Merry Christmas...& A Happy (Healthy) New Year!

Are you all ready for this?! I will let the pictures do the talking! (There are 9 collages...good luck with that!)

We were lucky enough to fly to Salt Lake for Christmas this year. After our Thanksgiving snow I was unsure that we would have made it to Utah without a flight. Jason only got Christmas Eve off, so that also posed the problem of leaving at night...so we were blessed to fly! Thanks Grandma & Grandpa Dinger! We arrived on the morning of Christmas Eve...after a little last minute shopping and some Rubio Fish Tacos for me and Chick Fil'A for Jason, we cozied on up in the house and let the festivities begin! Brooke enjoyed her first Grandma Frann's Famous Gingerbread Boy...and she LOVED it. She munched on them for 2 days! We played with funny hats and we danced to a little "Down on the Bayou" from Princess and the Frog, Brooke's new favorite song!

Tori was excited to bring her lollipop hat that I got her for $.99 at Seagull Book. This Christmas was so fun with Tori because she knew that Santa was coming. She also knew that we were going to fly on a plane to go see Grandpa & Grandma Dinger, Auntie Joy and Auntie Marie! We counted down daily and she was so EXCITED to get on that plane even though she had to wake up at 5:30 AM!
I was really worried what she would do with all of the presents under the tree, but she was so good. All she did was tote around a few presents with kitty and puppy wrapping paper, but she never opened them. Auntie Marie brought these cute wall decals of a snowman and a gingerbread boy that Tori could decorate. She really liked that too.

Tori & Brooke got to open 1 Christmas present on Christmas Eve, and they just happened to be Christmas PJs! Tori opened both presents (Brooke was not at all interested...she was busy trying to pull the snowflakes off the Christmas tree!). When Tori opened the present she said, "Pajamas, oh." Ha ha ha! She wasn't all that excited, but they sure looked cute on them both! Tori was really excited to leave Santa some cookies, but she pre-licked his candy cane and took out the raisin eyes from the gingerbread man (she doesn't like the raisins)!
That Rudolph nose...that picture is SO hilarious!

Tori's first Graham Cracker House decorating! Tori was crazy about all of the frosting and sprinkles! I helped Tori design the house and she doused it with sprinkles and M&Ms. Gwen's was the train, Marie's was the ode to the Red White and Blue, Jason's was the Nativity (complete with a gummy bear baby Jesus), Joy went for the classic Victorian beauty and Tori's was Sprinkle Haven. Tori even licked it...it was hilarious!
We tucked the girls in and awaited Christmas Day...

Tori was really excited to see that Santa had eaten her cookies and left a note saying that they were delicious. After Tori's breakfast of chocolate milk and a gingerbread boy, we went to the living room and the tree was overflowing with presents. Tori immediately saw Lady & the Tramp (from my mom) and was excited about those that she would not look at the camera. Brooke was still a bit oblivious! Our attempt at a family picture...kind of successful. Tori had a grand old time opening all of her presents and boy, was she spoiled! I only got a few pictures of them opening presents (sorry if your gift is not pictured)! We had to stop half way through the unwrapping of gifts to rejuvenate. All that unwrapping made us so dang hungry! Ha ha ha! Thanks for all the AMAZING gifts!

After some rest and showers, we tried taking another family picture. Here are the results! I love the blank stares from the girls and the fact that they would not sit in our laps without something in their hands (Tori's new Chihuahua that barks and walk...his name is Chip, and Brooke had to have a bow or she would not st still!). I love the evolution so I thought I would share!

Tori's big present from Grandma & Grandpa Dinger: a red tricycle! Auntie Joy bought her a princess basket for the front and it was perfect for Chip to ride in! I did get video of her first ride, and she was so cute. She said, "I did it! I did it!" when she would move a few inches! ADORABLE!

Christmas night we braved the cold and went to visit the lights on Temple Square! Oh it is always so beautiful. Tori was miserable at first, but when she saw the light she got excited and exclaimed (at the top of her lungs) "BEAUTIFUL TEMPLE MOM!" Then she noticed the lights and said, "Wow!" We wrapped Brooke all up, but she was still not into it, so Jason resorted to carrying her around with a leopard print snuggie wrapped around him! Ha ha ha! I was sad that the Visitor's Center was closed, but Tori was really excited to see the Christus through the window and said, "Look Mom! It is BIG Jesus." (We had just seen baby Jesus in the little pageant that they have on the lawn.) We did get a family picture of all of us, but that was on Marie's camera. I didn't want to give the guy taking our picture 2 cameras. It is almost like the one from Tori's first Christmas with Brooke super imposed (here)! Ha ha ha!

