A Christmas to Remember

WELL..THIS FOR SURE WILL BE A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER.  Full of fun and games, plethora of presents, plenty of food, time well spent with family and honoring Jesus’s birth…and umm, what else are we missing???  Yes, sickness and more sickness. 

My most memorable moment – spending Christmas Eve in the ER after having a gallbladder attack!  I felt like I was going to die – so much so that I would have preferred natural childbirth over the severe chest pains.  It’s the closest feeling I’ve ever had to a heart attack, I could barely breathe and my hands/feet were going numb.  And just when I thought the worse was over, it would start up again.  I should have known considering all the women on my mom’s side of family had to have theirs removed. I also learned that pregnancy is to cause for most gallbladder problems – so there  you have it, it’s all Rylee’s fault! (at least that’s what the doctor said). 

But I was thankful to be able to return home to spend Christmas with my family.  And next year, I don’t think Santa’s elves are going to procrastinate all the wrapping to Christmas eve.  We didn’t get home until 2am, then spent the next hour preparing for the magic of Christmas.

2.  Sick, sick, and more sick

But unfortunately, I wasn’t the only one sick.  everyone seemed to take their turn stomaching some sort of cold virus going around.  Even Jeremy and Corinne, Avery and Scarlett got fevers and threw up everywhere, myself, Chelsea, my mom…let’s just say the list keeps going and there were more sick than healthy.  Yikes!

Keith and Kristan, along with baby Jett at the ripe old age of 10 days, thankfully remained healthy.  But Mason and Kristan’s dad were sick with the flu so we didn’t get to see much of them.  Tanner kept asking where Mason was and why he didn’t come over to play?

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3.  Christmas morning

Tanner made out like a band-it!  On Christmas morning, we were awakened by Brooke waking up in her crib, only to learn Tanner was already downstairs ripping open his presents.  With all the commotion from Christmas eve, we apparently skipped that conversation of making sure to wake us up first.  But he reminded us he was careful and only opened the ones with his names on them…

The first item up for business, of course, was a Nerf gun fight.  Uncle Jeremy didn’t disappoint.  But these guns were serious.  They’d launch these small discs that fly 50+ feet and ricochet & bounce off every wall after they’re launched.  Pure craziness.  Not quite what I had it mind, but Tanner and Uncle Jeremy had a blast nonetheless.

Tanner must have played with his TMNT Lego set all day.  And he must have forgotten Raphael's name 100+ times too. 

These two also loved playing with the plasma cars.   They glide super fast by just twisting the steering wheel back and fourth – even Brooke can do it.

They’re perfect in our basement, which only half is carpeted, the other half is cement. on the cement, they get cruising…fast!!!

Brooke was hilarious.  She would get so excited about each present, stop, and insist on playing with it right then and there.  She opened this cute backpack, she put it on immediately then proceeded to play with her plasma car.

When we were able to get her to open another, she wanted to open it right away.  Well, we didn’t notice her running off until she returned with adult scissors demanding we help open her box!  persistence!!

Above, she really wanted to open her first Lego set.  A Hello Kitty one she could play with all to her self, a luxury her older brother rarely affords.

She was so cute as she’d open each present, there were lots of sound effects, ooohhhs and aaahhhs and whoass. 

Brooke’s other presents included girl dress up stuff – dresses, high heels, jewelry, ya know, the whole works.  Let’s just say, Brooke wanted nothing to do with anything frilly or lacy or princess-y.  BTW,  Tanner was the first to try the stuff out. 

And when Brooke did finally get the courage to try out the high heels, tears were involved.  I hate to tell you girl, but heels just aren’t EVER comfortable!

For Anthony, he got all the fancy equipment for his home theater downstairs – speakers, projector, screen.  Funny cause we have all the fancy equipment, but the basement still isn’t finished, so it’s the poor mans man cave.  But it’s fun and everyone loves it!

