Ringing in '09

We are party animals.

Bentley was in bed, and asleep by 8:04.

My list of goals for the new year was finished before 8:00, and I spent the evening on the couch. Me and my box of Kleenex. Woke up at 11:42, just in time to ring in the New Year.

And Chod passed the night away with his bag of Hot Chocolate Creme Kisses.

Perhaps the only kiss he will get when the ball drops, unless he wants to join me in the nasty cold department.

Happy New Year!

Was your New Year's Eve more exciting than ours?

King For a Day

I made Bentley this crown to wear on his special day. He wanted nothing to do with it and would remove it as soon we got it on.

We had a fun little family get together with cake and ice cream. Bentley's cake was a rocket with candles as the rocket booster. He refused to blow out the candles, but when someone else did, there were tears. So the candles were lit and blown out a couple times. Never by him though.


He must have been confused that yesterday was his special day, his day to be king, because this morning he demanded birthday cake for breakfast.

Birthday Boy

Three years ago today, our first was born. A veggie eating, hug giving, letter loving, train playing, froggie hugging, Papa worshiping, adventure seeking, self entertaining, wiggity wack speaking, couch coloring, block building Bentley.












This morning he informed me he is a big, huge, tall, giant boy. No longer my baby Bentley.

Happy birthday to a great big brother and the sweetest boy a mom could ask for.

White and drifted snow

It seems wind and snow ruled our Christmas.

Our plan of spending Christmas morning at home and then joining the rest of the family Christmas day changed Wednesday morning. My dad called and advised us to come immediately. We quickly threw clothes, gifts, unfinished projects, and kids in the car and headed out. We weren't the only ones who changed plans and soon the entire family was gathered under the same roof.
With the whole family together the traditional Christmas Eve dinner was prepared.

Christmas pajamas were handed out.

And after the children were in bed, Santa's elves got busy finishing Christmas projects.

Christmas morning the kids awoke in new jammies. That sneaky Santa. And they wasted no time opening gifts.

As the kids played with their new toys and the wind continued to blow, we questioned whether the family party would go on that night.

It did. We loaded everyone into 4 wheel drive vehicles and made our way through the snow drifts. After dinner we shared our $1 stories and, like I expected, much good was done. We then drift busted our way back home.

We spent the last couple of days holed up inside the cabin, playing with toys, creating, and enjoying each other's company as the roads were closed.

This morning Chod and Brent decided if we were going to get out, this was as good of a chance as any. So we once again threw clothes, gifts, and children in the car and headed out. We let them blaze the trail and we followed.

We made it home safely and Chod has spent the last 1.5 hours shoveling our driveway.

Merry Christmas

Never say never

Growing up, I often complained that my birthday was so close to Christmas.

I swore I would never have a December baby, because it isn't fair to the kid.

When Bentley was born 3 weeks before his January due date, he became the December baby I swore I would never have.

In fact his birthday is 2 days closer to Christmas than mine.

From now until the end of the month it is present after present after present. And then a 12 month dry spell.

Poor kid.

Christmas Decision

I decided not to send Christmas cards out this year. But every time I open a card from family or friends I feel a bit guilty.

So I've come up with a couple, just for the fun of it. (Not that I realistically think I could actually get these printed, addressed and delivered by Christmas Day.)

Card #1
Card #2
Which would you rather find in your mailbox?

This is what it's like?

I love to throw parties, but can't remember the last time we were invited to one.

Wednesday night, Deidra called in a moment of desperation. She had a Christmas Recital Party starting in 1 hour and people were calling and canceling. So she begged us to come, and we could even bring our kids. That's how desperate she was. I checked my voice mail 35 minutes before the party was to start.

The invitation for the recital said to come prepared to share a Christmas piece. Whether it be music, a story or a poem. We weren't prepared. Chod has musical talent so I knew he would be able to pull something off, and I grabbed a Christmas book on my way out the door just in case.

