Christmas in Seattle

This year we were able to fly up to Federal Way to visit Mark's family for Christmas.  It was so nice to be able to go to up there...it has been years since we have made the trip.  Before we went, we had a little family Christmas here to open things from my family and gifts that were too big to take on the plane.  It was fun to have a preview of Christmas morning...Shortstop loved all of it and had a great time.  The basketball hoop has been a big hit!

Sunday matching Christmas sweaters

Pjs from Grandma Morgan

Big hit with the boys!  They love playing each day!

We really tried to focus on the true meaning of Christmas throughout December and did a daily scripture reading/lds video to discuss the life and ministry of the Savior.  I loved that when people would ask what Christmas was about, Shortstop would say "the baby Jesus."  I want him to enjoy presents and Santa Claus and our elf on the shelf tradition but I want him to always know why we celebrate and what is really important.  We also did some fun activities like temple square lights, Thanksgiving point lights, seeing Frozen in theaters, and lots of other fun little things to count down to Christmas.
We flew up to Seattle on the 22nd and were there to the 28th which was perfect.  The boys did so well on both flights and I gotta give props to my hubby for the luggage, gifts and car seat maneuvering through both airports.  A big thanks to his sister Allis and my brother-in-law Matt for the rides to and from the airport.

Chilling in the airport sucking on the clasp- whatever works buddy!

Familiarizing himself with the airplane safety procedures.  We bought him a Cars backpack that he filled with books and snacks and he loved it.  Looked so cute walking through the airport and of course I never even took a picture!

While we were up there we had time to be lazy and watch movies, let the boys play with the cats and all of Nana's toys, visit with family and see Grandma and Grandpa Elkington, visit the city, Mark got in a round of urban golf with his high school buddies which is a tradition, I got an amazing facial in downtown Seattle, I went to the Nutcracker with my father-in-law and sisters-in-law (also a tradition) and of course Christmas Eve and Christmas morning festivities. Nana and Grandpa went all out to make the house comfortable and kid friendly for their only grandkids, which we so appreciated.  They put Peter Pan decals on the wall of the boys' bedroom, had monogrammed pillow cases made, bought a small table and chairs and an easle for coloring and even stocked up on kid friendly food!  Fullback took a minute or two to warm up to the house (especially the cats...not a fan for a while) and everyone but once he did, he was in heaven.  Shortstop felt right at home the moment he stepped inside and he acted like he owned the place...and no one argued with him about it.

 Bedtime stories with Nana and Aunt Allis

 Christmas Eve pjs from Nana

 Fullback spent most of Christmas morning in a high chair eating or taking a nap so he finished opening his presents later in the day...and everything was a hit!  I know they were spoiled but both boys did so well and were so excited and grateful for each thing they received.  

 Storytime with Great Grandma Elkington

 Ready for a night out to The Nutcracker

 Shortstop wanted to go but once he found out the boys got to go to an arcade and out to eat with Nana, he was just fine

 Spent the day in the city...love the gray colors up there!

Can't go into Seattle and not visit Pike's Place...one of my favorites

And the best part of coming home was reopening all the packed gifts and toys we all got.  It was like Christmas morning all over again and the boys loved it!

Look who's ONE

My little blondie turned 1 yesterday!  What a great year it has been with him in our family.  He has so much love and such a strong spirit.  I can't imagine my family without him.
Because of the big snow storm, we kept things pretty simple and stayed home.  We sang to him in the morning as we got him out of bed, had balloons all over his room when he first woke up, played and napped and listened to music...all things Fullback enjoys.

 Our elves, Jingle and Belle, even got into the festivities

Sorry for our groggy voices but his face is too cute!

Took a picture of them playing...

they heard the camera and both turned to look...pretty sure they are related!

A happy birthday wish from his brother!

He got phone calls and texts throughout the day which was really sweet.  During naptime Shortstop wanted to help make the cupcakes.  He loves being in the kitchen with me and getting to contribute.

