Just Like Abba

The most thoughtful Christmas present that we worked on this year was for my dad.  When he was about three years old his dad (a professional photographer) took what has become an iconic photograph in our home.  All my little brothers had a picture taken with them in a similar suit and pose.  I started thinking we wanted to do the same for grandchildren this summer when Davy was 2 1/2.  I had Collin saw off the legs of an old bar stool and spray painted it the right color.  I had my mom send out the little velvet suit and we practiced.  But we found out soon enough that Davy was not able to balance on one leg yet.  So we put things away until later, but kept talking about Abba's picture and practicing balancing.  Finally this fall Davy was coordinated enough to stand the right way and we commenced finding the right place to set up a "studio".  After three tries around our yard and house we found the right place and time of day to get one nice shot.  Davy was such a good sport about the whole process, but toward the end it was clear that he was done and what we got was as good as it was going to get!

5 Years of Wedded Bliss

You know what this blog really needs about now?  A little spicing up!  We've been married five years now and guess what. One graduation, two kids, five moves, one fire, and a gazillion episodes of Lost later, we still like and love each other! Collin is the most patient, stubborn, kind, funny, handsome, hardworking husband.  I'm not sure what adjectives he would assign to me, but I'm pretty sure that he likes me.  That's more than enough for me!  Here's to another five years.  Maybe two more kids, perhaps another graduation, hopefully fewer moves and no disasters and thankfully no more Lost.  Whatever comes our way I'm confident that we'll weather it together and grow in love and understanding.

Christmas Morning

Although the boys got up a little early, around 7:15, it was still later than usual. They both woke up happy and cuddly (not always the case) and we reveled in their company in our family bed. I started out with Eddy resting against my chest and Davy resting against Collin. After five or so minutes they started to get restless, so Collin and I looked at each other and said, "switch!" The boys were content for another ten minutes while we quietly told the Christmas story. What a perfectly dreamy morning. The best Christmas present I could have dreamt up. After such a lovely and peaceful waking up we were ready to face the fun and chaos of stockings and presents.

Oranges in stockings.  Can't help but love that part of Christmas morning.  Edward, upon encountering this age old tradition, promptly threw the orange across the room.  All boy.  When he was holding it so seriously it reminded me of this picture of Collin about the same age.

Mmm, chocolate for breakfast.  And last thing at night, too.  Davy had no shortage of junk food during the day and by the time dinner (homemade tortillas, delish) rolled around he was too keyed up to eat a thing.  After he had been long sent to bed, however, Collin went down to check on him and found him in the middle of our bed eating my chocolate orange.  "But I'm so hungry, Daddy," he said when Collin took it away and sent him sternly to his own bed.  It's so interesting how something can so incredibly tick you off as a parent but after a few hours the whole situation is pretty funny.

Eddy finally got the hang of opening presents.  Aunt Erica gave him some trains that had an 'E' so that they would belong especially to him.  He was pretty excited about them, but Davy quickly carried them off to play with them saying that Eddy could use the other old ones.

 

Davy own first gift was a dud.  He started to open it, saw that it was a Sunday sweater I had purchased since I cringe every time he wears a sweatshirt to church.  (Before you judge me for letting him wear a sweatshirt to church, you try to take it off him.)  He pushed the half wrapped present away and said, "no, I don't want this present."  We'll work on the gracious receiving, but I do understand that getting clothes as a three year old does not completely match the expectation.  A later present was much more successful at capturing the magic of a long awaited Christmas gift.  Santa (aka Aunt Erica) had brought "a real Buzz Lightyear that the wings pop out."

Love at first sight.

Grandma Lambourne sent several nice gifts, the favorite of which was a sing and dance along puppy for Eddy.  He immediately bonded and grooved and clapped to the puppy's command.

A very Merry Christmas was had by all!

