Our "Fake" Christmas Morning:)

We fly to Utah on Friday for Christmas and I cannot wait! YAY! It will be so much fun to see my family and let them see how much my little man has grown. He has changed so much just since my mom came to visit in October! My mom already has so many plans for our Christmas Break, which always make it more fun! We are going to dinner and temple square on Friday evening, a Christmas play on Saturday and we have PLENTY of traditions with both the Forsyths and the Bishops for Christmas Eve. Throw all that in with a little sledding or tubing behind the four-wheelers and as much Honey Baked Ham as I can hold....and Wahlah....a Perfect Christmas Break:)

Because we are flying to Utah on Christmas and I could not bring all of the toys and Gigantic things babies get....we decided to have our OWN little Christmas morning and open the gifts that were TOO BIG for a suitcase:) It was fun to start little traditions and spend some time with my boys.

We started out by making Christmas cookies to leave out for Santa...(or Mrs. Clause). Jaxson stayed up late helping me frost them and get them ready.

Jaxson was enjoying it...and I even let him taste the frosting which is a HUGE step for me:)
For not being Christmas yet...I think he got kind of spoiled. Whoops. We totally over-did it. But....how fun is it to have a baby, really? Shopping for Christmas was the funnest thing ever. I did save all the small things and clothes to give him on the real day!

(Fake) Christmas morning! It was great...because I am lucky enough to have a husband that goes along with my "Crazy little Plans". He even leaned over to me this morning and whispered...."Happy Fake Christmas TO YOU!" before I even got out of bed. I made him video jaxson opening his presents and the whole bit. It was a great morning. Jaxson seemed to love all his new toys. I got him a huge toy box or tote to put in his room! Below are some pictures of him in action...Enjoy! (There are SEVERAL:)

My farm set...

Checking out the stash.....

Farm truck and animals....

THE CUTEST TOY OF ALL! I loved this little baseball game because Jarom is so obsessed with baseball and wants Jaxson to LOVE it too. He can use the little bat to hit the ball around and around and it says things like..."It's OUTTA here!" or "Home Run!". SO darling.

My little tikes tool set....

My new walking toy! My little lawn mower...

Testing it out. Still a little bit wobbly....

Putting together my new car! This toy is also a favorite. It does a million things. It can stand still, rock, has wheels for him to push himself along, and it has a handle so I can push him on walks or zoom him around the house. Probably the favorite of the day!

Testing out the HORN!

Is this not the goofiest picture ever? I laughed and laughed. I could not get him to smile. Here he is with his loot. Looks like Santa made a pretty good size drop...for it being "Fake Christmas" and all.

We then made Christmas morning breakfast. Belgian Waffles (my favorite) and Hot Chocolate.

Aren't these the cutest? Little Snowman Marshmallows...just like peeps at Easter. So fun.

Jaxson thought they were pretty great.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Sorry about all of the pictures! How on earth can you decide when it is your childs first "Fake Christmas"? Plus....my mom has been begging to see them!

Anniversary Date!

Jarom and I were lucky enough to enjoy our FIRST night out on the town without jaxson! It was great...but man did we miss him. I was running up the stairs three at a time to greet him when we got home. I LOVED spending some alone time with my husband and I totally remember why I got married at this time of year...so fun, festive and romantic:) We started out the night by going to one of my most favorite places to eat...The cheesecake Factory! YUM. Does anybody know if Utah has one??? I need to know ASAP, before I haul off and move there! Ha Ha~

Dinner was wonderful and, of course, I topped off the best dinner ever with my absolute weakness... "Adams Peanut Butter Fudge Ripple Cheesecake". Holy Crap! That's all I have to say. We then went to Von Maur and looked at the memorial (pictures below on next post) and did a little shopping. Then...we went downtown to the Old Market. It is such a fun place here in Omaha and is right Downtown. The streets are cobblestone and there are fancy little shops and boutiques. It was all lit-up with christmas lights and people were going on horse-drawn carriage rides. SO fun! There was a giant ice-skating rink and you totally know I HAD TO GO. It was the funnest I have had in so long. I felt like I was dating again...totally something we need to do more often.

I have no idea why jarom took this. This is me putting my ice-skates on.

