Grammy & Pompa

Our favorite thing about our Spokane visit really was how much we got spoiled by our Grammy and Pompa. Really, my life was a dream: woke up, went to the gym with my dad while Grammy watched Will, played with Grammy, Pompa, Will, aunts, uncles, and cousins all day, napped while Will napped, ate a homemade meal almost every night, went to bed and started it all over again. Of course, we did miss our dada, or else we may have never left. Will just adores his Grammy and Pompa and talks of them often. And, I daresay, I think the feeling is mutual.

Love you, Grammy and Pompa! Can't wait to see you again.

Will's acrobatics with Pompa.

It was a nightly ritual to play this game.

They took us to the Nativity Festival. It was pretty cool. (Can't you tell Will is having fun from the photo?)

I had to include this photo, even though Will is missing, because it makes me smile. I was napping (as was the daily ritual) and Will had woken up from his nap and was playing with my dad when my dad showed Will the deer under the swing set. Will was so excited, convinced that it was one of Santa's reindeer. He came racing downstairs, woke me up and said, "Mama, get my 'now boots on. Santa reindeer outside." It was priceless. Of course, the reindeer bolted as soon as we stepped outside.

Will and Pompa snuggling on the couch with the nigh-nigh. Does it get any cuter than that?

Cam and Rachelle's Wedding

Our main purpose for heading to Spokane for the holidays was for the nuptials of these two crazy kids:

My baby brother Cameron's wedding to his beautiful wife, Rachelle. It was a picturesque, snowy, freezing day. Will had been so very excited for the wedding. Every night in his prayers for the month prior, he'd pray, "Please bless Cam and Rachelle get married and bless Rachelle get a pretty dress." It really was the cutest thing. One time he even threw in a blessing on Mama's pretty dress. Too bad, though, I couldn't find a pretty dress to wear to the wedding. Will still talks about Rachelle's pretty dress. Congrats, you cute kids. Best wishes!

The Mad-family at the wedding.

Will with Cam and Rachelle and the "pretty dress". Will doesn't exactly look too thrilled but we had to wake him up from his nap for the pictures.

The Spear siblings.

The reception. Kudos to my mom for making it look so beautiful (and to all her help as well).

I've just had a glimpse of my future....

.....and it is cold and smelly. Try as I might, I cannot convince Will that a future in hockey is just that: cold and smelly. He loooves it and loooves all things hockey. When Josh, Will and I were in a hockey store, searching for some hockey gloves for Josh, I really had an insight into my future and I'm not sure I'm ready for it--cold, hard benches, smelly equipment, games at all hours of the night (due to ice time), etc., etc., etc. At least I've got a good while before all that happens because we took the kid ice skating with the youth from church and he was t.e.r.r.i.b.l.e. So, maybe he'll play soccer instead like I've been praying for!

The Mad family ice skating! Too bad we couldn't get Will to look at the camera.

Santa Cwaus

That is how jolly ol' St. Nick is referred to around here: Santa Cwaus. And oh how he loves that Santa Cwaus. It really is such fun to see what joy Christmas brings to Will. Today at the gym, there was a blow up Santa at the entrance, and he just looked in awe at him, shouted, "Santa Cwaus!" and walked up to him and gave him the biggest hug ever. And any time we're going to someone's house, he'll want to know if they'll have a Santa Cwaus there.

Luckily, when in Spokane, we went to breakfast with Santa. And Will loved him. He just sat on his lap, smiled and, of course, enjoyed the candy Santa gave him.

Will, Santa, the candy cane and, as always, Will's cheese smile. Will is wearing his jammies because my mom told me that all the kids would be wearing their jammies (it was Santa's breakfast, after all); yet, he was the only one in his jammies. Clearly, he wasn't phased and I'd say he looks pretty darn cute, though Josh claims that he is camouflaged in the picture.


Katie, Will, Santa and Garret (Will's cousins).

Will, Pompa and Santa.

What Will asked Santa for Christmas: friends of Snot Rod. I hope Santa obliges!

