Brandon & Kyle's Christmas Greeting

No comment from the unsupportive wife.  :)

Happy Holidays

(Photo taken by Summerfly Photography)

Getting ready for Christmas

Thanksgiving

 My entire family came down and stayed at our house for Thanksgiving and I had way too much fun to take any pictures!  I hosted and put on Thanksgiving dinner and it turned out pretty good I thought.  When I think about the food items, it really shouldn't be that hard, but it's always stressful for some reason (cue two month old to take 40 minute naps all day long - perfect timing).  My family went and hiked the ASU "A" with Rachel and they had a great time.

Black Friday (officially started Thursday) was a huge success and Brandon even caught the black Friday bug.  He camped out at Target starting at 6p with my brother so that they could get a big screen tv for $300.  They store opened at 4p, but family members were also running to Walmart around midnight to help us get Rachel's Christmas gift on sale.  Cindy and I stayed home with the nursing babies and missed out on the action.  I think everyone had a lot of fun and was just happy to be together.

My family had to leave a day early because of a giant snow storm in Utah that they didn't want to drive through, but I was glad they all made it home safely.

One other thing I want to remember about this weekend, is how excited Rachel was to have Uncle Cader (age 16) sleep in her room with her.  She LOVES him and talked about it for WEEKS before.

ASU "A"

 

Here's the famous Uncle Cader

Beautiful view of our valley !

The boys took turns carrying Rachel - here she is with Papa

Uncle Kyle & Cader 

 p.s.  Moms, I'm looking for some advice if you have any experience.  Rachel has her hands in her mouth ALL.the.time. and it drives me absolutely crazy (the picture above just reminded me).  She also bites her fingernails and she's only 2.  Where'd she even learn that?  (eh hem ... me ... but that's beside the point and I'm trying to "quit")  I have tried reasoning and bribes and punishments, but it's so hard to be consistent since she is doing it all day - I can't even tell you how many times I tell her to take her hands out her mouth daily.  Gross, I know!

New BFF

Brandon's cousin, Morgan, had a business trip planned in Phoenix so his wife and daughter tagged along and we all spent lots of time together last weekend.  Allie and Rachel are the same age and after three days together, I think she found a new BFF.  They of course had their moments and both had their fair share if timeouts, but by the end, we really didn't have to intervene all that much.

On Thursday, we went to the zoo, and on Friday Leslie graciously helped me did everything to make me quite a few freezer meals (between putting down for naps and feedings, there wasn't much time for me to help).  I was so grateful for her help!    

Then we spent time with the dads going out to dinner, eating Blue Bell ice cream (yum - it's made here locally and we'll be sure to keep a half gallon in our freezer if you come visit), and then the adults stayed up super late talking and laughing.  

Rachel had her first official sleepover with Allie (we just pulled out her trundle) ... technically her first was a few weeks go with her uncle Cade, but I don't know that that counts.  They did pretty good - it was two naps and two nights!  

Brandon finished putting up our Christmas lights and in one tree, he used three different strands of lights, some blinking - some not, and it basically looks ghetto, but we think it's funny.  Morgan took it a step further and left this lovely note on our door before they left (what an honor!):  

Allie & Rachel at the zoo (age 2 1/2)

SO CUTE!

 

I could make a book of Rachel on carousels - they are one of her top 5 favorite things to do

 

Cute dads with their girls

 

Here's a great Arizona Christmas decoration :)

a ton of pics

keep scrolling down, there's a whole bunch of new pictures.  and to think i was going to go to bed early tonight.  oops.

Baby Pirate

This holiday season I've made a special effort to help Rachel understand that Christmas isn't just about Santa, but it's about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.  We've been learning about Mary & Joseph, the angel, shepherds, etc.  (Thank you, Friend magazine for providing a cute scripture tree activity this month to make it easy on me.)

While the YW President was over at my house to pick something up, Rachel randomly noticed a unique nativity scene that I had in the front room that she hadn't ever seen before.  The figurines are tall and skinny and it looks like cracked glass.  Rachel brought the Baby Jesus figurine to us and said, "Look, mom, it's a baby pirate!"

She can identify all are other nativity scenes, but is convinced this one is not Jesus, but a baby pirate (probably because she knows I'll give her a good reaction).  I think the whole "true meaning of Christmas" is going really well.  So does Sister Sibley, the YW President.

Big Man on Campus

He's already 2 months old!  Time flies.  Usually I try not to list weights on the blog, but Andrew clocked in at 15 pounds 4 ounces at his appointment, which is off the charts - more like the size of a 4 month old.  We love his chubbiness!

Remember when he was just teeny!?  I have been meaning to post all of these newborn pictures Brandon and I took of our little guy.  In fact, I was meaning to edit them and had big plans, but surprisingly, I don't have much time lately.  :)  They were all taken of him when he was 1-3 weeks old.

 

Family Pictures

We got some family pictures taken by some friends in our ward - Summerfly Photography- they're a darling family and she had a little baby boy just a couple weeks after we had Andrew.  And I remember when we moved into the ward, she stopped by to introduce herself and brought by a bag of oranges from her tree - so sweet!

The pictures were all taken at the Mesa temple and we got some taken of just our little family one day and then later got the whole Parker family together for a picture Thanksgiving weekend.  It's so beautiful this time of year ... mid 70's all this week ... which is why we live here.  Now we just have to try to convince some family that snow is overrated.  :)

Thanks again, Summerfly!!

 

 

"I Believe in Santa Claus"

I just love this story, so I wanted to share it.  It's written by Diane Adamson.

