Merry Christmas

We can rest easy- Christmas is over. It was a wonderful month in preparation, but I tend to not stress the whole month long so we save all of the excitement for the week before- shopping, baking, normal life, and everything else we try to fit into that week. This year was quiet- my sisters all went to their inlaws, so our family and Michelle's family went to my parents to celebrate Christmas day. And Dan's family came in town on the 26th. So we had Christmas to do by ourselves, start some traditions of our own and enjoy the quiet and warmth of our own home.

We had a talk in church a couple weeks before Christmas, where the bishopric member shared a talk by a prophet of our church along with some of his insights. I really enjoyed some of his thoughts-
"The Christmas season is wonderful in many ways. It is a season of charitable acts of kindness and brotherly love. It is a season of being more reflective about our own lives and about the many blessings that are ours. It is a season of forgiving and being forgiven. It is a season to enjoy the music and lights, parties and presents. But the glitter of the season should never dim our sight and prevent us from truly seeing the Prince of Peace in His majesty." President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

And then the speaker said that we cannot just sit by the side and wait for the world to teach our children about Christ and the true meaning of Christmas, we had to plan for it. After this I thought a lot about what our two year old could gain out of the Christmas Season. The goal: Jack knows "Jesus," but we wanted to teach him about "Baby Jesus."

To protect our Nativity, we saved it for Christmas Eve. Dan read the story as Jack and I put out the stable, the manger, and all of the people and animals. It was short, but as we neared the end Jack would just move Baby Jesus around the nativity scene, by all of the different people. It was very sweet. Christmas morning he went right to the stable, pointed and said "baby Jesus."


Then we watched a Mickey Christmas Movie, we attempted a couple of pictures by the tree...

And off to bed...Christmas Morning we video taped Jack opening his presents (hence the no pictures) and he was SO MUCH FUN! He told us everything: "I want" "open" "Wow!" "Oh My!"

Later in the day we headed to Grandma & Papa Wilson's
Jack got an awesome musical instrument set (Dan thanked my mom... sarcasm)
But the kids loved it! (I promise Jack has all his teeth- I think this picture looks funny because the flash reflected off of his throat, making him look toothless. Ha ha)

We celebrated with Dan's family on the 26th in Chicago and then opened gifts with Grandma & Papa Boston on the 27th.

Jack sitting on his new bench wearing Packers mittens from Great Grandma & Papa, eating mini marshmallows and playing cars. Does it get any better?
And the big excitement- A TRICYCLE!!!

My Special Day

I had a birthday, Shout HOORAY!

I am not huge on birthdays, but it is nice to have a day to celebrate and do whatever I want to do, just because it is my birthday. I have it pretty good, so here's what made my day extra special...

Dan had an early job for work- we were up at 6:20 to make sandwiches and get him out the door. (I did not go back to bed)
I folded laundry, that was done 2 days before and did 4 more loads of laundry- folded and all!
I prepped food for dinner so I wouldn't be in a rush after piano lessons (Dan was in charge of steak, I made REAL mashed potatoes!)
Played with Jack- legos, trains, blocks, read books, anything he wanted!
Steak for dinner
Cheesecake and presents after dinner
An extra bonus: I "guggled" Jack as he dozed off in my arms

And that was my day. Jack did nap, I am pretty sure I folded more laundry during that time.
Dan called to check in on me, I chatted with family and friends, and ate lots of yummy treats!

Most people wouldn't really enjoy my kind of birthday, but it was one of my favorites! It felt so good to lay in bed, after a rewarding and productive day and sleep easy. I wouldn't have changed a thing. (And 3 days before Christmas, that's an accomplishment to do it all with NO STRESS!)

It was wonderful!

Moments of Sweetness

We're almost there... the "Terrible Twos." Some might even say that we already are.
In between the training to make the next couple of months/year a little less painful, Jack surprises us with a whole lot of sweetness.

We spent an afternoon at my parents house- I needed to edit some pictures on a fancy program my dad has. Theoretically Jack was going to nap. We tried 3 bedrooms (3 beds, 2 places on the floor) and I gave up. I left Jack in this bed playing with his Mickey Mouse. I hid upstairs to get my work done, and I heard Jack go downstairs to talk to Grandma Cindy-I am listening...
J- "Where's Mama?"
G- "I think Mama is on Papa's computer."
J- "Where's Mama?"
G- "Mama is working on the computer."
This conversation ends and Jack goes back in the living room to play trains and that's the last I hear of him.

20 minutes later, I go downstairs to check on Jack. He is no where to be found. I ask my mom- she thought he went upstairs to find me.

