Christmas Festivities

Tanner really got into the Christmas spirit this year. He loved hearing the Christmas story straight up from the scriptures. The next day, he started telling me other scripture stories, and then asked if he could take the scriptures to bed with him. It wasn't long before he had the story down and would repeat it with more details than most adults, "King Herod was an angry and mean king. He wanted to hurt Baby Jesus so they had to leave." He also was obsessed with the 3 wisemen (kings) who took gifts and followed a star that directed them to Jesus.





One day, Tanner was "pretending" to be at church with one of his friends. We overheard them taking the sacrament water and bread, then passing it along. I love when their little imaginations run wild!





When I told Tanner he couldn't go to church since he wasn't feeling good, he told me, "But God will miss me!" As parents, it's easy to feel like your child doesn't pay attention to anything you try to teach, but these little glimpes help remind me that we must be doing something right.








Tanner liked decorating our home. When we were first setting up the Christmas tree, he saw it in the box and said, "Oh no, it's all broken!!" He was very happy when it got "fixed" and put back together. He also loved putting ornaments on the tree, although he'd easily get distracted and start playing with some of the figurines. He also liked coming home from school and adding a new ornament he made to the tree. He had a very busy month of making cute Christmas crafts at school.



Tanner's other favorite parts about Christmas has to be signing Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph, and Silent Night.





My Little Angel



Tanner's Preschool Christmas Pagent included all the characters from the Christmas nativity. Tanner was very sad about not being one of the 3 Kings -- his favorite part of the Christmas story. All the 3 year olds were angels, but in my opinion, he sure does make a cute lil angel!





Tanner loved singing and doing all the hand motions with the songs. I love how he comes home from school singing new songs. I also loved how he sweetly sings "Silent Night" and knew the sign language.


But my the end of it, his tassle was falling off and it was getting too loud with all the "Jingle Bells" ringing in his ears. Every good thing has an end...


Christmas Baking

We started our baking early right after Thanksgiving so we could have more helpers.

Some of the "helpers" can only be counted on to do one thing -- eat!!

The Pops. These are his favorite cookies to make, a tradition carried down from his mother.

Nanny didn't mind getting her hands dirty either

And Tanner just adores his Aunt Katie!

Ward Christmas Party

We had a special visitor come, Santa Claus! Tanner got really shy at the last moment...

Trains at Northpark

Another Christmas tradition is going to see the model train exhibit.

He requested a Christmas tree with trains running through. Maybe next year...

Texas State Fair Exhibit. This time, Big Tex wasn't so scary now that he's not so big

Next to the Dallas Skyline (aka mommy's work)

Tanner could spend all night in the place.

After thinking about this last December, I'm ready for it to be Christmas all over again. I love the Holiday spirit, focus on Christ, and extra family time we spend together.

Preggo Update - 7 months

Here's a quick viewing of the humannoid growing inside of me. At the last appointment, we got a few shots of her close up, sucking and sticking out her tongue.

[sorry folks, I can't seem to figure out how to upload the video -- I'll try again another time]

My life is stressful. Managing busy season at work, a 3 year old that refuses to takes naps and still wakes up at the crack of dawn, dealing with allergies every time the Texas weather determines its time for spring, and trying to think through some big decisions.

But I'm pretty sure just being 7+ months pregnant just makes life hard. Yes, I look huge. But trust me, on the inside, I feel even bigger. There's no room for my bladder, my lungs to breathe, my stomach to eat, etc. I could keep going with all my woes but I'll spear you the discomforts.

And I haven't done anything. Except go shopping for clothes/accessories/etc. The nursery, nonexistent. Names, still deciding. Registry, what's that?

Not that I'm not extremely grateful to still be pregnant. A friend of mine was due within a week and due to several complications, delivered at 32 weeks. I'm reminded how lucky I am everytime I read a friends blog or think of how desperately I wanted this pregnacy over the past 3 years.

And luckily, I have a great husband and other friends/family that help a ton. And one little boy who has been completely adorable and excited about this little baby girl.

The other day, someone asked Tanner if he had any pets. His response, "No, but I have a baby sister!"

He already knows this baby is his and takes the big brother role very seriously. He comes with me to all the doctor appointment and is always very inquisitive.

When we're eating, he'll ask, "Does the baby like it?" Usually it's when we're eating yummy treats. There's certain foods Tanner finds absolutley apailing, like grapefruit. And he's shocked everytime I say YES! Grapefruits are one of the weird preggo things I grave.

When Tanner is rough-housing with Anthony, he gets nervous when he's too close and says, "Be careful, that might hurt the baby!" He remembers to be extra gentle w/o constant reminders he can't run and jump and give tackle hugs.

Tanner was sick this past weekend and cuddling with me on the couch. He rested his head on my belly, and instantly, she got jealous and started kicking him (apparently, sibling rivalry starts in the womb). Tanner jumped up and said, "Hey, why did she do that?" and started to laugh. He loved the feeling!!