I believe in Santa Claus.

Imagine Santa.

What is he like?

He wears red.

His hair is white.

He comes in the night.

He loves little children.

He wants us to be good.

And he brings gifts.

Now imagine Jesus.

What is He like?

He wears red.

His hair is white.

He comes in the night.

He loves little children.

He knows we are good.

And He brings gifts.

Santa Claus is a symbol of Christmas.  The symbols of Christmas can remind us of the true meaning of Christmas. 

The symbols of Christmas remind me of Christ.

So, I believe in Santa Claus.

- Diane Adamson

 

Then in the back of the book, it gives scriptures that support her words and then lists all the other symbols such as the wreath, candle, gifts, candy cane, star, etc. 

The reason that I've been thinking about this is that I have a few friends who, for whatever reason, feel that they are not being truthful to their children when they try to describe who Santa Claus is (or they're not sure how it relates to Christ, the true meaning of Christmas).  And I think this book does a fantastic job tying the two together.  As a child, I had a great experience being a believer.  I think my parents probably sat me down around age 9 or maybe even 10 - my brother was two years younger than me and they talked to us about it at the same time.  I had heard children at school telling me that he wasn't real, but I just thought that maybe it was because their parents didn't believe, so their kids didn't believe or something like that.  

 

Just one more excerpt from the back of that same book by Diane Adamson ... she says, 

"Psychologists have written of the healthful benefits of encouraging children to believe in a kind and generous Santa.  Strong beliefs in Santa Claus in the tender years are said to foster traits of goodness, helpfulness, and the desire to bring joy and happiness to others.  These are all attributes of the Savior and espousing these traits inour own lives not only contributes to healthful living but also helps us to become more Christlike.  Parents are counseled to connect the modernSanta Claus with the Christlike St. Nicholas who secretly gave gifts to the poor.  By keeping the notion of Santa alive in their family traditions, parents help children learn the spirit of giving to others. 

"During the Christmas season the spirit of Christ is evident in the cheerful way people greet each other, in the generous donations to the less fortunate, in the many hours of service given, and by the increased shopping as we select gifts for others.  There is a spirit of giving and sharingin the very air that comes with no other holiday.  Santa Claus represents giving and loving and thoughtfulness to others.

"All human beings have a basic need to love and be loved.  Fantasy is a helpful way for children to feel loved and comforted.  Believing in SantaClaus brings happy feelings of love.  Children are able to transfer these feelings to the Savior who loves them more than anyone.  "We love Him because He first loved us" (1John 4:19).

"When I see the light in my grandchildren's eyes at Christmas time, when I hear stories of past Christmases fondly remembered by my children and when I see family and friends doing act of kindness without being found out, then I am very thankful that I Believe in Santa Claus."

Our family believes!  

p.s.  Brandon sabotaged my sweet, little, innocent 2 year old into thinking she wants a full-size trampoline for Christmas from Santa.  And we're going to be in Utah for Thanksgiving.  Thanks, honey!  

My week in one word: POOP

It's hard to escape it as a mother, but last week was just excessive!

1.  Rachel, Andrew and I were on a walk down the street and around the corner.  I was carrying Andrew in our baby bjorn facing forward.  We ran into the missionaries on their bikes.  They stopped to chat - Rachel just loves the missionaries.  Andrew made a big rumble in his pants (and I knew he had been saving it up for me), but I didn't think the Elders heard, so I didn't even make a face.  Then one of the Elder's looked down on the ground and said, "Ummm".  I stepped back and Andrew had quite impressively shot it out both legs and made a very large puddle of newborn, yellow-seedy poop on the sidewalk.  Then it kept dripping, once on my leg and once on my foot.  Awesome.  My favorite was when one of the Elders said, "Can we help you with anything?"  The answer is no.  I'll clean off my child's poop off the sidewalk, but thanks.

2.  Rachel and I picked out lots of toys/activities at the Dollar Store and put them in her "poo-poo prize" basket for if she goes on the big girl potty.  (Note: hoping potty training won't start until after the holidays, but I'm getting ready just in case she is)  This week she went twice (so teeny, it shouldn't have even counted) and got to pick out two poo-poo prizes.  Later in the week we were at the mall and SANTA was there and there wasn't even a line.  So we hurried up to Santa and Rachel told him that she wanted a trampoline for Christmas and then she quickly said to Santa, "And I went poo-poo on the big girl potty!!"

3.  On Sunday at church during third hour, I was invited into Elder's Quorum to see Brandon set apart.  I brought Andrew, of course, and right during Brandon's blessing Andrew let out the most disruptive noises a baby could make!  I made it through two more setting-apart blessings and then realized that this was a serious blow out and snuck out.  It was by far, the worst diaper change I have ever experienced (good thing our mother's lounge had a sink).  And then we had to go back in to hear their testimonies and all I had for Drew was a clean onesie, so we came back in - me sweating bullets and Drew in a different outfit, and with no pants or socks.  Sweet.

Pictures

Brandon made this mobile - he had something in mind that he wanted, so he busted out the sewing machine and TA-DA! The balls even come unattached so that he can play with them. 

Love this picture of my two boys

If Andrew looks concerned, it's because he probably is - although Rachel says they're best friends, Andrew's still not so sure

Rachel still talks proudly about her bed that daddy made her DAILY ... on this particular day, I found her sleeping with shoes on

My handsome little man

Just a glimmer of his double chin and fatness!  

We've been making all sorts of pumpkin desserts this month - yum!

I have about a hundred pictures of Drew with this look - yikes!