mahalo

[I can't wait to see the famous black sand beaches!]

Just wanted to drop a quick post to say I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas- we did too! We made it to Hawaii late last night after one long day of travel. It's 5 and 1/2 hours from Seattle to Honalulu, where we had a THREE HOUR layover, followed by a quickie flight over to Kona, where we waited two hours to discover the whereabouts of Jordan's luggage. Awesome. Thankfully, our colds are starting to clear up and Max was really good. Maybe it's because this marks his 10th flight. Yes, he is a jet setter. When I get a chance, there will be lots of Chrismas and vacation pictures! Aloha!

So this is Christmas

Ways we're celebrating the holiday season...

...cutting down our own tree in Rexburg! We drove into the mountains with the Hebdons, hopped on the four wheelers, and found our trees. one for the office, one for the home. i have to say, Danny looks amazing in coveralls. 

Danny and his wife, the blue marshmallow, with the trees. yes, they're a bit on the charlie brown side. of course next to a marshmallow wearing many coats and pairs of pants, just about any tree seems slight. 

...collecting vintage ornaments. I found some really fun ones!

...NOT making my wreath, NOT making new stockings, and NOT making a new garland. 

the first, a bit scary (never made one before), started the stockings and my sewing machine is on the fritz, the third, I have no time. I hate when I have craft stuff and don't make them! Grrr. 

However I DID make..

...some neighbor gifts. Caramel and chocolate dipped pretzel rods. I got this delicious caramel recipe from my mom and thought I would go for it. They are delicious but I am thinking maybe I will never make them again. Kate and I spent hours and made about 100 of them, but they were a major hassle (stuck to everything) and super messy. Worth it, but something you have to commit to fully. 

...Trying really really really hard to get as many pictures and christmas cards done as possible. I have been super busy ( I had three sessions just last week! ), which is great, but sorta wild. But the more I get done, the more I will be able to relax in...

...HAWAII!!! My family is forgoing all the gift giving hoopla and hitting the beach the day after Christmas! We will be in Seattle from Thurday of this week until Christmas day though, so Seattlites, come see me! I'll be home.  I. CAN. NOT. WAIT. I have only been to Hawaii once, and I was like 11 years old. So it will pretty much be like my first time! Ahhh. ten days of pure bliss.

...online shopping. Beats the you-know-what out of Toys-R-Us. How did we ever live without it? Especially when you score free shipping at Babystyle. 

..tasting our furniture. Of course I can not go a whole post without sharing a picture of my little Maxwell.  Here he is standing up while holding on to the coffee table. I don't know if he is just enjoying the flavor of the wood or if he actually bites down to help balance himself. He is such a crack up sometimes. We are so excited for our little boy's first Christmas!

I hope you are all enjoying the season! Merry Christmas!

max is ten (and a half) months old!

Ok. So I am a little behind on this post! Lately Max is so fun. He is scooting around on his tummy, but his is still not too sure if he would like to get up on his knees and crawl. He is sleeping like a champ! He is sleeping from about 8pm to 7am, which is so nice! And he is falling asleep on his own in his crib, many times without even crying! i am so happy because I really didn't know if this would ever happen. Especially at nap time! He is the proud owner of two top teeth, and two bottom teeth. He really loves to stand up! I pick him up and let him stand by himself while holding on to the coffee table or a chair, and he is in heaven! Last week, we also discovered that if we let him stand on the pew facing the back of church, he is happy as can be! He has toppled over a couple times though(uh, not off the church bench), falling to his bootie than rolling back, but never anything bad. Today, he almost lost his balance and he made is "I'm scared" sound, and I almost died. It was so funny. It's very interesting to see my baby develop fears. His favorite toys at the moment are "Sophie le Giraffe" and anything on the floor that is unsafe to play with. We love our baby boy! I can't believe how close he is to turning ONE. This seems impossible!

Fun on the Farm

see them all on the photoblog!

Family Pictures- FOR ME!!!

We have NO pictures of all three of us, since I'm always the one behind the camera. Yesterday was my lucky day! Our friends the Moodys came over for dinner and Tiffany was nice enough to snap a few pics for us for our Christmas cards! Thanks Tiffany! We love them! Check her out at www.tiffanymoodyphotography.blogspot.com

two by Tiffany

I saw a pic like this once and have wanted one for myself forever! Thanks for making it happen!

two by meeee:

no, it wasn't a burlap bag.

It's called a bunting bag. It's a very warm bag, it was a very cold night. Santa thought he looked cute. But Max is going to open it again on Christmas, so lets all just keep quiet about it.  

Max meets Father Christmas. warning. obsessed mom takes many pictures. also, I can't get my banner to shrink to size.

Last night, Kesha and I took Boston and Max to meet Santa at the Christmas tree farm. The boys were working late on a deal together, so we thought, why not. The dialogue went a little something like this:

Wow. Santa. That's some beard. Mom, I hear you calling my name and I know you want me to look at you and smile for a photo...

but I just...can't...seem... to break... my gaze. Yes Santa, I have been a good boy, and I want to tell you what's on my list, but I am feeling a little transfixed...

I do not find that funny. nor is it helping.

seriously mom? seriously?! If I look at you will you shut up? You're killing me. Where's Boston?

I don't know about this guy, cuz. What do you think?

He's fantastic! Can I take him home with me?

