December 2016

This is our first night at Grandma and Grandpa Hebdon's. They were loving their new rooms, and enjoyed snuggling together for reading time.

Joe needes to fill out some paperwork a few days before he started, so we decided to go as a family and enjoy Temple Square at Christmas time. We even found Jojo some snowpants, Addie some snow boots, and both gloves so we could be warm, but also enjoy later to play in the snow.

They enjoyed walking around and being outside. The grounda were pretty. We wanted to get home before it was too late and cold, so the lights weren't as appreciated as some years.

Grandma Hebdon works at the library and brought us home a craft. They kids did pretty well gluing on the cotton balls for Santa's bears. It's auppo7to be an advent activity, but I decided they would have more fun doing it all at once.

One day while we were eatting, Addie said butterfly! We all looked around and didn't see one, then I looked down at the oranges I was peeling and cutting up for them.  And there waa the butterfly. She's often seeing art in objects around her. Maybe she has an artist's eye?

We helped Grandma put up the Nativity, and the kids put up the "white bear" I gave to Jesus as a gift when I was 18 months. My parents say that they were shopping,  they went to the car and noticed I had this tiny white bear glass figurine clutched tightly in my hand. I said "for Baby Jesus". So they took me back, paid for the figurine, and went home where I gave my gift to baby Jesus. It's a permanent part of the Nativity now.

And we loved going to Uncle Kevin and Rachel's home where they have hammocks everywhere. They love to to swing, especially Addie. She could do it all day long if someone would be with her and push her. She LOVES swinging.

Christmas 2017

Show how to work for the Christmas and Christmas Eve. So we were glad to have family to share the holidays with. We opened Grandma and Grandpa Hebdon Christmas Eve gifts for the kids with some warm pajamas. We also had the kids reenact the nativity.

Addie in her Christmas dress.

JoJo in his Christmas clothes for church.

It was fun to have both kids in the Nativity this year. Addie was Mary and JoJo was Joseph.

Santa gave Addie a kitchenette. And he gave Jojo a tricycle.

Addie in her new pajamas.

JoJo in his new pajamas.

All the kids in their pajamas from their grandparents.

JoJo really enjoyed dressing up to be Joseph.

Audi felt like a princess being dressed as Mary.

Adam and Ben were the Shepherds.

Caleb was the wise man.

We open Santa's gifts on Christmas and waited for Daddy to come home on Wednesday to open up family gifts. Not ideal but hey, it worked out just great.

December 24th snowman

Addie has been in love with snowmen, ao finally there was a day after snow that was warm enough to build a snowmen with Caleb, Benjamin, and Adam.

Adaline is 3 today!!

The exciting day is here, and our baby girl is now 3! And it was such an exciting day to share with Grandma and Grandpa Hebdon as well as Kevin's family. It was the first time we had anything like a "party". She has been in love with Frosty the snowman since Thanksgiving week, and she almost has the whole thing memorized! I was trying to decide what to make for her cake, and Joe said Frosty.  So with the help of mom on the finishing touches, I think her cake turned out perfect. And she was so happy with it!

She got a little people castle, kitty shirt and pants, and 2 tiaras from mom and dad. Jojo gave her Cinderella and Prince Charming little people. Grandma and grandpa gave her a  soft stuffed pony and red shirt with a skirt bottom. The Hebdon's gave her a singing snowman candy dispenser and chocolate marshmellow snowmen. 

It was such a fun day that we thoroughly enjoyed!

Christmas parties

Grandma have been works at the Bannock County Library is. They were doing a Santa Claus visit one day. So we decided to come along. JoJo had no hesitancy to sit on Santa's lap. He was pretty cute. Addy however was not feeling it. And she would not go near him. But she was excited to see him. Maybe next year we'll get her to sit on his lap.

We went to Caleb's Christmas Choir concerts. He did a great job and had some speaking Parts. The kids enjoyed going to see him sing.

We went to our Ward Christmas party. Our second chance to talk to Santa. Again and he was excited to go see him, but she would not go near him. Jojo was a little bit more hesitant this time but Santa was really good. He came and sat you're Jojo and talked with him. It was priceless.

Benjamin and Caleb being the shepherds in the nativity.

Adie being shy seeing Santa Claus.

Moving again for the 9th time in 6.5 years.....

So, interesting to say that the news of our moving was not well received in our ward. No doubt it's exhausting helping people move, gettingto know them, giving callings...... and so it'snot that big of a surprise that we didn't have so much help moving out. But thank goodness for a few good friends, we were able to get the uhaul packed, the kids had fun with friends, and we were out on Tuesday morning. We stopped at Sally and Phil's home in Nampa, Gary was there as well, and we had a yummy Thanksgiving dinner with Joe's family. We stayed the next day,  then headed out on Thursday to Idaho. We're so grateful to Kevin and his family helping us unpack the uhaul into the shop at my parents. Our goal is to stay here til the end of February,  save some money for a deposit and first month's rent.

The kids were loving all of the time spent with family. We are truly blessed.

Jojo is 21 months and Thanksgiving

We were so excited to have our schedule allow us to go to Idaho for Thanksgiving. However, we spent the long weekend packing to move instead! More of that news in the following post. We didn'tknow we weren't going to Idaho for Thanksgiving til Tuesday night. So I didn't even think about what we were going to do until Thursday morning. A little late to pull out the turkey! So we went to a restaurant, but there was over a 40 min wait....not ideal for 2 toddlers. So we ran to the store, bought potatoes, stuffing, carrots, canned pumpkin, corn, and 2 already roasted chickens! Home we went, into the crockpot to keep warm the chicken went, and Joe and I started cooking while the kids went down for naps. All things considered, it was pretty tasty and a good Thanksgiving!

That Saturday, Joe and I decided we needed a break of packing. So we took a trip over to the coast. It was much needed medicine to our souls, stormy weather and it was breathtaking to watch and hear the waves crash their way in. I went on a walk to get seashells while the kids slept and Joe sat in the van with them. I love the ocean, i always will. I leave a part of me behind each time I leave.

I tried to capture the beauty of the woods, but just couldn't quite get it. We stopped at a covered bridge. Even the roatrips are gorgeous in Western Oregon.

I keep saying it, but it's true. Our Jojo bean is just so smart, sweet, and full of energy. I'm grateful we have the two of them so they can play together. Despite the fighting, they are constantly asking where the other is. They are very close and I hope they remain close. They drive me crazy half of the time, and the other half I'm laughing or in tears, but I'm grateful they are mine.

We enjoy going to the zoo,  play dates at the park, driving Daddy to and from work (we're about 8 miles from his work), and shopping. Shopping has become a favorite thing for us to do, even though it's mostly for groceries.

Jojo enjoys putting on shoes, taking them off, and putting them on again. He does not like to wear hats, have the door shut on him, and is on and off about bath time. He is a big eater and wants to be very independent. So therefore he is very messy! Food is always getting in his hair, face, clothes, and floor. But he is determined to do it himself, like his big sister.