Christmas 2009

Being 8 is great ! ! !

Today was Dylan's birthday. He is now 8 years old. I've spent a lot of the day shaking my head in disbelief because that couldn't possibly be true...But somehow it is.

He wanted to go to lunch at Applebee's. So we went and he ordered a corndog basket with fries and a lemonade.

Of course he kept saying, "Take a picture mom...take a picture!!!"

For dessert he ordered the chocolate mousse, just because it sounded funny. He didn't like it though, no surprise. He's just not a chocolate fan.

But he did like the whipped cream!!

After Applebee's, we went to a Redbox where he got to choose his own movie, then off to speech where Matt, his therapist, was waiting with a birthday present. A BIG bag of Skittles and two boxes of Tim Tams from Pepperidge Farms. He shared a different way to eat them, for which we look forward to trying...

THANKS MATT ! ! ! ! ! ! !

We went to Grandma/pa Thurber's and had pizza for dinner. Then we sang to him...

Opening the long awaited loot...

He got a quad of scriptures with his name embossed on them, a baptism coloring book, the Juniors Giants 2 DVD, a book about Joseph Smith, (whose birthday is tomorrow, he missed that by one hour and 16 minutes...being born at 10:44 PM) and a whole new church outfit. Grandma and Grandpa Thurber gave him his cub scout book and his cub scout shirt.

Practicing his salute in his 'uniform'. He kept walking around with it on, in awe with how 'beautiful (his word not mine) it was.

We didn't quite get to everything because Jared was sick and had a trip to the doctors. Jared has a left ear infection, tonsillitis and the beginnings of bronchitis. Poor kid, didn't want to go to the doctors, he kept saying, "I not sick, no doctor. I not sick, NO DOCTOR...." It's alright though Dylan, we'll get the bowling in some time during holiday break ! ! !

Happy Birthday Dylan. I hope it was good for you and that you will look back with good memories of this day. I love you so much and am so thankful to be your mom ! ! ! ! !

The Elementary School Christmas Program

The kids' school program was at the first of December. It was broken up into two nights...the kindergarten and 2nd grade on December 2nd, the first grade and 3rd grade on December 3rd. I did my best to explain to Dylan that I would not be making it to his program on the 2nd, because I had a class (test) then work immediately afterwards. I found someone to cover me for a short bit on the 3rd so I could make it to Taylor's. So for Dylan, I went to his dress rehearsal earlier that day...

Dylan doin his little dance...

Taking a breather with his aide Deicy...

Jared being very well behaved during the practice...of course I had to get a picture.

Taylor showing her sign language skills...

Following the program with her teacher, Mrs. Olsen.

What a 3 year old takes pictures of...

In case you were curious, here are a few things a 3 year old would take a picture of, if he ever got a hold of your camera...

The celing, of course... his feet...
his toy computer...

the rocking chair...

the room from wherever he is...

the vacuumn (why not??)...

Thanks Jared for those sweet pictures and showing the perspective from a 3 year old ! ! !

Then and Now

I really appreciated everyones positive comments about the kids and the Christmas pictures. To answer the question...Yes, I've started the tradition of taking their picture in front of the Christmas Tree with the santa hat, although I just started it last year...

Dylan Christmas 2008

Dylan Christmas 2009

Taylor Christmas 2008

Taylor Christmas 2009

Jared Christmas 2008

(Also Christmas 2008...but I just had to throw this one in for posterity sake...)

Jared Christmas 2009

Nothing like starting a new tradition. I print them up then put them in an ornament with the year on it. Someday, they'll have pictures of themselves as little kids to put on their trees and I hope the tradition will continue on...

Christmas cookies...

Don't forget to be cheezy when fighting over which cookie cutter you'll get to use next.

Make sure to make a mess...

But above all...ALWAYS
use ALL the green sprinkles on 3 cookies.