Merry New Thanks Christmas Year

I have tried many times to write a post lately, but just have not been in the writing mood. So here we go again.

Christmas was wonderful. We got to spend it at Jason's parents' house along with Aunt Connie, Uncle Mike, cousins David & Madison, and of course Grandma & Grandpa. I don't like the focus of our Christmas to be on presents and we don't celebrate Santa so we tried this year to get just one main present for each child and a few small stocking items. I felt like we had gone overboard when we started out with a trunk full of presents from grandparents, great aunts & uncles, and all other manner of relatives and friends. I realized, however, when I saw how many presents Jason's sister's family brought with them that our trunk full was mild in comparison. It was CRAZY!

We got up Christmas morning and opened presents. Stopped to get ready for and go to church. Got home from church and opened more presents. Ate lunch and opened more presents! It was a full day of presents! I'm not saying it wasn't fun or that the presents weren't very much appreciated...I've just never seen so many presents for 4 kids and 6 adults. Haha.

We've tried not to focus on the story of Santa (and yes, we make sure to emphasize that it's a story) but to focus on the story of CHRISTmas this year since it's the first year Braxton has really been able to understand what's going on. The society we live in makes it so hard, though. Any stranger in the store that would stop to talk to Braxton would inevitably end up asking about Santa. I've never once heard anyone ask a child "Have you read the Christmas story yet?" as opposed to "Have you seen Santa yet?" or "What gifts are you giving this year?" versus "What are you getting this year?"

One of my favorite traditions is shopping at Jason's store for the Coins for Kids that they do in our town. It's like Angel Tree or any other program that helps families who can't afford Christmas. It was especially fun this year because Braxton was old enough to understand what we were doing and help pick out items. We even got a family with a 3 year old boy that he got to pick out toys for.

We had so much fun at Jason's parents house over Christmas that Jason and the boys decided to go back for his next 4 days off. So I have been at home slowly getting the house cleaned up, watching movies, and working a bit. It's been nice, but lonely. I did get to go to the temple, which is always wonderful.

I missed writing about Thanksgiving. It was a whirlwind time for us. Jason was in charge of "the event" (Black Friday) at his store as well as being the manager of several of the grocery areas so he spent a lot of time on the job. Including most of Thanksgiving and the surrounding days. The little boys and I had a nice dinner with my dad and his girlfriend, her son, daughter and their cute 11 month old girl, and Elmer and Jennie. Braxton had a ball playing with all the toys and Uncle Elmer, Jennie, and, of course, Grandpa. Easton was fascinated by a little person his size. It was the most delectable dinner fixed by my dad's girlfriend, Diane. So good. I feel fatter just thinking of it. Lol.

Elmer's girlfriend, Jennie, has been planning a trip to China to teach English. She will be gone for about 6 months and left to spend the holidays with her family, so we had a little goodbye party for her. I was quite sad to see her leave. I don't think Braxton understood that she was leaving for so long, but I'm sure he will miss her, too.

Tomorrow...or I guess since it's 12:11 am, today - our friends are having their annual New Year's eve party. I can't help but wonder what surprises and curves life will have in store this year. I'm sure there will be good and not-so-good, but I look forward to it nonetheless.

Sickoes

I was wondering the other day if most kids are sick as often as ours or if we are just unfortunate in that area. I even forget about which sicknesses we've had until I talk to some one I haven't seen for a few weeks and they ask if the kids are feeling better. (Either that or we get the doctor bill and I think "What was that visit for?") It seems that we are either getting or recovering from from stomach bug, cough, runny noses, ear infection, sore throat, etc. all the time. It sure does make me thankful for the times when we can go a whole month or even two without having anyone throw up, turning on the humidifier, or getting antibiotics.

I recently had the experience no one wants to have of running through a restaurant holding a kid hoping they make it to the bathroom before they throw up. Luckily, there was a garbage can just inside the bathroom door. Unluckily, the first wave erupted about ten steps past our table. The one good thing about throw up in a restaurant: you don't have to clean it up. Just be sure to leave a good tip. Lol.

The next day we decided to try for a simpler outing of frozen yogurt. That day the next kid decided it was his turn to try the eating establishment explosion. Luckily that one has a much tinier belly and much less...interesting, shall we say...stomach contents. We decided after that not to try eating out for a while.

We also had an incident on a long car ride. Luckily it happened as we were stopped at a gas station and we were able to get the kid out of the car for most of it. As we drove away from the gas station after getting everyone cleaned up, Braxton said "Where's my throw up?" "It's on the ground at the gas station still. We're going to let it stay there." Thankfully.

For the moment everyone seems to be doing better. No more stomach issues, no more antibiotics, no more coughs. We just pray it stays that way.

October Happenings

October was a busy month for our family. And a very important one.

One of the first things we celebrated was Grandpa Byron's birthday. Braxton and I made him a cake which ended up looking weird but tasting great. It was carrot cake (his favorite) so we made a smiley face out of raisins on it to try to disguise the fact that is looks like an exploded volcano. Haha.

