Christmas 2009

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Christmas at the Goods

So by far the coolest thing we have seen this Christmas season was Christmas at the Goods!! It is lights set to music. Everyone here takes their lights really seriously and there are several around the Tyler area that do their lights to music. This one is the best by far though. Take a look at the videos. Our favorites are Carols of the Bells & Wizard 2008 in the 2008 tab.

http://www.christmasatthegoods.com

I look forward to making it a tradition. We didn't make it to one this year, but next year I am hoping to make a live nativity one of our traditions also. We do miss family, but are very grateful for the family that we have and being able to set our own traditions.

Eldon 3 Months Old

So the reason I started blogging today in the first place was to show the picture of Eldon. He was three months old on the 19th.
He has started to be a little more fussy in the day because he is awake more and needs more attention I think. Don says i have spoiled him by holding him too much. Whatever it is he is a little more fussy these days. But he sure is cute and laughs sometimes too. He still does good at nights sleeping from 9pm-4am, then going back to sleep until he gets up between 7am-9am. Sometimes we get a 1am feeding too. I really enjoy just holding him he is so cute and with only my arms around to hold him most of the time he has become momma's little boy, and I love it!

Other Christmas Fun

I am on the activities committee in the ward. We had our big Christmas party on Dec. 12th. Everyone in the ward loved it. So it was a success. Jaron was excited to sit on Santa's lap this time and still asked for the little black computer, but santa suggested a trampoline ; ) which he agred to very quickly.

FedEx

Don was hired by FedEx in the middle of Sep. He has been doing training here in Tyler and even driving his own route for a week before they sent him to Grapevine, TX (Dallas, TX) to do his official training. I really did okay, but needed a break the second week he was gone. So we went to visit!! It was nice because I did absolutely nothing!!! It was so good. I could have done that for a few more weeks, but reality is always calling.

Don did very well at the traning and still likes his job. So that is good news.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

We got a fun surprise around the first of the month, it snowed!! I told Jaron when we moved here that it doesn't snow in Texas. So when he saw the snow he was so excited and said, "Look Mom, it does snow in Texas!" It doesn't stick to the ground, nor were they large flakes; you can't even really see them behind the boys. But hey, it snowed and it was beautiful.

Light Parade

Once again the Noyes were there to take care of me. When Don was gone they invited us to the light parade in Troup. The parade was not all the great, but the boys had lots of fun.

Jaron really wants a gameboy for Christmas, which he will not be getting for several reason. However he was so brave and sat on Santa's lap to ask for it. It was the cutest thing. He waited until all the other kids we were with had gone through the line. I told him it was now or never, so he took a deep breath and sat on Santa's lap. Such a brave boy.

Thanksgiving

Don's family was here for Thanksgiving to enjoy some time with us and help us with the house. The Noyes family was nice enough to invite us for dinner to take some pressure off me. We had a very relaxing afternoon and enjoyed the day very much!

Eldon's Blessing

Here are just a few of the men that stood in the circle. Don, Dave, Tyler (Don's good friend from Ceder City that lives here in Tyler), Eric Rawlins (my cousin's husband) , Sam Haring, & Matt Land were the men that stood in. No it is not a mistake Tyler lives in Tyler, TX.




Eldon was blessed on November 22nd.

New House

We were crazy to think that we could bless Eldon, close on a house, paint, re-carpet, pack, move-in, and in the meantime make lots of great and wonderful meals while Don's family was here & staying with us this week. Monday we were doing good staying up until 2:30am to paint; but Tues, & Wednesday were two of the hardest days I have every had in my life. On Tuesday a friend from the ward checked in on me, only to find I was not doing well and called the troops. So the fabulous ward we are in took care of all 10 of us for 4 meals. I had to swallow my pride and except that I needed help. Good new is though, we are into the house. I love it!!! It is really cute and fun to be in our own place.

Our Room


The Green Room ~ It will be used as storage and a craft room.
Before After

The Pink Room ~ This is the boys playroom.
Before
After

The Blue Room ~ The boys bedroom. This color wasn't too bad, but we didn't want half the room one color and the other two walls another.
Before After

Kitchen ~
Before After

Living Room

Sports with Dad

Don is such a wonderful father. On the weekends he always does something fun with the boys. We went and hit a few balls this last week. The boys loved it and talk about going golfing with Dad.

Our stake does softball, but before and after the games Don plays baseball with the boys. The boys really love this time with Dad and the weeks are hard without him around. But we get by and have our fun three day weekends together.

Eldon 2 Months Old

h
t

So our little guy is really growing up. He gave me his first smile on Nov. 1st. New baby smiles just melt your heart. He is such an easy going guy. He cries for the things he should cry for but other than that he is silent. Well almost he has been trying to talk lately and gives little squeaks and goos.
He also looks exactly like someone on my side of the family, I just am not sure who. I think his eyes might be mine?

Halloween 2009

The days around Halloween were really wet, so we didn't get to do the trunk-or-treat at the Bell's pumpkin farm. But the activities committee improvised and did a great job anyway just at the church. There was a chili cook-off, that I did enter but my chili was not spicy enough for our Texan judges. We then ate the chili, had a few activities, then did the trunk-or-treat. The boys had fun and Don was great to help with the boys while I helped with the activity.

I am not sure why I always take pictures of Bryson when he is crying or whining, I just think he is cute I guess. He really is a happy boy.

New Car

We finally got a new car on Oct 12th. It is a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. It only had 22,000 miles. And it was a good deal too. We were so excited to be able to all fit in the same car at the same time. Look three car seats in one row. It has been really nice to have a few extra seats too.
I absolutely love my new car.

Halloween at School

I taught the week of Halloween so thought it would be great to do the traditional Halloween cake at preschool. The kids LOVED it! (Not sure why Parker, aka Buzz, is pouting. I guess not everyone loved it : / )The glowing eyes were a hit as were the"D"irt cups. D was the letter of the week ; )

Happy Birthday (a little late)

k

So since we live so far now birthday gifts from family trickled in as the month went on. Here are some pictures especially for Gram of Bryson with his new book, kitty, and cupcakes. He really liked it and now we have sprinkles on anything that possibly can have them.