Tanner also likes to come and rub my baby belly. I told him that the baby can recongize his voice and likes it when he talks. He got a super huge grin on his face and started talking to the baby in a the sweetest, highest pitch voice I've ever heard him make. It was so cute!

Tanner's world will change when he has to share the attenion with this little one, but I think Tanner is going to be just as obsessed with this newest edition to our family. Honestly, we can't wait for another 8 weeks to pass and meet this little bundle of joy!

-Feb 24th 2012

Christmas - Chicago Style

This year for Christmas we packed our bags and headed for a Chicago to celebrate Christmas!

My eldest brother, Jeremy, invited us all to his bachelor pad in the city.

I didn't think he was serious as first when he said his house would be big enough for the enormous Knickerbocker family -- along with their spouses and kiddos. Nor did I think he knew what he was getting into having 5 little kids running around his house, 20+ mouths to feed for each meal, and the whole gambit.

But let me tell you something -- he thought it ALL through and then some! He had Christmas crafts for the kids, outings planned in the city, and fabulous food like we've never eaten before. But half the credit, if not more, should go to his girlfriend Corinne. We hope to see more of her at other family gatherings!

While it was stressful having to think about not being at our own home on Christmas morning, it was nice to get pampered and enjoy the Christmas holiday. I'll take it anytime!!!

Our festivities included shopping on Michigan Avenue while stopping to watch all the street performers, touring all the surrounding 'hoods, eating too much popcorn at Jarrett's (or deep dish pizza/hot dogs/food, etc), seeing Zoo Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo (disappointing, all the animals were sleeping), seeing plethora of animals the next day at Shedd's Aquarium.

Interesting moments included seeing homeless man walking around with cardboard shoes -- only later to find out he was just a scam. And attending Christmas at the local LDS church where our family trippled the attendance and only one speaker, the Bishop, showed up to speak.

Otherwise, we nestled around the homestead and ate yummy food, play games, and enjoy one anothers company. The stuff holidays are made of!

Christmas Eve

Best cousins -- Tanner and Mason (i.e. my Mas-y)

How the Grinch Stole Christmas reading by Grandpop

Part of the gang

Yummy snacks for Santa Claus and kiddos. Seriously, Corinne totally outdid herself.

This is just one of the 100+ yummy things she made!!!

A huge smile right before bedtime

"Pretending" to be asleep on Christmas Eve

While we had spent a lot of time talking about Christmas and gearing up for the big day, I don't think we really ever talked much about Santa Claus. While part of it was intentional to focus on Christ's birth, the other part was more accidental. Before bedtime, Tanner finally started thinking it through and had a million plus questions. How is Santa Claus going to come through the chimney? Won't he get stuck? Will he know I'm not at my house? etc. Eventually, we got him to go to sleep.

Christmas Morning

They didn't waste any time getting to the stockings!!

Oh yeah! Tanner got so excited about everything!!

Matching cars in stocking. One of their favorite toys. It's the little things that make such a big big difference!

Look at that tongue. You can tell he's really concentrating...

Tanner has one minor obsessions. Legos.

Tanner must have been on the "nice list" cause he got just what he wanted.

Seriously, one very lucky little boy

Love the Quincy smiles!! She just wanted to "eat" her presents.

A big thank you to Jeremy for all this hard work and mad Santa-skills.!

And another thanks to Nanny who always goes overboard at Christmas time!!

Umm, yummm!!

Shedd's Aquarium

This fish was sucking on the glass

A snake can always get Tanner's attention

Row, row, row your boat. This was Tanner's favorite part...

We had a great time and will come back anytime. Thanks to a great family for making this Christmas so memorable!

Christmas Greeting 2011

This has been a year to remember, a year of blessings to celebrate!

First, Anthony graduated from dental school. Finally, after 8+ years of schooling, he is officially done! Even better, he truly LOVES practicing dentistry. He began working in June for a private practice with offices in outlying Dallas suburbs. Not sure if it’s working with the patients or having off every Friday, but either way, it’s been a great career choice for him.

To celebrate Anthony’s graduation and April turning the big 3-0, we headed to Costa Rica for a tropical getaway, leaving Tanner behind with family. This was the first BIG vacation we’ve taken since our honeymoon so we definitely made the most of it. It was fun being on Anthony’s old mission turf, swinging through the rainforest on canopy ziplines, swimming in ocean with engulfing waves, and taking RV tour through the mountainous jungles. The latter of which I’ll never forget, thanks to the scar on my leg. Anthony, of course, was in LOVE with the food. I missed the good ole American cuisine, but could take the fresh bebidas any day.

As if turning 30 wasn’t enough, I was able reduce my hours to only 2-3 days a week and get promoted to senior manager at Deloitte. I enjoy having a few extra days each week to plan mommy/son dates. Our favorite hangout places include the Dallas Zoo, Children’s Museum, Arboretum, and let’s be honest, Tanner’s bedroom where we race cars, build forts and trains.

