Decorating the Christmas Tree

It is sad, but even though we have been married for 6 1/2 years we haven’t ever officially gotten Christmas decorations. We did pick up a slender, inexpensive tree one year but only put a bow on top and haven’t really bought ornaments or stockings for the kids. It’s not that we are bah-hum-bug. We love Christmas! We just end up at so many other houses, or having a baby, and it just doesn’t seem like good timing to have the house all done up. So this year we were given (I love free things!) Grandma and Grandpa Cox’s nice artificial tree as they haven’t used it in years. We put it up this week and intended every day to go get lights. And by every night that wasn’t going to happen. I slept on my neck wrong, had a horrible Walmart shopping experience, got the house cleaned, tried to downsize our clothes (that’s a work in progress), got out the newborn stuff for the baby (still haven’t washed it), all kids had a cold (again), did flu shots, preschools, dental check ups for kids and Mommy, Jared’s slammed at work, cleaned up what feels like a zillion messes, had two water disasters in the kids bathroom, and so it took a week to finally get to the store. We finally, as a family, went and got lights last night. And today we decorated as a family. It was wild and fun. I am not feeling or sleeping great so I mostly sat and did support. We still don’t have a Christmas Star, tree skirt, or stockings for the kids, or garland for the fireplaces, but I hear those go on sale in a few weeks. :)

The final product. It is still a little bare, which matches our house right now. But we think it’s beautiful.

Girls Lunch for baby…..

Sweet Grandma Cox offered to hold a girls lunch/shower for me. I didn’t want/don’t like showers for myself. But Grandma suggested we just have the girls on both sides of the family come and I was really excited about that. It was really nice. Mom, Jenica, Sadie, Hope and I drove down together. And in my pregnant and forgetful state I passed the business 80 cut off and when I realized it we were headed for the airport! We made some turns and were able to get there with only being 10 minutes late, but I was a bit embarrassed. Linda, Grandma Cox, and Rachel made a really yummy spread and it was so nice and quiet. We started by chatting and drinking herbal tea, then moved to the table to have salads and rolls. Then a selection of pound cakes. Yummmm. And I had thought that we wouldn’t do presents but everyone brought something cute for the baby. The best part was having Hope and the little girls in the family come because they opened the presents for me. I didn’t even have to bend down! Let’s hope this really is a girl…….

Thanksgiving

So Thanksgiving this year was a double whammy. We want to see both sides of the family each year and since both sides are in reasonable driving distance we make it a long day. We started at the Christensen’s and much to our surprise we had our 1pm dinner ready on time, or at least within15 minutes of then. :) The kids were crazy but after a very yummy meal Aunt Jenica brought out a huge bag of Christmas ornament crafts and the wild ones were all thrilled to do some crafts. Only about 30 minutes after I had gotten Ethan down we had to give our thanks and hugs, and head up the hill to the Formans. I envisioned the car ride up to be peaceful with all the kids taking a little slumber and we arriving refreshed. We did have one child that snoozed, and in the end I guess I looked frazzled when we arrived because Linda told me just to go sit down. So I did. It was lovely. I was afraid the kids would be fighting all night but they actually were really good. We enjoyed a second lovely meal. The kids ate, we ate. The pie is always amazing. (Thank you Grandma Cox!) and I mostly just sat. Which is always nice when you are 8 months pregnant.

Family Day, November 23, 2011

I convinced Jared to take off a day of work so we could be together as a little family the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I was so excited about it. Jared missed out on golfing that morning, but before I sound too horrible, he did go to a movie and dinner with the guys on Tuesday night. The kids were all excited to spend the day with Daddy. We got all ready and flew out the door to go to Bounce U. I hadn’t been there in a few years and I thought for sure the kids and Daddy would love it. We played and did the big slide. The kids were all smiles, it was going great. And then we moved to the second room (no pictures are from that room) where the kids started getting hungry. And they started getting frustrated at not being able to climb a ropes course. And then Hope started crying hysterically. And then Bryce started crying hysterically. And then Daddy started to get frustrated. And then Ethan was throwing himself around being hungry. And then Mommy felt upset when Daddy picked up the kids and walked out the door. It seems funny now. But in the heat of the moment I wasn’t happy about our fun activity cut short, the kids were hungry and tired, and Daddy was not such a fan of having the only kids crying at one of the most fun places in town. We found the nearest Wendy’s and several burgers later everyone was fine.

Cute kids

I can't believe it's fall. We love it! The kids love the changing leaves and I love the cooler weather. Today on the way to the grocery store Hope looked at all the neighborhood trees and said, "I just love these beautiful trees." We feel so blessed to have the Gospel, our Savior Jesus Christ, our family, Daddy's awesome job so we can pay our bills, and the best family on earth!

Halloween 2011

Halloween is not our favorite Holiday. We did buy the candy, and use our costumes from last year for the kids. We did dress them up for their respective preschool parties and joined Grandma and Grandpa at their Trunk Or Treat. It was all fun, especially since the kids are now old enough to start understanding and participate in the festivities. Halloween just doesn’t have a meaning to Jared and I. Once Halloween got here we just stayed at home and handed out as much candy as we could get rid of. (Not all of it, though, since Mommy is pregnant) The good side of Halloween is that Fall has arrived! Cooler weather, leaves changing, and coming home soon for our two most favorite Holidays are Uncle Dan, and Aunt Mary and Uncle Tyler! We can’t wait for that!

Look who’s Talking!!

A few weeks ago our sweet Ethan started talking. Hooray! It has been a concern of mine as to when that would start. Not because I thought something was wrong, but because a child who can communicate seems to cry less and be happier. When Heidi and Steve came to stay a few weeks ago Ethan was able to see Wyatt and how he could communicate. He uses quite a few words. Then a few days later Maggie and Jacob came for a day and Gordon….well….what else would you expect from the child of a speech therapist…..he could talk more clearly than Bryce. Maggie played with Ethan and found that he could make quite a few sounds and gave me instructions as to how I could help him. Then he suddenly started to form words. Surprising to me was two of his very first and most clear words were “Hope” and “Bryce”. It is so heartwarming to see such a strong bond between siblings. How Ethan loves his older playmates! A week or so later came “Daddy” and then “Mommy”. (However, once he could say “Mommy” he hasn’t grown tired of using it…to my delight)