Gift Idea or Simply Family History

I saw on a friend's blog quite some time ago that it was possible to make your blog into a book. I checked out the website and decided to do it as Christmas gifts for mine and Kris' grandparents. They are absolutely wonderful becuase they allow me the opportunity to keep family stories over the past year. The books I made for our grandparents only went up to October, but I'm going to finish the book through this year and create a new book each year. They're fantastic!

The website is www.blurb.com. You download their book making program, upload your blog, then re-design the pages. It took me two months to do a year's worth of posts, but well worth the time and effort.

21" is not the White Christmas I was Dreaming Of

Christmas was crazy this year. By evening time on Christmas Day we had 21". We measured an untouched part of the sidewalk and the reading was loud and clear. In places with snow drifts from the wind it was much higher. Then of course, the snowplows pile up the snow and to try and get into the driveway was up to the thigh. The top picture is the side of our yard. If you look closely, you can see the top of our picket fence. And our neighbor's roof gives a semi-good idea of what is there. We shoveled so much the next few days that both of us had sore backs and arms. I don't think I've ever lifted so much snow in my life. I'm so glad the storm only lasted until the next day.

Besides digging ourselves in or out of our house, Christmas was a great day. My parents came over early in the morning and watched Kyson open his presents. He got a few things from Santa and a few from us. His favorite things were the books he got and his "Little People" farm. Santa brought him little missionaries to put in his stocking and he keeps having the missionaries drive the tractor to his farm. It's pretty cute.

After Kyson went through his presents at the house, we went to my sister's house and had breakfast, watched a video of when they swam with the dolphins in Mexico, and opened a few presents. It was fantastic. After my sister's house, we moved on to my parents.

My parents nearly brought me to tears with their gift. There was a card that said, "Christmas comes but once a year, so enjoy each other all year long on a monthly date." With the card was gift cards to 12 different restaurants including: Olive Garden, Appleby's, Madeline's Steak House, Chili's, and many other places. What a perfect gift. It doesn't take up space, it doesn't need to be returned, it's practical, and it gives us an opportunity to spend time together all year long without the stress of money. It was absolutely perfect!!! We had a wonderful dinner and just sat around enjoying the time we had together.

Late that evening after Kyson had a nap, we visited Kris' parents and brother. We couldn't stay very late because it was starting to snow again and we didn't want to get caught in a storm. After such a full day, Kyson was exhausted, but I think that he really enjoyed his 2nd Christmas.

Kyson's Stats

Well, we recently took Kyson for his 18 month checkup. I didn't know that he was supposed to have a checkup at 18 months, so he got a 20 month checkup - he's fantastic. He is still dropping slightly on his weight percentage, but, the doctor said it looks like he's leveling out and that is a good thing. Here are some stats for you:

Weight:
Birth 9 lbs, 5 oz 74%
January 20 lbs, 8 oz 66%
(problems with eating began)
Current 25 lbs, 3 oz 37%

So as you can see, he's dropped significantly. Height and head size have remained pretty consistent.

Height:
Birth 22" 90%
Current 35.5" 92%

Head Circumference:
Birth 14" 25%
Current 18" 23%

So basically, looking at his stats, Kyson is really tall, really skinny, and has a small head. Most importantly, however, is that he is healthy and we're so glad to have him in our lives.

More Festivities

This weekend we went to three parties. While I love all of the parties and the chance to see family and friends, it will be nice when life calms down and We're not booked with something everyday. I think poor Kyson is feeling the brunt of it more than anyone.

Thursday night, my grandmother from New Hampshire flew in. I ran over to see her briefly on my way home from work, but we planned to get togehter for dinner on Friday. I love it when she comes into town. I fear that this may be the last time that I get to see her becuase it's getting hard for her to travel so far. She turned 90 in June. It's also hard for us to get to New Hampshire when we're just the Average Joe middle-class working family. Travel is expensive, and it's difficult to get a day off. We're just so glad to have her here and I can't wait to spend quality time with her.

Saturday was a birthday party for my grandfather. He has been in a home for a while after an accident that broke his leg and eventually led to a hip replacement. He's confined to a wheelchair right now. My mother put in a lot of time planning the party for her father. I heard there was quite the turnout at the beginning becuase it was a surprise party. We put Kyson down for a nap around noon, and finally had to wake him up at 3:30. We made it to the party, but missed a lot of the guests. The most important gues was still there though - my grandpa. I'm so lucky to have two grandparents make it to that amazing age. I only hope they can hold on to see all my children, when we eventually have more.

