Christmas 2018

I don't know who was more excited for Christmas this year: Ashton or the parents. We were just excited to see their reactions to the presents and all the fun we'd have celebrating. Ashton went to bed that night and wished it could be Christmas every day. This year was great with her. She was excited for presents but not too much that it annoyed me. She knows why we celebrate Christmas and thankfully wasn't too fixated on opening gifts.

We kicked off Christmas week with a dinner with the Coon's. We've had them over for dinner nearly every Christmas in Lake Jackson so we decided to continue that tradition by having it a few days earlier We love visiting with the Coon's as the four oldest kids just go play. Gemma even played and chased a little too. We decorated gingerbread houses and just played and talked. I'm already looking forward to it next year again.

First attempt at star bread. It was so good that I made two more for Christmas day.

Apple pie with Christmas lights on top. It turned out better than I thought.

Christmas eve was quieter at home. We took the kids on a walk to look at Christmas lights and then did our traditional "Jerusalem" dinner with pita bread, hummus, vegetables, grape juice, etc. Then we opened our Christmas Eve box of new jammies, a new movie, and yummy treats. I found the perfect pajamas for Tanner and Ashton this year and knew they'd be thrilled. Gemma got "new to her" pajamas from hand-me-downs. Good thing she doesn't care.

Found NASA rocket ship pajamas on sale and knew he'd love them. He wears them constantly now.

Christmas morning was great with the kids. All the kids slept much longer than I thought, which was a nice treat. Gemma missed the first gift opening so she got her own time later in the morning.

I didn't get many pictures and the ones I got are dark because that room doesn't have a big light. Tanner got a rocket ship for one present.

Ashton's excitement over a doll that you can do the hair and makeup for. She's been wanting it since we visited Wisconsin and saw it in a magazine. Thankfully, my parents heard her pleas for it and sent it as her gift.

As a family, we try hard to encourage our children to look forward to giving gifts, not just receiving. We do several things during the holiday season to encourage this such as purchasing gifts for a family in need and giving gifts to the parents and the siblings. We spent lots of time one-on-one working with Ashton and Tanner to think of what would be good gifts for each other, Gemma, and Mom and Dad. It was really fun to see their creativity and their ideas this season.

Ashton and Tanner made me a fleece tie blanket (Joseph did most of the tying). They each chose a fleece fabric and Tanner chose a rocket ship one while Ashton did a floral design. I loved it! Ashton got Joseph a special Wii remote that allows them to play certain Wii games together. She got Tanner a tool set, which he carries around fixing things. Tanner got Ashton a really fun game that they both enjoy playing together. Tanner spent a long time in the tool section at Walmart picking Joe's new tool out. He decided on a HUGE pipe wrench. I'm sure we will never use it but it's the thought that counts. Together, Ashton and Tanner decided to make a cardboard tunnel for Gemma and to get our old ball pit back out for her. I enjoyed watching them open each other's gifts and for them to see the joy in gift-giving.

The gift I was most excited about for the kids was our Grimm's gift. Grimm's is a German company that makes wooden toys. I've been eyeing them for a while and decided to make a purchase for Christmas when I found one on sale earlier this year. I look forward to adding more to the collection in future years. We've been enjoying building Grimm's creations the last couple days.

Christmas morning was spent playing with our new toys and cleaning up the house to host a Christmas dinner. We had two families over for dinner and enjoyed our time with them. I made our traditional birthday cake for Jesus Christ and we sang happy birthday to Him.

First attempt at decorating with chocolate. It went pretty well except for chocolate on the floor.

Gemma at 9 months

Weight: 20 lbs
 
Height: 29.5 inches
 
Clothing Size: 6-9 month clothes, which surprises me. Our older kids were always a size or two above their age.

Daily Schedule: We are down to two good naps a day, which I love. Gemma wakes up sometime between 7 and 8, takes a morning nap (between 30 minutes if I have to wake her up for something but typically 1.5 hours), an afternoon nap (almost always at least 1.5 hours, more often 2+ hours) and then goes to bed around 8 or 9pm. She either sleeps through the night or is up once in the early morning hours.

Special Outings: None that I recall.

Firsts: Lots of foods that she just sucks on and then spits out. Not a big fan of eating real food. She's got three months to figure it out. Over the past two months or so, she's figured out crawling, clapping, saying Mamamama and Dadadada, climbing a few stairs, pulling to stand, and standing for a brief moment before falling.

Heart Update: No update until February now.