Tanner also had a year to celebrate – finally mastering the toilet, turning 3, and starting preschool. When I dropped him off at preschool, his parting words were, “Don’t worry, I won’t have an accident!” He adores his teacher, Ms. Kennedy, and he lucked out to have 3 of the 5 kids in his class be his b/f/f’s from church. We love hearing the stories he comes home to share. “The pilgrims sailed to America on the Mayflower. Now say M-A-Y-F-L-O-W-E-R.” I’m pretty sure Tanner could recite the nativity story better than most adults with details like, “King Herod was really angry and didn’t like baby Jesus so they had to leave.”

Tanner is just beginning to grasp what “work” really means. He gets his teeth checked out by Dr. Dad so he totally understands Anthony is a dentist. He asks me, “Mom, what do you DO to people?” as if it were a bad thing. Explaining I’m an accountant and work with numbers/ money/taxes all day is a little difficult. And just when I think he gets it, he’ll ask, “Mom, does your work have lots of toys like my school?”

Most exciting, our prayers have been answered and we’re expecting a baby girl arriving in April. Some years we climb mountains, and other years we get a view from the top – where we can pause and look at the beautiful world around us. We’re grateful for the Christmas season that has allowed us to “Be still, and know that I am God.”

May your hearts and homes be filled with the Joy and Peace of His Love.

Love, the Callisons

Thanksgiving to Tanner

Tanner has been learning all about Thanksigiving at preschool and telling us the stories at home.

"The pilgrims sailed to American on ship called the Mayflower. Now say, Mayflower." Apparently, we needed a refresher.



He also learned about the Indians -- "Squanto was the one who stayed with the pilgrims. He taught them to plant corn by putting a fish on top of the seed."

He came home with the most adorable craft projects-- a mother carrying a baby in her papoose, a cornicopia stuffed full of thanksgiving food, and little thanksgiving figures on popsicle sticks. He just LOVES going to school!



One night as we were eating dinner, he saw the roll and mashed potatoes and asked, "Is this Thanksgiving Dinner?"

And in case anyone is wondering, Tanner is thankful for "Fire-fighters!" I only wish I could capture his voice saying this...cause it's the most adorable thing ever!!

It's Hallo-scream!

Tanner has been SO excited for Halloween.

In September, we went to the library on checked out tons of Halloween books. That very night -- he declared he was ready to go Trick-or-Treating. Convincing him he HAD to wait another month was very very difficult. So when the day did finally come, he was SO happy!


He loved everything about Halloween -- his favorite stories were the ones with mummies, goblins, witches, and ghosts. But he had more nightmares from those dang critters chasing him. We had to constantly tell him and he eventually would remind us, "They're my friends and Jesus is watching over me [quite literally with a picture next to his bed]."


PUMPKIN CARVING

We got our pumpkin early and Tanner couldn't wait to turn it into a Jack-o-Latern.

We thought he'd love the goopity-goo, but he had some severe reservations about sticking his hand in there. It took him a few attempts...but he finally pulled through!

His only request, "I want him to be S-C-A-R-Y!!" Five minutes later, "Dad, that's not scary!"

One good thing being married to a dentist are those amazing fine motor skills. So Anthony does all the carving in our house, while the rest of us roast yummy pumpkin seeds.

HALLOWEEN PARADE

Tanner's preschool had a Halloween Parade where they marched around in a circle and then sang the cutest songs. Tanner's favorites were, "5 Little Pumpkins," "Scarecrow, Scarecrow, touch your toes" and "The Back Bone is Connected to the..." song.

He'd come home with singing these songs and then insist I sing along with him, but it's a little difficult if I don't know the words.

Tanner's preschool class. He's SO lucky to have his favorite pals in his class. And 5 boys...and the 1 girl is his b/f/f. Doesn't get much better!!

Tanner's class next to "witch" Kennedy. He just adores his teacher and I can see why!

Trick-or-Treating

For Halloween, Tanner wanted to be a superhero. People kept asking him which superhero he was, and he'd say, "I'm Tanner the Super-Hero!" I found a great deal and had the costume custom made with the letter T on the shirt and cape. He's obessed with his name at the moment:)

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of licensed superheros, but it's most likely a battle I'm going to lose. Ever since he got Spiderman face painting at the Arboretum...it's opened up a whole new world.

I'm just glad that we settled on a Superhero. He kept changining his mind and even insisted on being a witch, at one point, after he talked with Avery and learned she was going to be a witch too.

On Halloween night, we went Trick-or-Treating to our favorite friends in the neighborhood. He knew just what to do this time (no trying run inside people's house like last year!). He got so excited getting all the candy. After a block or too, he was ready to come home. I offered to hold his bag, it was quickly rejected. There was no letting go of the bag until we were back home and he had a piece of candy in his mouth. He's a smart kid -- knew exactly what I'd try to do -- and there was nothing coming between him and that candy.

The ironic part is -- Tanner isn't a huge fan of candy. I had a candy bowl with candy corn and offered him a piece one afternoon. Horrified, he responded, "No, that'll give me SUGAR BUGS on my teeth!"

So folks, that's what it's like being having a dentist as a father.