Parties, snow caves, and birthdays

Wesley is sitting next to me with ice cream over his face and said, "me, Jacki." We heard about a family game night at the library, and Jacki was so excited. They played bingo, made these masks and tried to throw their bean bag in the square. Ty took them while I was visiting teaching. They had a blast and even got a treat bag. The library is one of the kids favorite places anyway in the wintertime, but this made it even better, and I'm surprised that the masks didn't scare them.

It's that time of year....Klondike. Ty helps the scouts make snow caves and they have a camp out in the snow caves. Ty had a good time, even though it was "a little chilly" (10 below), and his cave was a little short for him. The kids and I rented movies. Jacki picked out strawberry shortcake, and Wes picked out Clifford. I made the mistake of getting the movies before we cleaned the house, so it was a struggle getting them to help me. Ty came home and got Wes to have a nap before he went klondiking (Wes takes a nap better for Ty.) Jacki and I spent the afternoon cleaning her room and kept finding "stashes". I finally had to walk away for a time out when I found the clean clothes I had asked her to put away stuffed under her bed.

Grandma Hope turned 90 and we went over and listened to stories from my aunts and uncles. It was great!

The final picture is of Wes making the baby some formula in his cup- wasn't that thoughtful and helpful. I'm just glad I got to it before he shook it. Once again he pointed and said, "me, mommy." And with his bright blue eyes, long lashes, and dimples, I just have to smile as he pushes buttons on my keyboard.

Jacki just prayed that Santa Clause would bring her a unicorn next Christmas. (The kids have been watching Despicable Me a lot ).

Wes wanted the blue dishes for lunch. That is the color to have. They fight for it every meal. He got really mad that I changed his diaper- it was so stinky. Tommi finally gave in to have a nap.

Highlights

Here are a few highlights from our last months. We made the annual trip down to Temple Square to meet our friends Melanie and Lindsy. It's always a blast, and it's always super cold. Well, this year, it was still a blast but without the cold. I mean it wasn't balmy- go for a swim warm- but we could feel our faces, fingers, and toes, the entire time. We ate at Noodles, walked through the lights along with 1/2 of Utah, and of course had a funny happen. Jacki's hat was on backwards the whole time. Lindsy noticed it towards the end. It was hanging clear down her face. Turns out it was on backwards. Jacki got super excited to see the fountains.



We went up to the cabin on Christmas, and the kids went sledding for the first time with the Murray Aunt and Uncles. Wesley got airborne. The trail was about 20 feet, which was just right for them, and it was plenty long for Ty who had to carry them up. I left the sleds there for next time, and Wesley retrieved them and tried to bring them and got upset when I didn't let him.

Sometimes when Jacki "cleans" her room, she puts everything in the closet. This picture was taken after Ty cleaned out her closet for her. She was obviously too tired to continue cleaning, and we went in and saw this.

Writing On The Walls

Wes is starting to learn a lot of the same lessons I had to teach Jacki. This week's lesson is, "WE ONLY WRITE ON PAPER." I've cleaned crayon off several walls (and vegetable dip too, but that's a different story.) Today, there is highlighter on the walls. He sang me Choo, choo, the big train is going down the track. Stop, Look, and listen. He did the actions. He is a fast little guy. During lunch, I took the pot off the burner, turned my back to him, and he put his plastic plate on the burner, which started to melt. I caught it in time to miss the melting plastic. We just got smoke.

Jacki is saying the funniest things. You have to be very correct around her, or, you will hear about it. We've been having bigger lunches lately (to try and have lighter dinners, which isn't working yet) and I called lunch dinner three times. Each time she got upset and told me it wasn't dinner--- even if I corrected myself. Then, I said "lunch," and she said, finally you got it right.

Tommi gives open mouthed smiles. He is always smiling and happy and learned how to go up all the stairs yesterday. He also goes down all the stairs, but he does it head first. I've caught him several times, but he's still managed to beat me a couple times, and it's then that I'm really grateful he has to wear his helmet. He's been in it a month, and his flat spot is filling in. The days go by fast. Jacki really wants to go to the library and get new books. Tommi fell asleep on the way earlier today, and Jacki teared up. I tried to teach her about thinking about others and not just ourselves. She pouted for a while in the car, so I don't think it worked. She must get her lack of patience from me. I'm working on it. I prayed for patience, and I got these three precious kids. I don't pray for patience anymore. I'm working on what I've got. Tommi is googling at me. I loves peek-a-boo, and it is pure joy to see how excited he gets EVERY TIME

Merry Christmas Cont.

Every Christmas Eve we have the Richards family party. This year Jacki was Mary and Wes was the Donkey. Jacki said that she got to be Mary because she was the first one. Wes had a hard time staying with the Nativity group. He kept going over to Grandma to get some ice cream roll. We got to see a lot of that side of the family, which was great. It's a little strange now that my cousins and I are all grown up, but its great to have a lot of additions and see each others kids grow up.
This picture was take at the ward party. There was a big turnout. We were busy visiting, and didn't get a seat in time to start, but the Malans were leaving and gave us their seats. The Putnams did a great job organizing it all. Ty took this picture of a group of us singing. My phone rang in the middle of the song, but thankfully it was on vibrate and nobody knew except for me. I thought for sure Marnee who was next to me had heard it, but I'm sooo glad she didn't and so glad I didn't laugh. I really liked the song and the Nativity we watched. There was a nice Christmas program at Church. I loved the primary kids songs- picture a Christmas and Can I hold the baby. I left that meeting feeling like Christmas was really here (even without snow....it came.)

We had a few Santas in our life this year. I'm saving for a car, plus I have a hard time spending a lot of money on toys. Ty's Aunt Janet brought up this like new rocking horse from her grandkids who were getting rid of it. The next door neighbors gave us the horse and trailer set that their son hadn't ever opened. Grandma Paula went to Layton to pick up a Dora House we had found on ksl used. Then she shopped for the accessories, and Steve helped her clean it up. My neighbor Amanda sold me her pet shops for cheap, which was super kind. They are a lot of fun. Ty and I played with them while we set them up. We are very grateful for all of Santas helpers. It made Christmas mean a lot to see all the people that cared about us.

Every Christmas Ty's mom is a hostess for their stake Creche (google helped me spell that). So, we headed over during her shift. There were hundreds of nativities from all over the world, and we got a list of nativities to find when we got there. Jacki found a lot of them and had a good time. We were looking for one that was on a tie and she couldn't find it even though it was right in front of her. I showed her, and she said, "If that was a snake it could have bitten me." I guess she does listen. We had to keep the kids from touching the displays and am glad they didn't brake anything. There was a room with activities. The kids colored and put together puzzles while I visited with my dear friend Amy who happened to be there with her kids. Then, there was a room that you could dress up and take a picture. The kids were funny. Jacki didn't want to be an angel but consented when I promised her she could be something else after we took the picture. Wes gave us a cheeser smiled and held still long enough to take the picture. Tommi doesn't look like he's having a good time, but the doll baby that was in the cradle was really sad, so I'm glad he let us take the picture, and I'm glad the manger didn't collapse.