The Polar Express

On Christmas Sunday, Sheldon's Tummy Mommy and Tummy Sister went to church with us. Our congregation is very musically talented and has a full orchestra and choir. After the main service Katie and Tyler went to class while the rest of us were naughty and skipped class so we could snuggle on Sheldon. During the last hour Sheldon slept in Annie's arms so I could teach the lesson.

When we got home the kids played and watched The Polar Express while dinner was made. I'm really bummed I didn't get a single picture of the kids together.

 We had my personal favorite meal: Buttermilk Brined Porkchops and Butternut Squash.  I never thought I'd meet someone who could eat more butternut squash than Tyler and this momma. But I'm pretty sure little Katie did.

After dinner the kids got bundled up in their PJs and we headed out in the suburban with hot cocoa, cookies, and personalized Polar Express tickets.

 Chris was the conductor and even punched the tickets.

 The kids watched the The Polar Express DVD while we drove to different houses to see Christmas lights.

 I'm glad I don't have to pay the electric bill at this house.

 Of course we saved the best house for last...ours.

Poor Annie hasn't spent 8 straight hours with us since she was in labor. I hope she had as much fun as we did. We are so blessed to have an open adoption.

We're in the Holiday Spirit

Tyler is in the school choir and performed in the Holiday Sing Along Assembly on Tuesday the 18th. It was a school wide pajama day AND it snowed the night before. That explains Tyler's outfit and boots. :) I taught my friend's 3rd graders on Monday and Tuesday. That meant I got paid to eat lunch with Tyler both days and watch his assembly. He held my hand as we walked to the cafeteria and always planted a kiss right on me in front of all his friends without any request from me. Sniff! Sniff! I'm soaking it up while it lasts.

 

 

Tyler and Chris decorated the house and yard with lights. Sheldon had fun watching from his crib.

 

 

As any good Christian knows, the best way to teach your children the true meaning of Christmas is to let them teeth on baby Jesus and pound one of the Wise Men repeatedly on the coffee table. This is most effective when they are only wearing a diaper. 

 I'm not sure how we lucked out, but both kids did fabulous sitting on Santa's lap.

 

When I saw the photo of Tyler and Sheldon on Santa's lap I immediately thought of this cartoon from Facebook. I think this Santa might have had a cookie from Washington State.

 I told Tyler he could get a treat from the food court after we were done with photos. He asked if he could jump on this trampoline instead. Um...same price, no sugar involved, and it wears the kid out...SOLD!! Check out those snazzy back flips.

Of course the stoned Santa at the mall was ten times better than the Santa that was boozing it up at the upper level lodge at White Pass on Christmas Eve. Chris said by the looks of his teeth he likes meth even more than beer.

I had to remind Chris that just because someone is wearing a Santa suit doesn't mean it is OK to let him near my son.

Learning to Crawl

Trying to figure it out.

Sheldon's first official crawl on November 18th - 8 1/2 months old. We just got home from church. I had changed his diaper and taken off his church clothes. Now that he is on the move, changing his diaper and dressing him is like a wrestling match :) So this is not an uncommon sight.

He loves to pull himself up to everything. Nap time has become a 3 ring circus. Who wants to sleep when you can pull yourself up and check everything out. The photo below was taken on my cell phone on November 16th. His first nap is at about 9:30. This photo was taken at 11:30 and not a wink of sleep. When Chris got home Tyler helped him lower the crib.

This cell phone photo was taken on November 23rd. It got quiet really quick so I peaked in his room and this is what I found :( Fortunately at bedtime he usually goes straight to sleep and in a much more comfortable position.

The Soggy Christmas Tree Hunt (Draft)

December 1st - We were pleasantly suprised that the weather outside didn't match the weather man's prediction of 90% chance of rain ALL day. We actually saw a bit of sunshine. So we busted out the rain boots and bundled Sheldon up in countless layers. I really wanted the boys to wear Santa hats so Chris got down all the Christmas tubs. Unfortunately we only found Tyler's big Santa hat and couldn't find his infant sized one. Since Tyler couldn't match his brother he asked if he could wear his new coon skin hat.

 Every year we head to Clyde and Dales Christmas Tree Farm where a horse-drawn trolley takes you to your tree and back to the gift shop.

Trolley Ride 

 We found the large "family tree" for the living room first then continued to hunt for the smaller "kids tree" for the family room. At this point, we had lucked out and only had a few sprinkles.

Tyler looked and looked until he found the perfect one. Sheldon approved of his first Christmas tree.

Tyler insisted that he cut his tree all by himself. He wanted to be like Billy Coleman in Where the Red Fern Grows. This explained the coon skin hat.

While we were patiently waiting the weather turned very soggy. Thirty minutes later while we all stood in the rain the tree finally fell.

 Tyler was so proud of himself. The look on his face made it all worth it.

 By this time, it was dumping buckets. I headed back to the gift shop with Tyler and Sheldon on the trolley. When the trolley driver saw the tree Chris was staying behind to saw down he offered to bring back a chainsaw.

Sheldon and I warmed up in the gift shop by the wood burning stove and Tyler headed back in a tractor with a chainsaw in the bucket. Sheldon's feet aren't really this big. He had so many layers on his size 3 shoes wouldn't fit so I found a pair of size 5.

 Before we left, Tyler had to get a photo with Spencer the black lab. Our beloved black lab, Shelby, died last Thanksgiving. Our yellow lab, Cody, died when Tyler was six. We miss them both something terrible and Tyler can't wait to get a new labrador puppy. With two babies 14 months apart and a police dog that lives with us, it won't be anytime this coming year.

This video is from 2011 but Tyler wanted me to include it. Just another reason why we love this place and keep coming back even though the trees are quite spendy.

Thanksgiving

Aunt Sara, Dalton, & Tyler 

Sheldon and Grandpa

Elizabeth making Banana Cream Pie

Sara found a cute idea that we decided would be our new family tradition...Turkey rolls. Check them out on the dinner table.

Uncle Rick

 My sister Katie set up a Gratitude Table. The kids stamped cards for everyone. Such a clever idea.

Check out the spread and those adorable rolls that look like turkeys. Katie and Rick know how to throw a party.

Sara, Dalton, and Curt.

 Grandma, Dalton, Tyler, and Elizabeth

What's Thanksgiving without football. We brought Sheldon's two favorite toys: his ball and blocks. He loves it when we build towers and he knocks them down.

 Sheldon and Rosie the dog

Aunt Katie playing with Sheldon. I can't believe I didn't get a single photo of her in the kitchen :(

Time to wear the kids out.