Day 364

Every year I always forget to do the classic family photo in front of the Christmas tree. I forgot again on Christmas day but at least I got one this year!

Day 363

It's after Christmas, but we did manage to go out for a drive to see the lights. We went out for dinner in Park City, with a tired Ty sleeping on me the whole time. The little guy fell asleep in the car. But we were able to wake him up in time to get some hot chocolate and see the lights. Bad photo (sorry, I don't have the new camera - the little one I got for Christmas! now both my cameras are finally replaced - figured out yet and I couldn't get a good angle on the house), but we all agreed this house was the best. I have to say though, why don't more people put up Christmas lights???

Day 362

Day 361

Ok no more lazies - we ran errands, did some shopping and started the After Christmas Clean Up and Toy Sort today. Shhhh, don't tell Katy and Ty but we were able to sneak out 2 giant garbage bags of toys for donation, plus another smaller one to possibly go to Kid to Kid, and one of straight trash. How do we always seem to have SO MUCH STUFF?!? It feels good to make a start on getting the house back to normal.

Soon all the cards on the fridge will have to come down. The clutter drives me nuts but I do like to look at all those fun family photos.

Day 360

Toys are all over the place. We're eating way more than our rec daily allowance of sugar. Everyone is happy just hanging out. It's the day after Christmas - ahhh. We can clean up tomorrow right?
We also had a fun little party with my family and the Taylors at Wyatt's place. Can't remember the last time we got together with them. And I really can't remember the last time Wyatt hosted ANYTHING :) It was fun. And funny. Especially the game where you take turns trying to open a present while wearing full snow gear. Ty loved it! He was so excited by the commotion that he kept running into the middle and taking the hat off whoever had it, yelling "my turn! my turn!" We actually did give him a few turns. And it turns out that he was the one, along with Sam, that finally got the gift opened and won the DVD that was inside. We also played Win, Lose or Draw and Kaitlyn did a great job with that. She came up with her own clues and drew them all by herself.

Day 359

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
I love it.
I love that Kaitlyn was so excited that she woke up at 5AM, went out to see if Santa had dropped off anything, then crept into my room and whispered "I'm so happy, Mom."
I love that she and I were then able to spend the next hour in her room, on her bed, inside her tent, chatting - after we went out to the living room for her to show me that Santa had indeed brought her a bike - while we gave the guys a bit longer to sleep. It was SO hard for Kaitlyn to be patient about it but the little sweetie didn't complain.
I love the looks on my children's faces when they realized their Christmas wishes had been fulfilled. And that we were able to make that possible. And to see their excitement over and over again as each gift was revealed. I have to say - everyone and everything was pretty much dead on when it came to gift giving this year. The kids have a few absolute favorites, but they (and Sam and I - except the glitter hair spray. Colette, that's MESSY! :) ) were in love with everything and fully appreciated and played with/used everything...eventually.
I love seeing my kids together and how much they enjoy each other. Kaitlyn was right there with Ty helping him open every gift (she designated that they take turns and was the one prompting him to open the next one when he got wrapped up in a toy) and oohing and ahhing over everything along with him.
I love that we were able to spend the holidays with so many friends and family (both today and throughout this month).

I didn't love that I burned my hand at breakfast and had to spend the rest of the day carrying ice around. But it's ok, it didn't detract much from the day and the hand was feeling mostly better by bedtime.
I love that all the new stuff kept the kids extra busy and happy. The day was so peaceful with no one arguing over things over getting bored. The road was even clear enough that Kaitlyn could go out and try her new bike. She thinks it's so fun that it also has a seat for a Barbie and had to take both her new Barbies out there with her.
I love that I didn't have to cook or worry about what was for dinner since we ate at Mom's house. And followed that up with games.
I love love love Christmas!

