Before I forget...

I'm a dork for writing so soon, but I don't want to forget anything. It was a Christmas to remember. Taj was in awe of everything. It brought a sweet and pure spirit to the holiday that made this Christmas the best I've ever had. I can see how parents get so carried away.

We have both grandparents living really close, so it was tough trying to decide who's house we'd go to for Christmas festivities. To avoid hurting feelings we decided to have it all at our house. I think it went over well. Together, the Smith's and Jackson's can make a mean feast. After eating, Taj and his cousin Kali at the kids table :), we had them act out the nativity, then opened a Christmas eve present (p.j.'s) and read Christmas books. We also got to talk to Micah's brother Luke who is on a mission in Guatamala. Exhausting, and exciting.

We decided to make our own stockings last year and are proud we finished Edens in time for this year.

Christmas eve we went tubing at a nearby golf coarse. It was going off- kids everywhere. We had a great time, but because I want to remember every detail I must mention the tumble Taj and Pop Pop took. They ran into some other tubers and Taj did a complete flip. He was brave and went down the hill a few more times. We're so proud.

Little Joseph. He had no problem playing dress up even though it probably made no sense to him. He and Mary both had donkeys. Kali's dress kept going up without her noticing. We all had to laugh at how inappropriate Mary was. Ha ha.

Here's Taj in his jammies playing with the train set Santa brought him. It was waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs. He smiled and ran to it when he saw it, and that was all we got from Taj for about the next two hours. We couldn't get him to even look away, even for other presents. His cousin couldn't stand seeing his stack of untouched presents waiting to be unwrapped and asked several times if she should help unwrap them.

It snowed the whole night but was a beautiful and sunny day. The guys went out to shovel and ended up playing. Since it was Christmas the roads didn't get cleared, and since we live on a little hill we had the perfect place for sledding. It was just one more thing to make it a perfect Christmas.

Cookies with Santa

Taj has been really into Christmas. Loves to spot the Christmas lights everywhere he looks. Love's the decorations, songs, treats, books, presents,- you talk about Christmas and he's into it. Micah and I were a little worried about the crazy Santa in the mall experience and weren't really planning on getting him out to meet Santa until we heard about a little event called "Cookies with Santa." It took place in a little shop and had a sign up sheet accepting only about twenty kids. We decided that in a small setting like that where he could relax, have a cookie and watch other kids sit on Santa's lap it would be cool.
It was awesome. They all got bells to ring that brought Santa in, then one by one Santa would call all the kids up by name for the little Santa talk. We prepped Taj by talking about how cool it was that all those kids got to talk to Santa and asked him what he wanted for Christmas. Then it was his turn. I took him up and he did great until it was time to get on his lap. Terrified. Santa was a pro and tried to negotiate a sit down with mom and taj on the lap. Didn't work, so Santa gave him a bag of candy to which Taj thanked him through his tears. Then with Taj latched tightly to his mom, he and Santa had a nice talk about getting a train for Christmas.

When his turn was done he watched Santa for a while trying to size things up. For the rest of the day he told the story of how Santa made Taj a little nervous but that he told him he wanted a train. He loves the bell they gave him, and the candy. I think that all in all, it was a pretty good first time.

Here's to Mr. Fish

Taj was given a fish for his 2nd birthday from his friend Mia. He was really excited about him (we have to guess it was a him) joining the family. He had one before and we had to leave him with his four year old cousin while we went to California. Luckily Taj forgot about that fish because he wasn't around in the physical sense when we got home. I was a little apprehensive about another fish experiment, especially after warring off the kids at the birthday party.

Somehow Mr. Fish stayed with us for about three months until a week ago when I saw him floating listlessly. I shook the bowl and to my suprise he started swimming around with his one fin. Since that day he would only move when we fed him. Micah and I decided he'd had enough and after Taj went to bed we flushed the little guy. Allthough Taj hasn't noticed his absense, he is missed and will be remembered in this post. Here's to you Mr. Fish.

Busy Baby

Woke up the other night to a new slurping and sucking sound. It seems little Eden has discovered her hands. I really don"t want a thumb sucker for the obvious problems with teeth and breaking the habit down the road, but it makes me giggle a little to watch her chew her hand all up.
In other news, turns out Taj has no problems sharing, when it's germs. We all got the sniffles. I've been so gratefull for grandma's that are ready to swoop in and help out at any time. Taj probably thinks that it's a good thing for mom to get sick because it means he gets to play with Grandma's.

Ho, hum

I catch myself humming, "Oh what do you do in the winter time, when all the world is cold?" We'd love any answers to that nagging question.

Here are some pictures of us shoveling snow. I could complain about that chore, but it's kind of nice to get out and move around. Taj in his snow gear is just about as cute as it gets.

We love to make snow cones with real snow. It's as close to Matsumoto's as it gets around here.

Good Eaters

I've been lucky enough to have a husband that will eat just about anything I put in front of him and call a meal. I've been very blessed to have a little guy that takes after his dad. Taj has always been a great eater, and even with the healthy stuff. I think I'm boring him though because the other day while discussing what we'll have for lunch he says "Not meatballs mama. Not chicken nuggets today." Then says no to all my other go to foods. Ouch. I've become the one hit wonder in the kitchen. I am well aware of that, but my little Taj finally had it. Poor guy. I'm determined to spice it up (not too literally, I'm nursing). This smoothie recipe is a favorite so far:

Fruit/Veggie Smoothie

2 bananas (must have)

6-10 cubes of pineapple (or cantalope, grapes, ect.)

1 C. Frozen berries

7-10 slices zuccini (or cucumber, squash, ect.)

1 leaf kale (or any greens)

6-10 leaves of spinach

I wouldn't do broccoli or celery in any smoothie

You mom's have got to try it. Taj has no idea that the green stuff he's helping to put in the smoothie is really good for him.

Christmas lights

I tend to dwell on the fact that Utahans go a bit overboard on their holiday stuff, but I should throw in that it can be fun too. We spent the night in SLC and saw the hristmas lights. Good times. It was a nice little get away, and much needed. We got to play in a pool (thank goodness Eden and I passed the six week mark). We also ate at one of those places where they cook the food right on your table. I might be easily entertained, but if you haven't gone to one ( benihana's is a winner) you really should.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

The house smells so good. We got our christmas tree up and a few decorations. It's the smell that makes it feel like Christmas to me. Taj gets excited every morning as he comes down the stairs, like it's the first time he's seeing it or something. We spend about ten minutes every morning and after nap looking at decorations and turning the lights on and off a bunch of times.

Taj and Micah made the gingerbread house. I guess it would be more accurate to say that Micah made a gingerbread house and Taj sampled all the candy. We had Christmas music on and tried to get Taj to sing along to a couple he recognized. It was great. We were even able to catch Eden smiling on camera; anyone that's tried to capture that knows it's no simple task.