Well, sniff, I, sniff, hate him!! [fighting back tears]

suck it up you big baby. he's definitely bringing me more presents.

gee mom. thanks for the rescue. an hour later.

they call it the holiday rush, but please...

slow down!

Today I was in the parking lot at Old Navy, getting ready to get out of the car. Get the purse, grab my drink, all the while talking to my mom on the phone. I looked up, and to my horror, there was a silver civic, backing out of her parking spot, within an inch of a little boy who was no older than  two and a half. The boy was running away, as best as he could, but the car was backing just as fast. I saw the car bumper litterally kissing his back the whole time. He must have screamed, because his mom, who was putting the stroller in the trunk, turned around, grabbed him, and stopped the other car. It all happened SO fast. I didn't even have time to open my door. The mom and driver exchanged brief apologies, driver never even leaving her car, and then drove away. Um, crazy?! Finally locating my brain, I ran over to make sure they were okay. The little guy was crying and saying "mommy, I scared! I scared!" The mother was crying even harder than the little boy. I asked if they were alright and she said, "We're fine, just scared. I just wasn't watching him." 

Part of why this scared me so badly is because this wasn't two people acting recklessly, these are mistakes we make every day. The driver checked her rear view mirror, but the boy wasn't visible, being shorter than the hight of the back of the car. The mom was just putting away her stroller and took her eyes off him for one second. Should she have put her baby in first? yes. Should the driver have taken special care to watch for children? yes. But we are guilty of this kind of thing all the time. 

It was so close to disaster. If the little boy hadn't seen the car, or if he had tripped while running, if the mom hadn't turned around when she did, it could have ended tragically. So while you're out hurrying to get the last presents purchased, just remember, slow down!

nothing better than a belly...

especially this one!

[me and Rach!]

Please excuse all the photo plugs, but I just finished a big fat load of editing. Now I just have to catch up the blog! Just before Thanksgiving, I got to take pictures of my ADORABLY pregnant cousin Rachel, who is having a baby girl in February. She is due on Max's birthday! It has been so fun to watch Rach and Chad go through the whole baby prep thing together, they are such a sincerely sweet, in love pair. They are going to make fantastic parents. I just can't get enough of them!  [click on post title to see the rest]

Dear Santa,

I just discovered some amazing websites I hope you are familiar with. www.giggle.com and landofnod.com- have you heard of them? I found some really rad toys that would be intillectually stimulating and fun for me, and they have a modern vibe, so my mom won't mind them floating around the living room so much [remember the jumparoo?]. Plus, they are eco friendy, using milk based paint so I can chew away and not worry about lead. The wood animals are made by mentally challenged adults and the proceeds go to benefit them.Your elves don't need to make them! See? Everyone wins here. Anyway, I have been a pretty good baby this year, I don't poop up my back so much, I've been eating all my baby food, and I have been sleeping like a champ. So if you wouldn't mind sticking one [or more] of these bad boys in my stocking, it would be a dream come true.

the green one is for me!

I could let my girlfriend play with the pink one, I think its a total chic magnet.

This mobile would be an excellent addition to my nursery, and would help me sleep like the little angel that I am.

Ooooh, faaaaast! I think I would look great driving that silver one. But I know what you're thinking. Not old enough for my own car. Maybe when I turn one?

Just think of the things I could build and the people I could throw these at...

Thanks Santa, you're the best.

Love, Maxwell

When she showed up wearing this hat, I knew we were in for some fun...

Check her out! [click on post title to follow link]

sink time

Max got a little sink bath with Kenzie and Nana, and he thought it was fantastic. He could not get over how cool the faucet was!

Family Weekend Megapost

This weekend, my Mom, Dad and Mackenzie came to visit! The boys went to St. George to go golfing and the girls stayed home with the baby. We had so much fun! Here are some highlights from the weekend:

It snowed more- LOTS more! We got about eight inches and everything looked so pretty! We decided to let Max check it out up close and personal this time. Nana was happy to do the honors. 

we could not get him to take his eyes off the snow! he was completely mesmerized!

I had to share this one. what on earth is that face?!

Mackenzie and Nana are completely obsessed with Max. They literally fight over who gets to sit next to him in the car and whose turn it is to hold him, based on who has had the longest turn. it is so funny!

Kenz was on a mission to finish Harry Potter and apparently, Max was helping. These photos are NOT posed. I got out of the shower and found them in my room like THIS:

On Mackenzie's birthday, we started off with a yummy breakfast at home. Buttermilk pancakes(notice the lovely "15" shaped pancakes I made her! And yes. I did make a 14 first. Is she REALLY 15?!) and vanilla syrup with French Hot chocolate, this new recipe my mom introduced me to and I am now in love with. We essentially made chocolate mousse and put it in steaming hot milk. You have NO idea what you are missing until you try this stuff. Friends, come on over for a taste!

Later, we met up with Lyns and ran around to do some MORE shopping. We also went to dinner and went bowling! I scored a 63. How that is possible, I don't know. I would like to point out that I had two strikes though. Lets just say I lack consistency.

Me and Jord. Serious bowlers. Jordan, something is missing in this picture... what is it!? ha!

Me and my #1.

Kenzie surprised Tessa at school, pulled her out of P.E. and everything! It was so funny to watch her reaction. Her expression in this one is priceless!



Max's new favorite game: We discovered that peek-a-boo in a crib is 1000 times more fun then regular old peek-a-boo. We all took turns playing, and Max never once got tired of it. He laughed his head off every time!