Boxing Day at the Treehouse Museum

The day after Christmas we met up with my friend Heather and her son and nephew. Liam had a great time running around with the big boys. This was our second visit to this great museum. The last time Liam went, he was 20 months old and only wanted to play at the train tables. This time he took full advantage. We even got to watch a children's play in the theater! The kids loved it! It was a fun afternoon with friends. I thoroughly enjoyed having that time to be with Heather. She is such an awesome friend.









When we got home that evening, Daddy had raclette all prepped and ready for us! DJ and Anissa bought us this fun party grill for Christmas. Made us miss the old days when we had raclette parties with them and all the Wheeler's.

Tip: Have your kids make their own food, and they actually eat it!

Christmas Morning

I'll have to post video later of our guy cleaning out his stocking from Santa. He got a lot of goodies from everyone else too! I especially love the jammies, robe and scarf that Grandma Dixie made for Liam. She also made him pillow cases for every occasion! We were so tickled with the variety! Currently it's Spiderman on his pillow.

See below photos of the glee Christmas morning. He got the dinosaur and Darth Vader that he asked for... and let's not forget Santa getting him Bakugan. He also got his first set of Lincoln Logs. A boy's selection of toys. He couldn't be more pleased.

P.S. Liam was excited to get Candy Land for Christmas this year. Last night we played before bedtime. He won the first round and I won the second round. He was pretty upset about my win. Talking calmly about sportsmanship and taking turns winning didn't change his tone. We'll work on it for the next round.

Christmas Eve

We had a wonderful day off of work and school today. Liam and I went to visit some friends, did some grocery shopping and then played and cleaned house. I thoroughly enjoyed Liam's well-behaved manner. Anticipation of Christmas and downtime really makes a difference in demeanor for us.

This evening we went to a new hibachi grill restaurant and were so impressed with our meals (and the entertainment). We drove up to Temple Square after that and were glad we wore warm coats and mittens. It was a beautiful crisp night as we walked around to see all the lights and look upon the life-size Nativity. Liam loved seeing the Angel Moroni on top of the temple. We were sure to get a photo of Liam and Moroni together.

On the horse-drawn carriage ride around the square, as we were passing a glorious view of the temple, Liam told the driver and the other passengers (who we split the fare with) that his mom and dad got married there! It was so cute to hear that from him. They looked at us and asked if we really did get married there and we smiled and nodded.

I think this Christmas Eve venture should be a family tradition from now on. It was an amazing way to celebrate this season of our Savior's birth.

I forgot to mention that in the middle of the carriage ride, I managed to drop my mitten whilst taking photos. The gal sitting across from me saw it happen so we knew where to go find it after the ride. Anyway, Ian was kind enough to drive us back to the mitten and I picked it up out of the road. When we were on our way again, Liam said, "Mom, I love you because you found your mitten." I was quick to give Daddy the credit since he drove us to get it back. He said, "Yeah, Dad is a good finder, but he doesn't find everything." We got a good laugh. Then Liam gave himself credit on how good of a finder he is too.

Prior to getting home, Liam mentioned his excitement to get the cookies set out for Santa. He rushed into the house and did his work. My job was the pour the milk in a snowman mug. He went to bed very easily, you know, because Santa is getting so close to Utah... we had to hurry.

Merry Christmas!

We hope all our family and friends have a very happy holiday weekend! Liam is so excited for tomorrow to come. He's been a joy today.

Last weekend we attempted making a little gingerbread house out of graham crackers. Liam had a ball as you can see!

Your in for a treat

So I was helping Liam do some of his homework last night. One assignment was associated with the Letter M. He was asked to draw a picture of his mom. After giving him direction, I was sitting at the table going through the newspaper as he was focusing on his drawing.

I saw he had finished my big head and my hair that actually looked like horns (which is quite telling these days). So I asked about my missing arms and then about my missing legs. He finished the hearty arms and sparse phalanges then I reminded him about my legs again. He said, "OH MOM! I almost forgot your ribs!"

Well, that was surprising indeed that he forgot such an important part of my body! So in my ignorance I said, "Oh, then you better give me some ribs then."

As you can imagine, laughter expelled from me as he drew two small circles for my "ribs." I got Ian's attention to come take a look and we both laughed about those ribs for awhile. Liam had no idea what was so funny as he continued his artwork of his monstrous mother.


I relayed this story to his teacher today and she didn't laugh at all. Curious. Just a smile. I'm suspicious that boobs are refered to as ribs at his school. I don't know... I'm just baffled by the new reference and the lack of laughter by his teacher.

Cousin Sierra Came to Visit

My sister, Heidi, and Liam's cute cousin, Sierra, decided to make the trip down to Utah last Friday. Here is what the weekend consisted of:

• 4 year old jokes
• much laughter
• repetition of those lame jokes
• lots of playing indoors
  
• disagreements on indoor activities
• mothers reprimanding 4 year olds
• going to Target
• 4 year old jokes
• picking out a Christmas tree
• getting "cousin photos" done
• pouting
• putting up Christmas decorations
• 4 year old jokes
• playing in the snow
  
• eating snow
• throwing snow
• refusing to come indoors

And the photos - check out the personality in this mighty duo:

I love this photo!
Sierra finally gets her snowball revenge.
What a sport!

Doing Christmas Things

Liam had a pretty good day yesterday. He helped us put up the Christmas lights and also got to visit with Santa.

Liam modeling his Rudolf hat that Grandma Dixie made him.



Helping Dad put up the lights.


Before we left to see Santa, Liam insisted on drawing him a picture. "Look Mom! I made Santa's beard and glasses!" I think the hat on top is pretty funny. Santa was tickled pink to receive such a gift!


Waiting anxiously for his turn.


Santa complimenting the interpretation of his reindeer friend, Rudolf.
(And while tugging the hat, he created Dopey ears on poor Liam.)


Dopey and Santa.
Liam was a bit nervous. Can you see the fist in the sweater?


Liam helped me pay for a train ride after visiting with Santa.
He had such a fun time!

Here is last year's visit - click here.