Playing in the Rain and Snow!

Updates on Clifton -

He has gone potty on the toilet a few times at his request.  After all the holiday craziness we are going to officially start potty training:)

Clifton is such a comic!  He makes some silly faces.

Updates on McKay -
 She signs more and we are trying to learn some other words as well.  She lets you know when she does not want something by saying no and shaking her head.  And she does it often!  She has also said "love you." She will sometimes repeat it if we say it.  It is very very cute.

For FHE we started a new tradition I hope to keep going throughout our kids childhood years.  We went through our toys and found good toys that we might not play with that often and chose a family that may not have a lot to give to their kids for Christmas and left it on their doorstep.  I hope that my children learn that there is more than getting presents for Christmas.

This week we had rain like usual but we went over to Clifton's friends house, Benson, and took advatage of his acreage.  We got our hats, gloves, jackets, and rain boots on and splashed in some puddles.

The boys loved it.  McKay really wanted to get down and join them:/  Soon enough she will be!  It was a great afternoon.

Then Wednesday, we got SNOW!!!!!!

 We got squirt guns out and filled it with colored water.  It did not last long but it was fun will the water lasted.

 McKay looking all cute bundled up.

 Alex taught the boys how to make and throw snowballs.

 She wanted to get down and play in the snow as well.

 We got our cars out and pushed them around in the snow.  Clifton just got this tractor from Grandma at our last Portland trip.  It went to good use shoveling some snow:)  Clifton loved the snow almost as much as I do.  He continued to ask to play in it and stayed out there longer then I expected him to.  We love snow!!!!  Alex even got a snow day off from work:)

Sunday we had Christmas with the Stewart's!  Dinner and swapping presents.

 Then playing some games!  Good times.

Just as we were walking home, we saw Santa on a fire truck.  He stopped and gave us some candy canes!

 

 Clifton loves Santa on a fire truck.  It is the only Santa he will not run away from screaming.

Portland Christmas 2012

Updates on Clifton -
He is finally interested in going potty on the toilet and went just the other night.  Just walked in and went potty!  So I am going to officially get potty training going.  Wish us luck!

Updates on McKay -
She has four teeth coming in!!!!  Just the other day I was thinking that she is lacking in teeth for her age and now four are poking through.  I guess that's what I get for thinking that:)
She struggles so much with going to the bathroom.  She cries and screams when trying and when she finally has gone she is sweating and so exhausted afterwards.  It is hard to see her struggle so much and the tension in the house goes up when there is a screaming baby.

This week we went over to a friend's house and made gingerbread houses.  It was a ton of fun!

 Finished product.

 McKay even made one and she actually put the candy on the house.  It was a little messy but she understood what to do.

Group shot.  A fun group!

 Clifton's and Evan's houses

Candy, candy, candy!

We also ventured back to the mall to ride the little Christmas train.

It is a big hit with the boys and McKay quite enjoys it too.

I had an Ugly Christmas Sweater Cookie Party.

 Here is my ugly sweater.  My mom had a good collection for me to choose from!  Thanks mom:)

 We played some minute to win it games.  And just enjoyed the cookies and each others' company.  Cheryl makes me laugh in this picture.  She was trying so hard to get the cookie in her mouth!

 It was a fun group of ladies and a good girls night out!

The next day we took a trip to Portland to celebrate Christmas with my family early.

Opening presents is always fun!

 And seeing cousins and other family is so much fun!

My sister-in-law hosted an Usborne book party for me.  It was my first one alone and I had some mistakes but it was a good first run at it.  She has always been such a good support in my life.  Thanks Mechelle!

Christmas Tree

Updates on Clifton-
He is still dancing around the house all day!

 This is his dancing face.  He always moves his lips to the side .  It makes me laugh every time.

 Clifton helping with the laundry.

Clifton following the moves to Zumba wii game.  He asks me to play it!  He is so my son:)

Updates on McKay -
We are starting to work on simple sign language.  She has got the word "more" down.
She is officially a toddler - walking everywhere and all day long.  That is her main mode of transportation.

 A cute picture of the kids!

For our family night we turned on some Christmas music and decorated our Christmas tree.  One of my favorite things to do this time of year!

I LOVE this picture!!!!!!  It is totally them being the silly kiddos they are:)

We made cute little mistletoes.

 I like them and think they turned out cute.

Diapers came in the mail, so time to play with the box:)

My Uncle passed away this last week.  He was such a wonderful spirit and I am so lucky to have known him.

This is him holding me when I was little.  Always been one of my favorite photos.

My family held a viewing for him so Clifton and I decided to take a quick trip down to Portland,  Since it was just Clifton and I we decided to take the train.  Good decision!  Clifton LOVED it!  As did I:)

It ended short because Clifton got real sick that night , but we still had a blast.  I would love to ride the train again!

I should have gotten the hint when Clifton feel asleep at the viewing that he was not feeling well.  But it was so nice to cuddle with him.  He rarely falls asleep in my arms.

On Saturday, Alex's work had a children's Christmas party.

 We got to visit with Santa and Santa had gifts for each kid.  Both of my kids were terrified of Santa this year.

And we got to do crafts.  It was a fun party.


Sunday we took at trip down to Alex's parents house to visit with his sister who was in town from Utah.  It is always nice to visit with family especially those you don't get to see that often.

Clifton enjoyed playing with his cousins!

And we finally got a good family picture to use on our Christmas cards this year:)