Christmas Cold

The past week and a half just flew by.  I knew it would because we were in Vegas visiting our family and friends.  Kyle's last project was finished Thursday around midnight, and Friday morning we were off driving.  He had no break there, but later that night did get to spend time playing video games and eating pizza with guys during a bachelor party.  I was at the bachelorette party, and Dexter was sleeping at the grandparents.

Random funny side story.  We were picking up snacks for the parties at a Walmart near Kyle's parents house.  It was dark outside, is a little sketchy neighborhood, and no one knows we're in town.  As we're walking back someone in a black car rolls down their window and yells "Hey." Usually when this has happened previous times before it's someone asking for money or selling something.  So you learn to ignore this type of stuff and we did ignore the first one, but then they said hey again.  We look and it's someone we know just trying to say hi.  At least we didn't completely ignore them, jump into our car and drive off.  That would have made things awkward when we saw them later.

That Saturday was busy as I was part of the wedding party, and the assistant photographer.  Although, I wasn't as busy as the bride.  The day included: getting hair done, sealing, pictures after, and reception.  Woo.  Each time I would have to hurry and drive home, feed Dexter, then drive back to the next agenda.

The new Mr. & Mrs. Chris Yi

I was always the tallest one in our apartment.
(Alexa, Caryn, Wendy, Katy, and I)

Dad let him try a lime...initial reaction with Unlce Tyler holding him

He loved it and kept wanting more

Friends in the front, family in the back

This trip also worked out way better than it has because we alternated days with families, instead of splitting each day up.  Naptimes worked better.  Dexter was spoiled beyond anything the whole trip and especially at Christmas time.  He also loved playing with his cousin Jane who he met for the first time.  She loved calling him baby, and did learn Dester (her way of saying it) by the time she left.

Jane would steal and then share toys.  Dexter loved it though.

During the week I was busy finishing up presents.  And just spending time with family.  It was so fun and so exhausting.  Since my entire family was in town, Nathan, Jessica and Jane flew into town.  We took family pictures.  Because who knows when we'll all be together again.  The rest will be on the other blog.

All together

Our little family

Wrapped up because it was cold waiting for mom to finish the pictures

We spent the time playing games.  Kyle played ping pong and tennis a few times.  Shopping for Christmas gifts and me shopping with the women.  Playing with Dexter.  Finishing up the homemade gifts (I'll post them at the end).

Kyle loved bringing out the swords, here he's battling with Trevor

Grandma Gayle had Care Bears from when I was a kid.  Big hit with Dexter and Jane.

Uncle Tyler making Dexter laugh.

Grandpa Bruce teaching Dak new tricks.

Well the day before Christmas Eve rolled around and I got an early present.  The cold.  It wiped me out, and I had more mucus than any previous time in my life.  It even seemed like it was more than if they were combined.  I didn't get to rest too much with all the activities of Christmas going on.  Kyle was awesome and took over taking care of Dak so I could rest a little in between things.  Even carrying him around made me so tired, and I felt like a damper to the holiday spirit.

On Christmas Eve day though we gathered with the Waldron cousins.  The others played volleyball and dodgeball.  I watched the kids, but not too closely since I didn't want to infect too many others.

Vance and Jane, second cousins.

During a round of intense dodgeball.

The kids put on a Nativity.  Uncle Rand was the narrator.  Macey was Mary.  Dexter was Jesus.  And Ty and Vance filled in some of the other parts.

Showing off the Nerf swords...again.

Well since my little family were spending Christmas at the Hansens, and Nathan and his family were flying out Christmas.  Santa let us make a big request, and he stopped by our house early that night.

Santa visited.

He wasn't too happy unwrapping, but did enjoy his gifts.

She was so excited for her gift of....foam!  There were actually socks inside but she was excited about the foam.

Christmas morning we woke up and said goodbye to my brother and his family.  Then went to church with the Hansens.  Afterwards we went to the Hansen's home and had an awesome breakfast.  Then we....waited.  And waited... And waited... for Tyler and Audrey to get home from their church.  Gift opening didn't start until 3:30.  That's a long time.  Good thing we didn't have any impatient kids, that may not fly so well next year when Dak's older and somewhat.  We all got spoiled and had lots to unwrap.  Especially Dexter.  I was still feeling super sick, and passed out for a bunch of the evening.  Too much energy into unwrapping I guess.  We finished the evening by making chocolate covered strawberries, bananas and pretzels as part of Nub Nub's and Grandpa Bruce's gift.