Sunday, we took a family picture after church. Auntie Joy can always get my girls to smile! We went for a Black, White and Red theme. (Dennis didn't get the memo, but hey, he still looks good!) The dresses are from my mom! Thanks Grandma Frann...I wanted black because then they can wear them for longer, not just on Christmas! We had a marvelous Christmas!
Our worst Christmas present: the stomach flu, which hit us on the way to the airport (Brooke puked all over her car seat 5 minutes from the airport!). Miraculously, there was no puking on the plane! Of course we all had to share it though, so 2 days later Jason and I got it! YUCK! I hate the stomach flu...even though it only usually lasts 24 hours! Hidden blessing, I lost 3 pounds over the holidays! Ha ha ha! Tori is the last one to get it (just when I thought we were all free and clear!), but it makes me happy that we are usually healthy! So here is to a...

HAPPY (HEALTHY) NEW YEAR!

December Happenings

I can't believe that December is already on the way out! December is always the busiest month. Of course it is also my absolute favorite too! We have been to parties, celebrated our 6th anniversary, made goodies to share with friends and then delivered all of these goodies to all of our friends. I am still making all sorts of creations for Christmas presents too during all of my free time...I promise that I will have a blog about all of the things that I made after Christmas.
Just to keep everyone posted on Seth, it was confirmed that he does have cancer and it is terminal. He has about 6 months or so according to his oncologist. He is now on Hospice and they will make sure that he has all of the things that he needs and make sure that my parents are taken care of. They even have a music therapist that will come in to help with Seth!
I cried big time when I found out the news, but I was really glad that Jason was working from home that day to have a shoulder to cry on and that I was able to talk with my sister who brought everything into perspective. It will be sad to see him go, but he has definitely fulfilled his mission here. I am excited that Seth will finally be able to go back to his heavenly home and he can meet Spencer. I am sure that Spencer will be waiting for him! Seth will be able to speak and do those things that he needs to do to prepare for things to come. He has taught me so much and he brought me to my career as a Special Educator. It is time for him to go back home though...he has another mission to fulfil there. I really wanted to be home with my family in Oregon for Christmas, but it just is not feasible, especially since we were just there for Thanksgiving. So life just goes on and we wait. Sorry this is kind of depressing, but this is my journal and you are reading it, the good and the bad. This is all part of God's plan, the good and the bad! Thank you for all of your prayers.
On to the brighter side:

How can Tori not make you smile?! We have been trying to be creative with playing inside since it is freezing here. One of Tori's favorites is jumping in the crib with Brooke & their whole menagerie of stuffed animals. I literally dump all of their stuffed animals in the crib and they have a grand old time jumping around and playing with all of their animal buddies. We do this almost everyday when Brooke wakes up from her 2nd nap.
Tori gets smarter and smarter every day. She is so fun and so bright. I LOVE her! Lately she is in to the princesses. We have watched Cinderella, Beauty & the Beast, The Princess and the Frog and Snow White in the last week. It is nice to get a break from Elmo and the Wiggles. But she has also watched A Wiggly Wiggly Christmas about a million times too (we checked it out from the Library!) She loves to dance to and listen to Christmas music. We bought them both a CD of Christmas music...it is kind of annoying (and I really wonder what sane adults actually went into the studio to produce this kind of music, because you can tell that it is adults singing like children!) but they both love it!
When we went out to deliver goodies I asked if she wanted to put on mittens and a hat, and she willingly consented! So there is the photographic proof of her willingness (please note that she is saying cheese in both of the said pictures above). She wore them the whole time we were out (almost 2 hours!).

As for little miss sunshine. The pictures say a thousand words. She is happy most of the time (unless she is bitten by the cat, Tori takes something away from her, or food is not immediately given to her upon her request) and is getting steadier and steadier on her feet. We finally used Auntie Michelle's birthday money to get her her first doll. It is really cute and makes these baby noises and it also plays a lullaby if you push the chest. I didn't think that Brooke would get that, especially since the toy is for an 18 month old (all the other dolls were scary looking to me!), but after a few practices, sure enough, she got it! Thanks Auntie Michelle! And who can resist an Oreo?! The messy face is of Brooke eating her first Oreo...mind you it was a mini Oreo and it made that much of a mess! Could you just die over that picture on the bottom right?! She is so dang cute!

More fun times. The top left is of Tori taking down Brooke in the crib and giving her a kiss. The bottom right is of Tori going in for a kiss...Brooke's face...CLASSIC! I love the bath picture too...I got some more, but this one is the only rated G picture, so to save them from embarrassment in the future you get just one. But can you see the skin tone differences between the two?

Tori putting on the first Christmas ornament (please note that Tori is wearing a tutu for the occasion!). She LOVES the Christmas tree. We quite frequently play in the "Tree" room which used to be our den, but has become Christmas Central. We have an ornament that plays Feliz Navidad when you press a button and boy can Tori jig to that song! It is so fun! We did get it on video, but it is hard to upload videos and I have no patience!

