October, November and December flew by and now I feel so behind on my documenting. If only I could just transfer everything from Facebook and Instagram to here and call it good. **Maybe there's a way but I'm not that tech-savvy** The past few months we've just been living and enjoying our kids. I always say it but I cannot believe how fast they're growing up. I try not to dwell on that sad part.
Kobe:
I am so glad we passed the entrance of the two-year-old stage. I'm sure we'll have more moments when he's a 'threenager' but for now he is back to being my sweet boy. His comprehension grows so much each day. He speaks in basically full sentences, and I know that I'm his mom so I understand Kobe language a little better than others, but he talks pretty well and is understood usually. He is starting to be quotable and I love that! He keeps us entertained and on our toes. He still snuggles, takes naps, and is pretty low-key. He loves watching TV (because his parents do) and he loves to play outside. He's into dinosaurs, his usual cars, motorcycles, monster trucks, choo choos, and mega blocks. His favorite shows are Polar Express, The Grinch (both from Christmas time obviously), Jurassic Park, Paw Patrol, Toy Story, Cars, Shrek, Big Hero 6 and a few others. He watches something new every few days that he gets hooked on. Life is much easier with being able to communicate with him. We have some pretty entertaining conversations. He has his routines and a great memory. For example, every morning he gets up and wants a Gogurt, and then juice and oatmeal and wants to watch a show. Also as soon as he gets in the car he asks for gum. He asks to go to bed when he's tired. He loves his little sister, "Baylella" and loves to make her smile.
Baylella
End of 2015 Recap:
All I remember from October is Halloween and hanging out with the kids. Always taking lots of pictures of the kids. I can't help it. We were Toy Story characters for Halloween: Lane- Woody, Kobe - Buzz Lightyear, Ella- Mr. Potato Head, and I was Jessie. We had Granny Ella stay with us for a couple weeks as well.
Our mailman sometimes (more often when the sun is out and we're outside) gives Kobe a blue sucker, so we attempted to give him a little gift back. I say 'attempted' because two failed attempts led to a different driver on those days. Oh well, it was a good idea in theory.
Our mailman sometimes (more often when the sun is out and we're outside) gives Kobe a blue sucker, so we attempted to give him a little gift back. I say 'attempted' because two failed attempts led to a different driver on those days. Oh well, it was a good idea in theory.
I can remember December better because that just happened and I got to see my family, and Lane gave me 25 days of Christmas; a gift with a poem a day! He may not realize it, nor do I expect anything like that in the future, but with his words in the poems and his affection and acts of service I feel like even through all the work stress and travel stress, our love and happiness with each other grew. It's not because I got a gift every day, but my appreciation for him grew as well. Also in December, we played the parts of Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus in our ward's live nativity. Ella was baby Jesus. I had a bad attitude about it but it was a very humbling experience (I may include my thoughts later on if I post a picture from it). Also, I had my first experience sliding on ice off into a ditch....that was fun. NOT. Luckily it was in a safe place and we were rescued fairly quickly. Kobe cried and said, "we falled over!"
Leavenworth is gorgeous during Christmas time. As busy as it is and how little there is to do there if you don't want to spend money eating, drinking or shopping, I think the lights are a must at least once during December. We went with some new friends that recently moved here.
This was our ward's live nativity followed by a program where we all had parts and music and videos. It was so beautifully put together and I was overcome with emotion. Like I said before, I went into it having a bad attitude, and this is what I wrote of it:
What an honor it was to play the part of Mary at our church's live nativity tonight. I went into it not knowing much about what the evening would entail, nor did I recognize all that was being planned so beautifully behind the scenes. I felt silly all week, we ran out of gas on the way there, and Ella (whom was playing my baby Jesus) was crying in the car. As soon as we put on our costumes and wer...e placed in the stable, my heart was humbled and filled with even more love for Christ, and for Mary, who bore that sweet child. I don't feel worthy to play her part. I only have my love for my own children to compare to her love of her son, our Savior-- and I feel that my love can grow no more (I'm continually proven wrong). Watching the little children gather to see "baby Jesus" (and the live animals), watching their faces light up in awe, it gave me a very small picture of how excited children, shepherds, Wiseman, and other followers were to meet Jesus Christ, and the honor it was to hold that child. I am so grateful for this time of year when we truly celebrate the birth of Christ, His "redeeming grace."
Nana's little helper with inches and inches and inches of snow
As I started putting the tree up, Kobe started putting his cars and trucks and sippy cups and other random toys in the tree...so I decided that would be the theme of my tree this year. And it was beautiful. **Last year he put his cars and trucks in the tree too**
Complete set of stockings for now...I'll probably just buy a new set rather than make the next with any more additions (no, that's not an announcement).
Olaf made an appearance at our house this year. For a day. Then he fell over.
Reading Time at the library with Nana and Taterbug
Ella's core strength is amazing for her age. Hence, the air planking.
Sibling bath!
This little girl loves her mommy's undivided attention
"Mommy, I make choo choo tracks."
Eating icicles
Found her feet!
Christmas Sunday and her brother wouldn't take a picture with her. Stinker.
Yeah, when that happened...
Twinning
Leavenworth is gorgeous during Christmas time. As busy as it is and how little there is to do there if you don't want to spend money eating, drinking or shopping, I think the lights are a must at least once during December. We went with some new friends that recently moved here.
A baby's wonder and awe
What an honor it was to play the part of Mary at our church's live nativity tonight. I went into it not knowing much about what the evening would entail, nor did I recognize all that was being planned so beautifully behind the scenes. I felt silly all week, we ran out of gas on the way there, and Ella (whom was playing my baby Jesus) was crying in the car. As soon as we put on our costumes and wer...e placed in the stable, my heart was humbled and filled with even more love for Christ, and for Mary, who bore that sweet child. I don't feel worthy to play her part. I only have my love for my own children to compare to her love of her son, our Savior-- and I feel that my love can grow no more (I'm continually proven wrong). Watching the little children gather to see "baby Jesus" (and the live animals), watching their faces light up in awe, it gave me a very small picture of how excited children, shepherds, Wiseman, and other followers were to meet Jesus Christ, and the honor it was to hold that child. I am so grateful for this time of year when we truly celebrate the birth of Christ, His "redeeming grace."
We went to California for Christmas. Our flight got cancelled out of Wenatchee, and luckily we got that text notice the night before because our flight out of Seattle was early as well, and we ended up driving over right before they closed the passes. We had a fun-packed 5 days once we got there: lunch with my family and cousins, Medieval Times, Orange County's Discovery Cube (dinosaurs and Hotwheels = perfect for Kobe), dinner with my dad's side, Christmas with my family and my mom's side, Universal Studios, family pictures at my favorite place in the world (even though half the crew were sick), and dinner at my aunt's house. Lots of family time and lots of food as always!
There's the dimples and tongue
It was also a miserable trip home with late night delays and exhausted kids, but we are home and now almost a week into a new year! I'm not much for setting unrealistic goals so I've got my usual ones in my head and although the cold/flu season has gotten our family off to a bad start, I've got a positive look into 2016. I've been blessed with the most beautiful and loving family and couldn't ask for anything better.
My social media goal is to do less of it, but keeping up on my blog :)
