Merry Merry Christmas!

This is our card we "sent" out via email this year. But if you didn't get it, we want to wish you a very Merry Christmas!

let it snow...let it snow...

LET IT SNOW!

And snow it did!

Like most of the valley, we woke up to QUITE a bit of snow at our house this morning. But that wasn't the most shocking part. It was our overgrown bush that was taller than our house that fell over and across our entire driveway. Luckily we don't park our cars there. But our cars were parked behind it so we weren't going anywhere until it was removed.
So while Kory went out and tried to get this bush to stand upright, Axel and I decided we wanted to join him. Axel pretty much loves the snow
Thanks to his cousin Story, she showed him you can eat it, so all he wants to do is take a hand full and eat it. Which to him is the greatest thing ever because he LOVES chewing on ice, eating otter pops, and now snow. But it couldn't have come on a better day because he has 3 nasty teeth coming in at once, those pointy ones. (I don't know what they are called) I normally hate the snow. But now that I have a kid that loves it, it's actually starting to grow on me again. I don't mind getting bundled up and venturing out in it to play. Driving somewhere is another story, but playing, that I can do, and play we did.

Helping dad shovel the drive way so grandpa could pull the bush out with the truck.

Assessing the situation with dad, or just being a boy and hanging out in the cool cave with dad.
It made me really nervous having them in there. I am such a wuss when it comes to stuff like that. Call me crazy, or paranoid, but I just kept playing all these awful situations in my head of it collapsing on them. Needless to say they weren't in there long.

But then we played in the snow some more while we waited for grandpa to get a better rope, the first one snapped.
Mid gobble.
We buried Axel in the snow.

Axel even showed me how to build a snowman!

1. You take ball of snow
2. Then you roll it around

3. Then you pat it nice and smooth.
4. Then Tada! We made a Grandpa snowman because just as we were about to finish, Grandpa showed up and Axel no longer wanted to make the snow man but wanted to go see Grandpa. So in an attempt to get him to like the snowman, I put his Grandpa Hat on him, to which Axel said with a big grin "Grampa Grampa Grampa"
Then he watched Dad and Grandpa pull that ginormous bush across our driveway.
The bush is out of the way, but in no way is it gone. I mean what do you do with a bush that size at this time of year? Kory had to get to work, and Grandpa had to go back to the store house.

And Axel?
Well, he decided that was enough playing for him. This was literally 5 minutes later.Happy snow/ winter solstice/ eclipse day everyone!

6 years ago today

This was us.

On our first date, it was awkward and exciting and all the things a first date should be, including ending with a good night hug. (If you ask Kory he will claim I totally avoided a first kiss that night.) But right from the beginning, I knew he was different, and I knew I wanted to make things with him perfect, so yeah I admit I made sure he knew he was only going to get a hug from me :) But I had to secure a 2nd date...

"This was our "2nd date" Although it was more like our 14th day of dating, because after our first date we spent every day together. Match made in heaven? I think so :)

When I told Kory happy anniversary this morning he looked at me like "What the crap?" Then he rolled his eyes, and that's ok because honestly it's kinda silly to remember all the firsts. But this really was the first big event in my life that led to loads and loads and loads of BIG firsts. So Happy First Date Anniversary Kory, so glad Kassie convinced me to ask you out 6 years ago :)

Tis the Season!

Well its Christmas time at our house! I had to do a lot of improvising this year decoration wise but somehow it worked out.

What is it about Christmas lights that makes everything feel so cozy? Which I admit is a nice change around here :)

Axel was napping when I put up our lights and when he woke up, we showed them to him and he went "OOOHH!" And pointed to all the new lights in our Kitchen. (Where did he get that?!)

Surprisingly though he leaves the tree alone for the most part. (unless he is tired or bored) But we haven't had any major catastrophes just yet. He does ask for one of the "Balls" everyday though. Sigh but I knew that was going to happen.

We somehow still managed to find space for our Christmas tree in our front room, its super crowded, but cozy crowded :)We made this at the Anderson Girls night, this is the craft I was in charge of, and I didn't mind making the craft, but I wasn't a very good teacher, so I apologize to those of you who made it and suffered through my poor instructions, or rather lack there of. Hope they turned out cute tho with the ornaments on them. :)
I also made this little guy that night. He is my Santa Elf. Thanks Kelli for showing us how to make them!
And later I decided I would attempt to make the card wreath too. (as some may remember was one of the options to vote for) I think it looks funny tho. Maybe once it has more cards...
I included this because we got this Santa/Baby Jesus from Kory's grandmother earlier this year. I just thought it would be nice to have something to remind us of them during Christmas since they loved that holiday so much. I have heard there is a story that goes with this, I would like to know what that is so we can tell it to our kids. I believe my mother in law gave this to her.

