On the 3rd Day Of Christmas.

First off, I have to include some pictures from our last adventure on Wednesday night - technically before the 25 days of Christmas started... we just couldn't help ourselves, so we went to Newgate Mall for a trip on the train and Lee's Mongolian BBQ.  Aiden loves the train and loves Lee's.  It is our favorite dive eatery with the BEST food.  Ever.

Let me just clarify.  Aiden LOVES egg drop soup.  Loves egg rolls.  Loves any food that is not traditional Kid food (except the occasional Mac & Cheese...)  What a great kid.

BUT... tonight, we did a fun new tradition.  The local burger joint sponsors hay rides through the Layton City lights.  Aiden loves these lights and we go see them nearly every night in the warmth of our own car, but this was a wagon ride with proceeds going to the local homeless shelter, so we couldn't resist.

Tell me that this is not spitting image of his cousin, Bridger...

oh, how Mom looks tired.  Oh, yeah.  I am.  Played for a wedding today, sick, and homework-ridden. A bit tired and looking old and weary.  Good thing my date is a hottie...

AND a happy, happy birthday to Grandma Sharon today!!

25 days of Christmas!!!

This year, we are DETERMINED to have the Christmas Spirit.  We have been Ho Ho Ho'ing for a couple weeks already and practicing our Jingle Bells.  Aiden almost has all the words down and we are going to ROCK the caroling this year.

Last year, we did a 25 Days of Christmas Sprint in December and it was wonderful.  This year, we changed up things just a bit, but the idea is the same.  This year we added a story to the evening's great adventures as well as a movie, activity or other fun thing.  So, may I present to you... the 25 days of Christmas.

Day 1 - There is only one way to start off the holiday season - Gingerbread Herb Tea and Muppet Christmas Carol.  And, oh yeah, it was that good.

Day 2 - home made ornaments and classic Christmas cartoons on Netflix.  These are really cool ornaments and really super easy.  Aiden helped with most of them before he dashed off to - what else - play with his trains.  

Oh, and by the way, he absolutely refuses to have his picture taken.  Sorry his cute little mug is nowhere on this page.  We will try again tomorrow.  

We Gather Together...

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday for myself.  I love cooking super fancy things and gathering with my family for an evening of fun.  This year did not disappoint.  I was able to cook a rocking turkey (herb and butter and citrus which was amazing as a gravy...), yams, green been casserole with fresh beans and very very yummy cream, 2 pies, homemade rolls, and a whole lot of other great stuff.

I had Smedleys over to the house and Chris was able to come home from Lehi to join us.

After cooking all morning, Aiden and I went to the park.  He really did have a great time and we played until noses ran and our turkey was calling to be basted.

This how Aiden spent most of Thanksgiving dinner.  NOT eating, but playing with his Ipad.

Ah.  Dinner.  You were divine.

We have all the folks here except one.. Jessica spent her first holiday away from home at the MTC.  She is doing such amazing things, but we miss her.  TERRIBLY.

I love this expression on Kelly's face.  He was such a trooper to put up with our dysfunction for an evening.  

Classy.

And classier still...

We loved having Kelly over as well.  He is so freaking hilarious with Aiden.  

What would Thanksgiving be without a little football?

I loved, loved, loved having this day with my family.  I started out cooking the night before and finished a lot of it with the help of the Smedley girls.  Then, the next day, we finished up and went to the park.  We had dinner at 6:30pm (which is actually dinner time...) and enjoyed games and laughs for many hours.  

 

Thomas. Always Thomas.

Aiden's favorite song... Down By the Docks.

Notice that he sings every word - but you may not understand it.  

Except the part where Aiden sings (not the real words...):

Down by the docks.

You're never on your bum.

Down by the docks

You're always home from bum.

True boy.  Through and through.

Oh, and the reason he says hi to Jess is because we will be sending this video to our new missionary in the field.  

Hello Goodbye

Saying goodbye is the hardest thing to do.  Especially when someone you love is going for a long time to do something very good and very hard.  I find it hard when a 2-year-old doesn't understand that he won't see someone every day that he has been used to seeing since the moment he was born.

Jessica is Aiden's cousin and literally has been there with Aiden from the moment he was born.  She was the first to watch him all day while I flew to Dallas for a job interview - he was 5 weeks old.  She has been there at the hospital for him 3 times... she has been beside him for his best and greatest moments.

She is leaving tomorrow for Rome, Italy for 18 months to be a representative of the Lord as an LDS missionary.  And I will miss her more than I can say.

Today she took Aiden for a "date"... lunch, the park, and a nap together.  She is such an amazing cousin.  They spent the day and evening hanging out.  When I came to pick him up, it was goodbye since we won't be seeing her tomorrow.  We all cried and Aiden wondered why Jessica was crying.  I think that made it harder.  He doesn't understand, but we will make sure he doesn't forget....

Oh, crap.  Now I am crying again.

It doesn't get any better...

The end of a day.  The end of a season and here we are marching steadily to the end of another year.

It doesn't get any better than this.  Better than today.  Nothing.  Better.  Period.

Filling my Soul/Emptying my Soul

Last night, I had the best sleep I have had since Mister was born nearly 2 1/2 years ago.  And this morning I am sad about it.  My normal sleep routine is to put Mister to bed around 8pm, if we are lucky, study or fold laundry, or dishes, or the myriad of other things that must be done to keep a house a home.  Then, bed for me around midnight or 1am.  By that time, Mister has crawled in my bed, sometimes after crying and wandering in for comfort, sometimes stealthily sneaking in before I can notice.  Either way, he is there and thus begins our in-the-dead-of-night ritual.  I am precariously positioned in the far 1/8th of my bed - he the Human Snow Angel, moving, twisting, flailing, and alligator-rolling all night long.  Then, up by 6am and on the go.

Last night was different.  Aiden had a sleep-over with his cousins because I was at symphony rehearsal with a new orchestra.  For some people, a good run fills their souls and for others a beautiful sunset.  For me, a good strong rehearsal and playing in the middle of simultaneous magic is one of the most spiritual experiences for me. I have played with several symphonies in the last 10 years, but this one is different.  Fantastic conductor, professional musicians, horrible chairs, but amazing cohesion like we were all meant to play together - not to mention great music.

It filled my soul.

But, when my soul is filled with this amazing experience, it also empties just a little because I didn't get to be with my Monkey during the tender moments of day's end.  It is what I love above anything else.

In the end, I realized that there is a part of me that is not defined by Aiden and that is a little difficult for me to handle.  While I love him more than my own life, there is a part of me that feels guilty about having interests that are outside of his sphere.  But for a short time - three rehearsals and a concert - it will be worth it.  Because before there was a "we" there was a "me" and it is about time I remembered that, even if it nearly kills me.