We've had a very rainy and wet winter (compared to what we're used to) so on a whim the day after Christmas we decided to drive to Mt. Charleston to see the snow and maybe go sledding! Of course, we didn't really have winter clothes or sleds. Quick thinking led me to grab a large piece of cardboard out of all our Christmas trash as we were pulling out of the driveway. It was funny to see the girls not know how to handle snow at all. They didn't know how to brush it off their clothes or anything like that that I suppose you just learn while growing up in it.
I think we double-pants'd the girls and then brushed them vigorously after snow angel attempts.
This was not good packing snow and they were very disappointed that our attempts at snowmen failed. Luckily, we found a pre-made one to get a photo with.
Cardboard sled!
Ryan actually went into work that Monday afternoon, but most of the day still felt special and like vacation. However, on Tuesday I woke up with the full-on blues. It was sad to see Christmas over and to have Ryan back at the daily grind. Bleh. I pulled myself together and decided to try this awesome jump place a friend had recommended. I checked their website and they had a deal every morning from 9-12 pm for kids aged 6 and under. It was SO. MUCH. FUN. Plus, we almost had the place to ourselves. It was just the kick in the pants that I needed. To top it off, after almost three hours of jumping, just as we were leaving I ran into Emilie Wong - who was a friend from our USC ward 7 years ago! What were the chances? We didn't have long to chat, but it was so great to see her again.
The girls called this the Green Jello.
Foam blocks, they had gladiator style weapons you could fight someone with and try to push them into the blocks.
They even had a climbing wall with harnesses and the workers were so friendly and helpful in getting Willa buckled in and helping her.
My parents came to visit and see our Christmas haul a few days later. They brought a sled and some old snowpants they had from their house. Since my girls are the youngest grandchildren on that side, they left the snowpants for us to keep. The snow was almost melting, but it was amazing how much more pleasant actual winter gear can make a snow activity. Ryan and I took the girls one more time a few weeks ago after a heavy rain here. There was about 18 inches of great snow to play in at Mt. Charleston.
For our last day of break before Willa went back to school, we decided to check out this new aquarium. Friends had talked about it, but I wasn't too interested until I learned that it was really hands-on and tactile. I figured that we might as well try it. The girls stayed for hours and begged to come back, so we ended up upgrading to an annual pass (it wasn't that much more). It's small and kind of weird, but the staff was so friendly and helpful. They were standing everywhere with animals to pet or hold.
You can use tokens for "enhanced experiences", one of which was to feed the parakeets. I'm just going to say this was the freakiest thing ever! It looks sweet at first until a second or third or fourth bird lands on your and they start fighting each other. By the end of our time inside the atrium, both girls had handed their cups of bird food to me and it felt like a horror movie as birds flocked around.
I went back the other day with June and some friends during a school day and we were standing by another "enhanced experience" where you can feed the sting rays. We didn't do it this time, but you could tell that the sting rays were starting to expect it because when we'd go look at them through the glass they'd come up really close and flap up the side of the tank so high that one of their fins would be slapping the glass above the water. Ugh. not right. But, overall besides creating all these new phobias for me, we've had a good time there and I'm glad we get to go back for more.
We had a very small Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as far as numbers were concerned. It was just the four of us on Christmas Eve and for Christmas Dinner. Rebecca was able to come in the morning for breakfast and to open a few presents.
Christmas Eve jammies
There were pluses and minuses to being just us. We missed family and the hubbub that goes along with a big family and the excitement of Christmas. On the other hand, it was really nice to just follow our own schedule - to be able to shorten or lengthen dinner/dessert and any activities according to how the girls were feeling. We love having friends for dinner sometimes, but with children it feels progressively harder because entertaining often lasts until long past our routine of baths and bedtime. So it was nice to keep it special but also to follow a good schedule for us.
The girls work up very early - but that is pretty normal. I took them in the guest room and thought I would keep them in there with a tv show until closer to 7 a.m. But Ryan got up and we figured let's let Christmas begin! So he turned on the tree lights and also set the Netflix on the fireplace thing, so it looked like we had a nice roaring fire when we came downstairs.
Santa really had a hard time deciding on what big gift to get them. In the end he decided on this dollhouse, which ended up being about two feet taller and wider than he had remembered when he saw it in the store! I'm pretty sure if Santa hadn't had elves to help him, he would have been locked up in the music room of our house from about 1:00 pm onward putting the entire thing together on Christmas Eve. His grip strength would be so totally gone afterward that putting together this Ikea desk was almost beyond his capabilities at 10 p.m.
Stock Ikea photo of the desk. It's pretty large when it's put together, but I love how she can work on a project on top and keep the bricks stored below and nothing is falling off the back or sides.
Ideally, the dollhouse would have been for June and the desk for Willa because she has SO many Legos and they drive be crazy. I saw this desk and loved it because it had edges all around so nothing could fall off the sides or back, and drawers underneath for storage. But Santa thought it would be a bitter disappointment for one girl to get a giant dollhouse and one to get a simple desk, so he decided to put their names on both items. It worked out really well and the girls kind of self-segregated so that by the end of the morning June was playing with her new Magic Clip dolls at the dollhouse and Willa was putting together her new Lego set at the desk.