Then in the evening we had Aunt Allis over for homemade pizza, cake and ice cream and opening presents.  He had a lot of fun sitting on Mark's lap, seeing all the new toys and he didn't even mind his big brother showing him the ropes.  He was very spoiled by everyone this year and seemed appreciative of everything!  Thank you so much for the gifts aunts and Nana and Grandma!

He loves this Baby Einstein phone!

Isn't this a darling sweater?

I give the Mickey number figurines to Shortstop for each birthday and so we started Fullback with his birthday number train.  Isn't is so sweet?

Then it was time for cake and ice cream and skyping with Nana and Aunt Moe.  We like to do cupcakes for the first birthday so they get their own little cake and this year I added a tiny Ben and Jerry's ice cream cup.  He didn't really get that one but he loved the cupcake.  I did a Winnie the Pooh type theme and put the figurines on top of the cakes.

 Cute and simple

Had to show Eeyore on the back with fewer sprinkles cause life is just hard for him

  Shortstop loved "helping" blow out the candle and Fullback just grinned at his favorite person.  Those two are such good friends. 

After the mess of cupcakes, there was an impromptu dance party...a favorite pastime around here.

I love this stage that Fullback is in.  He is crawling everywhere, getting into everything, pointing at anything that looks interesting and "asking" for it, and standing up while holding onto things as often as he can.  Still not a fan of walking while we hold his hands but he is getting more brave as he stands only holding on with one hand.  He has two bottom teeth which are the cutest things ever and he eats as much if not more than his brother.  He "talks" a lot and dances anytime there is any type of music on.  He sleeps like a dream and takes two naps a day, then sleeps 12 hours a night.  He finally takes a bottle which means I am starting to wean.  His smile can melt your heart, and his hugs and slobbery kisses turn the toughest person into a puddle.  He is still a mama's boy but adores his dad and loves when he walks in the door after work.  He wants to do and say and be everything Shortstop is and I am grateful he has that example.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was a lot of fun this year...but I say that every year.  We were able to go to my family's house in Twin Falls.  My sister Rachel and her family and my brother Ej and his family were there and we are the youngest three so that was cool.  It is always nice for me to be in my parents' home and I love how special my mom makes the holidays.  I did not take very many pictures; too busy having fun.  But we enjoyed an amazing meal on Thanksgiving, incredible pies that night, my mom made gingerbread decorations with the grandkids, the adults played games once kids were in bed in the evenings, we did some shopping (not black Friday but shopping nonetheless) and Mark and I and Ej and Ashley went on a double date to Catching Fire (SO GOOD!)  I love how many cousins my boys have on my family's side and then on the flip side being the only grandkids on Mark's side.  They get the best of both worlds and different experiences in each home.  I have so much to be grateful for this year and every day of every year.  I am so grateful for the man I married and that he is mine forever.  I am grateful for my beautiful boys who are so smart and so fun and bring such a strong spirit into our home.  I am grateful for our health.  This year helped me be more grateful for the many days we aren't sick.  I am grateful for the gospel and for the way Mark and I have decided to raise our children.  The lessons they learn in our home and then take out in the world are so important in the world we live in today.  Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and have countless things to be grateful for as well!

 My handsome plaid fitted boys

Boy cousins!  Not even close to all of them, just the ones home for Thanksgiving

I really love that my mom taught us to cook from scratch and continues to teach grandkids the same and I really just love this picture for some reason of her making a pie crust

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

We decided to decorate before Thanksgiving this year...I know some may say that is awful but hear me out.  Thanksgiving was late this year and we were going out of town.  And since we are going to Seattle for Christmas I wanted to enjoy the decorations as long as I could.  Plus Fullback's birthday was right when we got back and I didn't want to overshadow that by decorating on his birthday week.  So we broke some rules and did it this way this year.
It was such a fun night!  We got a small pre lit fake tree this year just for fun and then after Christmas when all the big ones go on major clearance sale, we will buy a big one.  This was the first year Mark and I have ever even had a tree of any kind.  We always go out of town for Christmas and never really felt the need to get a tree but then this year with Shortstop being old enough to get it and with all the ornaments we have collected, we felt it was time.  Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas decor and have always had that up each year, just not a tree.  So this was a lot of fun.  We turned on Mannheim (Mark's request...so not mine but I let him choose the music) and had a great night decorating and showing the boys all the fun stuff that has been in storage for a year.  Each year we get to buy a new ornament per family member and this year we went with Disney themed.  I got Minnie, Mark got Captain Hook, Shortstop got Sully and Fullback got Winnie the Pooh.  Shortstop loved putting them all on the tree and finding the best place to place them.

