First Movie

If you've read our blog since the beginning, you may remember this blog post about Adam's first visit to the movie theatre.  Last year, we took Adam to see "How to Train Your Dragon", which he LOVED - once he got through the first scene which is a little dark.  We also happened to take Jackson as well, although he was only 3 months old, so it doesn't really count as his first movie.  We decided that we wanted to go see "Tangled", with Grandma & Grandpa Wallis, as well as Grandma & Grandpa Conrad, and Aunt Tiffy.  No one wanted to miss out on this movie, so we thought we would give it a shot with our 15 month old and see how it went.  Luckily, there was no screaming this time.  Jackson didn't have any problems with the noise (Adam still put his hands over his ears during the previews), and he was pretty fascinated at first.  Then he got bored and wanted to walk around and pull the hair of the lady in front of him.  Then he just got tired.  I was able to get him to sleep, and he slept thru most of the movie.  He did pretty good - although I'm not sure if we can really count this one as his first either!  Here are some cute pics, of him before the movie started. 

The real fun started after the movie.  Jackson had been having a little diarrhea the last couple of days, which is actually pretty unusual for him.  He still isn't a very good pooper.  I had wondered if he was getting sick, but he was acting normal, so I didn't think much of it.  After the movie, we decided to head down to Ivars in Mulkiteo for lunch.  We were seated and had just ordered lunch when I thought, "I think Jackson has a poopy diaper".  I went to pick him up and immediately yucky stuff started pouring out of the bottom of his pants.  I didn't have any more diapers, or a change of clothes for the kid, so Tiff and I ran out to the car and headed for home.  I decided to go down the Mukilteo Speedway and onto I-5 because traffic was crazy right around Alderwood Mall.  We were just getting on I-5 when Jackson started screaming.  I turned around briefly to see that he had thrown up all over.  Poor kid!  I'm so glad Tiff had decided to come with me!  We got home and I pulled Jackson out of the car and upstairs to the shower, and Tiff pulled the car seat out and cleaned up the car.  So grateful for my sister!!
Poor Jackson enjoyed his shower and then a nap.  He hadn't been eating much during the day and we kept his diet to a minimum for the New Years Eve celebrations.  Hopefully the flu or whatever he has will pass quickly, and no one else gets it - including all the guests we've had in an out of the house!  Happy New Year to Jackson!!

Chatting with Grandpa

Jackson loves to hang out on the stairs.  Yesterday he and Grandpa spent some time sitting on the stairs having a little chat.  Scott said they sat there for a good 20 minutes and Jackson was just jabbering away about something!

Popcorn and Orange Julius

Sunday night is normally popcorn and orange julius night at our house.  It's been hard since our church meeting time changed.  We pulled it off this past Sunday and enjoyed watching Karate Kid and munching on popcorn with Grandma and Grandpa Wallis.

This picture needs no explanation

Christmas Day

I was so hopeful when Adam went to bed so easily Christmas Eve.  He had been so excited all day that Santa was coming that night, by bedtime, he was exhausted.  I thought maybe he'd sleep through the night.  Boy was I wrong!  He woke up at 1am, went to the bathroom and then came in our room to ask if Santa had come yet.  We told him to go back to bed.  This happened about 5 times in the next two hours.  I finally decided to go lay in bed with him, hoping that I could calm him down and he'd go back to sleep.  That didn't work either - I gave up at 5 and sent Scott in.  I'm not sure what Scott did, but Adam was aslepp by 5:30 (I should have sent him in at 3...)  He then slept until 8:30 when he got up and came running into our room asking if Santa had come yet.  We sent him in to wake up Grandma and Grandpa Wallis and then we all headed downstairs.

Santa did indeed stop by our house.  Adam got what he most wanted a "hot wheels criss-cross, criss-cross-crash"! 

 Jackson briefly looked at the stuff that was left for him. 

 Checking out the stocking

 Santa brough Jackson a little bag.  He promptly filled it up with stuff and carried it around.

 After stockings, we had some breakfast while we waited for Uncle Brian to come over to open presents. 

Jackson was a champ at opening presents!

 He had so much fun, he just went from one person to the next opening everyone elses presents!

 Scott's sister, Sarah sent Adam a box of action figures.  Jackson had fun pulling them out of the box one by one and saying "wowwww" at each one.

