Christmas Fun

One of our family traditions at Christmas time is to make Gingerbread houses. We usually buy the Wilton kit but this year we were expecting family so we decided it would be easier to make the Grahm cracker kind. Sad part is that family wasn't able to make it. As they say "Snow Happens!" They were driving up here from Tucson Arizona, the land of no snow! They got into Utah and the driving conditions were not good. They made it to Orem and felt best to turn around and head home. The weather here has been pretty bad so it was safer for them to not try to push their luck. Anyways, back to our traditions. This house was built by me, Linda. Mason made a contest out of it and awarded me first prize. I have still to figure out what the prize is!

Coming in second is George's Grahm cracker house. I told him he roof looked like playing pool.

Mason awarded himself third prize. I think he forgot to make the house, he just did the garage. Do you like the candy cane car? Trevan and Kennedy didn't get to far on their's. In fact they didn't make it past putting frosting on one cracker and eating it!

One of our other little traditions is to have what the kids like to call a "cookie party" This year we actually made cut out cookies. (I absolutely hate to make cut out cookies!) The kids enjoyed using the new cookie cutters, since I have given them all my old ones to use with play dough and sand. We then had a good time frosting and decorating them. Kennedy actually only got a little frosting on one cookie before she was licking the knife.

Trevan, we are still trying to find the cookie under all that frosting. Do you like his shiner? He got this festive black eye playing at McDonalds. He and another little girl collided, obvesouly he took the brunt of the hit.

Mason proudly displaying a few of his creations. I really like his candy cane cookie.

Christmas morning. I do what my parents did and make the kids all wait for everyone to get up and get hair done, I just don't make them get dressed, but we have to do this before we get to go and see what Santa brought. Here the kids were hanging out in Kennedy's room watching a movie while they waited.

The long walk down the stairs. They could hardly stand the anticipation.

Kennedy rand straight to her chair and bike. She has been loving that chair. She carried it everywhere she goes.

You can see Trevan but you can't see what Santa brought him. I don't know why we didn't get a picture of him with it. He got a cool red Rocket bike. He is practicing riding it in the basement.

Santa brought Rock Band for Mason. He was so excited to get that. Ever since playing it at the Havel's house last summer he has been asking for it. Here is the red bike.

Some of the loot. My controlling self starts to override the kids fun and I have to stack everything in piles so it isn't all over the place! There are no pictures of what George and I got, mainly because we let the kids have at it then once they were busy playing we opened our gifts. George got some new video games, not that he gets to play them, the boys have taken over! He also got a new electric shaver and something that he was happy to get, a parafin wax kit. I know, why you ask? He has some horrible feet and this one is big enough for his huge feet to fit in! It seemed to really help them not to hurt while he walks. I, Linda, got a big surprise this year. He actually listened to my hints of what I would like to get!!!! I got a Zune, love it, a photo printer, and an emersion blender, among some other things. All in all it was a great Christmas, now if I can just get my house put back together!

Baby, it's cold outside!

This last weekend we had a cold front move in, to say the least! Saturday we got some snow, our side of the street got more than the other side! You may ask how? WIND!!!!! See the peak in our snow drift driveway? Across the street they barley have a skiff of snow, it all blew to our yard.

George out trying to shovel the hard frozen snow! Temps dropped below zero, and I am not meaning just 1 or 2 below. More like 16 to 20 below but with the wind chill it felt like 40 below! Talk about some cold air. After living 4 years in Alaska I can honestly say it is colder here right now than it ever got there.

The partially shoveled drive way with tire tracks! You can also somewhat see the neighbors across the street with their little bit of snow. This snow is heavy from being so cold out. Hard to shovel. George came in after getting it done and said he wanted a snow blower, I told him to get a 4-wheeler with a plow on it! Much better in my mind than a snow blower.

The snow made it inside the house too! The wind just blew it right in. We had not opened this door at all on Saturday and this is what we found on Sunday. I guess all the snow boots I had been buying while living in Germany will finally get some good use! The kids are dying to go outside and get in the white stuff but their mom worries about frost bite in these frigid temps. Maybe next week!

Basketball

Basketball season has begun. Mason's first game was last night, the 15th. This is his 3rd season of Basketball. It was a faster pace last night that his previous 2 seasons. He is one of the tallest out on the court, the tallest for sure on his team, but also the skinniest! His little knock knees crack me up. He played pretty good, scored 8 points and was a good defender. This year he has a great coach. He has been coaching for 14 years! Mason has gained alot more ball control, still needs work though. He is loving it once again and what more can I ask for? GO LIONS!

