Random December Pictures

Sorry folks...this one is going to be a long one. Below are all of my random pictures from the past month that don't need their own post, but that I thought were worth mentioning. The Christmas posts will come later.

Making Christmas countdown chains

Preston wasn't as excited about the Christmas chains, but LOVED coloring pictures representing the 12 days of Christmas

Dylan reading to Marissa

This kid has become such an amazing big brother

Playing a kid game at the Apple store while I waited to get my iMac registered to be fixed

I decided to have a SLC day since we were at the Gateway for the computer anyway. We ate off the dollar menu at McDonald's and then the kids played on the toys for a bit.

Then we headed over to the Planetarium to get in some education for the day. The kids LOVE watched the balls roll around and around. We read a little pamphlet on Newton's laws and then watched them in action.

Walking on Mars

One of MANY moments of complete exhaustion and survival this holiday season

See what I mean...SURVIVAL

Movies, snuggling, mommy trying to get a little rest...

How many people can we fit on one couch anyway? :)

Preston has really started loving his toys. This is how he hugs them. He also carries his favorites around in a little bag with him EVERYWHERE.

I put the sleigh up by my garland to decorate and Dylan couldn't handle it being alone up there. We didn't have any reindeer so as always, the kid improvised. We had zebras pulling Santa's sleigh all season long.

I took the kids swimming all by myself one day. We just had to get out and get some exercise. I was a little stressed out since it was Marissa's first swimming trip (she doesn't even own a swimsuit yet), but it worked out fine. As long as I have floaties and an eye on Mr. water-loving dare devil... That kid is CRAZY!

Marissa loved her little boat and used the handle as a teething ring :)

The YW leaders at our "Christmas appreciation luncheon" hosted by President Slade

I seriously LOVE these women! It has been an incredible year and a half (almost) since I was put in YW and now I don't know what I would do without it.

We went to see the Layton City Christmas lights with our friends the Talbots

It was pretty warm for December and the snow had melted...so Preston rolled down a hill in the leaves over and over

I love Marissa's excited/startled faces. She cracks me up with some of them!

Playing in the snow

Preston loved getting bundled up so he could stay warm and playing forever outside. He is impossible to catch on camera though...and lost his gloves the first time in the snow. Honestly! Those kids...

Marissa hanging out in her Bumbo...a common sight at our house

Dylan loving his baby sister

Yes, we decided to give potty training another try...just before our insane holiday season began

It's actually going quite well now, but the first week, I think I changed Preston's clothes at least three times a day. I thought this picture was too funny. His "pooping stance" can be unusual. He kind of likes to sit with his legs crossed...and occasionally checks on his progress. Weird, but as long as we have success, I don't really care how it happens.

The worst night of croup for Preston. This was a couple days before Christmas. We ended up giving him steroids, two breathing treatments (thanks to our friend, Paola for lending us her nebulizer) and still had to take him out in the cold air twice to open his airway. Can you tell I feel like crap myself? My fever got up to 103 that day. This was one of my crying, near-meltdown moments. It was all I could do to try to take care of poor Preston.

I told Preston to put these gifts under the tree and came upstairs to find this. He had hung them on the tree as ornaments. He really loved decoration the tree this year and took very good care of it all season long. CUTE!

Anthony came over for a sleep over a few days after Christmas. He brought his knight castle and the kids spent hours playing with that and Dylan's new zoo set he got for Christmas.

Anthony and Preston. Notice the bag in Preston's hand. He will not let go of that thing. It has his little Toy Story 3 figures in it and he takes them EVERYWHERE.

The three of them slept on the blowup mattress in the family room. They know they're not allowed to jump on it because it might pop, but they are creative and before long had turned it into a slide.

Making sugar cookies. We didn't end up making cookies for Santa because so many people had brought treats and I felt like I was going to die so we made some for fun while Anthony was visiting.

There is something magical about watching a movie in a fort

Preston's decorated candy cane cookie

Dylan's Christmas tree cookie. We didn't make frosting, but decided to improvise on the decorating part and used neon gels I had in the cupboard. Not as tasty, but it worked.

Marissa practicing using a spoon :)

Five months old and sitting pretty well on her own...just not for very long without some supervision

Dylan decided he wanted to make dinner one day...so he did. He got on his apron and hat (that is way to small for his gigantic head) and went to work making pasta. I love his initiative! It sometimes drives me crazy how he gets an idea and starts on it without permission, but I'm glad I don't have to push him to learn stuff. He comes up with ideas all by himself and doesn't wait for anything. He just gets busy working on his goal.

My sweet little Preston. I have missed this sweet boy this year. Three is just a rough age for kids and I spent way too much time being concerned about his development and not enough enjoying this unique little guy. He is so caring, understanding and loving...and he learns the way he needs to learn. That's something I had to realize to be a better mom to this kid and is one of many reasons homeschooling seems to be the answer for our family. I love him to pieces! When he needs physical attention, he just comes and gets it. I love that about him. I don't have to worry about how much he needs because he lets me know. He comes and hugs me tight around the neck and kisses my cheeks over and over (the way I do to him) and I know he wants to show me love and probably wants to receive some too. :)

Brothers!

At first this picture seems pretty normal, nothing spectacular...but I have grown to love it. It seems to portray a relationship and personalities that I don't ever want to forget. There is Dylan in his chef's hat finishing fixing the meal for our family by himself with all his excitement and zeal for life and his incredible drive to achieve. He has on the biggest smile, is hamming it up for the camera, and has his arm around his little brother like the protector he is. Preston, on the other hand, is either completely oblivious to the fact that I even have the camera out or would rather ignore me. He is in his own world focusing on whatever he wants to focus on at the moment. He has his hand on his cheek (by his mouth) like he does so often when he is thinking or focusing and is just content to be alive. Because he is 3 he has plenty of energy right now, but in general he remains my mellow little fellow. He's not shy, but is more of an observer. He takes the world in and doesn't usually demonstrate a new skill for anyone until he has it perfected (one of the reasons I often worry that he is behind in something only to later realize he already has it down to a science).