Jump on it

Our final hurrah before Brian had to go back to work. The boys loved it. They got bounced. They were sweaty. I wet my pants a little - but that's nothing new.

It did not take long to realize that Brian and I are much too old for this kind of thing. Trying to relive my back-flipping glory days were hard on the back. But so worth it. Totally going back!

Landmarks

Look who can write his name!
And build tracks (with Dad's help)
And take pictures
That's one big boy.

Thoughts on a New Year

I love fresh starts. Sundays are good that way. So are Mondays. The beginning of a new school year. New Year's is no different. I crave new beginnings. That's probably because I screw up so much and need to start over again and again. A new plan. A new list. It's how I operate, really.

This year I look forward to developing myself in new ways. I'm not sure I totally found the balance I was looking for in 2011, but I was certainly more aware. I have a feeling I'll be trying to figure out that balance my entire life, since I feel like so many things are pulling at me in so many directions. And since I'm a slow learner. Does anyone ever get it all right?

As far as goals or resolutions, my main one is to make time for myself spiritually. Am I the only one that has a hard time with that? Sometimes I feel like it. It really bothers me that I find 800 other things to take up my time that don't really matter. I know that it will help me find more of the balance, calmness, and happiness that I am always looking for.

January cleaning is in full force and the kids and I haven't left the house for days. Brian comes home from work and we are all still in pajamas with teeth unbrushed. Yikes. It is, however, better on the budget (to not be out spending money we don't have) and I love getting things in order once again.

Bring on 2012.

Christmas

This was the first time in years I struggled to sleep on Christmas. I was so excited! Gavin and McKay are at such good ages and I knew they would have a great time. They slept well and McKay woke up first. I popped my head into Gavin's room and he was on his tummy looking at the wall and when he heard me, he whipped his head around and asked, "Is Santa here?"

This year was especially wonderful to have just us in our home. It was simple and the boys just did their thing. We could open each present and look at it and play with it and then move on when they were ready. I love, love, loved it. It really was perfection.

The first signs of Christmas.
Santa came through with the one thing Gavin asked for: a Batman toy.
McKay just ate the treats all morning.

They helped each other open gifts. This is great, since everything was pretty much for everyone anyway...
A firetruck from Grandma & Grandpa Woolf.
Santa was super cool and brought a super hero to ALL of us. Gavin got Batman, McKay got Robin (fitting), I got Catwoman, and Brian got Superman.
Breakfast was a bust, but it's not that I didn't try. I attempted a breakfast casserole that was pretty much gross. Brian humored me, but the kids weren't falling for it. The cinnamon rolls were the one redeeming part and we threw in some omlets for good measure. Even after my extensive planning, I can see we will have to revisit this area next year.

After breakfast we were sitting around and Gavin wondered, "Can I start at the beginning?" "At the beginning of what?" I asked. "The part where Santa comes to my house." So, so sweet. He was so appreciative and happy. He seriously would have been just as happy with one present as he was with them all. It was the best. day.

Perhaps one of our favorite parts of the vacation happened after Christmas. We went to church at 11:30, had some lunch, put McKay down and packed the car. We headed to St. George and stayed there for three days. Just us. Although I don't have one picture to show for our time there, it was relaxing and so nice to have a change of scenery. We took new toys and games with us, went to the park, swam, watched new movies, and truly enjoyed one another's company.

The jury is still out on whether or not we will do Christmas elsewhere come next year, but we can figure that out later. For now, we will pack up the tree and be glad that it was low key, low stress and all sorts of good. Just how Christmas should be.

Now to get Brian home with me all the time and still be able to pay the bills...

Christmas Eve

Besides making a few pies during the day, we were pretty relaxed. Everything was wrapped and ready to go. We headed to G&G Robinson's for dinner, a nativity, and presents. It really was such a fun time. The kiddos were so excited and happy.

The Nativity is always a crack-up. I know we are supposed to be a little more serious about this, but it just never pans out that way.
My two little shepherd boys. I was surprised with how darn reverent Gavin was and that McKay actually participated and didn't rip that headband off.
The boys were so excited with their gifts from Grandma & Grandpa. Gavin was even more surprised to learn that he got another present from a cousin. He was truly grateful. He got a train set and then a Spiderman movie and a Superman action figure. McKay scored a Toy Story tunnel, a Magna Doodle and a car set.

We headed home around 7:00 and had time to unwrap jammies and get cookies out for Santa before bed. Gavin didn't take a nap because he was so darn excited, so he fell asleep quickly and Santa stopped at our house first. I swear it was like 8:30 or something!

December Happenings

Gingerbread Houses

The little boys actually worked pretty well together. I love buying the assembled house. I love not buying different candies. I love not making frosting. And I love not giving a hoot about what it looks like. They ate all the candy off within a day or two anyway.

McKay was pretty stressed out about the frosting on his fingers. Both of our boys are actually not so into dirty fingers.

Checking things out the next morning.

Gardner Village

Holy coldness. We were four of about twelve people there. It was fa-reezing! We went to check out the elves, which had never seen before. Despite the temperature, the boys had a fun time. They are surprisingly not to worried about that when they are out of the house and free to run and play.

Other activities we participated in were lots and lots of lights-looking. We drove to several neighborhoods, especially on those nights at 5:00 or 6:00 pm when Brian wasn't coming home and I was out of ideas for the day. Or if I was going to pull my hair out. The lights at Thanksgiving Point were fun for them as well.

Christmas movies, music, and books have been a daily thing. I love putting them away and only using them this month because then they are super special and more exciting.

Brian showed Gavin Joy to the World during one family night and Gavin got to pull out different people in the nativity as they came up in the movie. He loved it and I felt like he understood. It's hard for Jesus to mean more than Santa when you are three, but he knows the baby Jesus, the shepherds, the wisemen, the manger, and swaddling clothes. I think that's pretty good for now.

The magic of the season has taken over and we can feel it outside and especially in our house. It's so fun to have these little boys who are catching on remind me of how much fun Christmas is - for so many reasons.

Gavin lately

This little boy has been such a sweetie lately. I think the Elf on the Shelf has had a little to do with it, but the truth is that he really is a good boy. December has been a .great month and I am so hoping that it carries over into January. He has a good heart. It is not uncommon for him to walk up to us and give us hugs and compliments. "I think you're so great, mom" or "Love you, dad" or "You're the best, dad." Brian and I could eat him up right now. I love those little stretches of time where it's a little easier to overlook the hard parts of parenting. I feel that way about both of my kids right now.

I am constantly amazed at what Gavin is learning. Recently he said, "I used to be afraid of the Grinch and then I realized that he is not scary and he is nice." Realized?? His vocabulary continues to baffle me. The other thing he said the other day that I wanted to remember was on our way home from a friend's house in Provo. We were getting closer to home and he asked, "Is this our village?" Meaning is this Pleasant Grove... I had to laugh.

He's got an ear for music and comes home singing primary songs and continues to sing them for weeks after. Next week he will be a Sunbeam. I was just released as the primary chorister and am only sad that I won't be able to see him singing his guts out in the front row.

His latest obsession is with dad's iPad. Brian got one to use for work and Gavin is always wondering where it is and when he can play it next. This 3 1/2-year-old can work that thing like nobody's business. And when he has it, it's dead silent until I go and find him and make him turn it off. He is figuring out difficult puzzles and playing Angry Birds like a mad man. His attachment to that thing is frightening - borderline crazy. What he won't do for a moment alone with that thing.
He gets so excited that he trips over words and sentences just trying to get his story out. There are many Aaa-nds mixed in there and although there are moments when we are unsure what on earth this exuberant kid is talking about, we love him to pieces.