Sledding

Max and Jacob went sledding the other night. Jacob was really excited to break in his new sled that he got for Christmas. Max was fine with the cold wet snow, until they hit a snow bank that they created their first time down the hill. After that Max cried all the way home, which was about 100 feet to our house.

December is ending

Christmas has passed and so we are on to New Years. Jake and I really aren't New Year's Eve type of people. I've always thought it was kind of a boozers holiday, I'll be lucky if I can make it till 12 without falling asleep, I'm like a ninety year old. Christmas was great. Grandma Boots finally made it, and shortly after her departure announced that she was moving here. It will be nice, but weird having her around so much. I remember when she use to drive me everywhere when I was growing up: the orthodontist, golf lessons, Pom practice, etc. Who knows, maybe now I'll be driving her around. On Christmas Eve we went over to Laura and Nathan's cause their townhouse had the most room, Nathan's two children joined us and we played a mean game of "Scene it". Jake and I are still debating over who really won. Max got the most gifts out of everyone, and was the least excited to open them, he just wanted to play with the paper that was already on the floor. From Grandma and Grandpa, he got a cool little kids tent that came with a tunnel, socks from aunti Laura, and of course lots of money. We will help him spend it wisely. Jacob didn't let me spend a lot of money on him, later I found out it was so he could spend a ton on me! Loser. Jacob got a new sled from my mom and dad. It's just like the ones we had growing up, and they lasted for years. He got a Josh Groban C.D. from me and a few other small things. Laura and Nathan gave him a cool swiss army knife that even had a flash light on it, and Boots gave him some money, I think that will be put to good use in getting some more clothes. Getting that guy to buy clothes is like pulling teeth.

For Christmas Jake got me a minny food processor. My other one was too big to just chop up small things, and since our family is quite small a smaller one was more helpful. He went to Sur La Table and got me a lime juicer. I'm so excited to use it, I hate squeezing limes when I make pie. I also got money from grandma, an Aveda Shampoo kit from Jason (something I would never buy myself because it is ridiculously expensive), and lots and lots of gift cards, which I have already put to good use. I bought lots of good stuff because of the after Christmas sales, and even got a nice dress to wear to church from Banana Republic. when in doubt, always go to the outlet mall in park city during or right after a huge holiday.

I tried to do my part by baking a few items this holiday season. I made rolls on Christmas eve. It was Barb's recipe, I wasn't sure how to roll them at first, but Erinn helped us figure it out. I also made Annette Bell's famous Tea Ring. It turned out really well and was the hit of Christmas morning.

Now that Christmas is over, it's time to start preparing for the new year. Jake doesn't do resolutions, but I'm a big believer in them. I just finished a book on Tape by Doctor Laura. She said that people should try to set aside 10-15 minutes every morning and do something that is important to just them. I figure this would be a good time to read my scriptures and other materials. The thing is I would have to wake up before Max and Jacob to actually accomplish this. It's worth a try. I must come up with some other good ones as well.

Final Thought: Nate Berkus is annoying.

Tis the season..

Christmas is only a few days away. My Grandmothers flight got canceled, twice. I think she was a little nervous to make the drive into Chicago after all the fog, but she's coming tonight. We won't see her until tomorrow cause Max will already by asleep when she arrives. Jason gets here in the next hour. He is excited to see Max and I know the little guy is happy to see his uncle. Jacob and I are having a nice quiet Christmas. But we are excited to get our grades back. Jacob did very well this semester, he even got an A in statistics. Only one more semester and then it's time to run with the big dogs, a University. This holiday break he is applying to a few schools: University of Utah, Utah State, BYU, and Southern Virginia University. I did really well this semester too. I got three A's and one B. The B was in my Hearing Science class. That class definitely kept me humble over the past few months. Audiology is not my area of expertise nor in my interests, but it's a requirement for my major. Next semester I'm taking 15 credits, it should be quite eventful, and I'm getting some 5000 level credits for being a T.A for my finance teacher. It should be interesting, but I'm a little scared to correct people's assignments.

Max finally got over his angry spell he was having, which naturally occurred during finals. It was like nothing made him happy, and he wanted to be held for a few minutes then would cry until I put him down. We thought maybe he was teething, but that wasn't the situation. We noticed he was getting an infection on his private parts and decided to take him to the doctor. As soon as he examined him he knew exactly what the problem was. Since his circumcision last year the skin had been growing back together wrong, and eventually was leading to the infection. I had to leave the room for the procedure, but of course Jake stayed to take care of little Max. now he is doing good, and he's back to his old self. Just in time for the holidays. I'm so excited to spend all of this time with Jacob, and happy that we are able to go out at night during the week, instead of focusing on school.

Max's First Birthday

I wish I could have said it was a carefree day, but it was quite the opposite. Max was upset because he was all hopped on sugar that Jake had been sneakily feeding him all morning, and he wouldn't take a nap. So of course he cried during his party and had to take a nap through almost the whole thing. We invited some of his friends, Otto and Alena. They were more excited about his toys than he was. At least someone had a good time. Grandma gave Max a space heater, which we needed since our heat turns off all by itself every now and then. Aunti Juli gave him a cool truck. He loved it. But of course Jake and I got him the best gift. A turtle. We spent weeks preparing for our new turtle. His name is homer and he's still a juvenile, but we are taking good care of him. We hardly ever take him out of his water tank, but I think he enjoys living with us. I ruined the cake because I was making it in a hurry. This was the week before finals so Jake and I were cramming and celebrating at the same time. Grandpa Jim couldn't come to the party because he wasn't feeling well, and Grama and Grampa Brooks sent Max a card with a small present. I was a great day, but I'm sure turning 2 will be more eventful.