A cello, electric guitar, piano solos, and a piano guitar duet proved her friends had put time into preparing. Chod and Chris sang a duet and Chod, Bentley and I led the group in "Once There Was a Snowman". We sang a lot of carols and enjoyed yummy food.

The party was great. And I finally got to see what it feels like to be invited to a party.

Christmas Tag

Deidra tagged me. Interestingly enough, our Christmas memories and traditions are pretty much the same

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? You can drink hot chocolate throughout the year, but egg nog is special.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wrapped and under the tree, unless they are too big to fit under the tree. A different paper for everyone and our Santa was a sneaky one who would put our Christmas pajamas on while we were sleeping (when we were older we would find them on our bed in the morning). Like Deidra said, it was magical.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No mistletoe, but we do have a kissing ball. Although, the first year Chod told me it was dumb and ever since it just sits on a shelf.

5. When do you put up your decorations? Starting the day after Thanksgiving--a little at a time.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Suzie's tamales. I bought tamales last year from the store and they just weren't the same.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Driving home Christmas Eve, Dad would always have us look for Rudolph. On stormy years we could always spot him near the Burley water tower.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Don't know what you are talking about.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? No. Where's the excitement in that.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Last year red and green decorations replaced my snowmen of 13 years.

11. Can you ice skate? Sure. But its not pretty.

12. Do you remember your favorite gift? Our family gifts were always good. The Blue Ghetto, ping pong table and our play house served us well for many years. That's right, Santa and his sneaky elves brought Karisa and me a play house one year.
13. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Remembering Christ of course. But I love getting Christmas cards out of the mailbox, spending time with family, and everything about the Christmas spirit.

14. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Is there a bad one?

15. What is your favorite holiday tradition? We would read Christmas stories every morning before the bus came, and most mornings as we ran out the door to boarded the bus my dad had tears in his eyes. I think I get my love of Christmas stories (and the lump in my throat from him).

16. What tops your tree? A bow.

17. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving. I love everything about giving. The excitement of thinking of the perfect gift is the best, but I also like to wrap and watch as gifts are opened.

18. What is your favorite Christmas Song? I don't have a favorite.

19. Do you feel Christmas is too commercialized? Yes. Stores start selling Christmas stuff before Halloween--that is ridiculous.

Win Win

Nap time is a struggle around here. I struggle with getting Bentley to lay down and he struggles to stay wide awake.

Yesterday, I gave him the option, nap or chores.

He chose chores.

So he washed the front door, cleaned fingerprints off the TV, unloaded the silverware from the dishwasher and helped load it.

Instead of being punishment he would call, "Look Mom! I a big boy!" as he was washing the door.

I figure he will either want to take a nap, or I will have a very clean house. Either way, I win.

So easy a kid could to it.

Look what Bentley made this morning.

Look how careful and clean he is.


Look how much chocolate he has on him now. The original plan was to share, but he took care of that with some finger licks and a sneeze or two.

More for him-none for you!

$1 911

In preparation for the family Christmas party, my aunt sent each family member $1 and a Christmas card. The instructions say:

Add: Imagination

The power and influence of one person can be enormous. Remember the Grinch and Whoville?

What can you do this holiday season with your power and influence?

See what fun (and great things you can accomplish).

So, our little family received $4. The pressure and excitement of accomplishing great things has left me almost paralyzed. As Christmas gets closer, other family member's dollars are being used and their stories are being made, and I am still holding on to mine waiting for the perfect opportunity.

I'm asking for help. How can I use my $1 for good?

It may not seem that a dollar is worth much, but when you times that $1 by 59 people....I think the effect will be shocking.

And I don't want to be the loser with the $1 still in my pocket!

Snowed In

The ground is white and the snow is still coming down.

Chod is gone for the day and I had planned on finishing my Christmas shopping. But now?

We'll eat gingerbread and drink hot cocoa and maybe build a snowman. With the snow clothes layered over our pj's of course.

