Merry Christmas

We are staying here this year. My brother and his family will be here tonight. I am so excited. Below is the Christmas card we sent out to only family this year. I loved the Christmas cards I got this year and am planning to send the card and a newsletter to alot more friends next year. Thanks to those who sent us their Christmas cards.

I've been trying to really think of the true meaning of Christmas this year. I've always thought the reason why we give gifts is because the wise men gave gifts to Jesus but a friend shared with us a better reason and one that I should have already thought about. God gave the world it's most precious gift, his Son, Jesus. We are very thankful for our Savior and his birth, Atonement, and Resurection. We hope that everyone has a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thanksgiving

Okay, so here are the pictures from Denver's Museum of Natural Science.

The Kids's Zone. Douglas pursed lips of satisfaction as he plays with the bubbles

Douglas says "Cheese!"

Don't worry, he didn't really touch the bear.

Harrison remained oblivious to it all in the Moby wrap.

The Museum was closing so Douglas got a sweet ride in the

last exhibit w/ Papa, & Great Grandma Harrison

On our way out we saw this man in this dino costume. He's in black in the "legs". He moved the dino around and acted like it was going to bite your head. Kids just LOVED it.

This is what Douglas thought. :-)

Van and Cooing (Here's to you Becky)

(This post is mainly for my friend Becky.) In May we got the Dave Ramsey c.d.'s and book from my in-laws. We took his course. Some things he suggests are saving up for items that you know you'll need so that you can pay cash and have no payments. Two items that we knew we needed to save for were a car and new fence. We had looked at vans for the last year and the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna always switch between being ranked 1st and 2nd so we wanted one of those. Dave Ramsey also says not to buy a new car but a 3-4 year old car because in the first 3-4 years a car depreciates extremely. Well, we looked to see how much a 3-4 year old van would cost and since May have been putting money aside in a separate account so that around August 2009 we could pay cash for a van. Well, my in-laws came to visit the first of November and told us about a man in their church and personal friend who's used car dealership was having trouble due to these hard economic times. Any-e-way, long story short is that his cars where taken back by the bank and sent to auction. He didn't want to lose any money so he offered us the van for the loan amount. So, we purchased a 2005 Toyota Sienna with 22,000 miles for $11,000. WHAT A DEAL!! That's why we couldn't wait until our original plan of August 2009 to purchase a van. We had debated getting a 2008 Sienna but we would have had to dip $7,000 into our savings for that and it violates one of Ramsey's rule (3-4 year old car). Now we are still saving for the fence but will have to continue saving for a car b/c Travis will need one fairly soon. Hopefully, his car will last until we have saved enough to pay cash so we can continue to have no car payments. Here is the van. A plus to it is that it has air bags all down the sides. We were told that was an extra safety feature but that seems like it would be a given.

Also, Becky wanted to see Harrison cooing so we made this video just for you Becky.

Thanksgiving and Misc

I have mixed emotions right now. I had to stop nursing Douglas at 6 months because he dropped percentiles so drastically. I think the major drop was partly my fault b/c I was watching the clock. Anyway, I vowed not to do that with Harrison. I just knew that Harrison would be successful. Well, I was wrong. Immediately, he didn't show huge weight gain and dropped percentiles from whatever a 9lb baby would be to 50something to 36%. I was devastated b/c I wanted to nurse him to at least 6 months, probably 8. Well, I stressed and stressed and decided at the beginning of November that it was NOT worth all the tears and stress. I gave in and went to formula. He's been on formula for 1 month. Today I took him to the doctor for his 3 month checkup and he's even lower, 27%. WHAT????? So it's not me? He didn't do any better with formula??? SO I should have kept nursing? The doctor said yes. One emotion is ANGER!!! My babies just get big in the womb but that's just not their tendency to stay that way at all. Douglas and esp. Harrison have been my proof. The second emotion is relief. I've been beating myself up about not being able to nurse. Well, I can nurse. The slow weight gain is no fault of my own. It's just my kids. I told the doctor that I would not switch to formula with #3 unless, I wanted to, not b/c of weight. I'm sad that it took 2 kids to figure it out. So we go back in 1 month to check his weight again. But what are they going to do? He's on formula, what else can they say?