I is for Igloo

It snowed abundantly while we were in Spokane for Thanksgiving. So of course we had to go play in the snow. And of course we had to build an igloo. And of course after about two minutes none of the kids were interested in the hard work that was involved in building an igloo. And of course, after about an hour, my mom, my brother and I all gave up, taking the kids inside for lunch and naps (building an igloo really is hard work). But of course, Josh, the consummate engineer, could never, never give up. So when I woke up from my nap wondering where Josh was, I shouldn't have been surprised to find him outside by himself, finishing the igloo solo. And I shouldn't have been surprised that Josh wanted to sleep in the igloo that night (but I was surprised that he thought I would sleep in the igloo with him). And I shouldn't have been surprised when my mom told her entire ward that Josh slept in an igloo that he built single-handedly. And I definitely shouldn't be surprised that everyone in said ward now thinks Josh is an Eskimo (either that or crazy. I can't decide which one's worse). Crazy Eskimo or not, Josh is an excellent igloo-builder. My parents really couldn't be more proud. Every time they talk to us, they update us on the igloo's status. Unfortunately, the igloo is no more. But at least there's evidence:

Josh and me and all my star-studded beauty, wearing my pj's and decade old moon boots (held together by duct tape, no less), standing in front of Thee igloo.

Josh, so proud of his creation.
That is one serious igloo. Job well done, Josh. You really should be proud (or an Eskimo or crazy).

Singing Videos

We finally figured out how to get Will to sing for the camera: chocolate chips. Yes, that's good parenting--cold, hard bribery. But hey, if it produces these little gems of Will singing his favorite songs, then it was worth it. (Disregard that for one film he's actually eating a chocolate chip whilst singing. Also disregard what he is wearing. And do recall that he is learning to dress himself).

How to have a cheap, easy (and let's be honest--lazy) Halloween

Step 1: In a delirious moment, determine to craft your child a hand made Thomas the Train costume from scratch, using materials you currently have in your possession. (Cheap. Not easy. Definitely not lazy).

Step 2: Procrastinate making said costume. (Cheap, easy AND lazy).

Step 3: The night before Halloween utterly freak out since you have neither made a costume nor have you bothered to buy one. Fortunately, your kind neighbor saves the day, providing a darling dinosaur costume for your child to wear. (Cheap, easy and lazy. Perfect).

Step 4: Go to the ward Halloween party with dinosaur in tow (it turns out costume was actually a dragon, not a dinosaur, but try telling that to a determined two-year-old. Oh, how he loved that dinosaur costume. What joy it was for him to wear it). Attempt to take pictures before the party, but to no avail (Josh was absent), so give up and make do with this beauty--see below (cheap, easy and lazy. I'm sensing a pattern).

Step 5: Attend the neighborhood fire department party, complete with a parade, pumpkin painting, games, candy eating, etc., etc., etc., all while trying to carry your child during said parade, keeping all paint off borrowed costume, stopping your child from stealing everyone else's candy and helping that dinosaur onto every.single.fire.apparatus. (Cheap, not as easy, clearly not lazy).

Step 6: Don't take child trick-or-treating, since not only was Halloween on the Sabbath but also because said child was in bed at 6:00 due to lack of naps, too much excitement and an even greater amount of candy. Sit on the couch with your hubby, watching a movie, eating candy and turnyour lights off at 7, so that you can have some peace and quiet, for heaven's sake. (Lazy, lazy, lazy).

Step 7: Take pictures of your dinosaur-wearing child one entire week after Halloween, since it has taken you that long to recover (and for your child to recover) in hopes of getting some decent shots. Somehow, even with a helpful Josh, your child will still refuse to cooperate. Hence, the lackluster photos as well as one taken whilst dinosaur is upside-down. (Easier than doing it alone on Halloween night, but not as easy as one would think).

Step 8: Post about it on your blog almost a full month after the blasted Holiday because you are lazy, lazy, lazy.

Happy Belated Halloween all! Now bring on the turkey...