Christmas 2009

Here are some highlights of our Christmas activities. Winston was full of the magic of the season and made everything so fun. With Zack and Bo gone, we're sure grateful to have him.

Winston was a great helper making sugar cookies.
And then frosting them too. (Although I think more frosting ended up in his mouth than on the cookies.)

Singing "Jingle Bells" with his Aunt Heidi at Grandma's Christmas party. Jingle Bells is his favorite Christmas Carol - at least for now.

Winston played a shepard in the Nativity reenactment. (His costume stayed on for about 5 minutes. By then he'd had enough and off it came.)

Bo sent a special ornament for Winston all the way from Germany. When you pull the string on the bottom, the arms and legs fly up. Winston loved it.

Christmas Eve opening his new pajamas.
Christmas morning just before Winston woke up. He actually slept in until 8:00 am. :)
Opening his "new" N64 game system complete with games - courtesy of his brothers. ;)
He loved tearing off the wrapping paper.
Busy painting on his new Lighting McQueen giant coloring book while we made breakfast.

We had a great Christmas this year. The highlights were getting to talk to Zack on Christmas Eve, talking to Bo on Christmas Day and spending lots of time with our family here at home. Winston had a full day and was ready for bed by the time we made it back home after visiting grandparents and cousins.

Our Little Elf

I wanted to include a picture of Winston in our Christmas cards so I had him lay down on a fuzzy blanket with his Santa hat on and took a few experimental photos. He smiled and laughed and his eyes just sparkled. He's such a character and is so adorably cute! I sure love my little buddy!

Air Hockey

This past weekend while I was getting all our Christmas decorations out of the storage room downstairs, Winston discovered our Air Hockey table. He's just tall enough to use the paddle and hit the puck and he absolutely loved it. Brad and I took turns playing with him for almost an hour. I grabbed this quick video to show how much fun he was having.

A Funny Story

I've read a Santa Claus story to Winston a few times during the past week so that he can get an idea of what Christmas and Santa are all about. Well, this morning I told him about all the fun Christmas songs there are and sang a few of them to him - including Santa Claus is Coming to Town. You know how it goes - You better watch out, better not cry, better not pout....

Anyway, on the way over to daycare out of the blue Winston said to me, "Mommy, I not pout." And I answered, "No" not realizing that he was referring to the song I had sang to him earlier. Then he asked me, "My a good boy huh? Santa will come to my house." I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing out loud. I made sure to tell him that yes he's a very good boy and Santa will come to his house. I guess that song made quite an impression on him. He's just too smart and too cute for a three year old.

One More Birthday Wish

Winston wanted to sing Happy Birthday to Zack one more time - so here's his solo performance. :D

HAPPY B-DAY ZACK!

This is Zack's second birthday away from home. Next year he'll be celebrating his birthday at home. He passed the one year mark for his mission on October 8. Zack is have a wonderful time on his mission and is doing great things in Japan. We're so proud of him and what he's doing with his life. Happy Birthday Zack. We miss you and love you so very much!

I Love Lake Powell

I haven't had much time for posting this past month. We had two trips down to Lake Powell - my favorite place to go and recharge. I waited all summer for these trips and they were well worth the wait. The first trip was will my family at the first of the month. We had a great time and the weather was wonderful - most of the time. :) The second trip was later in the month with a group of really great friends - without our kids. It was wonderful to just be by ourselves and enjoy the company of these wonderful friends. My batteries have been recharged and I'm ready to tackle the fall and winter seasons now. I only wish Summer didn't always end so soon. It really is my favorite season. Ah well, good bye for now and I'm already looking forward to our next summer's trips.
Winston's looking for lizards. He wanted to catch one soooo bad. Hanging out on the boat.Such a beautiful canyon - scenic and peaceful. Aaaaaah! Loving some alone time with my man. :o)Wow, what a handsome man! I love you Brad!

Three Years Old Already!

Wow. Where has the time gone? It seems like Winston came to our family just a few months ago but he arrived three years ago today. He's still our little miracle boy and my life has been tremendously blessed by him. I thank Heavenly Father every day for sending him to us - to me. How dull life would be without him around. He brightens my every day and brings smiles and laughter to my life. He is a wonderful little boy and I love him dearly. Happy Birthday Winston. Zack and Bo love you as do your Dad and I. I'm looking forward to sharing another year with you - watching you grow and seeing you learn each day.