m&them: January 2014

Mr. Harris's Christmas Present
This year I found an awesome how-to on Pinterest and I just had to make it for Cruise's teacher, Mr. Harris (who is a musician as well). So I ran to D.I. to find some records (they were slim pickins) and to Target to get some candy. Cruise helped me with the oven and molding and voila! It was done in about 10 minutes. I thought it was so cool that we made one for my parents as well.

Snow Fun!
The first half of December was frigid. Like single digits frigid. But that didn't stop the boys from having some fun! Dave and the boys like to attach the sled to the back of the Jeep and Dave drives them around the neighborhood. Miles and I just stay inside and snuggle. I'm not gonna lie though: I secretly want to ride the sled too.

The boys (well, Dave) also made a tunnel fort and a HUGE snowman out front. It's still standing out there weeks later. Dave actually needed some help from a neighbor to lift the two giant snowballs on top.

Miles is 3 Months
Miles turned 3 months on the 22nd! Which blows my mind because he really is growing so fast! He has turned into quite the chunk, and it is just so adorable! He loves to watch people more than play with toys, but he will sit for a bit and just play quietly every now and then. He loves his brothers so much and loves it when they talk to him. In fact, the only time Cruise talks quietly and softly is when he is talking to Miles. Miles loves, loves, loves to smile! He has this great big smile that makes everyone else want to smile along with him. He loves baths, being read to, being talked to, and music. He has now learned who his Mom & Dad are, and keeps a close eye on us. He lights up when one of us returns from being away for a little while. He is now sleeping about 10 hours straight each night and it is wonderful! He is such a good baby, still very laid back, and so very easy. I keep telling him to stay little forever, but he doesn't listen. I am, however, enjoying every second.

Cookies
Every year I always make my delicious gingerbread men, which the boys always look forward to. They love to roll out the dough and cut out gingerbread men and anything else they want. But their most favorite part is the decorating (and of course the eating).

Ice Skating
Our boys randomly asked to go ice skating over the Christmas break, so Dave & I decided to get a sitter for Miles and take the older two to dinner at the old Creamery on 9th and then to the Seven Peaks arena. They were so excited and we were excited for them! I will have to hand it to them, the boys kept at it despite falling over and over and over again. In fact, Jett didn't want me to hold his hand and Cruise heel-toed it all over that ice. They did not want to stop! Dave & I, however, were getting incredibly sore feet & ankles from skating so slowly. After about an hour, we convinced the kids to stop and get some cocoa. They had a lot of fun, but Dave & I decided we won't be doing that activity on a regular basis (if ever again).

Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve we went to Dave's parents' house for dinner and then a Christmas devotional. His parents, Dan & Sofia and their new baby Liz, Eliza & Joey all made it as well. We had a wonderful meal Dave's Mom prepared and then we all gathered in the living room to sing Christmas songs and read the Christmas story in the scriptures. The boys got to participate and then got to open some wonderful presents! They were especially excited about their new dinosaur slippers! Thanks Grandma & Grandpa! Joey had drawn us for the gift exchange and gave us a mini fridge with a bunch of soda! He knows us too well.

After getting home, we did our family presents, which are always pajamas and books. Cruise got pajamas with an astronaut on them and Jett got Batman pajamas. I made Dave open all of his presents from me which were pajama pants, slippers, a knife set for cleaning fish, and a fishing chest pack. I opened his gift which were girl clothes!!! I got a nice black pencil skirt and beautiful black heels. I felt so bad that I completely forgot to have the boys set out the milk & cookies for Santa, so I put them out after they went to bed.

Christmas Day
Starting last year we decided it was best to always have Christmas Day at our house. It's hard enough for Cruise's schedule to be completely turned on its head, but introduce having to be rushed through the morning and then having to spend the rest of the day at someone else's house with a crowd of people. So it's really nice to just enjoy the day and let the boys play and stay in their pajamas for as long as they like.

Christmas Day started at about 6am. Dave & I spoiled those kids rotten this year! But we actually did really well when it came to the finances of it all. Cruise got a snowboard ($5), snowboarding boots ($40), a green guitar ($36), a bike ($89), a new bird hat, a science lab kit, a small Ninja Minion figure, toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, a slappy hand, candy, and an orange. Jett got a sled ($15), a talking plush Minion ($40), a Gameboy Advance with some games ($40), a bike ($89), a Batman hat, a bug playground, a small Evil Minion figure, toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, a slappy hand, candy, and an orange. We got the two boys a boom box (for all those books on CD they have) & some walkie-talkies to share as well. Miles got a highchair, a tummy time mat, sensory balls, a Hungry Caterpillar rattle/teether, toothbrush, and toothpaste. However, that awesome kid slept in so I helped him open his presents later that morning.

(We have been having some major issues with the camera lately, so I apologize for the quality of some of the pictures.)

The boys spend the morning playing with their new stuff while I made breakfast. I decided to try something new this year and make overnight french toast. It was delicious, but the cooking directions were off a bit, so it took longer than I thought. We had that with bacon, orange juice, and hot chocolate.

Afterwards, Dave, Miles & I took a small nap while the boys watched a movie and played some more with their new things. After getting ready, I started on the dinner while the boys went to Cruise's old elementary school to try out their new snowboard and sled. Miles hung out with me and was so content sitting in his new high chair, watching me run around the kitchen like crazy.

For dinner we had prime rib with horseradish, garlic mashed potatoes and gravy, sparkling cider, sauteed green beans, a salad, rolls, and shrimp. For dessert we had pumpkin pie, apple pie & ice cream. It. Was. A. Mazing. I even surprised myself. It was absolutely delicious! Expensive, but delicious. On a side note, I have always wanted some nice holiday dishes, but I realized something...Target makes AWESOME holiday paper plates! I actually like those more since I don't have to wash them.

Snowboarding
Like I said previously, the guys went out on Christmas morning to try out the snowboard and sled. Jett also tried the snowboard (despite it being very big) and the boys both loved it! I was actually impressed by the footage; they're better than I was my first time! They truly are Dave's boys.

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Mom's 60th Birthday
My Mom's birthday was the 31st and this year she turned the big 6-0! And seeing as it is her last birthday in Utah, she asked my sister Abby & I to throw her a party (we were pretty excited about it since our dream job is to be party planners). Anyway, we decided to do a hot cocoa bar and serve hors d'hourves as well. I made the cake (white cake, white frosting, apricot filling) and Abby did the party favors (super cute hot cocoa spoons) and Dad helped us out with the funding as well as the calligraphy for the tent cards. It all turned out wonderful and Mom enjoyed her night!