Sick. Sick. Sick.

So, at around 11:00 last night, Scott and I had just finished watching a movie, Accepted (pretty good), when we heard this tiny little, "mom" coming from upstairs. I went up and saw Beck standing there covered in sick. He just cried and said, "I made a mess." He had thrown up all over his bed and himself. It was so sad because he just kept saying, "I'm sorry" and "I'll not throw up again." So, anyway, we gave him a bath and put him back in a clean bed only to have it happen again. So, he came to bed with us and a bucket. He was sick until about 2:00 this morning when he finally fell asleep. Now, he seems fine and is upstairs watching Hercules, but you never know...more vomit could be lurking just around the corner.

Scott and I were talking and we have been pretty lucky because Beck is now 3 and this is our first episode of real sick. He's had colds and sniffles before, but never middle of the night, throwing up, disgusting sick. So I guess this was our real initiation into the joys of parenthood. Welcome to the club, right?

A Child Christmas

On Christmas Day, we went over to my mom's house for sweetrolls, quiche, hot chocolate, presents, and games. We had so much fun playing Wii bowling and tennis (especially Caron's awesome kick move). The kids played with Jackson's new racing track and with Baylee's new basketball hoop. It was such a nice day with wonderful food and company. Here is Dave in his new Utah jacket.

My new Utah T-shirt.
Heather.
Baylee opening her basketball hoop...she was so excited about it because the present was so much bigger than her.

This is one of my family's favorite things to do - to take pictures at the same time...notice how my mom thinks this is so funny! I love it!
Sanya and Justin got a new game called Dirty Minds...I think that's pretty fitting.
Beck's new Mack Truck and Cars.
Dave and Jen threatened Colby that if he didn't give them some ideas for what he wanted for Christmas then they would give him a dress. Well, he never gave them any ideas. Doesn't he look nice?
They took pity on him and still gave him a present.
Merry Christmas everyone!

Merry Christmas!

On Christmas morning, I had to go in and wake up Beck. The first thing he said was, "Is Santa still here? Can I go see him?" He was a little disappointed when he found out that he was gone, but once he saw his presents, he got over it. He was so excited about all of his new junk, especially his new Cars, rocket, and big truck. Taya was excited about her new little bone...

and Jake's new BIG bone.
Scotty's new calendar that Beck picked out just for him.
The new scooter.
Erin found this shirt for Scott...does anyone else see the strong resemblance to Dwight?

"Bears, beets, and Battlestar Gallactica"

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire...

On Christmas Eve, Grandma and Grandpa came over to our house for dinner. We ate Market Street clam chowder, sticky bun, shrimp, and assorted snacks. It was delicious. Then we opened presents and played. It was such a fun night. Beck was so excited for Santa to come. He kept asking if he could go to bed so that Santa could come quicker (this started at 8:45 in the morning). Here is Beck trying out his new remote control cars. Thanks Ashley!

Scotty starting our fire.
Beck and Grandma Pauline.
Beck helping Grandpa Dennis open his new wallet.
Beck's new Cars blanket that I made him.
Snuggling with Grandma and Grandpa in front of the fire.

Christmas is Coming!

On Sunday, Jamie, Tyler, and Rosie came over with Grandma Pauline to do some early gift exchanging. They live out in Vernal, so we never know when we will see them on Christmas. They gave Beck a new Cars book with a projection camera, and Aunt Ashley gave him some remote control bumper cars.
We gave Rosie a movie...
and we gave Tyler a movie. We're not very creative around here are we?
Later that night, Jewkes came over for a Christmas feast and then we went downtown to see the lights. The kids had a blast even though it was freezing. Beck and Scotty trying to stay warm.

Christmas is tomorrow, and we are so excited. Beck keeps asking if it's time to go to bed so that Santa can come. We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and can enjoy a nice day surrounded by family and friends!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christensen Family Party

On Saturday, we had a Christmas party with my mom's side of the family. It was such a fun party. The kids decorated cookies, played BINGO, we ate breakfast, had a pinata, and recreated the Nativity scene. It's always fun to see all of my cousins because this is usually one of the only times during the year we have a chance to get reacquainted. Here are Colby and Ellie peeling their Clementine oranges.

Beck having a cinnamon bun.
Beck having his turn at the pinata.
Baylee taking a whack at it.
and Colby swinging to the fences...
He broke the pinata...and the bat.
My little shepherd.

All the little shepherds.

Great party! We loved it!

Christmas Cookies

Yesterday Beck helped me make our Christmas cookies. He had so much fun punching out stars, trees, and ornaments.

He helped me frost the cookies...
he added a touch of sprinkles...and then ate four cookies before I could even stop him.
It is so much fun to start these fun little Christmas traditions with Beck now that he is old enough to realize what is going on and maybe he will remember this Christmas next year instead of having it vanish into the abyss that is a 2-year-old brain.

Four days until Christmas!

Felt so GOOD!

Yesterday was the first day since my surgery that I was able to go for a run. It was AWESOME! Sure, I couldn't breathe and my legs were all rubbery and now today I'm sore, but it felt so great to get off my butt and to do something fast. I honestly think that the hardest part about my surgery was having to be completely inactive for so long. My mood was so much better after working out. Don't ya just love endorphins! I know that after eight weeks of being down I'm going to have to start really slow, but I'm so so excited to continue and I can't wait to run again tomorrow, and hopefully, I can get back up to my pre-surgery pace and distance.

Oh! By the way...5 days until Christmas!

Christmas Fun!

What a fun weekend! On Friday, we went to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. After we survived the two-hour wait time, it was delicious! We got a piece of carrot cake to go, and this is Beck enjoying his mound of whipped cream!

Saturday was our Child family party. We went to the Golden Corral, and although the food was not what I would call gourment, the company was wonderful. I love chatting with all my cousins. This is one of the few times during the year that we actually get to see them, so it's nice to catch up.

Here are Ginnie and Rachel. Ginnie is due in less than a month, and I am so excited to see little Avery whenever she gets here, and we are very happy for them.
Anna and Megan's baby, Averie.
Dave REALLY enjoying his ice cream cone.
After that party, we reconvened at my house for Connor's 10th birthday party. I made him a Spiderman birthday cake since he likes superheroes just a little bit.
Happy Birthday Connor! Make a wish!
So it was a busy weekend, but oh so fun! I really love spending time with my family. Everyone was so pleasant and funny. It was also nice to talk to Grandpa and hear him express his feelings about Christmas and about our family. Seven days until Christmas...

Gingerbread Houses

Last night we made our gingerbread houses. Grandma Connie came over and ate dinner with us and then we broke out the gum drops and Royal icing and went to town on our houses. Beck was so excited all day to make them, saying, "This is going to be such a fun party tonight." I think he had more fun eating the candy than decorating with the candy.
Grandma Connie concentrating very hard. She had about had it by the end of the night because she couldn't get her fence posts to stay standing. Her shrieks of frustration could be heard echoing through the house. Scotty loved making his gingerbread house and was very good at decorating with the icing. He said it came from practicing laying down a bead while welding.
Beck getting a handful of candy.
Here are the finished products: Beck's...

Scotty's...

Grandma Connie's...
and mine.
Only 11 days until Christmas Eve day! We are so excited!