From Santa they each got a pink robe that has a little unicorn horn on the hood, an umbrella with their name on it, and Magic Clips (June) or Legos (Willa) - plus the dollhouse and desk. As for presents from everyone else, what didn't they get? It was a really nice Christmas and felt like just the right about of stuff or maybe a little more than the right amount. It didn't feel stingy.
Waiting at the top of the stairs for dad to turn on the Christmas tree lights before we went down together.
Dollhouse! June needs a stool to see into the top room.
All the other presents sorted and ready to be torn apart.
They wore the robes the whole morning (and still wear them often) and were so excited to see us open their gifts.
Lego Table!!
After the mayhem. Rebecca and I were hanging out in the kitchen when this was happening - it's not like the house was suddenly quiet or anything.
Rebecca got Willa some REAL make-up. This is one of her more "subtle" looks.
Fancy dresses from the O'Kelley's. Willa keeps telling me that this outfit if PERFECT if we get invited to a wedding!!
Ryan wearing a wooden bow-tie from Carey. This photo still makes me laugh.
Rebecca getting her not-so-subtle makeover too.
We had a nice day playing and hanging around home. For Christmas Dinner, I got our my grandma's china and made a fancy meal - that was wasted on half the diners - but it helped make the day special.
Overall, it was a really nice Christmas. I think we all felt happy, warm, well-fed, and comfortable by the end of the day.
I was really looking forward to Christmas break this year. It would be nice to not be tied to the school schedule and to do fun activities during the day. Willa has really been enjoying school, but she loves to have a lazy morning and just play around the house. Even on Saturdays, she doesn't usually want to go places and we have to drag her out.
Our ward did a Christmas pajamas breakfast for their party and I have to say, it was one of the best organized ward meals I've ever been to. The girls were happy to see Santa there. There was also a point where this hot cocoa song suddenly got blared on the speakers and the youth all came out in white chefs hats with cups and hot cocoa for everyone. It was so sweet and cute.
June had a cute preschool party. She was really looking forward to it because she missed her Thanksgiving party due to Strep throat.
I got to volunteer for Willa's class party. It's fun to see her in her classroom and see who she interacts with. She and a sweet little girl named Clara have now been seated at the same table for two rotations because apparently they are the calmest in the class and do a good job of helping three rowdy boys be on better behavior. I asked Willa about this and she said that sometimes she puts her finger to her lips like her teachers says to do - but they don't really listen. Ha ha.
Willa had her Christmas piano recital, which was my least favorite recital so far. The room was way too small and the recital too long. It should have been divided into two recitals. As it was, we had to stand in the hallway not really being able to even see. After she was finished playing, we left because there was at least another hour of music on program and I was not about to try to entertain June in the hallway for it when we couldn't even see (and barely hear) what was happening. Still, she played a solo and also a trio. The trio was very cute, she had been practicing with these two little boys for a while. I don't know what happened to the video I took - or if I even took any - so here is a video of a rehearsal with one of the boys. The teacher is playing the third part on another piano, but for the recital (and also for the stake Christmas fireside) the kids were small enough to all squeeze onto one piano bench and one piano.
And the annual chocolate piano from her teacher - looks better than it tastes
We made gingerbread houses and Ryan had the brilliant idea that we decorate all the walls and the roof pieces before we stuck them together. It was awesome and so much easier! The girls were able to do more of the frosting and sticking the candy on than if we'd already stuck them together. Then, when that was dry we frosted them to standing.
One morning before Christmas the girls were extremely busy in their room for quite a while. Finally, they called me in to show me that they had completely removed everything from the floor of the room and put in on their beds. We're talking books, bookshelves, toy bins, etc. They had so much fun doing it and it made the room look so nice and clean. It was perfect because I got to carefully put everything back just how I wanted it and cleaned out a bunch of junk to make room for upcoming Christmas gifts.
Finally, we had a few colder days when it froze over night. The girls went to play next door and this is what the neighbors invited them to do. I just laughed. Las Vegas Sledding. And, sorry - I don't know how to rotate it.
Yes, it's that time again! Last week, I actually did take the girls to get a treat and then to the library in sweatpants. I'm so ashamed. I think I had other pants on that morning, but they were so restrictive so I changed in the afternoon and then didn't think about it again until we were at Bahamas Bucks and I looked down and saw I was wearing sweatpants and fleece boots - a winning combination.
Happily, I'm pregnant so I only have to feel about 50% guilty about all the weight gain. I think this time around my body knew what was coming and decided not to procrastinate. It said, let's get all the weight on now and all the discomforts - that way we won't be stressed trying to prepare in the last trimester. I'm 25 weeks right now and due April 22nd.
Due to my "advanced maternal age" I had to do a high risk ultrasound. The baby is doing great and it's a boy!
