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!
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!
We blessed Spencer on December 30th in Jerome. It was nice since most of our family was there. All of Chris' family was able to be there and all of mine but my sister Angela and her family so we had a good turn out. Our sacrament meeting was last of the meetings and Spencer was due for a feeding soon after sacrament meeting was to start. So I hurried and fed him ten minutes before so when he was being blessed we were told by one in the circle that he was full of smiles. Spencer, if you know him, is already much of a mama's boy so I was a little nervous he might cry throughout the blessing. 
The above picture is those who stood in the circle from left to right: Kent Lee, Andy Lewis, Tyson Cook, Papa, Chris, Grandpa, Brandon Minert, Paul Lloyd, and Trent Bingham
After wards we went to Chris' house and had dinner. Jared enjoyed his cousins and I enjoyed having everyone there and visiting.
As I look back now when Spencer is 2 1/2 months old I am already amazed at how fast the time has gone. I knew it would go fast but I am saddened as I am putting away many of his clothes and advancing him into 3-6 month pajamas and clothes. But as I put away his newborn clothes I am gaining a little boy who smiles and coos back to me. So as hard as it is to have my boys grow older and pack away their things I gain joy in watching them progress and learn new things. I'm not sure how they say it but it's something to the effect that when you have children it's like having a piece of your heart in each of them and watching from the outside but experiencing joy and saddness along side them. How rewarding and challenging it is as a parent but how worth it! I love my boys!!!