His goofy camera faces crack me up- no matter what the picture says, he was pretty proud of that tree

Grandpa EJ

On November 5 my Grandpa passed away at the age of 92.  He was my dad's dad and my little brother is named after him.  It was very hard but I know he is in a better place.  My Grandpa lived an amazing life and was one of the kindest, most humble, spiritual people I have ever met.  He gave me my patriarchal blessing and also performed my temple sealing to Mark.  His example is one that truly has made me a better person.
We were able to go to the funeral in Idaho and all of my siblings were able to make it as well.  What a blessing to be all together!  It was wonderful to see so many cousins and aunts and uncles.  I have a very big family and I love it.  My Grandpa first married my Grandma Annie and had 7 children with her.  She passed away when my dad was just 16 years old.  A year later he married Grandma Norma who brought 5 daughters of her own.  They raised 12 children together seamlessly and often you could not tell which original family the kids belonged to as they all got along so well.  This was the Grandma I knew and loved.  She passed away when I was 12 and then a year or so later Grandpa married Grandma Mary who is still alive.  She had 6 kids she had raised but Grandpa treated them and their children as his own.  So all in all he had 18 children, 92 grandchildren, 237 great grandchildren and 21 great great grandchildren.  Pretty amazing legacy he left.
The funeral was so uplifting and spiritual.  The life sketch, the talks, the musical numbers and even the military rights were truly beautiful reminders of how we can and each should live our lives.  My dad was one of the speakers and I appreciated so much his advice and words on how we each have angels around us and can also be angels to others.
It was a special weekend and I am grateful for the family I belong too.  I am so happy my Grandpa can be reunited with family in heaven and know that is the case.  I am grateful for eternal families and that my little family, just starting out, can be the same.

 I love this picture:  My Great Grandpa was named Evera and he had 4 daughters (3 still living) and they are seated in front.  Then my Grandpa, Evera Junior, had 4 daughers and they are standing in the middle.  Then my dad, Paul Evera, had 6 daughters and we are all in there on the sides.  So these are the daughters of Evera.  Pretty neat generational connection.

 My brother placing his boutonniere on the grave- he was a pall bearer

 My family

My dad's siblings

Luke's ear surgery

At the beginning of November, Fullback had tubes put in his ears.  He had had over 8 ear infections in a two month time period so the doctor recommended this and I am so glad we did it.  It was emotional for me, watching them take him away and then trying to comfort him as he came out of anesthesia, but it has made all the difference!  He has always been a happy baby, but he is even more so.  I had no idea how much pain he was dealing with in his ears and it breaks my heart.  One ear drum had scarring which tells the doctor it had burst quite a few times but thankfully it did not affect his hearing.  His surgery was early in the morning and so Mark stayed home with Shortstop and I took him in.  It was a fast procedure and when we got home Fullback took a 3 hour nap and then was back to normal.  Let's hope they work!  Post op looked great and we will go back in 6 months to see how everything is but until then, I can already tell a difference.

 Waiting to be called back...love his little smirk!

 Nobody rocks a hospital gown like this boy

 Starting to get a little nervous with all the doctors and nurses coming in and out, checking his vitals

 They wrapped him up and whisked him away before he realized what was happening.  Surprisingly he did not cry when they took him...and neither did I...although I wanted to

 So hard to come out of anesthesia!

 Cute little hospital bracelets

On the way home...he was asleep as we pulled onto the freeway.  Poor buddy!