The Big One--Almost

I look forward to December 7th each year with special anticipation. I love celebrating Scott's birthday. He is a fantastic husband and father. He is definitely improving with age, like good chocolate? Watson loves to be around him, and would if he could, all day long. He is great to get down and play Legos for hours. He has been an extremely hands on father since I met him. He and his boys play video games, work on bikes, race R/C cars, play Legos, create things, ride bikes, and tell stories constantly. I'm grateful he is mine. I'm grateful we get to work together each day to have a happy family. I'm grateful for all that he is and what he is becoming. He is the best, in every way!

Magical

 This Christmas season seemed more magical than usual. Watson is so excited about everything! and it's contagious. We decided to brave extra cold temperatures and ride The North Pole Express in Heber. It was fun to be on a real train, with "real" elves and head to the North Pole. We sang carols, drank hot chocolate and ate cookies. The elves told jokes and kept us entertained. We got a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus and had a great time. Our little guy was happy about the whole thing.

A little bit of Merry

Today is December 1st. One of the first sounds I hear every morning is Watson, ready to start the day before the crack of dawn. This morning he ran excitedly into our room announcing the return of Mr. Jim, our Elf. As I laid in bed, I couldn't help but feel a bit merry about this. December is a magical month. I am ready for some magic and hope to spread good cheer each day. Let the celebrating begin!

Many, Many Thanks

Thanksgiving kind of came fast for me this year. With Watson in preschool, I've really let my creative time with him lag. I'm glad he does so many fun things with his teacher, Mrs. King. But, we managed to squeeze in a couple of Thanksgiving crafts for the season. Watson discovered he does like to play with play dough and made some fun googly eyed turkeys. On Thanksgiving Day Tori and Brooklyn helped him craft another turkey with clothespins. We brought supplies for Oreo and candy turkeys. He had a ball, so did Scott. For Watson, though, he has fun any time he can spend with some or all of his cousins. They are his favorite.

Dinner at my mom's was lovely. The table was beautifully set and there were plenty of good things to eat, as usual. Our group was smaller this year as the Smiths and Walkers were missing. We all gathered around the dining table and enjoyed our meal together. 

 Although I've had some challenges this year, I feel so grateful for some key things: My family, the Gospel, my good health. These parts of my life are strong and I feel so blessed. 

 We attempted a nice family picture--someone wasn't excited to cooperate...

Sneaky

This month Watson created his own new bedtime routine. After the usual teeth brushing, potty, story time, and prayer, Scott and I would finally put Watson to bed. We would be downstairs, Watson upstairs. A short time later we often heard soft footsteps and a door quietly close. After a few minutes one of us would investigate. Each time we would find our bedroom door locked with this cutie snuggled in our bed. Sometimes the light was off. He argues our bed is more "comfy, cozy" than his. I guess that's possible. It melts my heart to see my sweet boy snuggled and sleeping. I just have to freeze this memory for a bit. He is getting so big so fast. 

The Latest Obsession

Watson started collecting Lego Minifigures this year. This interest increased exponentially after our visit to LegoLand this past spring. Every now and then I will actually sit down and play with him and them. I like to see them all put together, orderly and tidy. He loves to mix and match and create his own characters. Yes, he is creative. And four years old, so teeny, tiny pieces of Legos are often scattered and eventually lost. But, he loves them. Here is the army I built to fight against Watson's.

How many Handymen?

One of the joys of living in an older home, fixing stuff that shouldn't need to be fixed. Scott and Watson worked on the front door project because the temperature was above 60 degrees one day. I'm not sure how helpful Watson was, but he sure looked like a professional! Luckily, Scott finished the job just fine on his own, during Watson's nap.

Iron Man

Watson was more than excited for Halloween this year. He decided a month before All Hallows Eve he'd like to be Iron Man. Easy enough. We found a great costume with muscles and he wore it almost every day in October. Mrs. King, his preschool teacher, had fun things to do each school day and they learned a lot of great songs. We got to watch him in a program on Halloween. Watson did great, and knew words to most of the songs. He kept himself, and the kid next to him, in line during the performance. It was so fun to see.

Grandma Nettie and her friends stopped by before trick or treating. We always love to get visited by these witches. 
We had mummies and carrots for dinner and then I took Watson to Spencer and Challey's to trick or treat with Stratton and Paris. He had a blast with his cousins and brought home more candy than should be legal. He had so much fun!

Because He's Cute

Just about every where we go, people tell Watson he's so cute. I know I'm a bit biased, but I fully agree with friend and stranger alike. See?

Uh-Oh

Scott had a fantastic mountain biking season. He really got some good time flying down various mountains at speeds I don't even want to know about. During his adventures, he was safe, hardly a scratch. Then, the last day of the season, after the lifts had closed and people started to store their bikes for the winter, he had a bike accident. Watson and he had gone to Park City to bike with the Chamberlains and take advantage of the last of good weather. While riding around the small bike park, doing tricks and such, his foot slipped. He got it caught between his bike and the obstacle. The result, six broken bones and two torn ligaments. It was a pretty severe injury, requiring surgery. Thankfully, Kelly and Brenda were there and helped get him to the Park City Hospital and keep Watson safe and occupied. It took about 10 days after the injury for the swelling to be minor enough to allow surgery. Recovery is happening beautifully, albeit slower than Scott would like. I'm grateful for doctors who are educated and inspired, and friends and family will to help. We expect a full recovery, Scott is working really hard in physical therapy. It just may be a while before he gets to wear two shoes again, or ride his bike.

In the meantime, he has mastered mobility on his knee scooter and continues to push the limit as he rides it along on two wheels. You can't keep a daredevil down. Thankfully.