Oh Christmas Tree

We put our tree up...finally!! I usually put my tree up the day after Thanksgiving. But that didn't get done because, 1. we were out of town, and 2. Doug wouldn't let me. Doug has this new rule, I guess you could call it that, that we must wait until after Preston's birthday in order to put up our Christmas stuff. He doesn't want Preston to feel overshadowed by Christmas. I personally don't think it's a big deal. It's the day after Thanksgiving...what would that possibly do to him?

Anyway, here is a picture of the tree with the lights on. I had to take it without the flash so I could get a nice glow from the lights, so sorry it's a bit blurry.

Drew helped me decorate the tree. Notice how it's all decorated except for the last 2 feet! Yeah, I have a one year old who likes to pick at the tree! Preston has no idea what it is and is so enthralled by it! I love watching him hold the branches and stare up at it!

This is a picture of it with the lights on, but with the flash, you don't get the same effect!

We had a visitor also come and grace us with his presence yesterday. Buddy, our Elf, came yesterday. He didn't come on the first of December because we didn't have our tree up...at least that's what he told Drew in his little note!

Buddy is our communication to Santa. He sits and watches us all day long and then reports back to Santa while we sleep to let him know if we were good or bad that day. Then he comes back the next morning and finds a new spot for the day. Drew loves to talk to Buddy and tell him all the things he wants for Christmas. Sure hope Santa can fulfill this boys wishes!!

On a side note, this is what my boys enjoy doing. For some reason they both love to play in the laundry baskets. In fact, I found Preston in it all by himself, singing to himself. (I love it when he sings to himself)! He can even do Pat ta Cake all by himself, it's the cutest thing ever. But my favorite thing is that both boys must enjoy everything together! Preston thinks Drew is the absolute best!

Some good news...

After a couple of counter offers, we are now under contract for "our house"!! I am so excited! Our broker is doing all he can to get us in by Christmas, but I'm thinking it might happen more along the lines of New Years. Still, I am grateful to be this far on the house! Here is a little preview of what the house looks like...

FRONT:

ENTRY:

LIVING ROOM:

KITCHEN:

DINING:

PANTRY:

MASTER:

BEDROOMS (the other three are pretty much the same):

BACKYARD:

This house is about 1900 sq. feet with 4 beds/2 baths. The only other pictures I didn't put up were the other bathroom and the other two rooms. But the best part is that it has a backyard for the boys! The backyard is not finished at the moment, but it won't take much to get it ready for them to play! I can't wait!!

Birthday Party

Preston's birthday was small but fun. He had no idea what was going on, but that's what made it so great!

Doug came home for lunch and that's when we did presents. Preston had no idea what he was doing! He soon figured out that he was supposed to tear the paper off and then wouldn't stop! But after a while, Drew had to step in and finish the job! What are brothers for right?!

He got lots of things! He got two cars that are a little squishy and make noise! He loved those...played with them for a long time. He got a ball thing that blows air and shoots the balls out. He also got wooden rings that you put onto the stick.

The best part of the whole day was Preston and his cake! When we lit the candle he just stared at it! Then he wanted to touch the flame...so bad! We had Drew blow out the candle because Preston wasn't going to. After that he just stared at the cake! Doug had to finally put Preston's hands in the cake and put his fingers in his mouth! Once he tasted it, that was the end! He was loving the cake!

Can't wait for the next year to come...wonder what it will hold for us!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE MAN!!

Birthday Boy

Today my baby is 1! I can't believe how time flies! It seems like just yesterday we were walking into the OR getting ready to have him.

This year with Preston has been so much fun! He brings so much joy and happiness into our lives! His brother will tell you the same thing! Drew and Preston get along so well...something I was fearing. I wasn't sure if the 3 year gap between them would be a problem, but thankfully they are great friends!

Preston was born at 11:33, (that's what Doug says...I wasn't really paying attention to the time), and weighed in at 10 lbs. 11 oz, and was 21.5 inches long! Yes, he was a monster of a baby!

Preston loves to eat! That is probably one of his favorite things to do! And not just eat from his bottle, he loves to eat regular food! In fact, the other day we went to McDonald's and I had to buy two kids meals. Drew ate 2 chicken nuggets from his, and Preston ate all four plus some fries! Seriously, this kid knows how to put it down!