On the ice...
I hadn't been ice-skating since I was in young womens....FOREVER ago. It was so much fun...and me and jarom were both pretty good:) Of course, he could skate faster than me...so I just sat there and got pulled in circles for part of it....ha ha ha, but it was great. We then headed home to our little boy who was anxiously awaiting our return. It felt good to be missed! We cuddled up (I finished off my cheesecake of course) and we watched a movie. Perfect night!

Here's to 4 years!

Tragedy...

Most of you, if not all, have heard about the tragedy that struck Omaha about a week ago. For some reason I am totally traumatized by it! I have dreams where I am there and have to hide with Jaxson. I have dreams where I try and help people who have been hurt. Almost any scenario...I've dreamt it. Maybe because it's so close to my home, maybe because it's a store I shop at weekly, maybe it's because it could have been me or my husband or even worse Jaxson! Maybe it's because it is CHRISTMAS and it's supposed to be the happiest time of year...and now this town is completely devastated. I can't wait to come to Utah this weekend just for that reason. This tragedy has changed the "mood" here in Omaha from festive and upbeat to completely depressed. My friend Brittany described it as "somber" on her blog and she's totally right. This weekend I felt like it was important for me to go and visit the store and see the memorial. I couldn't help but just sit there and cry.

Jarom took this picture of me looking at all the flowers, stuffed animals, notes of love and sympathy that COVER the front doors of the mall and the stairs leading up to Von Maur. I can picture so clearly shopping with Jaxson... like I do almost as a ritual once a week... and the next thing I know I'm gone. I can't imagine how scared those people must have been and how strange it was to be waiting for a christmas gift to be wrapped while holding Jarom's hand and two seconds later it's over. That is what happened to 9 people last week who were doing a little christmas shopping or simply at work. A young man became depressed and sick of life...walked into Von Maur (a nice department store at the Westroads Mall) got into the elevator immediately...rode to the baby department on the 3rd floor and the minute the doors opened...started shooting anybody in his path. How many times have me, jarom and jax been in that exact location???? Why am I so crazy and upset about this???

It did help to visit and just read the thoughts and kind words from thousands of people who feel the same way as me...hurt, confused, sad, scared....even though they were not directly effected.

This is on the inside of the mall just steps away from Gymboree. So crazy? Who thinks that a simple trip to the mall could be dangerous??? A woman here in Omaha had a dream that everyone made paper snowflakes that were fragile and unique just like the lives of those who died. She dreamed that people covered Von Maur with them! She said that in her dream something told her that if we did this their memories would never "melt away" like real snowflakes. I thought it was so neat....and I was a total mess as I sat and watched little kids stand outside Von Maur and cut and design the perfect paper snowflake. Isn't that the best sight ever? There were thousands! Makes you stop and think about what's truly important. I actually have a friend who said, "that sucks! I wonder where I'm going to buy shoes?" What in the...??? Are you nuts!

Anyhow, I thought some of you would enjoy seeing the pictures of this neat memorial. They don't know when Von Maur is going to re-open...but as I peeked in I saw the christmas wreaths all lit up like nothing ever had happened...and I thought about how grateful I am to be a member of my church. Some people standing at this memorial didn't know the truth, or whether they'd ever see their loved ones again...but I know the truth...and I'm glad.

Happy Anniversary to me...

I just wanted to quickly tell my hubby Happy Anniversary (tomorrow)! I know that he reads this even though he likes me to believe he doesn't...so this one's for you sweetheart:) I LOVE YOUR GUTS!

I have been SUPER busy and I am going to be until we fly to Utah next weekend...So this post gets to count for my "card" ok Jarom:) I hope to even see you for more than an hour tomorrow:) We haven't had very many "fun" anniversaries since our beautiful wedding 4 whole years ago. We have both either had a Final Exam or Jarom has had one EVERY SINGLE YEAR. Bad timing on our parts I guess....but not for long...because this was the LAST that we will be students...YYYEEEEESSS!!!

