Christmas Eve 2008

Our goal for the day was to wear our kids out so they would go right to sleep Christmas Eve. To help with our goal we loaded up the sleds and saucers, and headed to our favorite local hill. The kids had so much fun. Cade found the perfect jump, and I was somehow able to get a picture of him soaring through the air (so cool!).

We weren't sure how Aaron was going to respond to sledding, so we placed him on his bottom and let him slide down the hill slowely at first. After a couple of times Craig and I took turns riding down the mountain with him. He had a blast, but we were terrified.
Aaron was having so much fun, he left Craig and started climbing the hill on his own with out Craig.

I have failed as a mother!

I took my kids out to enjoy a fun filled afternoon in the snow. While I was enjoying our new four wheeler, and plowing the snow, I told Cade to build a snowman; his response was I don't know how. I am so sorry Cade, I don't know where we went wrong. We then had a lesson on how to roll a snowball. I could have swore we have built a snowman in the past, but he was clueless today!

Cade's first mega snow ball. It was so big we couldn't roll it one inch further.
Aaron has been a little skeptical about the snow. He still hates to get snow on his shoes. But with all the recent storms he is learning to enjoy the cold winter weater. When he sees it snowing outside he says "no, no" leaving off the s. It is so cute to hear his little words come out.

The amazing mind of a two year old!

Aaron is two! On Friday we invited my parents over for a small birthday celebration. Aaron loved opening all the presents except for ONE. First I have to give you a little background knowledge. When Matthew was little, our Uncle made Matthew this amazing horse that all the grandchildren love, including Aaron. Everytime we visit Grandma's house, the children fight over who gets to ride the horse first. My Dad decided to make a replica for Aaron's birthday.

On Aaron's birthday my mother covered Aaron's eyes and surprised Aaron with a horse just for him. Who would have guessed the reaction that we received that night. Aaron was terrified of the horse, and would not come within 5 feet of it. The funny thing is, he has loved the horse at grandmas house for over a year. But since Aaron's birthday he will not get close to the horse. Cade has been able to slowly coax him into riding the horse with Cade on the other side. And just last night we caught him riding it solo for the first time since his birthday. However, he would only stay on the horse for a few seconds and then jumped off and ran away. I just cannot figure out what must have been going through his head. He was seriously troubled by the horse, or maybe it was the fact that it was in the wrong house. What ever it was we will never understand the mind of a two-year-old.

Aaron was with us when we bought this little guitar. He played with it while we did the rest of our shopping, but then it miraculously disappeared until a couple of weeks ago when Aaron found it again in our closet. When I went to take it away from him again to save it for his birthday he was extremely mad. It is just so hard to be two.

Not Your Time Yet Matthew!

Today I got one of those frightening phone calls saying that Matthew was in a car wreck. Mom and Dad were on their way back from Rexburg and wanted me to go to the hospital with him. My first thought brought back all the fear and anxiety of 18 years ago, when my 16 year old cousin was killed in a car wreck. I remember the night like it was yesterday. My parents and older sister rushed to Idaho to be with my aunt and her family. I was left home to tend Katie and Kim. I was terrified and could not believe that God would take Doug at such a young age. As I look back I truly believe that God had greater plans for Doug than this life.
When I arrived at the hospital tonight our good friend Michelle was there and offered to take my kids while we waited for mom and dad to show up. Thank you Michelle.

The story goes Matthew and his good friend Colton were driving back from grandma's and fell asleep at the wheel. While asleep he swerved into the oncoming lane. A truck tried to get out of the way but ended up hitting Matthew. The driver of the truck rolled his truck, and in the process another car tried to get out of the way and was hit by the truck. Somehow, miraculously everyone walked away with only minor scratches and bruises. Everyone was wearing their seat belts!!!! The blessing of a seat belt. The only injury was, Matthew received a head wound caused by the blow of the airbag. What a relief. It was definitely not your time yet.

Walking in Granpa's Shoes

Aaron loves shoes, and when he saw grandpa's shoes laying around he just could not resist. The boots were taller than his little legs, but he was determined to try them on. Once he got them on he could barely move and his little butt looked so cute hanging over the back of the boots.

I also bought him some cute new gloves for the winter, he is such a two year old and had to wear the gloves and the boots. What ever makes him happy!

Aaron was being a little tease, one minute he is posing for the camera the next minute he is camera shy. What a goof!

Cade wanted to try on Grandpa's boots too. Aaron was being a little selfish and was quite mad when Cade went to put them on. This picture is of Aaron trying to pull the boots off Cade's feet.

Hiding from the camera.

Posing for the camera.

