White Christmas Welcome; Then Leave Please.

It seemed like the snow might never come...then like a gift from the Holiday itself...it all arrived just before Christmas. I never had a white Christmas growing up in West Texas so I love that we get that perfect blanket of Christmas white. Now if only we didn't have to drive it it, if only it didn't ice up our driveway and pile up in our streets, and if it could please all go away by February.

In the meantime, Daddy has a little helper. Max loves to help shovel the driveway, usually making more work for Dad but he's glad to do it. We even found this pint size snow shovel just for our little helper.

PARTY LIKE YOU'RE 2!

I have a feeling that the Christmas Eve birthday thing is going to catch up with me in a few years. But until Max really starts to realize that he's getting ripped off on parties and presents, I improvised this year. Actually, I mentally made a note to make his birthday separate from Christmas this year. He is finally at an age where he likes having other kids around to play, particularly Jolea's kids. So this year, we decided to throw him an early party just a few days before Christmas Eve and invited just his cousins and one little neighbor boy.

I had good intentions of having it all ready come party day, but it just didn't happen. But thankfully Ryan was off work that day and we made a stop at Partyland for a horse themed party, a stop at Albertson's for a little cake and ice cream, and one more stop to pick up a pizza and Wha-La...it was party time!

Max had such a great time playing ring toss on the bull, pin the tail on the donkey, and busting his horse pinata with his cousins and he loved his presents. Daddy spent over 4 hours putting together his train table the night before the party. It was a prelude of things to come in future years I believe. Although it was a little rush, rush to throw it together, it turned out to be really cute and really fun for the kids. A big thanks to Jolea for bringing her crew over in the blizzard, first shoveling for 2 hours to get out of the driveway. You guys made Max's 2nd birthday special for him!

Always Remember...

It's hard to believe that Dad has been gone 13 years as of the 19th of December. I borrowed this post from my sister, Jolea. I feel bad for just now taking time to pay tribute, but better late than never. She wrote a beautiful tribute that states exactly the tender feelings of my heart. I love you too Dad.
I can remember the day so clearly yet it was so long ago

Sometimes, in tiny moments, I still wonder if it really happened

Your heart hurts when you ponder on the loss

The good memories help time to pass

We all miss him so much, especially mother

We long for the day when we shall be reunited again

We love you so much Dad.

-Jolea Dec. 19, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAX

Max-Just a few hours old
My how two years have flown by...This Christmas Eve 2 short years ago we welcomed our little boy into the world. What a special Christmas it was. The best we have ever had. We love our little guy so much. He has brought so much joy to us and we often reflect on what the heck we did for fun before we had him. Age two has brought many new fun as well as trying aspects to our household.

Max-6months old
Here are a few things Max is loving and doing at age 2: The Wiggles Show (still), Blues Clues (still), Elmo, movies (Nemo, Madagascar, The Incredibles...he goes in cycles with them), trucks, choo-choo train table, horses, outside, his cousins (especially Sarah and her dog Rowdy), balls, wrestling with Daddy, Uncle Mark, and Uncle Jeff, talking on the phone (especially when Mom is on it), going out for rides, the swimming pool, bathtime, cleaning with Mom and Dad (laundry, dusting, cleaning bathrooms with Dad), singing songs, coloring and much much more!

Max- age 1

Max-18 months
Max is saying all sorts of things...many of which we are still trying to decipher. Every morning he wakes up and asks first for a drink, then he says "Show" and we go through the list of which one he wants to watch first. He loves the camera and knows just what to do when we pull it out. He can count to 5, but generally not in order. We are working on colors and letters, but honestly, I think he could care less at this point. His favorite songs to sing are 'Baa Baa Black Sheep', 'Twinkle, Twinkle', 'Popcorn Popping', 'Itsy Weensy Spider', 'Wheels On the Bus', and all songs from Wiggles and Blues Clues.

Max-age 2

Max, Mom and Dad love you so much and can't wait for the years to come. You bring so much joy to life and we feel so blessed to have you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Pouter

This handsome boy has learned how to really ham up the pouting act. This one in particular was following a "No" to his requests to play in the refrigerator in lieu of going to church.

THANKFUL

I couldn't let Christmas come without first posting about Thanksgiving. This year we held Thanksgiving at Jolea's house. The food was absolutely amazing and the tablescape Jolea did up was worth the planning because it really was a beautiful dinner. We were disappointed that Mom couldn't make it, but we sure were glad that we were able to get Eli down here for 4 days. Jim's family and Carrie's family came as well as the newlyweds, Kelsey and Justin. We had lots of fun visiting, watching movies, playing games, shopping, and watching all the kids play and wrestle. Max loved having the cousins down and he especially took to Addie (Carrie's little girl) and Rowdy, Jolea's dog. In fact, he now goes around calling "R-o-w-d-y" out loud, hoping a dog will appear. I'm not so sure Rowdy is as fond of Max, who tries to ride him like a horse and holds onto his back hair to keep him from escaping. This Thanksgiving I was reminded of Elder Bednar's last conference talk about prayer. In closing, he issues a challenge that on occasion we issue a prayer only of Thanksgiving, asking for nothing. He promises blessings will follow. With all the blessings I have in my life, I think it only appropriate that I offer a prayer of strictly gratitude this season.

Happy 1st Birthday Addie

This is my niece Addie Jo. She turned 1 today and we just spent the Thanksgiving holiday with her where she showed and unexpected and spontaneous interest in walking. Way to go Addie Jo! We love you.

4 Great Years...

Yesterday was our 4 year anniversary. We celebrated on Saturday. It was so nice to go out together, just the two of us. We haven't done that in a long time and it was a nice reminder of how much we really enjoy doing things just by ourselves. I am so lucky to have Ryan and I can honestly say that he is my best friend. We love our friends and we love our families and we are blessed to live so close to many of them, but if we didn't, it's comforting to know that we like being together enough that we could keep one another entertained and happy. Ryan popped in our wedding video before we went to church yesterday. It was nice to watch it and remember that very special and freezing day. Max has only enhanced our relationship as will our other little one who will be joining us in a few short months. Oh, what was life like before all this bliss?