Sea World

We decided to take advantage of our season passes and Taylor's days off and head out to Sea World San Antonio. The boys love seeing the animals and the shows and we really enjoy it too. We spent all day Wednesday and a couple hours on Thursday before heading back home. James was finally tall enough for Shamu Express...so we went for a ride on Wednesday.


On Thursday I had to carrying him kicking and screaming into the Shamu show amphitheater and show him the tank of water and the lack of a roller coaster before he would calm down. I doubt we will be riding Shamu again any time soon...at least until Matthias hits 38 inches. =]

Also on Thursday we were able to have some great interaction with the dolphins. They were getting fed by other park visitors and we were able to get them to come close to us even though we had no food. The boys loved it and I got to touch a couple of them...James wouldn't.



We saw a killer whale show on Wednesday and on Thursday...the boys love 'em. Matthias was completely entranced both times. We went to other shows and had to wrestle him, but both times at Shamu he just stared intently the whole time.


James really loves the sharks and got his picture with the one up top. Taylor and James both love the funny sea lion show. We still have a whole year before our passes expire so you'll be seeing more animals from the sea!

Airplane Video

Christmas 2007

Well, my boys finally woke up and we had a great celebration. First we ate some oranges and muffins...


and then headed into the family room.


(For those wondering, they were lined up in age order, James just overtook Matthias on the run in.) James first words, "Oh, look a dinosaur." Then he proceeded to walk right past the dinosaur and head to his stocking. He has thoroughly enjoyed Big T though, he was just overwhelmed by the whole stocking idea.


Matthias loves the wooden wagon daddy made for him.


And everything else. Thanks to Grandma Urie for the cool airplane and Grandma Harvey for the bee mask!! All the gifts from the grandparents were a big hit! Thank you for everything!!



Taylor got a ton of books, suprise. And I got WAY too much stuff...including a stereo that attaches under my kitchen cabinets so I have even less stuff on my lovely, spacious counters! I love it.

What a cuddly looking fellow...

I think it is safe to say, James loves the dinosaur...Big T as he has been named. The morning was just as great as I imagined!

More pictures, videos, and commentary soon!

Merry Christmas!

He, he, he...

After lying awake in bed for the last hour I finally deemed myself too excited to sleep. I thought after joining the realms of parenthood and taking on all the Christmas 'responsibilities' of being a mother I would be past this. Not so. I am sitting here grinning at my computer as I type because I am SO excited. I cannot wait to see James' face when he finds the dinosaur Santa left him (I know because I peeked in the family room...) and to help Matthias opened the wooden wagon Taylor made for him. Okay, now I am laughing...I really need to grow up. But until I do, I think I will continue Urie tradition and play a game. By myself. Do you think my kids will think I am weird if I start waking them up on Christmas?

Silent Night, Holy Night

The children are nestled all snug in their beds...at 8:15 on Christmas Eve! We didn't allow James a nap in order to accomplish this amazing feat of parenting. And while we had an emotionally charged evening, I think it worked out for the best.

We did all the usual Christmas Eve traditions that ended up being anything but usual. Christmas dinner was much like any other dinner in our home...Matthias readily eats anything you throw his direction, James runs around the house and occasionally stops by the table for a bite to eat.

After this was baths (which Matthias pooped in) and opening Christmas pajamas/slippers. The spoon was an intricate part of Matthias' evening...we don't know why.




Then we moved on to my dad's Christmas song. Each year he writes a song and sings it for us on Christmas Eve. This year he emailed the words and music, so I sight read and sang while Taylor wrestled Matthias on the floor and James ran around the kitchen opening cupboards. It was a very beautiful song with a wonderful and personal message. Thanks dad!

Taylor and I then sang Christmas hymns...him singing the bass, me alternating between melody and alto (we really need another singer). And the boys ran around the family room. As we came to the traditional last hymn, Silent Night, we made it until "all is calm" before Taylor and I busted out laughing. We are very blessed with two extremely active boys. =]

The nativity came next and was very uplifting and inspiring. We can't decide which was more hilarious...Joseph stealing baby Jesus' binkie or the wise man ghost. Matthias is a crack up. When we told James we were going to do the nativity he said, "I will be a shepherd. I need a blanket." The boy has natural instinct!




After putting out cookies and stockings, regular bed time procedures ensued and now, all is calm.

Merry Christmas!

Don't you just hate these things?

Yes, it is 6am on a Sunday and I am blogging...sometimes after being woken up 6 times in an 6 hour span it is just better to give up and try again later. At least I went to bed at 10 last night. =] Thought I would fill out one of the hated surveys before jumping in the shower.

