Merry Christmas from Us to You

While most of our friends began sending cards for the first time this year, we decided to not send cards for the first time in years. Because I didn't want to, I'm getting more cheap, and I figure this way you don't have to feel guilty for chucking my beautiful photo card in the trash next week.

You've all seen our lovely family picture, so instead I'll include a photo shoot of the kids Christmas outfits.





Taylor loves only driving 15 minutes to work. He is the EQ Pres.
Kristi started a business, had a little princess, and played knights.
James started preschool and watched Star Wars for the first time.
Matthias was potty trained and started sleeping past 5 am.
Hannah was born. And grew into her role as princess.

Have a great Holiday Season!

Christmas Wet & Dangerous

Before you let your kids open gifts this year read this article. Watch out.

In other news all 3 of our children managed to wet the bed last night...an amazing feat, especially for Hannah who still wears diapers. But she did not want to miss out on the occasion. Three different soaking, three different sheet changings, three baths this morning.

Also we slept by our Christmas tree two nights ago (thankfully not last night) per family tradition and had a great time. We made Almond Roca first...mmm. Then we watched Muppet's Christmas Carol and fell asleep--boys on the couches, parents on their relocated mattress, Hannah in her crib (it's pretty close to the front room...). Most all of us got 10 hours of sleep, the others got 11 & 12. Maybe we should sleep by the tree every night...

Family & Christmas

We just enjoyed a week long visit from Grandpa & Grandma Harvey. The boys had a great time playing. Hannah got very comfortable with her grandparents and is making progress on moving. Us adults stayed up late playing games, talking, eating ice cream, and drinking got chocolate. We even got Blue Bell for the occasion. Made a trip to the Natural History Museum, ate lots of yummy food, and finished several projects around the house.

Moving to Colorado has definitely fulfilled our goal of being closer to family. By year's end we will have enjoyed 11 visits in 2009 with various members of Taylor's family in various places. And 6 such visits with my family. We have loved being close and spending so much time together. And since August with our new house, new branch, and new commute we have been even happier!

In other news, we have been wrapping gifts, making Gingerbread Men, singing carols, playing nativity, reading Christmas stories and having fun! Hope you are enjoying Christmas and family also!

Gas Stoves Rule

Boy do I miss my gas stoves. Having been spoiled with gas stoves in our last two homes I am having a hard time coming to grips with my current flat top. I do not like cooking on it. I have a difficult time cooking food on a surface that is constantly turning on and off. Weird, I know. It drives me crazy!!

I've repeatedly asked people what is so great about these flat tops that they have become so popular? The #1 always and only answer: "well, they are SO easy to clean."

So I ask, what is the purpose of a stove? To clean it? I like to cook on my stove.

Matthias turns 3

Just last week a friend of mine (who teaches Matthias in his mom co-op preschool) said, "I just love Matt, he is such a good kid. Give me 15 of him." Well, many of you know Matthias as his real self, not the pretend self. I love just the one I have. Two might give me a heart attack.

The birthday...




We opened presents in the morning...puzzle, spiderman sheets, pirate playmobils. Taylor took the boys to Lowes to make wooden gingerbread houses while Hannah and I ran errands. We all met up at Virgilio's Pizza because Matthias really wanted to go out for pizza for his birthday. The food was yummy and we had lots of fun. Then we headed home for cake and ice cream. And you know the cake story. It was such a fun day! Can't believe my little guy is 3, but so proud of all he can do...especially being potty trained day and night! Love this little guy!

The Great Cake

Let me begin by saying I really don't like making cakes. I ALWAYS end up with cake crumbs in my frosting...is there a secret for avoiding this?

This cake has been discussed for many months, but I am thankful because the original request was for a Spiderman cake with a monkey in a tree holding a present singing to Spiderman. Which I did not even want to attempt. So after convincing to have just Spiderman and Venom fighting in a web preparations commenced.

Apparently I have never made red frosting before because after using all my remaining red food coloring my frosting was still pink. Which is not very super-hero-three-year-old-boy-ish. So I borrowed some food coloring from the neighbor and after using all of hers still ended up with pink frosting which of course was also full of chocolate cake crumbs. At this point I just moved on to the web part. I was pretty confident in my web making abilities.