 Adam's most favorite present.... a pillow pet from Daris and Rachael.  I wish Scott had taken a picture when he opened this present!  His whole face lit up.  He's  been wanting a pillow pet for several months.  He named him Comet and carries this guy around everywhere! 

 Jackosn opening his pillow pet.

 And here we see all the carnage.  Jackson was in wrapping paper heaven!

 Later in the afternoon, my parents, Tiff and Hyrum came over for a couple of hours.  Jackson liked Hyrum's hat.

 We had a great day hanging out with family, eating good food, and just enjoying each other's company.  It was a great day to stay in our PJs!

Christmas Eve

We normally spend Christmas Eve at my parents home for a nice dinner and then some Christmas Eve traditions.  Scott decided to work this year on Christmas Eve, for a couple of reasons - 1. He needed to pick his parents up from the airport at 8:30, and work is much closer to the airport than home. The restaurant was closing at 7pm, so the timing was perfect and 2. He could then take some extra time off the following week to spend with his parents.  So, Scott went to work, and Adam and Jackson and I headed to my parents house to see Tiff and celebrate Christmas Eve.  It was a quiet celebration - Hyrum was working and Daris and Rachael went to Sequim to spend the holiday with Rachael's family.  So, it was just Me, Tiff, mom, dad and the boys.

Adam and Jackson love my mom's Christmas carousel.  Adam kept turning on the music and Jackson would run over and flop onto his belly to watch.  The thing plays about 20 Christmas songs, and I think we probably heard each song about 20 times that day!  Here's Jackson pointing out all the cute animals to Grandma.

 After dinner, my dad read the Christmas story and we did our nativity thing (we each choose a piece of the nativity and then take turns talking about why that person or animal is important, or what we like best about them).  And then, finally, we got to open a present.  It was, of course PJs - which Adam was not too happy about.  He came over and whipered in my ear "that's not the present I wanted to open, Mom".   He had been disappointed earlier that morning that it wasn't the day to open presents....

 Jackson helps Tiffy open her PJs.

 And he helps Grandma open her present.  She didn't get PJs this year - she got a new stocking.  Tiffiny  and I bought her a new stocking last Christmas, and Tiff spent all year putting it together.  It turned out so cute, and Grandma was so surprised. 

 Here's my cute boys in the PJs.

 Brothers.

 And Tiff and I with the boys.

After getting cozy in our PJs, the boys and I headed home.  We had convinced Adam that Santa was going to drop off Grandma and Grandpa Wallis on his way through.  He even believed that they were going to get into the house by coming down the chimney!  So funny!  I was surprised that both boys went to bed easily and I was pretty hopeful they would sleep through the night - silly me....

Christmas Ties

Scott has several Christmas ties.  In late November, Adam and I were at the store, and he found a great new tie for daddy.  He was so excited to give it to him.  When Scott and I went Christmas shopping, he happened to find a similar tie for Adam.  The following Sunday, Scott gave Adam his tie and Adam was thrilled!  Here are the matching ties after church the Sunday before Christmas.

 I couldn't resist adding the following pictures.  The photo session soon deteriorated into a wrestling session, which Jackson was eager to join!

All three of my favorite boys!

There's a scratch in my throat

It's late, and I really should be snoozing away right now.  I've been trying to finish up a few last minute projects for Christmas.  Life has been totally insane around here the past two weeks or so.  I recently got a new calling at church - I was called to serve as the 2nd counselor working with the Young Women - which I am totally excited about!  I get to work with the 12 and 13 year old girls.  That happened two Sunday's ago.  The only thing was, I still had to finish up with my previous calling.  I was the Ward Activities Committee chair.  At the latest Leadership Meeting, Elder Cook disolved all Ward Activities Committees and released all the members of that committe (pretty cool that I can say I was released from a calling by a member of the Quorum of the Twelve).  Our bishop asked if my committee would be willing to continue with our plans for the Christmas Party, and of course we said we would.  That party was this past Saturday!  My goodness - it was a ton of work!!  We ended up feeding over 250 people, and had a great "theatre in the round" fo Christmas stories.  I'm pleased with the way it all came together and so grateful for everyone that helped!  So, the point is - I haven't had a lot of time to finish up my Christmas projects.  Scott is working late tonight, so I thought it would be the perfect time.  And - I'm about done now - just one more thing to finish up!!  Woo-Hoo!
If you've read this far - your probably wondering what all that has to do with the title of this post.  Sorry it took so long, but here it is:  I was just washing up the last of the dishes before heading upstairs to bed, when I heard Adam call my name.  He asked for a drink, which I brought up to him and he took a big swig of water, and then grabbed his throat and said "Mom, there's a really bad scratch in my throat!"  Poor guy, I think he's been fighting off a cold for the past couple of days.  I hope it doesn't get bad - not a fun way to spend Christmas.  Especially since Grandma and Grandpa Wallis are flying in from Illinois.  It sounds like he's sleeping soundly right now, hopefully it stays that way and that scratch in his throat doesn't bother him!!