Apparently he went upstairs to find a place to sleep. He couldn't get his blankets in the bed with him, they were in a pile on the floor just off the bed. My heart melted.

Sunday afternoon, watching football with dad.

And yet, another job I can't do while Jack is awake: Doing the dishes.

Today we picked up our Christmas gift from Sam's Club. Jack was jumping on all of the packages, I was a little nervous so we opened just one for him to run along. This kept him busy for at least 30 minutes (and tired him out for a wonderful N-A-P.)

I do love this little man. 2 weeks ago I would have said we are definitely in the "Terrible Twos" but things are looking up. Most of our days are filled with play, a little work, lots of talk, and tons of excitement. Let's hope this lasts!

Our first snow

Our first snow of the season left us with 4 inches or so- Easy to shovel but Dan got the snowblower out, just to be sure it's up to par for the REALLY big snows all season long.

While Dan was outside in the cold, I decided we could surprise him and come out to play! Jack was all decked out- boots, snowpants, coat, mittens, hat (probably 10 min. of dressing time...) and ready to play! He didn't make it much past the front door.

Dan taught Jack to throw snowballs at the house
(you can see the remnants on the house behind Jack.)

On our way in. Jack loved it all, except for when he falls and can't quite get up.

Kind of funny for us to watch. :)

We tried to throw in some family pictures for our Christmas card at the end of the day- let's just say we have a pretty good photo-shopped picture to go out in our Christmas cards this year (or Christmas post.)

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We celebrated St. Nick on Monday morning/afternoon. Dan got home from work at noon so we waited for him (Jack was still sleeping when Dan left for work.) This was Dan's idea-I take no credit- and it was a big hit!



After this, it was time for nap. We let him take the bus to bed with him and he played and played and played (almost 1 hour) before I had Jack put his bus by the Christmas village where it belonged.

Other exciting happenings:

Looking for a Christmas Tree- We got a Fraser Fir, so we had to go to a tree lot instead of going to cut down our own. It wasn't so bad- Dan says our "tradition" is cutting it down, in my mind the tradition is a real tree. We are both happy and the tree is starting to look great!

Jack loves the tree. We have been "training" him on how to treat the Christmas Tree.

Although he can't throw his trains in the tree (like he has been doing to ours and our friend's trees-sorry) he likes to drive them along the window.

And other exciting news... we transfered his bed into a toddler bed. He loves it! It is surprising, he does not get in or out himself when it's sleeping time, but if he is looking for his "Mickey" or "Tractor" which is in the bed, he will climb right in to get it. I LOVE IT!

That is our life in a nutshell... just busy getting ready for Christmas and all of the excitement that comes along with it!

Our First Family Home Evening

Last night was our FIRST official Family Home Evening. Lesson, Activity, Snack, ALL of it! Not surprising, but we didn't get past the lesson... it must have been that good-

We started by looking at a picture of Jesus.
M- "Jack, who is this?"
J- "Jesus"

We said "We belong to Jesus' church." Then we sang "I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ" as we marched around the living room, "agee" and again and again. We tried distracting Jack by coloring a picture, but it didn't work so well. Next time we will save the song for the activity, and color as part of the lesson.

It was great! What kind of tricks will we have for next week???

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Dan got the day off today- first one in what seems like MONTHS! We put up our Christmas Village as a family, it looks GREAT! Thanks Dan and Jack for bringing up all the boxes!
Jack loved stacking them too!


We celebrated Christmas with Auntie Melissa and Uncle Aaron over the weekend (they were in town from DC.) Jack got away from dinner and found Cars on TV.
Auntie Melissa got Jack "Color Wonder" Toy Story! He loved it, and really liked coloring with his cousin, too!

And finally, a video. I don't quite get it. He was eating a brownie... did he like seeing the brownie drop into the toilet, the echo, Dan & I both have had the flu in the past month- did he see us?

I don't know, but it is funny! (Maybe kind of inappropriate... sorry!)

A conversation with a 21 month old...

Last week, after visiting our friends and their new baby, Jack and I sat in the Love Sac and talked...

M: Jack, Do you like Mickey?
J: Mickey!
M: Jack, Do you like baby?
J: Baby!
M: Jack, we're going to have a new baby very soon-
J: No!