We are so happy to have Preston in our lives! He makes us all very happy!

Crazy/Busy

I have to say that things have been busy around here. I drove to Sandy, UT on Tuesday for my sister's baby shower. Stayed through Wednesday and drove back on Thursday. So it was a short trip for me....but not for my kiddos!

Drew and Preston were lucky enough to stay at Grandpa Todd's and Grandma Stacey's house. Doug and I will be up there for Thanksgiving so the kids get some great one on one time with their grandparents. I'm sure they are having such a blast.

While the kids are gone, Doug and I have been working, I've been trying to get things together for Primary, and house hunting. We definitely haven't had much time to just spend together. In fact, I'm running on three and a half hours of sleep right now. Not such a good idea!

I haven't really had much time to spend in an empty home without my boys. But I'm sure missing this...

These two boys just love each other! Preston loves to climb up on Drew's bed and lay down, and when Drew comes to lay by him, he goes crazy for it! Preston loves to be right where Drew is! And Drew always likes to know where Preston is. I love it!

Preston does not like to be fed. He wants to do it all himself, what else do I do but let him! This is what you get when you give an 11 month old refried beans and a 4 year old red punch:

Preston was such a mess, but he was so proud that he did it all himself! And Drew thought his mustache was so cool. Me, I don't like a red mustache after three days! Seriously, it wouldn't come off his face!

Well, that's what we've been up to lately. Not a whole lot, but for some reason, still busy.

Halloween fun

Halloween was fun for the boys...Drew especially! He was so excited when he found his costume he had to wear it almost every day before Halloween! Drew was Optimus Prime...go figure! Since I wasn't able to spend Halloween with the boys, I thought I'd blog about it for all of you who didn't get to see them either! Without further ado, I present to you:

OPTIMUS PRIME


and

MONKEY MAN!

Preston is enjoying his first sucker! Luckily he doesn't bite them, he actually sucks on them. He does eat the paper stick however!


Doug did not enjoy having to take the boys around the Trunk or Treat all by himself. I think his exact words were, "Not fun being a single parent at these types of things."


Drew and Preston love to play together, and every time I take a picture, Drew has to make sure they are in it together!


Preston is officially a walker, he almost refuses to crawl now! I'm pretty happy and sad at the same time. Sad that my baby isn't a baby anymore, but SOOO glad I don't have to carry him around anymore! I wonder if he'll thin down like Drew did?!!

Primary Program and more

Sunday was our ward's primary program, and I am so glad that it's over. I was called as the primary chorister a month or so ago. Can you say stressful?! I had no idea what the kids knew or what they needed work on. So, as you can see, I'm so glad it's over!

Drew did such a great job on his part. He was one of a handful of kids that had their part memorized! He was so proud of himself for getting it right. I just wish he could have sat still. Drew was the kid that everyone looks for. He was up there giving the thumbs up and doing the horns with his first finger and pinkie! I mean, come on! He wouldn't leave the kids next to him alone, so finally his teacher had to separate him and the other boy...oh but Drew couldn't resist bugging the girl next to him! Oh man, people will be searching for him next year!

Drew wore his suit to church not just for the program, but he was also giving his first talk in Primary! It was on families and I'm sure everyone would have known that if they could hear him. He was so quiet and I had to keep telling him to talk louder! But he did a great job and can't wait to participate again!

We've decided to let Preston feed himself now. He does good with the solid foods, but the baby food we've been trying to feed him. The problem with us trying to feed him is that he doesn't want to have anything to do with that. He wants to do it! So, we are letting him. And what do you get when you let an almost 11 month old feed himself baby food? This:

He immediately dropped the spoon and went right for the bowl! He apparently was starving, heaven knows we never feed him! I mean, he only weighs 3 lbs. less than his older brother! Yep, you heard me right. Drew is 34.2 lbs, and Preston is a whopping 31 lbs. He is a monster! Man, I can't wait for that kid to walk. I can't carry him anymore!

Well, that's it from us for today. Hope things are going great your way!