Come to think of it...not last year but the last...Jarom was in Nebraska and I actually was in Utah. Me and Chelsea went out to eat at the "hole" In Brigham City and she kept complaining about the smell of the place making her sick. Little did I know she had two little girls cookin' in her belly!!! I was so stupid....because I thought the smell of 1 million donuts was just heavenly and she was just crazy:)

I am substitute teaching for my director in addition to teaching my regular classes for the next week and a half.... so I am Crazy Busy...but enjoying it. I thrive when I have lots to do...I love it... for some odd, sick, wierd reason! The good news is Jarom is officially done with Finals and is only ONE semester away from his Juris Doctorate! I AM SO PROUD! Way to go Honey...You totally deserve something better than this little rant in your behalf. I wish I had time....or money....or some wonderful gift....I'll make it up to you.

I will definitely post more this weekend. I have planned a wonderful anniversary date and a fellow teacher friend of mine, Jill, has offered to campout at my house for Saturday night to tend little jax....so we can actually celebrate!

Cute story: Today jarom asked me out of the blue, "Honey, have you gotten me a card yet?" I quickly apologized for being so busy and said NO! I, of course, asked why....and he started giggling. He then told me that he searched and searched and COULD NOT find the perfect card that "fit" for HIM to give to ME....however, he did find one that totally "fit" for ME to give to HIM. I was then obviously curious!

He went over to his little hiding spot and pulled out the card.

This is what I saw:

It has two huge, fat, white polar bears on the front and one is head locking, mauling, hugging, smothering (whatever your interpretation of it is) the other one. The script on the inside says "Thanks for putting up with how much I love you! Happy Anniversary!"

THAT ASS!

There I was feeling awful for not getting him a card and I thought he was going to be all romantic and sweet....then I "woke up" and remebered I am married to the most NON-Mushy....but best, funniest, sweetest man on earth who would rather use this opportunity to make fun of me than write me some sappy love note:)

This card could not be more perfect...because it could not be more true! I am not that much of a touchy person...but I am SO IN LOVE with jarom:) Sometimes he probably gets sick of how much I love him, hang on him...insist on cuddle time...and just maul him to death. But he never lets on to it....he just endures. JUST like that big, fat, huge white, polar bear on the sweetest anniversary card ever.

Here's to 4 years honey!

9 MONTHS!

Jaxson turned 9 months old yesterday and that meant..... a checkup! His stats are as follows:)

25% Weight

50% Height

85% Head

He WILL grow into that head one of these days...I promise. He is healthy as can be and I couldn't be more grateful!

Daddy getting me dressed after my weigh in!
All Done!
Later....just helping mom unload the dishwasher!

Man...this kid is everywhere!!! I cannot do ANYTHING, not my hair, not shower, not the dishes...not ANYTHING without his help. I MOST the time LOVE it....but wow it is exhausting have that much company ALL THE TIME! Without fail...he will crawl around the house until he finds me...and tug on my pant legs all day long.

Mommies little helper....Thanks jax:)

Jarom's Party

A group of Law School friends helped us celebrate Jarom's birthday yesterday by going to one of his favorite places...Famous Dave's. We love some good barbeque.

Jaxson thought the ice-cream fireworks were so great...his face was priceless. Too bad I was sitting to the side of him...I didn't get any great pictures of it.

except this one!...look at how shocked he looked.

Jarom's dessert...

Saturday Afternoon:)

It's pretty snowy out today...so we've had a good time staying in doors and playing around. Jarom is studying for his LAST Final that is on Monday and once again Jaxson and I are left alone! Jaxson loves the bath...and today he was soooo excited to get in:)

Now that he pulls himself up onto everything I think it is the cutest thing ever to see him stand. I can't believe how quickly they learn.

Tub time....

I let him play forever today...

My crazy kid. He loves to stick his tongue out of the side of his mouth now. He mostly does it when he is super excited or in total concentration. I love it.

Look at me stand.

Yesterday was jarom's birthday and jaxson's 9 month birthday! Jarom got a nice package from my parents....and when he opened it I asked, "what did you get....he smiled and said some new clothes....and NEW SHOES!" Then he oulled out little ones JUST jaxson's size. It was funny. Jaxson got more than Jarom:) No just kidding...but jaxson got spoiled as well...it was fun. Here he is sporting his new sweatpants!

Watching it snow....