Shoveling x3

Jens has now shoveled Grandpa's driveway 3 times (once with Grandpa, once with Mike, and once with me) and it just keeps snowing.

He has also shoveled his way around the cul-de-sac two and a half times (this morning the snow was 5 inches or so, which was pretty challenging, so he only made it half way).

The cold doesn't seem to bother him--he is always the last one to want to go in. This morning we were outside for at least an hour and a half. We shoveled, I dragged him around on the sled, we drew pictures in the snow with Grandpa's broom, swung on the swing set, thought about building a snowman but the snow is too powdery, and sprayed the snow blue with a spray bottle of food coloring and water.

Utah so far

We have been enjoying a lovely, relaxed visit. Saturday we spent playing with new toys and having dinner with the Bacons. Jens and Mike got to play their Wii version of Rock Band. They have an extra drum set and they brought it up for Jens. He played and played and PLAYED. He was so fun to watch. He really loved it, and at the end of each song he would cheer and shout "Yes!" and listen interestedly to "his" score. It was very cute.

Sunday we went to Mike's home ward. The meeting was nice and made even nicer when they announced there would be no second or third hour.

Today Mike went out for lunch, I ran an errand, and we had a fun family night. We went to Temple Square to see the lights.

It was freezing--22 degrees--but the lights were beautiful and the kids enjoyed looking at them.

Jens especially liked seeing the nativity and didn't want to leave it. Sadly, we had our first blanket casualty--we have gone 4 years carting a blanket around, and for the first time we are down one. Jens dropped his blanket somewhere between the car and Temple Square. Mike even went looking for it, but to no avail. After the lights we went to Moochie's, a dive of a Philly cheese steak shop. We saw them featured on a Food Network show a year ago and I somehow recalled that we wanted to try it, so we did and it was good.

Christmas Day

Our drive to Utah was an uneventful 11 hours, punctuated by 7 stops (2 for fuel and food, the rest for potty purposes) and made lively by a bag of holiday-colored pipe cleaners. We arrived to a house full of cousins and aunts and uncles and of course, Grandma and Grandpa.

Christmas Eve we had a full day--Jens played in the snow with "Uncle Derrick" for at least an hour--he was the first person out the door and the last kid to come in by far. He loved it, even in his flimsy knit mittens. Then lunch, which was followed by at least 2 hours of floor hockey. Then the full family all together for music, (bells, violins, piano) dinner, (ham, potatoes, Christmas Jello) and a nativity (Jens refused to participate). When we got back to Grandma and Grandpa's, there was a flurry of last minute wrapping and letter writing to Santa, then bed. Nan and Jake spent the night and both boys were out within 10 minutes of hitting the pillow.

Christmas Day was slow paced and peaceful--we all slept until after 8 and finally came downstairs around 8:30. The kids had a good time opening presents and so did I!

Some of our most popular gifts: Dinoco Helicopter (the response to Intel Santa and anyone else who asked what Jens wanted for Christmas) and the CAT book.

Mike went a little crazy and bought me a Snuggie (total impulse purchase) and a tape measure, since we can never find any of the three we already have.

Jens had to try out his new markers and big paper right away. He also really likes his tape.

We had a nice breakfast of cinnamon bread, scrambled eggs, and orange julius. The rest of the day was spent playing with presents. Jens stayed in his pajamas all day. Literally. That night family came by to visit and play with Jens's Wedgeits. Those are so fun. We are so glad we are here spending time with family!

Nativity

On the Saturday before we left for Utah, Jens suddenly developed a strong desire to go to the temple to see the Nativity. I told him we would definitely go, but then we forgot. We went that night to see a cul de sac of crazy lights nearby. Every house goes big, so it is quite a spectacle and it is well known--there were a LOT of people there. We had to stand in a huge queue to shuffle slowly down the sidewalk. On the up side, it gave us plenty of time to look at everything. Sunday morning before Jens even got out of bed I heard an "OOOHHHH!" from his room. He came fast-walking out and said, "We forgot to go to the temple!" We decided we would go for family night that night.

It sprinkled on us a little bit, but it was pretty and peaceful. We took our "First Christmas" book, which basically tells Luke 2 in story form. As we were leaving, Jens got very upset that we hadn't brought paper and pen so he could draw a picture. I told him we would draw it as soon as we got home, so we both studied the nativity carefully so we would remember everything. When we got home, he and I drew a quick picture showing where everyone had been standing and he went to bed.

The next day he made this:

The writing says: Mary & Joseph & Jesus & Donkey & Sheep Written by Jens

He has been in to ampersands lately.

And everyone is in the exact place they were at the temple nativity. (donkey is on the left,then Mary and Jesus, then Joseph, then the sheep and baby sheep)

Our Cute Kids

She is just so cuddly and sweet--I want to squeeze her all of the time!

