Some Christmas 2013 Pics!

Lots of power tools for this little boy this Christmas!

Jack by Grammy's tree Christmas Morning!

Ready to work!

Taking a little break

A horsey from Grandma and Grandpa Neighbors! "Oreo" :o)

Uncle Skylan

Silly Grandpa

Best Buds

Brushing his teeth- he's a big boy now you know. haha!

Where's your legs?!!

Sweet Little Face and all the girls are jealous of his pretty blues and long eyelashes!

Mama and Boy

Loves for daddy

We really want to be independent and put our own shoes on these days... he found some he can put on and off himself! haha!

17 Months Old!

We are in full blown toddler mode over here! (Well, we have been for months now I guess!) I'm pretty sure we are hitting the terrible two's early. Does every parent say that? Ha! Probably.
Jack has always been a stubborn booger but MY GOODNESS he can throw a fit with the best of them these days. And sometimes for the most ridiculous of reasons. Let's face it... to the parents, it's always ridiculous. For instance, he had a cup with a little bit of pop (gasp!) in it. I'd asked him to sit on the floor if he was going to drink it and he did. But he tried to get up and was going to spill it since he didnt want to put it down to stand up and as soon as he started to move I grabbed his hand to help him. Oh MY mistake dude. Full on toddler meltdown. Complete with running around in circles screaming and crying. Kicking things. You just have to laugh. Whew. I've been meaning to do a post about "Why Jack Cries". I started one morning taking pictures of everytime he cried over something. But it started right as he got out of his crib and had to get is diaper change. End of the world. Followed by me giving him water. My bad. Then I think I blinked. Whoops. Haha! I didnt get very far with that. :)

Anyway, back to what I really wanted to talk about. My 17 month old little boy! Despite toddler destructive mode- he is quite the little charmer, completely utterly adorable, and my heart.

• You have 5 teeth. World's slowest teether! Three top and two bottom.
• You are constantly babbling. You're trying hard to make out real words and sounds though!
• You LOVE dancing and have some seriously good moves
• You're pretty darn good at kicking your soccer ball
• You are starting to show interest in using the potty
• You're stubborn as all get out
• You get diaper rashes SUPER easy and we've had to get prescription cream for you
• Reeses peanut butter candies are one of your favorites right now
• You are still attached to your binky...and your blankey
• You drink 2.5 bottles of milk a day
• Last month you finally made the full on switch to whole milk only
• You take 2 naps a day still. One at 10/10:30 and one at 2:30. 
• You sleep from about 8:30/8:45-between 7-8am
• You understand everything we say to you now
• You love to help cook
• You love anything to do with working outside or working with tools
• You're still obsessed with Oreo, your uncle Justin's horse
• You weigh 24 lbs
• You're in 18 month clothes

St. Nicholas Day!

My family has always celebrated St.Nick's day on December 6. This is the day we get our stockings and celebrate the season of giving, the spirit of Christmas, and prepare for Jesus birth! A lot of people dont understand this holiday- they dont understand St. Nicholas and who he was, or believe he was a real person because of how we portray "Santa Claus" today.  But he was a real person, he was a saint in fact, who helped restore faith and hope to many people during his day and was best known for giving gifts or money to those in need. He was also persecuted for his faith. "Santa Claus" originated in America and is in fact a form of St. Nick which came from some Dutch men who called St. Nicholas Sinterclaus. You can read all about his story here and can find much about the story of St. Nick out there!

Christmas time is such a special time. I love EVERYTHING about this time of year. I get really irritated with people who are "scrooges" about the holidays. I will tell my children about St. Nicholas, how he was a giving man who followed Jesus commands to love one another and help those in need. They will know he was real. They can believe in our modern day Santa Claus and all the spirit and magic that comes along with BELIEVING in something. It will not be a big deal when they find out "Santa" and his flying reindeer are not real. But I will always keep the spirit of Christmas alive in my house. It brings joy, it brings peace, togetherness, tradition, fun, excitement... who wouldn't want to BELIEVE in those things and have those things!

Getting and giving gifts will still be a tradition we will follow. I know some people are moving away from that these days. Handmade or not, it doesn't matter. I will teach my children that just as the wise men brought gifts to baby Jesus because they loved Him, mommy and daddy do the same for them and Christmas is a special time to show our friends and family, and also those in need, that we love and care for them too.

Anyway, that is my rant for the day. :) 

Here's some pictures of our annual St. Nick's celebration at my parents house. 

 Enjoy and HAPPY ST. NICK'S DAY!

My mom did a lovely job setting the table and making a great dinner!

I made these yummy chocolate peppermint cookies!

The kids got personalized ornaments. So cute!

Stockings!

Trying to get a picture of them by their stockings...unsuccessfully.

SOO excited! :)

So wound up he didnt know what to do with himself. haha!

Me and Izzy!

Thanksgiving 2013

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with lots of food, family and friends, and down time!

Jack helping me make deviled eggs and providing the entertainment! :)

Some of the guys hanging out watching football

Dessert table!

Daddy and Jack

Sweet Kinley

Izzy and the elf that showed up to eat dessert!

Whip cream!

Daddy preparing the turkey

Jack's helping!!

Jack ate turkey dinner twice a night for two days straight. Haha!

He was SO glad to have his Aunt Sarah and Uncle Skylan home!

Sarah and Skylan brought some friends from their school- from Switzerland and Australia. Jack made friends with them quickly!

Playing the piano with his new friend!

And of course... preparing for Christmas ended the weekend!!!!

What a toddler can do to your house...

 And this was just in one morning! 5 different rooms, 5 different messes. :)

I have been feeling unable to keep the house clean lately. I pick up a mess and there's Jack, or the dog... or let's face it, Jacob... right behind me making another one! Haha.

Such is the life I guess. A woman's work is never done right?

Christmas Wish List

Rachel Ray Cookware: 
I'm loving the fun colors and cool design! Makes cooking look more festive!


Pioneer Woman Cookbooks:
 I love cookbooks. But especially Pioneer Woman!



Custom Mineral Makeup at Noueveau Spa
 I love makeup- and really want to try the custom blended mineral makeup from a local spa! 

 

Massage
Who doesnt love a massage?!

Gift Card to Hobby Lobby
There's way too much fun to be had at Hobby Lobby! I totally need some cool custom picture frames right now and this is place to get them!




Lady Foot Locker Gear

I'm obsessed with hoodies, zip ups, and lounge pants! (Sounds sexy huh?! ha!) I'm really in need of NEW stuff. I've been wearing my same warm up pants and sweatshirts since we got married 8 years ago.