I Miss You

We had a few days where the sun was shining. Samuel and I took advantage of this and walked to parks and played in the sun and work in the yard and just soaked up as much vitamin D as we possibly could.

Today is the first day that it has rained since the weekend. Every part of my bodies knows that this is the case. I miss that big, bright, yellow ball in the sky. So much so that I think I want to move. I want to move wherever that sun will warm my body and keep me happy for longer then a few months out of the year. If only it could be that easy...

Flying

There is always a first for everything. I just never thought it would be so soon. Samuel learned to fly.

This last Friday, we were blessed with a beautiful sunny day. So, Samuel and I decided to walk to a near by park called Robinswood Park. We love this park. They have a section for little tots and a larger play area for bigger kids.

Samuel loves slides. The little slides are fun but the moment mommy took him down a BIG slide, he found his true passion. I would help him get situated at the top of the slide then meet him at the bottom to pick him up and set him on the ground. We never had any problems with this system before.

However, on this lovely day, Samuel went strait to the big slides and we went about our routine. I helped him at the top and then released him. To my amazement he flew down the slide going at lightning speed. He had never gone down those slides that fast. I realized in disbelief at what was happening, HE - WAS - FLYING....yes, flying off the end of the slide and landing with a thud. I got to him as fast as I could and comforted him but no sooner did he calm down, he was back at it. This time around, I went down the slide with him. I decided to cut our flying lessons short for the day. He's a tough cookie.

As a mother, I learned a lesson. Don't bring your kid(s) to the park in sweat pants. Unless, you plan on flying lessons. To be safe, always wear jeans. Unless, your kid likes his flying lessons. Mine did not.

This picture and video were taken of an earlier park experience when we had no clue what sweat pants could do.

Winter Fun

After Christmas, we decided to rent a cabin up in the mountains at Ensign Ranch. We thought it would be fun to take Samuel sledding and enjoy a heated cabin. There is no way we would have stayed in anything but a heated cabin, not when you have a little one. We figured that the more comfortable we would be at night, the better Samuel could sleep. Well, that didn't happen....

My Mom, Dad, and Kimberlee were all going to join us up at the cabin. My brother Jordan was already in our car. As we approached the pass, we all came to a stop. We found out the road was closed because of an accident so we ended up waiting for two hours before we could move one. During that time, Mom found out that the pass was going to get a lot of snow that night and since they had plans the following day, they couldn't afford to get trapped. So, they bailed on us. But, we decided to go ahead with our plans. And, since Jordan was with us, he was coming along to enjoy this experience.

We arrived late than originally planned and since Samuel had fallen asleep in the car during our two hour wait, he awoke and was ready to play. So, we kept him up while we played a came and made some yummy hot chocolate. This is where we made a very VERY very BIG mistake. We gave him some hot chocolate. 

When we were all ready for bed, Samuel was not. When we put him to bed, Samuel cried. When an hour went by, Samuel was still throwing a fit. When the clock said it was too late for anyone to be awake, Samuel was awake and NOT happy. I honestly don't quite remember what got him to sleep hours later but we were all grateful when there was peace and quiet at last. I really feel sorry for our neighboring cabin who shared a wall with us. 

Despite our horrible nights sleep, we still managed to have a wonderful morning. We made a hot breakfast and bundled up to go sledding in the snow. We had a few tumbles but I was the only was injured. I had hit a bump, flipped and slammed my shin into a junk of ice. Oh, did I mention Samuel was riding with me? Luckily my mother instincts kicked in and I shielded him with my arms. He left that mess untouched. Lucky kid. I still have a tender spot on my shin from that sledding accident. 

We found this snowman just hanging out by himself but the poor little fella didn't have anything, not even a face. So, Jordan got to work creating this masterpiece. He said the snowman was celebrating the Chinese new year....early, several weeks early.
 
Though the trip was full of things that we hadn't expected, we still had a really good time. This was definitely a memory maker. And, we have learned NEVER to give a child hot chocolate before bed.

Christmas Arrived Twice This Year

We're the type of family from day one that liked having our own Christmas morning celebration. There is something exciting and fun about waking up at the crack of dawn to run down stairs and build a fire and make some warm mush for an early breakfast and sitting around watching your loved ones open the gifts you bought for them. It's priceless. Since we were going to be at the In-laws Christmas morning, we decided to have Christmas morning a day early. 

CHRISTMAS EVE MORNING: 

It's tradition. You have to have a fire on Christmas morning. Besides, Samuel LOVES helping dad build fires in the fire place. He cries if he can't help daddy. It really is quite cute. He knows how to crinkle up the paper and hand Kyan the kindling and even blow at the right times. He's a smart little guy.

Unfortunately, neither of us took pictures of our Christmas morning beyond this point. But, it was indeed a wondering morning. Later, we drove down to Galen and Anita's home and gathered together as a family to enjoy Christmas Even together. It happened to have been Anita's birthday a day before so Shawna brought a cake and the exact number of candles to match her age. So...yeah, light all those candles with a match really wasn't working so.......

Did someone say...... BLOW TORCH? It was awesome. Look at Galen lighting those candles with style. Well Done!

Of course the grandchildren helped blow out the candles with Grandma. It was a wonderful and quite delightful experience. One definitely worth documenting for future generations. :)

After the crazy party, we gathered in the living room to play a white elephant gift exchange. 

Then, we sent the kids to bed and the adults stayed up to play games. We had to keep a watch out for Santa Clause....of course. 

CHRISTMAS MORNING:

Christmas morning came sooner than later. We all woke up at 6am and the kids waited by the stairs until the adults gave them the O.K.

Samuel loved his new Thomas the Train set. From here on out, all we ever heard from him was ...CHOO-CHOO.

Once Samuel was done playing with his toys he went over to his cousin's toys and played with them as well.

The room was a disaster but for good reason. We all had a wonderful Christmas morning. When the gifts from Santa were done, we all showered and went to church to enjoy a wonderful Christmas program. More family arrived later that day and delicious food was served. It was a Christmas to remember.

December 2011

I know I am a few months behind and the Christmas season has come and gone. But, we had such a wonderful  month of December that I couldn't neglect all the fun pictures that I took during that month.

Every year we like to make sugar cookies, caramels, and sometimes fudge. This time around, we had a little helper. He helped eat the cookie dough along with randomly placing cookies cutters over the rolled out dough.

Along with all the yummy smells in the kitchen we also focused on the true meaning of Christmas. I love all the traditions that come with the holiday but it can be easy to get lost in those traditions and forget about why you are even celebrating Christmas at all. Our church put together a beautiful program for all to attend. Hundreds of nativities were displayed from all over the world. In the same room, performers would sing or play Christmas music. Rooms along the perimeter were decorated according to Christ center themes. My favorite room was the Christ room. It was beautifully put together, displaying the life of Christ. 

They had a room for children where everything was hands-on. In this room, Samuel found his favorite toy. It turned out to be the Fisher Price Little People nativity set. We left that program realizing it was time to get a Christmas Nativity that Samuel and future Skeem children could play with during the Christmas season. I have the fondest memories of playing with nativities when I was a child. Its a memory that all children should have.

This year, Kyan bought Samuel a church outfit to wear during the month of December and for Christmas Sunday. Doesn't he just look so cute!