Christmas 2011 (I Believe in Santa)

 Christmas was splendid this year. Simply splendid. I being anxious for the festivities to start got up at 6:30 thinking the kids would be up by then anyway. So, I put on some make up and they were still fast asleep by about 7 when Derek woke up, which is when the kids usually wake up. So, Derek made bacon and hot cocoa and I put some cinnamon rolls in the oven. The kids were still asleep, so we waited on the couch. The stinkers were still asleep by 7:30, so we crawled back into bed. They didn't wake up until about 8 o'clock. It was wonderful, but I wish I would have known so I could have slept in! It was perfect though and seeing Kael and Eden's faces when they saw their Santa Claus presents was priceless. Each year Christmas becomes more and more magical. Kael got a train from Santa Claus and Eden a doll and stroller. Then we of course overdid it and spoiled them rotten with a bunch of other stuff that could in no way out shine what Santa brought. Kael played with his new train for a solid 3 days during every waking moment. His eyes would light up. Sometimes he would fix something, but most of the time he would get down low and just watch the train speed along. He has been sleeping with the main train that has a light on it every night since in his bed. Eden has slept with her new doll every night. She gathers all of her dolls and puts them all in her stroller to push them around. She feeds them crackers and puts her sippy cup next to them. It is magical to see the happiness in their eyes. I hope to remember these special moments always. These two munchkins bring Derek and I so much joy.

This is what Santa left the kiddos Christmas Eve late at night.

And yes, the tree is completely dead... Not from lack of effort to keep it alive however.

 Kael focusing on his train. (You can tell because his tongue is hanging out.) And Eden playing with her doll.

Even though this picture is blurry I am totally in love with it. Kael is so busy all the time, and the picture just fits him. I love seeing him playing with his train and this moment is just very Kaelish...

 Kael is a very emotional child. When he gets upset and sad he lets you know. Usually he will stick out his bottom lip as far out as it will go and say, "Kael sad Mom." However, when he gets very excited about something he just cannot contain his happiness. He runs up to me and says, "Mom, need hug and kiss!" Then, jumps to hug me and pulls my face down to his and kisses my cheek. This was one of those moments. Ignore my crazy face, but the kid just needed a kiss. He was so happy and overcome with joy, and he wanted to show his gratitude. He is an amazing, sweet, kind, fun, and loving boy. I will always cherish those kisses that he just needs to give me. I hope they come for a long time yet.

And, Eden is just Eden. She was too busy eating, drinking and being merry to know much of what was going on. She did love opening presents this year. She is finally getting it down. I'm certain by her birthday in March she will be a professional present opener now. I think the food and her toys were her favorite part about Christmas. She got to eat all day long, and loved every minute. She loved walking out to see her new baby doll and stroller. She new it was for her and went right to it and started holding her new baby. She is so precious and I'm so glad she is mine.

Christmas was just splendid. I can't wait until next year!

Gingerbread House

Last year we started a new tradition to make gingerbread houses every year. We kind of blew it this year and weren't very prepared. So, we made up some frosting and used graham crackers and any treats we could find in the house. It turns out I had more sugar in my house than I thought. It was a good excuse to get rid of it. I think the tradition is still going to hold because even though we only made one house and it fell immediately, we still had a blast making it as a family.

 Graham crackers, cream cheese frosting, jolly ranchers, gummy bears, green sprinkles, candy canes.

 And this is what happens when you just have too much fun. A week at Grandma and Grandpa's and a week with Dad home = too much fun = exhausted! She was busy eating her lunch and so I went on the computer. It got quiet and this is how I found her. She had been whining for a bit and I couldn't figure out why. She was afraid to finish getting off the chair by herself and needed help and then just got too tired and fell asleep.

Tis The Season

Next Up: Ice Skating!

 I have been wanting to go ice skating for sooo long. Deep down inside a dark secret of mine is that I want to be an olympic ice skater. It's true. Ok not really, but how cool would it be to be so graceful on the ice?! To be able to turn and spin and do a dance really?! I want to do that. And I think it'd be cool if my kids could do that. My next thing to cross off my wish list is to take my kids. This was so much  fun (and more work) to do!  Talk about dreams coming true. Eden and Kael were not so much into it at first. It's hard, how could something hard be fun? I picked Eden up and we skated as I held her. Yes, we got in trouble and I put her down, but I think that was the ice breaker she needed. All of a sudden she loved it. The cool air on her face and gliding. I held her arms and she would move her feet. Sometimes she would kind of march others, she would just glide her feet. Kael wanted everyone to watch him go. By the end, I could hold just one hand and he would put the other on the wall. He was so proud of himself! I want to do this again sometime.

 I was shocked they actually had skates in Eden's size. They were the smallest they had too! Aren't they cute?

Our Thanksgiving Weekend So Far

This has been an amazing couple of days. I have loved having Derek home without homework and school and any other obligations other than just being with us and having fun! We get him home for 5 whole days just to ourselves! To start out Eden had to be super cute of course.

 We made some yummy mississippi mud pie for our Thanksgiving treat at home. We celebrated Thanksgiving with Derek's family and ate so much yummy food and just expanded our stomachs! Then, we came home and crashed because the kids didn't nap that day. Kael was so sad to leave. He kept saying, "one more Grammy's house" over and over.

 This was Derek getting to spend some quality time with the kids while I got stuff ready to go for Thanksgiving. The kids love their Dad so much and these moments seem rare lately that they get him all to themselves. They built all kinds of animals out of the play dough. Kael would demand something and Derek whipped it right up. I believe there was an elephant, horse, turtle, snails, dog, cobra snake, zeebra, and some others I can't remember.

Pictures from my phone, July to present.

Outside is the best here at the village.  You are never short on friends. Eden loves to play with Sidnie and Jacey! Eden is so brave and will go down the slide by herself now. She loves p

 Kael and Eden are such good buds even though Eden looks a little terrified here.

 Playing at the neighbors house, Eden and Kael can entertain themselves so well...

 BOWLING! We had a free bowling day for the student housing and we couldn't pass it up. Kael and Eden had a blast and so did Derek and I. I haven't bowled with bumbers up since I was a kid. I didn't do much better than usual. I forgot the camera of course so all the pictures are with my cell phone and didn't turn out great. But, we sure had fun! This is a definite must do again. We were pretty exhausted after one round though because helping two kids is like having 2 turns each!

 Eden's goblin face. This is a "say cheese Eden" face.

 The kids really were having fun, Kael just gets spaced out like his Mom sometimes... Should I admit that?

 Kael's hair at its longest. This was right before I cut it back at the end of July. His hair takes forever to grow... I am excited for his hair to get long again. I miss his curls so much. 

 I think this was in September. We went to a get together with some medical student families and we put the kids in their Utah shirts because I think it was the homecoming football game day.

 Eden and Jacey hugging outside. They really are good buds. When we are outside Eden walks to Jacey's door to see if she will play and Jacey has come to our door too. It is pretty cute!

 Eden and Miller. These two are pretty cute. I totally love it when Eden plays with him because he is such a sweet boy.

 The swings. The kids have an obsession with the swings now that they learned how to do it on their stomachs. It is awesome! Less pushing for me and they have a blast!

 Kael and Eden were sticking their arms out like superman at the same time. It's hard to catch that on a phone.

 Kael playing with his favorite dinosaurs. His imagination goes wild with these guys. I love seeing how he thinks things should be. He is so creative!

Sometimes we just have to go to another courtyard to try out some different playground equipment. The kids love going in the tunnels.

 An Eden goblin face. She loves being on the big kid swings like Kael.