Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Abigail loves our blog. She enjoys reading and looking at all the things we post. She gets a kick out of knowing that other people look at it too. She especially enjoys knowing that her Grandma in Utah checks it. She’s often asking me to post a picture or video on the blog so Grandma can see it.

Last week Abigail had a “Winter Celebration” at school. A few other Moms and I helped the kids with various craft projects. Abigail got done early and was able to make two reindeer hats, one for her and one for Carly. When we got home the girls were running around the house singing “Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer.” When I got out the video camera Abigail immediately requested I post their little performance on the blog. I told them they had to stand still for part of it, here’s what we got:

I hope this means our girls won’t grow up to be as reluctant to perform in front of others as their parents are.

Just in the nick of time…

Abigail lost her bottom two teeth back in April.

Today she lost her first front tooth.

Glad we got those family pictures taken last month!

My Scarlett Letter

I am feeling the joy and anticipation of Christmas. The girls are so excited to spend the holiday with their cousins and Grandma. I love their excitement and look forward to spending the holiday with family. However, I’m also overwhelmed with the stress of it all. If everything else in life could stop and I could completely focus on the holiday season I’m sure I’d be filled with the Christmas spirit. Life hasn’t stopped if fact it seems to get even busier.

I inherited the curse of cold sores, my Scarlett Letter. Usually I’ll only suffer through one or two a year. They can be brought on if I let my lips get real dry or most often when I get stressed out. I just got over a doozy of a cold sore last week. Last night I felt the tingle (some of you unfortunate souls know exactly what I’m talking about). I didn’t waste any time and applied medicine immediately. (By the way this stuff is expensive $12 for 0.07 oz.) I put more on before bed and even during the night. However, I woke up this morning and my small bump had multiplied into four. I must have been dreaming of packages that didn’t make it in time and minivans sliding off Snoqualmie pass into the ravine below. My only hope is that I caught it early enough that I can keep the cluster from taking over my entire bottom lip. Tis the season to be jolly….

Family Pictures

Today I received the cd of all the pictures we had taken a few weeks ago. Here are some of my favorites.

The Shocking Truth

I teach the young women at church each Sunday and we recently finished a series of lessons about physical health. When I received this teaching assignment Justin and I looked through the topics I would be teaching and this was one of the lessons we laughed out loud about. Not because it’s a silly topic, but because I’m one of the last people who should be teaching about physical health. The three areas discussed were diet, exercise, and rest. I have serious issues with all three areas.

During the lesson I confessed that maybe if I were to exercise I wouldn’t have such a hard time getting out of bed at 7 am. One of the other leaders laughed and said “what time DO you get out of bed?!?” If she thought 7 am was bad what would she think if she really knew the truth? She continued by saying “just wait til Abigail has school in the morning.” I told her that I have thought about this situation before and truly believe Abigail could get up each morning, shower, eat breakfast, make her lunch, come give me a hug and a kiss (while I’m still lay cozy in my bed) and head out to school on her own. One of the other leaders thought this idea was hilarious and since this day had brought it up a few times. I was with her again last night and while some friends were discussing the woes of parenting she jokingly said, “And then there’s Abigail who’s going to get off to school all on her own.”

I tried to explain that I really wasn’t joking. The shocking truth is that 90% of the time Abigail does get up on her own. And sadly it’s not because she wakes up early; it’s because her Mom wakes up so late. We actually have a rule that she can’t come into my room unless it’s after 8 am. Until then, and often much later, she quietly comes downstairs, eats her breakfast and reads… sometimes for hours. If Carly wakes up they can play together, but quietly. She doesn’t usually shower before I get up, but she has and definitely would. What five year-old does that? What five year-old should be expected to?

So this morning after feeding Jason, it was 7:45 am and as I proceeded to curl back up in bed, I felt a ting of guilt. I don’t know how often this will happen, but today I was the first one up.

Last week all the young women (and leaders) made a goal for the upcoming year. My goal was to get in better physical shape. If the lesson manual is true then fulfilling this goal could help me rise and shine at a little more appropriate time.

But until then, please continue to wait till after 9 am to call me :)

Mini Man

I love it when little babies wear outfits that you’d see on an adult or teenager. I think it is so adorable. Thanks to Jason’s cousin Haden he has lots of really cute handy-downs. Yesterday Jason wore a stylin’ red sweater and corduroys to church… Thanks Aunt Tami!

Santa Claus

Every year Santa takes time out of his busy schedule to visit our neighborhood community center. Today was that special morning. The girls were so excited and knew exactly what they wanted to ask for.

Abigail was first and decided she really wanted to ask Santa for Icebreakers. I’ve never had Icebreakers before, but her two friends that she walks home from school with have. This request is typical Abigail. She’s so easy to satisfy with simple pleasures. I think Santa encouraged her to make an additional request so she said she would also like a new outfit for her baby doll.

Carly had a little larger request and asked for a play kitchen.

Jason was completely oblivious to the whole experience and had no problem visiting with Santa. Santa even commented about what a great baby he is…. we think so too.



Carly enjoying a yummy chocolate donut… I’m glad we did pictures first.

Four Months Old!

Last week marked Jason’s 4 month birthday. He went to the doctor yesterday for his check-up, here are his stats:

Weight: 16 lbs. 5.2 oz. (75%)
Height: 26.25 inches (90%)