And for myself, Anthony got me a really nice pearl necklace and bracelet.  I’m not usually a fan of fancy jewelry, but I do love pearls!  So it was very nice and thoughtful of him!

And Miss Rylee, well, she’s my very best present of all!  Just look at those smiles!!!

And Nanny and Grandpop must have read my mind – cause they got Rylee a little onesie that read, “Mommies best present!”  You bet!!

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5.  Tanner’s quotes

We were sitting down eating dinner while my brother Lance started talking like he wasn’t sure if he ever wanted to get married.

Tanner was very distraught by this comment, and couldn’t comprehend.  “Lance, you have to get married.  What about TRUE LOVE!”

Yes, TRUE LOVE is worth it!!!

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Can I tell you how happy it makes me that Christmas is still celebrated at schools too!!!

Tanner’s school had “Polar Express” party where they got to wear the PJs to school, read the story, drink hot chocolate and watch a clip from the video.  He came how showcasing his newly made Christmas Bell necklace, ring intently, “Mom, do you believe in the MAGIC of CHRISTMAS!”  "Yes, of course!”  “Then you can HEAR the bells!”  This kid…so dramatic and excited…he belongs in Hollywood.  And yes, I can hear the BELLS loud and clear!!!

Tanner made a plethora of Christmas crafts, but my favorite, is this handsome lil Elf.  Now…if only his picture like a mug shot. 

I got to go to Tanner’s school Christmas Party…where they had yummy food, read Christmas stories, and played a fun hot-potatoe gift wrapping game.  He’s going to miss going to school and seeing all these lil buddies!

And these two jolly-ole boys were singing Christmas carols as they decorated their foam Christmas trees!

We also got to pick out presents, bring them to school, and help wrap them for a little boy through one of the local charities.  Tanner was very worried how the gifts were going to make it to “cooper” so we helped drop them off at the donation site.

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6.  Christmas Eve’s Eve

We pretty much got together as a family as many times as we could celebrating and having fun. 

On Christmas Eve’s Eve, we played a few new Christmas themed games.  Including Making Frosty the Snowman:  A few rolls of toilet paper and some fun accessories, and good, friendly competition to see who could make the fastest snowman.  We still haven’t determined the winner…

We also played a game of Christmas Charades that apparently was way too easy. 

But it unleashed a whole new set of performers, including…

My mom…she started signing a Christmas song no one recognized until she got to the Chorus, sung in in her full opera-tic voice.

But then again, I’ve never seen her happier than when she’s singing.  So please, keep on signing.

‘Cause apparently the rest of us can’t do it.  We attempted to sing more carols as a group, but we soon realized no one knew the words.  Note to self – make Christmas song books for next year!!

These kids, however, just need an audience to perform:

Jingle Bell Rock–kids edition

Where was Brooke?  Throwing herself a pity party and couldn’t deal with life. 

Scarlett, on the other hand, was very inspired from everyone’s performances and wanted to be the star of the show, signing for everyone.  She surely inherited the high octave voice scream range :)

Scarlett’s Christmas Solo

But the real star of the show is Baby Jett.  There’s nothing like holding a tiny fresh little newborn in your arms! 

Here’s Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Corinne holding him for the first time.

It was also fun having these two – Jeremy and Corinne – stay with us.  Jeremy spoiled us with some gourmet breakfast – apple cinnamon french toast and omelets made to suite, and Corinne held her on in the kitchen too with some awesome appetizers and s’mores cheesecake!  And Corinne helped build some pretty awesome Lego masterpieces, of which Brooke and Tanner immediately claimed as their own!

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7.  Christmas Eve --

On Christmas Eve, Katelynn and my mom planned lots of yummy food and fun filled games for us to play. 

After we ate to our hearts content (which definitely got me in trouble later!), we did a fun white elephant gift exchange.   With Tanner’s classic 80s Cowboys photo album and Brooke’s iPod shuffle, I’d say we hit the jackpot! And sadly, we had too many gifts so my moms old, mismatched silverware didn’t find a new home :(

My dad, sporting his new Reindeer nose made for his car!