Day 358

Christmas Eve! Oh the excitement!
A short day at work for Sam meant he got to join us for everything - everything EXCEPT the time I spent scrubbing bathrooms first thing in the morning. But he was there by the time we started working on the cookies for Santa. These were Kaitlyn's request - she got a Pink Princess Tea Party recipe book as one of her 12 Days gifts (from gma Jackson) and thought Santa needed ladybug cookies. So we made a batch of sugar cookies, some round for the ladybugs and some using the Christmas cookie cutters.
The afternoon/evening was spent with Sam's family. The kids were SO excited about the whole prospect of Christmas that they just couldn't hold still. They were either running around like wild things or trying to wrestle each other. The opening of the presents appeased them for a while but pretty soon Kaitlyn was asking (over and over and over) when it was time to go home. She was anxious to open the gifts holding their new pjs and set out the cookies for Santa. Oh, and we had to set up the new bed tents that Orvil, Sharon, and Krystal had given them. Yep, it was a busy busy night.

Day 357

No photo from today. We spent the day um...no idea. That's what I get for waiting a week before posting.
So let's go with a photo from "tomorrow." The kids had SUCH fun making sugar cookies for Santa. They took turns cutting them out with the cookie cutters. Kaitlyn gave each different shape a turn. Ty stuck with the snowman. And he was SO proud of himself every time he would cut one. He'd slam the cutter down in the dough and wiggle it a bit. Then raise it up above his head and yell "I cut snowman!" Every time. It was hilarious.
PS when we went to use my Kitchenaid mixer it wouldn't start. Anybody know how to repair one of those???

Day 356

It was a big day at school for Kaitlyn today. As the last day before Christmas break they had their school Christmas Program. The kindergarten sang 2 numbers. (We had rotten seats - though I think MOST seats in that place are rotten - and thus got rotten photos. Plus I was trying to catch most of the performance on the video camera since Sam had to work and couldn't come to the performance) Kaitlyn did a great job. She was pretty serious about it - no smiles out of our girl during it. But she was very excited to see me afterward and her first question was "did I do a great job?!" She was also complaining about having to stand between 2 boys (she calls it "boy trapped). My mom and Lenore (her sister) also came to the performance. And kindly took Tyler home with them afterward.
The last hour of class was their school party and as usual I was there to help. We kept it pretty simple this time. The only thing I was in charge of was helping out with the snack station, where the kids decorated cupcakes. I had run across a recipe for Peppermint Punch (ginger ale and peppermint ice cream) that they seemed to enjoy.
When we went to Mom's to pick up Tyler we ended up hanging out there the rest of the day. We all watched a movie together (and Ty fell asleep on Grandpa). Then the guys and Kaitlyn (luckily Sam got home early again and could take her) went to the pool. Ty went feeding with Grandpa. And the three of us girls went shoe shopping and tried out a new aerobics class (Zumba - it's a take-off on latin/salsa). It completely wore us out, but it was a lot of fun. (and in general I hate to work out so that's a big compliment to the teacher).

Day 355

Kaitlyn has been very helpful lately and she has been telling me that she needs a new sticker chart. After seeing her vacuum the living for us today, I'm thinking she really is ready for a bit more responsibility (yay).
*side note - she's been on a bunny-ear-making kick lately. She's made at least 4 sets, all by hand, drawing her own pattern as she goes.

Day 354

Day 353

The kids couldn't wait to try out the new sledding trail again this morning. So we headed over there as soon as I thought the sun had been out long enough (10AM). Kaitlyn had a great time going up and down the hill by herself. But Ty decided the hill didn't look fun (I managed to take him down only once with me) and was happy having us pull him across the driveway on the sled.
Sam got home from work earlier than expected. We ended up arranging for the kids to have a sleepover with my parents and Sam and I joined Jacalyn, Wyatt, and Jacalyn's friend Kate for dinner and a movie. It was nice to get out on a "date" and the movie was funny.

Day 352

I usually use Friday mornings to do the deep scrubbing every week. This morning Tyler came in to help me while I was finishing up in the kids' bathroom. He wanted to help so I gave him a clean sponge and a little water in the tub and moved on to the next bathroom. When I returned to check on him I discovered him in the tub, fully clothed. And yes, that's still the inch of water in the bottom of the tub. He thought it was hilarious. I kind of agreed and grabbed the camera. Then I stripped him down and let him have a real bath.

Day 351

I had a rough day. Nothing horrible happened really. I'm just so tired and dealing from stress buildup. PMS. Who knows. All I know is that the solution is Me Time. I got a little bit tonight with card group - so nice! Hoping for more in the near future.