It's fun to see how Gemma compares to her siblings as far as personality. Gemma is a lot like Ashton as she has separation anxiety to the max. Gemma must be near me or see me at all times. Tanner was the opposite of that. Like Ashton, Gemma also is hesitant to eat real food; whereas Tanner would eat anything and everything at this age. However, Gemma is definitely happy and a better sleeper like Tanner was. I see certain traits from each sibling in Gemma. She's a good mix of the two. It's also fun to see the siblings play together. Ashton and Gemma love to play peek-a-boo all the time. And Gemma quickly joins in when Ashton and Tanner play chase around the house. I look forward to seeing Gemma's personality come out more as she reaches her birthday and beyond.

Monthly Pictures:

Fall 2018

Here are some highlights from the fall months in Texas now that it's almost Christmas time.

One of Joseph's brother and his family came to visit over Labor Day weekend. We had fun playing with cousins. It was a very rainy September so most of our fun ideas got tossed out for rainy day weather. We managed one day to visit a park and play at a splashpad. We also visited a trampoline park since it was rainy.

Ashton was brave and got to the top of the climbing totem poles. She turned out to really enjoy rock climbing.

 We played outside as much as we could. Tanner found the muddy spot on our street. Good thing we have hoses and bathtubs.

 We met up with some friends at Froberg's Farm Festival. We've never gone before but I decided to be brave and take the kids. Joseph had to work that Saturday for his turnaround so being a solo parent, it wasn't too bad.

Loved the duck races.

 Halloween came and went. I'm just happy the candy is finally gone. Ashton was a unicorn. Gemma was supposed to be a BYU cheerleader with a hand-me-down costume but she ended up super sick that day and the costume was forgotton. Tanner was a rocket ship but gave that costume up and went as a super hero for trick or treating. Our neighborhood was wonderful to go around a few streets and see our neighbors.

Tanner helped make the pumpkin graveyard dessert.

Kids found a butterfly in our backyard one Sunday. I think it was halfway to dead and that's why it was okay being held the whole day. It "flew away" during the night though.

Took the kids to a jumping place in town for their toddler morning. The kids loved it! Here's Tanner finally mastering one of the bounce house obstacles.

 We ventured out the zoo in November. It's fun to visit but I think we're getting Zoo-ed out. The kids really just want to ride the carousel, play on the playgrounds, and see the petting zoo. They like the animals but aren't super into it.

Gemma liked the carousel.

Tanner would rather watch the construction going on instead of looking at animals.

 We hosted Thanksgiving with a family from church. I always find joy in making the turkey and this year was no different.

We also did a thankful tree during the month of November.

I am teaching (almost done) two classes this semester, which has been a challenge. I am also serving in a leadership role for course development so that has added a little extra to my plate. I enjoy teaching and love finding ways to improve my teaching skills. I also love that it is very applicable to my church calling right now (in the primary presidency).

I'll do anything to keep Gemma occupied while I quick grade an assignment or respond to emails.

Wisconsin Trip 2018

We traveled to Wisconsin again this fall. Joseph had an extremely time-intensive turnaround from the end of September through mid-November. His hours were 5am to 6pm for 13 days straight and then one day off. This day off was on every other Sunday, which was nice but we still missed him around. To break up the long six weeks, I decided to head to Wisconsin with the three kids. I flew again as I can't fathom driving alone with all three yet. One year...  Although, I like to think I have the flying thing figured out so switching it up would be odd. We'll try a road trip next summer.

The kids did great on the flights and traveling. Ashton is a pro and Tanner is almost a pro. The only things he needs to work on is a quiet voice on the plane and not kicking the seat in front of us. And Gemma seems to follow suit with being a great baby while traveling. We only went for six days so if the trip was terrible, it was at least short. We had a great visit and enjoyed spending time with my family. Here are some highlights:

We fly to and from Minneapolis now, which is a great airport for kids. The Chick Fil A is right next to a large kid's play area, which is also right next to the tram. I know they did that on purpose.

My sister is at my parents' home for a few months while they transition to new jobs. It was a blast to spend time with her too.

We ventured out to a new park by the Wausau airport. Best park ever! Plus we got to see lots of small planes land and take off, which was a dream come true for Tanner.

Typical Gemma- always happy

I took the kids to the Stevens Point Children's Museum one day and met up with my sister at her new job at UWSP. It was a fun museum but children's museums are difficult with multiple kids at different ages. It's hard to keep track of everyone at the same time as they spread out. Thankfully, this one was smaller so it was a little easier.

One of my favorite pictures. The kids loved running outside and riding the lawnmower with my dad.