23 Days before Christmas

Lest you think we forgot an activity last night... wrong.  We had the best time.  We had pizza for dinner, then watched the new movie Thomas the Tank Engine and the Merry Winter Wish.  Riveting.

Aiden has learned some new Christmas-related tricks (I know he is not a dog, but go with me here...).  We sing Jingle Bells and he rocks the "Hey!!" part really well.  Stay tuned for a video about it.  

He also knows that Santa says HO HO HO and he can almost get all of the "La" parts to Deck the Halls.  And for good measure he always ends the verse with a giant "Hey!" leftover from Jingle Bells.  

Yesterday I was informed that Uncle Chris has indeed purchased my little man cowboy boots from IFA.   Sadly, we will not see Uncle Chris on Christmas Day due to his working schedule in Saint George, but the boots will quite possibly be the coolest thing ever that morning.  (along with the pleather bomber jacket that he also got for Aiden).  Along with several other toys which may or may not include a Mickey Mouse something...

So what will today bring?  Stay tuned.

24 Days until Christmas

24 Days 'til Christmas!!

The Countdown has begun!

We took Uncle Chris to the Layton City lights last night.  He saw his Christmas present.  Sad face.  But he liked it.  Happy face.  

It is very hard to see Aiden in these pictures on account that he is bundled up with warm clothes, winter coat,  Fargo hat, mittens, and 2 (count em' - 2!) blankets.  

He had fun, though.  This is year two for us which makes it... a tradition!!!

He is actually saying CHEESE in this picture.  Awesome.

Ok, so we call it the Fargo hat because, in case you can't see, the hat Aiden is wearing looks like this:

Best purchase ever.

Sad, but true

Aunt Kari made the comment that Aiden no longer looks like a baby - he looks like a kid.  Even older than a toddler.  It is sad, but very true.  Mister is a little man now.  Independent, stubborn, decisive, and getting older.  Does every Mom go through this hard transition kicking and screaming like I do?

I love my little man and this stage. But it reminds me that one day he will be 16 and driving (and dating - GASP), then will be 18 and graduating from high school, then 19 and a missionary.  Then married.  Then children.

And it gets overwhelmingly lonely to think of him somewhere else besides right in my arms.  All things in their season, I suppose.  But for the moment, I will really enjoy him the way he is.

Happy Christmas Everyone

Flourish Wreath Christmas Card

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Well this is our Christmas Card.  So, sorry if you will not get one in person.  I love you anyway.  I was asked why I don't do a card with both of us, but... why?  This picture is cute enough for a whole family!

Happy Holidays
Becki and Aiden

Thanksgiving and Christmas - all in one post

Fruit Gobbler.  Ha Ha!  Cutest thing ever.  Especially when we added the dried cranberry eyes. Fun to do, more fun to eat.  Awesome Thanksgiving treat.

My sisters Kari and Jodi on Thanksgiving Day!

My turkey that I made.  All myself.  

Maple syrup, a pound of butter, brown sugar.  Mmmmm....

Aiden did not eat for Thanksgiving.  He played with Thomas and just goofed around.  All dinner long.

Then had a major meltdown pretty much the whole afternoon.

Breanna, Kelle and I made these fun leaf chips.  They were SO good.

So, this year, I decided we were going to have little toddler mitts all over the Christmas Tree.  Our tree is only four feet tall, so he can reach pretty much everything.  And that was on purpose.  The pretty decorations are put away.  In their places are legos, matchbox cars, non-breakable pretty ornaments, stuffed animals and all the toys that Aiden would ever want.

I wanted this year to be a hands-on Christmas.  Therefore, he can touch everything on the tree.  And he will. And he already has.

Christmas really is about children.  I am lucky to have mine this year.

Goodbye, Dear Friend

This is the last picture I have of Aiden with Mr. Binkie.

Last Saturday night, as we were snuggling to go to bed, I gave Aiden his binkie.  He put it in his mouth, took it out and handed it to me.  That was that.  He doesn't want it now, so... goodbye, Mr. Binkie.

Mom is slightly sad.  It means that Aiden can choose for himself about what he wants and doesn't want.  He doesn't want a binkie anymore.

So there.

On a lighter note, Aiden has been so stinkin' funny while I have been cooking for Thanksgiving dinner for 2 days.  

Watching Thomas

Making Gobble Gobble noises

Found Mom's nasal spray in her purse.  AWESOME pic!!!

Live and let "thleye"

Friday started off with the most spectacular sunrise.

Before the snow fell, we had to get in one more trip to the "thleye" (slide) at the park.  Friday afternoon we enjoyed a bitter, bitter cold playground date.  Aiden was elated.  Mom's cold fingers finally brought the fun to an end.  Then we went home and made cookies.  See the adventure below.  Awesome.

Awesome blue getup!

Elison Park has the cutest big phone.  Aiden loves to push the buttons like he is dialing a phone.  A really, really old-fashioned phone.  My cell phone looks nothing like this...

Giving Mom the silent treatment after being torn screaming from the playground.

If you look carefully, you will see the sugar from the cookie-making all over the counter.  Not a grain made it into the bowl.  It was awesome.  I had to sit down from laughing so hard.

Aiden would NOT eat the cookies.  He wanted his favorite treat - corn.

What a weirdo.