I would have been happy to have another little girl. I feel like I know girls and can do girls. A week or two before we found out what it was, I was going through baby clothes and was excited to bring out favorite little outfits and bows again. I feel a little sad to pack those away for a while longer (or forever, who knows). A boy will be very sweet, though, and I can't wait to not have to brush out snarls in his hair while he screams at me (though, I am a little sad that he'll probably be born with luscious locks like my girls but that I'll have to start trimming them up almost immediately - it's a pride thing). It's very exciting and I'm excited to have a clean slate to get new baby clothes and to see what this new personality brings. Are we going to have to barricade everything? Buy balls? Fence in the pool? Do sports? I have no idea. Maybe he'll just be happy playing dollhouse with his sisters.
This pregnancy seems a little more tough a little earlier. I don't know if it's because it's the third, because I'm older, or because I just don't remember it clearly since June was nearly four years ago. Still, it's been relatively easy and I haven't been nauseated so I can't complain. I had a miscarriage back in April or May that was tough mainly because it was a missed miscarriage - meaning that I never actually miscarried - the baby just didn't have a heartbeat. We waited a month for it to pass on its own and I even took medicine from the doctor that should have induced the miscarriage, but it didn't work. Eventually I had to have a D&C, which was relatively easy but just annoying to have to do. It was also annoying and slightly traumatic to still be "pregnant" with lots of pregnancy hormones left inside me and feeling some symptoms for almost an entire month after finding out there was no heartbeat.
The moral of that story, is that we are happy and blessed to be expecting a healthy baby and that I'm having a healthy pregnancy so far. We told the girls around 19 or 20 weeks and they have been so excited. Willa was really too young to know what was going on when I had June, so it's been a new experience to have them very aware now. Though, they didn't notice my stomach getting bigger until I told them I was pregnant and then Willa asked, "Mom, was your tummy not always this big?" "No!!"
Bridgett got glasses. She doesn't have to wear them all the time, but two girls are still very exciting to be matching.
Hike with the Thalmans
We were so excited to have cousins come in for Thanksgiving again this year. We are getting spoiled. The O'Kelley's came and Robert's family. That meant lots of cousins around the same age with whom to play/fight/play - in that order.
June and Scarlett - just a little over three months apart.
We wanted to have a little cousin piano recital, Dylan and Willa played but Claire got cold feet.
June and Scarlett decided to do a duet. It was....lovely....
At the park one morning with Slate.
Slate is about six months older than June, but much more mature :).
We have a great few days. On Thanksgiving Day, everyone left to go see Moana while I stayed to cook. Carey stayed as my sous-chef, and little Aero stayed to take a nap. It was so nice to cook without interruptions! Probably the highlight for me was when Shannon cleaned the kitchen after Thanksgiving dinner. I had a killer headache and having someone clean up was sooo helpful. Plus, having Shannon clean up is like winning the lottery. If we compare cleaning styles - I'm probably like a older model Honda. I get the job done, I'm dependable, but there's nothing exciting going on here. Shannon is like the BMW or Rolls Royce of cleaning. The kitchen gleamed. It was fun to show everyone the new house and to have room for everyone. In the spirit of the Jews at the end of Passover, I'd like to say "Next year, there will/might be furniture!"
And also, sometime back in October and totally out of chronological order, Ryan ran the St. George Marathon. We all went up and my brother and his family were so nice to open up their house to us. Their boys are so good to Willa and June, my girls love going there.
The night before, they had a little festival and we signed the girls up for a little 100 yard fun run. It was so cute! They were very serious and Willa was such a responsible sister keeping track of June. In fact, at the end they didn't come up through the gates like the other kids and we were looking everywhere for them. After a few minutes, we heard someone on the PA system. Willa had been smart enough to find an adult for help. They got medals, which was very special for them, and cotton candy which was almost equally as special.
Thumbs up!
Ryan got to hang out with the sub-elites and the elites the morning of the race. They have their own special corral right up at the front. He was worried that he hadn't put a fast enough time down and that they wouldn't let him up there and he wouldn't get to cross the starting line with the gun. Poor guy, it's hard to realize how the rest of us plebs live. Luckily, his fears were unfounded. He had a great start and was off and going until about mile 19. You know what they say about not running in new shoes? This was kind of one of those things. He'd done a long run in some new racing shoes, but not broken them in like his other shoes. There was considerable less drop in these shoes and adding all the downhills with the distance, he started to get bad calf cramps. In fact, he had to actually walk three or four times, which is anathema to Ryan. Still, he survived and got 19th place with a time of 2:35. Full of excuses as always. I think if the calves hadn't been a problem, he would've probably been in the top ten because he was smokin'.
One of the perks of finishing early is that it's not crowded. He was able to hobble around and get a massage without any wait time. Then he basically lay like a slug on the couch for the next day or two because he was so sore everywhere. He was surprised at the soreness. I was really sore when I did it 15 years ago, but I've always been in crummy shape. It was surprising to me that he would be so sore after all the mileage he had been putting in. I kind of hope he does it again and can race without the leg cramps, but also selfishly because another friend might be going next year so if Ryan races I can see her :). On the other hand, he was training A LOT. And was really nice to have him home a little more afterwards when his mileage went down a little.
