Luke and Eva Christmas 2009

Last year it was very difficult to get a good Christmas picture so this year I took the kids to JC Penny for professional photographs. I completed the session with 14 photos that I loved...I only needed one.

It's the most wonderful time of the year

I love Christmas because it is the only holiday that is one month long. I love cherishing the time with family, the decorations,the celebration of the prior year, and the gifts. This year my joy was even more intense than usual. I feel so thankful for some of my childhood dreams coming true. I don't have to wonder about what I am going to be, where I am going to live, who I am going to marry, or when to have children. Most of the questions in my life are now answered. They are answered just like I have always hoped. I always hoped for a family and marriage full of love. I also hoped for the ability to provide for myself and others. So I will reflect and be thankful every day.

Good Things at Christmas

Luke made this Chrismas wreath at Montessori school. It has leaves, pinecones, apples, oranges, and dired flowers. I will display it in the kitchen window. I love getting gifts from Luke. Eva got her own "bedazzled" stocking. Ever since I first saw the Pottery Barn stockings I wanted to get a beautiful one for my daughter.

Dave and I always have a his work party to attend which is always a great time. Here Grandma and Grandpa came over to baby sit and we enjoyed the night alone.

Thanksgiving

I have so many reasons to be thankful. Every year I say I am thankful for Dave, Eva, and Luke. They are such gifts. Gifts that keep giving to me every day. This year I made my "thankful list" just a little longer. I added...

-kids loving you when you don't feel lovable

-kids not caring that there are toys over the entire house

-kids in fuzzy jammies

-kids saying "I love you so much!"

This month I really loved having Eva wear her first bow and her first pair of Ugs. Everything is much cuter when it is smaller.Luke and Boden out looking for a Christmas tree followed by the cousins in an old fashioned sled.

Here we are attending Luke's favorite train show with Casey and Caleb. We have watched the video of this show at least 20 times since. Luke asks to watch the trian show with Casey in it. He doesn't want me to confuse it with "I love toy trains 1," "I love toy trains 2,3,4" or "Model Trains."

October Family Vacation

Well, this was the most successful family vacation yet. We didn't have to worry about dehydration, altitude sickness, and where to buy a humidifier for Luke to sleep with like we did when we were in Aspen and Vail, CO. We didn't have to fly on Easter with two lay-overs like when we went to Rosemary Beach, FL. We didn't have to go through customs every day like we did on the cruise. We spent every day enjoying each other. We would start the day at a five star spa and health club where I took a few exercise classes and enjoyed the three-directional shower. Dave enjoyed the fitness center, hot tub, the steam room, sauna, as well as the complimentary fruit and trail mix. Typically we would go to a park, go to the beach, or go on a hike and eat lunch out. Then both kids would nap and we would cook dinner at the condo. After dinner we went swimming in a pool that Luke actually liked. He went in the big pool but liked the hot tub the best. After the kids went to bed we had time to relax with no house work. I also liked having the kids contained in the condo, about 800 square feet While on this trip I noticed similarities between Luke and myself. I have always liked going to resorts, but Luke became quite a resort boy. At regular intervals Luke would say, "I love vacation, I like this hotel." He even said, "Wow, this bathroom is beautiful," as he could choose from one of 15 stalls with full walnut doors and marble floors. Fancy bathrooms are one of my favorite things about going to nice places. Then Luke wanted to walk in the lobby and shop in the gift shops. I also thought that was a fun activity. I would schedule time to walk around the lobby every day. Next Luke would turn on every light in our condo, including the fireplace and all the fans. I have always liked many lights on to create a good mood. Luke also in an ambiance man. We brought the lap top and downloaded photos and organized them and Luke would sit on my lap and look at every one. He and I both like photos. Lastly, he has developed this new way of asking permission that he must have learned from me. He says, "Mommy, I am going to go to play with my trains now (head tilt) ok (head tilt) mommy (eye brow lift) ok (head tilt)?" I know you don't have to ask your kids permission to do things, but I obviously must do that on a regular basis. Luke also regularly tells me that he loves me, and daddy and Eva just as I tell him the same.

Eva started walking while we were on vacation. After she took her first step she never stopped. Here she walked the entire length of six tennis courts.

Luke also enjoyed the spa. The spa had a child's hair cut for $12. Here is Luke in the relaxation room before his treatment. You can notice the water with lemons and cucumber and the apples, tea was on the other side of the room. The lights were very dim and the calm music was playing.

Luke enjoyed making all 40 birds fly away as he would run by them.

Here is a picture our free breakfast at a $45 dollar value. The first three nights of our trip the fire alarm went off twice a night when we were sleeping. The first time I rushed the kids out of the building and stood out in the cold in our PJs. The subsequent times we tried to prevent a permanent loss of hearing by covering our ears and I would go stand out side to make sure there were no flames. It was painful to say the least.

Our family was the only customer on the trolley the entire week. It looped the grounds and you could ride on it any time of day. Luke loved keeping track of where the trolley was going.

Happy Birthday Eva

Well, my baby turned one on October 23, 2009. I love her so much as a baby so I was slightly sad when she hit this milestone. She has been so friendly, loving, and accepting of her brother's hugs, tackles, smooches, etc. We celebrated her birthday four times so I have pictures from a few of the parties. First is Eva trying to look cute with a 103.0 degree fever.

Eva was so fun to hold in this outfit. I gave her to my sister-in-law, Beth, to hold and she didn't want to put her down.
Eva received two tutu(s) as a present and they were both charming.
Second row: Luke, Eva, Ethan, Sam, Bennett, First row: Aaron, Boden, Andrew. Well, Eva really does look like the only girl here. I really enjoyed my older brother and older boy cousin so hopefully Eva will do the same.

Jackie, my sister in law, is quite creative. She is an artist and musician who wanted to make Eva's first cake. Eva's cake was the bee hive and then everyone else got a cup cake. She made the flowers and bee's by hand. There is always a good reason for Jackie to get carpal tunnel syndrome. Thanks Jackie!

I was so thankful that a few of Eva's friends could come over for a party. Here she sits with Lily, Calvin, Luke, and Paeton.

One Fall Day

We have had an especially cold fall. Sunday was the first nice day in a long time. We went on a little hike with the family. I love living by these beautiful fields.