Such A Happy Christmas

We had a great Christmas this year! Nothing too exciting, but still very fun. It was a little strange, as we didn't get up to open presents until around 9:00. Somehow Alex slept in, which was great! Ryan had to work Christmas Eve, so he didn't get home until 8:00 am, which gave him some extra time to wind down before the craziness began. Darek woke up pretty happy, but before long was a little over stimulated and hungry. After a bottle, he took a nice nap. We loved all of the gifts we received, and were so grateful to those who took time and thought into getting us gifts. Thank you so much! Some of our favorite gifts this year included:

Ryan:
1. PS3
2. iPod touch

Mandi:
1. Head massager (sounds weird, but feels incredible)
2. Touchmaster 2 (DS)
3. The Dark Knight on blu-ray
4. Big bag of gummy bears
5. Ok, pretty much everything!!

Alex:
1. Batman motorcycle
2. Indiana Jones whip (makes sounds)
3. Indiana Jones sword
4. Batman sword

Darek:
1. A fuzzy little blanket
2. Any and all toys

We also got several Nerf guns. I'll be posting soon to show our massive amounts of Nerf products. For now, here are a few pics of Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.

All the boys on Christmas Eve

A very excited Alex holding Darek right before bedtime

Putting "reindeer food" on the front lawn so Santa would find us easily

Cookies and Applebeer for Santa

Darek's present left by Santa

Alex's present left by Santa

Two cute boys on Christmas morning after opening their presents from Santa

Darek was obviously overjoyed :)

I have no idea why Alex's eyes would not stay open... oh well. He was very excited about what Santa left for him.

This was a toy left in Darek's stocking. He loves eating... I mean playing with this little elephant.

Some of Alex and Darek's presents. No, they aren't spoiled at all.

Alex with his Indiana Jones whip

Time for a nap

We love Christmas and look forward to next year when Darek will actually know what's going on. :)

At some point...

At some point soon I will post about Christmas, but I just wanted to give a quick update on Darek. He went into the doctor today for his second RSV shot and his 6 month check up. Yes, he will be 6 months in just a few days. How time flies. Poor little guy had to get a total of 5 shots today, so it hasn't been the greatest day for him. But he is growing like a little weed. He is now 11 lbs, 8 ounces. And they measured him today at 22 1/2 inches long. His weight is perfect for his height, but of course he still has a long way to go to catch up to his age group. He is smiling all the time now, and we've started him on some foods. He loves applesauce and pears. I only give it to him a couple times a week at this point. He is a sweet baby, with a very feisty temper. It's funny to watch him get mad. He can really work himself into a pretty good tantrum. He has also really learned who Mommy is. He has always recognized me, but recently he will be perfectly calm and happy until he sees me walk into the room. Immediately he'll break out into a screaming fit. That will not last long. I love that he loves me so much, but we'll have to figure out a way to show it without the screaming. ;)

Well, that's all for now. We went sledding tonight and I'm totally exhausted. I promise to post pictures of Christmas very soon.

Back to School

I have decided I am going back to school! I have been thinking about it for quite a while, but really just finally decided a few weeks ago. I am going to the DATC for a few certificates. I'm going to do things that I can use at home as a wife and mother, but they are also things that I could make into a business if I ever felt the need/want to do so. My first certificate will be in the Culinary Arts. Once I have finished that, I will hopefully be getting my Cosmetology certificate. Both of these are things I love to do, and I think being able to really learn how to do them will help me throughout my life. My big goal has been to find something I can do from home, so I think this will work out perfectly. Anyway, I'm really excited about this and wanted to share... YAY!

Funny clip

I saw this clip a while back on Family Guy and it totally reminded me of... well, everyday with Alex. I sat laughing for several minutes after I saw this, and I'm sure anyone with kids can totally relate.

Another St. George trip

I went down with the boys this past weekend to St. George. Ryan was working, so he was not able to come with us :( It was quite a fun, yet relaxing trip. I stayed with my sister Bethany, and since I had my own vehicle this time (I usually travel down there with my parents), I was able to what I wanted, when I wanted.