I also added his name for good measure and strategically picked the worst spot on the cake so I would be sure to draw attention to my abominable frosting skills.

The end result...



(we don't know what he is doing...)

In the end only Taylor, James and Matthias acutally saw the cake and Taylor wasn't about to point it out because he is a smart man. And the boys were too enthralled with the Spiderman and Venom figurines to notice the color of the cake. Phew. One cake down and two more to go for the birthday season. Up next, James requests a Star Wars cake...

One day the boys will realize that I actually am a bad cake decorator, but for now they are quite pleased, crumbs and all.

Utah

It was fun, we do it a lot. We made excellent time both drives. Here are some pictures.

Hogle Zoo with my parents

Lego Tower with Grandpa Urie

Aunt Mindy, Stephanie (12 mo), Hannah (9 mo)
My kids were really noisy and crazy (surprise) and Stephanie needs to spend some more time with us...or else Scott and Mindy need to start leaping off their furniture and making odd noises in her face throughout the day...

James played this for like 2 hours...he even got the jump down.

The reason (or excuse?) for our visit...Aubrey who was 4-5 weeks old. And she weighed about 7 lbs. Hannah is like Ginormica.

Watching Ice Age with Aunt Teresa

My Aunt Rain...the first aunt to see Hannah, sorry ladies! =]

Stephanie's Birthday...she needed some Legos of course.

More Zoo

Spiderman at the Zoo

Christmas Tree...finally!

Promptly after eating our "feast" and pie we put up the Christmas decor. It was so fun and great. I LOVE decorating for Christmas and we are finally glad that Hannah doesn't move...it will make for a much less eventful month. And we can avoid placing our tree in our food storage room like some people. =]

Turkey Day!

Thanksgiving was a blast this year! We had my best friend and her husband (Taylor's friend since age 7) who drove all the way from Utah! They were so fun to have over and the kids were in heaven. 25 minutes after they left Saturday morning James said, "It's boring here." It was so fun seeing what life will be like when our kids finally have cousins to play with (ahem). =] The were off and running all day and we actually had a lot of time to chat and even play games in the middle of the day. It was wonderful!

James (4), Katelyn (3), Matthias (2), Whitney Mae (1), Hannah Mae (0)


We had our annual Pie Before Turkey with great success this year. Many neighbors and church friends came. I failed to take any pictures of the party, but here are the kids right before while Taylor and I were finishing preparations...


This is my pride and joy of the year! Every year I attempt Lemon Meringue and every year I fail. But not this year! Isn't it beautiful? And set up? And perfect? It was mighty good!


Friday Bec and I shopped and went to New Moon. I found the cutest skirt in the world, seriously for $7 at Children's Place. When you see Hannah wearing it you will agree. Eric and Taylor took the kids to the park where they saw 6 other kids and 4 other dads. No moms in sight...

We had so much fun with the Murrays! And laughed and laughed and played.

Hannah Mae and Whitney Mae...9 months apart and SO cute...maybe Hannah will have that much hair someday?

Snuggle Bumper

Another shout out for my new small business...my website is up and running where you can browse my shop or see posts of recent crafty items I have sewn. Visit me at

snugglebumper.com


Also Discount Queens is having a give away for one of my baby bumpers if you want to enter to win one for yourself or a friend! And I will be featured on their blog for the whole month of December. Please spread the word to all your friends.

Thanks so much for your support!

Chatter and Speak

Matthias: A mmm.
James: AN M
Matthias: Yeah, a mmm.
James: It's called an M!!


James: When I grow up the car I'm going to have is a Porsche Boxster.
Me: Um, they cost $47,000. You would have to be really rich.
James: I'll just have to make lots of money. I'll cut it out of paper.




Me: Kate & Chelsea are coming.
Matthias: They are not our friends. Or a mom or dad. They're just people that live in a house. (Pause) And don't go trick or treating.



At home Hannah gets A LOT of positive enforcement for signing. So at G-ma & G-pa Harveys as she sat in her high chair she did 3 random signs (light and couple others) and just smiled at everyone like "aren't I so great." It was hilarious.


