How Did He Get This Old?

My oldest child, Brandon, turned 10 on Sunday December 12th. I can't believe he is ten already! I can't believe it's been ten years since I received the most precious Christmas gift of all... the safe arrival of my baby boy. It was touch and go those first few hours, but he made it and I am grateful every day for Heavenly Father sparing this little boys life.


Brandon at 2 weeks- he was a big boy and could
hold his head up really well



Brandon at Ten!


Brandon on his blessing day



Brandon at 2 months


Brandon at eight months



Brandon at almost 2



Brandon and Kenyon having fun


Brandon in the bumper boats



Brandon at five with his best friend!


He is such a good kid. Here are ten things that I love about Brandon:

• He is easy to be around.
• He does well in school
• He is so helpful and has been great with helping me out during this pregnancy when I have not felt good.
• He is very compassionate and loving
• He is very responsible
• He gets excited easy and is very enthusiastic
• He is best friends with his little brother
• He is so good with Jaron and Shaylee. Jaron adores his Banban!
• He loves to read and is always looking for a good book.
• He has such a sweet smile and disposition

We celebrated most of Brandon's birthday on Saturday, so we could do some fun things with him. We went on the Polar Express in the morning. Then we headed to Fort Vancouver to participate in their Christmas activities. We made bags of potpourri and made our very own wreaths.




It was rainy and cold.

We then headed home for a few hours. Brandon and the kids watched our new Scooby Doo Christmas movie. We then headed to the Hometown Buffet for dinner. Brandon loves the Golden Corral in Utah, so we decided to go to the closest thing we have here in Vancouver. He loved it. They got endless slushies and ice cream and of course all the food they want. Brandon was in heaven. After that meal we were much too full for cake and ice cream, so we waited to do that on Sunday for his real birthday. He opened up about half of his presents. And then played his Wii game before bed. It was a BUSY, but fun day.







On Sunday, we headed to church and then came home and opened the rest of his presents. He and Pete were supposed to sing in the Stake Christmas Devotional, but Pete got sick and was unable to go, so Brandon didn't go either. Instead we watched a Christmas show and then had Brandon's choice for his birthday dinner, Poppy seed chicken, mashed potatoes, rolls and corn. Then we ate cake and ice cream. YUM!!!! I think it was a great birthday and we just love Brandon and are so happy he is in our family!

The Polar Express

Brandon decided for his family birthday this year, he wanted to go on the Polar Express for his big activity. We found room available on a train heading out at 11:30 am on December 11th. We snagged six tickets and waited for the day in great anticipation. We started the morning by giving each of the kids a new set of jammies. They were all so excited and loved getting into warm and cozy jammies for the trip especially since it was cold and rainy outside. We then headed up to Hood River, which is about an hour drive. The ride was going really well until we got to Troutdale, where Shaylee, who was in the very back kept saying she was hot, so we turned down the heat and had her take off her coat. Then she started making gagging noises and I asked her if she was going to throw up, she said yes. So, we switched her and Kenyon, so she was closer to the front of the van and then I gave her a plastic bag. She made it almost to Hood River before she threw up. Most of it made it into the bag, but some did get on her carseat. I was not excited about worrying about puking girl on the train, but at this point there was no turning back.

We boarded the train and excitedly found our seats. From the very beginning of the ride it is very exciting and interactive. They had the Hobo going up and down the aisles yelling funny things, and the cooks handing out Hot Cocoa and molasses cookies. Shaylee didn't drink the cocoa, but couldn't resist the cookies. She had been acting fine since we got out of the car and I figured we might as well let her enjoy the whole experience. They had music playing and the guy on the loudspeaker read us the Polar Express. The conductor came down the aisle and punched everyone's tickets. He was very interactive with the kids and was telling them about his "special snow" from his hole puncher. Then he says you know what happens with the special snow? And he dumps it all on my head! I had LOTS of paper circles in my hair that Shaylee so sweetly spent about ten minutes picking out.










Here he is explaining about his "special snow"


And then it all goes on mom's head



See, funny funny



Shaylee picking it out of mom's hair



The hobo



Then as we got further away from the station and closer to the North Pole the rain changed to snow and the ride became really magical. When we got to the North Pole we saw the buildings where all the toys are made and Santa's house and Santa and his elves waving at us. Then the conductor convinced Santa to come on the train! YEA! He visited each of the kids and Brandon gave him one of our candy cane oreos and he gave each of the kids a silver bell from his sleigh. On the way back to the station we sang Christmas carols and the conductor came and visited us again. It was so fun and the kids were so sad when it ended. Jaron said, "I stay on da twain!" I think that is how all of the kids felt.






Santa Clause even captivates an 8 and 10 year old





Santa Clause is giving the kids their bells




The kids with their bells from Santa










Writing on foggy windows is so much fun!






It was so worth the money and the kids just loved it. The people they have on the train do a great job and it was just so much fun.

Shaylee didn't threw up the rest of the day, so I think she just got carsick.

Thanksgiving

We started our Thanksgiving week out by going to Shaylee's class for a Thanksgiving Potluck. While we were there, the kids sang a song about Turkey Lurkey and recited a poem. All of my kids have had Miss Price as a teacher and they have all sung the same song, it is super cute. Jaron loved being in Shaylee's class and had to have his chair right by her and eat with her at her table. It was so super cute.







For Thanksgiving this year, we went to my sister, Gina's house and had a wonderful meal with great company. I enjoyed chatting with my sister and the kids had a great time playing together. It was not only Thanksgiving this year, but also my nephew, Evan's, birthday, so we were able to have a cake and sing Happy Birthday to him. Kenyon thought it was way cool that he would get to be there for Evan's birthday.

I was coming down with a bad cold that day and wasn't feeling great, so I forgot to take pictures, even though I brought my camera. So, here are a few from Gina of the birthday celebration.

First day of snow

On November 21, we got out of church to snow falling all around. The kids were so excited to get home and get out of their church clothes and into snow clothes. We don't get a lot of snow up here, so even with just an inch of snow, my kids are out there throwing snowballs and making snow angels. It's amazing what these Northwest kids can do with just a teeny bit of snow.