy food, splashing in the water, digging in the sand and having wholesome adult conversations. The kids had a lot of unrestricted fun (when else do they get to splash water as much as the want and dig in wet sand to their heart's content?). Hyrum and William especially enjoyed being out on the canoe. (Here's a little side story. The night before Hyrum woke up after being asleep for only one hour and asked why it was taking so long for morning to come. He said he really wanted to go on the canoe. Then, on Monday morning when he woke up at 6:00, he was already jumping up a down while chanting, "I can't wait to go on the canoe.") Hyrum and William both got a chance to cast a few lines out with daddy's fishing pole. They didn't catch anything, but still loved trying. Thomas wasn't very happy in the boat since his life jacket was so restrictive. He cried for awhile until he finally fell asleep. After that I'm sure he thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

I absolutely love little adventures like this. They help me to refocus on what's really important- my family. Seeing such excitement in my boy's faces and watching them find pure joy in discovering and learning new things helps me appreciate more their loud voices, busy bodies and energetic personalities. It gives me a "re-charge," so to speak, that helps me handle rest of the week with a more positive, happy and energetic outlook.

Thomas' First Haircut

Dave gave Thomas his first haircut tonight. It was hard to see all of his beautiful, blonde curls fall to the ground. I wondered if we should have waited longer to cut them all off; however, now that it's all said and done, I love Tommy's new toddler hair-do. He is growing up way too fast!

Future Missionary

Hyrum certainly keeps us laughing. Here's what he was up to Sunday night.

He seriously spent forever in the bathroom tyring to comb his hair just right (he takes after his dad in this department). This was the end product....

I love my Hyrum!

The Tree of Life

On Moday night during family home evening we were talking about the Tree of Life. After trying to help the boys understand that the tree represented returning to heaven to live with Heavenly Father, Hyrum said, "I can't wait to get to the tree..." We thought he finally understood the spiritual meaning and was going to say something profound, when he said this instead, "because that fruit looks really yummy! Is it pears or something?" Dave and I both got a good laugh out of that one. I guess he'a a true boy, always thinking of food!

ONE year old

This is late in coming, but Thomas is now ONE YEAR OLD. Our “little guy” has brought us so much joy over the past year. His endless smiles and constant snuggles enrich our lives and brighten our home. He has certainly captured every fiber of my heart.

We had fun celebrating his special day with frog cupcakes and a special birthday video.

We love you Thomas!

Something to think about...

"If the person you are talking to doesn't appear to be listening, be patient.

It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear."

-Winnie the Pooh-

Next time I feel like my kids aren't listening to a thing I say, I'll just smile as I say, "Oh, they probably just have some fluff in their ears!"

Car Show

On Saturday I took the boys to a local car show. They were in heaven around all those cars and trucks.

Hyrum thought it was cool being as tall as the tire of this monster truck.

"Wow, I don't know how that monster trucks does that!"

Old Santa Fe Firetruck

Fireman #1 in training

Fireman #2 in training

Sitting in the "real" firetruck

I LOVE having boys!!!

Williamina

While we were babysitting three little girls the other day I looked over and saw William wearing this Snow White headband. I guess this may just be the closest I get to having a girl! :)

Cousins + Popsicles = Bliss

The simple joy of eating popsicles with those you love.

Notice how the chairs are all lined up on the same side of the table....the kids put them like that because they all wanted to sit next to each other. Isn't that sweet?

4th of July Celebration

Since the 4th fell on a Sunday this year we had our annual celebration last night. At first the boys were dissappointed that there wouldn't be a bicycle parade at the church; however, their dissappointment didn't last too long once they found out we'd be having a BBQ and doing fireworks with their cousins, Addie and Violet. We had a great time enjoying a little fiddle music, eating delicious kabobs, playing a friendly game of baseball and, of course, putting on our own firework show. It was fun seeing such excitment in the kids' faces as they watched the fireworks. It was even more fun watching the excitment in Dave and Don's faces as they had tank wars against each other (a nastalgic childhood favorite). What fun it is to have family living so close to us now!

Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

The last couple of days have been difficult for me- physically, spiritually and emotionally. Yet tonight, while sitting in my room ironing the endless pile of clothes on my bed I felt my burdens lifted as I listened to the words of Elder Holland regarding motherhood. I've posted the link below in hopes that this short video can also lighten the load of other mothers who feel weighed down by all that this sacred calling entails.

What a tremendous blessing it is to be a mother, raising our Heavenly Father's choice children. I feel honored to be part of such a remarkable work!

Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

Catching Up

Wow, it seems like I blinked and several months passed by. So much has happened, but I don't have time to write about it all (and you don't have time to read about it all either), so here's a quick catch-up on just a few of the things we've been up to.



Trip to Utah

We took a quick trip up to Utah to celebrate Mother's Day with our famlies. Gunnison was our first stop. We had a great time jumping on the trampoline, going pot gut hunting, swimming at the local pool, touring the firestation and just visiting with family. Then we headed up to Provo where we stayed up late, ate way too much candy and played video games (well, at least Dave did). We also went to Jungle Jim's Playland with cousins and took a trip up to Logan to visit Grandma Chris' grave. We loved spending time with family.

Picking "flowers" for Grandma Chris.

Hyrum and William loved being with their cousins.

Eating pretzles with his toes...he's way too inventive.

"Arghhh"

Praying that the car ride will be over soon.

Enjoying Summer in the Backyard

After going to seed, our grass is finally green, thicker and soft enough to play on. We've spent many hours outside this summer enjoying the warm Albuquerque sun.

Thomas' first lizard...thanks Dad for catching him, thanks mom for not cooking him for dinner.

Staying cool.

Lovin' the new slip n' slide.




At first the boys couldn't quite figure out how to get themselves down the slip n' slide so daddy had to help them out a bit.

Watching Thomas Grow

Our little Thomas is growing up way too fast. He now crawls, is starting to cruise just a bit, and he no longer likes his pureed mush at mealtimes (he wants the real thing). He is such a delight to have in our home. He has certainly captured all of our hearts.

Just about time for his first haircut, don't you agree?

How can mommy resist a face like that?

Pulling up to standing for the first time. William was right there to cheer him on.

Crawling...time to re-babyproof the house.