Does he understand, probably not. But you have to love his honesty!
So there it is-I'm letting it out into the blogger world- we are having a baby! I am 21 weeks along, due April 2.
We had our big ultrasound and everything is healthy, baby is active, and of course measures big. We are not finding out if we are having a boy or girl- the tech did not write it down so really our chance to change our mind is gone. It is kind of exciting- we get to talk about boy and girl names, still call the baby "it" or "the baby" (which we are still working on what we can call it until the big day), and just enjoy life for now... once this baby comes along things may change a little!


Other than that exciting news in our life, life is still busy! Sadly my camera has not come out much in the past 3 weeks... a couple of exciting things: voting, Grandma Diane visiting from NC, visiting our cousins for a sleepover, and lots of fun with friends.

Jack enjoyed our cupcakes from the voting day bake sale.

Jack and his cousins at the Christmas tree (at the restaurant)

The tractor riding toy at the mall No, Jack doesn't shop. He plays while everyone else shops! That means mom doesn't shop either...

That is our life in a nutshell... Jack's favorite things these days are "Cars," the movie, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, trains, tractors, cars, macaroni & cheese, raisins, cookies- the list is long!

A month in review

We are BUSY, and I mean BUSY! Lots of fun things to do, so many people to see, and somehow we get things done around the house and enjoy just being together.

Besides our trip to Indiana, here's a little bit of what we've been up to...

A quiet moment- in our tent. Jack LOVES this book! He will sit and read it, talk about it for at least 10-20 minutes. It is wonderful!

Playing at the Pumpkin Farm

Attempting a festive portrait

Playing in the leaves

Painting Pumpkins

Packer Game with Friends- too busy with toys to smile for a picture.

There is very little I do without help. Making pizza is no different!

The Children's Museum with Friends

Our Church Halloween Party... Elastigirl, Jack Jack, and Mr. Incredible

Trick-Or-Treating with friends today

I watch the Office (Dan does not.) On this last week's episode Jim kind of rolls his eyes at Pam's Popeye & Olive Oil Costumes. At the end of the episode Jim is very sweet and says something like "Pam may be a little dorky, but she's my dork" as they walk around as a family TOGETHER in costume. I loved it!
I'm sure that's how Dan feels about me sometimes- I am a little dorky but with good intentions.
Dan was a trooper- the 2 times we dressed up as a family he was quick to notice that he was the only adult male dressed up. I loved dressing up together (we usually don't do anything for Halloween so this was very exciting for me!) I think he would admit he kind of liked it, dressing up all together.
He is my Mr. Incredible!

Happy Halloween!

A little vacation...

I hate goodbyes... About 2 months ago our close friends moved to Indiana and I was really sad. Many times when friends move away I tell myself "oh, you're moving to Utah. We'll see you again!" So- this was no different. Only 5/6 hours away, I knew we'd see them at least twice before they moved with their next job assignment.

This was our first adventure. We went to visit them for the weekend and celebrated their youngest baby's blessing at church. The weekend was packed with lots of fun, and lots of relaxing! We loved it!

Thanks for the wonderful weekend!

Great friends

Feeding the animals

A family hayride

Picking Pumpkins

Just having fun
Funny story: I leave these two to play kitchen. I am just organizing our things in the room next door. I hear Jack's friend say "No Jack, No Jack." So I run in to save her (who knows what Jack might be doing. I was afraid he was trying to bite her-which rarely happens but if someone is in his way, it might.) and her arms were covered in spit. I asked her if Jack bit her? She said "no, he was licking me." Where do kids learn these things?

The Big Day

Saying goodbye- we'll see you again soon!

Dan was so good feeding the animals with Jack and the kids. I am very good at giving orders, but notice what side of the camera I am on... I like it that way!

Luck be a lady...

This week I found 2 4 leaf clovers. Yes, 2 of them all in one quick look! I think it comes from a long line of 4-leaf clover finders... My Grandpa found me a lucky 4-leaf clover on my high school graduation, my dad finds one any time he looks (it seems like), and Marcia, well she's got the eye. Me, not so much, until this week.

Now I wanted to flatten them, take a picture, save them, something. But sadly they dried out. Dan and his friend that visited us from Chicago this week witnessed my 2-4 leaf clovers.

Well, today as Jack and I watched the "car" and "truck" (No "bus" on Saturdays, bummer) I decided to do a little look, and GUESS WHAT I FOUND!!! A 5 leaf clover-I am pressing it and saving this one! You might ask, what does a 5 leaf clover mean? Well, according to answers.com "four leaf clovers bring luck, five leaf clovers bring money, two leaf clovers bring love." I must be one lucky, rich lady! :) Now I will work on the 2-leaf clovers.
If that were to describe my current state, maybe not because I did just lose my job, but I consider myself rich in many other ways! How lucky am I that I get all of this extra time with Jack? That we get to take walks every day, go to the park, run errands together. We play, sing, dance, talk on the phone, visit friends- all of that and MORE!

