Category: Uncategorized (Page 89 of 212)

Can you believe we didn’t take a picture of just the four of us together since the hospital?  Since I had both boys in nice sweaters (adorable, yes?) I had to take the chance before we bundled up to go to church.  Sure, they are blurry and poorly lit and from the end of my arm, but they exist!

(More outtakes on my flickr stream, up on the right hand side)

All my pictures went into flickr, like usual.  This is the highlights.

We arrived in GJ the afternoon of the 23rd.  My other siblings were already there.  The next day Grandma Cook flew into town.  She got to meet her second great-grandson!

Brian came over to visit briefly. 

Jack entertained us with a Christmas carol.

Then the middle generation went to see The Hobbit Part Deux.  It was fun, but wacky, and even less like the book than the first one.

We came back from the movie to the traditional Christmas Even dinner – Chinese food!

Sam photo-bombed me and Ben.

Then we introduced Jack to the other Christmas Eve traditions: reading scriptures, reading Santa Mouse, setting out stockings and cookies and milk. 

Surprisingly, we didn’t get going Christmas morning until after 7 AM.  Sam and I were up for the usual feeding, and Ben was up with his usual Christmas antsy-ness.  We roused Jack (easily) and sent him to gather the family.

Jack was most keen on Skylanders Swapforce this year.  So we fired it up before opening much else. 

Sam got a soft monkey and it’s perfect for his latest craze: putting fabric in his mouth.  Om nom nom.

Andy and Amanda amazed us with their homemade presents.  I got some beautiful art from both of them.  Andy won most elaborate by making this vertical chess set for my Dad.  The characters are all based on The Big Lebowski. 

Meanwhile, Jack ate a croissant while playing his video game with one hand.

Sam got this play mat from Santa.  He was immediately entranced:

Lucy got cuddles 🙂

Mom mulling spices with her laboratory spinner from Dad.  Checking the temperatures with the laser gun I gave Andy.

We played games and puzzles.

Went sledding.

The next day we opened presents from the Mason family.  Sadly, they were without power due to the ice storm, so we waited until they were able to facetime to celebrate together.  The boys got matching outfits.

But the runaway surprise winner was the pirate dagger and eyepatch. 

Indulgent food, visiting, movies, games.  That’s pretty much the week. 

And baths.  Baths are fun. 

Ben and Jack went home Saturday as planned.  I stayed with Sam a couple more days to wear out the sinus congestion.  Even still, the drive home over the mountains was head-pounding.  But the extra days meant more relaxing and baby helping.  Amanda and I even went to see another movie – Saving Mr. Banks (meh.  entertaining but not a real winner).

I was also glad to watch the Nutcracker one last time.  I really love that ballet.

The dancing led to this.  Enjoy!

I made this over the holiday!

So cute, right?  I could have made it even bigger around his tummy and in length.  I was trying to get the size right for wearing this winter.  I can easily add another 1 1/2 inches if I decide it’s rolling up over his tummy too much.  Next I’m going to make some matching pants using this pattern.

But there’s sick here again.  Since I last wrote, pre-Christmas, Sam, myself, and Jack have all been sick again.  Here’s a summary, read it and pity me:

Nov 11-15 Jack diarrhea
Nov 13-15 Ben cold (missed office party)
Nov 18-25 Jack flu/cold
Nov 22 Jack ear infection, plugged eye duct
Nov 20-25 (ish) Ben cold part II
Thanksgiving – Jack and Ben still recovering with mild symptoms
Dec 1-4 Jack stomach flu
Dec 3-4 Ben stomach flu
Dec 10  Jack stomach flu part II
Dec 12  Sam rash
Dec 15-17  Rachel stomach flu
Dec 20-25 Ben walking pneumonia
Dec 22-26 Sam cold
Dec 25- 29 Rachel cold
Dec 31 Jack stomach flu part III
Dec 31 Sam plugged eye duct

WHEN WILL THE MADNESS STOP???

Brian is coming over to eat pizza and play munchkin with us after bedtime. Sam and I are cuddling by the cedar fire.  It’s softly snowing outside.  We are watching the Lady Gaga and the Muppets Holiday Spectacular.   It’s. . . weird.  But jolly, and Jack likes the Muppets.

For fun, I put Sam in the same outfit Jack wore in this 3 month photo.  Can you tell who is who?

Ok, the extra hand going “Boop!” gives it away. 

JACK:

SAM:

(Boop!)

They actually aren’t that different.  I know Sam is humungous for his age, but Jack was big too.  And the difference is just an inch or so.  I think Jack had more limbs, and Sam more belly.  But both boys are big and perfect!

I made a quick recovery and now the whole family is HEALTHY!  Jack has sprung back to life.  His imagination and his appetite are both in full swing.  With all the presents bought, parties done, and errands run, we are in spontaneous jolly mode.  Pics below. (kind of wonky, I realized part way through that flickr changed my default code, and I’m too lazy to fix them all. 😛 )

Adorable Sunday outfits:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelsmason/11457543725/player/

Self-wrapped present to send to Maine:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelsmason/11457648456/player/

We delivered on foot to the UPS store:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelsmason/11457586044/player/

Which had cookies!  and toys! and a tree!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelsmason/11457645436/player/

Devouring cupcakes from Amanda
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelsmason/11457537305/player/

Sharing toys with brother
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelsmason/11457536105/player/

Showing me his “Shield attack upgrade”
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelsmason/11457636816/player/

From today, Jack practice wrapping more presents.

We made BOTH tree ornaments and cookies today.

Feeling jealous of Ben’s Christmas party at work, I took the kids to Chick-fil-A.  Sam was sleepy.  Jack was ecstatic.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelsmason/11457631316/player/

I had to buy a peppermint chocolate chip milkshake to share with Jack, because he lost so much weight.  It was for his heath, guys.  I HAD to.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelsmason/11457523695/player/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelsmason/11457695083/player/

 Waiting for Ben to come, I let Jack play Skylanders while I sat with Sam.  Ahh, knitting and ballet.  I found a new-to-me Nutcracker on youtube!  It opens in a kitchen with sausages and carcasses, Drosselmeier looks like Nosferatu with a mustache, and the family is like the Thenardiers in Act 3 of Les Miserables.  Can’t wait to see the rest of this.  It’s from the Mariinsky Ballet.  Those crazy Russians.

Last night I became the latest victim of the stomach bug.  Luckily I think tomorrow I’ll be good.  Ben stayed home with me today and I was able to actually sleep and heal. 

Too much sick.  If you will recall, this streak started on November 18th with a flu-like virus for Jack (and a week of diarrhea for him prior to that).  Almost a full month later and we are still dealing with illness.  Blech blech blech.