James: How come we all have the same face? (meaning him, Matt, & Han)



Taylor has a digital photo frame in his office and we went to visit him last week. At first was a picture of Matthias. A few minutes later it changed to a picture of Hannah...

Matthias: Where I?
James: Is there a little computer plugged into that piece of wood?


James: (while playing on a blanket) Every corner is a country. This one is America, this is Antarctica, this is Texas.


We were just finishing our Thankful list and I only had one small spot left to write in.
Matthias: choo choo trains!
Me: It has to be something short.
Matthias: Hannah!

Excuse to Eat Empty Calories and Give Other People's Children Cavities while Wearing Ridiculous Clothing----aka Halloween

I know you were all wondering if we celebrated Halloween this year...if you know my intense dislike of this holiday you might not have been wondering. However, we did celebrate despite my loathing of giving hoards of candy to small children. And really, this is how my kids look everyday so I don't see what's so special about October 31. Now if there was a holiday where children had to wear normal clothing (and only one set of normal clothing at that) that would be cause for celebration. Plus, as soon as we get Halloween out of the way Christmas festivities can begin. Maybe after another 6 years of marriage we can scoot the start of The Season to just after Labor Day...a woman can hope.


Matthias literally wore his Spiderman costume everytime the missionaries came for dinner (like 3-4 times). Then he peed in it right before the ward Halloween Party and had to be a pirate instead.


This is serious business (High King Peter from Narnia..."he's a knight and a king")


Mmm...this looks good.


Aren't they adorable?


Ohh, but this looks better. Mmmm.

Camp Scouts

While I was at the dentist (ugh) the boys played "camp scouts" with their daddy (my amazing husband). Here is a visual documentary...I have no idea what went on besides what I see in these pictures. From what I know about scout camp this is probably for the best...

Having Babies

A great friend posted this on her blog recently and I completely agree. Woman have got to become informed and make intelligent decisions. Don't just do want everyone else is doing or what is convenient.


Enough.

My stance on childbirth has been stated pretty clear here.

Well, maybe not clear enough, because I hear I'm labeled - so let me restate it in a way it won't be missed in the skimming:

I don't care what method of childbirth someone chooses or where or how they give birth.

Okay?

Really. I don't. I don't look down on anyone for going to a hospital or staying home, having a C-section (but good glory, I hurt for you if you did) or not, getting an epidural or having the babe sans medication.

I care about the pregnant woman, the woman giving birth and the baby. I like our species and the cute little babes that keep the race of man going.

I am slightly passionate about making informed decisions. Other than that?

I believe the options for childbirth are as varied as the number of people making them.

The only bodies I have to worry about are my own and my families. We will make our choices. I will not sit back and let someone else drive my body through this life, no matter their stand, experience, education, or favorite dessert.

I have a thirst for knowing what else is out there. I think it is smart and polite to listen to different views and experiences, but I'm going to check the sources, okay?

I'm that annoying person who wants to know if the references in the bibliography are factual or not.

Does that mean I think every other women on planet Earth should do the same?

No.

Let me state that again: NO, I do not think every woman should do exactly what I have done in exactly the same way.

I'm weird, people. I'm me. And the world doesn't need more than one of me. I'm sure of it. It's been trying to take me out for years and I keep bouncing back. Ha-TA!

I can't make or talk anyone into doing anything, nor do I believe I should. Good gravy, don't push that much responsibility on me, I won't have it.

For the very same reason, I refuse to let anyone do the same for me.

I believe a degree does not always an expert make. (Hang in there, my graduate-schooled friends, I'm going to make myself clear) Think about your schooling. I'm sure you could name more than a few people you were surprised to see in cap and gown.

However, persistence is commendable and a good many people do a world of good with their education. (See, I like you and your degree and I know what a good load of junk you lived through getting it.)

I simply wish more people gave themselves credit for living in their own bodies for all the years they've been alive. I wish they trusted their intuition more.

I wish I did. I'm still working on it. I'm a big time second-guesser.
Shocked you there, didn't I?

Please don't tell me what I am. I'm still working on that. Too many cooks spoil the pot.

And I need to get this as close to right as I can.

Thank you.

Dreaming

of racing a Porsche Boxster through Wyoming...


...can't you tell by his face?