Two names you go by:
1. Mom
2. Kristi

Two things you are wearing now:
1. underclothing
2. robe

Two of your favorite things to do:
1. be with my family
2. sleep

Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. to see the boys open their Christmas presents
2. to clear my beloved counters of all the cake, cookies, candy, gingerbread houses, etc

Two favorite pets you have had/have
1. Mr. Snail
2. Fin

Two things you did last night:
1. folded laundry
2. learned a great lesson from my mother

Two things you ate today
1. being 6am I have eaten nothing
2 I did have a drink of water

Two people you've talked to today
1. I have already spoken with three people today
2. Taylor, James, and Matthias (in that order)

Two things you're doing tomorrow:
1. making cookies for Santa
2. opening Christmas pajamas!

Longest Car Rides you've been on:
1. Salt Lake to Nauvoo
2. Provo to Oregon

Two favorite holidays:
1. Christmas
2. 24th of July

Two favorite Beverages:
1. milk
2. Dr. Pepper

The Great Skate

Taylor and I promised James we would take him ice skating and yesterday was the big day. Matthias went to play (sleep) at his friend Ian's house and off we went.


James was SO excited...he was grinning ear to ear and bouncing up and down. He got the cutest little pair of skates and put them on. Taylor and I held his hands and skated around the rink for a while.




Then we went in the middle and let him skate back and forth to us...like a baby learning to walk again! Taylor and James then began skating together as shown...


Taylor held James up and in balance and James moved his feet as fast as he could, propelling them forward. It was great! We really had a blast!

We made it 45 whole minutes before sustaining injury of any kind. James then fell and hit his chin on the ice, splitting it open wide and bleeding everywhere. We had a to buy a $2 bottle of water to clean him up and get a bandaid to hold him together until we got home. He refused to let us take his skates off, so we did a couple more rounds of the rink. By this time he was going into shock and was very compliant to removing the skates...in fact he mostly stared blankly around for the next 30 minutes while we bought butterfly bandages, picked up Matthias, and went home.


After butterflying him together he was in high spirits again, jumping off the couches and running around the room. The whole adventure was great fun!

Birthday Videos

Blink, and he's one!

For Matthias first birthday we took him to play at the mall (although it was 70 out, so we could have gone to the park) in the morning.


After nap time he helped Grandpa work on the swing set.


Then off to dinner at Buca de Beppo...a yummy Italian place we love! He ate apples from the salad and gnocchi (potato pasta that is the best). Everyone in the restaraunt sang to him and he got a yummy apple pie/ice cream dessert.


After that was home for presents and cupcakes! Matthias received a gift I have been wanting for almost two years now...the Amazing Animal Train. This train is amazing and it has animals and the boys love it!




Matthias received a book from g-ma and g-pa Harvey and his name pillow from g-ma (g-pa) Urie. He was also given his own cupcake to eat...yum!


The day was wonderful and fun. Can't believe another year has gone by. I love my boys!

The Red Caboose Farm

We visited a Christmas tree farm again this year and it was a total blast!! This was a different farm than we went to last year and they had a lot of stuff going on at the Red Caboose Farm.



We picked out a tree and rode back on the wagon.



Then we went through the barn and saw lots of animals and tons of birds. The boys also visited Santa Claus and played on a shiny red fire engine...why not a caboose? I don't know. Then some free hot chocolate, a train ride and back home with the tree tied on top! The boys have only broken 5 breakable ornaments and 2 shatterproof ornaments so far...only 8 days to go!

Christmas Season...

This is such a busy time of year! And I finished all my shopping over a month ago...I don't know how people put it off and still survive!!

We had Taylor's parents in town for a visit a couple weeks ago and had a blast. We went to a Christmas tree farm (see next post), down to the beach at Galveston, the boardwalk at Kemah, took Matthias out for his birthday (above post), and went to the zoo. Not to mention painting of course and hanging pictures and curtains, and working on the swingset.



Last night we made gingerbread houses and Taylor and I did Almond Roca on Saturday night. I have most of the presents wrapped and we are ready to go! Merry Christmas!!

What to do, what to do...

I just thought this moment should be forever recorded in history.

It is 7:52 pm.

Both of my boys are asleep.

In their beds, diapers dry, pajamas on, eyes closed, dreaming of sugar plums.

I will now while away the endless hours until my bedtime at 10:30.

Cheers!

