Christmas 2016

Tiring and busy but altogether very merry.

Annual Christmas Eve Journal Write 2016

Well, here we are yet again, and yet again it feels like Christmas has just come out of nowhere.  I have felt pretty prepared so far this year, but I have also felt pretty busy and pulled in a lot of different directions and kind of scrambled about things and happenings and goings-on in the world and with family and friends and overall I'm ready for a really merry Christmas so that's what we're going to have.

At present the children are nestled all snug in their beds (I think?), but only the ladies of the house are actually asleep (The Wife snoozing on the couch, I think she's waiting for Santa), while I write this and The Boy is making tunnels and train tracks out of his bedspread for his new tiny trains.  Both of these little ones are so excited for Christmas, and we didn't reenact the Nativity or anything, but we did watch it on YouTube and it seemed to leave an impression.  Baby at least noticed the sheep and the random barking of a dog in the background (a thing which I myself have never noticed in the many dozens of times I have seen that movie).

Anyway, I am rambling now so I will just end this and say I'm glad for this little tradition, and I'm glad to have a blog even if it's only for me because otherwise I don't really document things in a journalish format anymore (Facebook and Instagram are well and fine but not the same) and it has been a handy and amusing resource over the years.

And now I will leave you with a look at the tree, which, now that it is REdecorated after being loved for a couple weeks and we have enough ornament hooks for our new silver and the presents are placed below, is looking happier. Tonight it was named Fleur. All in all, 100% Waffles-approved.

(I'll spare you the picture I took right before this when he decided at just the right moment to clean himself and give the camera a nice flattering view of his never-you-mind.)

It's almost here!!!  Now I have to go to bed so I can get up at horrid o'clock so we can sneak the kids past Christmas and go to church at are you kidding o'clock so then we can come home and do presents and such after instead.  Also so that Santa can come already.

Last One Before Two (Or, 21 Months)

Baby is just a few months away from her second birthday!  Sometimes it seems strange that she's still so little but then sometimes she definitely still seems like our little Baby (which I'm trying to wean myself from calling her, she does have a name after all).

She's such a big girl these days, putting together sentences and making her mind known (often loudly and sometimes with difficulty, but usually eventually).  She's more and more independent and communicative, is starting to get a little pickier with her foods and vocal about what she wants -- and doesn't want -- and is miles ahead of where Big Brother was at her age in the potty training department (we haven't even started with her and she's already Gone a handful of times).  She's sweet and funny and emotional and often squeals with glee at simple pleasures and is a really good sport with her enthusiastic sibling.  She will gasp and "oh!" with surprise and plaintively say "okay" when we finally figure out what she's trying to say.  She's definitely been getting more into the holidays and had a great time trick-or-treating on Halloween and trying new foods at Thanksgiving and looking forward to Santa and enjoying all the Christmas decorations.

Lounging as the summer dies down.

Bundled up for a post-nap pre-bedtime lie-down.

Remember the drawing from her last update?  Unspeakably adorable!

Hanging out with the horses on Columbus Day.  Photobomb by Charlie!

The corn box is the greatest thing invented.

Modeling some swag from work.

Did you know a reindeer's favorite food is eggy breadies?

That's our Smooch just a few months shy of a big birthday.  We can't wait to see how she grows and changes next.

Giving Thanks 2016

Quick, before it's Christmas!

Thanksgiving was a great time, so here's a quick rundown for posterity.

Halloween leftover.  I guess it didn't make it through the fall OR the varmints.

We started the day out with our 2nd annual T-Gives Day Murdock Canal Trail Turkey Trot/Fun-Run/Walk/Stroll/Bike/Meander (name is a WIP)and it was a hit! It was freezing at the start but cleared and warmed up just in time for the pumpkin streusel muffins.  My time was something or other and I came in second again to Katy (who ran even farther than necessary, hard to believe anyone could misinterpret my on-the-spot hand-drawn mile markers!), with Penneh and Smoochface along for the final stretch.  Thanks to everyone for coming and joining in!  I may expand in future to friends and such if people are interested.

Runners and walkers!

Teamwork for two years running!

Then we had time to get ready for dinner which was of course amazing.

Om nom.

Then we heard there wasn't a pumpkin pie on the menu so The Wife whipped one up with stuff we just happened to have around the house, NBD.  Also a BUTTERBEER PIE.  It was as delicious as it sounds, as were the leftover filling and topping on egg nog and/or peppermint ice cream.

There were so many desserts it was amazing I tried every one some more than once.

Then it was Black Friday and it was all happeniiiing.

Apparently it's the tallest Christmas tree in Utah, thus saith the governor.

Keeping Kitty nice and safe.

Then this wasn't really Thanksgivingish but it was during the break, so there you go.  We saw Moana!  I loved it.  It was just what I was hoping for and expecting and I'm probably the only person around who's waiting for Christmas to get/listen to the soundtrack.  I look forward to seeing it again and I think the kids will love it.

And that's that for now!  I'm so thankful for so many things and I'm glad for a day set aside to remember to focus on gratitude.