New Years and Stuff

We got some Zoo passes from the library, so we decided to go on New Year's Eve. It was cold, like in the 30's, but it was a lot of fun. We bundled up and ran from building to building to keep warm.

It was all decorated for the holidays and for the Zoo Lights they do at night.

The kids and I have been to this zoo at least 5 times, but Ryan has never been. He was teasing me, because I kept saying, "We've never seen this part." Mostly the indoor reptile exhibits. I'm not a huge fan and in the summer I have no inclination to go in the stifling hot buildings.

We did end up seeing  lot of cool animals we haven't seen before, like this parrot that ducked as soon as I snapped the picture. We stayed for a few hours, then headed home to warm up.
Later that night we went to our friend's, the Deja's, for food, games, and fun. I didn't think we would make it to midnight and had told Ryan to plan on heading home at 9. But we did it. We payed for it the next day, however. It was our first morning back to 9am church. I didn't set an alarm, because our kids always get up between 6:30-7:30 no matter when they went to bed. This Sunday morning was different. Ryan nudged me and showed me the clock. 8:45!! We missed Sacrament meeting on the first Sunday of the year. Not the best way to start 2012! We have been doing better since, and we are excited for all of the new adventures this year will bring.

Here's just a random picture of Cole. Relaxing on the couch, eating an ice cream cone. Man, that's the life ;)

It has been a super warm winter so far. Two days ago we were outside playing, without jackets on. It was 53 degrees, sunny, and warm. Then yesterday, the first real snow hit us. Snow all day long and wind chill in the single digits. The kids wanted to go out and play. I'm not going out, so I let them play on the deck. They lasted about 20 minutes, and were ready to come in. We filled some bowls with snow and they played in the bathroom. They loved it! First thing this morning Hayden asked to do it agian. I see this being a popular winter activity at our house!

Christmas

Christmas morning started at our usual wake up time- 6:30. The kids were so excited! I was, too. I barely slept. We did stockings first. Then we had our traditional sticky bun breakfast, before opening the rest of the presents. Not Ryan's favorite tradition, but I like that it stretches out the present opening. Plus that's the way we always did it ;)

Santa brought just what the kids wanted, minus the sled for Hayden.

Hayden got lots of Barbies and Fancy Nancy. Cole got lots of train stuff and Buzz Lightyear.

Look at that excited face!

After all of the opening, it was time to get to work. Setting up the train tracks and getting everything out. The Barbies took FOREVER to get out of the packaging.

We were all spoiled! The most used presents since Christmas- the construction paper both of the kids got in their stockings.
It was a very low key, relaxing day. After the morning fun, we got ready and headed to church. I love having Christmas on Sunday. It made the day perfect and helped remind us that Jesus is the real reason we celebrate!

If we would have sent out a Christmas Card

 If we would have sent out a Christmas Card, it would have had some pictures like these. Notice our Elf, Waffle, hanging out in the tree. The kids couldn't bear to put down their new toys for all of the pictures.

 We took all of these pictures before church on Christmas Day. The kids are decked out in their Christmas church clothes.

I love this picture!

Our Christmas card would have also included this little yearly summary I wrote up for Ryan's family's annual Woodland Christmas letter.

Cole (28 months)- Still our little Cole baby (even though he's not so little anymore). Loves to sing and knows the words to a lot of songs. Tells a great knock knock joke (the same one every time). Very independent but also loves to cuddle and give kisses. Loves lightning McQueen and Thomas the train. Loves to play with other kids, especially his big sister. Usually very happy and energetic.

Hayden (4 years)- Loves having preschool 3 times a week at the real preschool. Loves doing projects of all kinds. Taking a tap/ballet class. Loves Sunbeams. Very social. Loves playing games. Great big sister. Has started unloading the dishwasher everyday. Loves to help (on her terms). Silly. Tells great stories, and loves to tell jokes, and to read. A lot of fun.

Carli- Pregnant with baby #3. Due June 21st. Busy growing a baby. Chasing kids. Trip to Hawaii with Ryan. Reading and crafting. Young Women's President. 

Ryan- Busy!! Still working hard at Motorola. Ward clerk and Gospel Doctrine teacher. Graduated with his Master's of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Looking forward to having some free time!

We're thankful for our Savior, Jesus Christ, and for this time to reflect more on His wonderful birth.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love,

Ryan, Carli, Hayden, and Cole

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, we headed out for some fun. Hayden brought the Robot book along to read in the car.

Our first stop was the Jelly Belly Factory (really just a warehouse). It's pretty boring, but the kids like the train ride (for the first 3 minutes) and the free candy. Plus I wanted some Jelly Bellies!

Next we went to the mall. We went to Bass Pro Shop to get free pictures with Santa. I was so proud of Hayden. She was very nervous and didn't want to see Santa. But when it was our turn, she walked right up and told him she wanted a sled with a rope (ours don't have ropes to pull people) and a Barbie. Cole wasn't scared at all and asked for a Buzz Lightyear. Ryan wasn't too thrilled about getting his picture with Santa, but it was free so I made him.

While we were at the mall, we took the kids to the Christmas store to pick out their ornaments for the year. They fit them each perfectly!

Later that night, the kids sprinkled reindeer food on the deck.

While we were taking care of the reindeer food, the elves brought our new pajamas! Our elf, Waffle, had moved over to see us open our pajamas. The kids thought that was so funny!

Then it was off to bed so Santa could come.....