Then we tried to have a race to see who could make Santa’s beard, but Santa #2 (aka Jeremy) ran away quickly at the site of Vaseline.  But Lance was such a great sport, and these kids had fun.  And enjoyed it more than they should have!

And after a few more games and surviving one gallbladder attack, we did the Nativity.  While Grandpop read the story from the scriptures, these little (and bIG!) ones helped us act out the story.

Brooke was actually excited to be a manager animal…but didn’t quite get the concept of it being a mask.  Instead, she insisted on wearing as a blindfold.  That girl!

And Quincy, by far, stole our hearts and was the cutest little Angel.  She took her role very seriously, holding her arms tight the entire time.  Best angel ever!!!

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8.  Santa Claus

While there’s so many Christ-filled Christmas activities here in Kansas to do, we ran out of time and didn’t get to do them.  We had big plans to go to an outdoor exhibit of Journey to Bethlehem, but decided our kids were too little to endure the 1 hr long trek in 15 degree weather.  And we wanted to go to Crown Center to see the decked out Christmas trains, Gingerbread exhibits, ice skating, and see Santa, but that never happened either.  Maybe one day.

So instead, my kids memories of Christmas this year will be at Bass Pro Shop.  I tried to convince my brother Lance to go with me, and his response, “Do you really want your kids memories of Christmas to be associated with Bass Pro Shop???”  I didn’t know how to answer that, but seriously, this place was awesome!  Especially since we had the whole place to ourselves when we went before school one day.  Amazing!

They had remote control cars, rifle guns, bow & arrows, and race tracks, indoor snowball fight, letters to Santa, tons of booths for the kids to explore. 

And of course, Brooke insists on having a turn too!

They also had tons of animals.  Tanner and Quincy LOVED the talking Reindeer, but Scarlett and Brooke, not so much.  But I still love these pics!

But when in came to seeing Santa, that’s were the fun ended. No one wanted anything to do with him, not even Tanner. I think he panicked!!

I could have told you Brooke would have been terrified of Santa, but I thought she would have LOVED this carousel. Wrong again!

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The kids also got to see Santa as our church’s Christmas Breakfast.  Tanner was too busy playing, Rylee didn’t mind much, and Brooke gave him the stare down a safe 10 feet away, not budging an inch closer. 

9. Christmas baking

I didn’t do nearly as much baking as I would have liked this Christmas.  And of the baking I did do, half of it didn’t turn out quite right.  I found in nearly impossible to not burn things.  With 3 little kids, I’d miss the timer or be stuck nursing or always something.

But we did get to do our favorites, like these candy cane cookies, a tradition my dad did every year growing up, and now one of our favorites to make and eat.

Brooke LOVES to “help” in the kitchen.  Her help is not solicited, but if refused, bad things follow.  She automatically pulls up her little stool and gets in the action. 

But if I start ‘em young, maybe one day she will actually be able to help.  Until then, I enjoy her company, even if she tries to sneak fist-fulls of chocolate chips.

But what we did do was quickly eaten up.  Next year, I’ll start much earlier.  At least I’m pretty sure I say that every  year!

This year, it seemed like time disappeared into a black hole and the whole month of December flew by.  It’s my absolute favorite time of the year and there never seems to be enough of it!!! 

Merry Christmas everyone!  I hope you had a wonderful Christmas filled with the warmth and light of family, friends, and our Savior Jesus Christ!!!

Christmas Card 2013

For posterity’s sake, or in case you didn’t get a copy of this year’s highly coveted Christmas card.  I somehow convinced myself I wasn’t going to do Christmas cards this year with all the craziness we’ve had going on, but changed my mind at the last minute, and got it all pulled together in less than a week’s worth of time.  but never again will I wait to mid-December do decide to do cards!