A couple of highlights, or things I remember to bring the camera out for, from the last couple of weeks...

This would be our first official dance party. Dan went to play frisbee in the rain and we "ballet danced" to real classical ballet music. Our friend loved it, Jack got right into the action too!


Dan and Jack building blocks together. Jack is ready for church, Dan just got out of bed (to put life into perspective.) See the video at the bottom for a good laugh!
We went to the Botanical Gardens this week with our friends. At the end we let the boys run in the field- Jack is getting a little bit more daring and RUNS as far away as he possibly can. Too bad he has a quick mom and I'm right on his tail!
Our favorite show, even I don't mind it, "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse." Jack watches an episode as we wait for breakfast, or as I make sandwiches for Dan. I'm not going to lie, it's an easy babysitter for me to get something quick done. (He sticks with it maybe 10 minutes.)

Today Jack was on the table, obviously, counting apples. Out of the bowl, one at a time, to the table. Then I showed him how we count and point- he pointed to each one and said, as good as he could "one, one, one." It was very cute. By the time I got the camera, he did "cheese" for one good picture, then wanted the camera. He was done counting.

When I was teaching, I often asked myself "Who is the parent?" Especially when kids came to school in shorts in the middle of winter, wore slipper flip flops for graduation ceremonies, or any other obnoxious thing I saw and parents used the excuse "that's what he wanted." That was my thoughts as I recorded this:


(In Dan's defense, he did just wake up and wasn't quite ready to share, at least that is the excuse I would use for Jack if he didn't want to share. Or maybe Dan is using this as a teaching moment...)

And, Jack's moves. Notice what each arm/hand is doing. We don't know where he got this but he does the same when he runs- one hand swinging at his side, and the other hanging on!



I probably should note that I am happy, lucky, rich in many other ways... Our blog seems to be all about Jack-but we are lucky to have eachother (Dan and I), we're healthy, we have a home, we have the things we need, we have family and friends, we have our church/faith, we are very happy, and for all of that we are grateful!

Monkey See, Monkey do!

Dan and I are finishing up breakfast this morning, and a birthday card for my dad is sitting on our kitchen table. It is a picture of a baby picking his nose- the saying on the card "You had a birthday... (open to the inside) gotta boogie!" ha, ha.

Jack is standing on the chair, looking at the card and very thoughtfully puts his finger up his nostril. AWESOME!
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Well, I have not fallen off the face of the earth, I have just been busy. I am amazed at how little time I have to just sit and blog, check email, facebook, etc. now that I am home full time. It's also amazing at how I very easily forget to take pictures now that I am with Jack all day. I do love my time at home with him, it's just not a walk in the park all the time. I'm sure you all are thinking "I could have told you that!"

A couple of pictures I actually remembered to take...
I had to change the batteries in his riding toy- Jack doing a little fix-up afterward.

We went down to the Chicago temple on Dan's day off. My parents went early, we met them later and did a little hand-off with Jack, and then met up at the outlets for lunch. My parents shopped with Jack for a good hour (and I forgot the stroller for them.) They are good people.

Homemade pizza for dinner, Friends were coming over and we seem to let a lot slide when we are tight for time. Jack "helping" with the dough. (I was done with the dough, he just was helping roll out the table.)



After buying a kitchen at my favorite bi-annual rummage sale, I found this one (the one I actually wanted) at a neighbor's garage sale for $5. I hid the other one for Christmas, but I couldn't quite hide this one. What are we going to do with 2 kitchens???


Jack talks A LOT! One of my favorite things he just started doing (who knows where he learned it) is rolling around on our bed, pulling up the covers and saying "ni, ni." It is very cute. Now at night we just ask him "do you want to go ni, ni." and he goes to his crib and says "ni, ni." We've got it good!
Not to forget the first Packer Game. Dan and Jack enjoying some snacks (ignore the mess.) Jack was very cute decked out in his Packer sweat suit from Grandma Diane, but none of our pictures of him turned out very well.


Jack surprised us with "circle" yesterday afternoon. That again, WE DIDN'T TEACH HIM! It must be his school experience sticking with him! Of course in the video he calls everything a circle, but he knows which one really is (and we let the oval be a circle for now.)


What else are we doing with our days together- running errands, playdates with friends, walks to the park, STILL sorting through the remainder of my classroom things. PLENTY to keep us busy!