Winter Fun

We have gotten very very little snow here this year. I'm definitely not complaining, but the kids are very anxious to build snowmen. We've had a couple of days with just a little fall that melts an hour later. As soon as the kids see even the dusting of snow, they are ready to go. They put on their snow gear and are out on the deck. They have both been wearing their snow boots everyday for at least a month. I'm hoping for one day of good snow for them to play in, then I hope it doesn't snow again until next year!

We didn't do as many fun Christmasy projects as we would have liked to, but we did have a few friends over to decorate cookies. Always a good time and, of course, more frosting than cookies were eaten.

We went to our friend's house for a fun white elephant party. The kids decorated cookies, had a book exchange, and played their hearts out. Melissa and Rob got these great hats! We were all jealous ;)

One of the men in our ward set up a photo shoot at our ward Christmas party. Here's our familia.

On a side note, Ryan got a fun book at the library for the kids. It has lots of comic strip like pictures and a few words. Hayden loved it!! She spent hours making up her own story to go along with the pictures.

Cole loved being read to by Hayden!

We caught her several times throughout the day, just enthralled in the book. I'm so glad my kids love to read!

Baby 3!

Our big excitement during the holiday season is our new baby! I'm due June 21st, but hoping to have it before then. I'm now 15 weeks. I'm definitely not one of those glowing pregnant women, who just love to be pregnant. I'm not a fan of being pregnant. I'm super excited to have a new baby, but pregnancy is not fun. I do have an ultrasound from my first visit at 7 weeks, but I didn't download that one. The baby looks like a bean. Here are 2 others:

This is the baby at 9 1/2 weeks. Notice the little arm buds. Because of this picture, my Dad started calling the baby "Rex." We emailed out this picture to our families to announce it.

Baby at 12 1/2 weeks. The baby is covering it's eyes in the top picture and waving "Hi" in the bottom picture. It's so amazing how much they develop in such a short time.

Warning: Pity party coming:
This has been my hardest pregnancy. I was sick with Hayden all 9 months and with Cole for 6 months, but this one has just been hard on me. My back has been super messed up, so I go to physical therapy twice a week. I'm constantly nauseous. Constantly. I spent about 6 weeks in bed most of the day. The doctor gave me a prescription. She said it was a miracle drug that would take away the sickness instantly. Let's just say, not true. I've had other issues that are TMI, so I've had 2 unexpected visits to the doctor, both with an ultrasound, and many other calls to the nurse. (I always talk to the same nurse. I know I'm the annoying patient that calls way too much, and they all complain about) I've been put on bed rest a couple times, once for a full week. Yuck. And while this has all been happening, Ryan was of course working full time, and he was finishing his last semester of his Master's degree. Our house has been complete chaos!!

Pity party over:
However, through it all,  I have noticed many blessings. First of all, my husband is awesome! I mean it. He really is. With working full time, finishing his master's, and being the ward clerk and gospel doctrine teacher, he would still come home, make dinner, take care of the kids and me, and clean the house. Never once did he complain. Never. And he now has his Master's of Mechanical Engineering!! I love that man!!
I have great kids. I could tell them I needed to stay in bed and they would be fine. They would just play and watch movies. Hayden would bring me water or snacks. A couple times she even made us all peanut butter sandwiches for lunch, all by herself. Cole would get his own snacks and was a big helper. They really are great kids. I love them!!
Despite everything that's been going on, the baby is nice and healthy! The technician and doctor were both surprised at the first ultrasound, because the heartbeat was so strong and steady. The baby is growing and developing as it should be.
My parents love me. I called and asked for prayers and knew that they would be said. Even though I'm 28, my mom still watches out for me. She was in the process of getting my Relief Society Presidents name and number to let her know we needed help when I was being too prideful to call and ask for help myself. My mom lives thousands of miles away, and is still ready to take care of me.
When I was on bedrest, I told my visiting teacher (after sucking up my pride). An hour later meals were set up for our family for the entire week. Women brought us delicious dinners for 5 straight nights, just because they wanted to help. Amazing!
I have great friends! My kids always have somewhere to go. My friends have babysit during my different appointments, sometimes with no notice, and when the kids just need to get out and play. I'm definitely blesses to have great friends.
We'll have a whole album of ultrasound pictures, at the rate we're going :)
I'm actually feeling somewhat better. The last 2 weeks I've been up more and actually getting a few things done. I've been able to enjoy the holiday festivities and time with my family, and am thankful for that.

There has to be opposition in all things, right?

Anyway, we are all excited for our new baby. I think it's a boy. At the last ultrasound, the technician kept referring to the baby as "he". I said "It's funny that you keep calling him he, because I really think it's a boy." She got all flustered and quickly assured me she was just using "he" as a general term. We should find out in about 6 weeks!
The kids, especially Cole, love to hug and kiss my belly. Hayden has been playing "pregnant" a lot. There's lots of baby buzz at our house, for sure!!

Preschool

Hayden by her cubby.

Hayden had her last day of preschool earlier this month. She wont go back until the end of February. They had a big holiday party on the last day. 

 Her is Hayden with one of her teachers, Sara. Cole was so excited and wanted to be part of everything going on.

 They sang songs, decorated pretzel sticks, and had cookies and punch.

 This is Hayden's other teacher Korianne.

Hayden decorating her bird house.

The teachers worked together to make a binder about Hayden's time with them in preschool. It's so great and will be fun for her to keep forever. They both said at the beginning she was really shy and didn't talk much, but by the end she wouldn't stop talking.
Hayden loved preschool and learned a lot. I love that she loves to learn! We are going to have to find ways to keep busy until school starts again.