Oh what a year 2013 has been! And how very blessed we are. We have been healthy and strong, we are surrounded by family and friends, and we have the light and peace the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings. This year brought many changes for us and our family, BIG changes. Like the newest addition to our family – Rylee! We’re now officially outnumbered as parents, and feel the effects daily. Thankfully many friends and family helped us along the way to which I owe my deepest gratitude – and my sanity!

Rylee has been my little sunburst. She’s beautiful and bright – and brings sunshine to my room every morning. Even if it’s 5am. But seriously, her smiles can melt away all my worries. Just one look in her direction brings the biggest smile across her face. Her smiles are what get me through each day. She is gentle and mild, despite the epic amounts of spit-up she produces. She’s very tolerant and patient with her older siblings who offer their “love” in many forms. Brooke the Giver – hugs, kisses, pats, paci, and yes, even fingers and pokes; hence the need for Tanner the Protector.

Brooke can be a little ray of sunshine, but she hit a mid-toddler crisis when she turned 18 months. It unleashed a whole set of drama as wide as the plains of Kansas. We’re learning to embrace her passionate and energetic spirit as she climbs to the highest point of any playground (not being limited to the pantry shelves), her never-ending love for drawing coupled with her uncanny ability to find a marker in any room, and her notorious “stink face” when not pleased. But enter baby Rylee, Brooke’s mood will quickly transfer into giggles and laughs. To a mother, there is no greater sound!

Brooke says a plethora of words and speaks in simple sentences, counts to three, and knows the sound each animal makes. Yet, she chooses her words wisely, and when asked a question, the response will always be the same…NO! Brooke loves to dress up…but for pretend purposes only. Hats, jewelry, purses, the more the merrier, but try to stick one tiny little bow in her hair, it’s gone. Her high-pitch, soft signing voice is simply adorable. She loves music and loves to dance, although her moves are more reminiscent of sumo wrestling than a graceful ballerina. Hopefully that’s nothing some dance lessons in the future won’t correct. She loves food with a passion, peels her own oranges and bites thru avocadoes with the skin intact. She’s my little shadow, following me around and “helping” every step of the way. She has such a willing and able soul!

Tanner started school this year and is rocking it. I admit, I was hesitant towards sending him since he had barely turned 5, but I’m so glad we did. School is his favorite part of the day. But it’s intense. In just a few months, he’s gone from not reading to reading first grade sight words. He’s rather proud…and the harder you tell him something is, the harder he tries to do it. Go figure. Yet if you ask Tanner, he’s not as smart as some of the buddies at school. They know all sorts of things, like if you step on a crack lightening will come down and strike you. And thanks to Jaxon, our neighborhood walks just got 10 times more intense.

He’s growing tall (and skinny), but some things never change. He’s still a sweet, mild mannered little boy at heart. He’s helpful around the house, and likes things neat and organized (we have his father’s OCD tendencies to thank for that one). Yet he’s had to learn a hefty dose of patience now that he’s Brooke’s favorite playmate, but the dividends have been sweet. He’s an awesome big brother to Brooke-let and Rylee-Bo-Bylee (as he calls them). Tanner is still super obsessed with Legos and has a crazy wild imagination. He’s always dressing up or plotting away some crazy adventure involving superheroes, pirates, Darth Vader, ninjas, and spies – typically all bad guys. Perhaps I should be concerned. Now that he’s in school, he tries to get us to re-create the games he learns from gym class at home. He loves to explore and his creativity knows no limits. Sometimes, I have a hard time deciphering between actual school stories and the ones he conjures up in his mind. Once he starts talking, he doesn’t stop.

Then there’s Anthony. Last year, he opened a dental practice close by to our home in Olathe for My Dentist and has had a successful year. He’s working on his “man cave” in the basement and slowly getting one step closer to his theater room. He’s a great husband and awesome father.

As for myself, I’m embraced the mother lode. After nearly 10 years, I said good-bye to the part-time job at Deloitte (hopefully temporarily), got myself a fully-loaded mini-van, and a now have a handful of kids to go with it. Whatever “extra” time I have not spent working is now more than made up with church and community service. I simply wish there was more time in every day to accomplish all my BIG plans for our home, family, and work pursuits, but most days, I’m doing good if I get a few minutes to myself, or heck, even use the restroom all by myself. Being a mom is the hardest job I’ve had, but I wouldn’t trade the moments with these kiddos for anything!