Anyway, for Thanksgiving we went to Denver. The purpose was three fold, a baby blessing, seeing his newly returned home brother from mission, and seeing his parents and grandma again. We had fun. We went to the Museum of Science. Travis also got up early on black Friday for my Christmas presents. What a sweetheart!!

Travis as more pictures on his computer that I will get from him.

Family Pictures

We had our family pictures taken at JC Penny last week. We were super lucky to get as great of pictures as we did. I wasn't sure Harrison was going to cooperate at all. Anyway, look at Douglas!! He's the most photogenic of the bunch.

Mr. Chubby Cheeks, being deprived of his nap. What more can you ask from a 3month old? But don't you just want to squeeze and kiss those cheeks???

Mr. Photogenic himself!!!

Sweet Harrison- 3 months

When I found out I was having another boy, I'll admit I was disappointed. Don't get me wrong, I've loved this child the moment I knew about him, but I had hoped to have a girl. However, he is so wonderful and brings so much joy to our lives. From my first moments at the hospital with him I noticed his little sounds. Douglas was a silent baby and didn't make those typical newborn sounds. When the nurse brought Harrison to my room at night for me to feed him she told me they called him the singer b/c he made so much noise. It's the sweetest thing. Anyway, I've really enjoyed the past month b/c he's a smile and cooing fool. This is so different from when Douglas was a baby. The best time to get coos and smiles out of him is feeding time, as long as he's not overtired or hungry. I lay him down and put the bottle in his mouth and he just looks up and smiles this goofy grin. I have to postpone the feeding b/c he won't stop smiling and cooing. He smiles so big sometimes and almost laughs. I LOVE it. Douglas loves to mimic Harrison's sounds. It's cute. Anyways, he's 3 months today. He's slightly harder than Douglas was, only because he's not as transportable and doesn't go to sleep as easily. However, he's still a very easy, mild manner baby. Also, we think he looks a ton like Douglas did. We'll see Douglas' baby pictures pop up on the computer and we're baffled at how much they look alike. These aren't very good pictures but here are some pictures of my sweet baby boy. He really is a blessing to our family. Heavenly Father knew exactly what he was doing when he blessed us with Harrison.

Harrison and his new cousin Breanna (1 month old)

Here's my boys!

Happy Thanksgiving

My top reasons to be thankful are the same every year but that's because they are so important!!

#1 The gospel. Where would I be without my faith? I'm thankful to know my Savior who gave his life for me and for my Heavenly Father who loves me unconditionaly.

#2 My family with Travis My parents (including Dean) and brother

#3 Our Health

#4 Travis' Job (I love my bean counter)

#5 The United States of America

#6 Electricity and all modern day goodies
#7 Good Food :-)
Okay, so extended family and friends come way before good food but I don't have a good picture for that! I hope you all have a GREAT Thanksgiving!

Child of God

(Don't forget to look at the previous post.)
For those who don't know, our church has instructed us to have Family Home Evening once a week. This is an evening where the whole family is together and you typically say an opening prayer, have a little lesson, do an activity, eat a treat, sing, and end with a prayer. The purpose is for the family to spend time together and to teach the children the gospel. Well, Travis and I are slackers, mainly me. I didn't want to do it with Douglas because he was "too young" and I didn't know how to go about teaching such monumental subjects to him. (I still need ideas.) Well, my mom-in-law got us our churches nursery manual which is perfect because it's a repeat for Douglas and it is already in 2 year old terms. Well, Sunday night we did our first ever Family Home Evening with Douglas. The idea was teaching him that he has a mother and father in Heaven who love him. That he is a child of God. We started with a prayer and then sang the song "I am a child of God." I knew Douglas would love "conducting" so I got him a spatula and he "led" the music while we sang. He loves imitating the lady conducting the music at church. Then we did the lesson. It was quick and kind of choppy but I felt a peace and happiness while doing it. I am genuinely concerned about the world and teaching my children right from wrong. I know that the only way I can protect my children is to teach them about Jesus and Heavenly Father and the gospel. It felt good knowing that I was building his protection by doing Family Home Evening with him. Well, the end of the lesson had us point to each individual and say "Daddy is a child of God. Mommy is a child of God. Douglas is a child of God." Douglas shocked us by saying "child of God." We got it on video. Here he is pretending to talk on the phone. Listen carefully.

2 years old

Today Douglas is 2 years old. I can't believe how fast time goes by. Douglas is a good kid. He tries my patience more than anyone else though. I hope that's just because he's with me the most. Anyway, here are some tidbits about Douglas.