First Talk

Adam FINALLY got to give a talk at church on Sunday.  This kid has been waiting and waiting!!  He's been wanting to give a talk for SO long!  I guess that's what happens when you are in a ward with a large Primary.  He's read a scripture a few times and even said a prayer, but that darn talk just never came along.  I was actually subbing in his Primary class the Sunday that he was asked.  It's cute the way they ask kids to do stuff in our ward - they have a cute mailbox, and every week at the end of opening excercises, they open the mailbox and the kids who are being asked to do something the next week get to come up and they tape the paper around their wrist.  When they called Adam's name, he jumped right up and ran to the front of the chapel with a huge grin on his face!  I don't think I've ever seen him so excited!

The theme for his talk was "I Know That My Redeemer Lives".  Here's his talk:
After Jesus was resurrected, He went to see his disciples. One of them named Thomas was not with them. The other disciples told Thomas they had seen Jesus. But Thomas didn’t believe them. He said he didn’t think Jesus was alive because he couldn’t see him or touch him.
Eight days later Thomas did see Jesus. Jesus let him feel the nail prints in his hands and touch his side. Then Thomas knew that Jesus was alive. Jesus said, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29).
I have not seen Jesus, but I know that He lives. I know that He will come to earth again, and that we can live with Him.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Adam did such a great job!  I was helping him remember what he was supposed to say, and after he said Amen, he leaned over and asked, "can I say something else mom?"  I told him he could, and he told all the kids about burning his leg on his dad's motorcycle, and how it hurt really bad and his dad had to cut off some of his skin that got burned.  Then he talked about how he prayed and Jesus blessed him so that his leg healed and didn't hurt him too bad, and that he has a testimony that Jesus will help us.  Then he looked at me again and whispered "can I tell another story, mom?"  I finally convinced him that it was the other kids turn to come up and talk, and got him to say Amen again and go back to his seat.
I was so proud of him! It was funny to hear his response when someone told him that he did a good job on his talk.  He would just look at them and say, "I know".  He gets his humility from his dad...

Santa Train

We took Adam on the Santa Train two years ago.  It was a great trip for him because he decided on that trip that Santa was actually an ok guy.   We thought about going last year, but after having a baby, I totally missed the sale date for tickets.  I actually remembered this year, and Scott and I decided to do a special date with just Adam.  When I told him that it was just him and mom and dad, he was very concerned that Jackson wasn't coming with us.  I assured him that Jackson would get to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa.  When the day came, I was sure glad that Jackson wasn't with us.  It was super rainy, and windy up in North Bend, and I WAS COLD!  I guess the cold made it more authentic for Adam - he was so excited to go to the North Pole where Santa lives!

Here we are sitting on the train (which is not heated, so being on the train didn't help too much with the cold, although we were sheltered from the wind) and then waiting in line to see Santa.

Two years ago, Adam wouldn't get close to Santa.  This time, he brought a bakugon to show Santa, and he wouldn't stop talking.  I love the third picture in this series!  He talked Santa's ear off!

We took the last train, which meant that Santa rode back to North Bend with us.  Here Adam is trying to catch a glimpse of the guy.

 So happy when he finally made it down the row to him!

 And then one last hug before we headed home.

What a difference a couple of years can make!

Decorating the Tree

Decorating the tree was a fun experience this year.  Adam is so much fun at the age of 5.  He's excited about doing everything.  Jackson wants to do everything his older brother does.  So, they both had fun putting their ornaments on the tree.  I sat on the floor and handed ornaments to each boy as they walked back and forth between me and the tree. 