Just in time for Daylight Savings...

Matthias, my second child, Matt, wait wait let me put a photo just so we all know who I'm talking about, no confusion...


This child.

Slept until 7:56 am. Seriously. James even said to me, "I tried to get Matt up to play with me, but he wouldn't. I turned on the light. I made noises."

Mornings have been getting a lot later recently...like 6 to 6:30, but whoa. He has never slept that late in his life believe me.

And on Tuesday when he had woken up at 5:30 he fell asleep on the way home from the gas station (4 blocks) and when we got home he walked into his room, changed into his pajamas and said "I'm cold and tired. I wanna take a nap." At 11:00 am. He was not sick (and still isn't). He's finally decided to value his sleep...and mine. Too bad 6:30 will again be 5:30 in a couple days...

Trick or Treat

The boys and I fully made Halloween Sugar Cookies while listening to Christmas music. I almost pulled out the wrong cookie cutters...if you look close you can see our trick for Taylor.

Lasik

This post is long overdue, but I thought I would mention that I finally got lasik on 09/09/09. I planned it that way. Too bad there is no 20th month...

Anyway, I have been really hesitant because I didn't want to be blind (even though there aren't any recorded cases of blindness from Lasik that I have been able to find) and I didn't want dry eyes for the rest of my life. But Taylor has been hassling me for years so I researched back in like April. Then ignored it. Then researched some more. Then decided to just do it and get it over with. Great attitude I know.

I went with my eye doctor's recommendations. I have no idea if his rates were even competitive, but he is one of the best out there, helped design the latest laser to be FDA approved, has done like a million lasik surgeries, started in like 1980s, etc.

My one promise I extracted from Taylor was that if I were to end up blind he tell me that Hannah's hair came in a golden blond color regardless of actual facts.

At first I didn't really notice much since I always wear contacts. Everything just seemed the same, I would go to take my contacts out or try to put my glasses on when I woke up. I even felt like I couldn't see in the middle of the night. For a couple weeks I seriously forgot to wash my face at night because my whole bedtime routine was thrown for a loop (and I am a routine person, to put it mildly).

One night I cried because I missed my fuzzy world I got to retreat to every night. It was like an escape from reality when I just took out my contacts and became disconnected with everything.

But now I am totally used to it. I take it almost completely for granted. Except for the occasional "WOW" moment I don't even think about it. At all. After less than two months of 20/15 vision...going from 20/800 which started when I was 8. I don't even remember being able to see before this and now I don't even think about the miracle that is my perfect vision. It's crazy. I am also actually now +1 in my left eye so I'm far sighted. Ha, ha. So far I haven't even noticed except if I try to read something like 2 inches from my face, then I can't focus.

One last note...I used to have nightmares that my contacts broke in my eye or they were super huge and I couldn't put them in. Or other weird things like that. Now I have dreams that everything is fuzzy...it looks just like how I saw the world prior to 9/9. And it scares me. Then I remember I really can see. Phew. How was I so blind for so long!?!

Growing and Learning

Today within the space of two hours Hannah began scooting across the floor while sitting up (it's really funny to watch), saying uh oh, she also signed 'light' for the first time and 'more' for like the second or third time. All within two hours! I am so glad I get to stay home with my kids and be with them everyday. I love watching them grow and spending our moments together. I would be so sad to miss out on our time with each other.

(sadly we were out of batteries in the camera so none of this is documented!)

Bath Time!

I would like to say that I do realize I blog almost exclusively about Hannah these days, but she does change the most.

Anyways...my better signing techniques are already paying off. I can tell she understands several of the signs. Also on Friday I read her a book before nap time about a baby who takes a bath. Then I changed her diaper and she was all happy, but as soon as I started putting her diaper and pants back on she started screaming. Then once I had her pants back on she got really angry and totally signed "bath". It was pretty hilarious. I was like, you aren't having a bath right now it's nap time, we just read a book about baths. But she kept crying and signing so of course I gave in because she's the princess so she got a bath. Plus she needed some positive reinforcement for her skills, right? I'm telling you she is really obsessed with baths.



(those empty bath crayons she's holding are like her favorite toy in the world, so maybe she would want less baths if she could play with those outside the tub.)