Cole

I had to order pictures today for Cole to take to school next week.  I can't believe these years have just flown by...  This is what my sweet little Cole look liked 6 years ago!!!

Why does he have to turn 7 soon???  

Christmas Break

We had a wonderful break at home together.  Joe was able to take a little time away to spend with me and the boys the week after Christmas and around New Years, before Cole went back to school.  The hardest and most sad part, was that my sweet Grandma Hervig died on December 26 very unexpectedly.  We were all shocked and surprised at the phone call and it has been so sad to imagine her not being around.   She passed away peacefully in her sleep, and we are grateful for that. 

We had a good amount of snow on Christmas day, that stayed long enough for us to enjoy it the next day, too.  The boys had a lot of fun playing in it, as did Molly!  We "sledded" down the driveway on a baking sheet.  Yep, thats how we do it around here.  It didn't matter, they had a blast.  

  We all went to see Rise of the Guardians.  We loved that movie so much that I think we saw it in the theater 3 different times!  It was an awesome family day - we truly love movie dates.  Another day we went to the Gaylord Texan Hotel and saw the Madagascar Ice exhibit.  So much fun!  Well, honestly... all in all - we loved it, froze to death, but won't go back again for a while.  It was a neat experience, but it was just too cold and the boys didn't really appreciate that it was all made from ice.  I mean, really, a whole bunch of ice.  Joe and I loved the art of it and appreciated the work, but Cole and Owen were less than impressed.  The hotel is spectacular at Christmas and we loved being there, and we ate dinner at Uncle Russell's old restaurant, which that part we all enjoyed.  :)

 

 

Christmas Day

It was a wonderful Christmas!  Cole and Owen slept in until we woke them up at 7:30!  It was a great morning and they were spoiled by Santa.  Their favorite gifts were the basketball hoop and bath robes.  They are easily pleased and that makes Christmas just the happiest day.  I look at these pictures and my heart just swells with pride.  I love them so much and I am glad that they get along so well.  They genuinely love each other and are great buddies.  Now this doesn't mean they don't fight, argue, and hurt each other.  Trust me, they do.   "Stop looking at me, don't touch me, he hit me, stop kicking me, I don't want to talk to you..."  Yes, these phrases are heard around here often.  But mostly, they are the best of friends.  And Christmas morning was an awesome morning at home together.  The 4 of us.

  

 

 

 Later in the day, we headed over to Russell and Daphanie's new house to have Christmas dinner there.    We all cooked something and contributed to the feast and it was all so delicious.  Daphanie's family was there also, and with our family it was a big group, about 20 of us.   The boys watched a movie, Lilo & Stitch is a favorite over there.  We chatted with family, met new friends, played with Max and Kaiya, then played in the snow!  Yes, in TX, on Christmas day we got a whole lot of snow!!  It was beautiful and so peaceful.  Cole had fun playing with the other kids out in it.  And Owen slept in Uncle Russell's bed while all the shenanigans were going on!  That boy truly loves his sleep and requires a lot - like me.  It was a great Christmas and was hard to say goodbye to Mom and Dad.  They drove home on the 26th to get home for Mom's surgery on her hand.  She's a trooper, that woman.  A tough, smart, shining example to me.  

 

 

 

Christmas Prep

Mom and Dad came back to visit us all for Christmas.  It was so nice to have them here for the holidays!  They stayed a couple nights with Russell and Daphanie, then a couple nights with us.  It was relaxing and we had a great time with them.  The boys love having Grandma and Grandpa here.  I'm pretty sure we wore Dad out, so he took a little snooze on the couch after church.  This is what I remember him doing as a kid and he'd say, "I'm not sleeping - just resting my eyes."  Later we baked cookies and decorated gingerbread houses with Russell and Daphanie.   Fun family time!

The cookies were Russell and Daph's idea.  It was hilarious!  I've decorated many a sugar cookie and it can be such a mess and a headache - but the cool aunt and uncle wanted to try it with the kids.  So of course, I let them bring all the stuff and have at it.  They were whining and complaining about it almost the whole time.  By they, I mean, Russell and Daphanie!  Cole and Owen had fun and didn't care how much work it was or what they looked like in the end.  Turns out, it wasn't all Russell and Daph were hoping it would be!

 

 

On Christmas Eve, we were with the Drysdale family.  We all got together for a gift exchange at Ken and Jeanne's house.   Then went out for a non-traditional Mexican feast at Mattito's.  It was delicious and so much fun to change it up.  And the best part- no one had to cook and clean up!  After dinner we walked around to see the Christmas lights and let the kids run around.  It was a wonderful Christmas Eve and we were home in time to get the boys all snug in their beds before the visions of sugarplums were dancing in their heads.  

 

 

 

 

Festivities Part II

The girls came over for a play date one afternoon.  We ate and shared Christmas goodies while the kids played crazy.  Molly, Abby, Terin, and April all came with kids in tow and helped me with some Primary stuff I was trying to get ready.  Girls days are always needed and much appreciated.    

 

 Christmas means school parties, of course!  Owen was not happy the day of his party, and I'm not sure why.  He didn't want me to leave his side and wasn't happy to eat or play with his friends.  Sometimes he gets this way when he's nervous or tired, notice the hands in his mouth.  His sweet teacher Ms. Melisse is so good with him and he loves her.  Cole had her too.

Cole had a book exchange for his party. They ate popsicles (why in December?) and hunted the hidden books out in the room.  He had fun and loves his new book!  I took Owen to his party and he was a nightmare.   There were too many things for him to get into and he wasn't listening at all.  It made it too hard to enjoy Cole and share in his party with him.  Obviously, I decided not to take him again! 