I had to be extra creative with Christmas decor since my front room has no space this year. So I spread it into our Kitchen and I really like how it turned out. But what I am MOST excited about is this...

Last year we bought Christmas lights and the hooks AFTER Christmas for dirt cheap, and I have been waiting ALL year to put them up. (I even put them up BEFORE thanksgiving because I was afraid it would be too cold and snowy) But I didn't do this all by myself. In fact most of the work was done by my good friend PJ, she came over to help me, ladder and all, and ended up doing MOST of the work. She even convinced me that cleaning out our gutters was a good idea too. So it wouldn't have gotten done with out her, so I am pretty grateful she came and helped me. It looks really good at night too :) It took me a while to figure out the extension part, and how to get power to all the different parts, but I figured it out. We even got an awesome remote control on clearance for 5 bucks at Target, and it makes turning them on pretty exciting but also low effort on our part which we love.

I of course can't forget my favorite decoration of all :) His nose glows :)

This weekend we went to the Anderson Christmas Party, and my battery was TOTALY dead so the only picture I got was of Axel with Santa with my phone.

But what a great picture it is!

We had fun visiting with lots and lots of family, and riding the train and of course meeting Santa, and I even got teerey eyed during the 2nd part of the train ride as we viewed pictures of the Savior. And even though I have seen it quite a few times, it still touches my heart. (Although I have never cried before, so is it safe to say it's the hormones?) Anyway, I am very excited for this holiday season where I get to reflect on the many many gifts my Savior has given me, and ways I can become closer to him. Happy holidays to you all hope you are having as much fun decking the halls as we are!

Breaking news!

No, there is not going to be a major blizzard, and Kory is not going to wear a Speedo to the Airport to protest TSA....

BUT

Look who decided he was ready to start walking!



Just in time for Mama's birthday too! (I have been reminding him all week that that would be the BEST birthday present EVER) He did not disappoint either. :) So proud of him I even cried, I don't know why, lets blame it on the hormones k? He was pretty proud of himself. He was laughing and screaming. It was a big night at our house. So sorry you all missed it. But hope you enjoyed the videos!

So in honor of Thanksgiving this year, I am thankful for THAT this holiday season!

not much...

I don't really have a lot to blog about right now.

We have just been taking it one day at a time around here. No projects, or fun filled adventures. Just the usual. And that's okey. I mean it too. I have been so sick, tired and just not up for anything. I am content with just Relax'n all cool like.

Amy

Earlier this week I was almost admitted for dehydration because I couldn't keep fluids down. My lips were dry and cracked, my mouth was dry and sticky, I was absolutely exhausted and I had no idea about the pee thing. Thankfully I was given an RX for Zofran and that made SUCH a difference. I took it the first night and ate and drank my heart out, and it was so wonderful fantastic. The next day, however I wasn't feeling sick, but decided to take it anyway, and then got sick?

So I don't know if its something I need to take continually or just as needed for nausea? My RX says "every 8 hours, as needed for nausea and vomiting" So does that mean I take it every 8 hours, or just when I feel nauseated, and can take one every 8 hours? But just having the extra calories and fluids I think made all the difference, I just need to remind myself to drink a sip of water every 10 minutes and have a snack every hour and a half. (It's harder than you realize, but if I do that I seem to do alright.) I will say that I am really grateful for medicine. We're not too into pills around here, I will take an occasional Tylenol for my blood sugar migraines. But for the most part we rarely use other forms of medicine to treat sickness. However, this pill I think quite possibly saved my life, ok maybe not to that extreme but it at least saved my sanity.

Kory

Is super duper duper close to getting our basement done. (We are picking up our carpet and some doors tonight in fact! Best date night ever!) Kory has been working on it non stop, well besides taking breaks for work, and to play with Axel. It is coming together very nicely, I would post pictures but I was told I wasn't allowed. Even though the end is close we still feel like we have so much to do, especially Kory since I can't do much, except maybe pick up supplies. It's kind of a maddening thing not being able to help. But I am excited for him to have this done, it will be really great for him and for our family. (I am not going to lie, I REALLY want it done before my birthday, that would be the best gift ever.)

