Sometimes It's the Little Things...

I was just watching Rigdon tonight - noticing the fun little things that make me just smile. I love how he tries to run so fast on those short little legs with hardly a bend in the knees and then watching his little bottom follow behind. I love him running up to me and teasing me or kissing me with an open mouth. I love the look in his eyes when he knows he's playing a game on you but trying to be really sneaky about it - he moves his eyes but not his head. I love smelling his stinky, little feet at the end of the day, such a little boy smell. I love his sweet little voice when he says "Pweese?" whenever he wants us to get something for him. I love the softness of his cheeks as I nuzzle my face against his.

(Sigh)....I know that eventually I will forget all of these little things, as much as I promise myself that I won't. I hope when I am in heaven (assuming I actually get there one day) that I will have the capacity to remember all the sweet experiences of this life with perfect clarity. (Since I can't take my photo albums and scrapbooks with me....there's gotta be a way around that one.)

How is it little boys seem to see the benefit of a remote so quickly? He knows how to turn the TV on and off.

Hide and seek, anyone?

I've found Rigdon's stuffed animal all tucked in for the night a few times now. Aubrey says she has seen Rigdon do this, otherwise I might not have believed it.

Rigdon loves looking at books and magazines, although tearing them apart seems to be a whole lot more fun for him.

I do keep my windows clean but it doesn't take long to get dirty when there is always some hands and a mouth all over it.

Somehow he always seems to find the markers.

One night I got after Rigdon for doing something and next thing I know, this is what I see. My little 1 year old had put himself in time out.

This is a face I probably see way too much of - but irresistible at the same time.

Christmas 2009

I know, I know, it's about time we publish a post about Christmas. I almost feel silly doing this because it feels as if it happened so long ago. If I say "I've been too busy" would that be a good enough excuse? Hmm...probably not.

Anyhow, Christmas was a lot of fun. We didn't get to spend any of it with my side of the family since my mom and dad spent their Christmas in Ohio with my brother, Cory, and his family. So we made plans to have a Christmas Eve dinner at Jed's grandparents house. Jed's mom, Kristy, and his aunt, Kathy, were also there. After dinner, we opened presents, which the kids were really excited about because they didn't have to wait until it was officially Christmas to do so.
We spent Christmas morning at our own place of course. We told the kids not to wake us up any earlier than 6 AM. Well, even though they didn't come into our room, they were up way earlier than that and were making a lot of noise. Talk about excited! So much for getting any sleep. Jed's mom, Kristy, also came over at 6 AM to join us so she too could watch the kids open their presents.

Rigdon's most favorite gift was his four-wheeler ride-along. He spent just about all of his time on it, he just loved it. His other presents he could've cared less about since it was mostly clothes.

This was Jed's gift to me, a picture of Christ and the Sherry Dew collection. His mom got me some great tupperware that I'd never seen before. Loved all of it.

Ronin got a remote control car, Transformer action-figures, GI Joe toys, and clothes.

Connor got a Bakugan Dragonoid, GI Joe action figures, Transformers, a tie, socks, etc.

Aubrey received a Disney Fairy bedspread, lots of Bella Sara horse books, a Bella Sara game, a dress, and a GI Joe girl action figure so that she could join in with the boys when they are playing with theirs.

Christmas Eve at the Morton's House.

Donald & Joan Morton with Jed's aunt, Kathy.

I didn't take a whole lot of photos of the family gatherings that we had - I was either too busy eating or trying to keep four kids under control. Ok, three....I don't really have to worry about Aubrey all that much.

Opening presents on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Day at Tom's House.

Later on in the day, after we'd opened presents, ate breakfast, and got ready, we spent the rest of the day with Jed's dad, Tom, and his wife, Mo. Most of Jed's half brothers and sisters were there with their families. A few of Tom's neighbors also joined in. Talk about a packed house! Good thing their house could handle it.

Rigdon with his Grandpa.

Tom's house has a little playroom under the stairs and it didn't take Rigdon very long to find it. He had fun playing with the toys and looking out the screen door at the two very large St. Bernard dogs that stared back at him.

Jed and his brother-in-law, Levi, having some laughs. These two are funny to listen too when they get together.

The kids playing with their cousins. They haven't been able to spend enough time with them to know them very well, in fact it was more of an introduction, but they all got along.

So, Christmas was great and it looked like the rest of you family and friend bloggers out there had a great time too.