Christmas 2012

This year we were able to spend Christmas in Denver with Todd's family.  It was our very first time, since being married, to be in Denver for Christmas.  It was fun for me to see the things and experience what the Wilson's do for Christmas.  It was laid back and fun. Which was very welcoming!  The kids got to make gingerbread houses with Grandma Wilson.  We were able to go spend Christmas day in Colorado Springs with Tim and Tiffany (todd's brother and SIL).  My favorite part was just seeing our kids interact with their cousins. They've never spent that much time with them and it was neat to see how much fun they have the connections that have already been made.

We of course started by opening our Christmas PJs on Christmas Eve.  I thought it would be fun if we ALL had matching pajamas and not just the kids.  So I decided to try my hand at sewing them all.  Needless to say Todd's only stayed on for pictures! Everett's were the only ones that turned out decent.  Oh well! At least we had some memories and laughs.

 Christmas morning Everett woke up super super early.  I think the main problem was that I was upstairs making cinnamon rolls so instead of getting him back to bed he ended up staying with me.  He surprisingly didn't notice any of the presents until Todd came up and mentioned something.  The first thing they both saw were their new pillows.  I was surprised with how much the liked them, but they did!

 It was so fun to see Everett's excitement when opening every single present.  Jacquelyn was slowly learning how everything went.  Once she opened her new baby though it was all over.  She was in heaven!  She just kept going around saying "baby" and feeding it it's bottle.  After all the excitement of our morning we headed down to Colorado Springs for all the cousin and sibling exchanges and dinner.  There was never a dull moment between the adults, or just hearing all the noise from the kids.

WE had such a nice time and are so grateful for being able to spend it with family.  How grateful we are for this time of year to reflect and remember all that has been given to us and for the birth of our Savior.

Todd's Graduation

We had waited 5 years and the time finally came....Todd graduated!!! It was so exciting.  Todd said he thought he'd feel a sense of relief, but it just felt like another day.  I'll admit when I saw him walk across the stage that I started to cry.  It was a neat experience to just see everything come together and to realize that all that hard work was worth it.  Joe and Debbie came to celebrate and we were so glad they were able to make it.  I am so proud of Todd and all that he has accomplished.  We've been through a lot the past little bit, but I know that all his hard work will pay off in the end.

27

I am slowly inching closer to 30!  It honestly feels weird saying I'm 27 now.  I don't know why, but it does.  It was a nice day.  Todd left a little surprise for me at work.  I was able to go to lunch with a good friend.  And it ended with opening presents and looking at Christmas lights.  It wasn't just my special day either.  I was able to celebrate with Mr. Everett.  He somehow got it in his head that every birthday is now his birthday! Todd kept asking whose birthday it was and he'd say "mine!"  When Todd informed him that it was not he got pretty upset, so needless to say it ended up being "our" birthday.  He helped open my present and we got to use my brand new whirly pop together!

Band Aids

Everett likes band aids.  Anytime he gets the littlest scrape, or bumps into something, he needs a band aid.  It's to the point where it's kind of out of control, but luckily they have cheap band aids so we can keep bandaging up those bumps!

Well, this morning he was getting up from underneath our kitchen table when he whacked his head on the corner. We had some tears, but of course once I mentioned band aids they went away.  Band aids make everything better.  I gave him his band aid for him to put on where it hurt and then I completely forgot about all this until we got to daycare.  He had his hood up so I didn't even notice it until he goes to take it off and Ms. Julia ask if he's alright.  She thought he had a big gash or something! Nope just bumped his head.  He kept that band aid all day.  I thought it'd be off by the time I picked them up, but nope he wore it proud all day!

Halloween 2012

Halloween was never a big deal in my home growing up.  At least that I can remember! We would have my dad's famous chili and that is pretty much one of the only traditions I can remember.  The past couple of years has been fun dressing Everett up, but this year I had no motivation.  I honestly wasn't interested in spending money to make or buy a costume.  The closer we got to Halloween I realized Todd wouldn't even be home to take them to our ward trunk or treat.  So that was the final straw for me.  We were just going to do our own little fun thing that night.  Everett never really mentioned anything in regards to halloween so I just figured he wasn't old enough to really care.

Halloween rolls around and I'm honestly excited not to have to worry about getting costumes ready, or going anywhere that night.  I put some chili in the crockpot, put the finishing touches on treats for Ms. Julia's (our wonderful daycare lady) and we headed out for the day.  When we got home we hung out a little and then when outside to enjoy the beautiful weather.  It was honestly really nice outside.  So we got out the bikes and went for a little walk up the street.

 As the night rolled out nothing was really panning out as I planned.  We had dinner, made some popcorn, and then popped in a movie.  I rented a little Halloween movie I thought Everett would enjoy.  He was pretty excited.  The first 5 minutes of the movie we had spilled our popcorn about 3 or 4 times.  15 minutes later Everett was done with the movie and put Dora in.  Yeah he really enjoyed it!  I thought they would LOVE my special Halloween popcorn.  It was mixed with marshmallow pumpkins and candy corn.  The excitement I was expecting was not there at all!

 

Just as Everett is settling into watch Dora I get a call from Todd.  He got out of class early and was on his way home.  He thought we should go to the trunk or treat.  Seriously?!  I had nothing.  Well, I had a backup plan for Everett so I was able to use that for him, but Jacquelyn...nothing.  She pretty much just got clothes put on her. Don't ask what she is cause honestly I don't know! You could call her bedtime baby I guess.  Everett was our own little Home Depot Associate.  Only 1 person called him that.  The rest of the night he was either Handy Manny or Bob the Builder. Yeah we're good!

 Despite my lack of motivation or desire I am glad we went.  When Todd got home and told Everett we were going trick or treating he was thrilled! Why had he not shown any of that excitement before. Anytime I brought it up through out the month he acted like he just didn't care!  I figured I would have to carry Jacquelyn most of the time, but boy was I wrong.  She sure caught on to the whole candy tradition pretty quick.  She would go up to the car and look at them, or just straight into their bowl. Once allowed she would dig in!  Everett is still a little shy when going up to people, but this little girl sure is not.  As we were walking back to the car she just plopped herself onto the sidewalk and started going throw her goods.  She immediately pulled out a huge tootsie roll pop and of course had to indulge right away. 

 They were handing out hot chocolate as you were done and we learned that Everett just LOVES hot chocolate.  So much so that TOdd thought he was done and threw the rest of his drink away.  That caused some tears so we had to come home and make some of our own.  The kids got to enjoy 1 more piece of candy and then got ready for bed.  I wish it ended there, but nope our evening just had to involve a child vomiting!  Jacquelyn must of had way too much fun and just let it all out.  RIght after she was just fine and dandy running around again.

Needless to say I've learned my lesson.  Next year will be different and hopefully we'll have some more creative costumes planned!