I had so much fun visiting with my sisters, brother-in-laws, niece and nephews. I was also able to go spend some time with Ryan's brother Russ and his family. They have 4 boys, so Alex was in HEAVEN getting to play with all of them. It was the first time I was able to meet their youngest, Brett, who is 8 days younger than Darek. I wanted to hurt myself for not bringing my camera with me to their house... next time.

It felt like a very quick trip and I was home before I knew it. Now, I need to get re-packed to go to Idaho this coming weekend to go see my grandparents. I'm happy Ryan gets to come with us on this trip. My grandparents have never met Darek and I cannot wait to show him off! Here are a few pics from the weekend in St. George.

Beth getting a picture with all the kiddos there. It was impossible to get all 5 of them to look at the camera at the same time. Oh well, still cute!

Hayley and Darek

Beth and Brayden

Beth and Darek

Chad getting ready for a nerf war.

Chad and Mike showing their awesome manly guns :)

Cute little Anna

Goofy Tyson!

Smiley Brayden.

And we're teaching Alex the effects of Alcohol at a young age... just kidding of course. It's our new favorite beverage.... Apple Beer. (no actual alcohol in it)

I'm sure we'll get some fun pictures from Idaho as well. And hopefully I'll have a post in the next day or so of my new nephew. My sister-in-law went into labor for quite a while today and then it just stopped. We were all looking forward to seeing the new little guy, but I guess we'll just have to be patient. :(

A Preview of Pictures

We had our family photos taken over the weekend, and we got them back today. I won't post them all, but I'll post a few of my favorites. Now I can finally send our Christmas cards out! YAY!

New Hair Day

I had some fun today going out and getting my hair trimmed a bit and then coloring it. I have always loved doing fun things with my hair. I used to cut my own hair, but didn't have all the tools I needed (really good shears, thinning tools, etc.) so now I go out to have my hair cut. But I do dye my own hair, and it's so much fun to do. I love trying new things. Now, I should have pictures, but since I don't really have my hair "done" at the moment, you'll have to wait for those.

The really fun part of today was taking my friend, Kaylene to get her hair done too. It's been a while since she had it cut and dyed. So we went and picked out a beautiful dark color for her and then went while she had her hair cut. Afterwards, we came back to my place and I dyed her hair for her. It turned out really great, and I'm so glad I got to help. It was such a fun way to spend the afternoon. I hope she doesn't mind, but I do have some pictures of her. he he he...

This is Kaylene before. (ok, not the best picture to show off her "before hair", but it works)

In process...

She looks so good with dark hair! Who knew?

So cute!

5 months old

It's insane to me that Darek is 5 months old now. First of all, because he is still so little and doesn't look close to being 5 months old at all. But second, because it's hard to believe he's been in our lives for over 3 months now. Amazing!

Darek has grown in many ways this month. He has gotten a little bit bigger. He is a whopping 10 lbs now. (The doctor did not measure him this time as we were just in to get the RSV shot, so I don't know how tall he is at the moment.) But he has also started acting like a big boy. He has started talking and smiling a lot more now, especially if it is to me, Ryan and Alex. He loves us, and it's so fun to see him react to us. He still has a major attitude when it comes to his food and the times when he wants attention, but when he gets what he wants, he is such a sweetie. I had been trying FOREVER to get a picture of Darek smiling, but anytime I'd hold the camera up, the smile would disappear. Tonight, while Ryan was home, I finally got a few. They are sooooo cute! We love our little Darek so much. It's so fun watching him grow, especially from such a small little guy. I'm sure each month will bring more and more fun.

4 months

5 months

Getting a big kiss from big brother Alex

Look at that sweet look on Darek's face. Priceless.

Darek has a couple different smiles. This is a more laid back smile.

This is his really happy smile. In this picture he is smiling at his Daddy. He LOVES his Daddy!

This is me trying to play with my new camera. It's pretty cute, but I think Darek is to blame for that.

I thought it fitting to post this one last as we're getting into the holiday. What a beautiful, little guy!!