 

 

 

Christmas festivities...

I'm not sure what happened to November!  I have no pictures but I can mostly remember what we did.  I know we had Thanksgiving with James, Amy, Ava and Nora at our house.  Then I had a birthday and turned 31.  I remember celebrating too many times with sweet family and friends.  Then it quickly became December and the craziness of the holidays began!  

 

We had our Christmas party at church early in the month.  It was the best ward celebration I have ever been to.  It was well planned, perfectly executed, the food was delish, and the program and music were wonderful. A perfect, spirit filled evening out with the family.  

 

Robin had her sweet baby boy, Declan Donovan Olsen.  We waited and waited his early arrival in November, but he didn't make is grand debut until December 15.  He was healthy and perfect and Robin and Tynan were more than thrilled to have him here.  They are the cutest new parents and so happy to be a family of 3.  

 

We had a small gift exchange and dinner with the Austin's, our other family.  The kids were supposed to pick something from the dollar store to trade with each other.  I big time failed in this department!  Devin was less than excited about his puzzle he got.  But the night was super fun and it was great to hang out with April and Jamin again.  The kids have missed each other since school started and we don't get to hang out as much as we used to. 

  We went on the Highland Park Carriage Ride to see the lights.  It was such a fun evening as a family, and we were happy we could have Ken and Jeanne join us.  The kids loved riding in the carriage and having the horses pull us around.  The weather was cold, but just right for Christmas light looking.  I think the best part for Joe and I was looking at the beautiful homes in Dallas.  I love that area and if I said "GO!" Joe would have us moved there in a heartbeat.  He wants to live in the city so bad. And obviously, we haven't moved in over a year so he's getting anxious... 

 

Owen had his first Christmas program at his preschool!  Such a little cutie.  He wasn't nervous at all and went up to the front with his class so proud.  He didn't sing along like they practiced, but he was happy as could be!  He shook his jingle bell along with everyone while they sang, and looked super handsome while doing it!  He's just growing up too fast.  I always thought I'd have a baby now and he'd be the big brother.  But really, he's still the baby and its weird that he's gone those days at preschool and I'm alone.  Not that I'm complaining about alone time, its just not what I had planned or expected. Funny thing how life doesn't play out how you pictured it! 

Baby Brother

And by the title, I mean, my baby brother.  Russell graduated Dallas Fire Academy's training/school/program right before Christmas.  I'm not really sure what it was called, but he did good and it was a big deal.  He has worked so hard to get where he is today and we are so proud of him!  Mom and Dad drove in town for the weekend and Owen and I were able to go with them to his ceremony.  It was a very neat experience and I loved seeing him all dressed in his uniform.  It's crazy to think about us being all grown up!!  We used to fight like cats and dogs... 

 

 

 

We are so grateful to have family near by.  Especially Russell and Daphanie.  They've moved into their new home and are only 4 miles away!   We love family time and it was a special treat to have Mom and Dad make a quick trip out here. Congratulations Baby Brother!

Utah Trip

I was spoiled with a quick trip (alone) to Utah in November!  I wanted to get out to see Nicole and their new baby boy, Callen. (Of course I wanted to see Jeff and the 3 other boys too!)  He was born in May, but things just kept coming up and it ended up being when he was 6 months old!   Jeff and Nicole just built a beautiful, new home and it was fun to be able to see in person what they've worked so hard for.   It was a great long weekend that I was able to spend with their cute family, and a nice little break for me.  Nicole is always the perfect hostess and we had a lot of fun talking, cooking, eating, shopping, and playing with the kids.  The weather didn't quite cooperate with me - it snowed a ton and was freezing the whole time.  But I guess it was a nice change from the weather at home?  Maybe?  I'm just not used to the cold and am not well equipped for that kind of snow!  

 

 

 

I'm sad I didn't take more pictures!  We had a lot of fun, and I guess I'll just go off memories.  The boys were adorable and we had fun coloring and doing puzzles together.  I can't wait for Cole and Owen to be able to play with them this summer!  And I can still hear Ryder's sweet little voice.  Although I'm sure it will change before I hear it again.  Callen was happy as could be and would smile so easy for me!  That always makes the aunt feel good...  Weston and Tave are such good big brothers and are very patient little boys.  How quickly they are growing up.  Can't wait till July!!

And Nicole... What a fabulous sister in law she is.  I have so much to learn from her in many different ways.  She is such a great example to me and I love her so much. We had a fun day out together and several nights in together and it was all good!  She is an amazing mother and friend and I'm happy to be related to her.  :)  I sure wish we lived closer,  but it was an awesome trip and I'm so glad I was able to go.  

Halloween

October was a busy month!

I ran another half marathon, my second time doing the Dallas 13.1 race.  It was a beautifully cold morning and I did well, considering my training was lacking.  Not my fastest, but not my slowest either!  A bunch of girls ran together and it was a fun morning.  Alway a good feeling crossing that finish line.

Cole learned how to ride a 2 wheel bike - without training wheels!  It was super easy for him and he learned so quickly.  So proud of him.  

And of course, Halloween.  Our ward had a combined trunk or treat with other wards.  The kids always love it and we had a good time seeing all the other kids come around in their cute costumes.  Then on Halloween night, we walked the neighborhood.  I love where we live!  They really go all out around here.  And it was perfect weather for trick or treating for our little ninjas.