It's Christmas Time!

This ever difficult semester is OVER! Brandon finished hard and strong...now we are half way done and very excited about that! He does such a great job at getting the things done that he needs to at school and squeezing in a little time for me and the boys as well. We are so proud of him and everything he is doing for our little family now and for our future. Now we're onto the next hurdle for school...comps (and the next semester of course)!

But before that all happens...we've enjoyed a little extra time together and having some Christmas fun! We feel like we've just about "done it all"...from hot chocolate and enjoying the snow, Christmas lights, to Gingerbread Houses (Gingee as Lincoln calls them), and Christmas tree decorating, to "Christmas Sweater parties" and visiting Santa as well as riding a horse drawn wagon to see a live Nativity and of course enjoying the Christmas music. We love this time of year to celebrate baby Jesus' birthday (which is what we've been telling Lincoln this is all for). He loves to carry around a little Nativity and even say "Nigh Nigh" to the baby Jesus that we have in his room. We are having so much fun with our 2 little boys and love that Lincoln is getting more aware of what this all means.

"Christmas sweaters?!?"

Lincoln loved decorating the "Gingee" houses...can you tell?!
(an activity at the Library)

our attempt at home...

We finished the "Gingee" once Lincoln went to bed, otherwise there
wouldn't have been any candy or frosting left to decorate it with!

Lincoln's favorite Christmas "toy" this year seems to be the Nutcracker ("Nut")

Helping decorate the tree! We went ultra toddler/baby friendly this year and made our decorations out of pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, buttons and pom poms!

Our favorite little gifts already under the tree!Going for a walk with Daddy in the sled...
we did take him down a hill as well...he thought it was so much fun!

Grant's first visit to Santa...he did so well!

Lincoln asking Santa for a "wee-oo" (Firetruck)

Naughty or nice?!?

Waiting for the wagon ride to see the Nativity. It was FREEZING! We were too cold to get the camera out again when we were actually on the wagon, but it was a fun night and Lincoln loved being in a wagon that horses were pulling and being able to see baby Jesus.

Our Family Movie

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Playing Catch Up

We've been pretty busy the last little while. We recently moved to another house in Pocatello. It's an older house closer to the University and pretty much opposite of what we've been use to. But we are so thankful for all the help we received during the packing and moving process...from help with the boys to the lifting and loading. We couldn't have done it without the much appreciated services rendered! After a little bit of a rocky start, we are getting settled into our new home and doing our best to "bloom where we are planted!"

We also had a great Thanksgiving starting out the day playing in a nearby park! Darren, Cindy and their boys joined us early that afternoon. We were so lucky to have them come to our new house and celebrate the holiday together. We had a great time stuffing our faces with the yummy thanksgiving food, chatting, watching the boys play, and relaxing.

Now...time to finish getting ready for Christmas and brace ourselves for the end of the semester!

The place we now call home!


Thanksgiving '08...so much to be thankful for!

Lincoln and Daddy playing at the park...
Grant can't wait to get in on the action...

Mommy enjoying the time that he still can't get in on the action!

Playing with cousins...

Lincoln

Our silly Lincoln is so much fun everyday. Like usual he just loves to play from the time he wakes up to when he goes to sleep. He cannot seem to get enough of his baby brother, Grant. Since Grant was born, if he cries I usually ask Lincoln what Grant needs. He often tells me he's hungry, or needs Mom, or has a burp. Lately though, Lincoln just says that Grant needs kisses from Lincoln!

Playing with "GaGa"

We built a fort but after it was done Lincoln said it was only for
GaGa and Lincoln. Mom could only take a picture, but not come inside!

Lincoln's recent favorite food is noodles and meatballs! He gets so excited!

Grant

Our little Grant has developed some new skills in the last month...just when Brandon asked why he wasn't rolling over yet, Grant showed us he could! He's gone from tummy to back several times (lots of times with Lincoln's help!) and back to tummy a couple of times. He also recently found his feet and loves to play with them! :) He's also starting so scoot a little...are we going to have 2 active little boys on our hands?!

caught the rolling over...

Yay Grant!!!

Finding his little feet...

The Sweetest Thing

Sweet baby Grant
4 months
15 lbs 8 oz (75%...he's slowed down a little)
24 1/4 in. (25%)

I took Grant in for his 4 month visit the other day (I can't believe it's already been 4 months)! Lincoln came to the visit as well and was very concerned when Grant had to have his shots. When we got home, in Lincoln's own little way he told me that Grant would feel better if he watched a "movie" with Lincoln. While I fixed some lunch I let them watch their "movie."
When I looked over to check on them, this is what I found...

I love that Lincoln's little arm was around Grant and he was playing with Grant's hand, how sweet is that?! Lincoln was right, the "movie" helped his brother feel better
(and a little Tylenol as well)! :)

Happy Halloween

As many of you know, Brandon LOVES to dress up for Halloween. He wasn't the Elf this year, he was such a good sport though. I thought it would be fun to do a family theme and after time and money for costumes were considered, we decided to be the Barney Rubble family! Anyway, Brandon was a good sport because the Barney Rubble costume isn't nearly as exciting as the Elf costume. However, we won best family costume at the ward trunk-or-treat, and our cute little dinosaur won best children's costume! (Yes, we realize the Barney Rubble family had a sabor-tooth, but like I said, time and money was considered...the dinosaur worked perfectly.) We had a fun time celebrating Halloween. We practiced saying "trick -or-treat" with Lincoln, and of course said it in his own little way at home, but wouldn't say it when he was really suppose to. We had a good time anyway celebrating and just having fun!

"Bam-Bam"

our little dinosaur

the Barney Rubble family

pumpkin carving!

Lincoln didn't really like the mess, he wanted to be cleaned up right away!

Halloween Fun?!?

Last weekend we (Shan and the boys, Brandon had LOTS of school stuff to do) went to celebrate my brother's birthday...while we were there, we tried a spontaneous outing to Gardener's Village. It was decorated so cute for Halloween with pumpkins and witches galore. Lincoln was up, down, and all-around (probably just hot, tired and hungry - terrible combination) that morning so our fun spontaneous outing ended sooner than expected. The shops and area were so cute, I wish we could have enjoyed it a little more with my mom, but I guess when a 2 year old is in the picture, you need to be flexible. So I let Lincoln have a pony ride, looked around the petting zoo and then called it quits!

This picture pretty much sums it up...
Lincoln was moody, Grant was just hanging out,
and I was trying to keep it all together. A picture speaks 1,000 words!

Lincoln with his cousin Meghan at the petting zoo

Ride 'em cowboy! Lincoln did LOVE riding the pony.
He thought it was so much fun, but hated when it was time to get off.

One of the many witches that were around the shops.

My cute boys...

Fun Fall Times

Last week we all took a mid-day break to play in the leaves. Lincoln loved throwing the leaves in the air and jumping into the leaves. Grant was trying to figure out what was in his hands. We all had a great time being together and enjoying some fall fun!