Early Morning Stories

This morning as Bentley was waking up, Lincoln and I joined him. As the boys laid together on the pillow I enjoyed my conversation with Bentley so much I grabbed the camera.

Here he is telling about the 3 little pigs. I like when he can't find the pacifier (that Lincoln never had).



And the rest of the story of the 3 little pigs. Pretty intense.



And his feelings on Aunt Deid.


And how Aunt Deid makes him feel.


Maybe this will be the new sleeping arrangement.

Let it be Christmas

Finally, it is feeling like Christmas. Chod and Bentley cut a tree on Saturday. With it up and decorated, Christmas music playing, and fresh snow on the ground I am starting to feel like Christmas is really on its way.

To save Bentley from mounds of trouble this year, we invested in the Playmobil nativity. We sat it up after church yesterday and he spent hours playing with it.

Once I heard him saying, "My turn. No, my turn."

When I peaked in to see what was going on, I found the wise men fighting over who got to give Baby Jesus the first gift.

Christmas through the eyes of a 3 year old is great (okay he is still 2--but much closer to 3 than 2).

All night long!

Look who slept from 9 until 5:30.

Too bad his mom was wide awake at 4:30 without him.

Heads will roll

A few nights ago Deidra and Chris were over as Chod was baking cookies.

Eight o'clock rolled around and Bentley had to go to bed.

First thing the next morning, he walked down to the kitchen and noticed the cookies were no longer on the counter (I had put them in the freezer).

"Cookies gone."

"Where do you think they went?"

"Aunt Deid! Chris!"

-------------------------

We were finishing up dinner with my parents and the server sat our cookies on the table.

Lincoln started fussing so my dad got up and took him for a walk.

When only Dad's cookie was left, Mom wrapped it up in a napkin for him.

Not noticing where the cookie went, Bentley looked back at the plate.

"Papa's cookie gone!"

And then, he pointed at Chod, and in a very accusatory tone said "You!"


Don't mess with this boy and his cookies.

Frontier Christmas

Today the cousins came to town.

As the brother-in-law gifts to each other, the wives decided it would be better to give them an "experience" than a lame gift. We chose to send them to the climbing gym.

While the men were scaling mountains, the woman and children headed to Frontier Christmas at the heritage farm.

There was wassail, caramels, gingerbread cookies, Santa, crafts and much more to see and do. It was a beautiful day to be out and about.




These two are bestest buddies who don't get to see nearly enough of each other.

What did he say?

I have a tendency to talk for Lincoln when he is crying, in fact I think I might still do it when Bentley cries.

This morning, as I was getting out of the shower I heard Lincoln crying, and Bentley standing near saying, "I need Mommy. I need Mommy. I need Mommy. I need Mommy." in the same tone I use when I speak for a crying child.

So good to know we have an interpreter in the house, he will come in handy.

A hunting we did go

My dad says the fun in hunting isn't the kill, but the time hanging with the boys.

Last night Chod came home and suggested we go get a Christmas tree.

By the time we had a babysitter for Lincoln, found flashlights, the saw, coats and dusted off the truck it was getting dark. By the time we got our permit it was dark. When we finally reached Forest Service land it was very dark.


We were hunting for the perfect tree, but it is hard to find a tree in the dark-no matter how many flashlights you are armed with. We finally decided to turn around, since all the trees we had seen were either too large for our permit, or junipers--and I don't want one of those.

As we were driving out we saw a couple in the road. The man had his thumb sticking out. Interesting. We hadn't seen another vehicle for many miles. We stopped and they jumped in the back. They had gotten stuck "up top". I'm not sure how many miles they had already walked, but it took 20 minutes from the time they jumped in, until we had phone reception (and we didn't pass another vehicle). It would have been a long night of walking for them.

We didn't come home with a tree, but may have been the answer to a prayer.

And the fun isn't over yet. I get to go Christmas tree hunting with my boys again.

Rock a Bye

How's a girl to get any sleep when the smallest person in the house is the most happy, gummy smiling little thing at 4 am?

I want to be mad. I really do.