One of the many gifts to unwrap for Dak

Basketball clothes, and Rebel colors too!

I liked the sereness of this picture.  Nub Nub feeding Dexter.

Aunt Audrey taught Dex to play the piano, and he loves it now.

The rest of the week was me just trying to get better.  Playing with Dexter and his gifts.  And just playing around.  Wednesday though we were happy to travel back.  Dexter did catch my cold, but it kind of was a blessing because he slept a ton of the way back home.  Today we're making it a stay in pajamas and inside day with lots of sleep and do nothingness kind of day.

Playing with his bulldozer

Oh and here's highlights of our gifts.  There's more than listed here, just can't think too well right now.

Kyle: coveralls, marshmallow guns, Shadows Over Camelot, Legos, Ocean's 11-13 movie, Amazon gift card, workout clothes, Star Wars puzzle, brownie mix.

Whitney: Cooking items (immersion blender, cookie cutters, 2 stoneware pans, glass pitcher), sewing basket and goods, nail polish & ring, Adele 21, movie tickets & candy, knives.

Dexter: toys toys toys.  Puppets, puzzles, books, beanie hat, basketball clothes, nursery decorations, awesome baby pool, stuffed animals, and oh so much more.

Only a portion of his spoils.

As I mentioned I made lots of gifts.  I took pictures of a few of them so here they are.

Danielle & Trevor's: Rice Bag warmers

Pocket warmers.  The square ones had removable bags.

Feet warmer.  Slip your feet in so the tops and bottoms are warm.

Feet warmer: it could unvelcro out to be a larger pack.

 Also the rice was put into small squares so that the rice would be evenly spread out.  I hate it when the rice all goes to one side or the other.

Katy's Baby Gift: Nursing Kit

Blanket, larger than a receiving one though and super soft with lots of minky fabric.

6 burp cloths

Mini minky blanket.

All the above stuff with nursing cover, lanolin, breast pads, caddy, and words of advice.

 Audrey's: Makeup board
This one took a lot longer than planned and more money than expected since I learned that aluminum is not magnetic.  Oy.  Any ideas on how to use a lot of aluminum scrap metal that's thicker gauge.
Your supposed to put magnets on the back of your makeup and put it on the board.  I'll be making myself one...eventually.

Spray painted frames and the holders.  Put STEEL as backing.  Made lables and gave her a roll of magnetic tape.

One of the labels for the board.

Grandpa Bruce: Missionary Wall
He's proud of how all his kids have served missions, and many other family members.  So he wanted a wall for their pictures, and to show Dexter when he grows up.
Cut it out on vinyl and put up before we left.

Melynn:
1 long scarf with pockets, 1 scarflett, 2 headwarmers, 1 beanie.   I didn't get to finish it completely and didn't get pictures.  Needed to size the headwarmers to fit, but forgot to do this before we left.  Sorry Melynn.

All The Single Ladies

The semester has ended...I have a husband and I don't feel like a single mom.  This has meant

1.  I am not changing every diaper every day.

2.  I have someone else to hold Dexter when he gets grumpy

3.  Someone else to talk to

4.  Have been able to get projects done

5.  Enjoy time with my best friend and my favorite little guy

So it's been a busy week.  It was full of bachelorette/bachelor parties, a sealing/wedding reception of my awesome friends, photoshoots, shopping, and so much more.  Still trying to finish the last of the Christmas presents and shopping.  Trying to not spend tons of money while shopping and shopping for others.

The internet is slow so I don't have pics to upload and also why I was late on the post.  But either way I'm loving the break and cannot wait for Christmas.  Trying hard to remember the reason of the season (corny phrase, but its what works).  I have 3 weeks of this awesomeness, and then he'll be back to the grind.   I'm going to do my best and enjoy them.

Santa Baby

I would like to thank whoever invented the high chair.  We had been using a bumbo to keep Dexter seated during feeding.  During the meal the tile floor would become very interesting, along with any drop of food.  He eventually learned to twist out, it was now useless.  A high chair has solved many problems.  Its funny how the little things like this can make a huge difference.

Well Kyle has his nose to the books, er computer.  Still just a chugging away on final projects, exams, reports, and homework.  He took a short break to go look at ugly sweaters, and do some little errands.  We had to get ready for the ward party.

It wasn't an "ugly sweater" Christmas party.  Just a sweater one.  They didn't want to offend anyone in case someone thought their sweater was cute, not ugly...but it really was ugly.  Savers and DI were already picked through.  Kyle found a sweater that he wanted to modify and we picked up one for Dak too.