Jens is our Mr. Creativity.

This version of Yosemite is by an ocean, according to Jens.

I tried to teach him how to make a god's eye. He was more interested in making a "star."

Speaking Spanish Silently

Sylvie in Action II

Did I mention that Sylvie likes to spend time in and out of laundry baskets?

Or that she likes playing with shoes?

Santa

Of course, we went to see the Intel Santa this year. He doesn't look very merry, though, does he. Mrs. Clause seems plenty cheerful for both of them, I guess.

Anyway, Intel puts on a really nice Holiday activity with all sorts of things to do. This year there was a story lady who did magic, a balloon elf/clown, a holiday movie room, snacks, and lots of craft activities. Mike and Jens went really early and got a great letter for standing in line to see Santa. Sylvie and I met up with them and got our picture done, then Sylvie and I went home for nap time and Jens and Mike stayed for another 2 hours doing all of the fun things.

Our little snow people:

Intel Santa was followed by one of our favorite Folsom traditions, the police Santa. Every year the Folsom PD does a food and toy drive which includes Santa driving around town collecting toys and canned goods and giving out candy canes. He is escorted by four police cars which run their lights and sirens and he is pulled by a police truck which plays very loud Christmas music. The first year we saw this awesome spectacle, we were pretty stunned, but now it is Christmas tradition. Apparently he used to go on every street in Folsom, but Folsom has grown. It took four nights for him to tour the whole town. Now whenever Jens hears sirens, he exclaims "Santa is coming!"

I would like to add to this that I haven't pushed the idea of Santa or told Jens that Santa is real, and in fact, Jens has told Mike and me on a few occasions that Santa is pretend, but although he has said that, he still seems pretty sure that he will still show up.

This pair fits

but they fall off. Any suggestions on making them stay on?

A little craft project

Sad side note: they are too small. I will try again!

December 19th

Hi Everyone.

We have been up to our regular Christmas festivities.

Jens painted up some ornaments for his teachers and for Sylvie. He is the ultimate Christmas nut. We are basking in his Christmas spirit.

Jens has been very interested in having his picture taken and being videoed. As you can tell, Sylvie was not interested in having her picture taken, but Jens was very insistent and struck a very smiley pose.

This is Sylvie's mermaid pose.

And this is Sylvie's favorite new trick. She likes to climb into things. Especially laundry baskets.

It has been a busy week--book club on Wednesday, which consisted of watching The Scarlet Pimpernel. Sink me.

Thursday was a long day. I decided to get tough and take Sylvie (with Jens in tow) for her one year pictures by myself. It took 3 hours door to door and I ended up with no pictures that I love. Jens threw 3 tantrums while Sylvie was having her picture taken about his earphones falling out (I brought him a movie to watch) and Sylvie was afraid of the photographer and cried when ever she made eye contact with her or whenever the photographer made any noise. It was hard work and we are going to have to go back--I feel pretty strongly about having a good one year picture.

Thursday night was Mike's work party. After a scramble to find something to wear and an emergency trip to Target 30 minutes before we were supposed to leave to pick up tights, we had a really good time. The party was at the Sheraton downtown and it was quite a shindig--a full dinner and Monte Carlo night. We had a good time getting dressed up and going out.

Friday Laura came and we made gingerbread houses, had dinner, looked at Christmas lights, and watched Better Off Dead, which never disappoints. The movie always makes me laugh.

This morning we went to the ward Christmas breakfast. Jens actually sang with the primary. His mouth moved and everything. We were so proud! Tonight we made pizza and went to see Christmas lights with the Littles. There is a street near by where everyone on the cul-de-sac decorates to the extreme. The traffic was insane--we had to park two streets away and walk in. The kids were in heaven. Sylvie loves the lights--she just looked around with such delight we just wanted to squeeze her. Mike and I had to take turns holding her so we could both enjoy her happiness. Jens couldn't look enough--he could have spent hours more standing and looking, but it was cold and there were so many people all walking that we had to keep moving along. I know I have already said this, but we are really soaking in the Christmas magic this year. How lucky we are to have such sweet kiddos.

We are hoping to head to Utah in the next few days depending on the weather.

Gingerbread Fun

Laura came over Friday and we decorated gingerbread houses. Whereas Laura exercised some restraint, Jens managed to use just about every single piece of candy that came with our kit. (yeah, yeah, we did a kit. I wimped out this year. I'll do the real deal next year . . .)

A little elf who can't keep quiet

So much for secrecy. After Jens and I picked out Mike's present, we discussed how we weren't going to tell. We even came up with a little story--that the big box under the tree was for Sylvie, not Dad. Just so you all know, Mike and I discussed this particular present--we wanted to get Jens the little sized Legos but felt like he already had enough presents for this year, so Mike said HE wouldn't mind getting Legos and sharing them with Jens. So. Mike is getting a big box of Legos, which Jens thinks is very awesome.

