He is the Gift

We got one exciting new gift already this year from Grandpa and Grandma Hilton...

The boys were so excited to get the Fisher Price nativity, and I was so excited that now they have a nativity I don't have to stress about them getting their hands on and breaking!

In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season we sometimes lose sight of what it's all about, and what the first gift of Christmas truly was.  Check out this video for the perfect reminder. . .

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for the perfect gift to remind us that He is the Gift!

Braddock Update

This week Braddock officially moved up to a toddler bed.  He lasted WAY longer than his brothers did in a crib.  He's been able to climb out for quite some time, but he's been really good and just stayed in until we came to get him, but Tuesday morning he climbed right out and came running into the living room.  I figured that was the only real reason for keeping him in the crib, and we already have a toddler bed waiting for him, so we made the big switch.  His first nap was rough.  It took over an hour to convince him to stay in bed and sleep, but since then he's pretty much stayed no problem.  Such a relief!

In other news this kid is one big, fat, stinker.  One of his favorite pastimes is throwing things in the toilet.  If we're really lucky it's tossed in an un-flushed toilet no less.  That was the case with a binky and burp cloth one day, which we of course went straight in the trash.  Yuck!

He also broke our soap dispenser this week.  There was soap all over the bathroom floor and somehow all three boys managed to step in it.  Even better!  But he kept saying, "orry Mom!" and hugging me so I couldn't get too mad.  And yes, I may have milked that just a bit.  You can never get enough hugs right?  Even if it comes at a cost.

He is talking more and more and it's seriously adorable.  A couple weeks ago at Church he was attacked by another little girl in Nursery.  She bit him on the nose and when they brought him to me he kept saying through sniffles, "bite me" and pointed to his nose.  Poor boy.  It was pretty cute though.  He was afraid to go back(I don't blame him!), but luckily he's overcome his fear and we're back to Nursery without issue.  The other day at dinner he even broke out in song which was WAY too cute.  And I love when he lays in his bed talking to himself.  

Despite his naughty streak he definitely keeps us laughing.  He's always up to something funny.  I can't tell you how many times this week he's grabbed an apple from the fridge and bites it as fast as he can before he knows it will be confiscated.  Not that I don't want him eating fruit, but I prefer it be cut up and in his highchair.  Another favorite is yogurt.  He'll come down the hall with an open cup of yogurt and some smeared on his face and casually ask, "poon pease"?  

We'd be more worried about him growing up too fast except for the fact that when you ask him if he wants to be a baby or a big boy he resoundingly shouts, "baby!" because he knows that's how he'll be able to keep his binky and precious burp cloth.  We sure love this cute, silly, stinker of ours, and as far as we're concerned he can stay a baby for at least a little while longer.

Spirit Week

Last week was "Spirit Week" at Tanner's school.  Every day they had a different theme to dress up as.  We both had fun getting him all jazzed up each morning.  We even broke down and purchased a "Penguins" sweatshirt for Black and Gold day.  I guess we're officially Pittsburghers.

Pajama Day  -  Crazy Outfit Day  -  Wild West Day  -  Blue Day  -   Black and Gold Day

Thanksgiving 2014

I know what you're all thinking, Thanksgiving isn't until Thursday, but it actually came early here.  Saturday we started off the morning with more of Dean's festive pancakes (Landon was especially excited about his "cornacopula").  Then we put the boys to work peeling sweet potatoes.  Tanner and Landon were rock stars while Braddock contributed by feeding sweet potatoes to our ceramic frog on the edge of the sink.  That afternoon we all got together at Mom and Dad's for our Thanksgiving feast because Dean's sister Dianne is due to have a baby any time now, so Mom's on call to head to Chicago at a moments notice.  We didn't want to do Thanksgiving without Mom, so we played it safe and had it early this year.  Funny thing is it didn't feel any different than if it was the actual day.  Although it might be weird on Thursday when we're not doing what the rest of the country is.  We had a smaller crowd this year with just us, Grandma and PapPap, Mom, Dad, and Janna, the Winks, and the Missionaries, but it was fun still the same.  The food was delicious and Braddock finally got some "punkin pie" he's been talking about for weeks.  Thanks for being such wonderful hosts Mom and Dad, and we'd be remiss if we didn't acknowledge how very blessed we feel, and how much we've been given at our Heavenly Father's hand.

Relief Society Christmas Craft Workshop

Every year I end up helping out with the craft workshop the Relief Society puts on. It is a LOT of work, but it's also something I enjoy so I don't complain.  Everything turned out great with just a few hiccups, but that's how things always go right?  The food was great, the decorations turned out beautiful, and the best part is socializing with all of the sisters.  Especially when you're in Primary and don't see them that often.  I was in charge of two crafts this year.  We made nest necklaces and a manger shadowbox.  It was a great kickoff to the holiday season.

Tanner Lately

It feels so weird to have a first grader.  I know that seems young to a lot of you, but I feel like I'm no longer just a toddler mom and I have a real, live, big kid.  It's a fun stage that I'm really enjoying.  He's far less "needy" and more independent.  I notice how much more grown up he is than just last year.  In Kindergarten he would meltdown if I didn't wave to him while signing "I love you" as he drove off on the bus.  Now he says goodbye, hops on that bus and doesn't even look back.  I love that he still likes having me around, and gets excited to have me come to help in his classroom, but he also is big enough not to NEED me all the time.  He's doing awesome at school and excels at everything.  He makes cute, thoughtful gifts for me all the time and is always coming up with crazy plans for us all to participate in as a family.  We sure love our Tan Man.

The first spelling test of his life and he got 100%!

 He's already surpassed the reading goals for a first grader for the whole entire year in the first month and a half of school.  He's read every book his teacher had, so she now sends him to the library to keep him occupied.

His school pictures turned out cute and now we'll always remember that toothless grin.  In fact he lost another tooth last night! 

He came up with this idea all on his own and then created it himself.  It's a three dimensional stuffed cat that he made for me.  My favorite parts are the whiskers and tail.

I got a kick out of this paper he brought home from school.  "I am a baby sitter.  I will put Landon and Braddock to bed.  I won't let them play with knives."  I think he's ready to baby sit, don't you?  There's also fire in his drawing.  Not sure why they'd have a fire while we're gone!

I found this written on the back of one of his papers the other day when I was coming to do his class Halloween Party.  I LOVE it.

Veterans Day 2014

Dean and Tanner both had Veterans Day off this year.  We spent the whole day as a family, and it was nice just to slow down a bit, and enjoy being together.  Kids have a wonderful way of reminding you that the simple things are what really bring the most joy.  The weather was GORGEOUS so we took advantage and got the leaves raked, the lawn mowed, and hung our Christmas lights.  Dean helped the boys build a fort in the living room while Braddock napped, and then we all went to the store for the boys to do a little Christmas shopping for each other.  Most of all though we're so thankful for the freedoms and liberties we enjoy that would allow us to have a day like that.  Doing what we want in the comfort of our home with no worries or fears.  We feel so blessed to have some incredible people in our very family who have served our country.  I just LOVE these old pictures of our grandfathers in uniform, and a giant thanks to all those who have served!

Clesse Snow Hilton

Dee Lamar Leavitt

Max E. Nelson

Braddock found his way on to the mower any time Dean got off.

These cute boys could play with rocks, sticks, and dirt for hours.

Tanner was making "wood stain" out of berries.

Catching ladybugs.

It's the little things.

Reenacting his "beaver" from a few years ago when we were hanging lights.

Everyone LOVES helping Dad.