Pentagon Memorial

We went to Virginia this last weekend to see Parker's sister and his parents. Mom and dad Lybbert flew all the way from Seattle and we figured this would be the closest we would get to them for a while! We had a WONDERFUL trip. One of the highlights for me (other than seeing family) was making a trip to the Pentagon 9/11 memorial. That is a day I will never forget. I could tell you exactly where I was and what I was doing when each of the planes hit. I have a very deep pride for this great country. In fact, a lot of people don't know that I HEAVILY considered enlisting in the army after high school.

The memorial was sobering and humbling. All 184 victims are listed and honored with a bench within the memorial. The benches faced two directions, toward the Pentagon and away. If the bench faced the Pentagon, it means you were on the plane, looking at the Pentagon when it crashed. If the bench faces away from the building, it means you were inside the Pentagon, likely looking at the plane as it approached.

The year of the youngest casualties birthday. She was just three.

In the picture below, you can see the difference (although slight) of the new construction they had to do to fix the building. Behind the tree to the left, you can see the stone on the building is yellowed. To the right of the yellowed stones is the repaired construction-- a whiter/brighter stone.

These two didn't know the significance of where we were. I am glad I didn't have to explain it to them. It would have been too difficult for me.

This is Parker's sister, Aimee, and her daughter Ashley. Ashley realized there was a nine year old, the same age as herself, on the plane. It was a tender mother/daughter moment.

A Sunbeam

Colton had a nasty cough the first two weeks of January so we kept him home from church. Colton has attended nursery since he was 18 months old but now that he is three, it's time to move up. This past Sunday was his first time going to sunbeams. And this is what he thought of it--

The primary presidency was attempting to get pictures of all the kids joining primary this year. They kept apologizing to me because they couldn't get a good picture of Colton. I just laughed!

A Mini Snow Storm

We had a serious dumping of snow over the weeekend. We went to bed Friday night with about two inches on the ground and woke up eight hours later to a full 15 inches. After all was said and done, I would guess we had at least 18, maybe 20 inches of snow. I felt so bad for the workers trying to remove all the snow, they just couldn't keep up. The kids loved the snow-- I set them loose on our deck and they played for a good 30 minutes before getting too cold. I have to say, I LOVED waking up to tons of snow. I think it's so fun. I hope this is the first of many snow dumps to come this winter.

Before Christmas, we went over to my sister's house, Nicole, in Indiana. My younger sister, Shelly, flew in from Phoenix to spend the holiday there. Shelly and I had a blast talking about all our old shenanigans from when we were younger....the memories. The nights were filled with treats and long talks amongst the adults. My kids played hard all day with their cousins. Colton is quite attached to Jaxon--he refers to him as his favorite cousin. It was a short trip, but it was well worth it to hang out with Shelly for a few short days!

Colton playing soccer with Jaxon. Colton asked him to play with him and I could tell he didn't really want to go outside, but being the nice cousin he is, he went anyways.

I made sugar cookies for the kids to decorate. They seemed to like the cookies and if you look at Colton-- he seemed to like the frosting!

Post sugar cookie high. Watching Frosty the Snow Man with dad.

Nicole's kids were so nice-- the insisted on giving my kids Christmas gifts!

My boys with Aunt Shelly.

All the cousins together!

SISTERs! Nicole is on the far right... she looks the same age as Shelly and I, huh? She is 8 years older than Shelly...I think.

She couldn't resist the hand heart on the baby bump...oy.

Christmas Morning

We had a wonderful Christmas this year! Colton understood what Christmas was so that made the day all the more entertaining for Parker and I. We made sure to put a huge emphasis on why we celebrate Christmas so the kids knew the meaning behind it. Every time we asked Colton why we celebrate Christmas he would tell us that we give presents because of Jesus' birthday. It was an extra bonus that Christmas fell on a Sunday. We were able to go to church and really feel the Spirit. We ended our day at the Jones' house for dinner (they go to our church) and they prepared a feast! Me and my pregnant sell indulged big time. We came back to our house and played game after game. It was lovely to be with friends and family on such a special day.

All set up for Christmas morning...

Colton and Paxton really loved this tool bench. Now, they are always trying to  "build" something.

New games for the boys. I think I have played Candy Land 96 times in the days since Christmas.

Colton's favorite gift was a Leapster. His cousins have one and he has wanted one for a long time.

I got a vacuum. My nice husband bought me a DYSON!!!!

Aunt Shelly bought these guys Xploderz guns. They were super excited to play with them but the pull back handle to make them fire was too much for these two. I took them back and got them some noisy laser shooter type guns. I don't know what I was thinking!

From our family to yours

Paxton turns 2!

Paxton turned two last Thursday! I can hardly believe this kid is two. He is talking up a storm and he has so much character packed into that little body. We started off the day with balloons and party hats and enjoyed Paxton's favorite breakfast of waffles and cereal. After breakfast, we went to playgroup which was a Christmas party with a craft, a gift exchange, and chaos. We made sure to bring some birthday cupcakes to celebrate with all the playgroup friends.We finished off the night with presents (the favorite being the dinosaurs someone gave us for free!) and a trip to Red Robin. It was such a fun day. Love you, Pax!

Avery Dennison Christmas Party

Avery Dennison has a huge Christmas party each year and it's catered to children.  How great is that?!  They gave AMAZING gifts to each kid, had bouncy houses, balloon artists, face painters, and train rides-- all indoors.  I think we spent three hours at the party before the kids (and ourselves) were spent. Each of our kids got two gifts and they couldn't have been happier. We are so blessed that Parker works for such an amazing company!

Colton and Paxton are in the green car of the train.

Paxton was obsessed with all of these blow up lawn ornaments.

Colton loved this bouncy house. It was kind of like an obstacle course. Colton is the kid climbing the ladder, leaving the other kid in the dust. Proud parent!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

We opted to go to Home Depot to get our Christmas tree this year.  It's a whole quarter of a mile down the street from our apartment.  Colton picked out our tree, and I must say, he made a good pick. We love the smell of a fresh cut tree.  I put on the lights and the kids went crazy putting on ornaments.  Everyone was covered in glitter by the end of the night.  It was a perfect Friday night.

Picking the tree!  One day, I am going to be in the pictures....