And to end it...how about pictures in our Christmas duds. I bought Tori this dress because I couldn't resist, it is Christmas"ie", but she will be wearing it until it doesn't fit anymore. Brooke's is definitely a Christmas frufru dress inherited from Livy. She was so fruffy that we could barely get her seat belt done up! Brooke is also showing off one of her new skills...pointing. She points (and pokes) at everything with her pointer finger and she makes a funny little growly noise when she does it sometimes...it is hilarious! Please note that Jason is wearing the Elmo tie that you gave him Dad! Tori LOVED it and it matched our black, red and white theme. You will get to see their second Christmas dress in my next posting. My mom bought Brooke, Tori and Livy all matching black sweater dresses with red tights! They are soooo cute! Just think, Brooke will get to wear all 3 of the dresses! Ha ha ha! I love it!
Well, tata for now. The next post won't be until after Christmas...be prepared, I am sure there will be about a MILLION pictures! We are "flying on a plane, a BIG one" (quoted from Tori who reminds me every day) to Utah for Christmas. We are excited! YIPPEE! 4 more days!

Being thankful especially during the hard times

Note: this one is LONG!!!
Tis the season for homemade gifts!
One day Tori and I were hanging out and we went to the front doorstep and to our surprise we discovered anonymously given chocolate covered caramel pretzels! Yummy! We had just made these goodies (chocolate pretzels, chocolate covered caramel apples and sweet popcorn) the Wednesday before at our YW activity and I gave a quick lesson on traditions. I was all nostalgic about making delicious goodies with my mom, her friend Gwen, and Lora each December when I was young. My mom would let us skip school for a day and we would make delicious goodies to give away. We would make chocolate covered pretzels, all sorts of Christmas chocolate molds, chocolate covered orange slices, peanut butter cups, rocky road, truffles of all sorts, peppermint bark, birds nests (crunchy rice noodles, peanuts and raisins), chocolate covered nuts, mounds & almond joys, and other such divine delights. Then we would combine this with my mother's famous gingerbread boys and sometimes even sugar cookies and give them to all of our friends for Christmas. Man, those were the days!

Anyways, to make a long story short, we are grateful for friends who make us chocolate covered pretzels. I am grateful for family traditions that I cannot wait to start with Brooke and Tori! This was Tori's first chocolate covered pretzel. I think she LOVED it...it was gone in a matter of minutes. Oh, and don't worry, we saved one for Jason!
Tori was very grateful for our first snow that we received a few days before Thanksgiving. I cannot believe that the snow is starting already. I have mixed feelings for snow. I love the white, but I dislike driving in it and the fact that I can only wish that I was on a mountain skiing! We need to go purchase some new boots so that Tori can go play outside! I cannot wait to make a snowman with her!
This year we were thankful that my parents brought us home to celebrate Thanksgiving! Yippee! We had not seen them since April! Tori and Brooke loved playing with Grandpa Lee, Grandma Frann and Uncle Sethy. Tori loves to play with Grandpa Lee and loves being spoiled by Grandma Frann. Grandma Frann has a great collection of movies (including The Little Mermaid which we watched at least a half dozen times!), 3 barbies and a comfy chair. What more can a 2 1/2 year old ask for?! Oh, maybe a treat at every meal (please note that Tori really doesn't eat the cookie, just the frosting!).
Can you tell that Brooke loved her time in Oregon too? She loved snuggling with Grandma and giggling with Grandpa! What a cutie! A few weeks before we went to Oregon we went for Brooke's 12 month check up. She is 22 pounds and 30 inches! She is tall (75th percentile) and skinny (25th percentile). She really is going to catch up with Tori (who only has 3 pounds and 3 inches to her advantage!).
We were definitely grateful for our Thanksgiving feast! We had ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberries (of which I consumed a whole entire can myself over the week...they are my favorite!), crescent rolls, and a special green bean casserole just for Jason (no one else would eat it.... NASTY!). We went simple...and had just a turkey breast made in the Crock Pot. Boy was it scrumptious! Recipe: Chicken Breast and an Onion Soup mix. Put it in the Crock Pot on high for 1 hour and low for 7 hours. It was ridiculously tender! Mmmmm! Oh and don't forget the Lemon Meringue, Chocolate Silk & Pumpkin pies! (That is why I gained weight! But it was well worth it!)
Brooke was grateful for her 3rd birthday celebration! We had Ice Cream Pie Sundaes (Brooke only ate the whip cream and chocolate!). Brooke got a little pea pod dolly from Grandma & Grandpa, Little Einstein Books from Jason, Tori and me, and a Minnie Mouse from Norma, Susan, Nikki and Madyson. They also bought Tori a Little Mermaid...can you see that she was in awe?!
My Mom also bought Brooke this adorable dress. It is my new favorite and I think that she is going to wear it every Sunday. Look how much fun we had!
Sunday was extremely cold, but we bundled up and went for a walk by Fanno Creek. Lora and I enjoyed many walks and adventures down on this creek (we also collected tree frogs and salamanders)! I wanted to take Jason and the girls to see my old stomping grounds. It was a really fun walk and the girls seemed to be excited about the things that I showed them.Cuteness...need I say more? Taken on the front porch of my parent's house. Here are some new fun Brookie facts:
-She is talking up a storm lately. My favorite word sounds: wiggle, bob, wow, momma & dada.

