I finally started my book reviews. I've posted 2 but have 7 more to make it current. I hope you will follow the blog and leave your own thoughts about the books as I post. I am open to discussion. Enjoy. (You can click on the "here" link on the left side of the blog or you can click here.)
Alexander decided to paint his hair with water colors, just to know what it would look like. He asked me afterwards if he could color his hair when he got older. I told him he could on Halloween. Now he is counting down the days.
Yesterday I sewed up his Curious George stuffed monkey he loves. Alexander asked me to teach him how to sew. I don't know why I haven't thought to teach him before. So he stitched up a hole in his sock pretty much by himself. It made me so excited because his desire to sew has opened up a whole new world of home school learning for me. Why shouldn't a little boy learn to sew, cross stitch or knit? It is so good for the brain and their little fingers.
Alexander is also asking questions about history now. YAHOO! I'm excited to learn with him. This homeschooling deal is AWESOME.
Lincoln is 6 months already and such a joy. I don't think I have ever seen such an easy going baby before. He is just a happy little guy. Lincoln is so close to crawling. He scoots everywhere. The way he pushes up on his toes and lunges makes me think he is going to skip walking and go straight to sprinting. He is super curious and loves to take baths and be with his brothers. The video below is of Gordon pulling him in the little toy wagon. Lincoln didn't know what to think of it all.
So I completely spaced pulling out the camera during Grandma Kim's visit in January so here is a picture of a previous visit. Grandma Kim surprised us and flew out to be with me and the boys while Gordon had a business trip. We had so much fun with Grandma Kim. Alexander keeps telling me, "Mom, in the morning I am going to get on a plane and fly to Grandma Kim's house all by myself. You can stay here with William and paint me a rainbow." I pray that we will get the chance to go out and visit this year.
Thank you Grandpa for letting Grandma come visit. It was much needed. I am so very grateful for loving, supportive parents.
Aunt Britney and Uncle Ben also made a surprise visit while Grandma was here. Sunday night we had a birthday party for Gordon since he was gone on his actually birth day. Do you know what this man did? He made his OWN birthday dinner. He made a white sauce chicken lasagna, home made noodles and all! It was delicious! Thank you Gordon for making such a yummy birthday dinner for yourself so we all could enjoy. :o) At least he let me make the cake.
Last month I decided to be brave and take the 4 boys out on a big field trip day all by myself. We went to the new Natural History Museum in SLC on their free day. I am so glad that I did not have to pay for the tickets one, because it saved me money but also because we only went to the dinosaur area of the museum and didn't even have time to see all that they had in our 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. visit. I hope we get another chance to go again this year. It would make a great date night for Gordon and me.
The boys had a blast. I think dinosaurs are neat, but I don't really understand the great fascination my boys have with them. What is so appealing about bones that they want to read about it day after day? Maybe it is because it requires them to use a great amount of imagination. 
We have a fabulous home-school community where so many mothers plan and coordinate learning activities for the kids. When we get a good group together many places give us $$ discounts to activities. Last October Alexander, William and Wyatt started gymnastics. We meet once a month. The boys LOVE P.E. days. Poor Wyatt asks me every time he comes over if it is P.E. day yet. I love being able to chat with other mothers while the boys get their energy out while learning something new. 
The children's Friend magazine has been such a helpful resource for our family home evenings. The theme for the primary this year is Choose the Right (CTR). There was a delicious recipe for CTR pretzels January issue. We really enjoy our Sunday night family planning/interviews and Monday night FHE. The boys, without fail, start FHE with a music concert of their own. Usually Alexander plays the piano and sings about Jesus while William plays his "stock pot drums." Sometimes Alexander joins William on the drums too. (Yes, I have them put towels or blankets over the pots. Otherwise the sound drives me nuts. Arrgh ;O) I'm so glad my boys enjoy music. 
William turned 3 on December 29th and we all ended up with awful colds so we did a small family birthday on his actual birth date and then several weeks later had a party with close friends.
In the evening we sang happy birthday and shared a mini cake which was perfect since William only likes the frosting and leaves the cake.
On the day of his birthday party I finally perfected my 100% whole wheat bread recipe. Yes, I finally had to give into adding some gluten into the dough but to all of our enjoyment it has made it a wonderful texture inside. Plus it keeps longer and doesn't get dry. 
The day of his birthday party I made pancake bears which is William's favorite. Ask him what he wants for breakfast any day of the week and it is always pancakes.
Nevada, Elijah, Wyatt, and cousin Jonathon came to William's party. They had so much fun playing with the balloons. William loved his birthday cake. He wanted a dinosaur birthday so I figured I would have his birthday present be the cake topper. It worked out beautifully. 
I sure love my William. He is such a tender, sensitive boy. He is maturing so fast these days and is amazing me with his kindness and abilities. William loves to draw and create things, especially music through drumming rhythms on the stock pots. He also loves to take care of his little brother Lincoln and play soldier or cowboys with his big brother Alexander. I am excited to see what he ends up pursuing in life. 
We had a wonderful Christmas season at our home. We received an outpouring of love from family and friends. We got a present from Santa and the rest of the gifts in the picture above were anonymously given or given from family members. Much of the items were things we needed such as socks and clothes. I will always cherish this Christmas.
Santa left William a Imaginext Robot which he talked about all year long about.
To Daddy's disapproval but to a little boys delight, Santa left Lego's for Alexander. (Mom is excited about the Lego's too :o)
Dad received an awesome tree grafting tool set. He is one happy man!
Thanks Jeff, Emily and boys for the warm Russian hats! We all love them.
Me and baby just enjoying the morning, watching everyone open presents.
So Gordon and I stayed up until 4:00 a.m. Christmas morning to finish making a bunk bed for the boys. Alexander has outgrown his toddler bed earlier in the year so every time he would turn over in his sleep either he or the blankets would fall off. Both meant that none of us were getting a good nights sleep. We were tired Christmas morning but the boys were so very excited about their bed. A big thanks goes to Grandma and Grandpa Jarvis for the bedding. It is perfect!
Alexander and William in their new Christmas clothes, ready for church. They melt my heart.
So do these two men.
I had to kiss the man that makes my life so wonderful. He is one of the greatest presents life gave me. I don't think any other Christmas or birthday gift could "out give in joy" the day Gordon said "I do."
Christmas night. Party in the boy's room. Daddy even enjoyed the new bed. :o) 