44 Odd Things about me!

1. Do you like blue cheese? No way
2. Did you ever smoke? Never
3. Do you own a gun? Nope
4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite? Black Cherry
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? I never go, so I wouldn’t know
6. What do you think of hot dogs? Prefer not to eat one
7. Favorite Christmas movie? Miracle on 34th street
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Water
9. Can you do push ups? Probably not
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? Alexandrite ring
11. Favorite hobby? reading
12. Do you have A.D.D? no
13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? I’m addicted to sugar
14. Middle name? No middle name
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment. I’m craving chocolate, wishing I would get motivated to exercise, and wondering when I will get my grades finished.
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Water, water, water
Hey, where did #17 go? I didn’t take it…
18. Current hate right now? A hateful parent, who is going to destroy her son. So sad!
19. Favorite place to be? In bed, with the heater running and reading a good book.
20. How did you bring in the New Year? Sleeping in my bed.
21. Where would you like to go? Europe
22. Name three people who will complete this? ????
23. Do you own slippers? No, but I want some
24 What shirt are you wearing? An ugly grey sweater
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No, but I love Egyptian cotton sheets
26. Can you whistle? no
27. Favorite color? Yellow
28. Would you be a pirate? No, I hate the open ocean
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? Christmas carols
30. Favorite Girl's Name? Not telling, what if we have a girl
31. Favorite boy's name? I still love Cade
32. What's in your pocket right now? I am in my jammies...no pockets
33. Last thing that made you laugh?
35. Worst injury you've ever had? Broke my wrist
36. Do you love where you live? I love being next to my family, but not the exact location of my house.
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? one
38. Who is your loudest friend? Kathy Baker
39. Do you have any pets? Not at the moment
40. Does someone have a crush on you? Hopefully Craig
41. Your favorite books? I loved Gone With the Wind and Scarlett
42. Favorite Sports Teams? I hate sports
43. Favorite thing to cook? Peanut butter balls, and fudge
44. What song do you want played at your funeral? Remember When.

Birthday Birthday, does it ever end?

Over the years we have stayed in contact with Cade's birthmother and her family. We love them as if they were our own and cannot wait for the day that we will all be together once again. This year they blessed Cade's life once again by showing him that he is loved by more people than he even realizes. You should have seen the look on Cade's face when his dad walked through the door with more presents for his birthday. Thank you Mark and Tonya for helping make this such a special birthday for Cade.

Aaron sat very patiently while Cade was opening his presents. Only a few more weeks Aaron and then it will be your turn.

Typical eight year old!

Cade loves Legos and will spend hours in his room building all sorts of different projects. Craig grew up on Legos and I think Craig was more excited about Cade's new Legos then Cade was.

Cade's favorite gift was the Diary of a Wimpy kid journal. Since he recieve the Diary he has brought it with us everywhere we go. He loves the stories and has already filled out most of the small questions.

Aaron and Hats

Aaron has always loved hats and has now claimed Cade's new birthday hat.

Christmas Village

It has been a few years since I set up our Christmas village, but this year I thought I would give it a try once again. Craig said I was crazy because he thought Aaron would break something, but as it turns out Aaron is simply fascinated by all the lights and little people. Aaron loves to sit and look at the village and is very careful not to touch anything.

My Christmas village began when we were first married. I had a lot more time on my hands and hand painted many of the houses and people. My favorite thing to do each Christmas is turn off the lights and look at the village. It is so peaceful and brings a great amount of joy to my life and now my children.

Cade was in charge of arranging the elves this year, and each time I look at the village they are in different places. Sometimes I find them on top of houses, in trees or hiding behind the villages. I guess they are just doing their job of watching all the little ones.

No More Shoveling!!!

OK Ginger and Dave, we are slowly converting. I have to say I had a lot to do with our recent purchase. Last year as each major snow storm hit, somehow miraculously, Craig left on a trip. I spent the entire winter shoveling our driveway. By the end of the year I was determined to by a 4-wheeler. Thank you Craig, I no longer have to shovel snow, and you and the boys can have all the fun you like riding your new toy.

Cade and Aaron in Cade's new helmets. Safety first, even though they won't be riding until spring.

Apples, Apples, Please no more Apples!

A couple weeks ago we found a lady in our area that was giving away free apples. We just could not resist free food, so we loaded up the family and threw a few ladders in our truck and set off to pick some apples. Dad was a little over zealous and did not want to leave until all the apples were picked. We finally had to drag him away. After only a small incident with dad sliding down a hill and kinking his neck we headed home to can and dry our apples.

This picture is Cade's idea of helping with the apples. Cade was a great help and I don't think I could have done it without him. He would peel the apples while I cut, cooked dinner, and took care of Aaron. It was quite a chore, but we now have enough apples to keep us alive for quite a while.

Halloween Night

After a mad rush home from work, shopping at the grocery store, and cooking dinner, we somehow managed wrap Cade and get out the door by 6:00. It is amazing what team work can accomplish. Cade looked absolutely mummified in his costume.

After a long night of trunk r treating, and visiting with Grandma, we realized that Cade was not feeling well. Come to find out he had the flu, but did not want to tell anyone until after we were finished. When we arrived home he was so sick, we ended up putting him in bed with us. It was a sad way to end Halloween

Trick r Treating with Aaron was so much fun! At first he was very unsure of what to do, but after a few visits he quickly realized that there was candy to be had.

Stinky Cade

After our trial run of Cade's costume for Grandmas party, we quickly realized that the mummy costume was not going to work for the school parade. My family has a skunk costume that has been around for as long as I can remember. Cade went to school as a stinky skunk. Unique but adorable. What a goof!

More Pictures From the Halloween Party