First Haircuts

So, this Christmas break I decided to take both of the kids to get their first hair cut.

First, the most dramatic (and traumatic) was JR. I managed to not get TOO emotional (the tears did creep in) as they chopped off his beautiful curls. I really, REALLY wanted to keep them, but he was getting wings. We tried a "mullet" to see what it looked like (bad). So, I gave in and got him a "big boy" haircut. Truthfully, he looks better - but I miss those beautiful ringlets.


Of course - our big girl Janna went too! Hers was a little less dramatic. Basically the same cut that I had TRIED to make. Just a little more even.



The last picture REALLY freaks me out. She looks about 15 in this picture. Jeff and I are really in for it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Well, wouldn't you know - it wouldn't be a holiday at our house without....someone is getting sick! JR woke up Christmas morning at 6:30, considerably earlier than his sister (who decided to sleep in until 8 AM - UNHEARD of). At 9 AM, when JR was curling up with his blanket on the floor - I thought it was a bit odd. I also thought he was the teeniest bit warm before he went down for his nap at 11:30. So, when we took his temp at 2 PM - 104.2 - I wasn't surprised. At least we were able to get through the morning before he started feeling to crappy. Dr.'s verdict (after a strep test) is a viral sore throat. No biggie, should be doing better in a few days.

Anyhow, here's our holiday:

On Friday, family friends came over and we did Ginger Bread houses. The kids weren't as into them as we would have hoped, but hey :) It was fun anyway. We got up Christmas Eve and had a breakfast of strawberry crepes. JR wasn't having the crepe part, but the whipped cream and strawberries were cool. Ms. Attitude wasn't having any of it.

After breakfast we headed outside for some burn-off-some-pre-Christmas-steam. I swear, even though the kids really didn't KNOW what they were in for...they sort of did.

The kids went down for late naps, and I got to work...a couple of my creations -

Apple Pie, Jeff's new favorite:

And Holiday Rum Cake:

Then we played, fed, and dressed for candlelight service. The kids did pretty well - as well as you could have hoped for a 1.5 year old and 3 year old.

Then home and Christmas PJ's.

With the kiddos all nestled snug in their beds....Mr. & Mrs. Claus got to work. Finally Christmas day -

Of course, we made sure to take the new wheels for a spin....I can't get over how quickly little kids take to riding a bike. The whole pedaling thing is a bit beyond JR, but he likes riding!

And....we have meltdown time. Poor kid was so tired he couldn't even see straight, he just wanted to go to bed.

So, pretty good Christmas all things told. The kids have been happily playing since yesterday. Big news in the house is that Janna is sans diaper - ready or not! We just went cold turkey, per the ped's recommendation. It also appears that Janna has given up her nap. Her schedule has completely shifted around, and now she's skipping the afternoon nap but sleeping until 8 AM. Between the two wheeler, no diapers, and no nap - I really feel like I'm down a baby. She's all grown up now..sniff, sniff....

Anyhow, we hope the holiday was good for everyone else. I'm already contemplating next year....

A tale of Christmases Past....

So, In preparation for the upcoming holiday - I went ahead and downloaded/backed up my photos to make room for new ones on the cameras. We purchased a small camera on super-duper reduction this year - so my kids should be good and BLIND with the two flashes coming at them at once this year...lucky them.

Anyhow, since it is Christmas break and all, I took about two hours and organized all our photos into electronic "folders." It was pretty nostalgic looking back at all the Christmas holidays that Jeff and I have celebrated together. So, I thought all of you might enjoy looking at the Christmas seasons as we have known them.

Christmas 2002, the first season that Jeff and I celebrated together. The above was taken at the annual holiday party that Jeff's parents put on. In '02 they made it a "congrats Jeff and Hollee" party.

Christmas 2003, this year we stayed in Florida. We decorated our 550 square foot apartment and went to Disney. It is thoroughly amazing that Jeff and I decided to have a baby after that trip. It was our last Christmas alone. Sorry about the fuzzy pictures - it gives you the idea, though. Christmas, 2004. Jeff made 4 bars at work this month - making him the senior most of flight instructors. Of course, it was Janna's first Christmas - but she was really too little to be part of it. We spent Christmas with Jeff's parents and flew to see my family just after.

Christmas, 2005. I'm pregnant - again. We know we're waiting for J.R., and we are anxiously preparing Janna for life as a big sister. We were in our first house this Christmas, and Janna really enjoyed all of the special "events" around Christmas.

Christmas, 2006. J.R. is here!

Christmas, 2007:
This has already been such a fun Christmas season. Janna is really old enough to "get" what Christmas is all about. We've been to a holiday parade, looked at lights, and watched Christmas movies. J.R. isn't totally sure what the deal is, but he is certainly picking up on Janna's enthusiasm. Tomorrow - we might get a chance to go to the winter festival just a short drive north. On Christmas Eve, we plan on taking the kids to the candlelight service. Then, of course, it's CHRISTMAS!

In case we don't talk to you in person before Tuesday - a very Merry Christmas to you and yours. I know that we feel incredibly blessed this holiday. I hope all of you feel the same warmth and comfort we do as we prepare to celebrate our Savior's birth.

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