Anyway, our strategy of secrecy worked for the first night. Alas, it didn't make it past the second night. At dinner Mike was saying he bought himself something for an early birthday present. I asked him what it was and he said he wasn't telling, so Jens immediately guessed: "Legos?"

"No," Mike answered, then he sorrowfully added "but I wish I had some Legos."

Jens grinned from ear to ear and looked at me and put a finger to his lips. Then he urgently had to whisper to me about the Legos under the tree and remind me not to tell. I didn't tell him that he'd already given it away.

Have I mentioned that he is really excited about Christmas? He is so fun.

A Little Christmas Elf

We seem to have a little Christmas Elf living in our house.

Every time I look, there seems to be another ornament on the tree or another lovingly wrapped package under the tree. Christmas time truly is magical.

Some of these wrapped gifts include: a blue plastic cup, Jens's scissors, a pile of lint, a wise man, one of Sylvie's stacking cups, and an airplane made out of wood shims and glue. A lot of glue. Two of the presents are legitimate: the present Jens made for us at school ("It is a surprise, and Mom, it is breakable. Don't give Sylvie your tile.") and the present Jens and I picked out for Mike tonight. (Okay, I picked it out and it is really for Jens AND Mike.)

He just ran through the family room shouting "This wrapping is for anyone who likes Crayons!" And threw a little package under the tree, then ran back to his coloring table to wrap something else.

Bathing Beauty

Sylvie doesn't usually bathe in the kitchen sink, and in fact her bath started in the bath tub, but there was an, er . . . incident, shall we say? And she needed to be moved to cleaner waters. She enjoyed being in the kitchen.

Christmas Wreath

Jens made a fancy Christmas wreath at art class. It is now hanging on his door, and it looks very cute. Pardon the video, sometimes I forget you can't shoot sideways.

December 11th

It is cold! We haven't seen snow on our cars since we've lived here, but Monday morning we woke up to find:

And yes, for us that is a WHOLE lot of snow. Jens was very excited about it and very disappointed to find that it was all gone when he got home from school. It hasn't warmed up much since then, though, and we have been hunkering down inside and staying warm. We have certainly enjoyed having a fireplace and have used it many times already. It has been raining and raining this week, which is putting a damper on our holiday spirit--we were going to put lights up outside this week, but so far that just hasn't happened. I appeased Jens today with the bribe of making gingerbread men instead of putting up lights in the rain.

In other excitement, we got the train out last Saturday. Jens has been loving it--he has gotten really good at driving it and he is so careful with it. I am proud of how responsible he has gotten.

Here he is channeling Uncle Peter. Remember, it has been cold here this week, but he couldn't be talked into a shirt.

This week we bought some bird seed and "squirrel seed" as Jens calls it. He put it in two different areas of the yard and spent quite a bit of time staring out the window, waiting for some critters. I went upstairs and a little while later I heard him sliding the door open and yelling "NO!!! NO!! Peck your own food! Bad Bird!" Apparently a blue jay had the guts to eat the squirrels' food and squirrels don't like to share.

He has also been wandering around singing all sorts of holiday songs, notably the dreidel song, Feliz Navidad, and "Mistletoe and Holly" off the Frank Sinatra Christmas album. He is pretty funny--we have been listening to Frank in the car and he reprimands me for singing the "boy" parts. I am only allowed to sing the chorus parts--the boy parts are just for him to sing.

Are you loving Sylvie's sweater dress? I think she has the figure for it.

I have been trying to talk Sylvie into drinking soy formula this week. It is not going well. She does not like it and spits it out, which is really stinky. I am not sure what we are going to do about this dairy problem! She might turn out to be our picky eater--she definitely has opinions about what she likes and what she doesn't (she painstakingly picks around the corn in mixed vegetables, throws a fit if she sees you eating bread and she doesn't have any, and doesn't like trying things that are new--she even spit out sausage!)

The biggest Sylvie news this week needs to be viewed. Sorry there are so many video clips, you don't have to watch them all unless you want to. She is just so cute we can't stop recording her.

A few new carols:

"Fa La La La La La Decorate the hall!"

"I wish you were Mary Christmas!"

"Peace on Earth and mercy Mars" (a planetary theme)

"With the gentleman roasts proclaim" ("with angelic hosts proclaim," in normal peoples' verse)

New Family Pictures

Last Sunday we had a good and talented friend take some family pictures for us. They turned out really well, aided especially by her 8 year old and a dragon puppet, which Jens found hilarious. A small sample:

Are you loving the quizzical brow on this one?