Intentions.

I did not intend on taking a "blogging break" this past week.

Actually, I had intended on posting about our wonderful Christmas and filling you all in on the wonderful things we were doing since Brett has been off work.

I intended on cooking fabulous new meals and eating all the leftover holiday sweets.

I intended on taking a zillion photographs of the kids since I got a fancy new flash for Christmas.

I intended on relaxing, possibly reading a book and painting my nails. 

I intended on spending some nice, quality time with my husband.

Those things did not happen. 

We got terribly, horribly sick.

Sicker than we've ever been.

I'll spare you the gory details but let me tell you it was not pretty.

Thankfully, Jacob did not get it and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he doesn't.

I was bummed out my plans didn't go according to the way I wanted them to go.

I should know better. 

Because really, it's not about my plans, but His plans, ya feel me?

Instead of sulking around about what didn't go my way I'm looking at the brighter side of things. 

Silly as it may sound, being as sick as we were, my husband and I actually became a bit closer.

Seeing a person you love at their worse can do that to you.

We were a team and we worked well together. We cared for one another and helped each other even though we felt horrible ourselves. 

It wasn't easy.

I know this sounds very melodramatic and all, but seriously...sickest we've ever been.

So with all that said, we are better.

Our health is better and we're better as a family.

Which makes me really happy as we jump into 2012.

I have every intention of having a wonderful evening bringing in the new year with my family and our friends. 

But if for some reason that doesn't go the way I planned, well I'm sure I'll have something to learn.

Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas.

Catching Up.

Oh hi there.

Did I fall off the face of the earth?

Nope. 

We've just been super busy as I am sure the rest of the world has been. 

Days have gone by without me even thinking about blogging or checking my reader, which is now ridiculously full. There is no way I will ever be able to read all I have missed but life will go on.

With that said, I thought I would catch all of you up on what's been happening around here.

For Christmas this year my parents bought my sisters and our families passes to Disneyland.

I haven't had one in years and I am so excited. 

The kids loved it even though we only went on 2 rides and stayed for a short while.

We will definitely be getting good use out of these this year. 

We had brunch with Brett's parents last weekend and the boys got to meet Santa.

Jacob did a lot better than I had anticipated.

 And we even managed to get a decent family picture in.

I made these yummy little treats. Pinterest has given me way to many ideas, especially in the sweets department.

Ethan had his first preschool Christmas party and program.

He sat up on that stage so cute and shy looking and only put his hands down his pants once. 

 Little voices singing about the birth of Jesus and little heads bowed to pray is the sweetest thing ever.

 We tried to get a photo of all the cousins together and well you can see how that went.

We celebrated Christmas early with Brett's family this year since they will be out of town.

I took like five pictures. Horrible.

Brett got the iPad 2 which he could not be more happy.

 This is the only picture I took of Jacob, proof that he was there. 

Oh that little face.

 Ethan and his cousin received rival football uniforms.

 It was nice celebrating a week early. Ethan had been asking to open presents for the last week and this way he didn't have to wait as long. Plus the kids get to play with all their new stuff now and then some again on Christmas morning. Works for me. 

Mister Jacob's personality is getting funnier and funnier each day.

He cracks me up.

I had to get reading glasses and I have to say, I like them. 

Lastly, and not my favorite, my boy is sick.

He has a bit of the stomach flu, which seems to be better today, but oh last night was pitiful.

I have never felt so badly for this little one ever.

I'm really just thankful he didn't get sick closer to Christmas.

Now I am just praying we all don't get it. 

That's been what happening with us. 

Can you see why I haven't blogged much?

Jacob {in action}.

I can't believe how much Jacob is changing every day. 

I have not taken much video of him, which I really should. 

I swore I would never be that mom to have less photos and video of the second kid. I'm trying. 

Here is some of what he can say these days. 

Oh and he can flex his muscles.

He had just finished dinner which explains the mess. 

Every day he says something new and he's communicating with us more and more.

It really is amazing to watch him learn and soak it all in.

He has also become quite the helper.

He needs to have something to do at all times.

He's not one for sitting and reading a book. He's on the move all day so I try to come up with as much for him to do as possible.

He really likes to help with the laundry, especially loading the dryer and it doesn't matter if the clothes are dirty, clean, wet or dry.

So that's our little man as of today.

Full of energy, excitement, giggles and mischief.

Oh how I love him so.

Christmas is...

Remembering.

For me, each year Christmas brings new traditions, holiday gatherings, gift giving, baking, and time with family. 

I love all of it. 

I love the look on the kids faces while decorating, looking at Christmas lights, visiting Santa and listening to Christmas music.

We are making wonderful memories that will last forever.

At the same time, during the Christmas season I also like to remember.

I like to think back on the many (well not too many, I'm not that old) Christmas's before.

I remember laying in bed with my sister eagerly awaiting the first crack of sunlight so we could get our parents out of bed to open presents.

I remember my mom's side of the family all gathering at my grandparents house, being cramped in the small living room, and at the count of 3 all of us kids would open a gift at the same time. It was a sea of wrapping paper and toys and kids.

I remember my grandparents coming over every Christmas morning to see what Santa brought us. We would then sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and enjoy my mom's coffee cake. 

