Christmas Cousin Celebration

6 days and counting friends...the most anticipated and magical day of the year is almost here. And you know what, I'm excited. Way excited, probably just as excited as my four year old. I love the hustle and bustle, I love all the activity. I love looking at my planner and seeing those fun little events and activities pop up almost every single day. We had our little cousin christmas party and it was so much fun. One of our best.









We made paper chains to count the days down. Oh how Carson loves this, every day it is the first thing he does. Eat his advent calendar chocolate and tear his little ring off the chain. Oh to be a child again.

My incredibly talented little sister came up with darling little paper santas for us all to make. I gave her that assignment and should have know she would come back with a masterpiece. He is one cute little man.

We had a "bell walk" basically a cake walk/musical chair kinda thing. They LOVED that, loved it.

And of course a present exchange. Who knew 4 little boys would get such a kick out of dollar presents. Goes to show you they appreciate almost anything at that age. Lance and Carson were so adorable, they were just as excited to give their presents to each other as they were to receive. They are at the age where they just soak this stuff in, and I love it. Thanks sisters and little ones. Good times.

My Tiny Tots...

No pictures to go along with this, but still wanted to write it down. I took Lincoln in for his 1 year old well-check and it went pretty well. I have been a little nervous about this appointment, cause I see the same thing happening with Lincoln in the weight category as Carson. Carson was always small but he hit 1 year old and started dipping further and further on the charts until he was in the negative percentiles. Phrases such as "failure to thrive" and "unacceptable growth rate" are no strangers to me. I have heard this Carson's whole life. At first it really bothered me, I got really offended and bugged when people would comment on how small he is. However, you take one look at me...especially when I was that age and it is no wonder he is the way he is. He comes from small genes, at least from my side of the family. Carson has always been strong, healthy, and active and my mothers intuition has always told me that he is fine. And although he is small, he follows his own growth curve and me and his doctor are both confident that all is well.

When Lincoln first started out, I was so excited to see some skin on his bones and those chubby little cheeks. I thought maybe this time I wouldn't have such a picky little eater who struggles to gain weight. And while Lincoln eats better than Carson ever has, I still have noticed his growth starting to slow. For his nine month appointment he dipped below his growth curve and the doctor said we would watch it. So Monday when I took him in I was anxious to see his weight....17 pounds 3 oz. Not great. He has only gained a pound and a half in almost 4 months. It dipped him again on his curve which puts him in the "failure to thrive" category. I hate those words....makes me feel incomptent and as if I am not caring properly for my children. One more dip on his curve and they start to run blood work and all that to make sure it is not an underlying health problem. I know this is not the case and my doctor knows it too, he just has to mention it to me and watch it.

So other than that, he looked great. His height and head circumfrence and all of his little motor skills, heart...all of that was perfect. Just a little on the small side. Like I said I know he is fine, you just hate sitting there having them say things like that. Thiago says he is grateful that our kids are pulling more towards me and not his side of the family. Much rather them struggle with not being able to gain then the opposite. Just you watch though I will probably get these super tiny little boys and then a big, broad girl just like her dad. Haha. Either way I sure do love my tiny little fellas, and am so very grateful for their healthy, active little bodies. I know their are so many other children who struggle with things far more serious than "failure to thrive" and my heart goes out to them and their parents. So anyways just a little Lincoln update, will post again after his 15 mo. appointment. Keep your fingers crossed that he has had a growth spurt.

Temple Square

Every year we say we are going to take the kids to Temple Square, but we never do. This year we decided to make it happen. We went out to dinner at Macaroni Grill first with the Cano's and then went to see the lights. I was glad we waited for this week, since the temperature's went up just a little. Still cold, but not as freezing as last week.




Everytime we turned around this is how we found Regi. Always messing with Lincoln. He was always adjusting his blankets, tucking him back in, fixing his little hat and gloves. So worried that "little Regi" would get cold. Sure does love his little baby.


I don't know what the face was about, how would it be to be all tucked in like that. Lucky duck, he had the best seat out of us all.



Carson's favorite was the water...real shocker. Just looking at the water, made me shiver. Carson, however wanted to jump right in.






Me and my cute sister in law...she just makes me laugh. She is at the funnest age and I just love being around her. Such a little goofball. I think she is so absolutely gorgeous, I just love her so much.


