Christmas 'Letter' 2018

Christmas letters didn't happen this year - thus, this post.

2018 is a big blur, but I think we are safe to say we've survived and are doing well. We are excited to be expecting baby #4, girl #3 in April. We might require prayers and miracles in order to reach an agreement on a name so we don't resort to drastic measures, but maybe we won't reach that point. Sabrina continues to work from home for Vacasa while Paul is an assistant captain of a fire engine for the USFS out of Burley. None of our kids will let us choose their outfits or do their hair, so they continuously look like homeless children, but we promise they are loved and cared for.

Caleb - Caleb is 6 years old and started kindergarten this fall. He absolutely loves it though Sabrina still isn't so sure. Regardless, we're all thrilled to see Caleb thriving now he's settled into a routine. He's becoming pretty slick at reading and is pretty good at math with his brain for memorization and patterns. He still makes friends easily and has a ready smile and greeting for anybody he meets whether they want to interact with him or not. He asks more questions in a day than we could possibly count and must be preparing for debate team in high school based on his current penchant for arguing.

Caleb Quote: I have a big decision to make when I grow up, Mom. Do I want to join the air force, become a pilot, or work in the temple?

Abigail - She is 3 years old and constantly asking when she gets to start school and dance. She loves to count things and is working on recognizing her letters. She has reached a definite "button-pushing" age, but will still be so sweet and cuddly when she's in the mood. She loves to play pretend, especially if it involves bossing around her little sister, and she is frequently found dancing and singing throughout the house. She has recently become fascinated with aging and reminds us frequently that she'll visit when we're old.

Abigail Quote: Ha! Funny me. I AM the funniest!

Eve - will be 2 in a few weeks, but she likes to act as though she's at least 6. She brings so much joy and absolute terror into our house - we never know what to expect, especially with her apparent love for mountain climbing. She has a very strong personality and does not tolerate much older sibling 'abuse.' She changes outfits multiple times a day for the sheer joy of it, and is constantly found marching around the house in anybody else's shoes but her own. She is the artist of the family as she has ruined the glider, several books, and marked every surface in the house. She is our best eater by far at this age, but she still makes sure to have leftovers to 'color' her tray with at the end of each meal.

Eve Quote: I go bug Mom now.

Sabrina - still thinks she's 22 and wonders what problems this will cause her in her old age. At this point her brain is so fried she can't even think of anything to say about herself.

Sabrina Quote - Is it bedtime yet?

Paul - can't remember how old he is...ever...yes, this is concerning. He is grateful to have some time at home this winter after a busy summer of fires. He's keeping busy training for the Spartan race in Boise next spring and helping hold down the fort while Sabrina works. He loves taking the kids to swim at the YMCA and getting us outdoors for family activities. He can often be found napping as well. 

Paul Quote: .....*snore*.......

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and appreciate all of you that have thought of us and sent us a Christmas card/letter. We hope to repay the favor next year!

December 2013

Time for our monthly wrap-up!

We started the month with getting ready for Christmas.

On our way to get our Christmas tree.

His favorite toy until we had to take it
back this week to put the tree ornaments in .

We did lots of baking. Sprout's job was to crush graham crackers.

I tried making our own Christmas cards. I think next year I'll just pay someone else to do them. I just don't have the eye and/or endless resources to make them look complete.

Suggestions on what I could have done?

As explained in an earlier post we opted to spend Christmas in our own home with our own little family. We had a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner prepared by yours truly, we went out to see Christmas lights, and we watched White Christmas.

We had roast, mashed potatoes, rolls, salad, peach crisp, and sparkling cider.

Loading up for the lights.

Sprout usually wakes up around 8am, but it was almost as though he knew he was supposed to wake up early on Christmas because he had us out of bed at 6:45am. It took him awhile to realize we were for reals when he finally had permission to rip off the wrapping paper. After he decided it really was okay he had a wonderful time opening his presents. We had a yummy breakfast and then spent the day enjoying our presents, Skyping family, napping, and hanging out.

This picture is for my mom. All three of them
 were once beautiful. And then Sprout happened.

Christmas morning!

