"Life without love is a shadow of what life may be."



Saturday, December 31, 2011

{Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year}


What an amazing year we've had! I am often overwhelmed by all the blessings I have received this past year. In fact, it's a few of those blessings that have kept me so busy and away from my blog this season! I'm sure things will calm down eventually... right? Just know that my heart is still out there and thinking of all our friends and family. I count you all among my blessings!
(I have to give credit to my amazing cousin for our photo idea! Thanks! Lurve you!)

Sunday, December 25, 2011

{Merry Christmas!}


Christmas started this year, just like it did last year.  By begging Louis to get out of bed.
Even Grandma (who has Grandma magic and can get this stubborn kid to do just about anything) didn't have much luck.


Finally, success!
 Since Christmas was on Sunday this year (I LOVE having Christmas on Sunday!!), we decided to check out the stockings before church, but save the rest of the goods for later.  G&G forgot their stockings, but Todd was happy to lend them his best pair of woolies.
How did Santa know that Todd's pickle ornament had broken?!?
Not many 10-year-old girls ask Santa for army men.  I kinda feel sorry for the little guys.  She has big plans that involve them and her pink BB gun...

Apparently, Levi found his first Christmas simply memorizing.






Here we are all fancied up for church.



Then, present time!






Then off to Nana and Papa's house for more spoiling.  What a wonderful day!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

{Christmas Eve}

For Christmas this year we were super spoiled.  We got to have both sets of grandparents come to our house to celebrate with us!  We did all the traditional things.  Posed in our new jammies in front of the tree: (I even got 3 out of 4 sizes right this year!  Levi's were too small but luckily G&G Becraft swooped in with this little elf number to save the day.)

Future Levi, let it be officially documented that this outfit was purchased and put on your cute little bod by your grandparents.  I had nothing to do with it.


This was Todd's first year as official Bible reader.  He did an amazing job and made me all teary!  It's like we're finally a real family now!

Then we tracked Santa's progress on Grandpa's phone and ate snacks while lounging on his belly.


We drank our traditional magical hot chocolate.  

Elizabeth says she's growing out of it's magic and that it doesn't work on her anymore.  All it did was give her the giggles!


 She did manage to time the loosing of a tooth just as she wanted.  She was really hoping the Tooth Fairy and Santa would bump into each other at our house this year.  I'm sure they appreciated the excuse to catch up!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

{Christmas at the Museum}


Now isn't that an adorable gaggle of children dropping off their letters to Santa? That's a mailbox that's hard to miss!  

Double. trouble.


Elizabeth had to do a report on Christmas in Australia.  Talk about your perfect display timing!

...and of course, everyone got to sit on Santa's lap.






...even our tiny little elf!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

{The Mother's Curse}

I LOVE this little boy.
Seriously, just look at that face! How could I not?!?
...and it's a good thing that he has that adorable smiley mug, because that sweet little grin has saved his life on more than one occasion.
I know I've hinted here and there at the fact that he can be crazy. But I don't think you really understand what I'm dealing with here. So I'm feeling the need to document a few examples that should not be forgotten. ...and also so his wife will understand why I have placed "The Mother's Curse" upon him. You know, the "I hope you have a child JUST LIKE YOU!" curse.
Example 1: I caught him trying to feed his tiny newborn baby brother his booger. (shudder)
Example 2: He was having so much fun playing in his room he was afraid that he wouldn't make it to the bathroom. So he peed in his garbage can. And didn't tell me. And I discovered it several (extremely skinky) days later. BTW, thanks for not having an accident, bud.
Example 3: Conversation had while driving in the van.
Lou: Mom, I have a secret!
Me: What's that, buddy?
L: But you can't tell anybody!
M: OK, I won't!
L: You can't tell anybody! Not the good zombies!
M: (Mustering a very serious tone) I promise I won't tell any good zombies.
L: You really can't tell anybody, mom. You can't tell the good zombies, and you can't tell the bad zombies that eat your brains out.
M: (Finding that serious tone even harder to muster) Oh, I won't tell the good zombies, or the bad zombies.
L: OK, here's my secret. But you can't tell the zombies.
M: Nope, no zombies. (By the way, this is how most of our conversations go. If you're going to have a serious conversation with The Lou, better set aside a good chunk of time, and be prepared to repeat yourself a lot.)
L: There is a guy. Standing on one foot. On top of the temple. Blowing a trumpet!
Example 4: At the end of a particularly long day he looks me straight in the eye and says, "Mom, I push your buttons, huh?"
Example 5: Lou found the spray bottle that I use to do the kid's hair, and kindly offered to put it away. I'm thinking, "What a helpful little boy he is being!" He came back a few minutes later offering to fill it with water since it was empty. "How kind!" I think. He brings it back to me filled to the very tippy, tippy top. "How efficient!" I'm looking on the bright side. I help him put the top on, then send him on his way back to the bathroom. I was so, so, so pleased that at how helpful he was acting! ...later? His sisters informed me that he had, indeed, misted each and every object he could reach in the bathroom. The mirror. The entire cabinet. Every hairspray and lotion bottle. Everything. Misted.
Example 6: We're driving home from Utah, and Louis is bored. I've resorted to idle threats. This random one popped out of my mouth before I could really think it over. "If you hit your sister with that seat belt one more time I will put this bag over your head!" He did it again. I had no choice. It. was. hilarious.
...and thus the time out "van style" was born. After he had done his time I asked him if he was going to do it again. That little bag shook back and forth with a repentant and silent "no".
Bwahahahahaaaa!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

{A Day in the Life}

Levi here.
I decided Fred was a drag. It's much more entertaining to watch all these big people make crazy faces just to get me to smile.

The other day I hung out and took a little nap in my swing so Mommy could take a shower. That seems to make her pretty happy. Besides, it's fun! Weeee!
Here I am lookin' all kinds of handsome and ready for church. Watch out ladies.

Turns out I'm one tasty fella.

Sometimes it's a little humiliating how cute I can be. Mom? Really?! She calls it my "You can call me 'Fish' face." You know, 'cause my middle name is Fisher? *sigh*
Some days it's just plain exhausting being so adorable.

{Happy Halloween}

Something was amuck with my camera settings on Halloween, but bad pics are better than no pics, I guess!
My little witch and 80's girl. look at the height on those bangs! All that time I spent in front of the mirror in 5th grade is still paying off!
...and finally, the big candy exchange.