New Year's Eve

Another New Year's Eve for the books. Lindey, Tysen and I teamed up for the decorations, and although it was just for one night's entertainment, it was still really fun! 

Our very own Macbook countdown at the end of the night. 

To Remember

With life going by so quickly, I can barely remember what day it is. I fear the little things that happen in our day to day life will be forgotten, so I am making an effort to journalize them.

A few mornings ago we were awoken by Samson's morning squeals and crib conversations as always so I walked into his room to get him up. He was still laying down with his beloved binki in his mouth, clutching his zebra in one arm, and Bee in the other. He looked up at me, smiled and said, "Happy". I about died.

Unfortunately, I couldn't catch this one on camera although I desperately wanted to! Sam was in his porch swing one sunny afternoon, with Tadd and I inside on the couch (with the door open, and blinds up of course). His swing has a lap harness and a tray that clicks into place. With the monkey of a child that I have, I always use both restraints...luckily. We suddenly heard Sam panicking on the porch calling for me, so I looked out the window to find he'd unclipped the tray, and pushed it away, then somehow flipped his swing forward so he was facing the ground, tightly secured by his lap harness, but absolutely freaked out. I couldn't help but laugh hysterically the whole time I was rescuing him.

More remembrances to come...

Arrival of Claire Katherine

Newest niece (on the Peterson side) joined our family December 30th, 12 days early. We like to call her Jon and Haley's tax baby!

Group text among the family that still brings tears to my eyes when I see it. There is nothing, nothing, more special in this world than the delivery of a brand new baby.

Megan and I took it upon ourselves to overload the new(again) parents with treats at the hospital!

Darling little Claire, a darker-haired replica of older sis, Addie.

Sweet little button nose!

Enjoying Christmas

We soaked up as much of Christmas break as we could, and enjoyed each others company, lots of family time, great food and played with Sam's new toys.

Walked in on this Christmas night, and about died. 

 The kid may have gone on a few caffeine benders.

I guess we played with Tadd's toys too. :)

Oh, that belly. 

Insisted on Dad's new remote control truck accompanying us to Grandma and Grandpa's.

That Violet girl and her love of food. So adorable.

Watching nephew Jack beam with pride as he read to his brother and aunt's was the sweetest thing.

Mom's UNREAL bread pudding.

Sprinkles cupcakes brought by Internet Jessica. She's real.

Leaving Mom's one evening at 3AM after a lot of chat-chat-chatting. We girls do it good.

Chuck E. Cheese's. Where a child gets his wiggles out, and contracts many communicable diseases.

Off roading like a champ

Taking Miss Nora out for a cruise.

Surrounding himself with fun, new things to play with.

These magnetic letters have been so fun for Sam, and has sparked an interest in the alphabet. Repeating the alphabet after us has become a fave around here.

Rest of Christmas

Um, am I seriously posting this in March? 

We attended my parent's sacrament meeting in the early afternoon, and then waited for everyone else to arrive for the rest of the festivities, while Samson napped the afternoon away.

There was much spoiling that evening by grandparents and aunts n' uncles.

And much sharing (sometimes forced) among the cousins with their new gifts.

Remote control train Mal and Nick so thoughtfully gave Samson so he and Tadd could play with it together!

We had an excellent Christmas this last year, and felt very blessed to be among so much family!

At the Moment

.I am sitting on the couch while the husband is bustling around cleaning the house. It's sort of his Sunday routine, I wouldn't dare get in the way of it!

.There is a sleeping tot in his crib that I had to move away from the wall since it turns out he is getting taller (maybe those short leggies are growing?), and likes to swat the pictures off the wall. Turkey.

.I just polished off a bowl of Hot Tamales, which Sam thought he'd try today, and naturally there is now a red stain on our rug where he spit it out.

.We just watched the most recent Desperate Housewives episode and I'm still mad at Susan for trying to convince her daughter to keep her illegitimate child. I am a firm believer in adoption. It is most often best for the birth parents, the adoptive parents and especially the baby! Susan's an idiot.

.Last night was miserable. I felt myself coming down with something all day, but I had a full schedule of hair appointments (8 hours worth), so I pushed through it. By the time I got home I was shaking with chills, so weak I could barely stand, achier than I'd ever felt, and my head was pounding. Tadd was nice enough to let me go lay in bed even though he'd had Sam alllll day. Cold sweats and heat waves all night long. (Am I going through menopause?) Luckily this morning I felt a little better. This winter has sucked.

.Thinking about my darling niece, Claire Katherine, in her beautiful blessing dress today. Her daddy gave her a lovely blessing, and we enjoyed time with family afterward at Haley and Jon's.

.Cars and Cars 2 are quickly becoming a daily occurence. Multiple times. I sort of love it.

.Playing roughly 12 games in Scramble with Friends, and actually winning about half. Not too bad for a rookie.

.We are hoping to go snuggle our new twin nieces this week, Claire (we get two Claire's!) and Livvy. We are so grateful they arrived safe and sound!

.Lamenting over the fact that I fail to provide healthy meals for my little family. I have expectations of myself as a housewife, basically none of which I've met. After I sort out a few things around here I am determined to cook regular meals for my husband and son. It is pathetic how badly I've dropped the ball on this one.

.Packing up 12-18 mo clothing tonight since the kid will not stop growing! Although, there is nothing like seeing Samson learn daily and absorb so much of his surroundings. Tonight he started yelling to me, "Momma! Come here!" so he could show me that he'd pushed his toy box out of his room (of course). I get so much joy hearing him talk and add more and more words to his vocabulary.

Christmas Morning

We spent Christmas morning this year at home for the first time ever, and loved it! It felt a little different since we've never done that since we've been married, but I think it'll be fun from here on out to spend the holiday with my little family. At least a part of it!

Tadd and I prepped for Christmas morning after Sammy fell asleep Christmas Eve, while watching White Christmas of course! It was adorable watching Tadd take such care while putting together Samson's train table, the man is a perfectionist!

Why is it that stockings always seem to hold much less than we remembered?

Sammy's first glimpse of Christmas!

The stocking was a hit, and he began pulling things out himself before too long.

Typical child-by-presents-under-the-Christmas-tree picture

Nothing is better than watching your child experience the magic of Christmas. I loved watching these two open gifts together and then play with Sam's toys. It was all I wanted for that morning.

Opening the train set we ended up taking back because the kid is just too young for it. He's more than satisfied with IKEA train tracks and little trains. Chuggington ones, of course.

Apparently he REALLY loved his train table.