Helping daddy make his ugly sweater

We had fun at the ward party.  Kyle's sweater even won for "brightest." He had put bright green duct tape in the shape of a tree and a glow-in-the-dark star on it.  I'm sure Dexter would have won something, but they said due to him not being able to walk he couldn't be in the runnings.

In all our sweater glory

At the end of the party was a Santa.  By this time Dexter had been up for almost 5 hours straight (2-3 is all he normally can last).  He was not happy and did NOT want to be held by anyone else.  Santa got a nice loud scream....but I got a cute picture.

Santa's lap

Sunday Kyle took a break and I loved having another helper.  He went back to the grind on Monday.  

It's been hard not to bother him...and this week I'm failing bad.  I keep wanting to think he's done.  

Just a few more days...oh oh.  Can't wait.

Excited for Christmas coming up too.

Dexter likes to take down and wrestle this giraffe.  He had just recently done so.

Got a jumper thing.  Keeps him stationary and happy for like...4 minutes.

He was in a good mood on Monday, so I quickly put Dak in his Christmas PJs/outfit and did his 8 month photoshoot.  Here's my favorites, the rest can be found on my other blog here: http://whphotos.blogspot.com/2011/12/8-months-christmas.html  I love taking photos.  Its fun and something to keep me learning. A good outlet, and of course I got a cute model.

With the cute hat on

Love the eyes

Somehow he looks calm here...which he was not

I'll Get You My Pretty

Thursday was the day that made this week interesting and reminded me of the Wizard of Oz.

Getting ready....

Thursday morning Kyle woke up and it was butt cold with a little wind.  I could go into a long narrative but I'll try to paraphrase it well.  No train came for Kyle.  Trains weren't working between us and SLC due to severe wind storm.  How severe?  Hurricane winds, with gusts clock to 100+ mph.  Kyle asks me to drive him in.  The whole way I have white knuckles.  Huge tumbleweeds, dirt/rocks, kid playpools, basketballs, large metal items were all on the freeway being blown around, and I had to avoid or hit these.  Semi's by this point were banned, but we saw 8 or so flipped to their sides, with the rest parked on the sides. Looking like they'd flip over any minute.  Dropped him off, then drove home through the same horribleness with just me and Dex.

...with our lanterns.....

Here's the news story www.ksl.com  Just know that we live in northern Davis county, right next to Layton.

Power flickered throughout the day and got REALLY windy. Then at 3 pm when I was on a short walk facing the freezing hard wind (was not a fun walk, but had to pay the rent) the power went out.  So me and Dex had fun, pulled out the lanterns and texted with Kyle to see if the trains were going yet.  Thankfully they eventually were running again, so Kyle got home around 7 that night to a dark DARK house.  He opened the garage and went to find a pizza place that was open.  We ate, put Dex to bed, and then went to bed too.  Thankfully, the power turned on sometime during the night.

...for night time party-ing.  Showing off the octupus dance move.

He liked the little lantern

Just thought the shot came out cool

The power outage reminded me of how dark DARK can get.  Also, we probably need to fix somethings to be more prepared next time, but what we had worked this time.  All of our block was out, and a fair bit of other parts of Clearfield.  The funny thing is the buildings who are kitty corner to us, still had their power.  I was jealous, but grateful that our house or yard wasn't being torn to shreds like the other towns were experiencing.

We got some damage, but just this fence being busted out

Friday we went gift shopping.  Toys 'R' Us (aka madhouse) and Target.  We finished up all the buying of gifts.  WOOHOO! Just now have to finish making the remaining few, but a few of those can't be done until closer to Christmas.

Chilling in PJ's

Christmas decorations.  From left to right: 2 small pine trees,  nativitiy, scrap fabric trees, Christmas blocks, & Elf on a Shelf.

Hung our ornaments in the hallway with care

Made a new one with Dexter's handprint for his first Christmas

So the rest of the week has been really relaxing compared to Thursday.  Just filled with errands, cleaning, playing with my favorite guys, decorating for Christmas, and making decorations and gifts.  However, can't show the gifts I've made for Christmas and a friend's baby until after I give them.  It'd ruin their surprise.

Oh I'm learning what needs to be childproofed.  Since he now does his version of crawling, I'm constantly picking up things.  Taking things out of his mouth.  At first he stuck to only carpet, but now he likes tile too.  Oy. Since he's dragging his whole body though he's usually slow to get where he wants.