Utah-part II

While in Utah we visited the Museum of Utah History (or something like that) with my sister and her family.

It was a little boring for Jackson at parts but he really liked the dinosaur exhibits.

Jackson and Aunt Carrel



Axel fell asleep on the drive there and stayed asleep for the first part of the exhibits
but it was much easier to keep track of him this way!



One of the many "kid friendly" areas.

Jackson leaving his hand prints if only for a moment!



Axel woke up and enjoyed the exhibits with dad



Taking a break and I couldn't resist taking a picture of my boys!




Another great way to contain Axel



Enjoying the kid room with Aunt Carrel and cute Emme

After enjoying the museum we picked up Nanny and Papa and headed to dinner.



Rinlee content with her thumb while we dined on Chinese food.



When at my nanny and papa's the massage chair was one of the things that the boys had fun playing with.  I love to see when they are playing nicely together. 

The last night in Utah we got a cute picture of the kids with Nanny and Papa.  They were reading stories to the boys and so I put Rinlee in the mix to get a precious picture.

Thursday we left super early to head home.  This was how Jackson spent part of the drive.

We loved spending time with our family and we didn't get pictures of all the things we did but we know just how blessed we are to have so many blessings in our lives and to share Christmas time with them.

Christmas 2011

Christmas was a long celebrated event this year.  Because of the trip to Utah we decided to open family gifts before we left so we didn't have to pack all the presents.  So Thursday night we had our family Christmas.

Jackson got a new bike with training wheels.  He was getting to big for the trike and now Axel can ride it without Jackson making him get off.

I finally got the boys BYU t-shirts.  Jackson is modeling his for the camera.

Axel figured out the whole "unwrapping" thing.

This was the book Jackson picked out to give Axel and Axel loves it, he played with it while he waited his turn to open a gift.

Jackson modeling his new travel pillow (Axel got a lion one)

Rinlee in her Bumbo.  She also got some cute tights.

The boys practicing their fishing skills with their new poles.

We left Friday after work to head to Utah for the Holiday.  Christmas eve we got together with some family and went to see some Christmas lights before having dinner and making graham cracker houses at my sisters.

Jackson sitting on Papa's lap while we drove through the lights

Jackson and I made this house. 
Thanks to Aunt Carrel and JoLynn for making the royal icing that held it all together :)

Christmas morning Jackson got up pretty early but we made him lay in bed with us until Axel woke up about a half hour later.  Then we all went down stairs to see what Santa had brought. 



Rinlee not quite sure what is going on, but looking very festive in her PJ's



Even Meishu got a stocking filled with toys.



Before Church we took some pictures of the kids all dressed up.

After Church the boys played with their new computers until family started showing up for a yummy Christmas dinner.  Jackson actually plays the games and Axel just likes making noise and trying to be like Jackson.

After dinner Nanny read a great story about how Christmas is more then just presents and Santa. 

Jackson loves his cousin Parker and he did a really good job of sitting quietly during the story.



Jackson was Parker's shadow.

It was a great day and the kids got lots of great gifts.  We also got some more wonderful family history from my parents.  They are such a great reminder of family importance and I hope to continue some of the great traditions they have taught me.

2 Months

Rinlee had her two month well child check a week ago. 

She was 11 pounds 10.5 ounces (50% percentile) and 24 inches (92nd percentile).

Her head circumference was in the 25th percentile. 

So despite being smaller then the boys when she was born, she is keeping right up with where they were.

She has officially become a thumb sucker

She seems to be active (for a 2 month old!) and is getting stronger. 

She will lift her head up and is okay with tummy time as long as her brother will leave her alone.

She is sleeping through most nights, which is very nice for me.

As far as any noticeable differences between the boys and a girl, mostly the clothes.  I'm sure there will soon be "gender" differences, but none that I can pinpoint yet.

The boys really do like her and are both very willing to help get a diaper or throw a diaper away.  They have become my little gophers and are such good helpers.  It is common to see them wanting to hug her, hold her, and give her kisses...even when she is in her car seat...or being fed!

She is such a pleasant baby as long as she is not hungry.  We are learning how to manage three and know that we will actually never learn it because just as we learn to manage one thing, we hit the changes in the newborn phases that come and go so quickly that first year of life and seem to be different from one kid to another!

Christmas Party

Last night we had our annual Branch Christmas party. 

I decided that it was a good day to put the kids in their Christmas shirts.

When i was sitting them on the couch to take this picture, Jackson insisted Teddy also be in the picture.  I guess it is only fitting since Jackson officially named him "Teddy Blomstedt"

I decided that I really like hats for Rinlee.  I have always liked hats but just don't think I pull them off as well as she does.

At the Branch party we ate some yummy food, then the kids did a cute jingle bell craft until Santa arrived.  Then there was a short "talent" show and a reading of the Christmas story with singing of hymns.  It was a nice night and I love the Christmas songs, they make the spirit so strong.

Jackson working on his snowman jingle bell ornament.

Jackson and Santa

Axel wasn't so sure about seeing Santa but when he learned he would get a treat sack, he was willing to "briefly" sit on Santa's lap.

Jackson delved right into his treat bag and found a chocolate dunker treat.

Jason and Rinlee enjoying the talents

Jackson and two others sang "Once there was a snowman"

Axel enjoying the show.  He is a one shoe wonder.  It is not uncommon to see him with only one shoe.  I guess this is how he lost one shoe over Thanksgiving (and no we never found it)

Rinlee woke up and graced us with her beautiful bright eyes.

Christmas is such a wonderful time of year.  We love being with friends and family and all of the activities and celebrations we can be apart of, especially when they teach and remind us of our Savior, Jesus Christ.