The most at peace I’ve felt all year was holding this fresh little newborn in my arms, where nothing else mattered except for the abundance of love for this new bundle of joy. Perhaps reminiscence yet minuscule to the pure love God much feel for each of His children – and for you! Feeling that love God has so freely given to each of us if we seek it after and follow Him. I hope this Christmas you pause to reflect on the light and love of our Saviors love! May His love fill your home and hearts this Christmas season, and always!

Happy Haunting

Yep, it’s true.  It’s December.  And I’m writing a blog post about Halloween.  That’s how behind I am.  But we’ve been busy...

As if having a baby wasn’t enough, in the month of November, we had 15 family members come into town and visit with us for Rylee’s baby blessing, Jeremy’s wedding, and Thanksgiving Holiday.  We’ve felt very loved and enjoyed every minute!!! It’s been crazy fun busy making memories.  Ones I hope to never forgot.  And that’s why I blog!

For Halloween, Tanner knew instantly who he wanted to be.  Darth Vader.  For some reason , he always wants to be bad guys.  Should I be concerned?

Here’s some of his moves:

And Brooke, naturally, made a very beautiful Princess Leia.  I had envisioned her as a Yoda, but she wouldn’t wear the costume…but the Princess Leia infant sized costume fit her perfect.  And she rocked it!!

Trick-or-Treating

The best part of trick or treating was watching Brooke.  This was her first year actually going trick-or-treating to the doorsteps…and you never know how they'll respond.  When Tanner was her age, he’d run right into the house as soon as they opened the door.   He was hilarious!

 

Brooke was a hoot!!  No more being shy when there was candy on the line.  She’d waited for the other kids to disperse, and then would selectively make her candy selection.  She’d take one piece, look up at the hostess, and grab a second piece (one for each hand, of course!!!) and then take off running like a bandit. Every single time.  She wouldn’t leave until she had two pieces of candy in her hand.  But no one could say no to her…

And there was no sharing of her candy involved.  No one could pry it from her hands.  She had to be the one to drop it in her candy stash (i.e. hidden compartment of her car).

Between houses, she’d jump back into her “car” and get ready to do it all over again. She didn’t waste any time!! And despite the cold weather and late night, there was not one complaint.

Even when it was time to enjoy a piece of candy, she hardly let us pry it from her hands, even if it was to help her open it.  She lived in fear it was going to be taken away or that she may have to ‘share’ with the momma.  She takes candy very seriously!

Tanner was also just as cute.  There were a few houses that went all out with the decorations, scary music, and one house in particular, huge video display over the entire garage door.  He insisted on wanting to go to the scary house, even though we tried to skip over it.  Well, we got close but had to turn around cause he was terrified.  Yet even afterwards,  he wouldn’t stop staring at it.    At first it the video was a huge eyeball staring you down, but then it turned into zombies stuck in prison trying to break out…and it was super freaky!

And yet again, we were offered a plethora of adult beverages and Jell-o shots.  Not sure if this is the new norm or a Kansas thing?  But then, one house had fresh popped popcorn and bottled water for the parents.  And we finally were able to cash in!

Grammy stayed home and watched Rylee for us.  She was too little and it was too cold outside for her to join us.  But she still looked cute in her zebra costume!

Everyone’s favorite part – the removable tail!!!

Even Rylee agreed!

Rylee Bo Bylee–2 months

This week…Rylee is two months old.  Let’s be honest -- she’s so freaking adorable. She’s come alive!!  She loves to smile and coo at me…and this folks, makes all the long sleepless nights, countless diaper changes, and spit-up infested clothing of mine, completely worth it.  One smile…melts my hearts.  This is why I LOVE LOVE babies.  She’s still sweet and cuddly, but so dang cute and responsive.  Just say her name and she’ll give you the biggest smile.

