During the Christmas break, Darren (with the help of his best firend Darin) took Trevor and two of our nephews tubing at Snoqualmie Pass. They had such a great time. Here are some of the highlights from their trip in picture form.
Click to enlarge the picture
I just have to make one quick comment about this last picture. One of the perks of having a boy is that they are pretty good at just going off someplace and peeing in the woods. After going pee Treovr didn't come back and so Darren asked him what he was doing and Trevor responded that he was in his beautiful place. He told Darren that it was his beautiful place because the trees looked pretty with all the snow on them.
Three years ago today, after a very long and scary labor Trevor was born and my life has never been the same.
Here is a list of things I love about Trevor...
His wit. A couple weeks ago he told me that I didn't like apple cider like he and daddy did because I don't have a penis.
How affectionate he is not only physically, but he frequently tells me, "Mommy, I love you".
His talkative nature. Sometimes it drives me crazy that he talks so much, but most of the time it is nice to be able to have a conversation with him.
The stink-eye. That frowny, skeptical look he gets when he is either displeased or unsure about something.
His perfectionist tendencies. Trains go in the yellow bin, trucks in the blue, etc.
He has started climbing in bed with me when he wakes up in the morning and we get 10-15 minutes of snuggle time before he says, "Mom, I want breakfast".
His imagination. Quite frequently I will hear tales of his encounter with a bear or how his toy spilled a glass of milk and had to clean it up.
He loves to read books and that makes my heart glad.
Lately, Trevor has been enjoying playing a computer game called "Plants vs Zombies". It is adorable to watch him clicking away with the mouse and hear him talking about the zombies.
Because Trevor will be three years old by January 1st, he has officially graduated from Nursery and is moving up to Primary and will be a Sunbeam starting this Sunday. Last Sunday they had a little graduation ceremony, complete with Sunbeam necklaces and graduation caps. I got a tear in my eye when I saw him in his cap.
All during the month of December the big kids have been visiting Primary during singing time to get a feel for how Primary works. Trevor has learned a lot of new songs, "Once There Was a Snowman" is his favorite.
Last night before bed I gave Trevor a haircut fit for a birthday celebration. He insisted that I take a picture of his "handsome new hair".
Two months ago we went to IKEA and I told Trevor that he could go play in the balls. I knew you had to be potty trained to go into the Kid's Club, but I didn't know that you also had to be at least three years old. He was heartbroken and has been talking about going to IKEA for his birthday ever since. Today his wish came true when my sister-in-law and my best friend joined us for a birthday date and lunch at IKEA.
Three years old today my life became infinitely more: more joyful, stressful, hilarious, loud, and best of all more perfect. Trevor you are a stinker and a delight. I love how you help me set the table for dinner and get diapers for Austin. You make me proud to be your mom and I love you bunches.
On Christmas Eve, Austin turned 8 months old. This month he has really started to babble and use his voice to show his pleasure and often his displeasure. He also likes to mimic Trevor when he is screaming/yelling. Some times he gets so into talking that if he is sitting he falls over...
He is still super smiley and besides grinning at people his favorite past times include chewing on things (he's not picky either; he'll chew on anything he can get into his mouth), kicking his feet, jumping, rolling over the second I put him on his belly, and talking, like I mentioned above.
Austin seems to have little interest in rolling or crawling to get things that are out of his reach. I'm pretty sure this is my fault since I don't give him enough time each day to practice. In my defense, Austin does have a sneaky and mischievous older brother who waits in the shadows for any opportunity to whack his brother when I am not looking. This means that Austin can only be down on the floor playing when I can be there watching.
We are still swaddling Austin at naps and bedtime. We have tried weaning him from his comforting straight-jacket, but he will have none of it!! The good news is, he will sleep up to a 10 hour stretch at night and take a 2-3 hour nap. The bad news is he is getting strong and most nights will come un-swaddled at least once and refuses to sleep unless I go in and re-swaddle him.
Happy 8 Months Austin! You are such a joy and I love watching you grow up.
**Remember 28 days ago when I said I was back....well, I lied. Hopefully now I'm back for good. The good news is that since I have been making an effort to be more present in my own life and spend more time with my husband before January 4th when school starts again, I have spent less time on the computer. Good for my family, bad for my faithful readers. In the spirit of the season, please forgive me.**
It's two days before Christmas and we have done a lot of fun things to get ready for the big day. For Family Home Evening a week ago we had another family over to make Gingerbread houses. The dads helped the boys and the moms got to make their own. By the end, I think Trevor had more candy in his belly than he did on his house, and the smile on his face tells me that FHE was a huge hit.
We also visited Santa Claus for a quick picture and the traditional telling Santa that you've been a good boy and asking for what you want most in the whole world under your tree on Christmas morning.
For Trevor is was "a HUGE Fire Engine!!" And Austin, well staring that that jolly guy in a red suit seemed present enough for him.
After church on Sunday the boys looked so cute all dressed up so a snapped a quick picture of them. **sigh** I love these little boys.
On Tuesday we took a drive up to Bellevue for Snowflake Lane. There were drummers and characters to take pictures with, free suckers and a million people. Before leaving for home Darren and I grabbed a slice of Adams Peanut Butter Cheesecake to-go.
Then, yesterday we trekked into downtown Seattle to the Sheraton hotel to see the Gingerbread house display. When you ask Trevor what we did yesterday he'll tell you, "We drove in my big truck with Grandpa Hales and Grandma Cheri and Daddy and Mommy and me and Austin to see the Gingerbread houses and I wanted to eat them all gone because I like treats and trucks and I was sooo hungry." And he'll say it just like that. One big long run-on sentence with no pause for a breath. And then when I get that dazed look in my eye and a slight smile on my face he'll say, "I talk a lot huh Mommy??" And I'll reply with a big smile, "Yes Trevor, you do."
Santa fishing from atop a candy boathouse.
The backside of the boathouse had a mosaic of the Space Needle and a sea plane and the Fremont troll carved into the side of the mountain.
This tree house was sculpted from krispy treats and was Darren's favorite.
Go Huskies!!
This was by far my favorite Gingerbread house. It was perfectly done and made me wish that I had some connection that would allow me to help build one next year.
It's been a fun month and we are all ready and excited for Christmas.
Best wishes to you all and have a Merry Christmas.
It has been a rough couple of weeks, but I am back and better than ever.
On this Thanksgiving morning I am grateful for the family and friends who have been so supportive of me. I am also grateful for modern medicine and that Heavenly Father has inspired man to create medications that helps heal our bodies and minds. I am grateful for my sweet little boys who bring joy and inspiration to my life. And for my husband who never gives up on me, as tempting as it may be at times.
In an effort to make it easier for you to keep track of me once I go private (either tonight or tomorrow) I have created a second public blog that you can add to Google Reader. The new blog is: mindynhalesupdate.blogspot.com
After I am done publishing on my private blog I will head over to mindynhalesupdate.blogspot.com and post only the title and a link. That way when you open up Google Reader you will be able to see when I have updated. It's genius right?!?
Thanks again for being such loyal readers and friends.