After the birthday party, we went to Kris' step brother's and sisters' Christmas party. This year is the first time for as long as I can remember when everyone who lives in the state was there. Even Christopher, who lives in Cedar City, came. They called their sister, Angy, who lives in Rhode Island and to hear all of her family brought her to tears. All the children put on a little skit where they acted out the Baby Jesus story. They were dressed as Mary, Joseph, wisemen, shepherds and who could forget the Inn Keeper. It was absolutely adorable. It was good times for everyone. We didn't get home until 11:00 and Kyson was so tired.

Next in our Party Marathon was the birthday party of our nephew Blake. He turned two on Saturday. We came earlier than everyone else becuase Kris needed to get home to prepare for work. I also had papers to grade. Blake liked our present, but we think his little brother, Colin, likes it more. Kyson picked it out and I was concerned he wouldn't give it up willingly.

Overall, it's been an exhausting week, but I'm so glad that we'll be able to settle down soon. Thursday we will celebrate the birth of our Savior and exeplify the wisemen by giving gifts to one another to show how much we care and honor those in our lives. I can't wait - even though I'm still not ready.

The Festivities Begin

This weekend is our second weekend filled with an obligation. We don't have a single Friday or Saturday night free in the month of December, but hey, it keeps us young - right?! Friday night we got together with the families of all those with whom I teach at La Europa. It's so nice knowing the spouses of the teachers, so when we have opportunities to get together, I feel weird and out of place. I really enjoy my coworkers and I'm so glad I have them to get me through those tough days when I hate my job. (We all have those days).

Saturday, we were supposed to go to see the lights at Temple Square with all of Kris's family, but plans changed. There was a big storm Saturday, I thought maybe we should cancel, but then it cleared up and I was relieved that we'd be able to make it considering this was our only chance to go this year. Rusty and Amy's kids have been sick and they didn't want to have them outside for an extended period of time - makes sense. Instead, we went to Carl's Junior and enjoyed the large playland. Kyson didn't care for the slide too much for some reason. He was crying so loud that it sounded like he was crying into a mega- phone. Amy and I were the freaky parents who were climbing in the playland even though we're more than 4 feet tall. Amy said she's really only 10, just had a growth spurt at 10. Nice try Amy, I know you're as old as me. Amy managed to climb all the way to the top to help the kids go down the slide. I waited at the bottom of the slide to help them. It was pretty entertaining to watch them. Especially when Kris's mom climbed inside to play with them too. I'm surprised we didn't get kicked out. I think they should build an adult playland at restaurants. Who's with me?

After the playland, we went to Rusty and Amy's. We were going to have an indoor snowball fight, but it was getting late and I was the party pooper who said we couldn't stay. The kids all really enjoyed playing with the toys.

Poor Franni Faye

This weekend, Franni was spayed. When we brought her home, it was obvious that she was in a lot of pain and still doped up with the anesthesia. At the vet, they told us that she needed to stay indoors for 24 hours, no activity for 10 days including going up and down stairs, and to have her eat and drink when she got home. That night she wouldn't eat or drink and she seemed just miserable.

By morning, you'd never guess she had surgery. She was bouncing off the walls and wanting to play. We took her to my parent's house while we went to church because she needed to stay indoors, and all she wanted to do was play with my parent's dogs. Now she wants to play in the snow and she's not supposed to get wet for 10 days either.

What a resilient puppy.

Kelley's Birthday, Kyson's New Skills, and Happy Christmas to Us

This weekend we went to Kelley's birthday party. She turned 15 and it's surprising how quickly she's grown up. We had cake and ice cream and an opportunity to talk It's nice that we've had so many opportunities to get together this month. With Chelsie's birthday, Thanksgiving, and Kelley's birthday, we've had 3 chances between the month! Family is so wonderful and I can't imagine how empty my life would be without my family.

Along with Kelley's birthday, we did a little early Christmas gift for ourselves as well. On Black Friday, you know how there are killer deals, well, we bought a rotating can thingy. We've been wanting to buy one for some time to encourage us to do a food storage. It was on sale for about $200 off, so we took advantage of it. That night, I was so excited, we rearranged the pantry, and put it in there. It's beautiful, but has shown us how little food we have in storage. Hey, we have room for the storage now though! The picture doesn't do it justice. I couldn't fit it all in the picture becuase of the wall.

While we were cleaning out the pantry, Kyson found the plunger. he looks like a natural carrying it around. Who knows, maybe he'll grow up to be a plumber. I hear they make pretty good money.