Getting ready to see presents!!!
Christmas is so fun with a two-year-old. We started the morning at 6:40 when Jared got up and we went around to wake everyone else up. One of the first presents Jared opened was The Little Engine that Could. He loved it and that's pretty much all he wanted after that. We skipped his turn at opening gifts a few rounds just so Chris or I could read the story to him. It doesn't seem like he just got that book yesterday morning but seems like he's had it for days because we've read it so much. It's fun to see the simple things kids find pleasure in. Along with books, clothes and cars Jared also got a tee ball and basketball set. Our tiny, crowded apartment just got smaller!
Christmas is so fun with a two-year-old. We started the morning at 6:40 when Jared got up and we went around to wake everyone else up. One of the first presents Jared opened was The Little Engine that Could. He loved it and that's pretty much all he wanted after that. We skipped his turn at opening gifts a few rounds just so Chris or I could read the story to him. It doesn't seem like he just got that book yesterday morning but seems like he's had it for days because we've read it so much. It's fun to see the simple things kids find pleasure in. Along with books, clothes and cars Jared also got a tee ball and basketball set. Our tiny, crowded apartment just got smaller!
Spencer did what a baby does but his absolute favorite gift is a play mat or jungle gym thingy. It plays music and nature sounds and he just coos, kicks and smiles for several minutes which is great!
I'm not sure what Chris' favorite presents were but he did get two watches! I'm not sure if he'll take one back or not. I was excited to get him a nice Nixon watch and I guess Cherie had the same idea. We didn't realize we should have correlated. But if he decides to keep them both one's silver and one's dark. 
My favorite gift was a copy of several of my dad's journals (there's still more my mom wants to get done and add to the collection). I haven't yet had an opportunity to delve and relish this book but look forward to hearing the voice of my father through his thoughts before his stroke. Even as I type this I yearn and ache for my dad's loving words of guidance and comfort. I dearly love my father and can't wait for the day if it be this life or the next to have him tell me of all the experiences he's had after his stroke. I am so grateful my dad kept a journal so he can still speak to me through it. Elder Eyrings talk on remembering for your predecessors is so true and I need to follow my own father's example and keep a record of my life. That's why I'm glad for the blog but I need to be better on writing down spiritual experiences and other experiences that are too tender to be published on the web. 
Now that my eyes are dry... I also thoroughly am enjoying an I-Pod touch screen. It's so fun and I can't wait to accessorize it! I'm also looking forward to my gift from Chris. We haven't picked it up yet but it's a Phil and Ted's stroller. It's not made for running but I'm bound and deteremined to make it work for running!
Christmas dinner was GREAT! We got two! We had dinner with Meservy's a little after 1:00 where they had prime rib and ham with lots more and then we went to my house later and around 6:00 we had Ham and more. I ate the prime rib and then the ham. Needless to say I am going to be needing to get back into running when we get back!
Starting on the left going clockwise: Great Gram, Uncle Dick, Grandpa M, and Aunt Elaine
My house was full of kids and laughter and tears and screaming! Jared wet his pants twice while there. I think he gets so excited and into playing that he doesn't want to leave the fun so he tries to hold it and eventually can't hold it any longer and has an accident. I guess it happens! 
I love being so close to family. It really is a blessing to have both our families literally about 3 miles apart so we can spend time with both on such special holidays. I'm grateful for this season, my wonderful family, and Christ. Merry Christmas to all, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas too!
Today Jared helped make a gingerbread house and it looks like it has a two-year-old touch. 
Chris' mom's birthday is the 25th so we celebrate it Christmas Eve. This year they got a Cold Stone Cake and had all December and January birthdays blow out the candles. So Cherie, Chris, Ty, and Jared all blew them out. We lighted them twice for Jared since he enjoyed it! 
Later we all got our pajamas but we pretty much had to force Jared into them. But once they were on Jared and Spencer looked really cute! Our camera didn't save our family picture in our pajamas so I only have a picture of Spencer in his.
