Christmas fun

We had a great Christmas. It was the first Christmas in our new home (I'll tell more about our new home later). The boys really got into Christmas this year. We saw lots of lights and had fun decorating the tree and giving out yummy goodies. We tried to continue a few traditions. We acted out the Christmas story on Christmas Eve. I don't know how much the boys listened but, they made very cute Shepherds. Mitch decided to be the star as well. Monte was a very loving Shepherd. We also carried on a tradition from My family and the boys got new pajamas on Christmas Eve. They seemed to like that tradition too.

Christmas morning does not start too early for us yet. I can imagine in a few years we will have to get up at the crack of dawn to open gifts. Monte loved opening his first gift but, after one gift he did not care much about the others. Mitch on the other hand has started to get the idea of Christmas morning. When his Dad told his Grandma Mimi that she got too much, Mitch quickly protest "NO Daddy, it's fine, it's not too much!" Dave and I then talked about making sure we downsized Christmas as to not lose it's meaning. But, that said we did feel the Christmas spirit this year.

We did have a fun time with both sides of the family. The kids loved spending time with most of their Grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. We missed seeing Grandpa Birrell and Tootsie and our family in Washington and Scotland.

True Greatness

My grandpa was a man of few words but, he was one who taught sermons with his actions. I never heard of him wanting much or asking for anything but, he gave and gave of himself his whole life. He taught his sons, grandsons and son and grandson in laws how to be real men. He taught what was important in life. He showed us a perfect example of how a husband should love and cherish his wife and marriage. I always found comfort in my grandparents love for one another. He taught the importance of family. For him family was always the most important. He hardly spoke many words of "I love you", but, he didn't need to because we all knew it. He taught of humility and gentleness. He taught of hardwork and honesty. He taught of faith. He knew the gospel was true and he was firm in it.

The comfort I think I felt in his passing was that he and my grandma did not have to be apart long. We all teased that she was on the other side saying"Father, please hurry up". They never spent a holiday or anniversary apart and this past December, I believe they would have celebrated their 65 wedding anniversary.

It is still difficult except he is gone from this life but, I know I will see my grandpa and my grandma again. When I see them again I will tell them that David and I tried to follow their example in loving each other and our family above all other things.





I never realized how precious these pictures would be. They were taken the last time I got to see my grandpa. He passed away November 4, 2009.

My Grandfather earned a purple heart in World War II in the South Pacific.

Sweet M&Ms

I know they don't look overly happy but trust me the boys loved Halloween. We call the boys M&M sometimes and so when I mentioned to Mitch making M&M costumes he got so excited. He wanted to be a green M&M because that is his favorite color but I finally convinced him green was not the best color if you want to be an M&M and blue was his next choice. Monte didn't really express an opinion so I gave him red. I think it looked good on him. I think I could have done a little better making the costumes but, I am still learning.

We also had fun with Cousin Charlie at the pumpkin patch riding on the little (very little) train and picking out pumpkins. Monte was very deliberate about which pumpkin he wanted. He went straight for a small, cream colored, left leaning pumpkin. He wanted to hold it back to the car but, he kept dropping it so we had to hold him and the pumpkin. Mitch picked a green pumpkin so we did not have a traditional orange pumpkin this year.

Another first for Monte was his first lollipop shown here with Charlie. It is an adorable picture I must say but, the sticky slobber all over Monte's cheeks, hands, and cloths were not as adorable.

What a Big Boy! Mitch turns three.

On October 16th Mitch turned 3 yrs old. He requested a Train party, so we had did or best. We had family and a few friends over to celebrate. I tried to make cakes in bread pans so they would look like train cars. Mitch was convinced. I hope he will always be so easy to please.
I can't believe what a big boy he is becoming. He keeps impressing us with his loving nature, intelligence and sense of humor.
by the way, how do you all like the large knife we left in reach of kids, oops, well, no one got hurt.

The most wonderful place on Earth.

In September we went to Disneyland for a day because Heather (my sister) and her family came from the Seattle area. So Grandma Claudia, Grandpa Dale, Jameson and his family all went too. It was Monte's 1st time and Mitch's 1st time he might remember.

We had a great time. Mitch loved it. We didn't get on a lot of rides but more then enough for two little guys. They were so wiped out at the end of the day. I must say, we were too. It is a little addicting to see your kids get so excited and have so much fun, to bad it costs so much. I guess they have fun and get excited just going down the slide at the park for free.

The best part of the whole trip was being together.

Most importantly MONTE'S 1ST BIRTHDAY!!!

Monte turned 1 on July 23. The year has gone by so fast. We threw him a birthday party with family a few friends. The theme was aqurium because Monte loves the water and loves looking at fish (the few times he has). He loved the decoration of 4ft whale and dolphin images on the wall. For the four days I had them up he pointed at them over and over saying "Da, Da, Da". That is his way of saying he liked them. At the party the kids played in the kiddie pools and adult ate. We had a fish pinata and watched a slide show of pictures of Monte set to music (only family would want to sit through that). I had hoped that Monte would love to gooble up his cupcake but, as you see he didn't get into it. He loved the Ice cream we had a few days before though. Thanks to Kristy who spend 9 hr with me making 50 + cupcakes look like whales, sharks, penguins, fish bowls and octopus. I still owe you.
I think I can say for Dave and myself, Monte, it has been a sleepless year but, you are such a blessing and a joy and we are so happy Heavenly Father sent you to us.

Grandpa Pitman would be glad

To know that his boat was bringing happiness to his little grandsons. We took the youth from Jameson and Marci's ward out on Dave's Grandpa's boat. While the Young men and women were on the boat Jameson and I dragged the Mitch and Ella around on the little tube. Later we got our chance to go for a ride. As you can see the kids were brave. Dave liked the picture of Monte at the front of the boat the best. Don't worry, we had a life jacket on him this was just for the picture.