FHE Christmas Light Fun

Tonight we got to go out for a fun FHE with a lot of friends from our ward. Taylor was in heaven with all of these familiar people in such a fun place. Lylee cried through most of the lights, which is very out of character for her. I think maybe she just felt left out while she was stuck in the stroller. She was just fine when we went for donuts after!!
Lylee's only taste of freedom for the night.
Taylor found his favorite CARS, Lightning and Mater. He also found another little friend.
This is a great demonstration of Taylor's mood the whole night. This is one of my favorite houses. We go to this neighborhood every year. It's really fun to have Taylor so excited about something that Chris and I have enjoyed for so long.
Chris loves The Fox and The Hound, so this is one of his favorite houses. Yes, even though we didn't get it on camera, Chris didn't have to work!!! Yay!! We love it when Daddy gets to play with us. We're still soaking up every bit of the Christmas season that we can.

Cozy Day

Today has been very cold and wet. Taylor had preschool this morning, but other than that we have stayed in the house all day. I love these days. Everyone is mellow and snuggly. The kids have even played nice all day!! We had hot cocoa, but Taylor refuses to try it. That's been the only sad part of the day, which I think makes today a great day!! Welcome Winter!

Getting in the Spirit

The kids both love to look at all of the fun ornaments on the tree, as well as the decorations around the bottom. Taylor decided that it was time that he taught Lylee about trains. She listened very intently.

We all have stockings that I made. Everyone's is supposed to reflect a part of their personality. I don't think that I ever took one of Taylor with his before. I made Chris and my stockings the second Christmas that we were married. This is one of my favorite traditions in our family. It's always so fun for everyone to see what's inside on Christmas morning!!

This is our first family gingerbread house. It came from a kit. When the kids get bigger I plan to make them from scratch. That was a favorite thing that I did growing up.

This morning we had breakfast with Santa at church. My Dad has been Santa in our ward since Taylor's first Christmas, so this is always a really fun day and I love trying to get a good picture. How many Kids are lucky enough to say that their Grandpa is one of Santa's personal helpers??? This morning was fun. When Taylor sat on Santa's lap, he didn't want to leave. Lylee screamed. She was still mad later tonight when she saw Grandpa at his house.

It has been a great week. I feel like we got the holiday season off to a great start. I just hope the rest goes so well!!!

Popsicle Buddies

Lately it feels like Chris and I are playing referee every moment that the kids are awake. That is why it is so incredibly wonderful when we have those few moments each day when we find them playing nicely and sharing. Lylee thinks that Taylor is the most amazing person in the world. She loves everything that he does and every toy that he has. His bedroom is her favorite place in the whole house. Even when he makes her cry, she still looks at him like he is the very best big brother.

Yesterday, Taylor wanted a popsicle. We told him that he had to eat it on the front porch. Naturally, Lylee followed. They had a great time!!!

First Tooth

See how Lylee's clenching her little jaw??? Well, hopefully she'll get a break from that since she finally has her first tooth!! I can't believe that she's becoming such a big girl.

Sydney

Today we had to put our little Schnauzer, Sydney to sleep. She has been sick for several months now and there was not much more that we could do for her. We were very sad that we had to make this choice, but feel that it is the best choice for her and us. Our other dog, Doc is already very sad and we can tell that he misses her. We explained everything to Taylor before we went to the vet. We told him that we were taking Sydney to the doctor and he was going to help her fall asleep and that when she woke up, she would be in heaven. He could not understand why we would be sad about this and told me that heaven is a happy place. So we went and took her in and I of course fell apart when they took Syd away. Taylor wanted to know what was wrong. I told him that I was going to miss Sydney. He told Chris to stop the can and go back and get Sydney. That broke my heart. We had both of our dogs long before our children, so we are pretty attached to them and consider them a part of our family. Taylor asked me if Sydney was in heaven, I told him that I think she is and we can see her when we get there. When you have to do such a hard thing, I really have to believe that this is true.

What I'm grateful for...

Taylor has little "family projects" that he brings home from school that we make at home and he takes back to school. That day at school the kids all share their projects and they are displayed in the classroom. They have had one of these each month. Taylor loves to make his projects and it's been fun to see the new thing that he is learning from school. For November's project, the kids were each given a giant construction paper turkey feather. They were supposed to decorate the feather with things that they are thankful for. It was really interesting trying to explain exactly what thankful means to a 3 year old. I tried different approaches for a couple of days and Taylor just looked at me like I was nuts. Finally, I asked Taylor what he was going to tell Heavenly Father thank you for when he said his prayers that night. He thought for about 2 seconds and then answered, "I want to thank Heavenly Father for the church and orange." I told him that we need to think of a couple more things to be thankful for, but that was a great start. His feather turned out great. I'll have to take a picture of him with it when he gets to bring it home.