Mmmm

James: A flat cage. Flat like a pyramid.

Taylor: If I were you I would say 'flat like a pancake.'

James: If I was you, I would put strawberries on the pancake.

If you had a million dollars what would you do?

James' response, without hesitation.

"Buy candy."

After a moment's thought he added..."Then I would send it to Grandma and Grandpa. Lots of M&Ms."

Next question...What animal is most like you?
James said "an elephant."
My response, "I am most like a squirrel."
James: "No. Like a hippo!"

My Job

I have the best job in the world. It's true. Lately I have been catching myself all day long thinking about how wonderful my job is. Spending each day with James and Matthias is SO fun! I won't pretend it is not hard and challenging at times and that I don't get frustrated and overwhelmed. And sometimes I really could use a minute to use the bathroom in peace or maybe ten to just sit in complete silence, but all in all I could not ask for more.

Just yesterday James said to me, "Can I get my Book of Mormon? I want to tell you about the Word of God." What a priceless moment that I would have missed had I been elsewhere. He then proceeded to read me some new passages from the scriptures..."He said don't eat your dinner anymore. Ever. Eat candy." Now how could I have made up for missing such a beautiful and funny moment with my precious child.

As life goes on I have realized more and more that it is not really possible to relate our full day, every word, every smile, every naughty deed, to Taylor in complete detail. Though I try very diligently. And as the years go by it will get harder and harder. Some times Matthias will do something new or James will say something funny. Taylor will ask "Did you see that?" Did you hear James?" And I respond, "Oh he's been doing that for a few days now" or "He said that yesterday, didn't I tell you?" And I try SO hard to remember to tell him everything. How much would we both miss, but especially me if I did not spend each day with our children.

The boys are growing so fast...changing and learning. I am so thankful that I can spend my days with them to get to know them, to love them, to share each moment. Watching Matthias laugh as James pulls him around the house by a string is an irreplaceable moment. Seeing James discover that putting his pinwheel in front of a fan makes it spin really fast is a rewarding moment. Having my boys grab a book and snuggle on my lap is the greatest blessing.

I love being James' and Matthias' mom.

The dancing elfs...

Follow this link for a wonderful dancing elf show from the Harveys

Negative

In order to dispel popular opinion, I have procured the following evidence in my defense.


Sorry guys!

Camping

We set the tent up in the family room and roasted marshmellows over the gas flames of our stove burners. The boys thought it was great and it was very clean. James even got to go to bed in the tent.



Then the next week Taylor had a young men's camp and the boys and I joined on Saturday morning for dutch oven breakfast and fishing. We hope to go camping next week during Thanksgiving break (if it's not too hot out to sleep!)

James Speak

So I was talking James into potty training by using the great tactic of "you get to wear big boy underwear." "No," he responds "I want to wear a diaper." This goes on for about 5 minutes and I say, "if you wear underwear, everytime you go to the bathroom I will give you an M&M."
James' response: "How about two."

(Who do you think has a dutch oven James?) Sierra, Sierra. (No, she doesn't. Who else?) The Griffins. (Sierra is Sierra Griffin) Sierra is the Griffins?

I was upset with James for peeing his pants...again. And he says "You gotta choose the right words Mom. You gotta choose the right words. Jesus said."

(Who's in the picture?) Matt. (No, it's you when you were a baby.) It's me when I was Matt.

A Belated Halloween tribute...

Um...I haven't blogged Halloween yet? Who know. Sorry!

So we did trunk or treat at the church on Friday (Oct 26) and HOA party Saturday (Oct 27). Both were chaotic and full of people, but fun.


Tuesday (Oct 30) James and Matthias threw a party (even hiring their own party planner for two kisses an hour...and she did a smashing job!) It was fun to have lots of little friends over and play. James had a blast and kept asking me for days ahead of time when the party was.


On actual Halloween we did some trick-or-treating and had apple cider with chili cheese dogs at the Larsens!

Firefighter for a day...

Yesterday we took a trip to the fire station and the boys were happy as can be. I had mentioned to James that we were going and I haven't been able to pass more than a few hours all week without inquiries of when we would go.

James climbed in all the trucks and took the liberty of trying on all the gear. The firefighters were very friendly and laid back and just let the kids do their own thing with all the trucks...until James attempted to push the "this is a major emergency" button that alerts out to any other teams near by.





They also got to explore the ambulance...we warned the paremedic that two 2 year olds and an 18 month old might not be the best people to let loose in the truck, but other than the button incident they did all right.


James had a blast!! Enjoy.