All the married siblings in my family were doing things with the other side or themselves for Christmas Eve so on Sunday we acted out the Nativity with my sister Heidi's family, we missed you Valerie! Jared was and angel and Chris, Spencer and I were Joseph, Baby Jesus, and Mary. Below are also pictures of our shepards and wisemen.
It was fun acting out the nativity and even though we do it every year I am touched by the miracle of Christs life. How grateful I am to be able to celebrate His birth and life. I'm also grateful for Mary and Joseph and the sacrafices they made and the lives they lived. I love this season and hope to not get too caught up in the gifts and worldly part of the holiday but remember the greatest gift that was given on that "Silent Night".
For his birthday he had a final so after his final we went up to Salt Lake to eat and see the lights. (My sister Camille was down looking for apartments so she met up with us.) We went to The Other Place, an American and Greek restaraunt. My dish was the best, marinated pork, and Chris was disappointed with his leg of lamb. 
It's amazing how much people can accomplish when they put their minds to it. I know there were times when Camie questioned her ability but she persevered and will reap the rewards now. It reminds me of what Chris said when I was worried about getting married. I felt too young and there was still so much I wanted to do in life. He told me that if I wanted to do something then I would and could if I wanted to bad enough. And he's right. I really believe we are our beggest obstacles in life. I feel like I limit myself more than anything else just by saying I can't or don't have the time (which I feel is very valid at times!) Anyways, good job Camille, you're an example to all:)
During all the baking Jared has liked to taste the desserts before they've been cooked (mainly things like cookie batter). While making gingerbread cookies I was getting ready to measure the molasses. He asked if he could try some. Why not! I used to eat it with my dad when little. I let him take a swig. I wish I could have gotten a clip of it. He immediately said, "I don't like it." But what made it even more funny is he wasn't swallowing it so his voice was coated with "thickness" (I don't know how to describe it!)
He always wanted to be involved. While making Candy Cane cookies I had to role out the white and red part. He wanted to help me make snakes. Unfortunately the dough isn't like playdough and he wasn't very successfull. 
Before I had Spencer I worried about writing all about the new baby and not writing as much on Jared. As I've looked through my posts I don't know why I worried. I hardly have anything on Spencer not even very many pictures compared to Jared. I guess he's cute but not as interesting as Jared. He does smile now and coos occasionally but it's just not as interesting. But since he is cute I will include some pictures of our little guy:)
I also wanted to note for my benefit that Jared has started saying his own prayers. They go something like the following: "Dear Heavenly Father, thank thee for this day. Thank thee for daddy, and mommy, and Spencer. Please bless the food. (and sometimes more) Name of Jesus Christ, Amen!"
This year I was prepared thanks to some ideas I got from the magazine Family Fun (love the magazine and recommend it!) I started making some of the items earlier this week and put them away for Saturday. The first cake I made didn't work out. Chris tried taking it out of the pan and lets just say I didn't think frosting could get that mess back together! Jared enjoyed the batter though:)
Our second cake turned out lots better. Some cake still stuck to the pan but frosting did the trick this time:) After finishing the cake Chris said I'd better not continue doing this when they get older cause then they'd expect it. He didn't know if it was worth the time. I must admit it took a whole lot longer to do than anticipated but I totally think it's worth the time especially for a birthday! And Jared loved it so the payday was worth it even more.
Jared loved all his presents, some a little more than others. His absolute favorite was the Thomas the Train set; thanks Grammy M. Chris and I got him a big Tonka dump truck that he had loved playing with up at the cabin with his cousin Katie but he wasn't as excited to play with it considering the other competition.
Jared has loved trains for awhile now. He loves to watch a particular video on youtube. It is the most boring, long video you'll ever watch but I am embedding it to this post because this post is about Jared:
I've started bathing Jared and Spencer at the same time because Jared loves to help and often gets wet enough to have his own bath. Now the only problem is Jared wants to get in Spencer's bath. After I take Spencer out I let Jared play for awhile. He loves it!