Headed back to the car. We were just a shivering but it was so well worth it and I am glad we made the trip.

Sugar and spice...

mixed in with a little of this...


and a little of that.


Makes for a dang cute one of these.






Gingerbread house making time. One of Carson's favorite Christmas activities. Thanks Cano's for joining us.

Streets are aglow!

One of our family's favorite things to do together during the month of December is to drive around and look at the lights. My love for this started when I was young, I remember me and my mom and sisters piling in the car with blankets and heading out. We used to stop at Burger Bar (in Layton, when it was still there) and get peppermint shakes to eat as we drove around. Just us girls, talking and laughing. Great memories. Luckily, my own little family enjoys this just as much as I do. Here is a picture of our cute house all lit up.


Oh, this boy... I just love him so much. I love his excitement, this kid makes anything fun. He is such a joy to us, especially during this Christmas season. His excitement over it all just radiates out of him. I love seeing this season through a child's eyes. He just was going crazy back there, exclaiming and jumping up and down over every set of lights. So magical, just kept looking over at my husband and smiling together at our little boy.


My sweet Bujaou. Talked to himself for the first 20 minutes or so and then before we knew it he was out. Sound asleep.



Honey and I know how to plan a fun night. We put a lot of thought and prep work into this little outing. I found the most delicious hot chocolate recipe on Studio 5 the other day, and just had to try it out. Bought all the ingredients and we made it the other night as we were watching Home Alone. Theo and I decided it would be fun to make some for us to drink as we drove around. Carson is not a fan, so we made some just for the two of us. I got the kids bathed, Theo made the hot chocolate and we were good to go. I even bought us some little styrofoam cups to keep it warm. Yum!



Don't mind me in this picture, I cleaned all day and never bothered to get ready. So here I am in all my glory (absolutely no makeup, hair not done, heck I was lucky to get my teeth brushed).

Thiago and I were talking about our love for this Christmas season. This was instilled in me as a kid, both my parents are huge into Christmas. Especially my Williams side of the family, I have so many wonderful memories tied into this time of year. I am so grateful that my husband feels the same way. We try to just jampack our December with little activities and outings that invite the Christmas spirit. It has never been about the gifts for me. Its the little things.....reading Christmas stories with my kids at night, taking my treasured ornaments out of their boxes (each one having its own story. Turning off all the lights in the house, except for my sparkling Christmas lights and sipping a cup of hot chocolate, blasting the Christmas music in the car with my 4 year old and seeing who can sing along the loudest. No, its never been the gifts. It is that magical feeling in the air, the busy streets and smiling people, the colors, the cold, the anticipation of it all. Most of all it is gathering my little loved ones around me, another year to look back on and just be grateful. Grateful to be alive, grateful for the little baby Jesus and his precious birth. For all that it stands for. Christ, he is the reason behind the season.

Getting into the spirit of things..

Oh, I just love this time of year. Something going on almost every night, but I love it. Wouldn't be Christmas without it. This past weekend we had a little party with some of our friends. We hosted at our house so everyone could see it, and it was so much fun. When things are at my house I never get any pictures but we had a great time....thanks Kusuda's, Vogels, Clarks, Phongsavath's, and Gus and Shalae for coming. Great seeing you all.

Monday night we headed up to Tremonton for family night. My sweet cousin invited us over for pizza at her house and then we went to this little place in Garland where they have a little Santa station set up. It was adorable. The most real life looking Santa I have ever seen. Tons of Christmas trees and decorations to set the mood, hot chocolate and homemade cookies. They even had two reindeer there for the little ones to see. Started snowing just as we arrived, we were shivering but boy did it get us in that Christmas spirit. Perfect.




Carson is a big Santa fan. He has already seen the jolly old man about 5 times this year. Every time we go to the mall, he drags me over there to visit Santa, yet again. Santa probably thinks we are at the mall too often, and he is probably right.



Lincoln wasn't exactly sure what he thought. He was very sad all day long, he has got a cold that just won't go away and had a pretty fussy day of it. By the time we got there, he was pretty ornery. At first he just stared at Santa, but pretty soon that little lip started quivering and he wanted out of there. Not a great first experience, but oh well.




Checking out the reindeer, Carson kept asking them if they were ready for Christmas. Made me laugh. He gets this little sing song baby voice and would sweetly ask them. Such a goofy kid.


Cute cousins, nice face Cars.



