Weekend Christmas

This weekend we had Trevor's family here for Christmas.  Jackson and Sawyer very much enjoyed having their cousins around to play and make a mess with and they all played so well together.  Jackson had been talking for about two weeks about 'dad's brother uncle stu' coming, so I think I'd have to say that was the highlight for him!  Turkey was delicious and the kiddos enjoyed the gift opening! 

  

Thursday Morning Skate

We haven't dedicated as much time as we'd like to taking Jackson skating.  I think that we will just have to sign him up for lessons!  But, nonetheless, Thursday morning we packed up to go for a quick little outting.

This Sawyer finds a hockey stick wherever there is one to be found.  This one he swiped off of some poor boy who wasn't using it (with mom's go ahead!).  Was great while it lasted, until he had to give it back...insert Sawyer meltdown here!

Jackson's Christmas Concert

Cute doesn't even begin to sum up sixteen 3 year olds standing up to sing a song!

We practiced and practiced Jackson's song and he knew it very well, but nothing can prepare a child for the feeling they will get when they get up on the stage in front of the lights and a couple hundred people.  So stinkin cute.

Jackson's best preschool bud, Tristan.

Sawyer slept for the entire thing!

And it didn't take long for this to happen after leaving preschool.....

Empty Hearts

I haven't posted on here for a couple weeks because I haven't known what to say.  I couldn't move forward without sharing this - but my emotions hadn't let me sit down to do so yet.  And still, I know this will be short until I can dedicate the appropriate time to a proper farewell post to our best friend, beautiful family member, and beloved pet - Kia.

On December 9 I had to say goodbye to her for the last time.  I am not in a place where I will share the details just yet.  Nor have I been able to bring myself to go through photos and memories.  But she deserves that.  She deserves her own story.  So for now, I will share the last two photos I have of my three children together.  Had I known it would be the last time for such an opportunity, I would have worked harder for Sawyer to look at the camera.  I didn't know.  I thought there would be many more photos, heck I thought there'd be many more years.  Shame on me for not trying harder and it kills me every time I look at these photos.

I swear sometimes at night I hear her eating.

I look for her in the morning when I wake up.

I call her name when no ones around and I feel lonely.

I miss my best friend.

More to come when I can manage to put some thoughts together.

Sawyer's Smiles

Even though we are stuck inside sometimes, we don't have to mope!  Sawyer isn't always all that cooperative in front of the camera yet, so when I catch rare smiles, I'll keep em!

The Joys of Snow

 The whole shoveling snow hasn't gotten old around here yet for these two.  Unfortunately, Jackson gets to go out a little bit more often than Mr. Bear.  So sometimes Sawyer is left inside watching through the window like this...

Quiet!

This is the best he and I have gotten along all week!!!!

SIX

Is the number of people in the past 36 hours who have asked me if Jackson and Sawyer were twins.  Really?! Then there next comment is how tall Sawyer is! Ah well, I'm sure there's worse things they could be mistaken for! 

Mess

Guess what we've pulled out?!

Yup, it's that messy time of year where the house looks torn apart for a solid few days while Christmas makes its way in. Slightly early this year, but my Christmas Promo starts this weekend and I figure a decorated house will help everyone get into the appropriate mind set! I mean, really, Costco has been in the Christmas mindset since August so I'm not too early ;) haha.  Will post some pics when things are up, right now my house looks like this...

Leaves a little to be desired, eh?! Let's just say it's a work in progress!

Mr. Helper

'Here let me help you with that.'

'I have big muscles, I'll do it.'

'I think I can do this myself.'

'Okay, I'll do it!'

All common phrases around here lately.  Jackson is in a super helpful stage and I must say he is truly helpful. I'm enjoying it very much. And number 2 watches every move number 1 makes so here's hoping he follows in his footsteps.  Last night, obviously with supervision, Jackson made dinner all on his own. Complete with finding his apron and oven mitts and putting them on prior to starting. Don't worry, it's a manly apron! And maybe I'm being misleading, it was only kraft dinner - but he nailed it ;)

Last night while putting moose to bed I said, 'you have to have a good sleep so that your body grows and your mind gets sharp'.

This morning he came running into my room, excited as all heck, announcing 'my mind is sharp now Mama!'.  Priceless.

Random Phone Pics!

Jackson treaded water for 29 secs!  Needs to do 30 to pass.  BUT, improved 9 seconds in one week so he got this!

Post-nap snuggles are the best.

I turned around and found this...how he got up there...?  Determination.

He's been such a huge helper in the kitchen lately from baking to cleaning to cooking!

Always playing with his duplo

Winding down before bed!

Car Wash Shot for Dada