Christmas Funnies

Christmas morning was wonderful.  The boys were excited and that wonderful Christmas magic was in the air.  The kids were very pleased with their presents, but they didn't have too long to enjoy them before we had to get ready for 9:00 church.  Ty found it especially painful to part with a train/crane/dump truck set that he got, and all during church he asked if we could go home.  Unfortunately for Ty, as soon as church was over we went to visit grandparents.  We went first to see Grandpa Dastrup and then to Grandma and Gramps Groneman.  Ty enjoyed himself at both places, but still asked if we could please go home from time to time.  Finally, after being at Gronemans for several hours, Ty went over to Auntie Buffalo and Grandma and said, "Thanks for coming!  The end!"  We finally gave him what he wanted and he played happily with his new toys until bedtime.

At the Groneman Christmas party we all had a good time making gingerbread houses.  Brigham, Benjamin, and I spent a couple of hours making a Nativity out of ours.  It's been on display on our counter ever since the party.  The day after Christmas Jacob was walking by it and suddenly devoured the manger and it's candy occupant.  Then he continued on his way.  He hasn't touched it since, so it continues to be on display on our counter-- the Nativity minus the babe in the manger.


I love these funny boys!

Good Times

December is a wonderful time of the year for so many reasons.  Here are pictures of just a few.



Benjamin's cousins gave him this BYU santa hat for Christmas, and of course he loves it!



Ty was very happy to see his cousin Sarah at the Dastrup Christmas Party and torment... er... spend some time with her.

Although reluctant to take a starring role in the Nativity, Benjamin overcame his stagefright and did an excellent job portraying Joseph with co-star Sarah, playing Mary.  The whole production was casted and directed by Anna.

Jacob's joy knew no bounds when he got what Ty refers to as the "penguin playground" from Grandma and Grandpa Dastrup.  While Brigham swears that he might never forgive them (it gets very high marks on the "obnoxious toy music" scale), I am thrilled to bits to see Jacob playing with something other than electronics!

We went to Temple Sqare as a family to see the lights.  As always, Jacob refused to wear a hat or gloves.  Of course he got cold before very long and wanted to go home, but we had a nice time while it lasted.

A freshly toothless boy-- blood and all.  Benjamin lost his other front tooth just in time to make the song All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth his theme song for the season.

I am glad that this season isn't over yet and that there are many great memories yet to be made!

Random Humor

I love how our kids make me laugh.  Here is an example from each child within the last week or so.

The first story needs a little background to make sense.  Due to Jacob's passion for opening presents, we have not been able to put them within his reach ever since he became mobile several years ago.  A little over a week ago we went to the kids' cousin's house to celebrate her birthday dinner.  Once back in the car, Benjamin said, "Did you SEE that?  They put their Christmas presents under their tree!  That is just crazy!"

Last Sunday we sat behind a lady with very purple hair (someone visiting our church, I think), a fact that Ty announced to the entire ward when he shouted, "Look!  Purple hair!"

Yesterday I made cookies to take around to the neighbors.  Jacob was chillin' with me and his woogie in the kitchen, and he showed no interest whatsoever in all the cookies on plates on the counter.  Feeling secure in the power of the woogie, I stepped out the back door for 30 seconds to shake out my pastry cloth, and when I came back in, I found Jacob with two cookies shoved in his mouth chewing as fast as he could!  Apparently he'd been biding his time and waiting for an opportunity to make his move.  That kid is way too clever for my own good!

AMA-- the Silent Killer

Advanced Maternal Age (AMA).  It sounds like a terrible disease, don't you think?  Well, I'm only two weeks away from joining the unfortunate ranks of those suffering from it.  How do I know this?  Not because I'm married to a doctor (he's far to smart to be the one to give me such a diagnosis).  I know  because of a conversation I overheard three years ago.  I was pregnant with Ty at the time, and I was sitting in the lobby of the Maternal/Fetal imaging department at UNM hospital waiting for an ultrasound.  As I was waiting, I overheard the receptionist answer a call and insist that YES, so-and-so ABSOLUTELY needed to get a genetic screening because she was 34, and they always screened women of Advanced Maternal Age.  I was horrified.  There I was at age thirty-- forced into the realization that I was only four years away from Advanced Maternal Age!  Only four years left to entertain any delusions that I might have about being young! Turning thirty was bad enough, but ever since that fateful day, 34 has been a birthday that I've been dreading!

Ty is Definitely Two

The other day I was going for a run and decided to take Ty with me even though Brigham was home-- just to get him out of the house and let him enjoy all of the passing vehicles.  Being December, of course it was cold out, but Ty REFUSED to put on his coat.  I told him he could choose between wearing a coat and staying home with Daddy, but he still refused to put on his coat, so I left without him-- his little heart-broken cries ringing in my ears.  According to Brigham, about 10 minutes later Ty came to him carrying his shoes and a jacket (he couldn't reach his coat) saying, "Help!  Find Mommy peas (please)?  Go find Mommy peas?  Help!"  The kid may be in the throes of the terrible twos, but he can still make my heart melt!