She also have a million and one faces:

Are you for real!

 

Or…let’s Freak ouT!  Something about the flash in my camera…brings this side out

Here’s what Brooke and Tanner think of Rylee:
Brooke still LOVES to give her all sorts of love and attention, in the way of stroking her face, poking her eyes and nose, and giving her paci.  And lately, she decided her paci wasn’t good enough and would substitute her finger.  Put anything near Rylee’s mouth – and she goes CRAZY routing for it and instantly snatches it in her mouth – so Brooke thought it was pretty spectacular.  Well, had to put an end to that once I heard Rylee half choking on Brooke’s little finger.  Now…we stick to the paci.
Brooke reaching in trying to give her, umm, finger.  Busted!

Brooke loves to help in many, many ways.  Usually it’s in the form of extra hugs and kisses. Brooke gets a little excitable!

And sometimes that LOVE is shown in the form of extra “baby dolls.”  This is how I found Rylee  nestled in her swing.

Brooke also LOVES to ‘help"’ with bath time, especially putting water on her.

Rylee’s like, “Wait, isn’t that MY bottle!!!
Generally Rylee LOVES her bath times too, no matter how many times she gets water poured on her face.  She tolerates it well.  Except when the water stops and she gets cold.  Guess which picture is that?

Brooke also insists on “helping” carry the car seat.  And if such “help” is refused, Brooke gets very offended.

We also had an unfortunate incident where Brooke, umm, tried to pick her up off the couch while she was fast asleep.  didn’t end well.  both were screaming their heads off and both completely terrified.  Thankfully, no harm done and in a few minutes, both happy again. 

Tanner calls her Rylee Bo Bylee. He’s also loves to help give her a paci, fetch a blanket or burp cloth, but Brooke usually beats him too it.  She’s all over it, when she wants to be.  But he still gets lots of cuddles and hugs in too.  And he’s still amazed all all of her power punches.

Here’s what Rylee is learning to do over the past month:

Rylee has also been known to roll over, but saves that for special occasions, like Thanksgiving Day. Mere coincidence, probably! But in the meantime, she’s as active as can me, kicking those little legs all the time…and cracking herself up in the process. She loves to be in her bouncer, or lay flat on her back, and just kick those legs and jiggle her arms away. Until people stop paying attention to her. Then she cries. Umm, spoiled, yes!!!

She also holds her head up enough to be dangerous. Just when you think she completely has it on her own, she’ll whack her head into you while you’re holding her…which gets her really mad. Every day, a little stronger, so she’s almost there.

She also spits up a ton…I mean projectile over my shirt and onto the floor kinda power. Repeated times after each meal. Enough to make me think she must have something. Like acid reflux or something. She doesn’t seem bothered by it, and is still gaining weight, so I’m less worried. But every time it happens, I’m never prepared. Hence, mounds of spit up on my clothes. Or if I’m lucky, under my clothes if she aims just right. Oh yeah…

She generally is the happiest, sweetest baby, but at nighttime, she’s super fussy. It makes putting our other kids to bed lots of fun. Totally outnumbered. She’s also starting to recognize when someone other than the momma is holding her…and she’s not afraid to voice her frustration. Loudly! Thank goodness for swings…it seems to be her favorite way to fall asleep…but still a far second to being held by the momma.

Rylee also likes to party like a rock star. At 5am in her crib. she’s always wide awake. and after feeding her 1-2 times already, I’m exhausted. And lately, each morning, I wake up next to her snuggled up next to me in the crevice of my arm, with no clue or recollection of how she got there. I’ve learned how to sleep through anything, including nursing. that’s when you know the sleep deprivation has kicked in. I never ever slept with any of my other kids, and have plans to kick this habit soon too, once I remember…

These pics are pretty cute, but she's even cuter in person.  And thankfully, in the morning, this girl is all smiles. Like a little drop of sunshine.