-She can walk (her longest walk is about 8 steps), but her preferred mode of transportation: her knees, she is a crawler.

-She LOVES to dance, especially to the Wiggles.

-She does not go anywhere without her pink bunny blanket.

-She loves all food...I have not met a food that she does not like, except baby food. We have a cupboard full! Oh well, we will give it to baby Ryah!

-When she gets really excited or mad (big emotions really) she tenses her whole body, clenches her fist and shakes.

-She splashes big time in the tub...I never leave dry!

-She loves to read books, but she really loves to pull all of the books off the shelf.

Tori, Brooke and I extended our stay for a week and hung out with Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma Frann pulled out the big guns with the Play-Dough. Tori has never played with Play-Dough before, and as you can see, it was a BIG hit! Here are some Tori fun facts:

-She is in love with princesses, puppies and all things chocolate.

-She LOVES to dance! Anytime there is music, there is dancing.

-She is quite the singer. She even can keep the tune! My favorites: Twinkle Twinkle, I am a Child of God, Jingle Bells, Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam, Old McDonald, Once There Was a Snowman and so many more.

-She is learning to pretend play, and it is so much fun! She loves using all of her stuffed animals as friends and she makes them food, plays games with them and dances with them. She pretends to be a doctor with her doctor set and looks in our ears and checks our heart and breathing sounds with her stethoscope. She likes to be Ariel and I am Aurora and we play everything with them all day long. It is fun.

-She also likes to dress up and yesterday she spent most of the afternoon in her swimsuit!

On a warm (40*) night we went outside to hang out with Uncle Sethy and Grandpa Lee on the swing. The girls were in heaven. Swinging, jumping on the mini trampoline and playing with all of the bouncy balls. Brooke and Seth were a chorus of sounds...it was fun to hear Seth talk and then Brooke to echo.When our noses and cheeks were rosy and our fingers frozen, we went back inside. Can you believe that I caught a picture of Tori and Brooke both looking at the camera?! AMAZING! After I took this picture I could not believe how much Brooke looks like Jason, so here it is:

Twinners! This is Jason at 22 months and Brookie at 12! Family resemblance? I think so. She has just enough of me in her to make her beautiful and feminine!

So, here is the hard times that I was talking about. One of the main reasons that we stayed behind, was to support my parents while my brother was in the hospital. On Sunday after Thanksgiving Seth went to the hospital with some unknown complications. It is hard to know when Seth is hurting when he cannot communicate what is wrong, but he did not sleep all night Saturday, so my parents took him to the ER. He was admitted after a CAT scan showed some masses in his abdomen and pancreas. After a 2-day stay in the hospital he had a biopsy and came home. Then it was the waiting game. News finally came on Friday night, Seth has Neuroendocrine Tumors located in his pancreas and abdomen. We are still unsure about a lot of things (since my parents do not get to talk to the Oncologist until tomorrow), but he does have cancer. I am thankful that I was able to stay and be a support to my parents while all of this was going on. My parents are amazing, but they will need your prayers and support along with Seth. What we know is that Seth could have had these tumors for a long time and has been suffering with the pain without us knowing anything and he cannot communicate what is wrong either. I am thankful that the doctors were able to find out what was wrong with Seth and he can now get through this without so much pain. I am also thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ that helps give me an eternal perspective.

I really wanted to stay an extra week with the girls, but I was so afraid of taking them home on the plane by myself! I mean two kids, a 2 seater stroller, Tori's large car seat and their diaper bag. That is a lot for just one ME to carry! But, my dad was able to help me through the gate and there was a really nice flight attendant who helped me with the car seat. I LOVE Southwest Airlines! I am extremely grateful that both munchkins slept the whole way home. Sure the flight was delayed an hour because of snow, but Tori got to watch the airplanes take off and we got a picture with Santa! Also in PDX there is a kid play area! Novel idea! There was a TV with Nick Jr. on (oh how I loved having cable for a whole week and a half...plus there were 2 food network channels...I MISS cable!), legos and other fun toys! We made it home just in time for our Ward Christmas party!

Well...that is about it. Sorry this was such a LONG catch-up, and I award you if you actually read the whole thing!