Asher turns 18 months!

This is a momentous occasion for several reasons. One, Asher is our last 18 month old. Kinda sad, I know. It is also time for him to enter nursery at church. Hallelujah! We haven't actually attended Sunday school in about a year due to Asher's inability to sit still and stay out of other people's bags. Yes, we could take turns attending but we didn't want the other to be lonely so we usually just sat out together. :) Asher is going to love nursery. All of my kids have. I feel for all the mom's whose kids cry incessantly during this time. My kids have always been pretty independent that way.

Asher is still keeping us all busy. He has learned now to push chairs to where he wants to go. He likes to turn on and off lights. He likes to climb up on tables and counters. He still gets into any drawer or door that has been accidentally left open/unlocked. We have learned he is quite the comedian too. Most of our kids have been cute and funny at this age but I think he is by far the most naturally funny. He likes to do things just to see your reaction to him. He LOVES to dance. Anytime music is turned on, he shakes his head and his booty, and stomps his foot. When we went to the doctor the other day, the doctor asked if he could say at least 10 works...heavens, yes, he can say at least 10 words. It seems like he is talking fast then our other kids but maybe that is because he is surrounded by lots of talking. He says, up, and baba, and momma, and dadda, and Keet (Keith), Abbie, mine (a parent's favorite, although I am grateful he hasn't learned "no" yet), go, bye-bye, love you too (my favorite). He waves and blows kisses and folds his arms during prayer (which is still one of my favorite things to see as a parent).

Asher got his first haircut, recently (OK, I think it was like 3 months ago but that is recent enough). This is his shaggy hair before...

He actually did really well during the haircut. Chris just buzzed it all off with shavers and he loved the vibrating that it made.

And this is him, still smiling and now without shaggy hair.

He loves to steal hats off people, especially this colorful red one from Uncle Keith. It's his favorite! "Keith" was also the first name he said too!

He thoroughly enjoys wearing mommy's makeup and if there is silence in the house for more than a few minutes, I can almost always guess that my bedroom door has been left open and he is in my makeup. :)

Let's eat....some for me, and

some for you!

This is a great picture because it shows his goofy side.

Christmas and the New Year

I was eager for January to bring a lull in the busyness of our lives but it doesn't look like it is going to let up anytime soon. We both have very busy callings and especially at this time of year. I am not trying to complain. I know we are being blessed in so many different ways for serving but sometimes I find myself counting down to the time when "I think" one of us might be released. Until then, I am trying to find joy in each day. Each new challenge. Each new learning opportunity. And trying not to pick on myself too hard for not posting as much as I would like. Eating cereal for dinner. Not mopping as much as I need to (like, never...although I did get a steam mop for Christmas so maybe that will help even if it is still in the box). :)





One thing January is certain to bring is power. The power of change. The power of hope. I love that at this special time of year we get to reflect on who we are, where we have come from and where we want to go in the next year. I love setting resolutions to do better and be better even when some years have proved less successful than others. I think January brings a renewed hope that we can make little steps to improve our lives and the lives around us. And for some reason, more than any other time of year, it gives us the strength and courage to start again.

Enough about that, I am a little late on posting Christmas but lately my philosophy has been "better late than never." You may get our awesome new years pics by February but maybe not. :)

These are pictures of the kids with Chris's uncle who dressed up like Santa. He made an AWESOME Santa. I am so glad we got more pics.

I love this picture of Allison with Santa because she is going on and on about what she wants for Christmas. Oh, the faith of a little child!

Christmas eve we went to Chris's families house and baked cookies. I am not sure where Allison learned to pose with her hand like this but she was adamant that I get her picture with her posing just like this.

It is interesting to hear what other traditions people have for the holidays. In our home, Santa only brings one gift for each child and does not wrap it. All the other gifts come from mom and dad or other family. The kids sleep in the basement on Christmas eve and have to stay down there until we come and get them. That may seem a little mean but we are selfish and want to see the first initial surprise on their faces. So far they haven't complained about it. We always bake cookies the night before for Santa. We have always written letters and done gingerbread houses. The last couple of years we did an Activity advent calendar that I really love doing. I come up with 25 Christmas activities each year that we are going to do as a family. Some include reading Christmas books, singing/listening to Christmas music, looking at Christmas lights, making a gingerbread house, making Christmas treats and bringing them to people, Gratitude night, the symbols of Christmas, etc., etc., etc. The kids are always excited to see what fun activity we will do that day and it is a way for us to make sure we spend a little more time together during the busy holiday season.

Asher's favorite toys came from his stocking. But he also loved opening presents this year too. Putting him in his high chair worked really well. :)

The girls both got the pillow pets they asked for (along with a million other children). I had to go online to even find out what they were when Allison started asking for one. Then I started seeing them in every store I went to including Best Buy!

Austin asked for a "prop replica" Harry Potter wand (that is what he calls it). He wrote a two and a half page letter to Santa telling him why he wanted it and why he deserved it. How could Santa resist?

I hope everyone had a great Holiday and I hope even more that every one's new year is everything you could hope for!! (See, I am full of hope). :)