• He's got stranger-danger syndrome. I suppose that's a good thing. He's always had it. Even as a baby, people had the hardest time getting him to smile, etc. Around the family, he's a BIG ham, but people would never know.
• His talking has quadrupled in the last couple of months. He's doing really well and I'm so happy about that.
• He loves his daddy. Boy, oh boy, does he love Travis. He definitely prefers Travis to me. When hurt, sick, or sad, he wants Travis to comfort him. He's a Daddy's boy.
• He loves Papi's shop. He loves tools and helping Grandpa in the shop. (He also has Papi wrapped around his finger big time.)
• He loves it outside! Throwing rocks in the water, feeding the ducks, going on a walk, playing at the park, etc. If it's outside, he loves it.
• He loves to help. I often don't let him because it makes a bigger mess but he loves to help clean, cook, etc.
• Probably my most favorite thing about Douglas is he's sensitive. He shares his toys. He kisses all the animals in his books. He gives the softest, sweetest kisses (mostly to dad but I can sneak a few.) And he speaks in the softest, sweetest voice to Harrison.

We love you Douglas. Happy birthday!! Here are some pictures from when we celebrated his birthday a couple Sundays ago.

His firetruck cake. He loves firetrucks. Thanks Grandma and Papi for your help.

He got a tool set, tool box, play kitchen, firetruck, ABC magnet game, puzzle, and color/shape cards. He loves them all. Today has been a good day as well. He had a chocolate chip smiley face pancake for breakfast, played at the park with his friends Elena and Charleigh. They gave him a toy guitar, a Thomas the train book, and a conductor hat, and train whistle.

Harrison's blessing

On Sunday Travis gave Harrison his name and blessing at church. His father and one of our home teachers participated. After Harrison were twins. It's always neat to hear each babies blessing. Here are a few pictures. My mother-in-law made this outfit. It's the same outfit that Douglas wore.

I'm ill

Not to push down the Halloween post but I'm so SICK!!! Obama will be the next president. Sickening. Oh well, I'm looking on the bright side and having Travis quit his job so we can live off all the government programs: welfare, food stamps, WIC, etc. Yes, we'll take it easy while you foot our bill. Thanks Barrack. Oh, and thanks for further giving me the opportunity to rise to the challenge of teaching my children that abortion is evil and same sex marriages is wrong. Wow, what a life I'll have.

Halloween

Travis' parents were in town this weekend for Harrison's baby blessing (more on that later). We went to Historic downtown McKinney to trick or treat around the square. We were very pleased and will most likely do it again next year. Anyway, Papa walked with Douglas to each shop. Douglas loved the idea of holding up his bag to get candy from people. There was a little train that Douglas and I went on. To our surprise Douglas cried the entire time. We think it's because we were right behind the driver and his bell and that was too loud. Douglas was Bob the Builder and Harrison just had a pumpkin hat and bib.

My thoughts on politics

Thanks Becky for the cartoon.

I believe some people truly need the governments help but as a teacher in a low income area I've personally seen the mentality of "the world owes me", "give me, give me" and at who's expense? Mine and every middle and upper class citizen. Vote McCain.

Which is which??

The fun thing about having two of the same gender is comparing their looks. At birth and for the first two weeks I didn't think Harrison and Douglas looked alike but Travis and I are seeing more and more similarities everyday so now I can say they look alike. What do you think? Just for fun, which is Douglas and which is Harrison, 1 or 2?

Harrison- Edited

So I think he really smiled this morning!!! I have to say that lately I've been enjoying his awake time (as short as it is) and talking to him trying to get him to smile and coo.

Harrison

I haven't said much about him. It's felt very weird these last 7 weeks. I try so hard to spend time with Douglas and make him feel special that I feel like Harrison is getting jipt (sp?). I also feel like perhaps we haven't bonded. It was the same with Douglas, now that I think about it. I didn't feel "bonded" until he started smiling, etc. That's just me. However, I love him dearly of course. He's a good baby. His temperment is alot like Douglas as a baby. This is not the best quality picture but I love it. I love how babies sleep and stretch.

He hasn't really smiled yet. Well, I think he's smirked but not the full out smile. I can't wait for those b/c when he's falling asleep and smiling it is sooooooo adorable. More on Harrison later.