Also, Kory was given a new calling in our ward, Elders Quorum First Counselor. I had an opportunity to listen to all the new presidency members bare their testimonies, and the spirit testified to me that these men were the right men for this calling. I know he will do great things as he serves in this capacity. Our ward is what I call a "high need, low assistance" ward. Serving in the Relief Society Presidency, often times I feel like our wards needs surpass those willing to help. It can be really frustrating sometimes. But I have seen Kory do great things in this ward, as he has served and know he will also do great things for the Elders in our ward. I am proud of him.

Axel

Well this boy is "growing like a weed" In so many ways, he is turning into such a little boy. He is talking like crazy! We love it. One of our favorite things he does right now, is when you say "A pirate says?" he goes ARRRGH! (Props to Story for teaching him that!) I will have to get it on video sometime for you.

Also some of his new words are cup cake, cracker, car, vroom, bottle... and whole lot of gibberish.

About a week ago he took 5 steps in a row, while trying to chase Story, he then showed Kory that night. But since then it has only been 1 or 2 steps at time unassisted and when he is feeling really brave. We were pretty excited that he is on his way to walking. I know it will happen eventually. Our Dr said 18 months, and if he's not walking by then we'll talk. Sometimes its hard though, to see other babies that are much younger than him walking around. Or when people say things like "do you think it's because of the way he crawls?" or comments like " Does he ever crawl normal?" while these comments mean well, it first tells me they think he crawls funny, and 2nd that he is behind walking wise. But my Dr reassures me that the way he crawls is perfectly normal and not harmful to his development. But still, those comments are hard for me. Sometimes it's hard too not compare him to other babies when it comes to walking. I am proud of him of course, and know when he is ready it will happen, but I guess we all have our things, I am kinda protective of him too.

Fetus

We are at 12 weeks already, can you believe it? I can't. We are almost through our first trimester. We go in to hear the heartbeat again on Monday. I am still kinda nervous for it. Even though we have had 2 ultrasounds already. On that note, our gender ultrasound will be sometime after the new year. Kory is pretty sure it's a girl, I kinda think so too, even though I want it to be another boy. Not that I won't love having a girl. I would just love Axel to have a little buddy he is close too. But I will love having a girl too. So what do you guys think it will be?

All of us

Our thanksgiving is starting early this year. My side of the family is getting together THIS Sunday for Thanksgiving since my sister Hilary works this year over Thanksgiving. I am very excited for Thanksgiving. I know a lot of people overlook this Holiday, and get caught up in Christmas season, but I really love Thanksgiving. I used to hate it because it was always over my birthday, but now as I am older and really know what I value in life, I couldn't find a better way to spend my birthday then with my family. Thanksgiving is Kory's favorite Holiday too, I mean are you surprised, no presents required, just good food and family, two of his absolute favorite past times.

Anyway, hope you are all doing great, no one really is updating blogs lately, you must all be off doing amazing things :)

Bucket Head

Before Halloween Axel really had no idea what the purpose of this bucket was for other than to wear as a super cool hat.But after we took him to the Trunk or Treat he was pro. We first went to the Mall with my Mom and Sister Liesel, and it was packed and crazy, and we won't be doing that again. The first lady who put something in his bucket got it thrown out twice before he figured out it was candy, but it wasn't until he saw a candy that he recognized (tootsie roll) that he actually allowed people to put candy in his bucket, then he was all about it.
At our ward Trick or Treat he had fun walking around looking at all the costumes and seeing his friends. I was so glad it was inside, I am ok with the cold, but not the rain. Just not fun. I am really glad they have things like Trunk or Treat, because with tiny kids its just enough, and call me lazy but I liked how convenient it was. Don't get me wrong, when he gets older we'll do the REAL thing but for now this works great for us!

Walking around with Dad (Kory had a hard time getting candy from people, they wouldn't hear him and so he would just walk on, he obviously is an amature at the candy thing)
Axel's "betrothed" Sammy. (Well if the mom's have anything to do with it) She is quite a bit younger than him, but as you can see almost the same size now, maybe even bigger. She thought he was pretty neat, but he kept giving her the cold shoulder. Already playing hard to get:) Or maybe he was just being shy. The little Cheshire cat is Baily from our ward, she is Sammy's Aunt, and one of the funniest little 5 year olds I know. Their whole family dressed up as characters from Alice in Wonderland, and they were fantastic. I wish I would have gotten a picture.
After all his hard work :) He of course loved the nerds the most.