We went to a reception for some friends of ours where they had a cupcake/candy table set up. Braxton rushed right over and grabbed the biggest thing he could see - a big lollipop. He sure loves candy. We got him to spread out the actual eating of it over a few days so he didn't get too much of a sugar rush, although I'm beginning to think by this point he may be immune to it. We try not to let him eat too much sugar, but I'm not sure how well we do. We don't buy it, but it seems everywhere we go he gets it. Especially this time of year.

Jason finally got a much needed vacation, though it may not have been the most relaxing. My sister and her family came to town for a visit while her husband is in between deployments in the Navy. We had a barbecue at the park where the kids could play on the toys. Good thing for uncles and grandpas to give parents a break every once in a while. Plus the kids like them better anyway. Haha.

On Saturday the 22nd our family was able to go to the St. George LDS Temple and be sealed together for all eternity. It was a beautiful, sacred occasion. We dropped the kids off in the nursery while we got ready and changed into our white clothes. When they brought the kids into the room where we were, Braxton looked at us, looked down at his white outfit and said "I look like Daddy!" Then he came and sat on my lap and looked at me and said "You look cute!" It was so precious. Easton, the sweet little thing, slept the whole time, which worked out great. We had a friend of ours who is a professional photographer take pictures outside the temple, but we haven't gotten them from her yet. I will post some when we do. Here is a picture from our camera in the mean time.

That evening we had a very nice potluck dinner with our friends and family. It was fun to be able to see each other and talk and enjoy everyone's company. And the food was great, too. ;)

I am so very thankful to have my family sealed together and to know that we can always be together as a family. I love these boys. All three of them. And am so fortunate to have them. I know that families are the center of the gospel and what this life is all about. How thankful I am for mine.

We had a great time together as a big family while Holly was here. One night we went to dinner with our family, Holly's family, Elmer and his girlfriend, Jenny. We invited my dad, but he couldn't come. Having my brother and sister together with me and not having a parent there felt like we didn't have adult supervision. I know we are the adults now, but sometimes it feels like we are still the kids. We just happen to have kids, too. Haha.

Another night we carved pumpkins all together. Not sure how I didn't end up with any pictures of all of us carving away at our pumpkins on my living room floor. Here's our pumpkin, though. Another night my dad's girlfriend, Diane, invited us over to her house for a really great dinner she made. Her and Grandpa had made the kids Halloween goodies (stickers, candy, toys) in a big soda bottle. Again, no pictures, but it was a really cool thing. They cut the side of the bottle open to get the goodies in it, then taped it up and put cute paper as a "label" of sorts so you couldn't tell it had been cut open. So Ailey unscrews the lid of her soda bottle to "pour" the things out then realizes there's no way to get them out. It was cute.

Jason and I and the boys went to Circleville for a few days at the end of Jason's vacation. It was super cold (at least to us St. George folks) and Braxton had to stay inside most of the time. We did, however, discover that he will spend hours sitting in one spot if he has Grandma's homemade playdough and the "playdough toys" (cookie cutters, rolling pins, and of course, a car to drive through it). I finally decided that we should put the playdough away for a while so that his legs wouldn't atrophy. Haha. Plus it was afternoon and he was still in his jammies. (Not that that's so unusual for us.)

Of course, October wouldn't be complete without the much anticipated last day - Halloween. In looking for costumes online for Braxton he decided he wanted to be Thomas the Train. I found a whole bunch of great homemade costumes like this one, and was going to try my hand at making him one, but Jason said there was a very simple one at Walmart for $10. So I decided that would be easier (and probably smarter for a 2 year old who may or may not feel like cooperating when Halloween night comes). Braxton was so excited to put on his "Thomas Train" outfit all month. He was a pretty cute little train, if I do say so. Not that I'm prejudice or anything.

Easton was going to be the lobster that Braxton was for his first Halloween, but it's a very warm costume and it wasn't particularly cool when we were getting dressed up. So I decided to go with our backup "adorable pumpkin" costume instead. Again, he slept through a lot of the trick or treating, but he was a cute sleeping pumpkin.

Our ward had a trick or treat block party of sorts in a cul de sac which turned out pretty well. It's more of a homey feel than our trunk or treat's of past years since we are actually in the neighborhood instead of in the church parking lot. There were some fun costumes, including this couple from "Nightmare Before Christmas". We also went to visit some friends of ours who wanted to see the kids' costumes. I told Braxton to say "Trick or Treat" when they opened the door. He got a little confused and said "Hi! Happy Halloween!" and gave them some candy out of his bucket. It was adorable.

It's been a great October, but alas, it is over. Now it's time to take down our ghouls and ghosts and put up some more subdued Thanksgiving-y decor. Jason is over the grocery and fresh areas at the store, so November will no doubt be a busy time for him. Oh, and did I mention they also gave him a "special project" of being in charge of all of the planning and execution of things having to do with "Black Friday" (which they are calling "The Event")? Ya, so we probably won't see him much at all.

