Summer Play in the Snow

A few days before Christmas Grant got a crazy idea to go play with sidewalk chalk.  It was a bitter cold day and I don't know what gave his the crazy idea.  When we got outside he ditched the sidewalk chalk for the summer toys.  He then marched over to his friend's house.  Then they were both outside playing in the snow.  I sure love kids and their wild ideas.

Tahoe: SOLD!

It was a relief to sell our Tahoe after nearly 2 months of work.  It was a good truck, people just wanted a 3rd seat in the back.  We finally sold it to a cute little family in Pocatello.  We had to drive the truck up there, but it was worth it.  The truck was the first big purchase Kyle and I made after we got married.  It has been a part of our lives for 5 years.  We miss it, but not so much that we want it back.

Gingerbread Houses

I love decorating gingerbread houses at Christmas time.  I think it is so fun.  It is also a great activity for Grant to do, why?  He has some serious issues with things on his hands.  Its not just that he doesn't like his hands dirty.  The sensory issue interferes with his ability to function sometimes, and that is a problem.    We have worked on getting messy and not completely freaking out.  He used to not even be able to touch play-doh.  He now will touch it, but doesn't prefer it.  Hands have to be cleaned as soon as he says he is done.  So, with that being said gingerbread houses are what we call a "high risk" activity.  It doesn't make you touch the gooey frosting, but chances are you will get some on your hands.  This is why I love the picture of him putting his candy on his house.  Look at how careful he is being.  No getting frosting on these little hands!

My Little Man

My sister-in-law Sierra took all of these darling pictures of my little man.  She does a really good job.  Not to mention that kids are more cooperative for their aunts than their moms.  These are just a few of my favorites.  I think my little boy looks so grown up.

July at Christmas

I was looking through my pics to find the next ones to blog about and I realized I hadn't posted our pics from Lagoon. The kids had so much fun!  I remember being a kid thinking "how do parents just stand around in the heat all day? that is no fun. don't they want to ride the rides too?"  Well, now as a parent it is more fun to watch your child have a great time and see the excitement in his and her eyes.  I didn't care to ride a single ride all day.  I was having so much fun watching these two.  I think I will let the pictures speak for themselves.  There is definitely a bond between these two!

More Proof

Here is just more proof that my child is just like his daddy.  Daddy loves blankets and loves to be cuddled up in one.  all. the. time. Obviously, my child does too.  I wonder if blanket loving is genetic.

Oh Christmas Tree

We love to get real trees for Christmas.  Sometimes I think it is so much work to do a real tree I am tempted to go fake.  Truth is it is worth it.  I enjoy having a different looking tree every year.  Here is Daddy and Grant getting our Christmas tree.  

How do you eat cereal?

A couple of weeks ago when we were visiting my parents house my brother was snacking on some cereal. (as kids we frequently would eat a bowl of dry cereal for a snack)  Grant, being a typical rigid two year old got a little distraught about his uncle not using a spoon to eat his cereal.  He insisted his uncle use a spoon ( or a foon if you are 2)

Fast forward to Saturday...

I allow my child to watch t.v. when I get ready in the morning.  This day I knew I was going to be a little longer than expected so I asked him if he would like some cereal first.  This is his response:

Grant: Yeah, want marshmallow cereal mommy.

Mom: Do you want some milk on your cereal?

Grant: No, I eat like Uncle Blair.

How do kids remember such random things?

Thanksgiving Feast

I love the holidays!  I love being around family and loved ones.  I also love traditions.   

These are Cindy's famous "butt" rolls.  It is not dinner without a butt roll!

These are Irene's yams.  I used to hate candied yams. My family never ever makes them and so when I married into the Maybury family I kept trying them.  Now I like them.  Not my favorite, but I will eat them willingly.

Irene has these special fruit plates.  I don't think I see them any other time of year except at Thanksgiving.  She always does a really good job setting the table and making things look pretty.

Stuffed celery is another Maybury tradition.  I have been in charge of the stuffed celery before and I am telling you.  It is not especially fun to stuff hundreds of slices of celery with sticky cheese.  But it is mighty tasty!

This is Grant with his first piece of stuffed celery.  (probably not his last either)

The examination.

The taste!  The celery wasn't a hit.  But he will have plenty more opportunities to try again.

The bird was our job this year!  Kyle did all of it.  I didn't help one bit.  He did a fabulous job.  It tasted great.  The truly amazing part was he kept it warm for the 40 minute drive and it stayed warm until we ate.  Way to go hun!

I don't think it is a family get together without having some good laughs.  I was lucky to capture this moment!  Art and Irene have an older organ in their home.  Grant will sometimes go just push the buttons.  This night Irene turned the organ on!  (I didn't even know it still worked.)  Grant was thrilled when the buttons suddenly made noise.  It was a nice quiet noise but quiet just the same.  Well, Irene has a pretty significant hearing loss.  She didn't even think the organ was working.  So she shoved down the pedal and BOOM!  The organ was shaking the house.  Grant and Irene were having a ball.  I swear the whole neighborhood could hear the thing!  Art on the other hand has no hearing loss.  He nearly came unglued at the ruckus.  Eventually, the organ got turned off and the fun came to a screeching halt.  I am so happy I got these cute pictures of the "Organ event".  It will be interesting to see what happens when we go back to the house for Christmas eve.  I secretly hope the organ gets blasted again.

Lee always makes the pies.  It has taken him multiple attempts to get the meringue to look picture perfect.  I think it tasted even better than it looked. 

The coconut pie!  My family all despises coconut.  So, I had to learn how to stomach the stuff over the years.  I honestly like coconut now, but only on certain things.  Coconut pie isn't one of them...yet.

It was a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We had so much to be thankful for this year.  It was so much fun to spend the day with the in-laws, who I love so much.

Happy Birthday Grandpa Art!

This is Grandpa Art.  He just turned 82!  He doesn't have great health these days and so we celebrated at his house.  Grant had a great time!  He is such a great helper.

 Grant giving Grandpa Art a present!

 A silly face!

Grant and Uncle Ross playing a tickle-get-you game.  They were both having way too much fun.