Scott helped Adam put the finishing touch of the star on top.

I've been finding miscellaneous ornaments in various places all over the house every day.  Jackson loves to pick an ornament off the tree and carry it around.  Once in awhile he'll even put them back on.  Amazingly, nothing has been broken - yet...

Thanksgiving weekend

Thanksgiving weekend is truely the start of a fun and busy holiday season.  Adam and I climb up into the attic to get down all the Christmas decorations.  Scott spends time trying not to fall off the ladder while hanging Christmas lights on the house and decorating the yard.  I pull out the all the fun stuff for inside the house - nativity scenes, advent calendars, Santa pictures from the past few years, stockings and snowmen. 

For the past 4 years I've taken Adam, and now Jackson to see Santa on the Friday after Thanksgiving.  I found a few years ago that the mall may be crazy with shoppers, but there is never a line to see Santa on Black Friday.  We can always just walk up and Santa can take as much time as he wants.  The best thing about this year was that Adam was excited to go see Santa and had been talking about what he was going to ask for.  In the end, all he asked Santa for was a present for Jackson.  Then he said a couple of more things, although I don't think anyone understood him!  He was happy to sit on his lap.  Jackson wasn't quite sure, but seeing Adam, he let me put him up there as well.  He kept glancing over at Santa, not quite sure what to think.  It was pretty cute.  Since there was no line, they took pictures and let me look at them and delete them and try again.  I think we ended up trying 4 times before we finally got a picture where Adam has a good smile and Jackson is actually looking at the camera instead of looking at Santa.  No smile for Jackson, but I still think it's a cute picture.

Saturday of the long weekend, we took off for a Christmas tree hunt.  We ended up in Carnation at a tree farm that we've been to several times in the past.  It was a rainy and muddy day, but we had fun tromping around in the mud to find the perfect tree.  It was fun to have Grandma and Grandpa join us. 

Here are Scott and Adam posing by the tree before they cut it down.

 I remember every year growing up my dad would give each of us kids a chance to saw away at the trunk of the tree.  Adam was dying to give that saw a try!

 Jackson wanted to try too!

 Here we are all posing by the tree.  It was a cold day.

 I love this picture!  Adam is such a strong boy!

We piled back into the car and got mud all over, but that's ok.  We had a fun time tromping through the mud.  I'm thankful for the opportunity to spend time with my boys doing things that hopefully they will remember fondly when they get older!

It's hard to be the little brother...

I was fixing dinner tonight and noticed that Jackson wasn't around any more.  This is where I found him...

Adam's friend Xander was over, and the two older boys were trying to set up the train set, but of course, Jackson was not making it very easy.  After listening to them whine at Jackson for ruining their track - AGAIN - I told them to take it upstairs onto the landing, and to close the gate at the top of the stairs.  That way Jackson couldn't get to it. 

He sat on that last step for probably 20 minutes, just watching the big boys play.  Every once in awhile he would grunt and bang on the gate.  He wanted so bad to go play with them!!  It's tough to be the little brother sometimes.

(Notice he has his hand on his ear.  This kids is always tugging on his ears!  It's his very own security blanket!)

Snow Day - Playing outside!

We did head outside to play in the snow for a little bit this morning.  It was very unusual snow for Washington.  Temperatures were much colder than we normally get around here, so instead of the wet, heavy snow that is great for snowmen and snowballs, the snow was powdery and light.  And underneath all that snow, was pure ice!  It was only about 20 degrees (I know some of you reading this are saying - "ha, 20 degrees is like summertime around here" - but this is Washington!!), so it was COLD! 

Jackson wasn't so sure about everything at first.  He just stood there for awhile taking it all in.  But he was soon trying to walk around and figure out what all that white stuff was.  It was really fun to watch him.

He even took his first sled ride with big brother. 

The girl in the pictures with him is Maira.  She is 11 months older than him, and they are about the same height.  I love the picture of her giving him a hug - it looks like she's kissing his nose!

Our best neighbors joined us outside to play.  Adam and Xander had fun throwing snow at Scott while he tried to shovel the driveway.  It was so funny to listen to them yell "Get Scotty!"  Silly boys!

We had fun playing outside and are looking forward to lots more snow this winter.  I can't remember the last time we had snow before Thanksgiving!  It could be a fun and white winter around here!!