On the way home we stopped at my moms house to visit and get the kids in their pajamas. Was the perfect ending to our evening. Nobody's house beats my moms at Christmastime. It is just heaven on earth in there. Its funny cause I never lived in that house, yet every time I walk in it feels like coming home. I truly think homemaking is a gift, my mom just has a way about it. Her home has always been a safe haven from the crazy world. My biggest wish is that my kids will always think of our home like that. A refuge from the big mean world. Love you mom, thanks for instilling that in me...

This picture is totally random, but its cute. Watching Ashley's kids this morning, and she brought Elle this cute little PUMA outfit to wear. Lincoln has one just like it only for boys so I put him in his. I just thought they were so cute. Little PUMA babies. Cute!

Lincoln @ 1 year old!

Got our family pictures taken the other day and decided to get a few of just my baby boy at 1 year old. Not his best pictures, but the older he gets the harder it is to get a good one. He is turning into a little stinker when it comes to pictures. Zero coorperation. Oh well, take what you can get. I was happy with the family picture, and that is what I was really worried about.





Few little facts about my baby at one, I know I am going to want to look back on this.

1. TROUBLE!!! I have never really known what it is like to have a TRUE boy. Carson is such an easy child, always has been. So easy going and calm. Not your typical boy, Lincoln is completely different. This kid gives me a run for my money. By the end of the day I am so completely worn out by him.

2. As hard as he can be, he is also so incredibly loveable. He has got a zest for life. I don't know how else to put it. To him life is one big adventure, and I know he is going to live life to its fullest.

3. Has 8 teeth, 5 on top and 3 on bottom. All coming in incredibly crooked and just goofy, but sure does make for a cute smile.

4. Is a speed crawler, this kid could set a record. Big tard when it comes to walking, just can't seem to grasp the concept. Soon enough.

5. Loves to head butt when he gets mad, which is often.

6. First word "hi". You don't know how many times a day I hear this. Everytime I look at him, walk in the room, smile this is the response I get. Crooked little grin and "hi". Melts my heart every time.

7. Loves his mom. I heard one time that little baby boys have a crush on their mom. This is true in my Lincoln's case. You should see the way this kid looks at me. I know I am queen of his little world.

8. Part of this love for his momma may have something to do with this next one. Loves the whole breastfeeding thing. I said as soon as he was one, that was it. However I am just not up for it yet. I have cut it out during the days for the most part, but that is the ONLY way to get him to sleep. The only way, he is attached. I just don't have the heart to stop yet. By January, though...it is a must. New Years Resolution.

9. Good eater, not great but good. Better than Carson ever was. Favorites are baby cereal (gaggy I know but he still gobbles it up), string cheese, macaroni, waffles, and dry cereal.

10. Not a very good sleeper, I love him to death but this makes me crazy. He wakes up without fail by 2:00 every single night. I end up bringing him in our bed for the rest of the night. I know, I know....its my own fault. I just need some tough love, but so far I let him get away with it.

11. Loves to wrestle, head butt, pounce...typical boy behavior.

12. Next to me, his favorite person is Vovo. Thiago's dad. He wants nothing to do with everyone else if Thiago's dad is around. They have a special bond.

13. The minute you pick him up, he puts one arm around your shoulder and points out his little index finger on the other hand, indicating where he wants you to go.

14. Loves when we sing, especially Happy B-day. He gets the biggest smile and just claps right along.

15. Loves his big brother. You can see it in his eyes the way he just idolizes Carson. I hope their relationship always stays that way. Carson being the protector, always leading the way. I am so proud of the example Carson sets, and I think Lincoln already recognizes how important that big brother is to him. I hope they both realize what a blessing they are to each other.

16. Thinks my decorations are all his own personal toys. I have to watch him like a hawk. He is constanly throwing my breakable's down the stairs, banging up the glass on my brand new coffee table, messing with the phone in our bedroom. Not a minutes peace.

17. Is obsessed with the toilet. Going to get locks on it. He loves to lift up the seat and splash around. Don't worry, we don't allow this.

18. Loves bathtime, shocker right. Especially my big tub with the jets. Thinks it is heaven on earth in there.

19. People person. Very sociable, both my kids are. They must get that from their dad, cause it doesn't come from me.

20. My sweet Lincoln Bujaou, we are in love....he is in our hearts, just as deep as they go.