Day 350

Those elves are into mischief again. Usually Kaitlyn find them and cleans up after them before I get a chance to document their activities. But this morning we really caught them in the act. Twinkle was all tangled in the wrapping paper and Tinsel had bows and ribbons all over the place.

We had Kaitlyn's 6 year old check up today (yes, later than I usually do it. We had to postpone the first one we had scheduled and this was the first day available). We left Tyler with my mom and made an afternoon of it. Kaitlyn was great. Is perfect. Tiny, but that's normal for her. And was so happy she didn't need any shots :) After finishing up at the dr's office we went shopping. Kaitlyn selected a gift to give to Tyler. This turned into quite a process. At first she wanted to just grab something off the shelf and go. But when I convinced her to really look around she changed her mind at least 3 times before settling on one.
Stats: 38 pounds (10th percentile - told you she was small), 44" tall (25th percentile)

Day 349

Ty had a really bad night - up and down with fever. Threw up in our bed. Not fun. You wouldn't know it to look at him this afternoon though. He took a turn for the better first thing in the morning and has been back to his normal self a good part of the day. I'm so thankful my kids bounce back from being sick so easily.
Tyler and Kate got to ride in the backhoe with Grandpa this evening while he drug a tire down the hill to make a tubing run for them. I'm told he also pushed a bunch of snow into a big pile so they can make a snow cave later. They can't wait to go sledding tomorrow. Aren't grandpa's great?!

Day 348

another photo from yesterday morning. Tyler developed a fever yesterday afternoon - one that gave him chills so bad his teeth were chattering. Very restless night for us because of that. And he threw up this morning. So I took him into the dr just to make sure it wasn't something horrible. I always debate about going to the dr but with all the stuff about H1N1 this year and needing to catch it in the first 24 hours it's better safe than sorry. He just has the flu. We tough it out. Ugh. Poor baby. Lots of cuddles and warm blankets and Tylenol. That was the extent of our day.

Day 347

What a snow storm! We woke up to at least 2' of new snow and it continued all day. Sam, the kids (Ty loves to shovel), and the neighbor and his trusty snow blower spent a lot of time digging us out this morning. Then we took the kids out behind the house for some sledding. Watching Tyler and Kaitlyn enjoy all that new snow...we all had a pretty happy morning. We followed it up with some time inside relaxing and then a quick trip to Kamas for lunch and a few essentials from the grocery store.
Sam shovelled the driveway two more times before the day was done.

Day 346

Day 345

3:30 PM. half-way through a cartoon during "quiet time"

Day 344

My friend Cheri turned 30 today and the rest of us in our little once-a-month-Saturday with The Girls threw a big party for her. She, like so many moms, gets overlooked on her birthday, especially since her is sandwiched between 2 of her kids birthdays in December. But we all deserve to be celebrated once in a while, especially on the big milestones.
Sorry Cheri, I took very few photos and the ones I did take weren't good. But the party itself was good and that's all that matters.

Day 343

(need photo)
Tyler's 3 year old check was today. It's the first time we've taken him to the dr since his 2 yr. I'm so glad my kids are healthy. He gets the occasional cold but it doesn't hit him very hard or set him back for more than a day or two.
Tyler weighs 31 pounds (that puts him in the 50% percentile) and is 37 3/4" tall (70% percentile) and is right on track with everything. Our healthy, (mostly) happy 3 year old! He is even up to date on immunizations, so no shots! :) He was very cooperative with the doctor and spent any time we were waiting, laying on the table drawing on the paper cover. He had a great time tracing his hands and feet. I wish MY doctor visits were this pleasant.
I also talked to the doc about the cough that Katy has had for weeks. She sent us home with a script for Albuterol and we're hoping that we will see marked improvement on the cough by Kaitlyn's check up next week.