I remember the first Christmas Brett and I celebrated together and opening our gifts in my tiny apartment.

I have no bad memories of Christmas, only happy times and it's nice to sit back a remember it all.

It's also during this time that I am reminded how fortunate I am and I remember those that are in need.

I think about those that have no family, no food, or a roof over their head.

I think about the little ones that will have nothing to open on Christmas morning.

And I am reminded to give back. 

In the years past we have donated canned goods to the local food pantry, bought a toy for a child in need, or filled a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child.

It takes just a little of our time and money yet I know it goes a long way.

I wish I did this more often through out the year.

I think I need to add this to our "to-do list" for 2012.

Lastly, and most importantly, I remember the true reason we celebrate Christmas.

The birth of Jesus.

It can be easily pushed aside with all the holiday gatherings, present opening, cookie baking, and talk about Santa.

Don't get me wrong, I love all of it, but our focus needs to be on the birth of our Savior.

I make sure to tell the boys of the significance of the nativity sitting on the shelf and we read books about the birth of Jesus.

We sing Christmas songs about His birth and make Him a cake for His birthday on Christmas morning. 

I love that the boys enjoy Santa, the elf on the shelf, the lights, the tree, the decorations.

But nothing makes me happier then when I ask Ethan why we celebrate Christmas and his answer comes shouting out,

"Baby Jesus!"

I hope this Christmas you also remember the good times you've had, those in need and most of all the birth Jesus.

Merry Christmas! 

(a little early)

InstaFriday.

Happy Friday!

And it's a Happy Friday indeed.

Brett and I got all of our Christmas shopping done today and we finally got our tree.

I can't wait to fill it with lights and ornaments tomorrow morning.

But until then I thought I would share my phone photos from the last week or so.

Enjoy.

My niece turned 4 and we had a mini celebration at Great Grandma's house.

 I finally hung these on my wall.

 It's starting to get chilly outside and thankfully Jacob is loving hats.

 Snack time. 

Notice the dog keeping close watch.

 Santa jammies and Hawaiian leis.

 I'm not sure why it looks as though he is throwing gang signs.

I promise he wasn't but we are from the LBC.

 His cousin's vest.

 Heading out for a late evening stroll to look at Christmas lights.

 One of Reindeer's hiding places.

 Does anyone actually know who to play domino's? We don't. We just use them to build towers and train tracks and walls and.....

Have a wonderful weekend!

If You Came to My House Today...

You would see that we are decorated for Christmas.

 (I made this wreath a couple of weeks ago and I'm loving it. Now I just need a better hook.)

You would spot our new friend, "Reindeer", who magically appears in a new place each morning.

I would offer you some of these.

Nilla Waffers, Nutella, Bananas and Sprinkles.

Thank you Pinterest.

Or I would let you try this.

Strawberry Yogurt, 1/2 cup peanut butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar.

The perfect dip for fruit.

Jacob loves it.

And just to keep it real...you would see this.

It never stops.

Sitting in the Grass.

I can't believe a whole week has gone by and I have not blogged even once.
Our days are already filling up quickly with holiday activities and it's only December 4th.
That's just crazy!
I'm sure over the next few weeks I will be spending less time on the computer and more time with friends and family, which is a good thing, I'm not complaining.

Today though, we had no plans.
Brett went to watch football with some friends so the boys and I just hung around the house.
I've been terrible about taking pictures of them lately so I grabbed my camera and we headed into the backyard.
I'm so thankful we live in a part of the country that is warm enough to be outside most of the time.
I think I would go crazy with these two in the house all day.

It seems like the leaves are falling from our trees much later this year, probably due to the warmer weather we have had. The boys spent quite a bit of time investigating the leaves, well Ethan more than Jacob. Jacob just had fun throwing them around.

I enjoyed sitting in the grass, soaking up the sun, wearing my Uggs.

I love them.
I started wearing them in the 8th grade and they are still my favorite thing to wear when it starts to get chilly.

The boys eventually started digging as it seems they always do.
I mean, what fun is it being outside if you aren't covered in dirt by lunch time?

Sometimes I forget to stop, sit in the grass and just relax, especially during the holiday season.

I'm glad I took the time today to just sit and play with the boys.

I know they need it just as much as I do too.

Getting Crafty {Advent Calendar}.

We haven't had an advent calendar in our house, ever.

I know, horrible mother.

Truth is I didn't want the extra candy around and Ethan was still too small to really "get it".

This year is a different story.

He's starting to "get it" so we needed an advent calendar.

I was browsing all the fabulous ones on Pinterest but most required sewing (I do not) and many seemed really time consuming (I have very little).

So I made a really simple easy one.

 All I did was cut strips of paper, fold them in half and hot glue the sides to make a pocket.

Then I cut out squares of green and red paper, stamped them with the numbers and hot glued them on.

 I then filled each with Christmas M&M's (a favorite in our house), hung some ribbon and used mini clothespins to hang them.

 I couldn't fit all of them on one strand but I like having two.

Best part, I only had to buy the ribbon and candy.

Everything else I already had.

I'm very happy with the end result and I know Ethan will be so excited to start counting down the days.

I know I am.