Christmas Eve... and Day

Christmas Eve was spent at my Aunt's house with almost the whole fam. My aunt makes this fantastic shrimp dinner and then we all have a "sharing time" where we can read a story, sing a little song, do a little dance, play a game, or whatever we feel like doing. Grant and I read a funny story, my brother's family had us play a game with chocolate, there were some magic tricks, and songs... even some presents! It was such a fun night. Wes seemed to enjoy the singing by his cousins the most. They sang a rousing rendition of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, and Wes was riveted.


Me-- looking a little scary-- and my little Santa

My aunt has this great tradition of reading a cute story and then making all of the kids something to go along. This year it was gloves!

Wes was fascinated with his!

We got home at a pretty decent hour, however Wes was having a rough time with his teeth and a little cold, so going to bed (and staying asleep) were rough for most of the night. Yet we were all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the morning, ready for Christmas Day! This was the first Christmas Grant and I had alone in our little house. It was nice and cozy with our sweet baby boy and our funny little dogs. Santa was good to Wes (as were his grandparents, aunts and uncles!!) He got a ball, and a big-boy toothbrush, several books, and his own phone that talks to him when he pushes the buttons, his own set of kid car keys, clothes, more toys... he was so happy!
Grant made us a wonderful Christmas Breakfast, and after a nap for Wes (and the rest of us) we went to visit our families. We hung out and Grant's mom's for a while, and then made a stop at my parent's place as well. It was so nice to be with our families, but the weather was getting nasty, and a big storm was predicted for the evening, so we had to head back home. All in all, it was one lovely Christmas.


Just chillin' on Christmas morning.

Wes sees his present...

... but thinks the ribbon is far more interesting
than what is in the wrapping paper...

...then finally figures out it is a ball!

Yay! His own keys! Now he can stop stealing mommy's!

Wes just being happy with his book.

'Tis the Season

I don't think a woman is truly broken in as a mother until her kiddo has a cold for the first time.
To carry around a pocketful of Kleenex, to constantly have a slimy shoulder thanks to a baby who rubs his adorable yet snotty face all over it before the aforementioned Kleenex can even be accessed.... that is what true motherhood is about!!
Yes, Wes has a cold for the first time. And just after he got over his four top teeth coming in at the same time! Oy, that was rough. My Christmas Eve (after the fun family festivities) was spent trying to get Wes to bed.... again.... and again.... the fun didn't end until about 3 in the morning. But enough about that stuff! I would much rather tell you about all of the fun festivities! Let me back up a bit. A couple of weeks ago, my brother, his fiancee, and my nephew all came up to go on a hay ride in the park near our house to see The Lights Before Christmas. It is this super short hay ride through the most random lights display imaginable, few of which have anything to do with Christmas. It was a blast! A good, old fashioned, rip roarin', freezing cold, good time!

Wes was so bundled up it was hard to hold him!

Dan and Corrie, Wes and yours truly

This is Wes's opinion of the lights display.

Giving Thanks

Ok, some I'm a little behind on my blogging. Sorry about that. This years Thanksgiving was one of our favorites.
Here is the story:
We decided to keep things very simple this year. Traditionally I come down to my mom's the day before Thanksgiving to help polish silver and wash crystal and china... the whole nine yards. Then we come down again for the actual holiday. Also, Grant had to work the day after Thanksgiving, so to save a lot of time and driving, we decided to use this great promotion Marriott is having, and stay at a hotel downtown. It felt like a mini vacation.


Wes thinks we got this bed just for him. Forget watching TV... eating the remote is way more fun!
We took Wes swimming for the first time Wednesday night (he seemed to enjoy it.)

Look at this chub in his swimming trunks! He could double as a sumo wrestler.

Though Wes LOVES water, the pool was a little cold, and he just wasn't sure about it at first.

He liked it more after a bit.

Wes looking very suspiciously at the pool after we took him out.


On the morning of Thanksgiving, we took a long walk around Temple Square.

It was practically empty, except for the missionaries and a few visitors. It was so quiet and peaceful. There was such a wonderful spirit there. The Christmas displays were all set up (they turn on the lights the day after, but I would take our experience any day over the crowded, noisy nights once the lights are on.) We talked to the missionaries, and stopped in the visitors center. Grant was so sweet with Wes and talked to him all the way about Jesus and His life. We saw this darling little family going around and giving packages of M&M's to all of the missionaries, and saying, "today we are thankful for missionaries." How awesome is that? What a great example that was... to not only be thankful, but to show that we are thankful.
We had a delicious dinner at my parents, including my dad's famous stuffing. Then Grant and my brothers and nephews went to the park for some football to work up an appetite for pumpkin pie! We topped off the evening with a visit to Grant's mom's, and then took a very tired and cranky baby boy back to the hotel to go to bed. Nothing like a big, soft, comfy bed to fall into after a hard day's eating... Ahhhhhh.
It was so nice for Grant to be closer to work, since he had to be there at the crack of dawn Friday morning. I was able to take Wes to visit my old work, and the pick up the dogs (and yummy leftovers) from my parent's house. What a great time! I love Thanksgiving. It is my favorite holiday. I love that it can't be commercialized. (Have you noticed how all of the stores go straight from Halloween decorations to Christmas stuff?) It is just a great day to spend with family, eating good food, having a good time, and pondering all we have to be thankful for. What a perfect day.

Wes playing with Grandpa and Mitzu.