All well, at least he has a job. Even if it is a crazy one sometimes. And I don't mean to make light of the fact that we are very thankful for it. I found out that a friend of mine may be moving to North Dakota because her husband (an accountant) lost his job here in town. What a nice surprise right before the holidays, huh? Not to mention that she's about 8 months pregnant. Oh, yes, we are very fortunate and thankful this November.

Bracktin Wabote Yay

That's Braxton Robert Lay for those of you who do not speak two-year-old. I've been meaning and wanting to do a post about each of the boys and their current quirks and quarries, so here is what is happening with the 2 3/4 year old Braxton.

Likes:
Thomas the Train (and Percy and any other train).
Monster truck toys.
Any toy with wheels.
Cars (the movie and otherwise).
Dinosaurs (the movie and otherwise).
Candy, soda, cupcakes, marshmallows, basically anything composed mainly of sugar.
Cereal, cheese, and occasionally broccoli.
Playing outside - especially on slides.
Stickers (thanks to Grandpa).
Making "Eaton" (Easton) laugh and kissing him and hugging him and stepping on his fingers and picking on him (hey, they are brothers).
Being read to and getting library books.
Nursery at church.
Playing in water-even just dipping toys in a cup.
Going to the church to "help" daddy.
Having Mommy help him (sometimes).
His grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins.
His Daddy.
Shredding paper.
Homemade playdough.
Painting.
Swinging and running.
Going to Daddy's store, the park, the library, the fruit stand, or most anywhere.
"Stepney".
His "fancy shoes" (black ones with spiders on them and blinky lights that he doesn't get dirty...as opposed to his "work shoes").
His bedtime routine including scriptures, Doterra oils, reading books, singing songs, and saying prayer.
"Gib O Gib" (Give said the little stream) "Dos Gambae" (Mi Dios Es Tan Grande - a Spanish song).
Doing things himself.
Telling people "I'm big. Ya. I'm a big kid." while showing them with his arm muscles how big he is.
Playing with kids.
Saying "No" & "No way".
Baths.


Dislikes:
Sitting for long periods of time (or short periods of time) especially at the table when it's time to eat.
Getting teeth brushed! (Every night is a battle. We don't even try in the mornings usually.)
Taking naps. (They usually end up happening VERY late if at all. Or we go for a car ride if mommy wants it to happen.).
Anyone besides mommy helping him with something. (Sometimes not even that.).
Poopy diapers. They actually make him gag. When I change Easton's diaper he asks "It poopy?" If it is, he runs away.
Getting his hair washed (it's the water in his ears and eyes, even though I'm very careful not to).
Coming inside, getting out of the bath tub, or anything that signals the end of fun.
If you turn off his movie before the credits songs are completely over.

Cute things he says:
Lippers - Slippers
Tarwy. Can't. Tarwy, tarwy. (Sorry. As in when you ask him to do something and he doesn't want to.)
He occasionally calls Jason "Jason"
Sorry, boss, it was a slip a the hook. (From Thomas Train movie)
Oh! Ya we can! (When you suggest something he wants to do.)
Nutin. (When you ask him what he said & he's embarrassed to tell.)
Blimey! (Fly me)
I like you, mom/dad.
Happy Birthday! (it's like "I like you") Then I say "Thank you, Braxton." And he says "Now you say Happy Birthday, Braxton." I do, then he says "Oh, thank you!"
When he's thinking of how to answer a question he says "Um.." and makes a cute "thinking" face.
We can do sumptin? (When he's bored.)
Easy tigger.
Oh, thanks.
I need to give you mooches. (smooches)
We need to go to a westwant. (restaurant) or We need to go buy something.
Goatcheese (took me a bit to figure our this was groceries...couldn't figure out why we needed goat cheese from Walmart)
We gotta be safe! (A game he plays with Jason where they pretend a monster [the lamp...I don't know why] is coming and they cuddle together to be safe.)
Time for nurtrey? (After anyone says "Amen" in Sacrament meeting)
Come on widdle buddy/widdle Easton baby. (While he entices him with a toy to get him where he wants him to go.)

What we love about him:
Everything!

I love that he calls me "momma". Who knew that the most beautiful name is so short? Jason once told Braxton "Listen to your mother." Braxton said "I don't have a mother. That's momma!"

I love to watch him when he thinks no one is watching. It's so much fun to get a peek at his little brain and personality. It's interesting and good to see the things that I'm trying to teach him come through when he's talking to himself (or more accurately-his toys).

We love that he loves his little brother. Even though sometimes he says "I don't like Easton. We should throw him away." I know that he's just being a 2 year old. I believe him when he is hugging Easton and saying "I like Easton."

We love snuggling with him before bed. Or anytime, for that matter. We are so thankful for this sweet little boy.