The rest of December passed by very quietly. I had to work New Year's Eve, and Mr. Mitchell had to take his fire academy final. He did stop long enough for a midnight kiss, and then he was back to the study grind and I was in bed. We party hard these days. 

Funny story: 

Sprout loves pulling out my shoes. It's just a thing. When we came back from our Thanksgiving voyage we brought back piles, and piles of books that belong to Mr. Mitchell that had been hanging out in Oregon. They are now piled up on Mr. Mitchell's side of the room. Sprout very much enjoys swapping our shoes and books, and it is always even. (i.e. 4 books will have replaced 4 shoes and vice versa). It's very orderly and very funny.

Perhaps we should get another bookshelf.

Trying to Catch Up...

We have real internet for the time being so I can finally blog with pictures and it won't take an eternity. However, when I started this post weeks ago I was told I had no more room for pictures and I got discouraged. I was told that if I wait a few days Blogger might suddenly "change its mind." So, here I am.

Let's start with October:

My parents were able to come and stay for a few days to meet C.G. We snagged the opportunity to have him blessed while my dad was in town and could participate. Grammy and Grandpa Earls came back down for the blessing as well.

Bath time with Grandma Holdaway.

He seems to like it okay at the this point.

After the blessing with Grandma and Grandpa Holdaway.

I believe all three of us were a little tired here.

He had had enough for the day.

At C.G.'s three week mark we went to a pumpkin patch with Luke, Liz, and their boys. It was a little disappointing because they charged a hefty entrance fee and then there was hardly anything to do inside that was covered by that cost. We'll have to find a different place next year. We had good company, however, so we still had a good time.

Brothers and babies.

Corn field.

First train ride.

Mr. Mitchell at the pumpkin cannon.

Mr. Mitchell trying to feed C.G.

Mr. Mitchell educating his son
on the ways of the helicopter.

On the 25th C.G. turned one month old. I took some pictures to commemorate.

A small taste of the furrowed brow.

Cute little potato bug.

He likes his books already.

Sleepy boy.

Then we had Halloween and its activities. Also, Mr. Mitchell's brother, Joey, and his girlfriend came into town for Halloween.

Hanging with his cousin.

Chocolate chip pumpkin bread, butter beer, and carving pumpkins.

Father/son bonding.

He participated in the pumpkin carving.

Mr. Mitchell's final product.

C.G. and Uncle Joey.

And, of course, all through the month of October our little boy was as cute as can be.

He's a pothead of the pacifier variety.

Contemplating his first move as president.

Tummy time with Dad.

Being a good boy.

Little angel.

Our wedding shoes with C.G.'s first shoe.

Don't deny he has sweet hair.

And now we move to November:

I wasn't nearly as camera happy, and it was kind of a rough month.

Post-bath and pre-massage.

Reading with dad.

C.G. does not like the laundry basket.

Lounging on his boppy.

 We moved...again...the third time in 2012.

Our home for 6 months in California.

 We spent Thanksgiving at Mr. Mitchell's grandma's.

Hanging out with 'Granty' Martha
(Great Aunt = Granty)

Thanksgiving day with Dad.

Thanksgiving day with cousin.

Thanksgiving day with Mom.

It was cold in that house!

 Then we went to Grandma and Grandpa Holdaway's where he turned 2 months!

Showing his support for Dad and his motorcycle.

C.G. had his 2 month check-up: 24 in. and almost 14 lbs. His huge noggin, that made delivery so fun, is in the 98th percentile. I'm still laughing about that. He got his shots and we were both sad for a couple of days.

We love watching our boy coo and smile and kick around.

We aren't sending Christmas cards this year because of sending out the birth announcements. I found out that some people did not receive their birth announcement (including my own mom and dad!) and we are sorry if that happened to you. I sent them all out, so, I'm not sure what happened. If we were sending out Christmas cards, however, they'd say something along the lines of:

2012 brought temporary changes, such as moving three times, and permanent change, such as having a baby. We had some sorrow with the loss of a nephew and extreme joy with the birth of our first child. We have had a lot of trials this year, but we're hopeful that things will pick up, and we're grateful for all of our friends and family during these trials. We are most especially grateful for the birth of Jesus Christ and the chance we have to celebrate it. Merry Christmas!