Day 342

Day 341

It was the town Tree Lighting celebration tonight. That means the kids got to see Santa! And what a perfect day for it - freezing, but with snow falling most of the day so all the dirty bare ground is now covered with nice white snow. It's only fitting that there be snow on the ground when Santa comes to town.
Santa was spending a lot of time talking with each child, so we decided to go on the sleigh ride first. Then we drank hot chocolate and ate cookies while waiting in line for Santa.
Kaitlyn always picks just one thing to request from Santa and this year it is a "2-wheeler bike." So when Santa asked her what else she wanted she was stumped. So he told her that he would also bring her a surprise. And that Ruldolph likes half a carrot on Christmas Eve. Tyler simply requested "tractors" and was then happy to hop off Santa's lap to dig into his candy cane.

Day 340

I have been itching to put up the Christmas tree, this year even more than usual because I have all new decorations for the tree. But it takes up so much space I made myself wait until after Tyler's party. So today was the day to put it up. Yay. Except I had problems with the lights and with the stand. About gave up on the stinking thing 3 different times. But in the end I won! And I have to say, after we got the lights on, the decorating did get enjoyable. The kids had a great time and were actually very helpful, especially Kaitlyn. She was always ready and willing to hand me things and she put the majority of the ornaments on all by herself. (and I only moved 1! Coming from a Christmas tree perfectionist, that's high praise) Tyler kept himself busy with his toys (making a bit of a mind-field for me with all the cars on the floor), but did help with the last bit of ornaments. And the end result is beautiful. I love Christmas.
Did I mention that the kids are sick today? Kaitlyn has had a fever and chills. Ty, the sleepless night and runny nose. Yet despite that, they have been on best behavior all day. Aaaaaah.
Oh and today the elves were found in the living room, where most of the party was waiting to be cleaned up. Twinkle had stolen one of the chocolates from the advent calendar (that we have forgotten to eat for the past couple days) and was hiding in Ty's new barn. And Tinsel was riding around on the toy tractor.

Day 339

Happy Birthday Tyler!
It's hard to believe that my little guy is THREE! Time just keeps flying by (how often do I say that??)!
Kaitlyn wanted to help surprise him, so I let her stay up a bit late so we could blow up balloons and fill the floor of his room with them. Sweet little girl was very tired though - she fell asleep on the couch within 10 minutes, while waiting for him to fall asleep. She woke up enough to carry one balloon into his room then went straight to bed.
I don't think Tyler is quite clued into the whole birthday thing. It was Kaitlyn that insisted he open at least one present right away in the morning. Sam was down at the base, so we saved the rest for when he would be home. Then I/we spent some time decorating cupcakes for the party.
Tyler had a farm themed party with some of the neighborhood kids. And the "people party" (as Kaitlyn calls it - that means "grown-up" to all the rest of us) was after dinner - gifts, cake and ice cream! Ty seems pretty happy with his day. Happy Birthday Buddy!
*the night of the birthday didn't go so well. By the 3rd time getting up with Ty (all before midnight), he finally ended up in bed with me. I think it was due to a cold coming on because in the morning he had a stuff/runny nose.

Day 338

(hope you don't mind I posted this one Audrey)
I decided to take off on my own today and go have some fun with my good friend Audrey, while leaving the kids and Sam on their own (I love when I get to do that). Audrey wanted a quick photo session of Michael, so we did that first. We got some great smiles out of him inside but when we moved outside...let's just say thank goodness for the garbage truck! I think we would have had major meltdowns if he hadn't had something to watch.
After photos we went to lunch, had a quick gift exchange (aren't we so on the ball?!), and did some shopping - a great combo for a great day. Wish I could do it more often.

Day 337

Kaitlyn was very upset with the elves today. She thought they were trying to hurt her fish. Sam was finally able to convince her that they were doing catch and release. Guess those elves are going to have to be more careful from now on.

Day 336

Guess he was hungry :)
Kaitlyn found the elves first thing and put the cereal away before telling us what they were up to (I love that she feels so responsible for them). I had to reinact it for a photo. Ty spotted it then and told me to get him out. Then I was instructed to put him in time-out LOL.

Day 335

Our Elves. Santa sends them on the first of December to stay with us and let Santa know if the kids are naughty or nice. This is the third year they have visited and Katy is really into them (Ty is young enough he just goes along without really understanding). She knew what day it was last night and when she woke up the first thing she did was check the porch. She spent a good part of the day talking/playing with the girl elf and can't wait to see what mischief they get into while she sleeps. It's pretty cute.