We got invited to tromp along on the annual Hulbert creek walk this year. I think I may have had as much fun as Caden which is saying something. Their property is beautiful, the weather was perfect, and what mom doesn't love watching her little boy do what all boys should get to do...get dirty.Caden has turned into a major mommy & daddy's boy since our move. I'm sure our new friends wouldn't even believe me if I told them he used to actually interact with other kids. He was basically in this position the ENTIRE time. Super fun for me. They say I'll miss it when he'd rather be with his friends so I'm embracing the constant embracing. Some days more than others.When I walked out the door Bryan made some snide comment about me being hot. Deal with it honey. You brought me to the country, you gave me two male children, and you even bought me the muck boots for Christmas. The pink hoodie is about as hot as it gets.There were quite a few casualties along the hike. I'm the mean aunt that laughed and took pictures. Caden was extremely concerned for Evan, "Cousin your bum is muddy. Your bum is really, really muddy. It's yucky!"

Most of the gang except for Caden, who was of course clinging to my leg.

It doesn't get much prettier than this.

We have been taking on the dreaded potty training.
The first fews days were AW.FUL!
I'm talking he'd hold it for 6 hours with me putting him on the potty every 20 minutes and then hide under the table to let it all out awful.
Today he finally ran to the bathroom himself yelling, mommy I gotta pee!
I don't think I will be any prouder the day he graduates college.

Parky Turns One.

Our sweet Parker turned one on New Years Eve. We celebrated him with a color bash. Each person came in their assigned color. We had colored cupcakes, every color of crush soda, all the colors fruit provides, and all the colors that tortilla chips come in.
{I got made fun of for my lack of color; let's just say in all the madness of getting things cleaned and ready I forgot to wash my colored shirt.} I had to take Parker in to get some shots. When the nurse saw his birth date she said, that must have been the worst New Years celebration ever. I couldn't have felt differently. It was the most memorable, special New Years I will probably ever experience. At his party we did an exact count down to the moment Parker was born. As we counted down from ten I couldn't finish because I was so overwhelmed at the amount of joy this precious little boy has brought to our home. Truly, I am so blessed to be his mother. One of the games we played was Parker or Caden. I constantly {at least twice a week} get asked if they are twins. This baffles me since Parker is about 1/2 Caden's size and has zero hair but they do look alike. Here's a sample. :)

One.Two.Three.Four.Five.Bryan came up with the brilliant idea of getting a colorful parachute as one of the party games. Seriously, I felt like we were in pre-school again. It was fantastic! Seriously. :)Parker got to sit in the center and get paraded around. He looked like he felt pretty important.
We even got some sliding action going on.

The party turned out exactly as we'd hoped. Parker is one lucky boy to be surrounded by so much family love near and far. And we are one lucky family to have him.

Provo firefighters still fighting tabernacle fire (Gallery Viewer)

The Provo tabernacle, the building that held my husband's graduation ceremony, burned down last weekend. It was a beautiful pioneer building from the 1800's. After the firefighters were able to go into the destroyed building they found this painting...

ksl.com - Provo firefighters still fighting tabernacle fire (Gallery Viewer)

What a beautiful reminder that our Savior, Jesus Christ, is always there; His light always giving hope amongst tragedy. I am so grateful, especially during this Christmas season, to know of our Savior's birth and perfect life. I am filled with gratitude that he willingly came into this world in the humblest of circumstances and descended below it all for each of us. As awful as losing this building is, what an incredible reminder of our Savior during this season of his birth.

More Christmas Magic

Day 8: Wrapped presents. Printed more cute Christmas tags from West Elm.

Day 9: Button wreath ornaments. {Thank you Kristen and Martha.} Not very festive colors but I was not making another trip to Michaels for buttons.Day 10: Ward Christmas Party. Caden was so excited to see Santa but as soon as he got up to his seat he was climbing Bryan like a tree to get away from him.Day 11: Burke Junction's Christmas train ride with Larsen's. Which somehow ended in a balloon sword fighting match.Day 12: Gifts to Jesus. I had read this idea on my friend Kami's blog and immediately wanted to do it. Apparently I got overly excited about it and didn't read the whole discription about giving your gift to Jesus on Christmas morning. Whoops, next year... This year we wrote down our gifts to him Sunday morning; They are now sitting under our tree with all the other gifts. I knew this would be a special activity but I didn't know how much the spirit would pour over our home as we wrote down the things we would be valiant in this year for our Savior. Caden was so excited as we wrote to Jesus. All on his own he said, "I go to nursery and sing songs for Jesus."
Day 13: Put together a snowman train that great-grandma bought Caden. He sat through 118 pieces. Miracle!
Day 14: Snowflakes.

My parents got 22 inches of real snowflakes Saturday. It made me homesick. Then they told me it was also 20 degrees below zero. Homesickness cured.Beginning of the day.End of the day.

My dad sent me a Christmas package and one of the items in it was a sweeeeet ornament with a picture of me from 2nd grade. I'm sure you all have one just like it. Bryan shows Caden and tells him this is mommy when she was little like you.

Caden's response: Nope, that not mommy. That's a pretty girl. A pretty skinny girl.

Wow. Merry Christmas.

{Happy Birthday to Lesley! Hope you are having a wonderful day!}

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

It's my very first Christmas without snow. Who knew it would bother me so much?!? As with most things you don't know what you've got til it's gone {...sing it with me} For me, snow has always been part of the magic of the Christmas season. Though you will not hear any complaints from me about being able to have my kids play outdoors in December, it is an adjustment as far as feeling the Christmas spirit goes. There is just something very weird about looking past your Christmas tree to lovely weather. Sun in December? Who knew that existed? It's throwing me off, so I've gone to extra lenghts this year to try and bring the Christmas spirit to our home.

I will also admit that I have been inspired by so many of my wonderful friends and all the amazing things they are doing this time of year. I've been doing one-ish Christmas themed activity per day with the boys. Here is what we've been up to:

December 1: Decorate the Tree
{This is normally the day after Thanksgiving but someone threw his back out...}

Read Llama Llama Holiday Drama

Day 2: Wreaths for the boys bedroom doors {inspired by Sutton Grace}. We also watched the classic Frosty the Snowman which has become Caden's favorite new show. Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer has a scary monster in it that he has talked about nonstop since seeing it.

Day 3: Helping Great Grandma decorate her tree

and hanging our outside lights.

Day 4: Telling Caden about Santa and coloring pictures of him and his Elves.
Me: Caden, Santa only brings presents to good boys and girls that listen to their mommy's. Caden: OHHHHHHHHH, I be GOOD!!

Day 5: Making present tags. Don't judge, we all know I'm no artist.

Day 6: Yarn Trees {also inspired by Sutton Grace} and eating Candy Canes which carried over into day 7 because Bryan was unimpressed with a single tree. I'm still working on the ornaments.

Day 7: Putting up Candy Cane's on the deck.

Lots more Christmas goodness to come! :)