Happy Birthday Kennedy

Three short years ago Kennedy joined our family. I still am having a hard time believing it has been three years! Kennedy was born at 1:32 am Friday December 9, 2005. She was just shy of 3 weeks early. Thursday the 8th was the night of George's squadron Christmas party. We had not been to one of these for quite a few years so we decided to go. George bought the tickets and signed up for childcare for the boys a few weeks prior and we kept saying "watch, I will go into labor and not make it to the party" I'm sure we jinxed it. My contractions started literally as soon as we walked out our front door to leave for the party! I'm sure having to walk down 4 flights of stairs helped too. We still went to the party and figured George could get through dinner before we had to leave. Not so. Two hours after getting there I was ready to leave but George hadn't been able to get dinner yet. We waited a little longer but still no dinner. We left the boys there, friends of our were going to take them home with them and we headed for the hospital. George drove like a maniac on the autobahn in the pouring rain, at least this labor he believed! (refer to Trevan) We got all checked into the hospital, I asked for an epidural, they did the IV and blood work and then the "Man" came in. Too bad it took him an hour to get the epidural in!!! I guess he was pretty nervous, he kept asking if he was hurting me! I would say no, the contractions are hurting me. Poor George's legs were going numb from having to stand so still for me. After an hour of pain free labor the epidural was no longer working. I was thinking "sure, that's about right, the thing didn't work during labor with Mason, why work this time!" So the nurse checked me and Kennedy's little head was crowning! She put my feet in the stirrups and was yelling down the hall for the doctor to get there. She came running in and saw how close Kennedy was but they all kept telling me not to cough, sneeze, or anything. The doctor gowned up and with one big push Kennedy was here. I say that is the way to have a baby! Very little work involved. I guess I have to say that after the hellish labor and delivery I had with Mason I deserve to have two after him that were pretty easy, comparatively speaking!

We have no "just born" pictures, no camera or anything at the hospital at the time of birth. This is Kennedy with Mason and Trevan on her first day home. The boys were so excited to have a baby sister. They still are, Mason is still wanting to hold her and carry her around. She on the other hand can't stand that!

Kennedy wearing her beautiful Blessing Dress that her Grandma Jacklin lovingly made for her. She was two months old here.

Kennedy at 5 months, sitting on George's lap. He could always get these big grins out of here. This picture was taken at Mason's school days before George deployed.

Kennedy, we are so happy to have you as part of our family. You are the girly girl I always wanted. Growing up I would spend hours playing with my babies and now you do the same. You have such a sweet spirit and are so happy all the time. We love you so much and are so excited to see who you become in the future.

Grandma???

While we were in Utah we got some yummy homemade Strawberry and Rasberry Jams and brought some home. This morning Trevan and I made some rolls for us to be able to enjoy the jam. I was getting the Rasberry Jam out of the freezer when Trevan asks:
"Is that the stuff that Gavyn's mom made?" (meaning Aunt Laura)
Me: "No, this is what Grandma made."
Trevan: "Oh, I love her."
Me: "Me too."
Trevan: "Is she going to come to our house?"
Me: "Yes, next year when they get off their mission."
Trevan: "Does she have any kids?"
Me: "HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA"


Trevan and Grandma Jacklin on the BIG RED BUS TOUR in Paris.

Happy Birthday Trevan

5 years ago today Trevan joined our family. What an exciting day that was. My parents were flying in that day so I was determined not to go into labor that day. I knew once that day was over he could come any time, but he had other plans. I had a doctor apt. that morning where I was checked and told I was dialated to "almost" 4 but was not having contractions. I was sent over to labor and delivery so they could monitor us for about an hour then sent home. I was not contracting and was relieved to not have to stay. As we left the hospital my contractions started. My husband was just going to take Mason and me home then come back later to pick us up to go to the airport but instead I had him stay home with me, which by the way he was not to happy about! George had a lot of work to get done and since labor with Mason was over 30 hours he didn't think there was much rush to anything. After a couple hours of contractions I decided it was time to go to the hospital, which in turn ment finding a baby sitter for Mason. NOT EASY! After about 5 phone calls we found someone home and we took him there, all the while George was sure I would just be sent home because he didn't think I was far enough into labor to be kept at the hospital. (refer to the 30 plus hours of labor the first go around) We got to the hospital and into the labor room where they checked me and found me to be at 8 centemeters. At this point George was feeling real bad for making we walk in from the parking lot instead of dropping me off at the front doors! The nurses were rushing to get blood work and my IV in so I could get an epidural ASAP. After about 5 different needle sticks they finally got the IV in. George found someone to go to the airport to pick up my parents. My favorite guy came in to fix me up but was told to leave because I was fully dialated! Having felt the pain of delivery the first time around I told the nurse that I would not push without an epidural. She and George kept telling me that I could do it, they just didn't get that I didn't WANT to do it! A few minutes of this went on when they took pitty on me and called The Man back in and I was given a spinal block. George then had to go pick Mason up because we told the lady it would only be a couple hours, so he left and I got a little nap in. He got back minutes before my parents walked into the room, and within minutes I was told to push. Two pushes later Trevan was here, delivered by my nurse. The Dr. was there just not gowned up for delivery. She placed him on my tummy and over in the corner was Mason begging to hold his new brother. Yes Mason was there, No it wasn't planned that way!


sleeping baby boy, 4 days old

being held by Mason with dad's help, minutes old

Proud George with boy number 2

Just after being born.

The pictures somehow got out of order but at least they are here. Like I said eariler George didn't think I was that far into labor so he didn't bring the camera in earlier. I just feel lucky to have the few just born pictures that I do have.

Trevan we love you so much and are so happy you chose to be part of our family. You always make us laugh. You are a fun and energetic little guy.