Christmas Eve

 

Christmas Eve dawned beautiful and sunny.  We enjoyed running around outside before settling down to our more quiet and reverent festivities.  Davy in a hoodie has become the norm.  He got a special hoodie from Great-grandmother for Christmas a few days ago and has worn it every minute since then.  The first words I heard him say this morning as he was waking up at 7:00 were "Ahh, my soft hood."  We have had serious tantrums over taking a hoodie away to wash it (although I'm happy we're at least not carrying around a baby blanket).  And even bigger tantrums when I suggest that he wear a coat over the sweatshirt.  We're to the point where he has to either wear or carry the coat--I won't do it for him anymore.  So far this winter he has worn a coat a total of zero times.  He's one stubborn (and cold) kid. 

 

For Christmas Eve we traditionally eat oyster stew and clam chowder, Finnish Pulla bread, and goldfish crackers.  Then we retell the story of the Nativity while dressing up and singing songs at appropriate intervals.  I thought the boys would love the dressing up part.  Eddy did enjoy watching the goings on and trying on a shepherd's headband or two.  But Davy was overwhelmed at the event and did not want to participate.  Actually, I take that back.  He did want to be the donkey but was loudly disappointed that there was not a donkey costume.  So in the end he found comfort in holding Nana's special lamb.  After the boys were sent to bed to wait for Santa Claus, we had fun playing Santa and enjoying the magic of the season.  More about Christmas morning tomorrow!

Davy (aka Buzz Lightyear) Turns 3

My baby is three.  I can't believe how quickly time goes.  Davy is such a sweet kid, just brimming with life and fun and possibility.  We feel so blessed to have him in our family.

 Aunt Katy promised Davy a Buzz Lightyear cake, and so we had to deliver.  It was quite fun to figure out how we were going to create Buzz out of cake and frosting.  I thought I had failed halfway through when Davy came through the kitchen and peeked at the cake.  He exclaimed, "look, it's a gingerbread man!"  I guess he would have been excited either way, but I think eventually we got the cake to resemble Buzz.  The whole party turned into a Buzz party without any effort on my part.  All the presents were Buzz themed and we even beat up a Woody pinata.

 

 

All decked out in gifts from Aunt Erica, Grandma Lambourne, and Aunt Janeil.  He wore them until bedtime and almost had a meltdown when I told him he couldn't put them on over his pajamas.  The astro blaster space gun has unfortunately been confiscated until we get home to Boston.  My family has a hard time tuning out the noise, especially since Davy and Eddy both hold down the trigger without a break.  Davy was thrilled with all the presents, and was surprisingly adept at doing a lenticular puzzle from the Dollahite grandparents.  He's growing so nicely and quickly and I wish we could just pause time, or bottle up the goodness right now.  But three is going to be a good year and we will savor every giggle and sparkly eye.

 

Filling the pinata and examining the booty afterward.  Davy and Eddy quickly got the concept of a pinata and loved hitting and poking it until the goodies spilled out.

 

We're All Together Again

My sister came home from her mission at the beginning of December, so the boys and I flew out early for the holidays to meet her at the airport and enjoy being all together as a Dollahite fam.  Collin had to work for a little longer before joining us.  And I'd forgotten my camera cord to upload pictures on the computer.  I know that Grandma Lambourne is anxiously awaiting pictures of her grandsons, so we'll just get started with those!

The first few days we were here the weather was so beautiful and we got to our neighborhood park several times.  Now the inversion has taken over the valley and we can hardly breathe outside, but hopefully the snow will clear the air a bit!

Introducing my boys to the delights of Purple Turtle.  This is one of the top food stops on my list whenever we visit Utah.  What's not to love about greasy good food?  And who can top a name like Purple Turtle?

We spent an afternoon at my grandparents' home to help decorate for Christmas.  Eddy got to meet his namesake and enjoy lots of attention from the great-grandparents.  Davy became obsessed with their train table and had to be carried bodily away when it was time to go.

Nana (my mom) treated us to a Polar Express train ride on the Heber Creeper Railroad.  It was just right!  A steam train a 1/2 hour to the North Pole, hot chocolate and a cookie on the way, a choir singing carols, and a visit from Santa Claus who gave all the kids a silver bell.  It was Davy's first encounter with Santa and he was excited but a little unsure of the expectations.

Davy's getting plenty of stories read to him and told to him.  People are so happy to have him sit still and silent with them while enjoying a story.